Mazunte Taqueria — Attraction in Cincinnati

Mazunte has long been a benchmark for authentic Mexican street food in the city, and for years, it has been one of our most beloved go-to spots. On a recent visit, we returned to see if the magic was still there.

The menu remains a testament to uniqueness, a departure from standard Mexican restaurant fare. We opted for the enchiladas (split savory chicken and spicy chorizo) and a rustic blue corn chorizo quesadilla. Accompanied by the fan-favorite unlimited chips and salsa bar, the meal showcased the authentic, street-food soul that first made us fall in love with the place. While the flavors were solid, they didn't quite reach the spectacular heights we remembered from visits past. The rice remains a spectacular standout, with a light delicate flavor that we've never found elsewhere.

One thing that has not changed, however, is the utter perfection of their margarita. Let’s be clear: this might be the best margarita in town. It’s a masterclass in balance, delivering ideal sweetness without any harsh tequila "bite." They are deceptively smooth; be warned, the potent effects of one will sneak up on you about fifteen minutes after you’ve happily finished it.

With prompt service and a casual, no-frills atmosphere, the focus remains squarely on the food and drink. For two people, including two rounds of those stellar margaritas, our bill came to a very reasonable $60, representing excellent value.

The Verdict: While Mazunte may no longer be the mind-blowing experience it once was, it remains a pillar of authentic street Mexican dining. Its commitment to unique flavors is undeniable, the value is strong, and the margaritas are simply non-negotiable. We still highly recommend it—especially for a taste of those...

. Food at this little taco place was amazing and delicious! I had a Chicken Enchilada, served Verde style (green chile sauce). It was SO good- I savored every bite. . My drink, Agua de Limon (limeade, non-alcoholic), was tasty and quite refreshing- not too tart and not too sweet. . And a side order of Queso Fundido (melted cheese dip) and chips was also good. This was a large portion of Queso, definitely shareable. . The atmosphere in the small dining area was not great. It felt like a dive bar- dark, with lots of exposed concrete and very uncomfortable square wood stools. There was a ton of loud mechanical noise- fans, refrigeration units, and something metallic rattling. But the food is amazing. . There are tents for outdoor dining, and I would recommend you try dining out there in good weather. There would be more light, less noise, and the outdoor chairs had backs! The day I visited was 95+ degrees, so I opted to stay inside. . The restaurant sign is hard to see from Madison Road, because the tents block the view of it. But the restaurant is located just to the left of the Edward Jones offices. . Give this delicious...

We preordered carry out for pick up at 11:45, got there at 11:45 to find our order was not ready (even though we were order #1 for the day and had placed the order ~9AM that morning). It was close to noon before they got our order ready and packed. Looked like there were at least 2 other customers in my same situation just waiting there by the bar.

Also we ordered a large to-go portion of the spicy salsa but instead got the “salsa bar” which is a little serving of each of their 4 salsa’s. When I called to let them know about the mistake, they told me it was not a mistake, that they only do the “salsa bar” at the restaurant; They only sell the large containers of salsa at their mercado location down the street. Well then they should update their online ordering options to reflect this!

I think that the taqueria location just recently started doing carry out again so hopefully they’ll have things figured out and running more smoothly next time.

The food is very good usually. Though this time the fish in the fish taco tasted freeze-thawed. The memelita, enchiladas, and quesadillas were all delicious, consistent with prior...