8 Best Mexican Spots in Seattle

Creating the perfect taco is an art form. A science. Many people try and many people fail. You have to know which ingredients go together, how to properly prepare these ingredients, and then get the perfect ratio of said ingredients together in a tortilla. When someone succeeds at all three of these variables then you get fireworks. Taco Fireworks. That's right, explosions of guacamole in the sky.

In honor of Cinco de Mayo (which, full transparency, when doing research we discovered we had no idea what this day was actually in honor of. Educate yourself, people) we compiled you a list of our favorite Mexican places in town. We would like to note that we understand people can be very defensive about their tacos. If your favorite spot isn't on this list maybe it's because we haven't been there or, ya know, maybe it's because your favorite spot is Taco Bell. 

Alright, here we go! 

El Borracho is definitely one of our regular spots in town. We love the food, drinks, and people!

Our recommendation: Tacos de Hongos. Meat lover? Go for the Carnitas Burrito.

Tacos Chukis is a tricky to find dive in Capitol Hill, but so worth finding and waiting in line for these little tacos.

Our recommendation: Adobada Tacos with a Dos Equis

El Camion has a few food trucks around town and are always serving up a wide variety of awesome grub from the window. 

Our recommendation: Fish tacos with a Jarritos (go for the pineapple!)

La Carta de Oaxaca is one of two Mexican restaurants owned by the same family and check off all the boxes for great Mexican food! 

Our recommendation: Mole Negro Oaxaqueno

Cantina de San Patricio is located in Post Alley in Pike Place Market and has a good happy hour with a small patio you can enjoy your drinks on during a sunny day! 

Our recommendation: This one makes the list for their Margs (which is a food group, right?) and outdoor seating.

The Saint would make the list for character alone. It has a unique building and atmosphere and to top it off the food is awesome too.  

Our recommendation: Any of the Quesos Fundidos, and if you are feeling frisky get a flight of their tequilas.

Agua Verde Café & Paddle Club is a fun, sunny day spot. It sits on Lake Union and doubles as a kayak rental hub for paddling around Lake Union. Grab some tacos and a drink, then get out on the lake to enjoy the city!

Our recommendation: Bacalao Tacos and a view of the lake!

The Yard is not a Mexican joint, per se, but they do have some amazing Mexican dishes on the menu and their outdoor seating is the icing on top of the ...err..  salsa on top of the taco?

Our recommendation: Any of their tacos, but especially the Adobada and for something different try the Ensalada Quesadilla.

Honorable Mention: Gracia is new on the scene in Seattle (former Matt's in the Market chef, Chester Gerl, is behind it!) and we haven't had a chance to drop in yet, but we hear it is great so we wanted to include it for everyone to go try. You're welcome.

Our recommendation: We haven't been here yet, so we don't have one! But word on the street is their tamales are awesome.

Let us know your favorite spots in the comments! 

Halibut Season at Pike Place Fish

We want to see the guys hurl that thing across the counter!

Some of you might have noticed a change in season recently- the sun is shining, the temperature is rising, and, especially for us, we just can't hold in our excitement. That's right folks, it's HALIBUT season. This calls for a trip to Pike Place Market.

THE place to get your sustainable Halibut. 

World Famous Pike Place Fish, located under the main entrance of Pike Place Market, is the only fish market at Pike Place that sells all sustainably caught fish. They are also known for their world class customer service and their fish throwing and catching skills. It also happens to be where Sarah's husband has worked for 16 years, but we mainly shop here exclusively because of the sustainability. The friendly staff is just an added bonus. ;) 

Our connection here does mean we are constantly up-to-date on when certain fish are in season as well as mouth-watering recipes to go along with the goods. Today we are giving you all the insider tips on Halibut along with a delicious recipe from the Pike Place Fish Cookbook. 

Watching the guys throw fish is one of our favorite things to do at the market.

Jake will fillet any fish you would like. 

Insider Tips

• Halibut season runs from March - November, which means you can get this great fish fresh any time except winter.
• Pike Place Fish gets all of their halibut from Southeast Alaska, and it is all 100% sustainably caught.
• Most of the fish weigh roughly 20 lbs, which means it takes a lot of extra effort to chuck one over the counter. When catching a halibut, you must grab onto the body AND the tail. If you don't it will be "extremely hard to land."
• The most popular way people get halibut is a fillet, but the fishmongers advise you to not discount a steak cut. Yes, a steak cut means it will come with a bone, but they say to think of it like a T-bone steak. It will have one big bone that is easy to remove. The benefit of a steak cut is that it will have even thickness, which is helpful for cooking and the bone keeps the fish moist.
• Halibut cheeks (the literal cheek of the fish) is another great way to enjoy this fish. Not every fish market will have them, but Pike Place Fish carries them from time to time. If you are lucky enough to be there when they are in stock, don't miss them!
• Halibut is mild and not super fatty, which means it's very versatile. It is great in tacos, takes marinade really well, and can be baked or grilled. It is also great in stew like in this recipe below!

Caribbean Seafood Stew.

Caribbean Seafood Stew (from the Pike Place Fish Cookbook)

Serves 4-6

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

3 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1 pound halibut, cut into 1-inch chunks 

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1 green bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and finely chopped

6 garlic gloves, minced

1 jalapeno chile, seeded and finely chopped (use 2 if you want it hotter)

One 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes with juice

One 14 ounce can unsweetened coconut milk

1/2 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish

Bottled hot pepper sauce (optional)

Directions:

Stir together 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, the lime juice, 2 teaspoons of the salt, and the pepper in a medium glass bowl. Add the fish cubes and toss to coat. Set aside.

Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a 3-quart saucepan, over medium-high heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, garlic, and jalapeno. Season with remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Cook and stir for 4 to 5 minutes or until onion is tender but not brown. Add the tomatoes and juice and the coconut milk. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

Stir in the shrimp, marinated fish, and cilantro. Return to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for 5 minutes or just until the fish flakes easily with a fork and the shrimp turn opaque. Don't overcook. Taste for salt and adjust seasoning if desired.

Ladle the stew into shallow bowls over rice. Sprinkle with cilantro and pass hot pepper sauce, if desired.

Ruston Soda Shop

Don's Ruston Market and Deli is home to an adorable 1940s-style soda shop and although we weren't alive in the 40s, we can safely say you step back in time when you sit down at that counter and order a root beer float or a milkshake. It doesn't matter your age, you spin on the stool and when you look over the menu and decide between a float, milkshake, or banana split all stress melts away and you are suddenly a kid again. We decided on a good ol' fashioned coke float, and it did not disappoint. 

This shop has been here since 1917 when it was a simple general store. If you are bad at math, let us point out that means this little shop is turning 100 next year. Ruston is close to Tacoma and this little shop sits close to Commencement Bay and Point Defiance Park, which means it's the perfect place to stop for an afternoon treat after a day exploring outside. So get your butt over there, it's not only fun, it's a little slice of history!

The soda shop boasts an impressive display of Coke bottles from years past.

Take twirl on the counter

This pretty mural is painted on the side of the soda shop