Don Manolito Menu: The Don Manolito menu offers an authentic journey through Mexican cuisine that has captivated food enthusiasts across Mexico City. Specifically located in the vibrant Cuauhtémoc area, this restaurant has become famous for its best-selling Taco Campechano priced at 9, alongside an impressive selection of traditional specialties.
When we explored Tacos Don Manolito, we discovered their secret-recipe guacamole served with chicharrón at 8.5 and their crunchy La Verónica chicharrón de queso perfect for sharing at 6.9. Furthermore, the menu features unique creations like the spicy Taco Palac at 5.5 and the spectacular Alambre Don Manolito at 11.5, which combines marinated beef, chorizo, and cheese. In fact, vegetarian diners aren’t left out either—Tacos Manolito includes vegetarian options such as the Taco Vegetariano priced at 4.9. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Don Manolito’s authentic Mexican offerings, from appetizers to desserts and the perfect drinks to accompany your meal.
A Taste of Tradition: What Makes Don Manolito Special
Behind every authentic Mexican taquería lies a story of passion and tradition—and Tacos Don Manolito is no exception. The rich culinary heritage and innovative cooking approach have made this restaurant chain a standout in the competitive Mexican food scene.
The story behind Tacos Don Manolito
Tacos Don Manolito began as a family affair, founded in 2005 as a 100% Mexican company with a mission to reinvent the taquería concept. The restaurant was named after Manuel Palacio, the grandfather, whose home cooking inspired the entire enterprise. During family gatherings, Manuel would prepare large pots of his signature campechano mix—a delicious combination of chorizo, beef, and crunchy chicharrón—that became the cornerstone of the Don Manolito menu.
Eduardo Palacio Sr. learned these treasured recipes from his father and opened the first location in Olivar de los Padres, Mexico City. What started as a single restaurant has grown remarkably—by 2011, they began expanding throughout Mexico, and now boast over 30 locations across Mexico plus international branches in Honduras, Spain, and the United States.
Signature ingredients and cooking style
The heart of Don Manolito’s appeal lies in their distinctive “tacos a la plancha” style—a Mexico City specialty rarely found elsewhere. Their most celebrated creation remains the taco campechano, featuring the grandfather’s secret red sauce that remains a closely guarded family recipe.
What sets Tacos Don Manolito apart from other taquerías:
- They use only high-quality, artisanal ingredients
- New menu items must pass a family taste test before being added
- They offer innovative creations like the Maja—a luscious chicharrón de queso (cheese crust) rolled around choice meats in a flour tortilla
- The menu includes thoughtfully crafted vegan options, including vegan rajas con crema and tinga made with coconut
Why locals and tourists love it
Don Manolito has successfully broken away from the conventional taquería model. As Eduardo Palacio explains, “Our advantage is that we are different… We don’t sell tacos de trompo, costilla or chuleta; we offer tacos that people can’t find anywhere else”.
Beyond the unique menu, customers are drawn to the restaurant’s avant-garde yet welcoming atmosphere. Initially popular among younger diners, Don Manolito has expanded its appeal by maintaining consistently high standards while offering something genuinely different in the crowded taco landscape.
Additionally, their commitment to quality extends beyond restaurant walls—they offer catering services that bring the authentic taquería experience directly to private events and celebrations. This combination of tradition, innovation, and quality has earned Don Manolito a devoted following across multiple countries and continues to drive their international expansion.
Exploring the Don Manolito Menu
Stepping into the world of Tacos Don Manolito means embarking on a culinary adventure through authentic Mexican flavors. Their menu showcases the diversity of Mexico’s food heritage with dishes that honor tradition yet offer a distinctive Don Manolito twist.
Entrantes: Starters that set the tone
The don manolito menu begins with appetizers that introduce guests to Mexican gastronomy. Their sopa de tortilla offers a traditional start, made with a secret recipe. The La Verónica (6.9) – a crispy chicharrón of Oaxaca cheese – stands out as a restaurant signature. Moreover, their guacamole Don Manolito (8.5) comes sprinkled with chicharrón for extra texture, alongside frijoles charros (6.7) prepared according to Don Manolito’s cherished recipe.
