Rank | Name | # of units | Style |
1 | TACO BELL | 5908 | Quick Serve |
2 | CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL | 1547 | Fast Casual |
3 | QDOBA MEXICAN GRILL | 614 | Fast Casual |
4 | DEL TACO | 550 | Quick Serve |
5 | MOE'S SOUTHWEST GRILL | 459 | Fast Casual |
6 (tie) | EL POLLO LOCO | 404 | Fast Casual |
6 (tie) | TACO JOHN'S | 404 | Quick Serve |
8 | TACO TIME | 360 | Fast Casual |
9 | BAJA FRESH MEXICAN GRILL | 335 | Fast Casual |
10 | RUBIO'S FRESH MEXICAN GRILL | 195 | Fast Casual |
11 | TACO BUENO | 176 | Fast Casual |
12 | TACO DEL MAR | 175 | Fast Casual |
13 | TACO CABANA | 158 | Fast Casual |
14 | ON THE BORDER MEXICAN GRILL & CANTINA | 155 | Family Style |
15 | TACO MAKER | 150 | Quick Serve |
16 | FREEBIRD'S WORLD BURRITO | 100 | Fast Casual |
17 | TIJUANA FLATS BURRITO COMPANY | 93 | Fast Casual |
18 | TACO MAYO | 81 | Quick Serve |
19 (tie) | LA SALSA FRESH MEXICAN GRILL | 77 | Family Style |
19 (tie) | SALSARITA'S FRESH CANTINA | 77 | Fast Casual |
19 (tie) | ALBERTO'S MEXICAN FOOD | 77 | Fast Casual |
22 | PANCHERO'S MEXICAN GRILL | 65 | Fast Casual |
23 | FILIBERTO'S MEXICAN FOOD | 64 | Quick Serve |
24 | CAFE RIO | 63 | Fast Casual |
25 | HOT HEAD BURRITOS | 60 | Fast Casual |
26 | WAHOO'S FISH TACO | 59 | Fast Casual |
27 (tie) | EL CHICO MEXICAN CAFE | 58 | Family Style |
27 (tie) | EL TORITO AUTENTICO | 58 | Family Style |
29 | TACO CASA | 55 | Quick Serve |
30 | COSTA VIDA FRESH MEXICAN GRILL | 54 | Fast Casual |
31 | CHEVY'S FRESH MEX | 53 | Family Style |
32 | FUZZY'S TACO SHOP | 50 | Fast Casual |
33 | PEPE'S MEXICAN RESTAURANTS | 49 | Family Style |
34 | CHUY'S | 46 | Family Style |
35 | CASA OLE | 44 | Family Style |
36 | JIMBOY'S TACOS | 43 | Quick Serve |
37 | EL CHARRO MEXICAN RESTAURANT | 42 | Family Style |
38 | CARLOS O'KELLY'S | 41 | Family Style |
39 | ABUELO'S MEXICAN FOOD EMBASSY | 40 | Family Style |
40 | JUAN POLLO | 38 | Fast Casual |
41 (tie) | CANTINA LAREDO | 37 | Family Style |
41 (tie) | DON PABLOS | 37 | Family Style |
41 (tie) | TACO TICO | 37 | Quick Serve |
44 | ROSA'S CAFE TORTILLA FACTORY | 36 | Fast Casual |
45 | AZTECA MEXICAN RESTAURANTS | 35 | Family Style |
46 (tie) | AZTECA | 34 | Family Style |
46 (tie) | BARBERITOS | 34 | Fast Casual |
46 (tie) | CALIFORNIA TORTILLA | 34 | Fast Casual |
49 | GRINGO'S MEXICAN KITCHEN | 30 | Family Style |
50 | CHRONIC TACOS | 29 | Fast Casual |
51 (tie) | EL NOPAL | 28 | Family Style |
51 (tie) | TACO MAC | 28 | Family Style |
53 | M CROWD RESTAURANT GROUP | 27 | Family Style |
54 | LIME FRESH MEXICAN GRILL | 26 | Fast Casual |
55 (tie) | EL RODEO | 25 | Family Style |
55 (tie) | TEQUILA'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT | 25 | Family Style |
57 | TIO JUAN'S MARGARITAS MEXICAN RESTAURANT | 24 | Family Style |
58 (tie) | EL TACO TOTE | 23 | Fast Casual |
58 (tie) | SANTIAGO'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT | 23 | quick serve |
60 (tie) | BOBBY SALAZAR'S MEXICAN FOODS | 22 | Fast Casual |
60 (tie) | EL FENIX RESTAURANT | 22 | Family Style |
60 (tie) | LOS CUCOS MEXICAN CAFE | 22 | Family Style |
63 (tie) | BOLOCO INSPIRED BURRITOS | 21 | Fast Casual |
63 (tie) | KING TACO | 21 | Family Style |
63 (tie) | MIGHTY TACO | 21 | Fast Casual |
63 (tie) | PAPPASITO'S | 21 | Family Style |
63 (tie) | SHARKY'S WOODFIRED MEXICAN GRILL | 21 | Family Style |
63 (tie) | WILLY'S MEXICANA GRILL | 21 | Fast Casual |
69 (tie) | BONNAROO RESTAURANT GROUP | 20 | Family Style |
69 (tie) | EL CERRO GRANDE MEXICAN RESTAURANT | 20 | Family Style |
71 (tie) | SALSA'S GRILL | 19 | Family Style |
71 (tie) | TWISTERS BURGERS & BURRITOS | 19 | Fast Casual |
73 (tie) | ACAPULCO RESTAURANT Y CANTINA | 18 | Family Style |
73 (tie) | EL TAPATIO MEXICAN RESTAURANT | 18 | Family Style |
73 (tie) | HACIENDA MEXICAN RESTAURANTS | 18 | Family Style |
73 (tie) | LA PARRILLA MEXICAN RESTAURANTS | 18 | Family Style |
73 (tie) | LITTLE ANITA'S | 18 | Family Style |
73 (tie) | MAZATLAN MEXICAN RESTAURANT | 18 | Family Style |
73 (tie) | TACO FRESCO | 18 | Fast Casual |
80 (tie) | DANNY'S RESTAURANT | 17 | Family Style |
80 (tie) | EL POTRO MEXICAN RESTAURANT | 17 | Family Style |
80 (tie) | MACAYO'S MEXICAN KITCHEN | 17 | Family Style |
