Aracelias II A family-run institution that serves up home-style Mexican specialties in a comfortable, casual atmosphere. Try the Grande Burrito or the chile rellenos. 7905 E. Trent Ave., Spokane Valley • Wash. • 924-4604
Atilano's Atilano's serves up damn good California-style burritos for damn cheap prices. Their menu, which includes the Washington burrito (stuffed with grilled chicken, potatoes, cheese, guacamole and sour cream) is a nice complement to their original California burrito (steak, potatoes, cheese and salsa). They're open until 3 am on Fridays and Saturdays at the downtown location, making them close to heaven at the end of a long night of drinking 725 W. Third St., Spokane • Wash. • 838-7677 | 12210 N. Division St., • 466-2847 | 3624 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane • Wash. • 534-7677 | 18 E. Appleway Ave., Coeur d'Alene • Idaho • 208-667-7677
Borrachos Tacos & Tequileria This trendy downtown Mexican restaurant has a menu full of the regular burritos, chimichangas, and tostadas, so you'll never leave hungry. Beware; salsa costs extra. So make sure you hit up their happy hour for a discounted margarita or their very popular Taco Tuesdays, where you can scarf down some street tacos for only a buck (regularly $2). 211 N. Division, Spokane • Wash. • 822-7789
El Que The intimate brick nook, attached to the back of The Elk in Browne's Addition, serves handheld Mexican food, Mexican beer and an impressive selection of tequila. Drink and food specials rotate, so be sure to ask, but you can never go wrong with a couple of pork tacos and a Negra Modelo. 141 S. Cannon St., Spokane • Wash. • 624-5412
Fiesta Mexicana Family-owned and family-friendly, Fiesta Mexicana is frequently packed, but don't let the full parking lot scare you off. You never wait long here. Service is fast and attentive, and the food is everything you'd expect from inland Tex-Mex, but with better-than-expected offerings of fish and vegetarian options. If you want to eat dinner amidst a hive of activity with bottomless chips and salsa, this is your joint. 1227 S. Grand Blvd., Spokane • Wash. • 455-7117 | 2605 N. Fourth St., Coeur d'Alene • Idaho • 208-665-2400
Palenque This local chain of Mexican restaurants has managed to bookend Spokane with a location to the west in Cheney and another in Liberty Lake. The affordably priced yet classy eatery serves up a traditional take on Mexican fare while not skimping on creativity. Consider the carnitas or moles. 1102 N. Liberty Lake Rd., Liberty Lake • Wash. • 928-3112 | 20 Simpson Pkwy., Cheney • Wash. • 235-9010
Rancho Chico A moment after entering this colorful spot, you'll invariably be greeted at the door with a "Hola, amigo!" It's worth going just for the original margarita. Their rice, authentic and flavorful, tastes even better to the sound of mariachi music. You can also buy their hot salsa to take home. 2023 W. Northwest Blvd., Spokane • Wash. • 327-2723
Tacos El Sol Since 2008, the Tacos El Sol taco food truck has been feeding hungry lunchers (including Inlander staffers when the office was downtown) with gloriously authentic taco fare. Tongue tacos are available only on Thursday and Friday, but carne asada, or steak, is still what most people order. 401 W. Sprague Ave., Spokane • Wash. • 216-2554
Tacos Tumbras Meat is what Tacos Tumbras does right. From the outside, its location on Second Avenue (there's another in Spokane Valley, along with two food trucks) doesn't exactly tell people what they'll experience upon walking in. An inviting cafe atmosphere run by a family is what you'll find. The menu offers chorizo, al pastor, and lengua tacos like other restaurants in town, but what puts them above the pack is the inclusion of tripe (intestines) and cabeza (beef head). 1325 W. Second Ave., Spokane • Wash. • 456-8226
