Disclaimer: I have found that American-made Mexican food is basically the same stuff everywhere you go, so it is the little things that make one restaurant better than another.

Nicer Restaurants:

1. Mi Pueblo
If you could “class up” a Mexican restaurant, you’d get Mi Pueblo. It has the best ambiance by far, is relatively cheap with a large selection of combo lunches and dinners, and has great drink specials. If you are a margarita fan, you’ll love them here. Mi Pueblo has drink specials Monday through Thursday. For example a Dos Equis 32oz is only $2.75 and 16oz is $1.25 depending on the day and special.
a. Wake Student Thoughts…
i. “You can’t really class up a taco.”
ii. “The quality never varies, always solid.”
iii. “They have darn good margaritas.”
iv. “If you are looking to drink with your buddies, Mi Pueblo is not the place to do it.”

2. La Carreta
Welcoming, chill, accommodating servers characterize La Carreta. The atmosphere is reminiscent of a family-run business. For those of age, the drink selection can’t be beat. The drinks are gigantic and unbelievably low priced. You can get a fish bowl size margarita very cheap. If you want to go, be loud, and know your servers will be responsible and cool, La Carreta is your place.
a. Wake Student Thoughts…
i. “They have a sweet wall painting.”
ii. “Service is great, very accommodating, especially for a big group.”
iii. “When I think of a cheap, fun Mexican restaurant, I think La Carreta.”
iv. “If you like Sangria, you’ll love it there.”

3. Tequila’s
Ever wonder where the alumni go to feel nostalgic, eat some Mexican food, and have a beer? That’s right, they go to Tequila’s. The place is overflowing with Wake decorations. Their white sweet sauce is fantastic in tandem with the typical unlimited chips. The Thursday drink special is legendary, as an entire pitcher of the very expensive Dos Equis can be purchased for only $1.75. Most notably, the service is stellar, second only to La Carreta. From my experience, the food gets out faster than any other Mexican restaurant I have been to. If you like sports, it’s hard to find a seat where you can’t see the TVs. Finally, the low prices and great student discount make Tequila’s a steal. Why third you might ask? By a slim margin, it takes the third spot as the place has cramped seating and food quality can vary slightly, barely enough to notice.
a. Wake Student Thoughts…
i. “The food is great and fast.”
ii. “The Thursday Dos Equis special is legendary.”
iii. “They definitely are gung-ho with Wake Forest decorations.”
iv. “It is like going to eat in a box; going to eat with more than four people… God help you.”

Fast Food-like:

1. Chipotle
Chipotle’s philosophy of “food with integrity” produces the consistently best tasting burritos most people claim they have ever had. Chipotle makes it a point to serve naturally-raised meat and use organic foods, so you’re consuming quality food. Although it is a burrito specialty shop, you can get tacos and taco salad. The price is relatively inexpensive, but the food is always filling. If you hate lines, Chipotle offers a DSL (Don't Stand in Line) option, allowing you to order online beforehand at no extra charge. As far as the food selection goes, it is very slim. Also, they don’t have queso dip for the chips, which is a huge negative for chip lovers.
b. Wake Student Thoughts…
i. “If Chipotle had queso dip, I would never even consider going anywhere else for this type of food.”
ii. “I like the fact it is next to the Cold Stone.”
iii. “It’s so quality that my steak burrito in North Carolina tastes exactly the same as in California.”

2. Qdoba
If you are going for food selection, then go to Qdoba. For example, unlike Chipotle, they offer quesadillas. Qdoba has mostly burritos, which are quite flavorful and are steamed before they are cooked. The prices are very good, filling you up for cheap. The coupons are clutch, especially since you don’t have to wait for them to come in your mail box as you can print them off from their website. Plus, the student discount allows you to get a free fountain drink.
c. Wake Student Thoughts…
i. “Delicious. Cheap. Fast. Filling.”
ii. “Steaming the burritos first makes the difference.”
iii. “With the coupons, two friends can get full on two burritos for around $3.”
iv. “It’s almost fast-food, like the Mexican version of McDonalds.”

3. Moe’s
Want atmosphere? Then Welcome to Moe’s! The ambience is chill and the workers are friendly, creating a distinct, warm, and pleasant mood. Enjoy the atmosphere, because you are paying extra for it. Moe’s is quality food that will cost you a little more. Compared to the other two, Moe’s is the most expensive. However, Moe’s will fill you up. The burritos are thick and you get chips with your meal. They also have a nice student discount. In my experience, one particular Moe’s has given me some questionable food over my experience at Wake, as opposed to other franchises. They have a nice array of beers and have a cool Margarita mixer.
d. Wake Student Thoughts…
i. “Getting chips with your meal is excellent.”
ii. “It is a very clean, well kept restaurant.”
iii. “It has enough personality that at times that I just get the mood for some Moe’s.”

In a class of its own:

1. Taco Bell
I’m serious. As much as people diss Taco Bell, I have yet to hear a Wake student who doesn’t love it. However, when I say in a class of its own, I mean that it really doesn’t belong in this list. Fast-food is fast-food.
e. Wake Student Thoughts…
i. “Cheap, and terrible for you, but you can’t get enough.”
ii. “Four dollars will fill you up.”
iii. “Doesn’t try to be something it’s not; it’s quick and greasy, great drunk food.”
iv. “They have a great soda selection. Mountain Dew Baja Blast is amazing, I go there just to get it.”
v. “It’s not Mexican food, it’s American fast-food s***”
vi. “When I come back from a party and eat taco bell, I feel way more hung over in the morning.”
vii. “Open late, cheap, and has cinnamon sticks.”