With Cinco de Mayo right right around the corner, many of you may be scouring the local dining scene for the best Mexican cuisine you can get your hands on. Luckily, I did my scouring a little early, trying every crave-able spot from Flagler Beach to New Smyrna Beach for tacos, enchiladas, flautas and everything in between. Whether celebrating the holiday with a bite to go or dining in for a family feast, here are a handful of my top picks for the best Mexican restaurants local to the Daytona Beach area.
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Mexico City Street Food and Bar
855 Mason Ave., Daytona Beach; 386-236-9126, mexicocitystreetfoodandbar.com
Mexico City Street Food is the latest culinary delight to land itself on Daytona's Mason Avenue. The family-oriented new gem offers locals a one-of-a-kind culinary experience inspired by the flavors, culture and arts that fill the streets of Mexico's capital city, and boasts a homemade variety of elevated, street food-inspired dishes, baked goods, frozen beverages and full bar. In an homage to the culinary paradise that is Mexico City, the eatery's menu is layered with a diverse variety of small plates — like street corn, nachos and empanadas — seafood, vegetarian and vegan selections, as well as burritos, tacos, steaks and other classics.
My most recent favorites range from the enchiladas supremas — four enchiladas (cheese, shredded chicken, ground beef and refried beans) smothered in pico de gallo, fresh guac, lettuce, sour cream and mildly-spiced enchilada sauce; the beef tip flautas — fried rolled tortillas, packed to the brim with tender beef and layered with shredded lettuce, queso fresco, avocado and sour cream; and the wide array of tacos — most notably the mozzarella and cilantro-layered quesa birrias tacos.
Delicias Centro Americanas
722 Mason Ave., Daytona Beach; 386-281-3087,Facebook.com
Delicias is a hidden gem in Daytona Beach that’s easy to miss if you aren’t looking out for it, but hard to stay away from once you’re acquainted. The house-like, roadside spot, which also sits along Mason Avenue, offers takeout or indoor dining and hosts only a handful of tables within its quaint interior. The authentic eatery serves a generous menu of central American cuisine, with Honduran, El Salvadorian and Mexican options, as well combo meal deals with tacos, beans, soda and more for $13.99.
Delicia’s Mexican menu offers a variety of burrito, enchilada and steak plates with my recent favorite selections being the steak gorditas — a popular Mexican street food, layering soft white cheese, seasoned steak, pico de gallo, sour cream and refried beans encased in crisp, fried corn dough; and the flautas — a constant go-to combining shredded chicken in a fried, rolled tortilla with sour cream, cabbage, pico de gallo, avocado and cheese. Delicias also makes some of the absolute best, most flavor-packed, soft tacos in the area, with my top picks being the shredded chicken and chorizo (spicy pork sausage), layered with onion, cilantro and freshly-squeezed lime on a corn tortilla.
Anejo Cocina Mexicana
2642 LPGA Blvd., Daytona Beach; 386-274-1224, anejococinamexicana.com
This small Florida chain prides itself on being locals’ “go-to Mexican restaurant” for exceptional service, high-quality ingredients and authentic savory and spiced cuisine — and I’d have to agree. Anejo Cocina Mexicana has six other locations across the state, offering a modern yet still authentically flavored menu of all the classics, from enchiladas and corn tortilla tacos to fajitas, burritos, quesadillas and chimichangas — as well as several vegetarian options. The eatery hits the nail on the head with its fun, inviting atmosphere, showcasing an array of vibrant wall murals, colorful details, textures and patterned accents decorating its interior — not the mention its spacious open deck for outdoor dining.
My recent favorite dishes have included the chimichurri taco — juicy skirt steak layered with chimichurri sauce, pico de gallo, fresh lime, cabbage and queso fresco; the Mexico city taco — chicken tinga (shredded chicken with a spiced, smoky stewed tomato sauce) layered with lettuce, green sauce, crema Mexicana and queso fresca; and the pollo borracho — a tender, smoky serving of tequila grilled chicken served with grilled onions, cilantro, lettuce, sour cream, pico de gallo, refried beans, Mexican rice and fresh guacamole.
Tia Cori's Tacos
214 N. Beach St., Daytona Beach; 386-947-4333, tiastacosdaytona.com
Serving the Daytona community for over a decade now, Tia Cori's Tacos is a fast-casual, Beach Street gem that prides itself on its modest menu with endless flavor combinations. Whether stopping in for a bite inside the eatery’s muralled brick interior or enjoying a margarita outdoors, the inviting taqueria ensures an “authentic taste of Mexico” for all who swing by. Tia Cori's Tacos makes its own gluten-free corn tortillas fresh daily, and offers a classic menu of Mexican or American-style tacos, burritos, nachos, fajitas, quesadillas and more.
