Are you searching for the top Mexican restaurants in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach offering amazing food and excellent beverages? We’ve got you sorted! We reside in Gulf Shores and frequently visit these eateries.
Top Mexican Restaurant in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
I’m a huge fan of Mexican cuisine! I’m fully on board with a delicious enchilada, chips and salsa, and a cold frozen beverage.
Relocating to Gulf Shores was one of our objectives, which was to discover our preferred local Mexican eatery. We had a fantastic Mexican restaurant in Spokane that we visited several times each month.
One aspect we understood very quickly isAlabama Mexican fooddiffers from PNW Mexican Food. If you are traveling from outside the south, you might be surprised by some of the flavors present in our local Mexican cuisine.
It’s challenging to explain the differences, but I’ll mention that the cheese used in many dishes varies, and the sauces tend to be somewhat milder compared to the spice level we were accustomed to.
They remain excellent, but I want to confirm whether you’re coming from outside the South and are prepared for a different taste experience.
Several Mexican dishes that were popular in the Pacific Northwest, including Chicken Mole, have become hard to find along the Alabama Gulf Coast. To date, we’ve discovered one restaurant that offers it. Please let us know if you are aware of any others!
Are you prepared for amazing cuisine using the finest ingredients, scrumptious desserts, and remarkable beverages?
Agave – Gulf Shores
Agave Mexican Restaurant located in Gulf Shores offers delicious cuisine, excellent beverages, and an enjoyable atmosphere. A variety of artwork adorning the walls and tables, along with great music and friendly staff, make it one of our top choices for a Mexican dining experience in Gulf Shores.
Menu highlights
Molcajete – Get one of these if you’re hungry and looking for a meal that’s perfect for sharing on social media. Cactus leaves with steak, grilled chicken, shrimp, served with onions, bell peppers and cheese, rice, beans
California Burrito – a burrito filled with grilled chicken, steak, shrimp, beans, rice, lettuce, pico de gallo, avocado, and sour cream, topped with red sauce, cheese, and green tomatoes
Pineapple Fajita – A pineapple filled with chicken or beef, shrimp, and produce. Accompanied by rice, beans, and a salad.
Address– 3800 Gulf Shores Parkway # 370, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Close to Target and the movie theater in Gulf Shores
Parking– A spacious parking lot is located near the restaurant that serves the theater, in addition to parking available in front of the restaurant.
Reservations– Walk in
El Toro – Gulf Shores
El Toro Mexican Restaurant is a cozy, neighborhood eatery located in Gulf Shores, situated within a shopping plaza near Highway 59.
This cozy eatery serves an exceptional Mole along with excellent frozen beverages.
Menu highlights–
Chicken Mole – The only location we have discovered in the vicinity.
Arrachera El Toro Style – a seasoned fajita steak cooked to perfection with green onions; accompanied by toasted chiles, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, rice, and your selection of salad or charro beans
Grilled chicken or steak taco salad featuring lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, and sour cream with shrimp
Frozen tequila cocktails – Absolutely delicious!
Address– 3645 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Parking– The restaurant has parking available in front. It is not a large lot.
Reservations– Enter without any prior bookings – Come in without making a reservation – Drop by without needing to book ahead – Arrive without prior arrangements – Show up without reservations required
Taco Fiesta- Gulf Shores
Taco Fiesta offers delicious street tacos, burritos, and a variety of other items. It has a branch in Gulf Shores as well as one in Foley.
I want you to grab some street tacos and order a burrito to take with you. It’s the best meal to have for leftovers. YUM!
Menu highlights
Street Tacos – Grilled Steak, Marinated Pork, Chicken, Shredded Beef, Mexican Sausage, Fried Pork, Combination of Steak and Sausage, Tripe, and Spicy Pork Rinds.
Burritos – Carne Asada (steak), Al Pastor (marinated pork), Pollo (chicken), Barbacoa (shredded beef), Chorizo (Mexican sausage), Carnitas (fried pork), Campechana (combination of steak and chorizo), and Chicharron (spicy pork rinds) served with rice, beans, and cheese.
Address– 1316 Gulf Shores Parkway (Hwy 59), Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Parking– A parking area is located in front of the dining establishment.
Reservations– Walk in
Cantina La Luz – Gulf Shores
La Luz Cantina is situated in the Rouse’s grocery store complex in Gulf Shores. It offers an excellent brunch selection along with a complete lunch and dinner menu.
Menu highlights– Ranchero Eggs, Quesadillas (with ground beef, chicken, steak, shrimp, pork, or cheese), Fajitas (chicken, steak, shrimp, vegetable, or fajita Texana), Chimichanga (chicken, beef, steak, shrimp), Taco Salad, Carne Asada, Flautas, Bistec a la Mexicana.
Address– 1545 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Parking– A spacious parking area is available for Rouse’s and the eateries located in the complex.
Reservations– Walk in
Cactus Cantina Mexican Grill – Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
Cactus Cantina operates several branches in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Foley.
