Cafe Castillo

I've been to El Barrio several times now--once with my cousin, another time with my dad, and most…read morerecently with my husband--and every single time I've loved it! The jalapeño cornbread with the butter is probably one of my favorite things on the menu. Oh my goodness, it is SO good! I'm pretty sure I've even placed a to-go order before just because I wanted the jalapeño cornbread . I also love the potato tortillas they have as an appetizer. They are really, really good, and the birria tacos are great as well. I can't remember exactly what my dad ordered when we went together, but I do remember that he loved his food too. I've had a great experience every time I've been, and it's definitely a place I would recommend!

This is a great spot for dinner, especially if you're planning to enjoy the nightlife afterward. I…read moredo wish they stayed open a little later given the location, but it still works well as a place to grab a meal before heading to nearby bars. I haven't tried an entrée yet because my group usually orders a few dips to share, and they've always been a hit. That said, the dishes I've seen at other tables have looked delicious. The outdoor patio is one of my favorite features--it's a great place for people-watching, enjoying the atmosphere, and having a daytime drink. The service has been solid on every visit. Nothing extraordinary, but friendly, efficient, and with no complaints. Overall, it's a place I'd happily come back to.

The bar

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Carbone tacos

Los Amigos Mexican Restaurant

3.8(184 reviews)

9.9 mi

The ambiance inside is so pretty, colorful, and inviting. They started us off with some amazing…read morechips and salsa. I ordered a lime margarita, and it was SO good! I got the shrimp chimichanga, and it did not disappoint. The breading had the perfect amount of crunch, and the rice and refried beans were cooked perfectly. I also tried the queso, which was really good. The only downside was that our server was a little less friendly than I would have liked, and some of our items took a little longer to come out. Aside from that, the food and atmosphere were great, and I would definitely come back to try more from the menu!

Today was my first time ever visiting Los Amigos. Never knew about it before but troed today as it…read morewas close to where I was going. Since I got take-out, I can only speak to their take-out. However, I do feel that if they can get 5-stars for take-out, then their dine-in is surely 5-stars! First of all, they took time and care in packing the take-out. I got a lunch combo and they packed the Taco and the salad separately. I love it!! Secondly, they also included salsa and chips even though it was a take-out order, which I appreciated. Service was quick. I called in my order, showed up about 10 minutes after that, paid, and my order was ready a couple of minutes later. Employees were very nice. Food was good! Still warm when I opened it up 15 minutes after pick up, which tells me they were fresh and hot when packed! Tomato and lettuce in the guacamole salad were very fresh, which isn't always the case at some restaurants. I really liked their chile relleno as it wasn't fried. Really good. I will definitely visit again!!

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SALUD

4.5(92 reviews)

10.1 mi

A little bit loud inside, but I sat outside. You order at the counter. Our food arrived quickly. I…read morehad the Puebla bowl. The flavor was wonderful. A lot of fresh ingredients and there was more food than I could eat. The staff was friendly and efficient. I don't live here so I won't return, but I would be a regular if I lived here.

I heard alot of great things about Salud…read more Salud reminds me of the taqueria's in Mexico, with the Jarrito sodas, pineapple and mandarin Try them with a tequila shot! Also the guacamole, the cheese dip and the tacos. They do have a full bar and can do frozen drinks. I loved that you can add your own toppings to your tacos. The tacos come with just meat. You can add onions, limes, cilantro and pickled onions and pickled jalapeños as well as sauce. They had a Verde sauce as well as regular salsa, and a Salsa Borachja sauce with onion, garlic and Mexican beer. It was spicy and delicious. They have plenty of counter seating, a few tables inside and several tables outside. This is a tapas bar more than a testaurant.

Inside

Fries

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Al Pastor

Mexico Lindo

3.5(120 reviews)

8.1 mi

Always busy is about the worst thing I could think to say. Polite quick service…read more.. generous helpings very well flavored and the house sauce they bring out with the chips is the first Mexican restaurant I have ever had that I did not have to doctor up to get my desired spice level. .spot on. Beenultiple times and I have never had a bad meal. Will go back again and again oh parking can be a little challenging lol.

