Global food guide Taste Atlas has officially crowned Tijuana’s famed quesabirria as the top dish in Mexico. The coveted spot comes from the platform’s newly released 2026 ranking of the “Top 100 Mexican Foods,” where the cross-border city’s signature street food claimed the number one position.
“Quesabirria is a popular Mexican street food dish, a fusion between birria (a traditional Mexican meat stew) and quesadillas. The dish originates from Tijuana and typically consists of large tortillas filled with birria-style cooked meat (usually beef) and a generous amount of melted cheese. The tortillas are cooked on the stove until the cheese melts and the outside of the tortilla becomes crispy. Quesabirria is often accompanied by a side of broth, or consomé, for dipping, adding another layer of flavor to the dish,” the website reads.
Keep reading: The 2025 Shortlist for Tijuana’s Best Tacos
The rankings are determined by a rigorous audience rating system designed to filter out unreliable votes. For the 2026 list, Taste Atlas evaluated 39,377 ratings, identifying 18,939 as legitimate after discounting feedback from bots or overly patriotic voters. Additional weight was given to scores from users recognized as culinary experts.
This is not the first time the dish has received international acclaim. Tijuana’s quesabirria has been celebrated by food critics and enthusiasts worldwide, and its latest recognition by Taste Atlas reinforces its status as a must-try culinary export.
Click here to see Taste Atlas’ ranking of the Top 100 Mexican Foods!
Keep reading: Tacos El Franc Named Best Taquería in Tijuana for 2025
