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El Molino Central: Tortillas are made from scratch while you wait. Beer-battered fish tacos with avocado lime mayo, ahi tostadas and tamales are best bets. Pick up Mole Enchiladas in the cold case to heat up at home. 11 Central Ave., Sonoma, 707-939-1010, elmolinocentral.com. (Jeff Kan Lee/The Press Democrat)
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Sonoma Eats: Chef Efrain Balmes makes the best Oaxacan food in Sonoma County, using high-quality, locally farmed ingredients at a good price, infused with his heart and soul. The Mole Enchilada is what you're here for. Other best bets include Baja Fish Tacos and Potato Tacos. 18133 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, 707-343-1141, sonoma-eats.com (Chad Surmick/The Press Democrat)
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The wet supreme burrito in Suiza salsa, foreground, and Baja fish tacos by Chef Efrain Balmes at Sonoma Eats in Sonoma Tuesday November 22, 2022. (Chad Surmick / Press Democrat)
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The Baja fish tacos by Chef Efrain Balmes at Sonoma Eats in Sonoma, Tuesday November 22, 2022. (Chad Surmick / Press Democrat)
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Agave: Mole, a rich dark sauce made with more than 20 ingredients, is the signature of this family-owned restaurant. A large selection of imported mezcal is also a star attraction. 1063 Vine St., Healdsburg, 707-433-2411, agavehealdsburg.com. (Crista Jeremiason/The Press Democrat)
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Gallina D’Oro (formerly El Farolito): Owned by the same family as Agave (and several other great Mexican restaurants), you can get their signature mole Oaxaqueno, tacos ahogados and quesabrria, plus tasty mezcal-infused cocktails. 128 Plaza St., Healdsburg, 707-433-2807, gallinadoro.com (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
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El Fogon Taqueria: Quesadillas are nice, but a machete — a super-sized quesadilla with extra goodies inside — is what you're here for. Mexico City street food like pambazo (a torta dipped in red pepper sauce) is also spectacular. 6650 Commerce Blvd., Suite 4 and 5, Rohnert Park, 707-585-1623, elfogonca.com (El Fogon)
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Cascabel: Elevated Mexican flavors in a welcoming Montgomery Village location. Bite-sized potato pancakes with mole, barbacoa, and conchinita pibil — braised pork marinated in citrus and annatto seed — are top picks. 909 Village Court, Santa Rosa, 707-521-9444, cascabelbayarea.com. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
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Los Tres Chiles: Family-friendly Mexican classics keep this Bennett Valley restaurant packed. The giant bacon-wrapped chimichanga dares you to eat it. 2765 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-304-5724, lostreschiles.com. (Los Tres Chiles)
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Taqueria Las Palmas: No-frills street tacos and burritos that consistently impress. 415 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-546-3091. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
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La Texanita: Stellar Mexican antojitos (snacks) like stuffed sopes and the Torta Texana with chorizo made this a Guy Fieri favorite. 1667 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, 707-525-1905. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
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Mitote Food Park: A rotating lineup of food trucks, a mezcal cocktail bar and chocolate-filled churros make this a one-stop shop. 635 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, mitotefoodpark.com (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
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Tlayuda from the Maria Machetes food truck at Mitote Food Park includes a giant tortilla topped with chapulines (fried grasshoppers), chorizo, cesina (cured beef), grilled chicken, black beans, cheese and vegetables. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
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A variety of Mexican dishes served at the Mitote Food Park in Santa Rosa. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
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Taqueria Molcajetes: This neighborhood taqueria gained national notoriety after Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives took notice of their sizzling molcajetes. 1195 W. College Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-544-8280. (Alvin Jornada/The Press Democrat)
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Taqueria California: The carnitas, carne asada and al pastor tacos have made this humble taqueria a darling of the delivery scene. Caramel-filled churros and sweet Jamaica agua frescas end the meal deliciously. 750 Stony Point Road A-155, Santa Rosa. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
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Cielito Lindo: The list of add-ons to their super burritos is impressive, from al pastor and shredded chicken to soy chorizo, shrimp, potatoes and skirt steak. 52 Mission Blvd., Suite 110, Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa, 707-978-2070, cielitolindo.com. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
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Caldo De Siete Mares is a seafood soup of scallops, mussels, shrimp, crab, octopus, and white fish in broth with vegetables from Cielito Lindo restaurant in Santa Rosa. (Photo by John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
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Tacos de Birria con queso with consomme for dipping from Cielito Lindo restaurant in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
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Enchiladas Michoacan includes five enchiladas filled with quest fresco covered in guajillo sauce with potatoes and marinated chicken from Cielito Lindo restaurant in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
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Sopesitos topped with choice of meat, refried beans, lettuce, pico de gallo, quesof resco, pickled onions and avocado from Cielito Lindo restaurant in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
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Quiote: The menu at this new family-owned Petaluma restaurant features regional touches from Jalisco, Mexico City and Oaxaca. "The cochinita pibil taco is particularly wonderful, overstuffed with at least double the meat of most tacos," wrote Carey Sweet in a recent Press Democrat review. Chef Julio Ortiz rolls and shapes the blue corn tortillas by hand. 121 Kentucky St., Petaluma, 707-774 6130, quiotemx.com (John Burgess/ The Press Democrat)
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Carne Asada with Ayacote Bean Tacos from Quiote in downtown Petaluma, Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
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Gringas, a quesadilla with taco filling, from Quiote in downtown Petaluma, Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
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Tortilla Real Mexican Kitchen: Hit up the weekend brunch in this adorable downtown Petaluma cafe for chilaquiles, Huevos Rancheros and tortas. 5 Petaluma Blvd. South, Petaluma, 707-658-1415, tortillareal.com. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
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Chicken enchiladas served with beans and rice at Tortilla Real Mexican Kitchen in Petaluma. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
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El Milagro: This Cloverdale restaurant serves regional Mexican cuisine that makes the drive north worth it, running the gamut from pumpkin seed mole and guisado (slow-braised stew) to simple flautas and tacos. Everything is made from scratch here, following authentic family recipes. 485 S. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale, 707-894-6334, elmilagrocloverdale.com
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A festive lunch is enjoyed at El Milagro in Cloverdale. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
