Detroit Mexican Restaurants
We are in Detroit’s Mexicantown checking out Taco’s Wuey and La Jaliscience. 2 locations located right across the street from one another. Both are known for their Birria as well as other delicious authentic Mexican fare.
Tacos Wuey is a modern taqueria, highlighting birria from chef Eddie Vargas’s grandfathers recipes.
La Jalisience, which is also a market, is making it the truly authentic way, going back to its origin in Jalisco, a state in Central Mexico.
Lets start with birria. What is birria? Well, it is a traditional Mexican Stew which originated in Jalisco, Mexico in the mid 1950’s. It was originally made with goat meat cooked with dried chilis and spices creating a rich, delicious broth, called consume, which is a essential part of the dish. It is more commonly made with beef and slow cooked until it is shredding. The most common way of eating birria is by making quesabirrias, a form of quesadilla made by dipping corn tortillas in the consume and pan frying them until crispy. They are typically served with a side of consume, diced onions, fresh cilantro, and lime.
Tacos Wuey is relatively new, having opened in July of 2025 by Chef Eddie Vargas. It is a modern Taqueria located in the heart of southwest Detroit’s Mexicantown. Tacos Wuey highlights tacos from different regions around Mexico, Birria from his Grandfathers recipe, as well as seasonal salsas, and other favorites using traditional recipes with new ingredients. It is not a big place. It only seats around 40 people. They do not serve alcohol, though we believe you can bring your own in.
On top of their great variety of tacos, you can also enjoy other dishes like Birria Ramen, a spicy twist on an Asian favorite. Or Ribeye Molcajete, a ribeye served with bell peppers, onions, cheese stuffed poblano pepper, cactus, and served with zip sauce, queso and guac. If you like seafood, you might like their Camerones Yucatecos, sautéed shrimp in guajillo butter sauce, pickled onions, rice and banana leaves.
La Jaliscience is a Supermercado located right across the street from Taco’s Wuey that has a restaurant and market all under one roof. La Jaliscience was opened in 2014 by Jose Manuel Vargas and his family. Jose, who is originally from San Ignacio, Jalisco, Mexico had experience running Supermercados in Mexico and brought the experience to Detroit. His son, Jose Vargas Jr, a graduate of Schoolcraft Colleges Culinary program, has been beneficial in creating some of their unique signature dishes.
Here they are making Birria the traditional way using goat meat. It is served in a dish with tortillas and toppings on the side, like wet fajitas. The rest of their menu is a bit more of what you may expect from a Mexican Restaurant. While you will find all of the traditional dishes you would expect like tacos, burritos, chimichangas etc. you will also see items like Menudo, Huaraches, and Camarones Rancheros, shrimp cooked with onions and salsa ranchera.
There are also specials like this months Chilean Sea Bass and they serve breakfast, opening daily at 9 AM. We are going to have to go back for their Huevos Rancheros. They also have a full bar with a nice list of margaritas to choose form.
The market is right there when you walk in and it is a full service market selling everything from beans and rice to the pots you cook them in. They also sell their Tre leches cake by the slice, homemade tamales, and Chicharrónes by the pound. These are Chicharrónes done the traditional way as well, not just the skin but the whole pork belly. You can also get them in the restaurant as an appetizer served with peanut sauce.
Both places are unique in their own way and worth the trip. You can do like we did and hit them both together sharing a plate at each restaurant.
Tacos Wuey is located at 3970 Vernor Hwy and is open M-Th from 4-10 and F-Sat from 11 – 11 and Sun 11-9..
La Jaliscience is located at 39223 Vernor Hwy in Detroit at 9 AM everyday. They also have a 2nd location in Taylor, that opened in 2025, called La Jali located at 9411 Telegraph which opens daily at 10AM.
Until next time . . . live well, eat well and enjoy life
-Keith & Teresa Becker
Becker Home Advisors