Guadalupe handles everything from the basic burrito to more adventurous entrees.

The taco combo plate is a good example of El Fogoncito's simple, authentic Mexican food.

Habanero's recreates a Mexican plaza in a Mayfair Road strip mall.

Wauwatosa Mexican dining guide

Published May 5, 2012 at 5:02 a.m.

Bienvenidos a Mexican Dining Week on OnMilwaukee.com. This week, in honor of Cinco de Mayo, we're spicing things up with daily articles about Mexican restaurants, foods, drinks, sweets and more. Enjoy a week of sizzling stories that will leave you craving Milwaukee's Latin offerings. Olé!

Wauwatosa has never been a hotbed of Mexican dining and, even now it's not overloaded with restaurants serving South of the Border specialties.

But when all of the places in town are good, who needs a ton of them?

Here's a quick guide to the few, but fine, Mexican dining options in Milwaukee's neighboring town.

El Fogoncito
10425 W. North Ave., (414) 331-5554

The menu is small – though all the classics are there – but the hours are long. El Fogoncito opens daily at 7 a.m. ready to dish up five different huevos dishes (all at $5.95, except con bistec, for $6.99). Closing time is 10 p.m. though the restaurant, which is small but has a nice classic Milwaukee diner feel with minimal decor, stays open until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Also on the menu are enchiladas, tacos, burritos, tortas, quesadillas and a combination plate. Prices range from $1.89 for tacos to $6.99 for the enchiladas and a combo plate that offers three tacos, rice, beans and tortillas.

La Fuente
9155 W. Bluemound Rd., (414) 771-9900
ilovelafuente.com

The 92nd and Bluemound La Fuente is the second of three locations. The original, a Milwaukee stalwart, is in Walker's Point, of course, and another location has opened in Waukesha, too.

Try the shrimp soup, which is a city favorite, and the margaritas, which are quite beloved, as well. La Fuente's kitchen is open fairly late, until 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 11:30 on Fridays and Saturdays.

Guadalupe Mexican Restaurant
11320 W. Bluemound Rd., (414) 256-3955 ‎

This Mexican restaurant handles everything from the basic burrito to more adventurous entrees such as huachinango a la veracruzana o al mojo de ajo, a red snapper topped with a tomato sauce, and sopa marina, a soup made with shrimp, crab legs, octopus, crab and fish.

Habanero's Mexican Kitchen
869 N. Mayfair Rd., (414) 607-9025
habanerosmilwaukee.com

Featuring an impressive array of authentic dishes served in a lively, welcoming atmosphere, this locally-owned restaurant provides a strong alternative for foodies who don't want to head to the South Side for their Mexican food fix. Recently, Habanero's tableside guacamole cart won OnMilwaukee.com's Milwaukee Challenge. Don't miss the restaurant's "tequila gallery," with its vast selection.

Hector's
7118 W. State St., (414) 258-5600
hectors.com

This 'Tosa Village favorite is small and comfortable with an extensive menu – a mix of Tex-Mex and authentic Mexican – that can please the meat eater and the vegetarian. There's a nice patio in front, in season. Don't neglect to order a margarita, as they're top notch here. And skip the grilled shrimp and avocado quesadilla at your own risk. A second Hector's later opened on Delaware Avenue in Bay View.

Talkback

Talkbacks

Tiger | May 7, 2012 at 10:11 a.m. (report)

Since we live in Tosa we do visit all these mentioned, and do like them all. I have not been to the place on 104th & North Ave yet, gotta check them out. I must say my better half Loves the food at Hectors, she is a vegitarian and can get many choices. She also says the refried beans are not full of lard, great quality. I also Love the food there -i do think it's one of Milwaukee's best Mexican restrauants. Ok, now i'm ready for lunch, great specials during lunch time also.

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Crew_Dat | May 5, 2012 at 7:50 a.m. (report)

Extremely disappointing that Guadalupe was so poorly represented in this. Great place - mole sauce is unbeaten in the city. Give it a shot. Also, try the pork tacos at Fogoncito - they're simple and perfect. Habaneros is incredibly overrated - guac is the only saving point.

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