I crave Mexican food in September—whether it’s sunny, when it reminds me of margs on Mexican patios, or gray, when it reminds me to start carbo-loading.

For some reason Capitol Hill has serious critical mass in the Mexican food department right now. You will find, for instance, a third outpost of the La Carta de Oaxaca miracle—with perfect heated seating on the rooftop. You will find one spot where the margaritas are so huge they’re served in shakers; another with mole so fine you’ll want to order it with a straw.  

And nachos? We got nachos—a whole bar dedicated to them, in fact, along with their north-of-the-border cousin, the smothered tater tot extravaganza known as Totchos.   

How good is all this food? Is it authentic or just tasty? And where do Moscow Mules gush out of machines? Those answers and more can be found in Seattle Met’s September Mexican roundup.