My Mexican restaurant guide is based on various categories that represent important elements of Mexican food culture. Basic principle: every authentic option counts!
The more Mexican diversity a restaurant offers, the higher the score. Each element receives a certain weighting – if it appears in a restaurant’s online presence, it receives corresponding points. The total score determines the ranking. There are also penalties for non-authentic elements.
The Tortilla Question
The heart of every Mexican meal deserves the most points. Nixtamalized corn is difficult to produce outside Mexico – but even in major Mexican cities, nixtamal tortillas are not always easy to find. Masa harina is widely used and is not bad, just not the best, though there are different qualities here too. “Handmade” often means: self-shaped from masa harina dough. Through customer photos on social media or food blogs, I can usually tell from appearance whether nixtamalization was used. Restaurants that don’t mention their tortillas probably use masa harina ones.
Culinary Knowledge
The names on the menu count here. Each correctly named traditional term brings points – chilaquiles, tlayuda, pozole, mole. Menu photos on social media are my best source. Restaurants that describe their dishes only as “Mexican pizza” or “spicy chicken,” or work with generic Spanish terms like “pollo con arroz,” miss out on points. The same goes for restaurants with dishes that obviously don’t belong to Mexican cuisine – like paella or pasta. Regional specialties from different Mexican states show genuine expertise and count double.
The Beverage Dimension
Not all restaurants serve alcohol, but traditional drinks still bring points. Aguas frescas, horchata, or micheladas show understanding of Mexican drinking culture. Mexican beers or sodas also count. With agave spirits, the rule is: only 100% agave brings points – mixtos don’t qualify.
Negative Points
Misspellings of Mexican terms, incorrect descriptions, or foreign dishes cost points. Pasta on the Mexican menu? Salmon? Nachos sold as an authentic dish? That brings deductions. Any Mexican person quickly recognizes these errors in online menus and restaurant posts.
The System in Action
Point collection is based entirely on publicly available information – I find restaurants through Google Maps and rate them based on their websites, social media, and menu photos. This helps everyone searching for genuine Mexican cuisine make better decisions. At the same time, restaurants can showcase what they’re capable of and how much authentic Mexican food means to them.
The Three Mexican Restaurant Categories
My restaurant guide shows three different categories of Mexican restaurants in Germany. Check out the results on my interactive map!
Echt Mexikanisch (Truly Mexican)
These offer enough Mexican elements on the menu to enjoy authentic Mexican flavors and drinks. You’ll most likely find the Mexican dishes you’re craving here, and with a bit of luck, a good mezcal selection. These are often places where you can spend a nice evening in good company.
Fast Dining
Bowls, burritos, tacos, and quesadillas dominate here. There are many restaurants that offer delicious creations. Some use the term “Mexican food” and are generally good options for a quick bite between activities.
Cocktail Bar with Kitchen
Characteristic here is an extensive menu. You’ll find Mexican food, but generally these places remind you of classic American restaurants like Hard Rock Cafe, Chili’s, or Friday’s. The menu is familiar to everyone: lots of appetizers, mostly American-style, plus a huge drink selection, often in large portions at affordable prices. Although you can eat well here and enjoy tasty drinks, you should barely expect authentic Mexican flavors.
Echt Mexikanisch: The Authenticity List
Curious? Check out my complete restaurant list with all ratings! The collection is constantly growing – new cities, new discoveries, fresh updates. Your next favorite taco spot is already waiting for you.
Every week I search Google Maps and the web for new Mexican restaurants and rate their authenticity for the guide. Visit our “Mexican Restaurants” section to see the complete guide with all rated restaurants.
