I grew up in a family that loves Mexican food, and we went multiple times a week. Every Sunday after church, any day we needed a quick meal, or whenever we were without extended family. As a result, my standards are high for Mexican food. In this blog, Jocelyn and I are going to break down the best Mexican Tuscaloosa has to offer, both authentic and not, cheap and expensive.
Honorable Mention: La Mexicana
La Mexicana has multiple locations in Tuscaloosa; a food truck that travels campus, a fixed location in the ferg, and their main spot on 15th Street. Although I’ve never been to the mother store on 15th, their food truck was enough to sell me freshman year, and their ferg location was enough to keep me coming back. Because we’ve never been to their physical sit down restaurant, we have decided not to rank them. But because their food is so good, we think they deserve the recognition of an honorable mention. Their family business makes authentic Mexican food that is reasonably priced. The steak tacos are absolutely top tier, with perfectly cooked steak and crispy tortillas. They have a serve yourself type bar on the food truck for limes, onions, salsa, and more to customize your food, ensuring you get exactly what you want. I’m also a huge fan of their chicken quesadilla with a side of queso, although their queso portions are too small. That typically runs around $12, but the quesadilla fills me all the way up with a bite or two left to overeat. The customer service is arguabley the best part of La Mexicana, with the women in the food truck taking the time to talk to you, learn your name, and remember you the next time they come. To be on a campus as large as this one, they put in the effort to make it happen.
Preston’s Order: Chicken Quesadilla with a side of queso. (Steak tacos are a close second)
Jocelyn’s Order: Three street tacos, one chicken, one pork and one steak –– with no onions, and a lot of salsa de verede on the side.
Number 5: La Hacienda
La Hacienda, more often called LaHa, is the go to college spot for Mexican, but generally not Mexican food. The atmosphere of LaHa is one based in fun, with music being played by the first table to ask for AUX and servers hyping their tables up for the night ahead. The food itself is good, but it’s what you’d expect from a college town Mexican spot: standard Mexican that’s good enough. This Mexican won’t keep you up at night thinking about it, but the cheap prices of food and drink will keep you coming back. LaHa primarily ranks for the cheap prices, staple/popularity on campus, and environment. Typically students will go to LaHa before a night out, get a mini pitcher for cheap, some food to fill them up, and ask for AUX so they can blast Party in the USA for the 25th time that night. Of all the spots on this list, LaHa is the only one that has a line every single day of college kids waiting to meet their friends. It would be criminal not to include them on this list, but given that we’re ranking for food, we have to put them 5.
Preston’s Order: Pollo Loco double rice no beans
Jocelyn’s Order: Loaded nachos
Number 4: Central Mesa
Vibes. High quality food. Great service. Central Mesa has it all. The environment is very cool and very trendy with the sugar skulls and string of lights. The food is authentic Mexican with a slight modern twist, but never lacking in flavor or presentation. The service here is fantastic with attentive servers who know the menu well, and the recommendations they provide are always on the mark. All of that said, portions and prices are the main thing holding Central Mesa back from going as far as the number one spot on this list. The delicious food makes up for the expensive prices, as the flavor is easily worth the price. But the amount of food you get for the price you pay is hard to accept. I usually get chorizo queso to start and a full meal, but I always leave with room for dessert or more food. The menu is relatively small, but generally customizable if you want to swap out proteins or sides. Overall, Central Mesa is a great pick for Mexican food, but if you’re balling on a budget, I would recommend waiting for parent’s weekend or a special occasion before dropping what feels like a small band on a dinner.
Preston’s Order: Chorizo queso to start and 4 street tacos with different proteins in each, no pickled onions.
Jocelyn’s Order: Chorizo Hash.
Number 3: Loco Lupes
While Loca Lupes is new to town, it definitely deserves a spot on this list. Alabama has its fair share of good, authentic Mexican food. Jocelyn grew up in North Alabama, and on just about every street was a small taco shop. Loco Lupes gives you the same quality food you would get at an authentic restaurant but offers the same sit-down environment you find at places like Jalapeños. As soon as you walk in, you are welcomed by an amazing staff, and the owner will probably also visit your table for a quick hello. Loco Lupes is one of those places where you can never order the same thing twice—they simply have too much to offer. From street tacos, burritos, carnitas plates, all the way to authentic tamales served fresh in a corn husk, you won’t leave hungry. But if I had to choose one thing that you must eat before leaving Loco Lupes, it would be their Quesabirria tacos! Birria tacos have been my number one pick for years, and you will definitely find me going back to Loco Lupes for more.
Preston’s Order: Grilled chicken Quesabirria with no onions
Jocelyn’s Order: 2 beef Quesabirria tacos with no onions, and a chorizo taco with no onions
Number 2: Taco Mama
A staple spot for families coming to visit Tuscaloosa, Taco Mama is a great spot for good food, atmosphere, and drinks. Although not the most authentic Mexican in Tuscaloosa, and probably the least authentic on the list, it’s certainly some of the best “Mexican Inspired/TexMex” in the area. That said, the barbacoa at Taco Mama is absolutely phenomenal, outpacing even La Mexicana. The sides are absolutely done right with the rice, pico de gallo, guacamole, queso, and more tasting perfect, even if it does not the same taste you would find in Mexico. If you’re a big burrito kind of person, you may need to get on them as we’ve both seen burritos come out underfilled, but the tacos, quesadillas, bowls, and nachos are always done right. Plus, you can get a topping of any item on the menu for free with your order. The toppings may be a fraction of the size of a side, when going with a group of people its always easy enough for everyone to get a little extra queso, pico, guac, or beans without charge.
Preston’s Order: Barbacoa quesadilla with rice, queso, pico, and guac toppings.
Jocelyn’s Order: Chicken nachos loaded with almost everything!
Number 1: Jalapeños
Jalapeños is a great Mexican spot that brings the best of all these options together. They have some traditional Mexican dishes and some typical TexMex dishes, all of which are delicious. They have a location in downtown that is very trendy, and the vibes are great. They also have a location off campus that’s a more traditional Mexican restaurant environment (the food at that one is better and cheaper). We have never heard of anyone not liking Jalapeños for any reason at all. The food is great, the prices are reasonable, and the service and vibes are always top tier. Jalapeños doesn’t try to do anything too crazy, but has instead opted to perfect the basics of Mexican. Their grilled chicken is seasoned perfectly, their salsa is phenomenal, and there isn’t an item on the menu that isn’t worth getting.
Preston’s Order: Dirty Rice or Grilled Chicken Quesadillas A La Carte
Jocelyn’s Order: Chorizo quesadilla with grilled tomatoes, and a side of rice and beans
