Mi Barrio Mexican Restaurant
571 Memorial Dr SE
Atlanta, GA 30312 (404) 223-9277
- Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: No
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Dinner
- Alcohol: Full Bar
28 Reviews for Mi Barrio Mexican Restaurant
Rad!
Had no problems finding vegan or vegetarian food (beans and rice are fine), here, and it was wonderful. The servers were über accommodating and friendly. Everything was fresh, delicious, and didn't have that "out of the microwave" look. I'm excited to go back, and get drunk, or something, while gorging tacos.
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OH this place is good!
That fact that generations of a family works here together fills me with love. Anything my family tries to do together turns into a disaster.
The Chili Relleno is excellent and I love that they give you warm corn tortillas with the meal. It comes with beans & rice, and a small salad of shredded lettuce, tomato, onions & avocado.
My Husband ordered the Asada Torta. I don't eat meat but he said it was delicious. They also have an excellent selection of cervezas which we both were happy with.
Prices are good, cheese dip, 2 beers each, a torta & chili relleno came to $37 & we were both stuffed.
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You know it's authentic when you walk in and Grandma is peeling nopales. That's cactus, gringos. The location might be a little scary for some folks, but maybe that's because it's across from the cemetery.
Started with the Horchata. It is delicious. Not too sweet, lots of cinnamon and you get like 32 oz. for $2.
Then they bring out your chips and salsa with the nopales. The salsa was very fresh and just spicy enough for me, but not too spicy for my lunch buddy. The nopales were super tasty, with onion, lime and cilantro, and a bit of a kick.
I had two of the veggie gorditas, rice and beans. Gorditas are little corn tortillas that have been fried, split open and stuffed with your choice of fillings. Mine had beens, lettuce, tomato, and cheese. $2 each and so good. I made a huge mess trying to keep everything inside the shell. I should have known better.
It wasn't crowded at all. We went around 1pm or so. Waiter was very attentive and complimented me on my Spanish. Another reason to love this place. I'm gonna go back for sure, and next time, I'll order the shrimp cocktail. A guy across from us had one and it was served in a huge goblet.
Definitely family run. It felt like being in the neighbor's kitchen. Kids everywhere. One little gentlemen brought us our salsa, then went outside to gather the rest of the crew. Next thing you know, there are about 7 of them camped out at a table. Didn't matter to me, I was way too busy stuffing my face.
All in all, it felt like being in Mexico again and it is definitely on my regular rotation.
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Cozy little spot. Stopped here after realizing it would take an hour to get a table at nearby Six Feet Under. Must say that I was pleasantly surprised. The first thing you notice about Mi Barrio is that it's exterior is grim. The second thing you notice is how tiny it is. Followed by the lack of air conditioning (at least when I went they didn't have any). Let this review assuage any misgivings you might have. The food here is great.
Snag a table and some margaritas and enjoy some truly authentic Mexican served up by the family that runs Mi Barrio.
After being friends with Joel for about 14 yrs, we've gotten to this point in our friendship where it's like we can read each other's minds. We even do this hand-gesture thing, where we say "cause we're like this" and it's pretty much the only explanation needed for our awesome closeness. So one night when he asked what I wanted to do for dinner, without even looking up I had mentioned Mi Barrio, and Joel said "Gurl, that's exactly what I was thinking."
Just like he said in his review, it is hands down the BEST mexican food in Atlanta. So good, in fact that I actually went back again the day after, with a different guy of course (hi anthony!). It really doesn't look like much of a place from the outside--a one-story PINK brick building with graffiti on the right side, and when you walk inside, it looks like you stepped foot inside of someone's kitchen.
Now the menu is pretty straight-forward--you have your appetizers first, then the combination dinners (all accompanied with a side of beans and rice) then different mexican dishes all categorized according to type: taco, enchilada, burrito, with your choice of meat: beef, steak, chicken, pork, and beef tounge. Now I was told that if beef tounge is served on the menu, then that's a sign that this resturant is authentic mexican food. I personally had never had beef tounge before, so I had to ask the cute waiter to explain this delicacy. "Basically it's the tounge of a cow-the outside layers are removed so what's left is the middle part, where it's then cooked for hours until the meat is soft and tender."
Honestly, it looked like pulled pork but tasted like really good seasoned beef.
I almost forgot to mention about the other important mexican authenticity trait: the margarita. And boy are they strong! I got the small on the rocks with salt and not only did it compliment my meal, but it gave me the slightest buzz which ended my night to being damn well near perfect.
