Photo by J.B. Forbes (Post-Dispatch)
Taqueria Durango
Writing the STL 100 in previous years, I’ve debated whether to focus my admiration for Taqueria Durango on its tacos or its torta ahogada. (The torta won last year.) Which is why, even as the amount of traditional Mexican food in St. Louis has increased, Taqueria Durango has remained on this list. It offers both a signature dish (the torta ahogada, an oversize carnitas sandwich drowned in chile sauce) and as wide a variety of taco fillings (good across the board) as I’ve seen in St. Louis. Whatever you order here, start with the thick, spicy chori-queso dip for your tortilla chips.
Hours: Lunch and dinner daily
Last year's ranking: Rest of the Best
Opened: 2003
Must order: Torta ahogada ($8.99)