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The best Mexican restaurants in Sussex County, NJ stretch from the shores of Lake Hopatcong to Route 94 in Vernon, and our team rounded up 11 of them for 2026. Every spot below is open now, with its address and a link to the restaurant’s own site so you can see the current menu before you go.
The list starts at Lake Hopatcong and works north toward the New York line. For more places to eat around the county, see our guide to the best restaurants in Sussex County.
1. Chapala Grill 4, Hopatcong
Photo: Chapala Grill 4 via Google Business Profile.
Chapala Grill 4 sits at 25 Lakeside Boulevard in Hopatcong, a short drive from Hopatcong State Park. The restaurant also books private parties, from birthdays to rehearsal dinners, and it hosts seasonal events like its Halloween costume night. See the menu and events on the Chapala Grill 4 website.
2. El Paraiso de Acapulco, Hopatcong
Photo: El Paraiso de Acapulco via Google Business Profile.
Right down the road at 22 Lakeside Boulevard, El Paraiso de Acapulco bills itself as authentic Mexican food, or autentica comida Mexicana. It is a casual, neighborhood stop for a plate of tacos or a sit-down dinner near the lake. Details are on the El Paraiso de Acapulco website.
3. Lola’s Waterfront Cocina Latina, Hopatcong
Photo: Lola’s Waterfront Cocina Latina via Google Business Profile.
Lola’s, at 300 Lakeside Avenue in Hopatcong, is the pick when you want a view with your meal. The restaurant serves Latin flavors in a family-friendly dining room right on Lake Hopatcong, and its own site points to the sunset views. Contact details are on the Lola’s website.
4. Bone Yard Cantina, Sparta
Photo: Bone Yard Sparta via Google Business Profile.
Bone Yard sits at 2 White Deer Plaza in the Lake Mohawk business district of Sparta. The walls are covered in bold Day of the Dead heads by artist Will Teran, and the kitchen turns out entrees, salads, house-made chips and dips and a kids’ menu. It is BYOB, and the bar mixes mocktails you can enjoy as is or pair with your own bottle. See the Bone Yard Sparta page for hours.
5. Mi Rancho Mexican Grill, Newton
Photo: Mi Rancho Mexican Grill via Google Business Profile.
Mi Rancho, at 195 Spring Street in downtown Newton, focuses on tacos, enchiladas and burritos for takeout and delivery. It is open every day except Tuesday, according to its online ordering site, which makes it an easy weeknight dinner fix.
6. Sazón Latino, Newton
Photo: Sazón Latino via Google Business Profile.
A few blocks away at 71 Spring Street, Sazón Latino is a Latin American restaurant with plenty of Mexican staples, including tacos with your choice of chicken or ground beef and flautas served with rice, beans, lettuce, sour cream and cheese. It opens early on weekdays, so it works for breakfast too. Hours and the menu are on the Sazón Latino website.
7. Riviera Maya, Branchville
Photo: Riviera Maya Mexican Restaurant via Google Business Profile.
Riviera Maya is on Route 206 at 340 U.S. 206 in Branchville, an easy stop on the way to or from Stokes State Forest. It is a sit-down Mexican restaurant that takes reservations by phone at (973) 948-6292. Find the menu on the Riviera Maya website.
8. Coyote Cocina Mexicana, Franklin
Photo: Coyote Cocina Mexicana via Google Business Profile.
Coyote Cocina Mexicana, at 120 Route 23 in Franklin, is family owned, with recipes passed down through generations and a chef with more than 20 years of experience. The menu runs from steak and seafood to traditional Mexican dishes, and there is a full-service bar for margaritas and frozen drinks. More is on the Coyote Cocina Mexicana website.
9. Tacos and Empanadas by Juanito’s, Franklin
Photo: Tacos & Empanadas by Juanito’s via Google Business Profile.
At 51 Route 23 in Franklin, Tacos and Empanadas by Juanito’s is the stop for quesabirria tacos, golden empanadas and hearty rice bowls. You can order ahead and schedule pickup through the Juanito’s website. Our best restaurants in Franklin guide has more places nearby.
10. Green Salsa, Sussex
Photo: Green Salsa Mexican Restaurant via Google Business Profile.
Green Salsa, at 70 East Main Street in Sussex Borough, is a small, BYOB spot for authentic Mexican food, with dine-in and takeout. Visit the Green Salsa website to order.
11. JRB Mexican Grill, Vernon
Photo: JRB Mexican Grill via Google Business Profile.
JRB Mexican Grill, at 287 Route 94 in Vernon, makes its tortillas in house and builds tacos, burritos, bowls and quesadillas to order, with fillings like birria, al pastor and carnitas. Don’t skip the empanadas, which are folded by hand and fried in beef tallow. Order on the JRB Mexican Grill website.
How We Picked These Mexican Restaurants
Our team only includes restaurants we could confirm are open in 2026 through their own websites and Google Business Profiles. We left out places that have closed and spots we could not verify. Know a Mexican restaurant in Sussex County we should add? Reach out and tell us about it.
Featured photo: JRB Mexican Grill via Google Business Profile.
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