Of course, the secret to finding a top Mexican or other ethnic restaurant anywhere, is where you see local families having dinner together. If it’s Mexican you want, you’ll know you’re in the right place for a traditional spicy, South of the Border treat.

Of course, there are thousands of excellent Mexican restaurants in the U.S. Our top choices certainly won’t necessarily be shared by others. However, we promise that any gastronomo who sits down at a mesa de comedor at one of these restaurantes will have a fantasico cena.

Las Anitas, Los Angeles CA: W-26 Olvera St., Los Angeles CA 90012, lasanitas.com. Located on historic Olvera Street, the colorful cafe has been serving great Mexican food for 70 years.

A favorite is Baja seafood tacos, made of fresh-caught fried fish on a cornmeal tortilla, served with rice, beans, pico de gallo (fresh salsa) and guacamole.

El Parador Cafe, New York NY: 325 E. 34th St., New York NY 10016, elpardorcafe.com. In Manhattan is the award-winning El Parador Cafe, a favorite for locals and tourists for more than 50 years. Try the seafood paella, a tasty combination of lobster, mussels, shrimp and scallops. Add El Parador’s fiery chile con carne with jalapeno relish. Ortega’s, San Diego CA: 3445 Midway Dr., San Diego CA 92110, ortegas.us. Just up the California coast from the Mexican border, San Diego has many ethnic family restaurants. Ortega’s is a local and tourist favorite because of its Mexican buffet. You can fill up just on the appetizers, which include beef nachos, chicken quesadilla and tiny taquitos in avacado sauce.

Guapo’s, Washington DC: 4515 Wisconsin Av., NW, Washington DC 29916, guaposrestaurants.com. Not many people think of Mexican food and the nation’s capital at the same time. However, El Guapo’s chain of five restaurants in the area prove there’s a large and growing popularity for their Mexican food.

In addition to the Washington branch, there’s a Guapo’s in Gaithersburg and Bethesda MD, as well as Fair Lakes and Arlington VA. A favorite dish is Guapo’s grilled Acapulco strip steak in garlic sauce, chopped onions and tomatoes. It comes with Mexican rice and refried beans.