From the sea level of Gig Harbor to the highest elevation in Washington at Crystal Mountain, we love our Latin American food! Latiné populations make up 12% of Pierce County, and comprise the fastest-growing demographic in the region, so of course we deliver on the cuisine. Whether you’re missing food from home or just have a craving, here’s our guide to the greatest options in the South Sound!
Tacoma
COLOMBIAN
El Parche Colombian Restaurant Tacoma
In Colombian slang, “el parche” refers to a group of friends or a fun gathering, which makes sense; we’ve only had a great time there. If you go without trying the empanadas, that would be a tragic mistake, and their Sancoco and Ajiaco stews are the perfect way to fill up your belly and warm your soul when the Pacific Northwest climate chills your bones.
CUBAN
Church Cantina
Sure, you didn’t realize you wanted a goth bar with surprisingly good Cuban food, but now that you know it exists, don’t you want to go? Church Cantina hits a scrumptious note somewhere between classic offerings and late-night drunk food; you’ll find great tostones, croquetas, and steak chimichurri, but you can also get an elote corn dog, a “holy burrito” doused in salsa, and fried avocado slices. 10/10 for versatility.
SALVADOREAN
Balcon Express
You may be tempted to exclusively order pupusas at Balcon Express, and who could blame you? But then you’d miss out on the carnitas street tacos, and that would be a shame. If you can’t decide, may we introduce you to the fusion-tastic creation known as a putaco? A pupusa-tortilla hybrid forms a soft corn vessel for meats and toppings of your choice, unlocking your new future craving for post-brewery evenings.
MEXICAN
Indita Mia
People assume some kind of correlation between the authenticity of Mexican cuisine and the level of ambiance, almost like a fancy place is less likely to deliver the goods. We’re here to say that this definitely isn’t true; at least, not necessarily. If you’re looking for an upscale Mexican restaurant experience with great food, Indita Mia delivers on both fronts. Their weekend brunch is a safe bet, the Barbacoa is exceptional, and the bar program is playful beyond the expected margarita.
Erica’s World’s Best Mexican Desserts
Like a Mexican Dairy Queen fever dream, Erica’s has ice cream, milkshakes, juices, Italian sodas, everything mango, snowcones, frozen coffee drinks, and even some savory snacks like esquites and Fiery Hot Cheetos nachos.
La Casa de los Chilaquiles
As the name suggests, this is your Mexican breakfast headquarters. Score classic chilaquiles, or have them wrapped into a chilaquiles burrito. Get your go-to eggs benedict, or try their Sopes Benedictos, swapping the hollandaise for jack cheese and salsa, and the ham for chorizo and beans. Essentially, your picky aunt and adventurous teen can both eat here and have a great time.
La Ilusion al Carbon
“Carbon” refers to the open flame charcoal grill approach to cooking. Yes, we’re plating up some Mexican BBQ. For a BBQ feast, the Carbonada plates feed either 2 or 4 people, and include grilled meats, corn-on-the-cob, and all the fixings, including bread or tortillas, salsas, and a couple appetizers. For a single hungry diner, this is the place where a Carne Asada plate would really shine, but even the tamales hit the grill at La Ilusion, so order whatever sparks joy.
Vecindad Mexican Restaurant
Vecindad has an impressive concept mood board: Mexican sitcom El Chavo del Ocho, “the artistic soul of Frida Kahlo,” traditional 1950s Mexican food, and modern flavors. In practice, the restaurant serves up beautifully-plated traditional dishes, including all your go-to favorites, with palpable love. And as everyone knows, that’s what makes family cooking taste the best.
Taqueria El Antojo
Efficiently delicious. This counter service spot is surprisingly glam with booths and a metal-plated ceiling, but more importantly, their classic Mexican-American offerings are delicious, reasonably priced, and served in heaping portions.
Lakewood
SALVADOREAN
El Pulgarcito
Prepare to have decision fatigue. Yes, there are fried plantains, pupusas, grilled steaks, and tamals, but there is also whole-grilled tilapia (Mojarra Frita) and grilled cactus (Nopales Asada) if you truly want to enjoy something regional and delicious. Either way, make sure you get a cup of horchata and their perfectly refried black beans.
Cayaguanta Salvadorean Food
Like many restaurants hidden inside the back of a market, you know Cayaguanta is going to be good. The portions are considerable, and that’s really saying something considering the great company of this round-up. It can get crowded on the weekends, so check out the menu on your way in to not hold up the line.
La Chele Salvadorean Pupuseria
Yes it’s a Pupuseria, but you’ll find a full menu of offerings at La Chele. Their daily soup is always worth considering, and the pickled slaw that tops their pupusas is so beloved that it’s common to ask for extra. They’ll totally hook you up, just ask.
PUERTO RICAN
Old San Juan (OSJ) International
If this round-up is giving you decision paralysis, call it a day and head to OSJ in Lakewood. Their specialty is Puerto Rican food, but they proudly serve cuisine from at least 7 countries, so you’re absolutely in great hands. Puerto Ricans of the Pacific Northwest, like any cultural group, have big feelings about where the most authentic option is; let’s just say that a large population feels that OSJ is the best in the state if not the entire Pacific Northwest. But listen, you can’t legally eat at OSJ without getting the Mofongo. Trust us.
