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10 Best Mexican Restaurants in Myrtle Beach

10 Best Mexican Restaurants in Myrtle Beach

The best Mexican restaurants in Myrtle Beach are El Cerro Bar and Grill, Fiesta Mexicana, Abuelo's Mexican Restaurant, Cantina Imperfecto, La Poblanita, Margarita’s Mexican Restaurant, El Patio Mexican Restaurant, Senor Frog’s, La Hacienda, and Banditos Cantina. Myrtle Beach is a coastal city which means fresh Atlantic seafood is integrated into classic Mexican recipes, creating a unique local style. A meal at La Poblanita offers a taste of traditional Mexico City street food with scratch-made tortillas, while modern spots like Cantina Imperfecto present an upscale interpretation of Mexican cooking. The local scene for the best Mexican restaurants in Myrtle beach contains both of these important approaches.

Majority of the Mexican dining establishments are located across the Grand Strand, from the central tourist district of Broadway at the Beach to smaller neighborhood centers. The landscape of Mexican restaurants in Myrtle Beach includes festive family diners, authentic counter-service taquerias, and high-energy cantinas with live entertainment. The environments range from the simple and casual setting of La Poblanita to the party-like atmosphere of Senor Frog's. Finding good Mexican places near me is straightforward due to the number of establishments catering to both residents and visitors. The price for a meal at a Mexican restaurant in Myrtle Beach is between $10 and $50 per person.

Myrtle Beach's Mexican kitchens are known for fresh ingredients and flavorful dishes. The distinction for the best overall experience goes to El Cerro Bar and Grill, because of its 30-year history in the area, its signature mesquite-fired flavor, and its made-from-scratch preparations. For a traditional street food meal, La Poblanita is a primary choice, known for its authentic taco fillings and house-made tortillas. The title for the most elegant modern meal goes to Cantina Imperfecto for its sophisticated atmosphere and artfully presented dishes. Many of these top Mexican restaurants in Myrtle Beach offer full menus for vegan and gluten-free diners.

10 Best Mexican Restaurants in Myrtle Beach are listed below.

1 Fiesta Mexicana
2 La Poblanita
3 Margarita's Mexican Restaurant
4 El Patio Mexican Restaurant
5 Señor Frog's | Myrtle Beach
6 La Hacienda
7 Banditos Cantina
8 El Cerro Bar and Grill
9 Abuelo's Mexican Restaurant
10 Cantina Imperfecto

What Makes Mexican Restaurants in Myrtle Beach Famous?

Mexican restaurants in Myrtle Beach are known for using fresh Atlantic seafood in established recipes, a practice that contributes to local food tourism. This coastal approach to Mexican food creates a different offering compared to inland restaurants that focus on beef or pork. The local adaptation involves preparing classic Mexican plates, such as fajitas, tacos, and enchiladas, with locally sourced shrimp and fish. This combination of seaside ingredients with Mexican flavors results in a menu selection that is characteristic of the coastal Carolinas.

What Types of Mexican Restaurants are Commonly Found in Myrtle Beach?

Myrtle Beach has different kinds of Mexican restaurants that appeal to residents and tourists. The main categories of restaurants are shown below.

Cantinas and Mexican Grills: These establishments provide a full-service dining experience with extensive menus of Mexican-American dishes, sizzling fajitas, and a large selection of margaritas. El Cerro Bar and Grill and La Hacienda are in this category.
Family-Style Mexican Diners: These are casual, often family-owned restaurants that serve classic comfort food based on established recipes in a festive environment. Fiesta Mexicana and Margarita’s Mexican Restaurant fit this description.
Taquerias: This group includes smaller establishments that focus on street food, particularly tacos made with fillings like carne asada and lengua on scratch-made corn tortillas. La Poblanita is the primary example.
Modern Mexican: These are more upscale restaurants that present contemporary interpretations of Mexican cooking with a focus on high-quality ingredients and artistic presentation. Cantina Imperfecto is in this group.
Tex-Mex Restaurants: This category includes restaurants, often part of a larger chain, known for the culinary style that originated in Texas, which uses shredded cheese, beef, and particular spice combinations. Abuelo's Mexican Restaurant is an example.
Festive Bars: These are large, high-energy establishments serving a menu of casual Mexican and American food in a party-like atmosphere with live entertainment and novelty drinks. Senor Frog’s fits this description.

