6707 N Florida Ave
Tampa, FL 33604
*Disclaimer: We were not paid for this review. All opinions are our own and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Mekenita is one of the better local Mexican establishments in Tampa Bay. If you are looking for a nice place to enjoy a wonderful authentic Mexican meal, definitely give Mekenita a chance. Everything is made fresh in house (Even their chips and salsa) and the restaurant's menu was inspired by Oaxacan traditions.
First off, your waiter will bring out complimentary chips and salsa. As they are both homemade, they are totally delicious. Not that you really need any additional appetizers, however, it is hard to pass up fresh guacamole.
As for the main menu, there is a bit of everything including fresh salads, burritos, enchiladas, and tacos.
The Charred Vegetable enchiladas with Roasted Agua de Chili Mole Verde are a wonderful choice for vegetarians. All enchiladas come with a petite Mexican salad, Mexican rice, and your choice of beans, so really it is a great value. I order this dish on any visit.
Another great choice is the Citrus Grilled Chicken Burrito with Fire Roasted Poblano sauce. Each burrito is stuffed with Mexican rice, guacamole, sour cream, Mexican cheese, shredded cabbage, beans, and cilantro. The serving size is huge as you can imagine. A great value at 11 bucks. Update: This burrito is now priced at $16.
Service is great here. Our waitress was nice enough to let us try out the sauces to test the spice level. The presentation of the food is also fantastic: everything looks as amazing as it tastes.
The ambiance here is really appealing with the eclectic theme and large bar. The colorful decorations add a nice vibe compared to the predictable chain Mexican restaurant. Out of the Mexican restaurants I've tried around the Bay, this one offers the nicest dining experience.
Mekenita is definitely one of the better Mexican dining choices in the Tampa region. If you are seeking delicious authentic food, plus a nice dining ambiance, there really is no better choice. This is the perfect place to meet up with some friends over the weekend, take a date, or simply enjoy great food in a pretty setting.
