Taqueria del Sol

Upmarket tacos, zinger margaritas, and stellar Southern greens at street-food prices
Word to the wise: There's always a line and though it moves fast, head to the bar first for your reposada margarita, then take your place in the queue and sip while you wait.

Popular plate: Love turnip greens or hate 'em, this spicy Mexican version gets top marks from the South's most notable critics.
This fast-casual taco joint may serve the city's best bang-for-the-buck meal. Each of its three locations (the Westside location is listed) has a streamlined, perch-at-the-kitchen-counter feel, so whether you're between shopping or filling up before heading to the bar, you can be in and out in half an hour.

Chef Eddie Hernandez of Monterrey, Mexico, makes Mexican dishes that are tweaked to speak to the Southerner's palate. In addition to the much-lauded greens, you can find creamy, crunchy shrimp corn chowder and taco specials like the Sloppy José and The Bob, Mexican takes on the Sloppy Joe and shrimp po'boy, respectively.