Tacos: The heart of the experience
At the core of tacos don manolito menú are over 20 varieties of tacos, each with its own name and story. Notable mentions include:
- Taco Campechano (3.9) – Their bestseller featuring house-made beef, chorizo, and chicharrón
- Taco del Novillo (6.7) – Chicharrón in green salsa with a spicy kick
- La Maja – A signature creation with cheese crust filled with your choice of ingredients
- Taco Vegetariano (4.9) – Mushrooms prepared with garlic and ancho chile
Platillos tradicionales: Classic Mexican dishes
Beyond tacos, Don Manolito’s menú precios reveals affordable traditional plates. The Chicuelina (3.9) offers a simple yet delicious round quesadilla with melted cheese. Chilaquiles Don Manolito features tortilla chips with their secret sauce, alongside Sincronizada (6.9) made with wheat flour tortillas.
Postres: Sweet endings
To conclude your meal, consider their Plátanos con cajeta (5) – bananas with cajeta, María cookies, whipped cream, and pecan nuts. Alternatively, ask about the postre de la casa – the daily special dessert.
Extras and sides worth trying
Complete your tacos don manolito experience with sides priced from 0.5 to 1. Options include extra cheese, chicharrón, chiles, onions, tortillas, and their signature sauces – essential components that elevate the authentic Mexican dining experience at Don Manolito.
Drinks and Pairings to Complete Your Meal
No Mexican feast is complete without the perfect beverage pairing. The drink selection at Don Manolito complements their authentic food menu, enhancing the complete dining experience.
Cocktails de tequila y mezcal
Don Manolito offers a vibrant selection of agave-based cocktails that showcase Mexico’s signature spirits. Tequila cocktails deliver a smooth, citrusy brightness that pairs perfectly with tacos, primarily featured in classics like Margaritas where zesty lime dances with subtle earthiness. Alternatively, mezcal introduces a bold, smoky character—its distinctive campfire aroma transforms drinks like the Mezcal Negroni into rustic elixirs. These smoky sippers are particularly complementary to Don Manolito’s richly flavored dishes.
Cervezas and Mexican beers
The don manolito menu features an impressive selection of Mexican beers to accompany your meal. Options include Heineken (355 ml), Amstel Ultra (355 ml), XX Lager and Ámbar (325 ml), Indio (325 ml), and Tecate varieties (325 ml) including Original, Ámbar, and Light. For those seeking a beer experience with a twist, Don Manolito serves traditional Micheladas (beer with lime and salt), Cubanas (with sauces and prepared lime), and Caco-Chelas (beer with clamato and sauces).
Refrescos and non-alcoholic options
Non-drinkers will find plenty of refreshing choices on the tacos don manolito menú precios. Soft drinks (355 ml) include Coca-Cola (MXN 894.57), Coca-Cola Zero (MXN 894.57), Sprite (MXN 792.92), Sidral Mundet and Sidral Mundet Light (MXN 792.92). Notably, the menu also features traditional Mexican Agua de Horchata and Agua de Jamaica (MXN 1118.22), alongside Delaware Punch, Fanta, and Fresca (MXN 894.57). For those avoiding alcohol altogether, Heineken 0.0 (250 ml) offers a beer-like experience without the alcohol.
Vinos: Red and white wine selections
Yet another option at Don Manolito is their Tinto de Verano (400 ml)—a refreshing blend of wine, Sprite, and ice that provides a lighter alternative to sangria and pairs wonderfully with the restaurant’s spicier offerings.
Cafés e infusiones for a warm finish
To conclude your dining experience at tacos don manolito, albeit not extensively featured in their promotional materials, warm beverages are available to complement desserts or provide a comforting end to your meal.
Practical Info: Prices, Locations, and Ordering Tips
Beyond the delicious offerings on the Don Manolito menu lies important practical information that will enhance your dining experience. Let me guide you through the essentials of prices, locations, and ordering tips.
Tacos Don Manolito menú precios overview
The tacos don manolito menú precios offer excellent value considering the quality. Their signature tacos range from MXN 894.57 for the Taco de Cecina enchilada to MXN 1646.83 for the premium Taco de Arrachera. Other favorites include the Taco Costeño Campechano at MXN 996.23 and Taco de Bistec at MXN 1199.54.
