Hankering for some life-changing Mexican food? Two incredible restaurants are right here in the Bay Area, according to The New York Times.
For more than a year, the paper of record helicoptered its reporters around to compile an August guide to “41 of the Greatest Mexican Restaurants Across the United States.” “A culinary renaissance over the last 15 years has expanded the American palate well beyond Tex-Mex, tacos and game-night nachos,” the writers assert.
It’s no surprise that included is San Francisco’s Californios, a three-Michelin-starred haunt known for creative takes on Mexican-inspired recipes. What might catch people off guard (at least, if they didn’t read the lovely 2022 KQED feature about it), is Barbacoa Mejia, a humble stand in an East Bay flea market specializing in meats slow-cooked beneath the ground.
Barbacoa Mejia operates at the Richmond Flea Market in Richmond. The New York Times named it one of the greatest Mexican eateries in the country for 2026. (John Metcalfe/Bay Area News Group)
“Omar Mejia comes from a proud family of barbacoyeros, and just like many of his fellow Bay Area construction workers from Mexico, he has many talents,” the paper recounts. “Mr. Mejia’s family recipes include tender pit-roasted lamb, delicious consomé and regional salsas such as a salsa verde that includes xoconostle (prickly pear), and chinicuiles (grubs).”
Here are the first 10 restaurants on the list, which is in alphabetical order.
1 Acamaya, New Orleans
2 La Aguascalientes Mercado de Carnes, Oklahoma City
3 Alebrije, Nashville, Tennessee
4 Alma Fonda Fina, Denver
5 Ama, Philadelphia
6 Amano, Caldwell, Idaho
7 Amparo Fondita, Washington, D.C.
8 Bacanora, Phoenix
9 Barbacoa Mejia, Richmond, California
10 Birrieria Ocotlan, Chicago
Source: The New York Times