Best Mexican in Town

[ben says]

I'm responsible for a few of those Yelp pictures... 

Actually going to Pepe's tonight. Delicious.

[RockStar]

I look forward to checking out Pepe's and standing corrected....will update opinion following visit. Pictures look legit...can't wait. 

[ben says]

I look forward to checking out Pepe's and standing corrected....will update opinion following visit. Pictures look legit...can't wait. 

I always judge a Mexican place on the quality and style of their taco and tamale. Both are $1.50 at Pepe's. I'd try both.

[Ernest Street]

I'll admit I was holding my tongue about Pepe's...Been going there at least once every two weeks (record is 4 days in a row when I was working nearby) for at least 5 years now.
Ahh..tres taco Pepe's..harina..Bistec?Pollo? carnitas? pastor? side of beans and rice?
I gotta get a whole roasted Talapia one day. And show up early for Bistec heuvos rancheros!
Your chips and salsa were made in the morning.
Tamales both Pollo and Beef are on weekends only... $1 If I remember..soup specials are written on the board.

There is NO.. GROUND BEEF OR HAMBURGER on the menu..
The Real Deal.

[thekillingwax]

Yeah, another vote for Pepe's. God, if I didn't need this job, I'd leave right now and go there. It's the kind of food that once you start thinking about it, it's all you can think about until you get some. Guess I'll be hitting it up Sunday when I get off work. Checked my bank records from 2011- looks like we went almost 30 times. Good lord.

[johnny_simpatico]

On Spring Park Rd., just north of Emerson is La Guadalupana.  It's a little store and bus stop that serves tacos, soup, and meals on weekends.  Tortillas are hand made (not out of the package and not from a machine) and warm!   

[Marley Weinstein]

This post makes my mouth water

[blizz01]

+1 for Pepe's...I had no idea.

[Captain Zissou]

I will be at Pepe's by the end of the week, I can't take all of this talk without trying it.

On Friday night I went to a place called Tequila's on Baymeadows at 9A.  I love Mexican food, but I'm not a very good critic of it.  Any combination of tortilla with cheese, meat, and vegetables hits the spot for me.  This place was tasty, but I don't know how it ranks among the better informed.  If you have been there, feel free to weigh in.

I have been going to Mr Taco for 2 years and I really enjoy it.  Their fish tacos and carnitas tacos are great.  I used to get burritos, but now I don't really get them unless I get the veggie.  Quesadillas are good, but tons of cheese!  Tough to do on a work day.

[blizz01]

Coincidentally, a new venue (Taco Del Mar) is breaking into the market:

Seattle-based Mexican chain plans first Florida restaurant in Jacksonville

A Seattle, Washington-based Mexican fast-food chain plans to open its first Florida restaurant on Jacksonville’s Southside.
Taco del Mar â€" known for its hand-rolled Mission-style burritos and fish tacos â€" will take over the recently vacated Quiznos Subs location at 7159 Philips Highway.

*** I HONESTLY HAVE NO IDEA HOW ANYONE WILL BE ABLE TO PARK @ THIS LOCATION NOW***

In a 1400-plus-square-foot storefront, Taco del Mar will join Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches, the recently-opened Sushi Factory, Spice-To-Go and Tropical Smoothie Café in a small retail strip near the intersection with Butler Boulevard.
After opening its first restaurant 20 years ago in Seattle’s historic waterfront district, the chain quickly grew in the mid-2000s, boasting 270 locations in 2008, according to a report in the Seattle Times. Between 2005-2009, however, more than 200 of its restaurants closed.
Following a bankruptcy sale in October 2010, Taco del Mar now has 132 restaurants open across 15 states with several more planned to open soon, according to the company’s website.
The Jacksonville location would be the first in Florida and among the first in the Southeastern U.S.
No building permits have been issued for the site.

http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/423471/gary-mills/2012-03-13/seattle-based-mexican-chain-plans-first-florida-restaurant
http://www.tacodelmar.com/food/

[Gators312]

Coincidentally, a new venue (Taco Del Mar) is breaking into the market:

Seattle-based Mexican chain plans first Florida restaurant in Jacksonville

A Seattle, Washington-based Mexican fast-food chain plans to open its first Florida restaurant on Jacksonville’s Southside.
Taco del Mar â€" known for its hand-rolled Mission-style burritos and fish tacos â€" will take over the recently vacated Quiznos Subs location at 7159 Philips Highway.

*** I HONESTLY HAVE NO IDEA HOW ANYONE WILL BE ABLE TO PARK @ THIS LOCATION NOW***

In a 1400-plus-square-foot storefront, Taco del Mar will join Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches, the recently-opened Sushi Factory, Spice-To-Go and Tropical Smoothie Café in a small retail strip near the intersection with Butler Boulevard.
After opening its first restaurant 20 years ago in Seattle’s historic waterfront district, the chain quickly grew in the mid-2000s, boasting 270 locations in 2008, according to a report in the Seattle Times. Between 2005-2009, however, more than 200 of its restaurants closed.
Following a bankruptcy sale in October 2010, Taco del Mar now has 132 restaurants open across 15 states with several more planned to open soon, according to the company’s website.
The Jacksonville location would be the first in Florida and among the first in the Southeastern U.S.
No building permits have been issued for the site.

http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/423471/gary-mills/2012-03-13/seattle-based-mexican-chain-plans-first-florida-restaurant
http://www.tacodelmar.com/food/

Has to be the worst designed plazas of all times.  Traffic flow in there is a nightmare.

[TheCat]

I've been to Mr. Taco twice in the last month. It's okay. The flavors don't pop and though it was fairly fresh I left feeling a little unsure of the place.  The queso was disgusting. It was cheese water with chips. It feels/taste like they cut corners. They mix their awesome elements with their terrible elements and end up serving a mediocre "ensemble."

[ben says]

Try Pepe's?

Mr. Taco is hit or miss. I generally like them, but I kinda see where you're coming from. I think it's all about what you order there. Their asada & pollo stuff is great. Chorizo and carnitas are hit/miss. Etc

[David]

I've been to Mr. Taco twice in the last month. It's okay. The flavors don't pop and though it was fairly fresh I left feeling a little unsure of the place.  The queso was disgusting. It was cheese water with chips. It feels/taste like they cut corners. They mix their awesome elements with their terrible elements serving a mediocre "ensemble."

I agree with you on Mr. Taco.  My coworkers and I have been going there for the past 3 years and the last couple of visits have felt off. Skimpier portions, dryed out meats. The sauces arent as good as they usually are. Seemed dead too, not as busy as usual. Maybe it's just a rough patch. I hope so, because they were serving up some of the best tacos in town.

[02roadking]

The girlfriend says this place is now her favorite. http://www.yelp.com/biz/si-senor-fresh-mex-jacksonville#query:senor%20taco  Will be trying it real soon. Kinda hard to see from St Johns Bluff.