Latinx Restaurant Roundup

Our city has a wide array of immigrants from around the world, and we are enriched with the diversity of culture that each group brings to our neighborhoods and business districts. The most easily recognizable contribution is culinary diversity. 

Grand Rapids, and the Greater Grand Rapids Area is fortunate to have a great extent of food options from Latin America. We have varying styles of Mexican cuisine, El Salvadoran, Dominican—and if you know where to look and who to ask you can find Honduran, Cuban and Guatemalan.

Some of these food spots will have to remain secret and hidden in the secret phone lists and Facebook groups that are spread throughout the city, but we have plenty of brick and mortar restaurants serving up amazing authentic food.

Here’s a small taste, pun most certainly intended, of the Latinx restaurants in the city, as well as the Greater Grand Rapids area.

Taqueria San Jose - 1338 Division Ave S
A charming appeal as if you are going to an old drive in, but you’ll have to walk in and wait in line for the tasty array of all the familiar Mexican foods. This southside gem has long been discovered by Grand Rapidians, so be ready to wait if you hit rush hour.

Tacos El Cuñado - 1024 Bridge St NW, 455 Burton St SW,  and Downtown Market)
With three locations, it’s hard to beat the array that this city staple serves up daily—from the westside to the southside and in between. 

Luna - 64 Ionia Ave SW
Come in for the pozole and stay for the city life vibes. 

El Globo Restaurant - 2019 Division Ave S
Tucked further away in the southside, this Burton Heights restaurant is right off the Silverline stop for your lunch rush convenience.



Mi Casa Restaurante - 334 Burton St SW
In the heart of Burton Heights, this cozy caribbean restaurant serves up everything from fried sweet plantains to stewed goat. A must try if you are in the neighborhood.

El Granjero - 950 Bridge St NW
A westside favorite, this restaurant has had a recent remodel and has never looked better. Come in and have your pick from an assorted menu.

Mi Tierra - 2300 Division Ave S
On the edge of Burton Heights, this quiet restaurant will leave you full and coming back for more.

Maggie’s Kitchen 636 Bridge St NW
A westside staple that will keep you coming back for more.

El Rincon Mexicano Taqueria - 2055 28th St. SE
Serving up great Mexican standards that will leave you wanting to come back.

Lindo Mexico - 1292 28th St Wyoming, MI
A pleasant atmosphere highlighted with local artwork, this restaurant is located just southwest of Grand Rapids proper.

Tamales Mary - 1253 Burton St SW Wyoming
Specializing in tamales both savory and sweet. It is sure to be a treat if you’ve never had a sweet tamale before.

As our city continues to grow business districts will begin to solidify where they were once in decline. If you have been keeping track of the locations provided many of the Latinx restaurants are located on the southside of the city, and as Burton Heights begins a revival we may see a flourishing of new Latinx restaurants and shops. Only time will tell, but the prospect has many excited already.

Ken Miguel-Cipriano is Rapid Growth’s innovation and jobs editor. To reach Ken, you can email [email protected] or follow him on Twitter and Instagram.