Every year, Coral Springs residents face the same dilemma: where to find authentic Mexican food without the touristy gimmicks. Maybe you’re tired of places with sombreros on the walls and mariachi bands interrupting your conversation. Or maybe you just want a proper taco without the performance. That’s what this list is for. These 11 spots deliver the real deal—no flashy decor or celebrity sightings required.
Bubbakoo’s Burritos
$ | (754) 702-3797 | WEBSITE
Bubbakoo’s Burritos is a reliable spot in Coral Springs for burritos, which they serve daily from 11am-9pm—while most of the Chipotle crowd is probably waiting in line for a bowl that tastes exactly like last week’s. The restaurant is far enough north of the usual chains that you could stay here for minutes grabbing a burrito, with all the toppings, and their notable meal options without seeing a single disappointed face.
Tijuana Flats
$ | (954) 344-4445 | WEBSITE
If you just want a taco, some chips and guacamole, and to be left the hell alone, go to Tijuana Flats. The Coral Springs Tex-Mex spot is not only a great casual dining option that never really gets too crowded, but this place is so much more delicious than it has the right to be. They have a focused menu with recognizable things like tacos, quesadillas, beef chimichangas, and that glorious shrimp with chips and guacamole.
It seems like normal chain restaurant food, but each dish is outrageously good and among the best versions of these very popular foods you’ll find anywhere in Coral Springs.
El Mariachi at Wiles Road
$ | (954) 796-9285 | WEBSITE
El Mariachi at Wiles Road is a great Mexican restaurant, and is also generally accommodating enough to handle dietary restrictions or bring a family you’re trying to please. They serve cuisine in a few different forms. Their menu is extensive and generous, with options from Cuban classics to Mexican favorites. They offer chimichangas as well as house margaritas, and very good overall value.
Their location on Wiles Road should keep you far from central Coral Springs’s very busy traffic, which will have both families and foodies smiling within minutes.
Tijuana Taxi Co
$$ | (954) 344-9201 | WEBSITE
Tijuana Taxi Co kind of looks like a lively cantina from the street, and it feels that way when you step inside, too. It’s vibrant in here, with upbeat music playing and servers moving cheerfully through the dining room.
Everyone seems to be in a good mood and having fun, and that could be because it’s very easy to be happy when you’re eating the food here—which includes very good things like spicy shrimp tacos with cilantro rice and refried beans, Hacienda Burritos, and a fantastic blackened salmon dinner with plantains.
El Paso Restaurant
$ | (954) 255-2276 | WEBSITE
El Paso Restaurant is our favorite Mexican spot in Coral Springs, thanks to a consistently delicious menu that features classic dishes like chican fajitas along with hard-to-find (in Florida, at least) authentic Mexican flavors that keep us coming back. The restaurant itself is refreshingly quiet and quaint. Everything here tastes incredible too, and is so much more satisfying than spending an hour waiting for overpriced fusion food that makes your wallet feel bad about itself.
Patron Azteca
$ | (754) 229-8940 | WEBSITE
The Art Basel crowd probably couldn’t point out Coral Springs on a map, even if that map was just a map of Coral Springs. So it’s a safe bet that they won’t follow you to Patron Azteca, a family-friendly Mexican restaurant in Coral Springs. Come here to (spoiler alert) eat fantastic Mexican cuisine and enjoy live Mariachi music.
They also have great deals on Mondays and Tuesdays, and we truly can’t think of a better antidote to Art Basel than an unpretentious afternoon of steak tacos, seafood chimichangas, and fresh salsa.
La Union Mexican Bakery & Restaurant
$ | (954) 757-0702 | WEBSITE
The closest thing to a mural at La Union is the display of golden-brown breads and pastries greeting you at the entrance. The next-closest thing to a mural at La Union is the aroma of fresh chorizo and chicken al pastor, which isn’t even close to a mural, which is exactly our point.
This Coral Springs spot is a simple restaurant where locals come to sit down and eat authentic Mexican food, so come here to do the same if you need a break from conversations about the importance of establishing oneself as a ‘thought leader’ on social media.
Chini’s Burritos
$ | (954) 255-3949 | WEBSITE
The strip malls in Coral Springs might get busier during the holiday season, but Chini’s Burritos won’t feel much different than it does on a regular Tuesday. The small dining area will be mostly filled with people who understand this is one of the best spots for authentic, old-school Mexican food in town. Order a carnitas burrito, some fish tacos, and appreciate the casual, welcoming atmosphere, which is the kind of environment we can truly enjoy.
CASA TEQUILA
$ | (954) 340-4637 | WEBSITE
You won’t stumble into a trendy fusion spot in Coral Springs. But you will find this classic Mexican restaurant that’s become a local favorite. Here, you can relax while sipping a fantastic skinny margarita and eating fresh, tasty dishes. The Chile Rellenos, which are flavorful and satisfying, are our favorite thing to eat here. After you polish that off, check out the delicious Cheesecake chimichanga for dessert.
Antojitos Esmeralda
$ | (754) 229-6385 | WEBSITE
Coral Springs strip malls can make you crave authentic flavor. And Antojitos Esmeralda is technically authentic. Even though finding this casual Mexican spot might put you face-to-face with some generic storefronts, at least once you end up inside, you’re guaranteed three things: friendly service, fresh food, and amazing tacos. The dishes here are much better than your average Tex-Mex joint.
There are small plates, standout tostadas, and bigger entrees, like enchiladas rojas sitting in a delicious sauce you get to mop up with warm tortillas. And they have a phenomenal guacamole on the menu, so you can order enough to ensure you don’t have to share until everyone’s finished their carne asada.
La Union Bakery #2
$ | (954) 324-8535 | WEBSITE
This is the only spot on the list that falls well within the authentic Mexican cuisine bubble. We’re including it just in case—willingly or accidentally—you find yourself in or around Coral Springs craving real Mexican flavors.
There will probably be a steady stream of regulars trying to get their usual orders at the more popular chains, so what you should do is head straight to La Union Bakery #2, where you will get solid Mexican food while everyone else is settling for bland imitations at twice the price. The corn quesadillas and carne asada tacos burst with fresh ingredients, and the fruit waters made from real fruit are a delight at just $3-4 each.
The comfortable space with its Frulados Rasados counter feels like a neighborhood secret, with friendly staff providing excellent service that makes this a family favorite. You’ll leave satisfied without having spent more than $15-20 per person.