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From taco lineups that run from al pastor to seafood, to dessert shops turning nostalgic flavors into showstopping sweets, Metro Detroit’s Mexican food scene has plenty of reasons to plan your next meal out. Here are a few places serving craveable classics, bold specialties, and plenty of variety for groups with different appetites…
Seaviche
10531 Highland Road, White Lake
3242 East Jefferson Avenue, Detroit
Seaviche is a strong pick when you want seafood-forward Mexican favorites, including tacos like fish, shrimp, and carne asada, plus beef birria and a build-your-own option. The Seaviche lineup adds even more variety with choices like Chula Tuna, Cobo Wabo, and Mexicali, making it a fun place to try a few different flavors in one visit. On the side, you’ll find roasted street corn, Avocado Bites, pineapple mango salsa, and Loaded Sweet & Spicy Baja Fries. There are bowls, burritos, and a Mexican pizza on deck, too. For dessert, Apple Empanadas and Churro Chips keep the finish sweet.
Azúcar Ice Cream y Más
8101 Vernor Highway, Detroit
Azúcar Ice Cream y Más is the kind of stop that turns snacks into the main event, with a menu that spans salty and sweet. On the sweet side, you’ll find options ranging from their own handcrafted ice cream and paletas to aguas fresas, crepes, mini pancakes, and Dubai chocolate specialties. Owner Jose Reyes shares that along with his wife Maria, “We are a Mexican-inspired dessert shop focused on sharing the flavors we grew up with while creating a fun, welcoming place for the community. Guests can find favorite Mexican-style snacks such as tostielote, Mexican street corn, and fresas con crema. Our goal is simple: great desserts, beautiful presentation, and something for everyone.” It’s an easy pick for groups since there’s a range of choices, whether you need a sweet break or a salty kick.
Armando’s Mexican Restaurant
4242 Vernor Highway, Detroit
Armando’s is a go-to when you want a little bit of everything, whether you’re starting with Queso Flameado with chorizo, Mini Taquitos with pico de gallo and guacamole, Birria con Papas Fritas for fries topped with melty cheese, birria, consommé, and avocado, or Garlic Shrimp sautéed in butter. Taco lovers can mix and match options like Tacos al Pastor with pineapple, Quesabirria with consommé, and seafood picks like Tilapia Fish Tacos or the Baja Seafood Taco topped with Muenster cheese. Soup season is covered with Menudo (tripe), Pozole (pork), Caldo de Res (beef short rib), and even Armando’s Mexican Chili, plus hearty plates like Enchiladas Suizas, Guisados, and a Birria-Rito topped with consommé. Save room for fried ice cream, flan, tres leche, or nutty chocolate cake to finish.
Iron Horse
316 West 4th Street, Royal Oak
Iron Horse brings bold flavors to downtown Royal Oak with a lineup that works just as well for a quick bite as it does for a full sit-down meal. Owner and Operator Tony Prainito shares about the past decade plus: “From its much-talked-about esquites appetizer, made with fresh roasted corn, to its birria tacos featuring house-crafted, slow-braised shredded chuck roast and brisket, the menu delivers comfort, flavor, and crave-worthy classics.” Beyond tacos, you can dig into options like the Mini Mexican Pizzas, Wet Burritos, and a Blackened Chicken Quesadilla. The taco list covers everything from crunchy beef and chicken to baja shrimp and al pastor, plus an Avocado Sriracha Elote Pizza for something a little unexpected. Finish with churros when you want a sweet closer. For a mid-week stop, “Guests can also enjoy weekly features, including $3 tacos and beers every Tuesday and $6 margaritas on Wednesdays, along with Happy Hour Tuesday through Saturday from 4-6 pm.”
Las Gatos Tacos
3615 West Maple Road, Bloomfield Township
1416 Walton Boulevard, Suite A, Rochester Hills
Las Gatos Tacos is built for anyone who likes to order across the menu, from tacos to bowls to handhelds. The taco selection runs from carne asada and avocado to mahi mahi and shrimp, plus a Korean BBQ Taco with citrus onions and scallions for a fusion-leaning bite. If you’re looking for more, there are quesadillas with options of birria, Southwest Veggie, and Chipotle BBQ Chicken, along with Krunch Wraps in original or spicy varieties. Bowls and burritos range from Classic and Baja to Spicy Chicken Krunch and Cheezy Bean options. Churro bites or churro sticks make it easy to tack on dessert without overthinking it.
Señor López Mexican Restaurant
7146 Michigan Avenue, Detroit
Señor López Mexican Restaurant brings a huge menu that makes it easy to return and order something new every time. Start with nachos, Quesadilla Fingers, freshly made guacamole, or Queso Flameado with chorizo, then move into soups like Sopa Azteca, Caldo de Res, Menudo, or the Caldo de Siete Mares loaded with seafood. Breakfast runs from specialties like Chilaquiles and Huevos Rancheros to steak and eggs, while lunch specials cover tacos, enchiladas, chimichangas, tamales, and flautas. Dinner options include Enchiladas en Mole, Cochinita Pibil (slow-roasted marinated pork), Chile en Nogada (beef-stuffed Poblano pepper), fajita mixes including a Portabello Mushroom option, and seafood plates like Camarones a la Diabla (shrimp in hot salsa) or Mojarra Frita (whole fried tilapia). Dessert is simple and classic: tres leche cake, flan, churros, sopapillas, and fried ice cream.
Tios Mexican Cafe
401 East Liberty Street, Ann Arbor
Tios Mexican Cafe is a great option for groups with different dietary needs since their refried beans and Spanish rice are both vegan, and several items are gluten-free. Starters like Pulled Pork Tostadas, Street Corn Dip, queso with chips, and guacamole set the tone, while lunch favorites include wet burritos, chimichangas, enchiladas on corn tortillas, and Nachitos. Taco choices span everything from Autentico and Tinga to birria served au jus, poblano pepper and potato, plus mahi mahi, deep-fried cod, and tequila butter shrimp for seafood fans. Bigger plates include Chiles Rellenos, fajitas with options like steak, chicken, shrimp, or mushroom, and a loaded Molcajete with steak, chicken, carnitas, shrimp, and more. If you want something different, Yucatan-style Pork is served in a sour orange sauce along with jalapeño mashed potatoes and bleu cheese coleslaw, along with Mexican Pizzas and more, rounding out the menu.
If you’re planning a meal out, this is the kind of cuisine that makes ordering feel like part of the fun: a couple of starters for the table, a few tacos to mix and match, and something sweet that turns into the “one more bite” moment. Keep it casual, bring your appetite, and don’t be afraid to try a dish you’ve never ordered before; you might just find your new go-to.
This article has been updated to include new information. The original article was published on November 7, 2014, and was authored by Toni Cunningham.
