In search of a new favorite Mexican spot that's gentle on your wallet?
Lucky you for you; Hoodline has crunched the numbers to find the best and most affordable Mexican restaurants in Detroit, using both Yelp data and our own super secret methods. Here's to having a wallet as stuffed as your burrito.
1. Taqueria El Rey
Topping the list is Taqueria El Rey in Mexicantown. Located at 4730 W. Vernor Highway, it's the highest rated affordable Mexican restaurant in the city, boasting 4.5 stars out of 272 reviews on Yelp.
The casual eatery serves up a little of everything, but its barbecue chicken seems to be the star. You can pick up a whole or half chicken dinner, which is served with rice, beans, tortillas and salsa. Other dishes include tacos, tortas, quesadillas, shrimp cocktails, ceviche and menudo. (See the full menu here.)
It's also got a beer bar that serves up Mexican imports like Corona, Dos Equis, Tecate and others, as well as tequila and margaritas.
Bring some cash when you visit, as it doesn't accept debit or credit cards.
Yelper Jeff H. visited on Jan. 15, saying, "The barbecue chicken is a hyperbolic dream! I never thought I would get so excited about chicken, but the barbecue chicken here is quite literally the tastiest chicken I have ever eaten. ... Moist, tender and chock full of addictive, subtly spicy flavor."
2. Honey Bee La Colmena
Next up is southwest Detroit's Honey Bee La Colmena, situated at 2443 Bagley St. With 4.5 stars out of 194 reviews on Yelp, the grocery store and Mexican spot has proven to be a local favorite for those looking for a low-priced option.
The store has been in business since 1956 and offers a wide range of Mexican and Latin American products. It also has a counter in the back where you can grab ready-made foods, including breakfast burritos, tacos, soups and more.
Don't forget to grab some chips and salsa, which are right next to the entrance, before you leave.
Yelper Abe F., who reviewed it on June 13, wrote, "If you're looking for any Mexican/Hispanic products, more than likely you'll find it here. Great store. Large selection of grocery items. Hot food section in the back of the store with some really good breakfast burritos that are dirt cheap."
3. Taqueria Lupita's
Mexicantown's Taqueria Lupita's, located at 3443 Bagley St., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the affordable Mexican spot four stars out of 266 reviews.
Its menu includes salads, soups, tacos, burritos and tortas. For tacos, you can expect al pastor, tripa, chorizo, carnitas, chicken and carne asada, among others. It's also got some authentic soups, such as menudo (spicy broth with beef tripe), birria (a stew of goat meat), pozole (pork and hominy) and Siete Mares (shrimp, fish, crab, octopus, scallops, oyster and squid).
Chris S. said, "The undisputed best tacos in Mexicantown and possibly one of Detroit's best-kept secrets (though perhaps not so secret anymore) ... It maintains a hole-in-the-wall authentic feel that's sure to attract hipsters, but these tacos are the real deal."
4. E & L Supermercado
Mexican grocery store and meat shop E & L Supermercado in southwest Detroit is another top choice. Yelpers give the business, located at 6000 W. Vernor Highway, 4.5 stars out of 40 reviews.
E & L Supermercado has been around for over 60 years, so it's another longtime Mexican grocery store in Detroit like Honey Bee. It's as authentic of a Mexican grocery store as you'll find outside of Mexico, with fresh produce, an in-store bakery and a butcher. While it's slanted heavily towards Mexican and Latin American products, it also carries a variety of American goods, so it's a good bet you can pick up your regular groceries while exploring.
Yelper Kelsea D. said, "Their meat counter is out of this world! They have so many options to choose from you'll get overwhelmed. The grocery store itself is a nice size. It was clean. The staff was very helpful and nice. ... Also, if you're in the mood for some tacos, there is a taco truck in that same parking lot."
5. Evie's Tamales
Over in Mexicantown, check out Evie's Tamales, which has earned four stars out of 110 reviews on Yelp. Dig in at the restaurant by heading over to 3454 Bagley St.
It's known for its tamales, but also serves up a number of other dishes, including breakfast burritos, calabacita (squash soup), albondigas (a soup with meatballs flavored with mint), pozole (pork and hominy soup), enchiladas, tacos, chimichangas and more. (See the full menu here.)
Yelper Amy H. wrote, "Absolutely the best, top-notch menudo, mouthwatering salsa and, of course, tasty tamales. The service can be a tad slow at times; it seems like they are sometimes a little understaffed at the beginning of lunch hour. But the service is great and very attentive."
