The answer varies regarding the Hispanic population in Seattle, depending on which neighborhood you visit. While the overall population of Hispanics in Seattle is less than in cities like El Paso, Brownsville, or Laredo, the people of Hispanics in central Kent and the general Burien area is high. Historically, Hispanics have come to Seattle from the Midwest or Texas to work in agriculture and meatpacking.
La Canasupo Market
La Conasupo Market is a dusty mini-mart that specializes in Mexican cuisine and offers a variety of products, including prepaid calling cards, Mexican wrestling masks, and various other items. In the back, a tiny restaurant serves barbacoa (slow-roasted lamb wrapped in maguey leaves), a staple of Mexican cuisine. It offers comfort to hungry diners and costs $5 for a taco de barbacoa.
The market is located in the back of an unassuming Mexican general store on Greenwood Ave. There are very few signs pointing to it, and parking is challenging to come by. You have to know where to look for it or get lucky and stumble upon it by accident.
If you’re looking for good Mexican food, look for it in the Rainier Valley and Central District. Authentic Mexican food is easier to find in these neighborhoods, as they’re more ethnically diverse. For a sit-down Mexican meal, La Carta, Senor Moose, and Gordito’s are some of the best options. You can try a joke at Gordito’s, and don’t forget about El Camion, which serves some of the best burritos in Ballard.
If you’re a big fan of traditional tacos, try Taco Street. The tacos here are more authentic than those in San Diego and come with crunchy tortillas. The cheese taco is a must-try and is more significant than most street tacos. The beef inside is juicy, and the cheese has burnt bits, giving it an extra-special flavor. The tacos de birria are also excellent.
Jalisco
There are 430,331 Hispanics in the Seattle area. About half of them speak Spanish exclusively, and another third speak Spanish some or all of the time. About 18% of Washington K-12 students identify as Hispanic or Latino. South King County may be the perfect place to start if you are looking for a place to feel at home in a diverse community.
The Mexican community has long been important to Seattle’s ethnic diversity. In the 19th century, Mexican vaqueros worked on cattle ranches and helped support agriculture in Washington. Then, after World War II, many rural Latino families moved to the Puget Sound area to take advantage of the booming post-war economy. Throughout the decades, the Latino community has had its share of leaders and organizations, including Sea Mar and El Centro de la Raza.
If you are looking for a place to eat authentic Mexican food, you might want to try South Park and Rainier Valley. While the Rainier Valley does not have the most prominent Latino community in the city, you can still find some authentic Mexican food here. Try La Carta for a sit-down Mexican meal, while Senor Moose is an excellent place to grab a burrito.
The city also has plenty of Latin counter-service cafes. At many local Latin restaurants, you can sample halibut tacos or barbacoa de cabrito. The city’s growing Hispanic population highly influences the Latin cuisine in Seattle. In addition to Mexican-inspired restaurants, Portland has numerous Latin counter-service cafes that serve authentic dishes. You can also sample authentic Cuban food at Barrio Bend, which opened in December 2014.
Another place to eat in the city is the Latino Market. This one-story building features a restaurant and grocery store. You can buy meals here or take them home to enjoy. This ethnic marketplace is packed with goods from Latino countries; even a mural by Pablo O’Higgins is located there. It was painted in 1945 for a local maritime labor union. It was restored in the mid-1970s and is worth a visit.
Compared to other states, Washington has a relatively low Hispanic population. The state has nearly 756,000 Latino residents. About 21,000 are in Spokane County or 4.5 percent of the total. But the majority of Latinos live in King County, Snohomish County, and Pierce County.
Pasteleria y Panaderia La Ideal
If you’re wondering, “Where do most Mexicans live in Seattle?” you’re not alone. The city has a sizeable Hispanic population, and Mexican-style food is becoming more popular than ever. You’ll find various Latin-inspired dining options, from tacos to barbecue to ceviche.
The Central District is the most Hispanic neighborhood, followed by the Rainier Valley. But if you’re looking for authentic Mexican food, try an area like Rainier Valley or South Park. Greenwood is also an excellent place to go, but it’s not as diverse as other neighborhoods. However, La Carta and Senor Moose are both beautiful places to go for a sit-down meal. And for those in the Ballard neighborhood, try El Camion.
South Park
The city of Seattle is home to a large Hispanic population. This increase in the Hispanic community has allowed Latin-American influences to seep into the culture. In addition, the rainy climate has made this area an ideal location for many immigrants. It is possible to find many authentic Hispanic restaurants and markets.
While Seattle isn’t home to the largest Hispanic population in the state, it does have a significant population of Hispanics. In some neighborhoods, Latinos make up nearly 30% of the population. The South Park neighborhood in Seattle and the White Center neighborhood in Burien is longtime centers of Latino culture in King County.
While there was no large Latino population in the area before the 1940s, many immigrant families from Mexico and Central America migrated to King County to seek work in the growing post-war economy. During the Civil Rights Era, many immigrants became active community members and participated in community arts projects.
