I love Mexican food.
And judging by how many chains there are across the U.S., I’m clearly not the only one who feels that way.
But that brings us to the big question…
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Which Mexican food chains do Americans actually like the most?
Thanks to new YouGov data, we’ve got some answers. They measured how many Americans have heard of each restaurant — and among those who have, how many say they actually like it.
And here’s the shocker: Chipotle didn’t even crack the top 10.
Let’s get into the rankings, starting with #10:
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Percent of Americans who have heard of it: 51%
Percent of Americans who like it: 30%
My take: These are usually stuck to the side of a Carl’s Jr. or Hardee’s — but apparently almost half the country never noticed. The burritos are messy in a good way: lots of cheese, lots of sauce, and very little shame.
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Percent of Americans who have heard of it: 62%
Percent of Americans who like it: 37%
My take: Baja Fresh was doing “clean” Mexican before everyone else jumped on the fresh-Mex train. No microwaves, no freezers — just grilled meats and an iconic salsa bar. I’m not sure why it ranked so low, because honestly, it’s pretty good for a fast, casual Mexican spot.
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Percent of Americans who have heard of it: 41%
Percent of Americans who like it: 26%
My take: Fuzzy’s feels like a college town taco joint that grew up (but not too much). Loud decor, good queso, and margaritas that come in comically large cups. What more do you need?
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Percent of Americans who have heard of it: 47%
Percent of Americans who like it: 30%
My take: A Texas staple. Their breakfast tacos are legit, the fajitas come sizzling hot, and you can get a frozen margarita through the drive-thru. Need I say more?
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Percent of Americans who have heard of it: 50%
Percent of Americans who like it: 32%
My take: Cal Tort might not be a household name, but people who know it are loyal. Their burritos are packed, their queso’s great, and their hot sauce wall is borderline overwhelming (in the best way).
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Percent of Americans who have heard of it: 39%
Percent of Americans who like it: 25%
My take: Wild branding, huge portions, and some of the best hot sauce variety around. I’m a fan of the chimichanga. And the queso. And the vibe.
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Percent of Americans who have heard of it: 40%
Percent of Americans who like it: 26%
My take: Rubio’s put fish tacos on the map. If you haven’t had the grilled mahi mahi taco with chipotle sauce, you’re missing out. It’s beachy, fresh, and generally underrated, but I’m glad to see it make the fourth spot!
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Percent of Americans who have heard of it: 46%
Percent of Americans who like it: 30%
My take: Cafe Rio is chaotic, but the food? Worth it. House-made tortillas, sweet pork everything, and that creamy tomatillo dressing people would drink by the gallon. I get the hype.
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Percent of Americans who have heard of it: 45%
Percent of Americans who like it: 30%
My take: Chuy’s is pure fun, so I get why it came in second place. Funky decor, Elvis references, and one of the best creamy jalapeño dips there is.
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Percent of Americans who have heard of it: 98%
Percent of Americans who like it: 68%
My take: Obviously. It’s not “authentic” Mexican, but it is consistently satisfying. Crunchwraps, Baja Blast, cheesy everything. We roast it — and then we eat it again the next day.
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So there you have it — the 10 Mexican chains Americans like most, according to the data.
And no, Chipotle didn’t make the list. Neither did Qdoba.
(I was surprised too.)
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So, let’s hear it:
What do you think?
Did your favorite spot make the list?
Drop your thoughts in the comments!
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