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Confessions of a Angelino expat: I had been searching long and hard for authentic north-of-the-border Mexican, and had just about given up hope when---thanks to the 'Loaf---I found myself stepping into the oasis that is Mi Barrio. This family-owned tastes-like-your-Mexican-grandma-cooked-it joint on Memorial serves up soulfully simple yet flavorful grub in an unpretentious cozy setting, complete with deadly margaritas, pozole, and lengua tacos. Viva Mi Barrio!
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I was craving some Mexican food in my 'hood (grant park) so I went to Yelp! (as I always do) to find a Mexican restaurant. The reviews were so good I had to hit this place up.
You guys are awesome! I just had some of the best Mexican food that I've had in a long time! I don't think I've ever tasted fresh tortillas before. And the service was so pleasant, I felt like I was at a relatives house for lunch. I am so lucky that this place is in walking distance.
Mi Barrio (My Neighborhood) is a diamond -- don't let the rough exterior fool you.
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After 4 years in Grant Park - we finally went in a checked out this place. I'm really glad I did!
I love places that bring you food for free and without asking. Upon arrival we got 2 kinds of salsa - tons of chips, and a little thing called Cactus. I have no idea what was in it - but it was good!
Margaritas were STRONG!! We ordered a pitcher for 3 of us - and I walked out of there a little tipsy!
Food was decent. I got the taco salad. They have homemade sour cream that is amazing! The others I was with had chimichungas and quesadillas and all were very impressed.
For a Thursday night - it was really only the 3 of us and one other table of 2 that appeared to not be family. It was a little weird when a group of I'm assuming family came in and started singing happy birthday to a young boy and they all brought in pizza! So that was a bit concerning as we were eating their food and they were all eating pizza!
But I'm glad we went finally - you should check it out!
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Mi Barrio is a family-run authentic Mexican restaurant. The food is "authentic Mexican" not "Tex-Mex" (On the Border, Chi-Chi's, Papasito's, No Mas Cantina). I'm not saying it's any better or worse, just very different. The decor is so bad it's good. The service is great. I think it's a great option for anyone in Grant Park and surrounding neighborhoods.
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Although I'm a big fan of Nuevo Laredo, I have found that Mi Barrio makes my stomach just as happy and my wallet even happier. They have hands down the best guacamole- next runner up is Rosa Mexicana. The guac at Mi Barrio is simple- avocado and sea salt. Less is more!
The epinadas are amazing! They make their own tortillas! And so inexpensive! I ordered two bean epinadas and each were $2.
My boyfriend says that they have the best nachos is town- I can't say bc I don't eat beef.
Although the restaurant doesn't look like much from the outside, it's warm and sweet on the inside- I think the fact that it's family run helps with this :)
The only thing I did not care for were the margarittas. They use a mix that tastes like fake lemon-lime sour mix. I would stick to beer.
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This place is great, authentic, hearty mexican food.
The name Mi Barrio means my neighborhood and this place has a feel like you are eating in someones dimly lit kitchen. The older children often take your order and you are served by three generations. It is a no-nonsense, poorly decorated treasure.
Make sure you ask for the complimentary cactus with your salsa and chips. I personally love the Hauraches (flat fresh made tortilla thick and grilled covered it all the "regulars". Its kind of like a fancy tostada. The Tortas (mexican sandwiches on big bread) are also good.
Cheap, hearty and worth the risk.
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I love me some Mexican food and this place, hands down; is the BEST Mexican food in Atlanta! Leslie and I have been dying to try this place out! We parked in the neighborhood behind the building and strolled along Memorial with Sno Balls in hand (thanks to Just Loaf'n...read review below). We entered the pink building and we were surprised on what we saw. Everyone who reviewed this was right...you feel like you have just entered someones kitchen...for me, I felt like we were in the basement of a house I use to live in Washington D.C.
Our adorable waiter that Leslie had crushed on (even though I think he was 15...which could explain why he could not serve our Margaritas to us) gave us our menus and we just squealed with delight. I had no idea what to order....do I try the tacos or enchiladas? or how about the tortas or even the flautas and gorditas? What I do know is that I am for sure sticking to meats that I am familiar with...aka Chicken or Beef. Speaking of meat...the quote of the day is from Leslie asking "What is Beef Tongue?" and the waiter replying "Um...Tongue from a cow." If that wasn't a blonde moment for Leslie, second place goes to her way of speaking Spanish with a valley girl accent..."Can I have a tah-co with car-nay a-sawd-a?" Good try Leslie, although the menu did say Steak not Carne Asada so I have no idea where she came up with that...maybe another one of her ways of attempting to flirt! Anyways, I ordered the enchiladas platter and Leslie got the Tacos. It was delicious! The beef was seasoned well and very light. Leslie also tried the Beef Tongue and loved it! Plus it was nice to see that her Taco shells were fresh and huge!
