A rich tapestry of culinary styles, music, art, and local traditions, Mexicantown is known as one of Detroit’s most vibrant communities. This can be easily seen on the historic storefronts that line Vernor Highway, through the dozens of family-owned restaurants and the murals that line the streets.
With something to do around every corner, it’s hard to narrow down. Check out our favorite things to do and five featured restaurants and have fun exploring Mexicantown!
THINGS TO DO
There is something in Mexicantown for everyone. Enjoy a walk across the Bagley Pedestrian Bridge with homemade Mexican bakery goods in hand to see the sights of Detroit from the bridge, or take a mural tour of over 40 murals and other public art pieces in Southwest Detroit that were painted in the last decade.
Shop among the numerous unique shops, including Xochi’s Gift Shop on Bagley. A 30+ year-old institution where shoppers could get lost for hours, this family-owned shop specializes in Mexican imports, featuring handmade Mexican folk art, extravagantly painted pottery, Dia de los Muertos artwork, sterling silver jewelry, and more.
Algo Especial, also on Bagley, is the place to go for those hard-to-find ingredients. Epazote for that Oaxacan recipe for tamales? Check. Flor de calabaza (pumpkin flower)? You got it. Dried chili peppers of all varieties? In abundance. You can get anything you need for dinner at Algo Especial!
Every spring, the entirety of Southwest Detroit looks forward to the annual Cinco de Mayo Parade. The parade, which runs between Clark Park and Patton Park, is marked by days of celebration, including bar and restaurant crawls, mural tours, baile folklorico, live music, and the Blessing of the Lowriders, a street-side showcase of decked out classic lowrider cars usually taken out of storage for the special occasion.
RESTAURANTS
From tamales to tacos, Mexicantown is filled with informal restaurants offering traditional Mexican food. Laid-back bars and tiki lounges serve margaritas, grocery stores brim with corn and plantains, and old-school bakeries sell sugary churros.
Established in 1957, Mexican Village is one of the very first restaurants to introduce Mexican cuisine to the people of Detroit. This is one of the oldest Mexican restaurants in Detroit, owned and operated by the same family for over three generations. Whether planning a cocktail party for your business in their “Hide Away” upstairs or celebrations of any kind, Mexican Village Restaurant will provide a delectable array of Mexican and American delights that will not be forgotten.
Located in the heart of Mexicantown, Armando’s is an anchor to the thriving Southwest Detroit community with a loyal clientele of diners who return, generation after generation, craving the restaurant’s signature dishes and warm atmosphere. Established in 1967 by Armando Galan, the Hernandez family has proudly operated Armando’s since 1986.
In 1983, Los Galanes opened and became known for creating a dish that has made the city’s culinary scene famous. The dish is the Botana, and is a mix between Canadian poutine, a Coney dog and Mexican culinary influences. Specifically, the botanas served here are fresh corn chips layered with a mixture of pinto beans and chorizo sausage then topped with green peppers, Muenster cheese, tomatoes, avocados and pickled jalapeños. The restaurant is also known for its fresh, homemade flour tortillas and a variety of seafood dishes sure to delight those who prefer traditional cuisine.
When this once-obscure hole-in-the-wall expanded from a bar and pool room to a big restaurant, it marked the revival of the western portion of Mexicantown. Now Xochimilco is known for generous portions of Mexican staples, including tasty guacamole and gargantuan burritos. The price has remained affordable, and people keep coming nightly for drinks and munchies.
Mixing the best of fine Italian and Mexican cuisine with attention to detail and gracious service, El Barzon Restaurante is a stylish, flavorful eating experience. Owner/Chef Norberto was recently nominated for a James Beard Award for the best chef of the Greater Lakes region. He and his team strive to give the best in both hospitality and service. Visit their website to check out their rotating menu or to make reservations.
Mexicantown welcomes everyone to enjoy its vibrant, colorful, and distinctive commercial district! Its architecture and aesthetics are reflective of its proud Latin American roots. For more restaurants, shops, and a list of events, check out their neighborhood website here!
