Savoring Yakima: The Most Authentic Mexican Restaurants in Yakima

When you think about authentic Mexican food, what comes to mind? Is it the care someone took making and pressing hand-made tortillas, or sweet odors of masa being mixed in the bowl to make incredible family recipe tamales? Or is it a chef seasoning the shredded chicken and pork so well with spices that by the time you eat it, juicy and intense flavor comes bursting out in every bite?

If you’re getting hungry just reading this, join the fray. We Yakimaniacs crave authenticity and many say that the best Mexican food this side of the Mexican border (and in the state of Washington itself) is found right here in Yakima!

What Makes Mexican Food Authentic in Yakima: Yaki-Mex

Authentic Mexican food here in Yakima (I call it Yaki-Mex) has recipes passed down generations, chefs operating out of taco trucks but serving up some of the best food in the city, and uses ingredients and recipes that came straight outta Mexico!

Sure, you can pull up to the popular Tex-Mex fast food chain joint that rhymes with “Baco Tell” and grab some satisfying crunchwraps, taco supremes, and big, fat burritos, but they won’t be authentic Mexican food. Besides, they don’t even sell tamales! (That place is good for those late night snack cravings, though, I’ll give them that!)

Real Mexican food is made with seasonings like dried ancho chiles, fresh cilantro, radish slices, pinto beans, salsa that’s not dumped from out of a can, Mexican oregano, and a “secret” ingredient that makes those refried beans and tamales taste so good: lard!

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Yakima’s Mexican Food Scene Has Been Thriving for Decades

Farm workers and migrants from various regions in Mexico have relocated to the Yakima area for decades. Many of them are the blessed souls who work in our Yakima Valley orchards, vineyards, and ranches that yield crops of food eaten locally, regionally, and worldwide. This is why so many of these crowd-approved Mexican restaurants can be found here.

Here are 10 Mexican restaurants in Yakima that are well-known for having not just good food, but authentic food!