Jon G’s Barbecue has a vast menu including pork tacos, brisket sandwiches, brown sugar baked beans.
Andrew Colacchio
Jon G’s BBQ
Two North Carolina restaurants were named among the nation’s best spots for Mexican food — and one of them might surprise you.
Jon G’s Barbecue in Peachland and Bagner & Alexa’s Breakfast and Lunch in Greensboro were the state’s only eateries to rank on Yelp’s Top 100 list of must-try Mexican restaurants. They placed 60th and 75th, respectively.
Both restaurants boast a five-star rating on the business review website.
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Jon G’s Barbecue serves Texas-style barbecue and signature fixings. Joey Ventrano/Craft City Films
“From cozy family-run taquerías to vibrant modern cantinas, these insider favorites dish up everything from time-honored regional classics to bold, inventive takes on the cuisine,” Yelp editors wrote.
The website turned to its Elite Squad — its most trusted and active members known for giving thoughtful, well-written reviews — to compile the list of acclaimed spots from across the U.S.
“Elite” status is granted on an annual basis.
For the rankings, Yelp identified restaurants in the Mexican category then ranked them using multiple factors, including the volume and ratings of reviews from Elite members.
Here’s what to know about the NC spots Yelpers love so much:
Jon G’s Barbecue
Location: 116 Glenn Falls St, Peachland, NC 28133
Hours: Saturdays only, from 11 a.m. until sold out
Cuisine: Texas-style barbecue, tacos
Yes, you read that right. One of North Carolina’s top “Mexican” food spots is a Texas-style barbecue joint slinging slow-smoked meats and fixings.
The story of Jon G’s Barbecue began with “brisket sold at a brewery,” as founders Garren “Jon G” and Kelly Kirkman grew their food truck business into a full-fledged restaurant that debuted in June 2020, its website says.
You won’t find traditional Mexican offerings on its meat-heavy menu of beef ribs, bacon burnt ends and pulled pork (unless you count the Mexican street corn side item). However, there’s a lone taco in the mix that leans into Tex-Mex flavors.
Jon G’s Barbecue has a vast menu including pork tacos, brisket sandwiches, brown sugar baked beans. Andrew Colacchio Jon G’s BBQ
“Try their signature Porky B. Taco, loaded with brisket, pork, Fritos, Jon G’s sauce, queso, and cilantro on a flour tortilla,” Yelpers wrote.
Ian N., a Yelp Elite member from Charlotte, raved about the breakfast brisket taco: “A great blend of flavors. The smoky brisket with the sweet and spicy candied jalapenos was great. I also liked the smoked tallow tortillas a lot.”
Customer reviews also mentioned the smoked turkey, brisket fried rice and savory kolaches (yeast rolls with various fillings).
CharlotteFive reached out to Jon G’s for comment and was awaiting a response.
Bagner & Alexa’s Breakfast and Lunch
Location: 1618 Spring Garden St, Greensboro, NC 27403
Hours: Saturday-Wednesday from 7 a.m.-3 p.m.; Thursday-Friday from 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
Cuisine: Authentic Mexican, American
Bagner & Alexa’s combines authentic Mexican and American fare — and locals can’t get enough.
“Enjoy generous plates of classic breakfast dishes alongside Mexican-inspired favorites such as their El Rey omelet or Chilaquiles Verdes,” Yelpers said of the popular neighborhood eatery.
Bagner & Alexa’s Breakfast and Lunch in Greensboro serves classic Americacn breakfast alongside tradtional Mexican favorites. Google Street View image from February 2026 ©2026 Google
The restaurant doesn’t have much of an online presence, but customers have taken to social media to highlight its varied menu of breakfast and lunch offerings. Think: fresh salads, crispy chicken fingers and cheesy grits.
Other favorites include the habanero avocado grilled chicken sandwich, the torta Cubana, and the egg and chorizo plate, according to the restaurant’s Yelp page.
“I love good authentic Mexican food and went with the El Rey omelet,” Yelp Elite member Greg G. of Greensboro said after visiting the restaurant in March.
“I will say bonus tip if you like hot sauce ask for their housemaid sauce; it’s more of a smoky Chipotle very good flavor but not overly spicy. The biscuit and sausage gravy were on point and the flavors of the omelet we’re just delicious.”
CharlotteFive reached out to Bagner and Alexa’s for comment and was awaiting a response.
Where are the Top 10 Mexican restaurants in the US?
These Mexican eateries edged out the competition to crack the Top 10, as ranked by Yelp Elites:
Holbox in Los Angeles, CaliforniaSouth of Nick’s in Laguna Beach, CaliforniaMariscos Jalisco in Los Angeles, CaliforniaLos Mariscos in New York CityTommy Tamale Market & Cafe in Grapevine, TexasCasi Cielo in Atlanta, GeorgiaCuantos Tacos in Austin, TexasCon Huevos in Louisville, KentuckyT-Loc’s Sonora Hot Dogs in Austin, TexasLa Perla Cocina Mexicana 3 in San Diego, California
Tanasia Kenney
Sun Herald
Tanasia is a service journalism reporter at the Charlotte Observer | CharlotteFive, working remotely from Atlanta, Georgia. She covers restaurant openings/closings in Charlotte and statewide explainers for the NC Service Journalism team. She’s been with McClatchy since 2020.
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