Just like cuisine from any country, Mexican food is not monolithic. It isn’t just combo plates and tacos. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that style of food; it’s delicious and is responsible for popularizing Mexican food in the United States.) But Mexican food means more than that.
It reflects Mexico's diverse population—shaped by waves of immigration—and has proliferated throughout the U.S., showcasing the cuisine in all its complexity and regionality. Mexico has 32 distinct regional styles of cooking, and thanks to immigrant chefs and the rise of promising culinarians of Mexican descent looking to share their signature dishes, Indigenous foodways, and ingredients from various regions, diners are reframing their idea of "Mexican food."
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According to a Pew Research Center analysis of SafeGraph data, 1 in 10 restaurants in the U.S. serve Mexican food, and nearly 9 out of 10 U.S. counties have at least one Mexican restaurant. The analysis also reveals that California and Texas are home to a majority of the Mexican American population and together host 2 out of 5 Mexican restaurants in the country.
These findings serve as a testament to the influence Mexican cuisine has had and continues to have in America. Which begs the question: Where does one go for the best old-school Mexican restaurants, loncheras slinging tacos out of a half-window, and innovative modern Mexican food pushing culinary boundaries?
To help you out, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated Mexican restaurants in Blacksburg using data from Yelp. Only restaurants with at least five reviews were considered. Data is current as of January 2024.
Keep reading to see if your favorite spot made the list.
Note: The photos in this article are stock images and do not necessarily depict the specific restaurants listed or the dishes they serve.
#7. Chipotle Mexican Grill
- Rating: 2.5/5 (38 reviews) - Price level: $ - Address: 314 North Main St. Blacksburg, Virginia - Categories: Mexican, fast food - Read more on Yelp
#6. El Rodeo
- Rating: 3.0/5 (67 reviews) - Price level: $$ - Address: 1540 South Main St. Ste 100 Blacksburg, Virginia - Categories: Mexican - Read more on Yelp
#5. El Mariachi
- Rating: 3.5/5 (53 reviews) - Price level: $$ - Address: 3703 South Main St. Blacksburg, Virginia - Categories: Mexican - Read more on Yelp
#4. El Rodeo
- Rating: 3.5/5 (63 reviews) - Price level: $ - Address: 623 North Main St. Blacksburg, Virginia - Categories: Mexican, Bars - Read more on Yelp
#3. McClain's
- Rating: 3.5/5 (9 reviews) - Address: 1614 South Main St. Blacksburg, Virginia - Categories: Sports Bars, Tacos, American - Read more on Yelp
#2. Centro Taco Bar
- Rating: 4.0/5 (42 reviews) - Price level: $$$$ - Address: 201 North Main St. Blacksburg, Virginia - Categories: Mexican, Sports Bars - Read more on Yelp
#1. Cabo Fish Taco
- Rating: 4.0/5 (609 reviews) - Price level: $$ - Address: 117 South Main St. Blacksburg, Virginia - Categories: Mexican, Seafood - Read more on Yelp
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Cynthia Rebolledo, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 327 metros.