What is ‘absolute best’ Mexican restaurant in WA? See Tasting Table’s top pick
Where can you find the best Mexican food in Washington state?
Tasting Table, which describes itself as a “one-stop shop for all food and drink enthusiasts,” recently went in search of the “absolute best” Mexican restaurants in every state.
“Truly great Mexican cuisine is defined by flavorful and fresh dishes, vibrant salsas and handmade tortillas, wonderfully-textured cheeses, regional specialties and of course, chilies,” Tasting Table contributor D.B. Kelly wrote in a Jan. 5. article.
The best restaurants for Mexican food are those “making tortillas and salsas from scratch; importing ingredients from Mexico and sourcing the freshest local produce and meats,” Kelly said.
They also promote “traditional dishes and cooking methods” and offer options that “you might not find on the menus of less dedicated restaurants,” according to Tasting Table.
If you’re craving top-notch tacos, burritos and more, here’s where to go:
What’s the best Mexican restaurant in Washington state?
According to Tasting Table, the “absolute best Mexican restaurant” in Washington state is El Cabrito in Burien, just south of Seattle.
“Expect outstanding mole enchiladas, carne asada and carnitas that are perfection on a plate,” Kelly wrote. “The dishes are as flavorful as anything from Oaxaca, and a super-friendly, welcoming atmosphere help earn it the best-in-the-state nod.”
El Cabrito opened in November 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to restaurant owner Artemio Coria.
Coria said the experience of launching a restaurant just before the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic was a “wild ride,” describing running a restaurant as “quite the adventure.”
“We love our customers,” Corida told McClatchy Media. “We love to share our food. We work hard so we can keep our traditional recipes and to provide good service.”
El Cabrito shared news of its Tasting Table title with fans via Facebook.
“We are excited to be among the best Mexican restaurants in the U.S.,” restaurant representatives wrote in a Jan. 23 Facebook post. “Thank you for supporting us. We will continue to give our best!”
In a comment, Facebook user Richard Haiku Mockler wrote that he was “so happy to see this, and so grateful you are here.”
What’s on the menu at El Cabrito near Seattle?
The menu at El Cabrito features a variety of Mexican food favorites, including tacos, burritos, enchiladas and chicken mole.
According to Coria, popular dishes include the coloradito enchiladas, deep-fried quesadillas and tlayuda, a large, handmade corn tortilla topped with black beans, beef, Oaxacan cheese, cabbage and more.
On Yelp, the restaurant has an average rating of 4.7 stars, with reviewers raving about the “amazing” food and “excellent” customer service.
Yelp user Cameron C. of Seattle called El Cabrito “one of the best Mexican spots we’ve found in western Washington so far.”
How did Tasting Table come up with rankings?
To determine the top Mexican restaurants across the United States, Tasting Table said it started by looking at reviews, ratings, and recommendations on social media.
“To narrow things further down, we looked for restaurants that advertised menus taking inspiration from specific areas of Mexico, or that were serving up tried-and-treasured family recipes straight from south of the border,” Tasting Table said.
This story was originally published February 9, 2026 at 5:00 AM with the headline "What is ‘absolute best’ Mexican restaurant in WA? See Tasting Table’s top pick."