Mexican food is one of our go-to meals when we’re hungry. Regrettably, we’ve discovered through our travels that some states have better options than others. We have rounded up five states you should avoid if you’re looking for quality Mexican food.
If careful, you can avoid ending up on the stale end of a burrito or dipping into rotten guacamole.
Today, we want to help you avoid experiencing instant regret when biting into your taco. Let’s look at where you should consider something other than Mexican food when visiting these states.
What Is Mexican Food?
As its name implies, Mexican food combines the bold and rich flavors of Mexico’s culinary traditions. Some of the most popular ingredients are corn, beans, chilies, and tomatoes. They fill stomachs with tacos, tamales, and hearty stews.
However, there’s much more than what’s on your plate regarding Mexican food. In this culture, a meal is more than just what you eat. It’s about the atmosphere, the service, and the people sitting around the table.
What Is the Unhealthiest Mexican Food?
We’ve got bad news if you’re a fan of the chimichanga. Some health experts believe it to be the unhealthiest item on any Mexican restaurant menu. This menu item is essentially a deep-fried burrito. Typically, it contains around 1,500 calories and 93 grams of fat.
For those individuals following a 2,000-calorie diet, this single item is almost a day’s worth of calories. If you combine this with a basket of chips and salsa or any drinks, you’re well over your limit for calories for the day.
Although, if it’s any consolation, how many people count calories when picking Mexican food for dinner?

What Is Mexico’s Most Popular Food?
The most popular food in Mexico is the taco. These heavenly creations fill a tortilla with delicious toppings like carne asada or carnitas and then top it with salsa, guacamole, onions, and cilantro. To make it even better, you can customize your tacos when ordering so they’re just how you like them. They’re quick, affordable, and easy to eat while on the go.
You can find tacos at street vendors, fast food locations, and restaurants worldwide. They can easily adjust to an individual’s preferences, especially regarding heat. While they were once south of the border, they’ve become wickedly popular in the United States.
Don’t believe us? How many other Mexican dishes can you name that have an entire day named after them? Taco Tuesday is our favorite day of the week!
5 States You Should Skip Ordering Mexican Food
A few places instantly come to mind when we think of delicious Mexican food. Despite this, some states have a reputation for having the worst Mexican food ever. Let’s look at a few places to avoid celebrating Cinco de Mayo.
Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of Connecticut and was recently crowned the worst city in the country for Mexican food. The study found that the city’s Mexican restaurants had an average score of 3.67 out of five. That’s frighteningly low and scary enough to keep us from trying to order Mexican food anywhere in Connecticut.
Additionally, Connecticut is a state far from the border, making it challenging to get fresh ingredients. Like most restaurants anywhere, they’re going to adapt to regional tastes. If you want the best experience, you must travel further south to get fresher ingredients and a more southern experience.

Massachusetts
Another state that’s far from the Mexican border is Massachusetts. The same study that ranked Connecticut last placed Massachusetts #2. The state has a better reputation for its clam chowder, lobster rolls, and Boston cream pies, not chips, salsa, or tacos.
While you may be able to find some needles in a haystack in Massachusetts for Mexican food, it’ll take a lot of work. Your best bets will be in more populated areas like Boston, with a more extensive and diverse population.
New York
The Empire State of New York received the #3 spot for having the worst Mexican food. While New York City has pizza, bagels, hot dogs, and pastrami sandwiches down to a science, their Mexican food is still lacking. If we were you, we’d pick one of these options instead, especially if you want to avoid disappointment.
Again, can you find quality Mexican food somewhere in the entire state? Absolutely. Nevertheless, you shouldn’t have to drive halfway across the state. New York has some incredible dining options, so you’re safer to pick something other than Mexican food.

Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is known for its Philly cheesesteak, soft pretzels, and pierogies. Sadly, you won’t find any of those on a Mexican menu. With only 8.6% of the state’s population having Hispanic or Latino descent, authentic Mexican food is hard to come by here.
Your best bet for decent Mexican food in the Keystone State will be in Pittsburgh or Philadelphia. At the same time, it’s going to take a lot of work. The pride they have in the Philly cheesesteak is impressive.
Maryland
The Old Line State of Maryland is the final state where you should skip ordering Mexican food. Like the other states on our list, its cuisine centers around local preferences and palates. Its proximity to the water makes seafood one of the most popular choices here.
Instead of Mexican food, consider ordering crab cakes, crabs, or pit beef sandwiches. You stand a better chance of getting something tasty and worth eating. We’re not throwing shade at their Mexican food, but it doesn’t hold a candle to the local specialties.

HOT TIP
Be sure to read Eat Your Way Through Yuma if you’re looking for the best place to get quality Mexican food.
Avoid Ordering Bad Mexican Food
Mexican food is one of those items that’s either a hit or is barely edible. We want to save you a sour stomach and encourage you to avoid Mexican food in these five states. While tacos or other dishes may not be their specialty, they have unique flavors. So try their local items and pass on any Mexican food you find in these five states.
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