Mekenita Mexican Grille

Editor's pick

17623 N Dale Mabry Highway, Lutz, FL 33548

(813) 264-1212

Categories: Bar, Restaurant

Cuisine: Mexican

Features: Children's menu, Takeout

Cost range: 1.0-10.0

Payment options: Credit cards accepted

Alcohol: Beer and wine only

More in this neighborhood: Lutz

Rand Packer, the celebrated former chef at Roy's in Tampa, chucked the fancy world of Hawaiian-style misoyaki butterfish for something new and different, aiming to fill a gap in the culinary landscape near his home in Lutz. It's a funky and affordable outpost of regional Mexican cuisine, cooking from Oaxaca, the land of seven moles. Order at the counter from a short menu of tamales and thick tortilla cups called sopes, salads, tacos and burritos (stuffed with smoked pork, grilled skirt steak or wahoo), then amble over to the small salsa bar and stock up. Pair it all with deep purple and cinnamony sangria or one of a changing lineup of agua frescas.