Most Delicious Mexican Chain Restaurants in the U.S.

Go to these Mexican chain restaurants when you need good comfort food.

There’s no question about it, Mexican food is one of the best in the entire world. And there are few cuisines the U.S. loves more. It’s only natural, then, that there are countless Mexican chain restaurants all over the country that serve authentic Mexican dishes as well as fusion Tex-Mex and Cal-Mex food.

Some of these chains are fast food, while others are more upscale sit-down restaurants. But which one is the best? Here are the 20 most delicious Mexican chain restaurants, ranked from good to would-eat-here-every-day.

20. Salsarita’s Fresh Mexican Grill

Jared M. / Yelp

Year founded: 2000

Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina

States with a location: 19

Bottom Line: Salsarita’s Fresh Mexican Grill

Kimberly A. / Yelp

The made-to-order menu of this chain keeps people happy. You can choose from core items that include burritos, tacos and quesadillas and then customize it with your choice of meats, vegetables and toppings.

But what makes Salsarita’s shine is that many locations also serve beer, wine and cocktails — genius!

19. Rubio’s Coastal Grill

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Year founded: 1983

Headquarters: Carlsbad, California

States with a location: 3

Bottom Line: Rubio’s Coastal Grill

Hiram G. / Yelp

Rubio’s Coastal Grill serves what some call “fresh Mex,” or Mexican fast food that uses fresh ingredients. The chain was started by an American man after an inspiring trip to San Felipe in Baja California, Mexico.

Today, the chain remains true to its fish-taco beginnings by serving up sustainably sourced seafood prepared with Mexican ingredients and Tex-Mex flavors.

18. El Torito

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Year founded: 1954

Headquarters: Long Beach, California

States with a location: 1

Bottom Line: El Torito

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El Torito has been delighting Californians with Tex-Mex food since the 1950s. And any chain that can survive that long is definitely worth trying.

You’ll find classics like enchiladas and huevos rancheros as well as burritos and fajitas. The only reason this sit-down chain isn’t ranked higher is because it hasn’t expanded beyond the Golden State.

17. Fuzzy’s Taco Shop

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Year founded: 2003

Headquarters: Fort Worth, Texas

States with a location: 17

Bottom Line: Fuzzy’s Taco Shop

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Focusing on Bajan cuisine, this chain leans much more toward American style than Mexican. But that’s sometimes exactly what you crave. You’ll find giant margaritas with small corona bottles turned upside down, lots of chips and queso, and even brisket.

Fuzzy’s is like a Chili’s that mainly focuses on Mexican-inspired foods. Come here for happy hour for great prices and really good food.

16. Taco John’s

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Year founded: 1969

Headquarters: Cheyenne, Wyoming

States with a location: 23

Bottom Line: Taco John’s

J B. / Yelp

You wouldn’t expect to find great Mexican fast food in Wyoming, but Taco John’s proves the non-believers wrong. Here, you’ll get West-Mex food, a fusion that is difficult to find outside of the area, but it’s absolutely delicious.

Try the crispy tacos, the chain’s signature dish, especially if you go on a Tuesday — after all, this is the restaurant that coined (and trademarked) Taco Tuesdays.

15. Uncle Julio’s

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Year founded: 1986

Headquarters: Irving, Texas

States with a location: 11

Bottom Line: Uncle Julio’s

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With franchises from New Jersey to Texas, Uncle Julio’s serves Tex-Mex foods like bowls, fajitas and quesadillas. The chain claims that it makes all of its food from scratch. Given the taste, we’re inclined to believe it.

Order a swirl margarita, one of the specialties, but only if you’re not the designated driver.

14. Moe’s Southwest Grill

Rachel S. / Yelp

Year founded: 2000

Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia

States with a location: 37

Bottom Line: Moe’s Southwest Grill

Rachel S. / Yelp

Moe’s set itself apart from the competition by creating a unique atmosphere and offering ethical meat options. The chain boasts that it has no microwaves in its kitchen, so people can be sure that its fast food is fresher than at other places.

While the menu isn’t necessarily inventive (you’ll find tacos, burritos, bowls, nachos and the like), several items are customizable, so you can have it your way.

13. Del Taco

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Year founded: 1964

Headquarters: Lake Forest, California

States with a location: 15

Bottom Line: Del Taco

Del Taco / Facebook

Sometimes, it’s hard to choose between classic American and Tex-Mex food. Del Taco takes away that dilemma by offering both.

Whether you’re in the mood for a fajita or for burgers and fries, you’ll find it here. This makes fast-food pit stops with friends so much easier — no more debating about food during road trips.

12. Chipotle

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Year founded: 1993

Headquarters: Newport Beach, California

States with a location: 43

Bottom Line: Chipotle

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Chipotle is probably the most successful Mexican chain restaurant listed here. You’ll find one in almost every state as well as four countries outside of the U.S. People love the fast-food restaurant because it’s convenient, has a customizable menu and uses fresh produce.

Is it the best Mexican-inspired food you’ll ever have? Of course not. But for something quick, filling and cheap, it does a great job.

11. Cafe Rio Mexican Grill

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Year founded: 1997

Headquarters: Salt Lake City, Utah

States with a location: 11

Bottom Line: Cafe Rio Mexican Grill

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Cafe Rio claims to have the best Mexican food on the planet. And while we can’t say that this is even remotely close to being true, it is pretty good for a fast-casual chain.