Mexico Lindo is such a solid spot! I love sitting on their patio on a nice day!! My go-to is the…read morequesadilla and the house marg. Always fast service which is appreciated!

Patio

Chips & salsa

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Maya Mexican Restaurant

4.3(197 reviews)

6.7 mi

I ate here today it was amazing ! Has the number one special…read morewhich was fantastic. Food and staff was awesome

One of the classic Mexican spots in Birmingham. They have the scrumptious thin, white cheese dip. I…read morehad the steak fajitas and thought the price was fantastic. Normally an order of fajitas is over $20, but it was closer to $16/17 here. I had a prickly pear margarita that was pretty dang good. I will say, service seemed to take a while. A couple of my friends barely got their drinks before our food arrived. This place was hoppin' on a Friday night, though. Definitely family friendly.

Yelp loves this place huh #10

Chips are good with added salt.

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Frida's Cocina & Cantina

4.2(71 reviews)

8.9 mi

Love Frida's! Consistently great food & service with fair prices. Our favorite spot to sit is the…read morepatio! I love grabbing a drink after Frida's at Key Circle Commons across the street.

It was a nice day and I decided I wanted a patio and some margaritas. I have yet to try Fridas so I…read moregave it a try. I love the sunken patio which is perfect for relaxing in the shade. When we got seated outside by the friendly staff, we were given menus and free chips and salsa. As I nibbled on the chips and salsa which were just okay I browsed the drink menu. There's a full bar here and plenty of options. Over the course of the afternoon I tried the Frida's Rita and the wonderful rabbit. Both drinks weren't in your face with the tequila mezcal, they were mixed nicely and had a well rounded flavor. I much preferred the Woderful rabbit though as it tasted less watered down and the ginger beer paired with the mezcal was almost quenching. Overall if you're looking for a relaxing spot to enjoy Mexican cocktails this is a good spot! We did feel rushed to get out of there, and maybe it was because we weren't ordering food. Overall good experience however.

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University Tacos

4.4(112 reviews)

9.4 mi

•$

This quesadilla was so fulfilling and yummy! Made a visit while at UAB hospital and so glad I did…read more I've passed by a million time but never had it. That will definitely change now. Parking maybe a little challenge but worth it. The restaurant was very quiet and my service was great. It was fresh and cooked to order.

Tacos were great. Meat was seasoned well, salsa was fresh and hot, chips were light and crispy. So…read morethe food was awesome, but the tacos were priced higher than what I normally pay for street tacos. $3 per taco is what I usually pay for a taco truck.

Black bean burrito

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Menu as of 3/19/26

Rojo

4.1(440 reviews)

9.6 mi

This place is just a great vibe. Walking up to the patio is a nice touch on a warm sunny afternoon…read more The large trees providing a nice shade and a cool breeze. The menu provides plenty of choices for Mexican style dishes and American food. Great wine list with a full bar. Today was a good margarita day after a nice hike, along with a great meal of a vegetarian burrito bowl. The price was reasonable as well. I will definitely be back.

We arrived 8:30pm on a Wednesday and it was hard to find street parking. Everything right outside…read morewas full. There was some open spots at the end of the street. There are lots of outdoor seating, but we chose to sit inside because of the heat and it was quieter inside. We ordered at the counter. The menu is huge! Lots of options because it's double sided with a Latin side and American side. We opted for the Burrito bowl (no cheese to modify for vegan / plant-based diet), Summer Burrito, and Pepper Quesadilla. They were all delicious and flavorful. The employee who took our order was super friendly. There is a cash discount (vs paying with credit card).

Restroom, unisex.

Stepdaughter's husband's sandwich

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Restroom, unisex.

