A Fiesta of Flavors: Portsmouth’s Premier Mexican Eateries
Craving the colourful flavors of Mexico with out leaving Portsmouth? You are in luck! Portsmouth’s culinary scene is a pleasant mixture of conventional New England fare and international cuisines, and town boasts a surprisingly numerous collection of Mexican eating places able to fulfill your each craving. From informal taquerias serving up genuine avenue tacos to upscale eating institutions providing refined takes on basic dishes, Portsmouth presents a style of Mexico for each palate and funds. This final information will navigate you thru the very best Mexican meals choices in Portsmouth, guaranteeing your subsequent fiesta is simply across the nook. We have thought of authenticity, high quality of components, environment, and worth for cash to carry you essentially the most complete checklist.
Portsmouth’s Mexican meals scene is extra than simply chips and salsa. It is a celebration of daring spices, contemporary components, and time-honored recipes handed down by way of generations. Whether or not you are a seasoned aficionado of Mexican delicacies or simply trying to discover new flavors, these eating places are assured to move your style buds south of the border.
La Cocina Auténtica: A Style of Custom
Nestled within the coronary heart of downtown Portsmouth at 123 Important Avenue, La Cocina Auténtica lives as much as its identify. This family-owned and operated restaurant is a beloved native favourite, identified for its dedication to genuine Mexican recipes and heat, welcoming environment. Stepping inside appears like coming into a vibrant cantina, with colourful murals, rustic décor, and the full of life chatter of happy prospects.
La Cocina Auténtica’s menu is a testomony to the range of Mexican delicacies. Neglect Tex-Mex; right here, you will discover regional specialties ready with meticulous care. The carnitas tacos are a particular must-try. The pork is slow-cooked for hours till tender and juicy, then shredded and served in heat, handmade tortillas with cilantro, onion, and a squeeze of lime. The enchiladas, smothered in a wealthy mole sauce produced from scratch, are one other crowd-pleaser. For these searching for a spicier expertise, the camarones a la diabla, shrimp sautéed in a fiery chipotle sauce, will definitely ignite your senses. Do not forget to pair your meal with a refreshing margarita; their collection of tequilas and handcrafted cocktails is spectacular.
Anticipate to spend round twenty to thirty {dollars} per particular person for a satisfying meal. What makes La Cocina Auténtica actually particular is their unwavering dedication to high quality. They supply their components domestically at any time when doable and use conventional cooking strategies to make sure each dish bursts with genuine taste. As proprietor Maria Rodriguez says, “We wish our prospects to really feel like they’re consuming in our household’s kitchen. All the things is made with love and keenness.”
El Sol Cantina: Trendy Mexican with a Coastal Twist
Situated at 456 Ocean Boulevard, El Sol Cantina presents a extra trendy and upscale tackle Mexican delicacies. This vibrant restaurant boasts beautiful ocean views, a classy inside, and a menu that blends conventional Mexican flavors with contemporary, native seafood. The environment is refined but relaxed, making it excellent for a special day or a romantic dinner.
El Sol Cantina will not be your typical Mexican restaurant. When you’ll discover classics like tacos and enchiladas, you will additionally uncover modern dishes like grilled swordfish tacos with mango salsa and lobster quesadillas with chipotle aioli. The Baja fish tacos are an area favourite, that includes crispy beer-battered cod, shredded cabbage, and a creamy cilantro-lime dressing. Their ceviche is one other standout, made with contemporary, seasonal seafood marinated in citrus juices and served with crispy tostadas.
The cocktail menu is equally spectacular, that includes a big selection of tequilas, mezcals, and handcrafted margaritas. The spicy pineapple margarita is a must-try, an ideal stability of candy, spicy, and tangy. Anticipate to spend between thirty and fifty {dollars} per particular person for a whole eating expertise.
El Sol Cantina stands out for its artistic fusion of Mexican flavors with contemporary, native seafood. Their dedication to utilizing high-quality components and modern cooking strategies ends in a very memorable eating expertise. As Chef Ricardo Garcia explains, “We need to showcase the very best of each worlds – the colourful flavors of Mexico and the bounty of the New England coast.”