Can I say again that I LOVE THIS PLACE! When we were done, I seriously did not want to leave and could have ordered more food. Alas, they were closing so we got up and paid and got some fun Mexican candies on our way out. I think we got a piece of chocolate filled with tamarind, a lollipop made from goats milk, and a mango fruit roll up dusted with salt and cayenne pepper! Mmmmmmm....
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Mi Barrio is located in Grant Park, right on Memorial, and is a place that most people would never think to give a chance. Too bad for them.
The food here is great. If you like mexican food. If you've only eaten at corporate fake restaurants, then you've never eaten real mexican food. You've probably never even really eaten american southwestern food.
From the outside, Mi Barrio is a rundown bit of a building with an insanely tiny parking lot. Don't be scared. Go inside. You'll be amazed at how great your meal taste. Run by a mexican family from someplace probably mexico, the food is as authentic as you can find in all of Atlanta.
Having lived in Chula Vista, Ca., 10 minutes from the Tijuana border, and Phoenix, Az., I like to think I have at least a hint of an idea of what mexican food should taste like. Everyone knows it doesn't taste like taco bell, but do they realize that it doesn't really taste like anything you'd find at some corporate pretty place that serves margaritas from a slushie dispenser?
Mi Barrio is like a mexican cantina locked deep in Atlanta, Ga. The service is kind and attentive, very happy to please. Order your meal with a beer and relax. With the south of the border decor and cantina feel of the restaurant, you'll be transported someplace else. You'll forget that you're deep in the heart of the ATL and somehow you're eating dinner in Chihuahua, Mexico. Too bad the second you exit back through the front door the spell is broken and you're no longer in a mexican border town.
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MAAAAAAAn! Homemade tortillas! Such a rare commodity nowadays and oh so magically delicious. You can't go wrong here. I got the carne asada, it was awesome. The chips and salsa are particularly good as well. Oh yeah, I also got a taco a la carte with their stewed pork-the bomb.
I really wanted to try the birria (beef stew) but they claimed that since they had just got back from Mexico, they didn't have time to make it. That lets me know that it will be that much better the next time I go.
Service at Mi Barrio is muy bueno tambien, like the other reviewers mention, a family operation.
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Quien es mas macho? Mi Barro o El Azteca? (waiting....) Si! Mi Barrio es muy macho!
Why oh why do Atlantans prefer to spend their hard earned dinero in subprime Mexican joints when places like Mi Barrio can be found in, well, mi barrio? As others have noted, the building won't win any beauty contests. Generously described as "shack-like" from the outside, the inside is festooned with the finest faux wood siding and hanging Christmas lights this side of The Clermont Lounge. But the food is good and not too pricey. It's like eating at a long lost Mexican relative's home. Unfortunately, just like eating at a relative's house, your order may get screwed up when it gets busy. For example, I ordered the two taco combination plate but only received one taco. A problem easily rectified, but a problem nonetheless. But I don't see no beef tongue tacos available at The Azteca. And a whole fried fish. Or pozole. Or menudo. Yes, menudo is the Sunday especial and this menudo will still have you even if you're older than 16. However, you will still need to be 21 to order their margaritas. They're not the best margaritas in the world, but they're not the worst. Finally, you can order a shrimp cocktail here that's (and this is a very important unit of measurement to me) as big as your head.
Don't discount the power of food as big as your head.
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I've gotta admit. The look from the outside, Mi Barrio looks a wee bit sketch. Believe me, I've got nothin' against the 'hood (I mean, I do live here), but I stepped into Mi Barrio only after hearing about how fantastic the food is here.
And fantastic it is.
You know how you can easily get into a 'food rut' - especially with Mexican? Most of the cookie cutter 'eh' restaurants are decent, but I can't remember the last time food at a Mexican place made me perk up and take notice.
Until. Mi. Barrio.
Honestly, it's pretty much ruined the next time I end up going a mediocre restaurant and get a taco - because I'll forever be comparing it to the steak one from Mi Barrio. Yep. That good.
Not to mention, the people that run the place are one big happy family - there was an adorable, adorable little Mexican grandmotherly type that was took her dinner break behind us. One of the girls said that usually there are the family's kids running all around the place.
