11 best places for Mexican food in Decatur right now

A huge selection of Mexican food in Decatur, Alabama at Serrano's Mexican. — A huge selection of dishes, drinks and desserts at Serrano’s Mexican in Decatur, Alabama. (Photo courtesy of Serrano’s Mexican)

When deciding when to dine out, is Mexican food ever not a solid choice? While someone in your group may say they just had it the day before, they’ll usually be willing to go right back and order something else—or simply try a new place.

As for Mexican food in Decatur, you will find options as plentiful as a big botana platter. Just like the nature of that communal dish, all are welcome to try them all and pick your favorites.

Just in time for visitors to the third annual Downtown Decatur Día de los Muertos Celebration on Saturday, Nov. 2, here’s our River City Mexican restaurant roundup.

Restaurants with great Mexican food in Decatur

While these Mexican restaurants aren’t ranked by number, we do include personal tips on what to order. We wouldn’t steer you in the wrong direction!

1. Serrano’s Mexican

A selection of food from Serrano's Mexican in Decatur, Alabama, including fajitas, a bloody mary, margarita, tortillas, and sauces.

Exterior fo Serrano's Mexican, a place for Mexican food in Decatur, Alabama that opened in January 2024.

Many reviews say you can’t go wrong ordering anything from Serrano’s Mexican. So far, we’ve found that true, from birria pizza and street corn to the Gladys’ Choice veggie tacos and peach margaritas.

Less than a year ago, what started as an award-winning food truck became a casual walk-up restaurant, which recently expanded to include a small dining room.

Serrano’s still keeps the food truck out in the community, and it will be on site from 5PM-9PM at Decatur’s Día de los Muertos Celebration. Hot tip: The first 50 customers at the truck that day will receive an authentic sugar skull custom-made in Mexico for the occasion!

Where: 1401 Carridale St SW Unit B, Decatur, AL 35601
When: Sunday-Thursday, 10:30AM-8:30PM; Friday-Saturday, 10:30AM-9:30PM
Info: Facebook

2. Casa Santiago Mexican Grill

Another local favorite—whether sitting down to dine or grabbing a bite from their food trucks, is Casa Santiago Mexican Grill. The menu is massive, so if you need help choosing, check out the Taquitos Texas.

Casa Santiago Mexican Grill
Where: 2812 Spring Ave SW, Decatur, AL 35603
When: Daily 11AM-9PM
Facebook

Casa Santiago #2
Where: 2401 6th Ave SE, Decatur, AL 35601
When: Daily 11AM-9:30PM
Facebook

Casa Santiago Taqueria Food Trucks 1 + 2
Where + When: Various locations and times. Follow on Facebook for daily details.

3. Taqueria Acapulco

Start with the wood-smoked chicken tacos at this unsuspecting gem near many of Decatur’s industrial facilities on Highway 20. Some say it is the best Mexican food in Decatur, period.

Where: 2109 State Hwy 20, Decatur, AL 35601
When: Monday-Wednesday + Friday-Saturday, 9AM-9PM; Thursday, 10AM-9PM; Sunday, 11AM-7PM
Website

4. L Patrón Mexican Grill & Cantina

A couple enjoy chips and salsa as they await a to-go oder at L Patron, a great place for Mexican food in Decatur, Alabama. — L Patrón is known for its unusual menu offerings, bold art and wide selection of specialty drinks. (Lisa Battles / Hville Blast)

The menu at L Patrón may be the most inventive and unusual among the options for Mexican food in Decatur. You’ll find a lot of fresh seafood, including Culiacán-style sushi that fuses Mexican and Japanese cuisine. The art and atmosphere also have a modern edge that suits the creative dishes perfectly.

Two thumbs up, also, for the fish and shrimp tacos.

Where: 1614 Beltline Rd SW, Decatur, AL 35601
When: Tuesday-Thursday, 11AM-10PM; Friday-Saturday, 11AM-11PM; Sunday, 11AM-9PM; Closed Monday
Facebook

5. Zaragoza’s Mexican Restaurant

Flavor meets convenience at Zaragoza’s where you can do the daily buffet on weekdays from 11AM-3PM and pick up essentials at the associated supermarket next door.