Some people compare it to Chipotle, but Cafe Rio offers a more varied selection and one that is closer to real Mexican food. The beef birria tacos will make you an instant fan.

10. Qdoba Mexican Grill

Jack M. / Yelp

Year founded: 1995

Headquarters: San Diego, California

States with a location: 45

Bottom Line: Qdoba Mexican Grill

James B. / Yelp

Even though it’s now headquartered in San Diego, Qdoba originated in Denver, Colorado. Its concept is similar to that of Chipotle, with customizable platters served in a fast and convenient way.

What places this chain a step above its arguably more famous counterpart is its honestly amazing dips and salsas. The three-cheese queso, in particular, brings people back to the restaurant again and again.

9. Los Cucos Mexican Cafe

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Year founded: 1991

Headquarters: Houston, Texas

States with a location: 3

Bottom Line: Los Cucos Mexican Cafe

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Founded by two brothers who used their nickname for the restaurant, this Texas chain offers both Tex-Mex and authentic Mexican food. The sit-down chain is well-known for its atmosphere, which is always festive.

Try the signature swirling margaritas and sangrias. And if you can’t decide what to get, you’ll be happy to see mixed plates that let you try different dishes.

8. On the Border

Karla J. / Yelp

Year founded: 1982

Headquarters: Irving, Texas

States with a location: 31

Bottom Line: On the Border

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Like its name suggests, On the Border is all about the Tex-Mex flavors that have developed along the border of Texas and Mexico. While much of its menu is expected, it does offer real Mexican food items like tacos al pastor (which are, in our opinion, the best tacos) or flautas.

Of course, you can also find things like chorizo quesadillas that’ll make you feel like you’re in Texas. The most impressive thing about this chain is that much of its food is cooked on grills that use wood from the mesquite tree, a species native to the area.

7. Baja Fresh

E S / Yelp

Year founded: 1990

Headquarters: Scottsdale, Arizona

States with a location: 27

Bottom Line: Baja Fresh

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Baja Fresh was using fresh ingredients, grass-fed beef and handmade food long before it was a trend. This made it immediately popular with California crowds and allowed it to quickly expand to other states.

While it’s not based in Arizona, it keeps true to its original philosophy, refusing to even have can openers or freezers in its stores. That’s quite impressive for a fast-food chain.

6. Chuy’s

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Year founded: 1982

Headquarters: Austin, Texas

States with a location: 17

Bottom Line: Chuy’s

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Chuy’s has been innovating Tex-Mex food since the early 1980s. The menu includes interesting items like a stuffed chile with sirloin, chicken and cheese, or chicken breaded with potato chips and topped with spicy green sauce.

While it’s based in Texas, it also incorporates elements of other southwestern states, which helps make its food more unique.

5. Wahoo’s Fish Tacos

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Year founded: 1988

Headquarters: Tustin, California

States with a location: 5

Bottom Line: Wahoo’s Fish Tacos

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Wahoo’s fish tacos are an ode to one of Mexico’s most underrated dishes. Founded by three California brothers, the chain is very intentional about having locally sourced ingredients. This is why its menu changes depending on what fresh fish is available in each state.

But that’s not all that makes it unique. The restaurant is also known for taking the traditional fish taco and adding Asian, Hawaiian, American and South American flavors. We’re not exaggerating when we say you won’t find tacos like this anywhere else.

4. Torchy’s Tacos

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Year founded: 2006

Headquarters: Austin, Texas

States with a location: 11

Bottom Line: Torchy’s Tacos

Stephen S. / Yelp

A relative newcomer to the game of Mexican chains, Torchy’s has developed quite a cult following. The chain serves some authentic Mexican food, like delicious street corn with cheese. But it isn’t afraid to crank up the fusion by coming up with new items like tuna and green chile tacos or fried avocados.

As you might expect from an Austin restaurant, ingredients are responsibly sourced whenever possible.

3. Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant

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Year founded: 1989

Headquarters: Lubbock, Texas

States with a location: 9

Bottom Line: Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant

Martine K. / Yelp

Like its name suggests, this chain takes family seriously. All the dishes are made from scratch based on the family dishes of the head chef. The restaurant claims to only use fresh ingredients for the items it makes in-house, like its salsas and tortillas.

Choosing one thing to eat is hard, but you can’t go wrong with the hand-rolled enchiladas. Enjoy them in the signature open-air courtyard that gives this chain a homey feeling.

2. Cantina Laredo

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Year founded: 1984

Headquarters: Dallas, Texas

States with a location: 7

Bottom Line: Cantina Laredo

Jessica P. / Yelp

While we love Tex-Mex fast food, sometimes, you want to have a nice dinner while sipping tequila-based cocktails. Cantina Laredo bets on the growing demand for an upscale Mexican-food experience by offering a restaurant experience inspired by Mexico City.

This translates to international flavors adapted to traditional Mexican cuisine.

1. El Pollo Loco

Celia G. / Yelp

Year founded: 1975

Headquarters: Costa Mesa, California

States with a location: 7

Bottom Line: El Pollo Loco

Michael R. / Yelp

Out of all the chains mentioned in this list, El Pollo Loco is the only one that is actually from Mexico. This alone earns it first place for authenticity. Given that its name translates to “the crazy chicken,” it’s no surprise that poultry is its specialty. Whole chickens are slowly grilled after marinating in a fragrant mix of herbs and spices.

Originally a roadside stand in Guasave, the cook’s chicken was so good that it propelled the small business to international franchise status.