Note that they close for a couple weeks around the holidays to go visit back home - so be sure to call ahead if you get a Mexican food craving near the holidays.
It's friendly, amazing food and people. Please go.
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I happen to work down the street, and it's a nice option to go to Mi Barrio for lunch from time to time.
One of the things I enjoy about this place is how low-key it is. It's not pretentious at all, and is just a nice place to lay low, and enjoy some good food. The staff here is nice and friendly, and seems to be very family oriented.
Some favorites here are the tacos (lengua or steak in soft corn tortillas of course) and the aguas (last I had pineapple and before that was cantaloupe). Though I haven't ventured out to Buford Highway too much, I come from San Francisco, so with that comes a seasoned palette. I wouldn't say that the food here is "amazing", but it's a wonderful option when you don't want to travel too far to get good mexican.
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As a friend said, "It's just sketchy enough to be really great."
This place might remind you of the popular Nuevo Laredo when you walk in, but rest assured it is much much better.
In addition to the great salsa, they give you a bowl of authentic chutney-like vegetables that go well with the good tortilla chips. Get the cheese dip, fine cheese dip connoisseurs will NOT be disappointed!
The menu has all the regular burritos and such, as well as a menu of pressed sandwiches. They have a few interesting meats, and so they get away with having slightly bland ground beef. Skip the beef, and go for the spicy pork or the Mexican style chicken in your tacos.
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On Friday I french kissed a mexican.
What happened was a friend and her husband and the boy and I visited Mi Barrio the other night in Grant Park. It came to us with great reviews. The kissing reference alludes to some fantastic tongue I had. I had never had tongue...well beef tongue... and I am glad I have now.
In the interest of time I will review what the boy and I ate since I did not taste our friend's meals. We had:
Guacamole
Good! Simple! Not crammed with stuff that belongs in salsa, picante or pico de gallo. Just avocado whipped to its sexy personal creaminess and a hint of lime and salt.
Beef Tongue and Steak "Soft" Tacos
I loved both these tacos. They are the simple, real Mexican style taco with cilantro, a little onion and lime juice. The tongue was rich and moist; the steak flavorful. The tortillas are hand made, and I wonder if they are white corn because they tasted like corn, but were not the pale yellow of regular corn tortillas. They were delicious and light in any case.
Pork Tamale
Too dry and tasteless. Steaming these babies should keep them moist and flavorful, especially if they are not slipped out of their corn husk embrace until right before serving. I used to buy some from the guys in my old neighborhood in Chicago for $1. They would pull them steaming from the pockets of their coats, and I would unpeel the corn husk and nibble on moist tenderness while I waited in the snow for the train...that was good tamale.
Chile Relleno
Aiight. The poblano probably should have been charred a little more or blanched a little longer. It was a little too al dente and was still more hot than roasty rich spicy poblano-ey.
Coctel de Camaron (small)
Bizarre and very huge. Especially for a small. It was layered cilantro, tomatoes, onions and shrimp in faintly lime scented watery stuff. The shrimp were the right firmness and tasted fresh; they just bored me. But perhaps it is my own fault for sharing this and not getting the ceviche...I was craving the crisp burst of lime marinated seafood and the floral dance of cilantro around firm flesh, but this was hardly the coctel. Though to be fair, the boy liked it and so do the friends.
Beverages: A Tecate and a Modelo
The service left something to be desired. It was very busy and confused. Every table was filled, and we had four different people attending to us, but none of them seemed aware of the other. I have no idea whom we tipped at the end. Sadly all of us had eaten most of our supper before the boy's chile relleno even arrived. I am assuming the place is just having growing pains as they seem wildly popular and have been spoken so highly of by Yelpers, and this could explain some of the disappointing dishes as well as the haphazard service. Neither were bad per se, just nervously ill prepared. I wish them luck and may be back for another little kiss sometime in the future.
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Think about the difference between getting takeout from the Chinese joint around the corner or taking a trek into a place on Buford Highway where you can barely read the menu. That's the difference in the type of cuisine that served at Mi Barrio. This isn't your run of the mill El Azteca or El Toro. Don't get me wrong, i love those places and crave the cheezy goodness that they serve every now and then. But Mi Barrio is about as authentic of a Mexican restaurant as you can find around here. The food here most resembles what you would get in land south of the border and that may please as many as it shocks others. You may or may not like the food, but for me its a like a little vacation for a meal.