Adios

4.6(51 reviews)

10.2 mi

Stopped by Adios for happy hour on a Friday and had a great time! Their happy hour is 4-6 pm! It…read morewasn't crowded, which made it perfect for a relaxed Friday evening. The atmosphere was laid-back, the drinks were good (the $8 marg is PERFECT), and the service was friendly. Definitely a nice spot to grab a drink and unwind to kickoff the weekend. I'd definitely be back!

Adios is such a great spot in Birmingham! The atmosphere is lively, vibrant, and gives you the…read moreperfect Mexico City-inspired vibe. The cocktails are well-crafted, with an impressive selection of tequila if you love all things tequila. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable, and the overall experience was excellent. Frank took great care of us while there for happy hour (3pm-6pm) and who doesn't like a drink deal. $8 drink me please! it's a great place to enjoy drinks with friends or start a fun night out. Definitely worth checking out if you're in Birmingham!

Offrenda

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Little Donkey - Homewood

3.8(683 reviews)

8.0 mi

So Thankfull this Location is still open, we Love us some Donkey…read more Burrito Bowl with Brisket is a go too dish. Black Beans, Rice, Quack, Pico, Corn, Queso & Brisket. I know I left something out, it has all while not being I one flavor dish. Husband went for the standard Burrito with smoked chicken, he can eat gluten, smothered with Queso and Crema. Very good he said with his mouth full. You can have a conversation with a full house. Service was pleasant and accommodating, We will make the drive again.

We showed up at 8:30p (30 min before closing) after a day of traveling, they were very hesitant to…read morelet us eat. They let us know the kitchen would close at 9:00p, so we needed to order quickly. That was fair enough, but we ordered at 8:45p and didn't get our food for over 30 min. One of our party of 7 didn't get his food for 45 min. Our waitress never refilled any of our drinks the entire meal. We all ordered the 2 taco plate. All the tacos were dry and below average. It felt like an upscale attempt at Mexican food that missed the mark slightly. The restaurant is absolutely beautiful inside with great vibes, that was a standout plus. I really wanted to like this place, but I just can't recommend it.

Inside

La Cocina

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Firing Squad- sub house tequila for Don Julio

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Arly P.

0

9

4

3 years ago

I really like this place. Super tasty a lot of options from the menu. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cafe Castillo - mexican - Updated September 2026

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This place feels like mom's kitchen. The staff is patient and kind and have some of the best food…read morein the city. Chicken Deliciously grilled to moist perfection. Great prices. Love, love, love this place. Plenty of parking........

I have no problem with the food I actually like it sometimes it hit or miss been going here since…read more2006 but today I reached my final straw. I ordered a 2pc combo $9.50 that comes with a medium sized drink I ask to upgrade to a large I was charged $4 to upgrade when a large drink by itself cost $2.75 make it make sense. Total rip off and don't care to hide it I just hope those extra dollars was worth it because one thing I refuse to do is let you play in my face. Safe to say this is my last visit.

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My favorite Mexican restaurant. Been on a Taco cruise…read morelately, ran upon them years ago. Loved the El Pastor. Today made the special trip for tacos. The soft shell beef is good, the tortilla held together:) Tried the Sopes with chicken, I think am in love. Great corn tortilla, chicken done right, creamy salsa so good. I might substitute my tacos for Sopes. Can't Finnish without mentioning the famous bowls of bean soup. I'll travel just for the bean soup. A nice homey, comfortable place with good service.

Honestly, it may have been the best Mexican food that I have eaten and seemed to be pretty…read moreauthentic. The building is not fancy but the interior is nice and clean and the staff are super friendly and helpful. They started with bean soup for everyone in lieu of chips and we all enjoyed that. I can highly recommend the chimichangas. The chicken was beautiful and it was cooked perfectly. It's about a 30 min drive from my house and I will be returning.