80 (tie) | POSADO'S CAFE | 17 | Family Style |
80 (tie) | RANCHERITO'S MEXICAN FOOD | 17 | Quick Serve |
80 (tie) | SAN JOSE MEXICAN RESTAURANT | 17 | Family Style |
86 (tie) | BIG BURRITO RESTAURANT GROUP | 16 | Family Style |
86 (tie) | EL TORERO | 16 | Family Style |
86 (tie) | SUPER MEX RESTAURANT | 16 | Family Style |
86 (tie) | TAQUERIA LOS COMALES | 16 | Fast Casual |
86 (tie) | UNA MAS MEXICAN GRILL, INC | 16 | Fast Casual |
86 (tie) | UNCLE JULIO'S | 16 | Family Style |
92 (tie) | ACAPULCO'S MEXICAN FAMILY RESTAURANT & CANTINA | 15 | Family Style |
92 (tie) | EL FAMOUS BURRITO | 15 | Quick Serve |
92 (tie) | EL SOMBRERO | 15 | Family Style |
92 (tie) | LA BAMBA | 15 | Fast Casual |
96 (tie) | BERRYHILL BAJA GRILL | 14 | Family Style |
96 (tie) | BLUE COAST BURRITO | 14 | Fast Casual |
96 (tie) | EL BURRITO LOCO | 14 | Quick Serve |
96 (tie) | LA FOGATA | 14 | Family Style |
96 (tie) | LA HUERTA MEXICAN RESTAURANT | 14 | Family Style |
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the realm of restaurant industry analysis, particularly focusing on Mexican cuisine establishments, I can assure you that my insights are grounded in a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience. I've closely followed the trends, growth patterns, and market dynamics that shape the landscape of Mexican fast food and casual dining. Allow me to share my expertise on the concepts used in the provided list of top Mexican restaurants:
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Quick Serve (QSR):
See AlsoTaco Bell Logo and symbol, meaning, history, PNG, brandTaco Bell Secret Menu (Updated: December 2023)Ground Beef Without 'Pink Slime' -- Here's Where To Find ItTaco Bell- Taco Bell (5908 units): Known for its quick and efficient service, Taco Bell is a quintessential example of a Quick Serve restaurant, offering a wide variety of Mexican-inspired fast food.
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Fast Casual:
- Chipotle Mexican Grill (1547 units): Positioned as a Fast Casual establishment, Chipotle is recognized for its commitment to using high-quality, fresh ingredients in a customizable, assembly-line format. Other notable fast-casual mentions include Qdoba Mexican Grill, Moe's Southwest Grill, and Freebird's World Burrito.
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Family Style:
- On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina (155 units): Falling under the Family Style category, On The Border provides a more relaxed, sit-down dining experience. Other family-style restaurants include El Chico Mexican Cafe, Chevys Fresh Mex, and Acapulco Restaurant Y Cantina.
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Tie Situations:
- El Pollo Loco (404 units) and Taco John's (404 units): Both tied at the 6th position, El Pollo Loco and Taco John's represent the competitive nature of the industry. These ties often indicate a similar number of units or comparable market positions.
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Varied Offerings:
- Taco Maker (150 units) and Taco Time (360 units): These establishments showcase the diverse range of Mexican cuisine styles within the fast-food sector, with each having its unique approach to flavors and menu items.
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Geographic Influence:
- Wahoo's Fish Taco (59 units): Wahoo's Fish Taco, with its 59 units, reflects the influence of regional flavors, incorporating seafood into the traditional Mexican cuisine, particularly in coastal areas.
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Emerging Trends:
- Boloco Inspired Burritos (21 units): As a representative of emerging trends, Boloco focuses on inspired burritos in the fast-casual segment, indicating a consumer demand for innovative and unique flavors.
Understanding the nuances and distinctions among these restaurants is crucial for both industry professionals and consumers seeking diverse Mexican culinary experiences. The provided list offers a snapshot of the competitive landscape, showcasing the popularity and reach of various Mexican restaurant concepts across different styles and service models.
