Milwaukee has been a destination for immigrants from our southern neighbor for many years now and Mexican-Americans have added a unique and vibrant flavor to our city and its culture. One obvious result has been a wide selection of great Mexican restaurants. Below is an introduction to some of the best.

There are too many to mention them all, but this guide offers a little starting point for exploring Mexican cuisine in Milwaukee. If you prefer to eat at home, visit the El Rey supermarkets, which stock a wide range of Mexican specialties and visit the sumptuous Lopez Bakeries for dessert.

Otherwise, visit one of these great places for a great meal and add your favorite Mexican eatery using the talkback feature at the bottom of the story.

Cempazuchi
1205 E. Brady St., (414) 291-5233
Creative Mexican and tex-mex items in a wonderful environment that is bright and full of flowers. The tamales are tops, but all the items are great.

Conejito's Place
539 W. Virginia St., (414) 278-9106
How can you go wrong with a Mexican restaurant that serves four burritos for less than $2? Conejito's has great, unpretentious food that comes on paper plates. Cheap beer, big margaritas and a wonderful atmosphere make Conejito's an excellent choice for lunch or dinner. Located around the corner from some of the trendier Mexican restaurants in town, the atmoshere may not bowl you over but the food will. Look for the neon sign. You just can't go wrong at Conejito's.

Hector's
7118 W. State St., (414) 258-5600
3040 S. Delaware, (414) 755-7870
This Mexican restaurant serves enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas and more, with a good variety of vegetarian options. Artichoke enchiladas, as well as spinach and mushroom or portabella and asparagus are just some of the veggie combos offered. Most dinners range from $7-11 and come with rice and beans. Hector's margaritas are also among the city's most beloved.

Jalisco
1035 S. 16th St, (414) 672-7070
9405 S. 27th St., 414-761-8868
W26N146 Washington Ave., Cedarburg (262) 377-8858
1120 Whiterock Ave., Waukesha, (262) 521-1986
2207 E. North Ave., (414) 291-0645
The original Jalisco located in the heart of Milwaukee's Mexican neighborhood is open 24 hours a day, and has live music on weekends. That's to say nothing, of course, of the fabulous food at low prices. Jalisco now has locations throughout the metro Milwaukee area.

La Fuente Restaurant
625 S. 5th St., (414) 271-8595
www.megustalafuente.com
Pink stucco walls, old Mexican pictures, murals, sounds of Mariachi music and a beautiful patio make dining at La Fuente a pleasurable experience. Enjoy great food, Mexican beer and the best margaritas in town.

La Perla
734 S. 5th St., (414) 645-9888
www.laperlahot.com
La Perla -- with more than 100 tequilas and 300 hot sauces -- is a good and very authentic Mexican restaurant on the near south side. It's comfortable and casual, but nice enough for a business lunch. In the summer the outdoor patio is a great place to meet after work or just sit and while away the hours. The food is good and the margarita's hold their own, but the item that may keep you coming back is a huge rideable chili in the front window. Think mechanical bull, only fiery red and shaped like a pepper.

Pepe's Rockin' Taco Shack
2041 N. Farwell Ave., (414) 271-7465
It's always been Mexican at this former Sol Fire and La Casita space. Colorful and casual, Pepe's has a hopping happy hour, big patio and happening Mexican food all day long.

Rudy's
1122 N. Edison St., (414) 223-1122
www.rudysmexican.com
The former Riverhouse has traded its seafood cases for quesadillas and Mexican beers. Rudy's -- which began life in Walker's Point years ago -- serves a wide range of Mexican specialties and hopes to do better in its Water St. area location than the less-than-successful Riverhouse did.

Tres Hermanos
1100 W. National Ave., (414) 384-8850
www.club3hermanos.com
In a modest atmosphere, Tres Hermanos has gained popularity for its tasty Mexican food at more than reasonable prices. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, some favorites include the cold shrimp and tomato soup Caldo de Camarones and the Ceviche, a shrimp dish marinated in lime juice, tomatoes and serrano peppers.