Are There Authentic Mexican Restaurants in Myrtle Beach?

Yes, some Myrtle Beach restaurants prepare Mexican food using traditional recipes and cooking methods, including establishments like La Poblanita and Fiesta Mexicana. These restaurants focus on established recipes and cooking techniques. La Poblanita serves Mexico City-style street food, offering a selection of tacos with fillings like carne asada and lengua on scratch-made tortillas. Fiesta Mexicana, a family-owned restaurant, prepares dishes based on family recipes from Mexico, providing a home-cooked style of food.

What are the Signature Dishes at the Best Mexican Restaurants in Myrtle Beach?

Sizzling Fajitas, Piña Rellena, and Tableside Guacamole are key dishes at Mexican restaurants in Myrtle Beach. These items point to the coastal location and a preference for fresh, interactive, and flavorful preparations.

Shrimp Fajitas: A coastal variation of the classic dish, featuring shrimp grilled with onions and peppers. The fajitas are served sizzling on a cast-iron skillet with tortillas, rice, beans, and condiments.
Piña Rellena: A hollowed-out pineapple filled with a mix of grilled steak, chicken, and shrimp cooked with vegetables and topped with melted cheese. This specialty item is served at restaurants like Fiesta Mexicana.
Tableside Guacamole: Fresh avocados are mashed in a molcajete at the guest's table with ingredients like onion, tomato, cilantro, jalapeño, and lime juice.
Carne Asada: Marinated steak, grilled and thinly sliced. The dish is served as a platter with rice, beans, and tortillas or used as a filling for tacos.
Tacos al Pastor: A traditional street taco filled with marinated pork that has been cooked on a vertical spit, known as a trompo. The pork is shaved off and served on small corn tortillas with pineapple, onion, and cilantro.

Do Mexican Restaurants in Myrtle Beach Offer Vegan Options?

Vegan options are available at Mexican restaurants in Myrtle Beach, including El Cerro Bar and Grill, Fiesta Mexicana, Abuelo's Mexican Restaurant, and La Hacienda. These establishments provide dishes like vegetable fajitas, bean burritos, and guacamole that can be prepared without animal products. Diners can request modifications, such as omitting cheese and sour cream, to make vegetarian dishes fully vegan. Some locations offer specific vegetarian sections on the menu where items are easily customized.

Do Mexican Restaurants in Myrtle Beach Offer Gluten-Free Options?

Gluten-free dishes are available at Mexican restaurants in Myrtle Beach, with establishments like Abuelo's Mexican Restaurant, El Cerro Bar and Grill, and Fiesta Mexicana offering choices for diners. A large portion of Mexican cooking is made without gluten. Corn tortillas, the base for tacos at places like La Poblanita, are naturally gluten-free. Grilled meats, seafood plates, rice, and beans are also prepared without gluten. Abuelo's provides a specific gluten-sensitive menu for guests.

What is the Average Price of a Meal at Mexican Restaurants in Myrtle Beach?

The cost of a meal at a Mexican restaurant in Myrtle Beach ranges from $10 to $50 per person. A single meal at a budget-friendly taqueria like La Poblanita or El Patio costs between $10 and $25. A group meal at a mid-range, family-style restaurant such as Fiesta Mexicana or El Cerro Bar and Grill is in the $15 to $40 price range per person. Dining at a high-end establishment like Cantina Imperfecto or Senor Frog's will cost from $20 to $50 per person.

Is Mexican Food Popular in Myrtle Beach?

Yes, Mexican food is popular in Myrtle Beach. Mexican cuisine is a well-established part of the local restaurant landscape, catering to a large number of tourists and year-round residents. The presence of numerous Mexican establishments, from small family-owned diners to larger chain restaurants, demonstrates the food's widespread appeal. These restaurants are common destinations for families and groups looking for a lively dining atmosphere and crowd-pleasing menu options that fit a vacation setting.