1. Acapulco Mexican Grocery and Taqueria

   Tampa : 1001 N MacDill Ave., Tampa, 33607

   Hours: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon.-Sat., until 5 p.m. on Sun.

2. Agave Restaurant

   South Pinellas beaches : 6400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, 33706

   Nina and Richard Madison's tiny three-year-old restaurant (it stood a block away for three years before that) is about as warm and fun as it gets in St. Pete Beach. Grab a seat at the bar, the 'rita shaker banging out a rhythm while you wait for a table to come open. A basket of chips gets a tri …

3. Besa Grill

   Clearwater : 2542 N McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater, 33761

   In the spot that used to be Tuscano Grill, adjacent to the slick-Med Carmel Café and around the corner from the popular Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza, Besa Grill opened at the end of 2011. Sister restaurant to FlameStone in Oldsmar, it's Latin-inspired, not Mexican exactly, with stylish, nig …

4. Border Mexican Grille

   Tampa : 11148 N 30th St., Tampa, 33612

   The Border is just four brick walls, some fliers and trinkets, including shelves of chubby little mariachi figurines, plus a few tables and chili-pepper patterned booths thrown in for good measure. The bar is simply a cooler filled with bottles. Three different Negra brews, along with traditiona …

5. Burrito Boarder

   Downtown St. Petersburg : 17 Third St. N, St. Petersburg, 33701

   Late night, Burrito Boarder has got you covered -- all the way to 3:30 a.m. Thur.-Sat. with a pickup window in front of which you can watch revelers unwrapping their carne asada burrito bombs like it's Christmas morning.

6. Burrito Boarder Carrollwood

   Carrollwood : 12908 N Dale Mabry, Tampa, 33618

   Fresh Mexican wraps, salad bowls, hard and soft tacos, homemade soups, with a casual vibe.

7. Cali Shack

   Seminole : 8595 Seminole Blvd., Seminole, 33772

   Hours: 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Mon.-Sun.

8. Cancun Mexican Deli

   West Pasco : 9818 US Highway 19, Port Richey, 34668

   Authentic TexMex, sizzling fajitas, red, white or green sauces, generous portions, homemade salsa in a simple setting.

9. Cantina Laredo

   Wesley Chapel : 2000 Piazza Ave. # 170, Wesley Chapel, 33543

   At the newish Shops at Wiregrass, it's a Dallas-based concept launched in 1984, long before salsa was this country's favorite condiment. Served in an attractive and lively dining room, it's upscale Mexican with some regional touches, with nothing too exotic or spicy to spook shoppers. An order o …

10. Caramba's Mexican Restaurante

    Clearwater : 1842 Drew St., Clearwater, 33765

    Clearwater's home away from Hidalgo has a full spectrum of sauces, salsas and moles and the authentic peppers that go into them. Carne asada tastes of pasilla, and adobos have vinegar punch. Great tamales and hot caldos.

11. Carmelita's Mexican Restaurant (Clearwater)

    Largo : 5042 E Bay Drive, Clearwater, 33764

    The original location on Park Street in St. Petersburg started in 1983 and quickly gained a loyal following willing to wait a while for its fresh Mex and potent margaritas. Now the family business started by Vincent and Carmen Lopez has branched into five locations. It's still serving up family  …

12. Carmelita's Mexican Restaurant (Largo)

    Largo : 7705 Ulmerton Road, Largo, 33771

    The original location on Park Street in St. Petersburg started in 1983 and quickly gained a loyal following willing to wait a while for its fresh Mex and potent margaritas. Now the family business started by Vincent and Carmen Lopez has branched into five locations. It's still serving up family  …

13. Carmelita's Mexican Restaurant (New Port Richey)

    West Pasco : 8526 Old County Road 54, New Port Richey, 34653

    The original location on Park Street in St. Petersburg started in 1983 and quickly gained a loyal following willing to wait a while for its fresh Mex and potent margaritas. Now the family business started by Vincent and Carmen Lopez has branched into five locations. It's still serving up family  …

14. Carmelita's Mexican Restaurant (Pinellas Park)

    Pinellas Park : 6218 66th St., Pinellas Park, 33781

    The original location on Park Street in St. Petersburg started in 1983 and quickly gained a loyal following willing to wait a while for its fresh Mex and potent margaritas. Now the family business started by Vincent and Carmen Lopez has branched into five locations. It's still serving up family  …

15. Carmelita's Mexican Restaurant (St. Petersburg, Park St N)

    St. Petersburg : 5211 Park St N, St. Petersburg, 33709

    The original location on Park Street in St. Petersburg started in 1983 and quickly gained a loyal following willing to wait a while for its fresh Mex and potent margaritas. Now the family business started by Vincent and Carmen Lopez has branched into five locations. It's still serving up family  …

16. Casa Mexicana Bar & Grill

    Tampa : 4115 E Busch Blvd., Tampa, 33617

17. Casa Tina Gourmet Mexican & Vegetarian

    Editor's pick

    Dunedin : 365 Main St., Dunedin, 34698

    After a move from a smaller space, Casa Tina already it looks like it has been there forever, with a long fuchsia wall packed to capacity with old photos and funky mirrors, the opposite weathered brick wall tattooed with a Day of the Dead skeleton mariachi band painting. Doors are flung wide to  …

18. Casita Taqueria

    Fourth Street Garden District : 2706 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg, 33704

    Adorable, with a blue-and-purple-and-loud color scheme outside and lively Día de los Muertos decor within, Casita Taqueria opened late in 2011. Newlywed owners Don and Gwen Arvin have traveled widely, enjoying the taquerias of Southern California. Largely mom-and-pop holes in the wall, th …

19. Catrinas Cocina Y Galeria

    South Tampa : 2402 S MacDill Ave., Tampa, 33629

20. Centro Cantina

    Ybor City : 1600 E Eighth Ave., Tampa, 33605

    With kitschy chili pepper lights around the bar and Maroon 5 blaring over the loudspeaker, this chain restaurant (formerly Adobe Gila's) is more Tex than Mex. Still, you can appreciate it for what it is: an open-air hangout with a second-story view of Centro Ybor, attentive staff and live music  …

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