MEXICAN
Sugar Bones Tacos
Humble surroundings? Yes. Cravable? Most definitely! Sugar Bones is Mexican food filtered through pure California nostalgia with punchy salsas, ample pico de gallo, the perfect breakfast burrito, and esquites gleefully punched up with powdered Fiery Hot Cheetos. No frills yet undeniable.
Mi Casa Mexican Food
The opportunity at Mi Casa is trying less common yet completely accessible pre-colonial Mexican dishes that will make you ask, why haven’t I tried this before? Take tlacoyos, for example; a tenderly puffy corn tortilla is stuffed with beans and meat, then topped with fresh salsa, cheese, and onions. Or maybe mixiote: marinated meat and veggies are slathered with salsa, then wrapped in parchment (or traditionally membrane from the Agave plant) and steamed or pit-roasted until absolutely tender and delicious to be wrapped into tortillas. Ok, now we’re really hungry.
Birrieria y Mariscos La Cocina
Yes, the name has it right: come here for excellent birria and seafood. Whole grilled fish, tender beef, tangy spiced shrimp, molcajetes bursting with seafood and avocado and salsa…this might be heaven on earth.
Gig Harbor
MEXICAN
Blue Agave Mexican Grill and Tequila Bar
Looking for something a bit modern? Blue Agave has a salsa bar, something like 100 Tequilas, and a build-your-own burrito option for those whose tastes run particular to picky.
El Pueblito
So you want to sit in a family Mexican restaurant resplendent with talavera tiles, mural-adorned walls, and painted wooden chairs? El Pueblito has a margarita as big as your face and a nostalgia factor to make your meal taste even better.
Taqueria El Guero
Taco truck love. Score a reliable street taco, heaps of flavorful beans and rice, and eat out in the sunshine.
La Plancha Mexicana
In addition to some of the best tacos in Gig Harbor, La Plancha stuns their patrons with surprise specials. You’ll find anything from fluffy pancakes to posole that tastes like your Abuelita made it with all of her love. Whatever it is, you should probably get the special.
Edgewood
MEXICAN
Tacos Mirrey
Let’s talk about cochinita pibil. This slow-roasted pork dish transcends thanks to a hint of sour orange and smoke, and Tacos Mirrey’s rendition might have you going back for seconds. Is this the best taco truck in Washington state? It’s hard to say for sure, but we wouldn’t be surprised. Visit their website to see where their truck will be parked each day of the week.
Enumclaw
Fireside Cantina
Food hits differently when you’re really hungry, and nothing can make you quite as hungry as skiing or snowboarding atop a mountain! With that spirit, Fireside Cantina serves up expected and accessible Mexican dishes at the top of Crystal Mountain, and though you won’t find bells or whistles, they’re sure to satisfy as undeniably as a hastily-heated-up quesadilla eaten over the sink at home after a long day.
Puyallup
MEXICAN
Fiesta Taqueria and Tequila Bar
Burritos the size of your forearm and a huge imposing wall of Tequila? See you there. Oh, still need more reasons? Ok, how about their Happy Hour, running 3-5pm and 8pm-close every day?
Tony’s Tacos
Though we don’t know Tony personally, he seems like a fun guy who doesn’t take himself too seriously, and we appreciate that. This taco truck wants you to break out a fork and knife for the Birria wet burrito and messy carne asada fries, or go all-in on a gloriously cheesy Pizzadilla which, as the name suggests, bridges the gap between pizza and quesadillas. Authenticity snobs need not bother, but where’s your taste for fun?
Sumner
MEXICAN
Pura Brasa Steak & Grill
If you love Mexican meats, you’re already a fan of Pura Brasa’s Pira charcoal oven, though you may not have realized it. Mexican BBQ is traditionally cooked up in pits or over open charcoal flame, and the charcoal oven creates an awesome in-between, giving Pura Brasa’s juicy meats their fire-kissed edge. You can go so far beyond the typical Carne Asada plate at Pura Brasa; get the roasted bone marrow whose tender insides get scraped on toasted crostini, grilled octopus tacos, and American Wagyu beef tacos.
Buckley
MEXICAN
Hacienda Tequila Mexican Restaurant
Mexican classics served in a marigold-yellow room. If you have a go-to family Mexican food favorite, like chile verde or a chimichanga or fajitas, this is the spot to get it in its final form. True to its name, they’ll make you any number of delicious tequila-based drinks, from margaritas to palomas to straight-up with a salt rim.
Orting
MEXICAN
Los Pinos Mexican Food
If you are dying to go out to eat but have a bushel of children in tow, don’t be shy about bringing them to Los Pinos. In fact, bring the whole family. The service here is warm and inviting, and they have dedicated senior and kids menus—that’s one menu for both seniors and kids—with simple presentations to accommodate the pickiest of eaters while you enjoy your mole enchiladas. .
Ruston
MEXICAN
Welcome Restaurant and Bar
The cuisine is somewhere between Mexican, Colombian, and American, with arepas, empanadas, chicken wings, and the iconic bandeja paisa Colombian beans and rice dish. A true melting pot.
Spanaway
MEXICAN
Tonala Mexican Restaurant
If you’ve ever been to Mexico City, you know that it’s a place where pre-Hispanic/colonial dishes get expertly mashed up with street food for the ultimate big-city convenience. Tonala is a nod to the food of Mexico City, and the Contreras family is only too happy to serve you a big platter of your favorite Mexican cuisine.
Where are you eating after the big FIFA games or Mt. Rainier hike? Let us know at @visittacomapiercecounty!