Where: 1920 Central Pkwy SW, Decatur, AL 35601
When: Sunday-Thursday, 10AM-10PM; Friday-Saturday, 10 AM-11PM
Facebook

6. El Palomino

A food trailer bearing vivid advertising parked in front of the supermarket and butcher counter at El Palomino, a business specializing in Mexican food in Decatur, Alabama since 2007. — El Palamino has grown significantly since it began as a drive-through almost 20 years ago. (Top right photo courtesy of El Palomino. Others by Lisa Battles / Hville Blast)

A plate of fajita chicken and vegetables with sides of avocado rice, beans and cheese at El Palomino, a business specializing in Mexican food in Decatur, Alabama since 2007. — El Palamino has grown significantly since it began as a drive-through almost 20 years ago. (Top right photo courtesy of El Palomino. Others by Lisa Battles / Hville Blast)

Try the nachos supreme with ground chicken and take some tamales to go at El Palomino, founded in 2007 by Salvador Palomino as a drive-through only. Now, it’s expanded to include a patio, multiple food trucks and a small supermarket and meat counter next door. It’s a family affair at El Palomino, with Salvador’s son, Miguel, and his siblings and extended family all helping run the sizzling show.

Where: 1410 6th Ave SE, Decatur, AL 35601
When: Monday-Friday, 9AM-9PM; Saturday-Sunday, 8AM-9PM
Facebook

7. Las Vias

Las Vias has been a longtime community favorite for great food and refreshing margaritas at its two locations—a bright orange building on Sixth Avenue and another across town in Plumtree Center.

Las Vias Mexican Grill – Sixth Avenue
Where: 2224 6th Ave SE, Decatur, AL 35601
When: Sunday-Thursday, 10AM-9:30PM; Friday, 10AM-10PM; Saturday, 10:30AM-10PM
Facebook

Las Vias Mexican Grill – Beltline Road
Where: 1000 Beltline Rd SW Ste. Q, Decatur, AL 35601
When: Monday-Thursday, 10:30AM-9:30PM; Friday-Saturday, 10:30PM-10PM; Sunday, 10:30AM-9PM
Facebook

8. Mi Hacienda

Every Friday from 5PM-9PM, Mi Hacienda has one of the happiest of happy hours to end the week (four hours, actually), when regular margaritas are only $1.99. Check the lobby whiteboard for great daily food specials, too.

Where: 404 6th Ave NE, Decatur, AL 35601
When: Monday-Thursday, 11AM-9PM; Friday-Saturday, 11AM-9:30PM; Sunday, 11AM-8:30PM
Facebook

9. Tio Juan Mexican Grill

A selection of tacos from Tio Juan Mexican Grill, a great place for Mexican food in Decatur, Alabama. — Tio Juan Mexican Grill has several specials planned for Saturday, Nov. 2, including $1.99 Mexican tacos. (Photo courtesy of Tio Juan Mexican Grill)

Tio Juan is another brightly painted Mexican restaurant on the Sixth Avenue thoroughfare, unmistakable to many for its shape, given it was a Pizza Hut in a past life. We love the nachos and simple, masa-based huaraches here. And they have some of the best margs in town.

Saturday specials during Día de los Muertos include $2.99 regular margaritas, $1.99 Mexican tacos and Mexican soups including caldo de res (beef stew), menudo (beef tripe stew) and caldo de camarón (shrimp soup).

Where: 1318 6th Ave SE, Decatur, AL 35601
When: Wednesday-Monday, 10AM-9PM; closed Tuesday
Facebook

10. SaMi’s Place

You can’t miss the marigold facade of SaMi’s Place on the Beltline, and it’s worth a double take and then full stop to see why people rave about the fajitas, margaritas and excellent daily lunch specials.

Where: 1228 Beltline Rd SW, Decatur, AL 35601
When: Daily, 11AM-10PM
Facebook

11. Camino Real

Located near the The Crossings of Decatur at Highway 67 and Sixth Avenue, Camino Real is one of Decatur’s longest running Mexican restaurants. Devoted diners love the wide selection of tasty dishes and generous portions.

Where: 2504 US-31, Decatur, AL 35603
When: Sunday-Thursday, 11AM-9:30PM; Friday-Saturday, 11AM-10:30PM
Facebook

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