El Comal Mexican Restaurant

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Plentiful complimentary chips and great salsa, good vibes, and the absolute fastest service…read more Whether you're eating or drinking you're bound to have a laid back time at el comal. It's more of local spot than a "seek and destroy a meal" kind of place but it definitely hits the spot when you're looking for some traditional Mexican food. I wasn't too hungry when I stopped by, but there were so many options to choose from. I went with a pastor and campechanos tacos. The corn tortillas were a little underwhelming but the meat and everything else inside was fantastic. The onions, meat, cilantro all tasted fresh.

El Comal is a good place if your in the mood for good Mexican food if you live in the McCalla area…read more The staff is always so welcoming and nice. My favorite waiter is John Wayne. He is the life of the party and always so accommodating. Whether it be the ceviche, the chicken wings or their baked potato you can't go wrong with anything on their menu. A good casual dining spot with good food and good vibes.

Zapata Mexican Restaurant

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Classic little mexican restaurant near the Valleydale/HWY 31 intersection. Very friendly service,…read morethey seem to have a lot of tables available. My mom and I split the steak fajitas for 1 person and it was 100% enough food for both of us for lunch. Colorful decor, quick service, ice cold fountain drinks, queso, etc.

Solid tex-mex food. Their service is always fast and quality is consistent. If you like spicy order…read morea side of their spicy hot sauce. Not pictured is their soup which is always great when you aren't feeling the best. A Pelham staple and a great lunch spot!

Taqueria Los dos Compadres

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Great birria tacos, fajitas, and sopes! First time I've been here in a while and it will definitely…read morebe added into the rotation.

We have driven by this place several times and always said we need to try it out... It always looks…read morebusy, so must be good. Well, we finally stopped and here are my thoughts... Upon entering the restaurant, I noticed how noisy it was, not from patrons or music, but the kitchen was on the other side of the wall and you could hear everything. It's dimly lit, without too many windows. What windows they did have, don't allow much light in at all. The color on the wall is on the darker side, which doesn't help lighten it up. We were seated by a large party that was so loud, it would drown out the music overhead, and the music wasn't set low, but low enough you could hear the person across from you. The staff was quick and friendly... I wish I remembered the waitress' name. She went above and beyond. As for the food, we were brought out chips and salsa when we were seated. The chips weren't thin but warm and fresh. The salsa wasn't spicy, but still good. We ordered a small queso, a little milder than I expected, but you can order it with chorizo. The margaritas were strong but refreshing after a hot summer day. I went with the old standby to compare to other places... Chicken chimichanga. It was tasty, not overly seasoned, and not dried out. I did add a little spice to kick it up a little. The rice I really enjoyed, simple, not overly flavored, something to cleanse the pallet after biting into something with spice. My dinner was very fresh tasting, nothing tasted as if it was sitting around. Overall, a great new addition to Calera!

Taco Mama - Vestavia

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Never mind they are awesome. They are super fast with great food. Their queso portions are huge and…read morewe love their chips. This is a go to for our family.

One of the best spots in Vestavia! Perfect for outdoor dining. The margaritas are delicious and the…read morefood portions are huge. Staff is always friendly and efficient.

El Comal

(13 reviews)

Having opened in 2025, El Comal is one of the newest Tex Mex additions to the area. It delivers as…read moreintended, kind people, reasonable prices and large portions. To start, the salsa and chips. Fresh chips are solid, medium thickness. The salsa is extremely salty and does not taste as if it was made recently. Not a favorite. The steak fajitas is loaded with a substantial amount of beef, which is a wonderfully sized portion for the $14 that it costs in 2026, but the meat is not of good quality taste wise and very tough. The sides are all fairly good, except the guacamole, which is almost tasteless and of weird watered down pale green color, likely batch pre-made and preserved with an additive of lime juice. The ladies working here are wonderful, both attentive and kind. Interior is a nice conversion from the Italian restaurant Gino's which used to be in this space for close to a decade. As a whole, El Comal is probably not a place to run back to, but might be worth trying for some of the other dishes aside from steak fajitas.

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University Tacos

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CantinaGrill is my go to lunch favorite. Haven't found anything on the menu I didn't love.read more

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