15 Mexican and Salvadoran places to try from the 2025 Best Restaurants in California guide

"There is no overstating the influence and importance of Mexican and Salvadoran cuisines among the Golden State's diverse culinary riches. In San Diego, an almost-century-old taqueria still draws lines out the door for rolled tacos and chorizo con huevo. In Los Angeles, a celebrated marisquería and molino draw similar attention from opposite sides of a crowded food hall. Other treasures take more effort to unearth, like an unassuming haunt in Stockton that has been quietly excelling in Mexican American staples since 1955."

"Or a Salvadoran restaurant in Oakland that blends heritage with California seasonality. Restaurant critic Bill Addison spent more than a year traveling up and down the state when researching his inaugural guide to the 101 Best Restaurants in California, with a goal of highlighting the places that tell the most complete story of what it means to dine here right now."

Mexican and Salvadoran cuisines exert deep influence across California's diverse culinary landscape. An almost-century-old taqueria in San Diego still draws lines for rolled tacos and chorizo con huevo. In Los Angeles, a celebrated marisquería and a molino attract attention from opposite sides of a crowded food hall. An unassuming Stockton haunt has quietly excelled in Mexican American staples since 1955. A Salvadoran restaurant in Oakland blends heritage with California seasonality. Fifteen Mexican and Salvadoran restaurants are showcased, geographically ordered from north to south, illustrating long-standing institutions, celebrated newcomers, and hidden neighborhood treasures across the state.

Read at Los Angeles Times