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From the moment we walked in I felt odd as If I had interrupted a special family time.. everyone that was working there was seated in the restaurant chatting it up eating some food while the little boy entertained himself watching Luchadores hurl chairs at one another on TV.. as soon as we came in I guess we broke things up it was back to work!,,,, Pick a seat.. much on some yummy tortilla chips and salsa while waiting for your food.. try not to let the pictures over your table intimidate you ( you know the shirtless man with the spear in one hand holding a half naked lady in the other... they are everywhere!!- I'm sure they represent something!).. I loved the quaintness of this restaurant! I ordered a chicken, and spicy stewed pork taco topped with onions and cilantro...ahhh simplicity! This time I just had to pass on the beef tongue taco as well as the menudo.. perhaps next time?... perhaps not. Oh and homemade tortillas..can't get any better than this!
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Mibarrio is really a family restaurant, to the point that there are babies in strollers next to the kitchen and lots of kids underfoot. But I don't mean that in a bad way, it really makes you feel like you're having dinner at someones house instead of in a restaurant.
While Mibarrio has all the standard Mexican restaurant in the middle of the South dishes, you'd be well served to go off that well trodden path and try something a little more authentic. I loved the birria: think Mexican pot roast that's been cooking for hours and hours until the meat just falls apart. I ate every last bite and wanted more.
I also really enjoyed the bowl of marinated cactus slices they gave us while the food was cooking. Lucky for me, my dinner compatriots only wanted the salsa so I got all the cactus to myself.
Definitely worth a visit if you're tired of the same old same old at Mexican restaurants.
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My neighborhood secret. They are a really nice family restaurant that is slowly becoming very popular. Make sure they bring you some cactus salsa - it's free and amazing.
Their menu is really bad for vegetarians, such as myself. However, they will make you any thing that you ask for! I usually ask them to put all of the veggies they have in the house into a big burrito, and put some avocado on the side.
Finally, their margaritas are really strong. Many a night I have gotten a little too drunk because I ordered a large margarita or three.
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love it love it love.
i ordered fajitas - kinda safe - but they were spot on. lots of other adventurous stuff to choose from on the menu.
Bonus: They serve horchata - delish!
Weirdness: giant tv's kinda diminish the atmosphere imo
final observation: all women in the kitchen, gotta respect that.
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Aw yeah, baby! I loooves me some real Mexican food. If it's cooked by the mother and served by the grandmother and grand daughter and comes with home made tortillas and a can of Tecate, then count me in! The food wasn't the most amazing ever, but it was really really good. Check it out - Mi Barrio es primero!!!
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Tacos authenticos in town!
Located near Cabbagetown and Grant Park, Mi Barrio is a cozy little place to practice your Spanish and eat nice dishes with spicy salsas.
It is housed an oddly shaped, salmon-colored building across from historic Oakland Cemetery. It slopes down toward the back so tall people will feel like ducking, but that only adds to its charm.
Try the tacos--really yummy. Wash it down with an orange Jumex or a Negro Modelo.
The service is good--what you would expect from a family-owned immigrant business. If you don't feel like driving to Buford Highway for something authentic, give this place a try.
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In my quest for great Mexican food, I came across this place. Like so many other Mexican restaurants, it's a family enterprise. This roughly translates to the fact that once you've crossed the doorway, you're a guest in the truest sense. I was so comfortable, I felt like I could kick off my shoes and no one would bat an eye. Who knows; they're so friendly, they just might insist I do just that.
The chips and salsa are superb. The salsa had a nice kick to it and the chips were crunchy, not greasy. I opted for the tamales with rice and beans. My family makes tamales and I'm used to great little tamales that lead you to eat 3 or 4 at a sitting. 2 tamales here was more than enough; huge portions stuffed with a great spicy shredded pork. Hit this place up when you want some great Mexican food and a friendly family.
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Yo soy tu paloma blanca, Mi Bario. This place truly is my white dove of Mexican food intown Atlanta. Go to Buford Highway, expect some competition, but inherent in its greatness is its location, making Mi Bario the hands down winner. True Mexican food run by a family. Bottomless chips and salsa, delicious plates of enchiladas and tacos and Orchata's, that delicious rice milk sweet drink of goodness. Mi Barrio es Su Barrio. They are not open on Mondays so plan another day of the week to go. You will truly feel taken care of and be treated to a filling hearty Mexican feast. The food is consistent and the servers are sweet. You pay at the counter when you've completed your meal. Its a great place to go with a group. We've put 4 or 5 tables together and had a party (fiesta) of 15 or more people. They are a gracious family that makes you feel at home. The prices are low and the atmosphere is cozy. It attracts locals and mexican food lovers in the know.
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