Welcome back, Polk County.
Mike here.
In this edition of The Best Food In Polk County, we’re diving into a category that had over 600 votes from locals for just one town.
The Best Mexican Restaurants in Lakeland, Florida.
Which was kind of perfect considering I just hit a Mexican restaurant for next week's Mike's Polk Food Quest...
And, as always, this isn’t just a list I’ve put together based on my own preferences…
This list was built from HUNDREDS of votes, from locals just like you.
Let’s go 
Special Author’s Note:
I love Mexican food. BUT .. I have to be honest with you. I eat SO much Chipotle some people think I have stock in it. 
So that is part of what these restaurants are going up against when I get to my ranking at the bottom.
First Place: Mega Mercado
The Best Mexican Restaurant In Lakeland, Florida
Mega Mercado - 2009 George Jenkins Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33815
Coming in at number one on our list, and it wasn't even close, is Mega Mercado.
Mega Mercado didn't just win. It ran away with it.
Across every poll and every thread, Mega Mercado kept showing up at the top. And it wasn't just the volume of votes that stood out. It was how people talked about it.
With voters sharing:
- "Mega Mercado hands down."
- "Mega Mercado is the best."
- "Nothing in Lakeland compares for TRUE Mexican food."
- "Mega Mercado… worth the wait."
People didn't just recommend it. They defended it.
One voter said it best:"Walk into Mega Mercado and look at who's eating there. That'll tell you everything you need to know."
It's known for authentic flavors, a no-frills setup, and food that tastes like the real thing.
If you only try one spot on this list, make it this one.
Second Place: Tapatio's
The Second Best Mexican Restaurant In Lakeland, Florida
Tapatio's — 734 E Memorial Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33801
Coming in at second is Tapatios, and while it didn't take the top spot, it wasn't far behind.
Tapatios came up everywhere.
Every poll. Every thread.
And in some cases, a single comment recommending Tapatios picked up dozens of likes, which tells you just how many people quietly agree without even saying a word.
With voters sharing:
- "Tapatios 100%."
- "Tapatios hands down."
- "Tapatios on Memorial."
- "Tapatios every time."
Where Mega Mercado leaned more toward authenticity, Tapatios stood out as the consistent go-to for a huge chunk of Lakeland locals.
One voter summed it up perfectly:"Great food, fair prices, and always consistent."
Hard to argue with that.
Third Place: Plaza Mexico
The Third Best Mexican Restaurant In Lakeland, Florida
Plaza Mexico — 3635 Florida Ave S, Lakeland, FL 33803
Coming in at third is Plaza Mexico, one of the most consistent names we saw across the entire dataset.
It didn't spike in any single thread. It just showed up everywhere, every time.
With voters sharing:
- "Plaza Mexico is amazing."
- "Plaza Mexico on South Florida Ave."
- "Best atmosphere and great food."
This is the spot that does everything well. The food, the experience, the consistency.
It's also one of the more popular picks when people are looking for a sit-down dinner, a margarita, or a night out with a group.
One voter put it simply:"Great food and great environment."
That tracks.
Fourth Place: Abuelo's
The Fourth Best Mexican Restaurant In Lakeland, Florida
Abuelo's — 3700 Lakeside Village Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33803
Coming in at fourth is Abuelo's.
Now, this one comes with a small asterisk.
Abuelo's is more of a polished, full-service restaurant compared to some of the other spots on this list. But locals still showed up for it in a big way.
With voters sharing:
- "Abuelo's is the best."
- "Always delicious."
- "Great food and atmosphere."
It stands out for its consistency, portion sizes, and overall experience. And even people who voted for other spots still mentioned Abuelo's as a reliable fallback.
One voter said it best:"You can't go wrong there."
And honestly? They're right.
Fifth Place: Azteca d'Oro
The Fifth Best Mexican Restaurant In Lakeland, Florida
Azteca d'Oro — 1235 N Parkway Frontage Rd, Lakeland, FL 33813
Rounding out the top five is Azteca.
This one quietly showed up across almost every poll we looked at, making it one of the most consistently mentioned spots outside the top three.
With voters sharing:
- "Azteca gets my vote."
- "Azteca all the way."
- "Azteca hands down."
Nothing flashy. No dramatic story. Just solid, dependable Mexican food that keeps people coming back.
One voter highlighted:"Always a solid choice."
Sometimes that's all you need.
Other Great Mexican Restaurants Options In Lakeland, Florida
If you’re anything like me, you want to try all the best mexican in Lakeland, Florida so you can be the judge for yourself.
So here is the rest of the top ten mexican restaurants in Lakeland, Florida (in order 6-10):
- #6 — Doña Julia's
- #7 — Mr. Pollo
- #8 — Taco Fiesta
- #9 — Costilla Grill
- #10 — La Patroncita
Which gives us the full top 10 Mexican restaurants in Lakeland.
And brings us to the moment you’ve all been waiting for…
My personal opinion (that no one asked for 
).
Here are my top Mexican restaurants:
- Azteca
- Mega Mercado
- Saving This Spot
- Bonus: Chipotle
Just like I reserved the third spot in my top ten coffee shops in Lakeland, I'm reserving my third spot here as well.
I'll always reserve that third spot unless I have tried every spot on the list, and there's one or two I still need to hit here!
THANKS!
Thanks for reading this edition of The Polk Squeeze today.
Share this with a friend who's been debating where to get the best Mexican food in Lakeland.
- Mike Romaine
Never Miss An Event Or Story
I see best Mexican for Lakeland. How about Winter Haven area, whats the best in that area? Absolutely love The Polk Squeeze. Keep up the good work.❤️
Hey Susan! Thanks for the comment and kind words. 🙏 We have the next 3-4 weeks planned out but I’ll do my best to squeeze Best Mexican in Winter Haven in between one of them 🙂
Love me some Ximenas in Auburndale!
One of my brother’s favorite spots! We live right around the block from downtown.