The eatery offers several meat choices — like carnitas, chicken, chorizo, al pastor and carne asada, as well as vegetarian and vegan tacos, enchiladas and burritos. A couple of recent favorites include the chicken gordita dinner — a sizeable portion of two masa corn cakes packed with juicy shredded chicken, beans, sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes and cotija cheese and served with refried beans and rice; and the classic birria tacos — a savory, spice-infused serving of rich, tender barbacoa layered with mozzarella, onion and cilantro.
Tia’s Tacos offers a range of spice-level dipping sauces, as well as a full bar with 2 – 7 p.m. daily happy hour specials and $2 tacos on taco Tuesdays and Thursdays.
El Tequila’s
1784 S. Ridgewood Ave., South Daytona; 386-767-9512, eltequilassouthdaytona.com
El Tequila’s is known for its generously portioned margaritas and undeniably fresh guacamole, but features a lengthy menu of various other favorites I've long enjoyed. The family-owned eatery, nestled along Ridgewood Avenue, showcases a colorful interior, thoughtfully designed to emulate the streets of Mexico with vibrant wall murals, a multi-color light-strung patio, woven wall hangings and small pottery décor dispersed throughout.
The eatery prides itself on authenticity and traditional homemade cuisine, serving a range of fajitas, tacos, enchiladas and vegetarian plates. My recent favorites include the enchiladas verdes — a soft, mild helping of shredded, well-seasoned chicken, cheese, lettuce, guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream and green tomatillo salsa; the slow-cooked birria tacos — a melt-in-your-mouth layering of rich, stewed beef and cheese, served with rice and beans; and the pica pica guac — a shareable starter packed with onions, tomatoes, cilantro, lime, sea salt and jalapenos.
Dahlia Mexican Kitchen
1808 W. International Speedway Blvd., Unit 405, Daytona Beach; 386-238-9662, dahliamexicankitchen.com
Dahlia Mexican Kitchen is family-owned eatery with both a Daytona Beach and Port Orange location. Named after the national flower of Mexico, Dahlia boasts an authentic, made-fresh menu of classic Mexican favorites with a modern flair. The casual eatery boasts a full bar with a plethora of specialty margaritas, as well a menu layered with shareable plates, “classics,” tacos, seafood and house specialties.
While several popular offerings range from the carne asada to the fajita quesadilla and Dahlia chicken, my recent favorites included the loaded chile verde burrito — juicy carnitas marinated in tomatillo sauce, cilantro rice and melted cheese, topped with sour cream, tomatillo sauce, pickled red onions and fresh cilantro; and the carnitas clasicas — slow-braised pork layered with grilled onions, rice, refried beans, lettuce, sour cream, jalapenos and guacamole and served with soft tortillas.
Dahlia also offers an all-day happy hour on Monday and Wednesday, $2-$4 taco specials on Tuesdays and $2 house margaritas on Thursdays.
Monarca Mexican Cuisine and Tequila Bar
1185 W. Granada Blvd., Suite 5, Ormond Beach; 386-238-9918,Facebook.com
Monarca Mexican Cuisine is a no-fuss favorite where I know the food, service and drinks will always measure up. The local eatery is widely known for its margaritas, offering tequila-lovers everything from a skinny marg and "sangrita" fusion margarita, to a variety of other sweet, spicy and frozen options. Monarca offers a generous lunch and dinner menu, alongside a plethora of vegetarian selections and combo meals — not to mention a handful of classic desserts, including tres leches, flan and fried ice cream.
My recent go-tos have included the chiles rellenos — egg-battered, deep-fried poblano peppers stuffed with beef and cheese, topped with a mild, house special sauce, and served with fresh guacamole, Mexican rice, sour cream and pico de gallo; as well as the eatery's vast selection of enchiladas — including the supremas with one beef, shredded chicken, bean and cheese enchilada; and various corn tortilla tacos — with birria, octopus, fried tilapia and six-hour marinated beef among the selections.
Whether winding down your evening or just getting your weekend started, Monarca Mexican Cuisine is a casual Ormond staple that's worth the trip for an authentic bite and salt-rimmed co*cktail.
