Believe it or not, Lincoln Nebraska is home to some of the best Mexican restaurants and taco shops. There is a variety of original and handmade Latin food entrees and dishes to be sampled and enjoyed throughout the city at the different restaurants. There is the common taco, handmade papusasa and a variety of Molcajetes to be discovered. Here is a list of Best Mexican food Restaurants in Lincoln Nebraska.
What Defines Authentic Mexican Food?
Authentic Mexican cuisine is characterized by a diverse range of flavors, ingredients, and cooking techniques that have been developed over centuries of cultural and culinary exchange.
Some defining characteristics of authentic Mexican food include:
- Use of fresh and locally sourced ingredients: Mexican cuisine emphasizes the use of fresh, high-quality ingredients, such as tomatoes, chilies, avocados, and a variety of herbs and spices. Many dishes are also made with locally grown produce, such as corn, beans, and squash.
- Bold flavors: Mexican food is known for its bold and complex flavors, which are achieved through the use of various herbs, spices, and chilies. Dishes may be spicy, sweet, sour, or a combination of these flavors.
- Cooking techniques: Mexican cuisine uses a variety of cooking techniques, including grilling, roasting, frying, and boiling. Traditional methods such as nixtamalization (soaking and cooking corn in an alkaline solution) are also used to prepare staple ingredients such as tortillas.
- Regional diversity: Mexican cuisine varies greatly depending on the region, with each area having its own unique ingredients, flavors, and cooking techniques. For example, the cuisine of the Yucatan Peninsula is influenced by Mayan cuisine and uses a variety of tropical fruits and spices, while the cuisine of Oaxaca is known for its complex moles and use of ingredients such as grasshoppers and mezcal.
- Cultural significance: Mexican food is deeply rooted in the country’s culture and history, and many traditional dishes have been passed down through generations. It is often associated with celebrations and gatherings, such as Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and Cinco de Mayo.
In summary, authentic Mexican food is characterized by fresh, locally sourced ingredients, bold and complex flavors, a variety of cooking techniques, regional diversity, and cultural significance.
Copal Progressive Mexican Cuisine
located in 4747 Pioneers Blvd, Lincoln, NE 68506.
Phone: +1 402-486-0488
One of the best Mexican restaurants in Lincoln is Copal and is in a class of it’s own in the Mexican restaurant style of eateries. They have original recipes items that are specific to the region of Mexico where the owners came from originally. While the ambiance, service, food and food service presentation may seem somewhat upscale, the prices are reasonable. My personal favorite is the creamy tomato enchiladas with chicken. This one of the Best Mexican food Restaurants in Lincoln Nebraska.
Check their menu here!
Hacienda Real
Two Locations in Lincoln : 3130 Pine Lake Rd Lincoln NE 68516 402-4230525
4811 NW 1st Lincoln Ne 68521 402-476-0654
Definitely a “once you try it, you will keep coming back” Mexican Restaurant! – The Chilli Rellenos, Chilli Colorado and the Molcajete dishes are a must order. They have a good salad variety for the health conscious and delicious vegetarian entrees including the spinach enchiladas. Should you be in the mood for shrimp, they have a wide variety of choices including the scrumptious shrimp in cream sauce entree. This is another of the Best Mexican food Restaurants in Lincoln Nebraska.
Check out their website here
Mi Tierra Family Mexican Restaurant
Located in 5500 Old Cheney Rd #4, Lincoln, NE 68516 Phone: +1 402-261-3221
Newest Location 8320 Northwoods Dr Lincoln NE (84th and Holdrege SW Corner)
Website http://www.mitierralincoln.com/
Wow, this place is a gem. Authentic Mexican food made the way it is supposed to be made. Huge portions for the money and fantastic chips and salsa make this a must stop for anyone who enjoys real Mexican food. You will not regret a stop here, in fact it should be your destination.
Check their menu here!
El Toro Mexican Restaurant
Locates in 2600 S 48th St, Lincoln, NE 68506.
Phone: +1 402-488-3939
Nestled in the corner of the 48th and Van Dorn mall, El Toros is another of Lincoln’s great Morales family owned Mexican restaurants. The restaurant is a smaller more quant eatery but has good service and many of the Mexican dishes you might expect.
Check their menu here!
Mazatlan Mexican Restaurant
Located in 211 N 70th St, Lincoln, NE 68505.
Phone: +1 402-464-7201
Delicious giant margaritas! Extensive menu choices and fast, friendly, attentive service. Whether you order the veggie fajitas, guacamole and chips, or anything else – Mazatlan never disappoints ,everything is scrumptious. They offer a large outside dining area as well as the large inside seating area. They treat you like family at Mazatlan.
Check their menu here!
La Paz Mexican Restaurant
Located in 321 N Cotner Blvd, Lincoln, NE 68505.
Phone:+1 402-466-9111
For over 26 years they have been bringing the best Mexican restaurant dining experience to Lincoln for their loyal customers. They encourage innovation and firmly believe that there are a lot of great Mexican dishes waiting to be revealed.
Check their menu here!
Tacos El Rey
116 S. 27th Lincoln Ne
Phone:+1 402-742-5367
This is Eric’s personal favorite – Family owned and operated, this authentic Mexican restaurant has some great soups to warm you up on a cold day or take out tacos for a family picnic in the summer. A favorite is the birria meat on anything; Tacos, Sopes, Burritos etc. Birria is traditionally a stew meat in a red chilli sauce however, at Tacos El Rey it is the perfect and tender meat. They are open Monday – Saturday 10am – 9PM and closed on Sundays. They also have a food truck that is usually located at 1st and Cornhusker.
El Cielito Lindo Mexican Restaurant
Located in 100 N 1st St, Lincoln, NE 68508.
Phone: +1 402-219-9826
You will get a pleasant experience!. The food comes fast, is very tasty and the pricing is reasonable. I would give 10 stars on the service, the staff is very friendly, you will have a great time. The dining room is nothing fancy but nice and clean.
El Chaparro
Located in 900 S 13th St, Lincoln, NE 68508.
Phone: +1 402-435-7112
Best Mexican food in town. Lovely sweet staff and great prices, super quick service (they always say “it’ll be ready in 5 minutes” and it always is), with the only caveat being the small location, the enchiladas and tamales are the best.
Pancho Villa Mexican Grill
Located in 5800 Cornhusker Hwy # 10, Lincoln, NE 68507.
Phone: +1 402-466-7818
Wow! Completely unexpected gem, hidden in an industrial area. The service is very friendly, the red and green salsa are excellent. The food is very good and fresh, ask about the other meat options, taco salad exceptionally good.
