El Mezcal Cantina

"Happy Hour, tacos, and mezcal is the trifecta we never knew we needed. This neighborhood spot in Point Breeze should be your go-to for guacamole with crunchy beet and cactus tostadas, red snapper tiradito swimming in a mix of peppery chiltepin, lime, and cucumber, and $8 margaritas. Whether you’re hungry for La Montada, a huarache topped with grilled ribeye, cactus, and refried beans, or just want to sip on a mezcal cocktail, this is a fun and laid-back place to do it." - alison kessler, candis mclean

"This Point Breeze Mexican restaurant has an aguachile bar, so you know they mean seafood-tossed-in-chili-peppers-business. And no matter where you sit in the bright, cozy restaurant, you’ll have a great view of red snapper mixed with cilantro and shrimp being drizzled in lime juice. Our favorite here is the Azteca—it’s a beautiful blend of mahi mahi and shrimp in a tomato-lime broth. You’ll get the unmistakable scent of earthy serrano peppers along with a great crunch from the oven-fresh tostadas. We could happily eat this small plate every day.  " - candis mclean

"El Mezcal Cantina is one of our favorite places in the city for tacos, aguachile, and mezcal cocktails. And judging by the crowd during Happy Hour, we’re not alone. But another reason you should visit the colorful Point Breeze shop is for their crispy slices of Mexican perfection. Our go-to pies are the Huasteco—topped with poblano peppers, corn, and chorizo—and the Carnitas al Mezcal—a stunner that comes with a massive hunk of tender pork in the center. Show up for a casual meal, stare at the wood-fired oven until your pizza comes out, and choose from the dozens of tequilas they have to round out your night. " - candis mclean

"Happy hour, tacos, and mezcal is the daily Holy Trinity. This Point Breeze cantina should be your go-to for $8 margaritas and tacos de trompo—their smoky version of al pastor. The charred yet juicy pork is well-seasoned and comes with crunchy onions, pineapple, and cilantro. The colorful tortillas are about as small as a coaster so you’ll need a few, but they’re made in the oven to get crispy and they won’t fall apart when you pick them up. When you’re in need of an affordable place to catch up with friends over tacos and rare mezcals, this is the laid-back place to do it." - alison kessler, candis mclean

"This Mexican restaurant in Point Breeze has three key factors that make it an ideal place to bring kids. First, it’s large enough to host a family reunion. Second, it has a wood-fired oven that churns out everything from great pizza to homemade tortillas. Third, and perhaps most importantly, there's a full bar, including an extensive mezcal and tequila collection. El Mezcal Cantina is usually busy with couples and families, and they don’t take reservations, so there may be a bit of a wait on the weekends. Stick it out for the well-made aguachiles and the TVs playing everything from Mexican farming shows to music videos." - alison kessler