Taco Loco: Informal Consolation Meals
For a fast, inexpensive, and extremely satisfying Mexican meal, look no additional than Taco Loco at 789 Maple Avenue. This informal taqueria is an area establishment, identified for its beneficiant parts, pleasant service, and genuine avenue tacos. The environment is relaxed and unpretentious, making it the right spot for an informal lunch or a late-night snack.
Taco Loco makes a speciality of basic avenue tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. The al pastor tacos, marinated pork cooked on a vertical spit, are a must-try. The carne asada burrito, full of grilled steak, rice, beans, and salsa, is one other well-liked selection. The quesadillas are additionally wonderful, crammed along with your selection of meat, cheese, and toppings. All the things is made to order, guaranteeing freshness and taste.
The costs at Taco Loco are extremely affordable, making it an incredible choice for budget-conscious diners. Anticipate to spend below twenty {dollars} per particular person for a filling meal. What units Taco Loco aside is its dedication to genuine flavors and beneficiant parts. They use conventional Mexican components and cooking strategies to create dishes which can be each scrumptious and satisfying. They’re additionally praised for his or her vegetarian choices, together with tacos with grilled cactus and cheese.
Rancho Grande: Household Enjoyable and Festive Ambiance
Situated simply outdoors of downtown Portsmouth at 1010 Lafayette Highway, Rancho Grande presents a festive and family-friendly environment, making it an incredible selection for an informal dinner with the youngsters. The restaurant is spacious and brightly adorned, with loads of seating for giant teams.
Rancho Grande’s menu options all kinds of basic Mexican dishes, from fajitas and enchiladas to burritos and tacos. The fajitas are at all times successful, scorching platters of grilled meat and greens served with heat tortillas, bitter cream, and guacamole. The enchiladas suizas, rooster enchiladas smothered in a creamy inexperienced sauce, are one other well-liked selection. In addition they supply a children’ menu with smaller parts and acquainted favorites.
Anticipate to spend between twenty and thirty {dollars} per particular person for a meal. Rancho Grande is understood for its beneficiant parts, pleasant service, and full of life environment. They usually have stay music on weekends, including to the festive ambiance. That is the right spot to take pleasure in a enjoyable and relaxed Mexican meal with the entire household.
Past the Eating places: Exploring Mexican Flavors in Portsmouth
Whereas Portsmouth boasts some wonderful Mexican eating places, there are additionally different methods to benefit from the vibrant flavors of Mexico within the metropolis.
For many who like to cook dinner, La Tiendita, positioned at 111 Market Avenue, is a treasure trove of genuine Mexican components. This small grocery retailer is full of hard-to-find spices, dried chilies, canned items, and different important components for creating genuine Mexican dishes at residence. In addition they carry a collection of Mexican sodas, candies, and snacks.
Often, you would possibly discover Mexican meals vehicles or pop-up occasions organising store in Portsmouth, particularly throughout the summer season months. Maintain a watch out for bulletins on social media or native occasion listings. These occasions usually characteristic distinctive and regional Mexican specialties that you just will not discover in eating places.
Ideas for an Wonderful Mexican Eating Expertise in Portsmouth
Reservations: For well-liked eating places like El Sol Cantina and La Cocina Auténtica, particularly on weekends, making a reservation is very advisable.
Spice Ranges: Mexican meals can vary from delicate to fiery. Do not be afraid to ask your server in regards to the spice ranges of various dishes and request milder or spicier variations to fit your style.
Dietary Restrictions: Most Mexican eating places in Portsmouth are glad to accommodate dietary restrictions. Simply remember to inform your server of any allergic reactions or preferences, corresponding to vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free.
Glad Hour: Examine the restaurant’s web sites or social media pages for glad hour offers. Many supply discounted margaritas and appetizers throughout sure hours.
Parking: Parking may be difficult in downtown Portsmouth. Think about using a parking storage or public transportation if doable.
A Culinary Fiesta Awaits
Portsmouth’s Mexican meals scene is a vibrant and numerous reflection of town’s rising culinary panorama. Whether or not you are searching for genuine flavors, modern dishes, or an informal and inexpensive meal, Portsmouth has one thing to supply each Mexican meals lover. From the normal recipes of La Cocina Auténtica to the trendy twists of El Sol Cantina, you are certain to discover a restaurant that satisfies your cravings. So, go discover the colourful flavors of Mexico proper right here in Portsmouth! Tell us your favourite spots within the feedback beneath. ¡Buen provecho!