They offer a wide selection that includes a variety of options. They are highly favored by both residents and tourists.
Menu highlights
This is the first Mexican eatery we’ve tried that offers cheese grits as a side dish.
Grand Supreme Nachos – Tortilla chips covered with black or refried beans, seasoned shredded chicken or ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, jalapeños, and finished with cheese dip.
Carnitas – Pork pieces slowly cooked with fried onions. Accompanied by warm tortillas, lettuce, guacamole, pico de gallo, and sour cream.
Address
Gulf Shores – 3849 Gulf Shores Parkway, Suite 1 and 2 Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Orange Beach – 25908 Canal Road, Suite A Orange Beach, AL 36561
Orange Beach – 25311 Perdido Beach Blvd Orange Beach, AL 36561
Foley – 1605 S McKenzie St Foley, AL 36535
Parking– Each location has a spacious parking area available.
Reservations– Walk in
Mexican eateries in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach that we still need to check out:
- YoHo Rum and Taco Bar – located at The Wharf, Orange Beach
Closed Mexican Restaurants – Several lists are available that feature eateries that have permanently shut down. The following establishments have closed – Chronic Tacos, Margarita Loca Bar & Grill, and Mexico Lindo Mexican Restaurant.
Top Mexican Restaurants Close to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, AL
Vallarta Mexican – Foley
We enjoy the beverages at Vallarta Mexican Restaurant. They offer creative margaritas, including margarita flights.
Menu highlights– Ocean Margarita, Margarita Flight, Custom Cocktails,…all the beverages
Address– 1145 S McKenzie St. Foley, AL
Parking– The restaurant has a spacious parking area in front.
Reservations– Walk In
There are a few Mexican Restaurants in Foley, Alabama we have yet to reach.
- El Mezquite Mexican Grill Co.
- My Little Town Mexican Taco Shop
- La Casita Fresh Mex Grill
- Macho Taco Bar and Grill
- The Fondita of Doña Amanda
- Centro Taqueria
- My Land Tacos and Dishes
- El Mariachi Hondureño
- La Esquinita Catracha
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Excursions
Here are some of our top-rated excursions offered in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama.
Dolphin Tours– Reserve a dolphin tourhere
Visit our experiences onHammock Time Tiki Tours, Explorer Dolphin Cruise, Southern Rose Dolphin cruise, Cruise OB (Orange Beach), Sail Wild Hearts, Sunset Cruise and Dolphin Watching Adventure, and the Sunny Lady Dolphin Cruise.
Pontoon Boat Rentals– Experience the beauty of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach by taking a Pontoon boat. Discover pontoon boats equipped with slides for added enjoyment. Reserve your Boat RentalHere
Parasailing– Experience the breathtaking scenery while parasailing in the Gulf of Mexico. Spot animals as you glide above the water. Reserve your parasailing adventure.Here
Jet Ski Rentals– Renting a Jet Ski is an excellent method to discover the back bays of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Reserve your Jet Ski rental today.Here
Click hereto view all the highly rated tours and experiences offered in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Accommodations
If you are coming by and require tobook accommodations, here are our suggestions. We have stayed at each of these accommodations:
The Shore Club Resort and Spa(Fort Morgan): This resort provides oceanfront condominiums featuring exceptional facilities and a superb spa. Don’t overlook dinner atCoast Restaurant.
Use Code –GULFJOURNEYfor a reduction when reserving withSpectrum Resort.
Turquoise Place High-End Vacation Properties(Orange Beach): This is our top choice resort in the region! It provides high-end facilities, stunning oceanfront scenery, and exceptional condominiums.
Use Code –GULFJOURNEYfor a reduction when reserving withSpectrum Resort.
The Tides Hotel in Orange Beach– Stunning hotel located on the beach offering an excellent breakfast buffet, an outdoor pool, and exceptional customer service. Reserve nowHere
Island House Hotel– Excellent hotel located in Orange Beach, situated directly on the beach with stunning views from each room. Reserve nowhere.
Timberline Glamping Orange Beach– Remain in a remarkable glamping tent featuring a private bathroom just minutes away from Gulf State Park. Reserve nowhere.
Springhill Suites Orange Beach: Situated close to The Wharf, it offers a great spot near shops and restaurants. We loved their beautiful pool. Reservehere
The Cabin at Gulf State ParkSituated along the beach in Gulf State Park, this Hilton Hotel provides stunning ocean vistas, an eco-friendly stay, and excellent dining options. Reserve your room.HERE
Don’t overlook our other Gulf Coast locations, such asGulf Shores, Orange Beach, Dauphin Island, Fairhope, Fort Morgan, Foley, Mobile, Bayou La Batre, Alabama, and many others!
We also have pieces about the Emerald Coast in Florida, includingDestin, Fort Walton Beach, Pensacola Beach, Navarre Beach, Panama City Beach, Perdido Key, Pensacola, and more.
Watch for articles about the Gulf CoastAlabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Florida!
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