For Mexican food in Nevada City, start at Taqueria Nevada on Broad Street. Its site says it is open 10 AM to 10 PM each day. Want more? Drive to Grass Valley. You will find five more spots there, from a taco shop to a full market. Check hours before you go.
Tacos are not our trade. We cook other things on North Pine Street. But we eat tacos too. And we get asked where to go. So here is our list. Each fact comes from the place's own site or its chamber page, read in October. We do not rank them. We tell you what each one says it does.
Where can you get Mexican food in Nevada City?
Downtown, the list is short. Taqueria Nevada is the one taco spot we found on the main streets with its own site. It is on Broad Street, in the heart of town.
Taqueria Nevada
Taqueria Nevada says it serves real Mexican food. Its site names wet burritos, soft tacos, crispy tacos and fresh guac. It lists fish tacos and chicken fajitas too. From the sea, there are shrimp, oysters and fried fish. For the morning, there are eggs with chorizo. You can order online. It is an easy first stop.
- Where: 214 Broad Street, Nevada City.
- Hours: 10 AM to 10 PM, every day.
- Good fit if: you want a quick lunch or a slow dinner in town.
- Check first: the Taqueria Nevada site.
What are the best Mexican spots in Grass Valley?
Grass Valley has more choice, and it is spread out. Some spots are on Main Street. Some are on Mill Street or out by Sutton Way. Here are four. We let each one speak for itself.
El Favorito
El Favorito has shops in and around Sacramento. Its site lists two in Grass Valley. One is on Mill Street. One is on Sutton Way. The site says the taco is its main craft. A full menu sits around it. You can order ahead online.
- Where: 550 Mill Street and 574 Sutton Way, Grass Valley.
- Hours: 9 AM to 9 PM each day on Mill Street.
- Good fit if: you want tacos early or late.
Maria's
Maria's is on East Main Street. Its chamber page says each dish is made fresh each day. The recipes came from Mexico and were passed down in the family. The page also talks up its margaritas. If you drink, pick a driver or book a ride home.
- Where: 226 East Main Street, Grass Valley.
- Good fit if: you want a sit down meal with friends.
- Check first: the Maria's chamber listing for the phone.
Madi's MexiCali Stop
Madi's has one shop in Colfax and one in Grass Valley. Its site says it cooks each item on the menu in house. It says it uses fresh food and top meats. Order online, or walk in.
- Where: 840 East Main Street, Suite E, Grass Valley.
- Hours: 10:30 AM to 7:30 PM, every day.
- Good fit if: you want lunch or an early dinner to go.
- Check first: the Madi's Grass Valley page.
El Milagro
El Milagro is on South Auburn Street. Its chamber page lists it as a Mexican restaurant. It gives the street and the phone, and not much more. So call for the menu and hours.
- Where: 760 South Auburn Street, Suite A, Grass Valley.
- Phone: (530) 802-5229.
Where can you buy Mexican food to cook at home?
El Barrio is a market on Neal Street in Grass Valley. Its site calls it a complete Mexican market. Two local families run it, it says. There is a full meat counter, with fresh cut and marinated meats. There are shelves of goods for any dish. There is a kitchen, too, with food to take out. It even sells clothes and gifts from Mexico.
- Where: 309 Neal Street, Grass Valley.
- Hours: 7 AM to 7 PM on weekdays.
- Weekend hours: 8 AM to 7 PM.
- Good fit if: you want to cook for friends, or grab lunch on the way.
- Check first: the El Barrio site.
How do these spots compare?
Here is the quick view. Hours are what each place lists now. They can change.
| Place | Town | Street | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taqueria Nevada | Nevada City | Broad Street | 10 AM to 10 PM daily |
| El Favorito | Grass Valley | Mill Street, Sutton Way | 9 AM to 9 PM daily on Mill |
| Maria's | Grass Valley | East Main Street | Call first |
| Madi's MexiCali Stop | Grass Valley | East Main Street | 10:30 AM to 7:30 PM daily |
| El Milagro | Grass Valley | South Auburn Street | Call first |
| El Barrio | Grass Valley | Neal Street | 7 AM to 7 PM weekdays |
Questions people ask
Where can I get Mexican food in Nevada City?
Taqueria Nevada at 214 Broad Street is the spot in town. Its site lists 10 AM to 10 PM every day. Check before you go.
What Mexican places are in Grass Valley?
El Favorito, Maria's, Madi's and El Milagro all serve food in Grass Valley. El Barrio, a market on Neal Street, cooks food to go. Each one lists its own hours or phone.
Where can I get tacos late in Nevada City?
Taqueria Nevada lists 10 PM as its close every day. In Grass Valley, El Favorito on Mill Street lists 9 PM. Hours change, so check the night you go.
Where can I buy food to cook a Mexican meal?
El Barrio on Neal Street in Grass Valley calls itself a full Mexican market. It has a meat counter, food on the shelves and a kitchen with food to go.
Tacos first, then the night
A good taco does not need a big plan. Find a seat. Get the salsa. Eat it while it is hot. If you came up for the day, stay a bit. Walk Broad Street when the lamps come on. Our bar at Sherwood opens at 4 PM, at Pine and Commercial. Check current hours on our visit page.
Want more? See where to eat in town on any budget. Or read our Grass Valley guide.
