Top 11+ Mexican restaurant chains, ranked worst to best

11. Taco Bell

Without a doubt, Taco Bell is the most innovative restaurant chains on this list. Starting in 2012, the chain began experimenting with product innovation, launching its incredibly popular Doritos Locos Tacos menu item. Since then, Taco Bell has launched several unique items to mainstream success, including its Naked Chicken Chalupa, Nacho Fries, and Quesalupa. Many of the menu items from Taco Bell have become beloved customer favorites and cultural icons — looking at you, Mexican Pizza. The chain's dedication to innovation has helped it explode into the fast-food giant it is today, operating over 8,500 locations in 32 countries.

Given Taco Bell's success in many facets of business, one might wonder why it isn't higher on this list. Well, several negative factors also need addressing. Perhaps the most glaring problem of all with the chain is its reliance on questionable ingredients. For instance, the restaurant's refried beans arrive at each store in pellet form, resembling rabbit food, and its so-called "steak" is acquired for pennies on the dollar, which begins to form a "hair gel-like consistency" when left out for too long. In addition to these questionable ingredients, not every Taco Bell innovation lands with consumers or tastes particularly good, such as the inedible waffle taco or Cheetos burrito. For these reasons, while there is still a time and place to eat at Taco Bell, you are better off going with one of the other Mexican restaurant chains on this list.

7. Cafe Rio

Since opening its doors in 1997, Cafe Rio has operated under the motto, "fresh food, made fresh." None of the chain's 146 locations has any freezers or microwaves, which means nothing is premade there. Staff members begin their day by hand-squeezing limes, chopping fresh vegetables, and simmering sauces. Because of this, every item on the Cafe Rio menu is fresh and made from quality ingredients. This is made more impressive given the diverse nature of the menu, which includes chicken fajita bowls, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, and more.

Still, with only 146 locations under its belt, Cafe Rio is significantly smaller than other restaurant chains on this list. In fact, the chain only operates in 11 states nationwide, which means there are plenty of Americans who haven't even heard of the brand. However, given Cafe Rio's success over the years, it wouldn't be surprising to see it expand its footprint to compete with other more established brands. If Cafe Rio continues its trend of fresh, quality food, then it will likely land on every list of the best Mexican restaurant chains.

4. Baja Fresh

"No microwaves. No freezers. No can openers." That is the motto of Baja Fresh. Since opening its doors in 1990, the fast-casual Mexican restaurant chain has served handmade meals made from farm-fresh ingredients. Nothing is pre-packaged or processed. Everything is made to order using real recipes. Because of its dedication to freshness, Baja Fresh is truly one of the Mexican restaurant chains that stands out.

While Baja Fresh does offer plenty of options for health-conscious consumers, several items on the menu aren't exactly as nutritious as they could be. For instance, the steak nacho burrito clocks in at 1,380 calories and boasts 3,224 milligrams of sodium and 50 grams of fat. Additionally, the charbroiled steak nachos will set you back 2,120 calories, as well as 118 grams of fat and 2,990 milligrams of sodium. Still, there are other options on the menu if you're looking for something lighter, such as the shrimp original Baja taco or the fajitas. The food here is tasty, but the products don't always line up with what you'll expect to get from Baja Fresh, landing it in fourth place.

1. Moe's Southwest Grill

Serving as an acronym for "Musicians, Outlaws, and Entertainers," Moe's Southwest Grill is a fast-casual restaurant chain founded in Atlanta, Georgia in 2000. A relative newcomer to the list of Mexican restaurant chains, Moe's has quickly made a name for itself and has set itself apart from the competition. Featuring a menu of burritos, tacos, nachos, and more, Moe's utilizes only the freshest ingredients, and every item is made by hand from scratch; however, it isn't just the food that sets Moe's apart from its rivals.

Friendly customer service is at the forefront of Moe's Southwest Grill. Walk into any of the chain's 600-plus locations and you'll be instantly greeted with a hearty, "Welcome to Moe's!" While it may startle you if it's your first visit, you will quickly get a sense that you are truly welcomed at the establishment. It isn't just the greeting that evokes a sense of welcomeness at Moe's. If you order anything off the menu, you'll receive free bottomless chips and salsa with your order, which helps you feel at home at the restaurant. Because of these reasons, Moe's Southwest Grill is a truly unique Mexican restaurant chain that will leave you coming back for more.