If you are a Mexican cuisine connoisseur Pasadena is the place to be. With a wide array of Pasadena Mexican restaurants, from casual take out to fine dining, choosing just a selection of five to highlight is difficult. Presented in order of personal choice are my top favorites.Mijares Mexican Restaurant
Being family owned for the entire 87 years it has been in business, Mijares is Pasadena’s oldest Mexican restaurant and is still going strong. If you go on the weekend for dinner expect to wait for a table but if you go for their famous margarita’s at the bar you’ll end up keeping the hostess waiting for you when you’re table is ready. Mijares was just awarded in 2008 “The Best of Pasadena” for dining.
145 Palmetto Dr., Pasadena
(626) 792-2763
El Portal
El Portal is family owned and operated, specializing in Mayan dishes from the Mexican region of Yucatán. Located across the street from the Pasadena Playhouse, many patrons go to El Portal for a night of dinner and theatre. El Portal provides their own entertainment with live performances of Mariachi and Spanish guitar on Friday and Saturday nights.
695 E. Green St., Pasadena, CA 91101
Phone (626) 795-8553
Paseo Cantina
The live full Mariachi Band and exotic Folklorico Dancers that perform Tuesday through Sunday nights provide a colorful, cultural experience while dining. The Paseo Cantina, located at the Paseo Colorado outdoor mall, provides a basic Mexican menu but they do have a few adventurous regional dishes.
260 E Colorado Blvd Ste 203, Pasadena, CA 9110
(626) 683-3100
Dona Rosa Bakery & Taqueria
With a fast to-go service, Dona Rosa is a great place to grab lunch during the work week, unless it’s a Tuesday when the day’s specials are $1.50 tortas/tacos and refreshing $1.50 margaritas. Dine in at the restaurant for lunch on Tuesday with caution though. You may end up not going back to work.
577 S Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 449-2999
Cabrera’s Family Resaurant
Just as the name suggests, Cabrera’s is a family friendly restaurant, best known for their well priced lunch buffet which offers a variety of mexican food staples from enchiladas, to chile rellenos, chile verde, shrimp ceviche and menudo.
655 N Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 795-0230
Dona Rosa Bakery & Taqueria
With a fast to-go service, Dona Rosa is a great place to grab lunch during the work week, unless it’s a Tuesday when the day’s specials are $1.50 tortas/tacos and refreshing $1.50 margaritas. Dine in at the restaurant for lunch on Tuesday with caution though. You may end up not going back to work.
577 S Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 449-2999
Cabrera’s Family Resaurant
Just as the name suggests, Cabrera’s is a family friendly restaurant, best known for their well priced lunch buffet which offers a variety of mexican food staples from enchiladas, to chile rellenos, chile verde, shrimp ceviche and menudo.
655 N Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 795-0230
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