For appetizers, don’t miss La Verónica (chicharrón de queso oaxaca) at MXN 2012.79 or their Guacamole Manolito with sprinkled chicharrón at MXN 1789.15. Frijoles Charros, prepared with Don Manolito’s special recipe, cost MXN 1118.22.
Don Manolito Pedregal and other locations
The popular Don Manolito Pedregal branch is located at Av. de las Fuentes 569, Local 5, Jardines del Pedregal, 01900, Álvaro Obregón, Ciudad de México. You can reach them at 5555681616.
Tacos Don Manolito has expanded impressively with 19 branches across Mexico City, from Tlalpan to Roma. Their hours vary by location, but Pedregal operates Sunday 9:00-22:00, Monday 10:00-23:00, Tuesday-Wednesday 9:00-23:00, Thursday 9:00-01:00, and Friday-Saturday 9:00-02:00.
How to order and what to expect
I recommend trying these ordering options:
- Online ordering: Visit tacosdonmanolito.com to place orders for pickup or delivery
- Delivery services: Available through platforms like Uber Eats
- Special promotions: Look for deals like “Majas 2×1” (valid Monday through Sunday exclusively through their website)
Furthermore, they offer catering services for events, bringing the complete taquería experience to your gatherings.
Tacos Don Manolito facturación process
For invoicing, the tacos don manolito facturación process is straightforward. After your meal, save your receipt and visit their billing portal at tacosdonmanolito.com/facturacion. There, you’ll need to enter your information to receive your invoice electronically. This system works for all their locations, making expense reporting convenient regardless of which branch you visit.
Conclusion
After exploring the Don Manolito menu, we can certainly see why this family-owned taquería has gained such devoted followers across Mexico and beyond. The combination of traditional recipes passed down from grandfather Manuel Palacio and innovative creations like La Maja and Taco Campechano makes for a truly distinctive dining experience. Indeed, their commitment to high-quality, artisanal ingredients shines through in every dish.
Whether you visit their original Olivar de los Padres location or any of their 30+ branches, you’ll find the same dedication to authentic Mexican flavors. Not to mention, their reasonable prices make this culinary journey accessible to everyone. The extensive drink selection, from mezcal cocktails to refreshing aguas frescas, perfectly complements their signature tacos a la plancha style that remains rare outside Mexico City.
Ultimately, Don Manolito stands apart from conventional taquerías by offering unique creations you simply won’t find elsewhere. Their success stems from staying true to family recipes while constantly innovating. Therefore, next time you’re craving authentic Mexican cuisine with a creative twist, the Don Manolito menu awaits your exploration. Your taste buds will thank you for the adventure through Mexico’s rich culinary heritage, all within the welcoming atmosphere that has made Tacos Don Manolito a beloved institution for over 15 years.
FAQs
Q1. What makes Don Manolito’s tacos unique? Don Manolito specializes in “tacos a la plancha” style, a Mexico City specialty rarely found elsewhere. Their signature taco campechano features a secret red sauce recipe passed down through generations.
Q2. Are there vegetarian options available at Don Manolito? Yes, Don Manolito offers vegetarian options such as the Taco Vegetariano with mushrooms prepared with garlic and ancho chile. They also have vegan options like vegan rajas con crema and tinga made with coconut.
Q3. What are some popular drinks to pair with Don Manolito’s tacos? Don Manolito offers a variety of drinks including tequila and mezcal cocktails, Mexican beers, and traditional non-alcoholic beverages like Agua de Horchata and Agua de Jamaica. Their Tinto de Verano, a refreshing wine-based drink, pairs well with spicier dishes.
Q4. How many locations does Don Manolito have? Don Manolito has expanded to over 30 locations across Mexico, with international branches in Honduras, Spain, and the United States. In Mexico City alone, they have 19 branches.
Q5. Can I order Don Manolito’s food for delivery or catering? Yes, Don Manolito offers online ordering for pickup or delivery through their website. They also provide catering services for events, bringing the complete taquería experience to your gatherings.
