Seaside’s local Mexican fare makes for a nice alternative for a hearty meal when you’ve had your fill of Oregon Coast seafood. From popular taquerias downtown to an enclave of restaurants on the south side of town — each with its own character and specialties — you’ve got some great choices. Read on for six great places to enjoy a foil-wrapped burrito to go, nachos and frosty margaritas in a cantina with friends, or a Mexican spin on weekend breakfast.
1. The Stand
A family-run Seaside fixture for three decades, The Stand is in the heart of Seaside, just a few short blocks from the Seaside Civic & Convention Center. Order at the counter and take a seat inside or opt for a picnic table on the outdoor patio on a nice day. The menu features burritos, combo plates and a selection of tacos, including American hard-shell versions and even a keto option using a fried-cheese crisp. Herbivores are also in luck, since you’ll find plenty of meat- and dairy-free options, like the spicy vegan burrito or the green chile and mushroom quesadilla.
2. Una Ves Mas
Located three blocks inland from the Turnaround on Broadway, Una Ves Mas is popular with both residents and visitors, especially for celebrating birthdays. Colorful strings of traditional flags called papel picado up along interior awnings add to the festive atmosphere. Though the tacos and burritos are excellent, opt for some of the restaurant’s specialties: big entrees served with plenty of rice, refried beans and warm corn tortillas. Try the tender pork drenched in chile verde or chicken in a deep, dark mole. You can’t go wrong with anything on the margarita menu, complete with fun flavors like spicy pineapple jalapeño and sweet-tart mango chamoy.
3. Taqueria El Tarascó
For food on-the-go, head to Taqueria El Tarascó south of downtown, one of two Mexican restaurants in Seaside with a handy drive-thru. For a more leisurely meal, there’s also plenty of indoor seating at this counter-service restaurant decorated with picturesque murals of villages and fountains. Try something traditional like the Mexican-style enchiladas sprinkled with queso blanco, or order unique creations like the Seaside burrito, stuffed with your choice of meat, pico de gallo and fried potatoes. Pair it with a fruity agua fresca.
4. Restaurant Ramos
Look for the sprawling two-story red house with arched windows and a wraparound terrace on the south side of town on Highway 101. You’ve found Restaurant Ramos, one of the newer additions to the local Mexican food scene. The voluminous menu features old favorites like flautas and nachos, as well as more ambitious dishes like the mariscada loca, a pile of crab, mussels and shrimp tinged orange with chile paste. Be sure to check out the Guatemalan menu section, with comforting bowls of jocón (a chicken-tomatillo stew), or caldo de res, a beef soup. As an added bonus nearby, check out Seaside’s Mexican market, Kiosco Mexicano, for everything from fruit and imported snacks to gifts.
5. Taqueria Pelayos
Adjacent to Restaurant Ramos, this casual taqueria with a checkerboard floor and orange-plastic booths is the perfect pit stop if you’re with a group who can never agree on anything. With a numbered photo menu of more than 50 items — plus a separate burrito menu — Taqueria Pelayos has something for everyone, whether that’s beef taquitos or a molcajete overflowing with various meats and shrimp. There’s also plenty of choice when it comes to tacos, including specialties like tender and succulent meat from the head (cabeza) and tongue (lengua), tripa (tripe) and more. Even better, you can order at the drive-thru and be on your way in no time.
6. Marivel’s Kitchen
Just a few blocks away, Marivel’s Kitchen, a homestyle restaurant that serves Mexican comfort food for breakfast, lunch and dinner, opened in March 2024. Guests are already raving about the hearty breakfasts and carne asada burritos. Traditional morning specialties like huevos rancheros and tomatillo-sauced chilaquiles make for a nice change from the usual — they come with a range of hot sauces on the side and a basket of tortilla chips. Marivel’s also serves American classics like french toast, eggs benedict and fruit-topped waffles. You’ll want to swap out your usual coffee for a cafe de olla, a sweetened version deliciously infused with cinnamon.
Pictured at top: Marivel’s Kitchen by Jennifer Burns Bright
