Latin American

Haley S., M1

Speaking as a Southern Californian and taco aficionado, I was pleasantly surprised by the number of taco places in St. Louis! If you want fast and cheap food, Mission Taco serves adequate food, but its main claim to fame is two dollar tequila shots and tacos after 10 p.m. If you are looking for okay tacos and excellent margaritas, El Burro Loco in the Central West End is also a good bet. But if you want authentic, out-of-this world tacos, go to Mi Ranchito in the Loop. The service is impeccable and the food is unforgettable!

Close to campus and popular with WUSM students. Lively Tex-Mex with huge, affordable margaritas, and room for large groups. Plus, they’ll give you a free tequila shot and let you wear one of the sombreros on your birthday!

Cherokee Street is the hub for true Mexican taquerias. Stroll the small boutiques and Mexican grocers after you eat some street tacos and tortas at La Vallesana. Buy a homemade paleta or an agua fresca on your way out the door!

Mango in downtown is another wonderful option for diners with allergies. The restaurant serves Peruvian food, with classics like lomo saltado and ceviche. Even if you have a seafood allergy, there are several other protein options available.

Fast-casual Puerto Rican, Dominican and Cuban food. Great rice bowls and Cuban sandwiches, plus bomb maduros y tostones.

This Mexican dive in a random U City strip mall (tucked behind the Loop) is a hit with WashU undergrads. They have an extensive menu, the typical beans and rice sides, lots of gooey chihuahua cheese, huge but mediocre margs, and of course, the standard fare of tacos/fajitas/enchiladas/quesadillas/burritos. If you’re craving Mexican but don’t want to go full throttle on beans and cheese, the chicken enchiladas verdes are truly great (filled with chicken breast, fresh avocado, cilantro, and queso fresco).

Street tacos and excellent margs, popular with WUSM students. Late night happy hour specials include $2 tacos and $2 tequila shots after 10 p.m.

The new kid on the block taking over the STL taco scene. The patio is the place to sit, and it’s even covered and heated in winter months! Their frozen margs are just insane good, even if you typically don’t order your margs frozen. Tacos are huge (you might need a fork) and include unique, slow roasted fillings such as green chile pork, chicken tinga, and Thai street beef.

While The Hill is known for its Italian eats, Taco Circus is a great find for those with food allergies who love Tex-Mex. They offer extremely filling tacos including al Pastor, carnitas, and grilled skirt steak which all can come on corn tortillas if you have a wheat allergy/are gluten free.