Updated on Feb.27, 2012
São Paulo takes the lead when it comes to Mexican restaurants in Brazil. A few select places, most of them strategically located in touristic areas, provide locals and passers-by with the basic staples of Mexican and Tex-Mex food and drink.
This list is a work in progress, and hopefully it will grow even more as São Paulo discovers the joys of Mexican dining.
As with so many other restaurants in Brazil at this point, accessibility in São Paulo's Mexican restaurants is erratic and not to be taken for granted.
Hecho en México
The newest Mexican restaurant in S. Paulo is backed up by Mexican chef Lourdes Hernandez. The consultant for the attractive place in Itaim had previously been serving her food by reservation only; this is a great opportunity to try culinary that has become famous via word-of-mouth.
Hours:
Lunch and dinner; check hours upon reservation.
Address & Contact Information:
R. Dr. Renato Paes de Barros 538Itaim
São Paulo - SP
Phone: 55-11-3073-0833
Chilango Tex Mex Fast Food
Well located on the busy corner of Consolação and Alameda Jaú (and near the Consolação subway station), Chilango Tex Mex Fast Food serves burritos, nachos and tacos in a pretty remodeled house externally painted in bright orange and purple.
Tacos sell for R$4,25 - not bad for Brazil. There's a delivery service.
The upbeat eatery has participated in the Planeta Terra music festival and hosted a gathering of Fã-Clube Chespirito Brasil, a local El Chavo fan club.
Hours:
Mon-Thur 12p-11:30p
Fri and Sat 12p-24p
Sun 6p-11p
Address & Contact Information:
Rua da Consolação 2731
Jardins
São Paulo - SP
Phone: 55-11-2592-3235/2592-3837/30-85-2408
La Buena Onda
La Buena Onda features Mexican and Tex-Mex food prepared by Mexican chef Arturo Herrera, served in a casual setting decorated with a wall mural painted by artist Marcelo Perón.
Located a few steps from Don Miguel Mexican Bar, the eatery boasts friendly prices and has become popular with Sampa foodies. On the stereo, you'll listen to an eclectic mix ranging from mariachi to contemporary Latino music.
A full menu with prices is available on the La Buena Onda website (www.labuenaonda.com.br).
Hours:
Tue-Thur 11:30a-3p and 5:30p-11:30p
Fri and Sat 11:30a-3p and 5:30p-12:30a
Sun 12p-11:30p
Address & Contact Information:
Rua Itapura 859
Tatuapé
São Paulo - SP
Phone: 55-11-2609-5060
Los Chicanos
One of the newest Mexican restaurants in town, Los Chicanos boasts good food and a pleasant atmosphere in Moema, on the same street as the Merak Hotel.
With a nice outdoor area, the restaurant serves traditional dishes with some fun twists, as in the seafood tacos, light salads and attractive appetizers (the Quatro Las Papas comes with taquitos, totopos, onion rings and chicano fries).
Hours:
Mon-Fri 6p-12a
Sat, Sun and holidays 12p-12a
Address & Contact Information:
Rua Lavandisca 457
Moema
São Paulo - SP
Phone: 55-11-5051-6537
Sí Señor! Mexican Grill
Pre-Columbian touches inspire the ambiance at Sí Señor! Mexican Grill restaurants. With four locations, all of them conveniently placed in busy districts that attract leisure and business travelers, Sí Señor! pulls its look together with elegance, which makes it adequate for power lunches as well as for dates.
Families also like Sí Señor! - one of the kids' menu options, the Pepe Legal (the Brazilian name for Quick Draw McGraw) is a mini quesadilla filled with prato cheese and served with cheddar fries.
A full menu (in Portuguese) is available on the Sí Señor website (see Cardápio). Click on Localização for locations. Only Itaim and Pinheiros serve lunch on weekdays. Sí Señor! has a fast food branch: La Buenda Onda (see above).
Tollocos
A Tex-Mex with Brazilian accents - recipes include veggies that are popular in Brazil, such as zucchini and eggplant - Tollocos has stores in upper middle class and high-end neighborhoods (Jardins, Vila Olímpia and the up-and-coming Tatuapé).
The menu is based on fast dishes which can be delivered by bicycle. Unfortunately, as a newer business in the Mexican restaurant scene (it opened in 2007), Tollocos missed the opportunity to be as inclusive as it's concerned with the environment - the stores are not adapted for wheelchair users.
For locations, go to the Tollocos website and click on Lojas.
¡Viva México!
¡Viva México! makes a point of letting everyone know that it is NOT a Tex-Mex restaurant. Instead, it is a taqueria that strives to immerse diners in Mexican culture, with fresh salsa made daily on the premises, Mezcal, Mexican movie sessions and authentic music on the stereo system, from mariachi to Billboard Latin Music Award 2009 winner Maná.
Hours:
Mon-Thur 12p-1a
Fri-Sun 12p-3a
Closed on Dec.24 and Dec.31.
Address & Contact Information:
Rua Fradique Coutinho 1122Vila Madalena
São Paulo - SP
Phone: 55-11-3032-0901
Yucatán
Located on one of the main avenues in touristic and upscale Itaim, Yucatán is one of the best-known Mexican restaurants in São Paulo. Live mariachi music from Friday to Sunday nights is one of the perks.
The Filete Yucatán, a grilled fillet mignon steak served with Mexican rice, refried beans, totopos and guacamole, is one of the house specialties. Dos Equis and Sol are served.
Hours:
Mon-Thur 12p-3p
Tue-Thur 6p-12a
Fri 12p-3p and 6p-12a
Sat 12p-2a
Sun 12p-12a
Address & Contact Information:
Av. Juscelino Kubitschek 393
Itaim Bibi
São Paulo - SP
Phone: 55-11-3846-3505
