Sacramento, CAMexican

Sactown Magazine's Mex Appeal profile covers the original Zocalo, serving regional Mexican cooking and cocktails from a dramatic room on Capitol Avenue designed by artist-architect Ernesto Cruz. Composed plates like tiger shrimp tamales push past a simple taqueria format, and the spacious patio and energetic bar suit groups and celebrations.

Polanco Cantina brings a Mexico City inspired menu to Downtown Commons on K Street. Rather than a quick service taco counter, it runs a full cantina, with a bar and sit down service meant for a longer stay. The downtown setting puts it in easy reach of the arena and surrounding attractions, an option for a relaxed meal and drinks.

Taqueria La Perla Tapatia turns out tacos, salsas, and a broader Mexican menu from its Marconi Avenue storefront in Arden Arcade. Tucked inside a busy retail strip, the compact room keeps its attention on griddled meats, fresh tortillas, and bright condiments. There is little in the way of decorative flourish, just the essentials of a working taqueria done directly.

Sactown Magazine names Centro Cocina Mexicana, the Paragary Restaurant Group concept led by chef Kurt Spataro, as a formative Sacramento kitchen. It has poured agave drinks and plated regional dishes from J Street for decades, with a colorful interior, a shaded patio, and a full bar giving the Midtown fixture several distinct moods for the same kitchen.