3659 Lorna Road, Hoover (Lorna Brook Village)
682-8090
Casual, inexpensive, child-friendly Mexican restaurant. Clean and attractive atmosphere, game room. Living in Hoover, this is our go-to place for crazy weeknights when we're too busy to cook. Typical Tex-Mex plus some more authentic Mexican dishes. A personal favorite is the tender and wonderfully seasoned half chicken, served with beans, rice, an awesome orange hot sauce on the side, and tortillas to roll everything up in. Mariachi band Sunday nights.

2901 Second Ave. South, in the Martin Biscuit building at Pepper Place downtown
323-6980
www.birminghammenus.com/cantina/
No reservations. Full bar. Indoor and outside dining; can be noisy. Order at a register at the bar, and your food is brought to your table. Inside or outside dining. Tacos served in soft flour tortillas (corn upon request) include fish, pork carnitas, carne asada (steak) and vegetarian. Also sandwiches such as Cuban sandwich, Gaucho steak sandwich; and "big plates" including Churrasco steak, grilled salmon, cilantro chicken.

587 Brookwood Village, Homewood
259-1980
www.thecocinasuperior.com
Billed as "modern TexMex food with a difference," combines Tex-Mex favorites along with innovative original dishes and a selection of unique cocktails all served in a stylish setting. The restaurant can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner, indoors or out, year round, thanks to a large heated and air conditioned patio. A weekend brunch menu features huevos rancheros, breakfast burritos and tacos, jalapeno cheese grits and torta french toast.

101 Hueytown Plaza, Hueytown
491-3333
www.dstamalestogo.com
To-go or casual eat-in at the counter. Darryl "D" Crocket's family has been making tamales for more than 40 years based on an authentic recipe from Mexico given to his aunt. Advertised as "husk-suckin' good," D's tamales have garnered praise on the Al.com  food and wine board, with writers comparing them favorably to the old Mancha's on Southside, the local tamale standard: "... absolutely perfect, not to mention really cheap... These husk wrapped little beauties had a wonderfully moist consistancy ... this little shop is a real jewel."

1540 Montclair Rd.
951-1205
A Bhamdining reader writes (October 2007), "While it is decorated with the typical sombreros and serapes, it is bright and airy and impeccably clean, with one of the friendliest staffs you will ever meet. They serve all the familiar dishes that Americans have grown accustomed to as well as some more authentic Mexican dishes -- classic beef and chicken dishes as well as pork and, I think best of all, a number of shrimp dishes. They even serve the authentic Mexican shrimp cocktail, made with orange soda as one of the ingredients and served at room temperature. Very different from the American version! The place is always packed, but service is always prompt, friendly and correct. The prices are extremely modest considering the quality and quantity of food served. And talk about killer guacamole - ai-yi-yi!" They were, however, shut down briefly by the Health Department in summer 2007 for reported cases of food poisoning.

5974 Chalkville Mountain Rd., Trussville
661-3318
Fun, casual, basic Mexican restaurant, according to a 2002 review in City Scene. The interior is decorated to look like a Mexican courtyard, complete with street lamps. Bustling atmosphere. Menu with typical Mexican-American favorites, such as tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, burritos, etc, but with a lighter touch in many offerings, rather than drowned in cheese.

142 Centre at Riverchase, Hoover (Off Hwy. 31 just north of I-459/Galleria area)
823-9549
Guadalajara has been here since 1992, well before Hispanics became a significant minority in Hoover. The usual nachos, burritos and enchiladas are complemented by seafood and steak specialties, including a grilled snapper with creamy chipotle sauce, chicken in mole sauce, and Albanil steak with green sauce. Dishes are prepared mild; hot chipotle sauce is available upon request.

4500 Valleydale Road (Hoover/Indian Springs area, at intersection with Caldwell Mill)
980-7771
Overall, the atmosphere and food at Hacienda are a step above the average Birmingham Tex-Mex restaurant. The food tastes fresher and is nicely seasoned, without being greasy. The margaritas are delicious, and a "create-your-own-combo" option makes ordering easier.

2085 Colonial Drive, Suite 101, Hoover (Plaza Fiesta, Lorna Road)
987-8240
Beautiful restaurant decorated by a top Mexican interior designer, with both traditional Tex-Mex favorites and more traditional Hispanic fare. Don't miss the tamales.
Click here for Bhamdining.com review

99 Euclid Ave., Mountain Brook (Crestline Village)
879-2225
www.lapaz.com
One of seven locations in five Southeastern states. Upscale casual, somewhat noisy setting. A bit more pricy than the average Mexican restaurant. Consistently rates highly on "best of" polls in local publications.