Photo by Christian Gooden (Post-Dispatch)
Mission Taco Joint
Adam and Jason Tilford’s Mission Taco Joint continues its growth, with four locations in the St. Louis area and two outposts in Kansas City. The key to Mission’s success has been, first and foremost, the Tilfords’ appreciation of and respect for Mexican cuisine, as also displayed at their previous ventures Tortillaria and Milagro Modern Mexican. Specific to Mission, though, is the Tilfords’ personal connection to the food: This isn’t straight-up Mexican fare, but Mexican food as seen through the Tilfords’ native California. The food can both honor traditional recipes (the torta ahogada, the Yucatecan roasted pork) and not take itself too seriously (the Brah’rito, with carne asada, black beans and cheese as well as bacon and fries inside the burrito).
Hours: Lunch and dinner daily
Last year's ranking: Rest of the Best
Opened: 2013