Springfield’s Restaurant Ramona Tacos + Mezcal Raises the Bar for Modern Mexican Dining

There’s a new hum in Springfield’s west side dining scene, and it’s not coming from the kitchen; it’s coming from a giant mural. A 40-foot-wide hummingbird painted by local artist Spencer Stokes spreads its wings across the wall inside Ramona Tacos + Mezcal, the city’s newest modern Mexican fusion restaurant. And yes, it’s every bit as intentional as the house-made tortillas.

Opened May 7, Ramona Tacos + Mezcal is the second concept from Hector Lopez, the chef and entrepreneur behind The Taco Joint. If you’ve had a late-night craving for birria or a casual lunch of carnitas wrapped in a floury hug, chances are you’ve been to The Taco Joint. But Ramona Tacos + Mezcal? This is something else entirely.

“It’s a wonderful feeling to get the doors open and show what we’ve been working on,” Lopez says. And that work shows in every inch of the experience, starting with the menu.

An Homage With Ambition

Named after Lopez’s maternal grandmother, Ramona Tacos + Mezcal is more than an expansion. It’s a reimagining of what his food can be in a full-service, sit-down format.

Tacos and burritos, the signatures from The Taco Joint, are here. But at Ramona Tacos + Mezcal, they are dressed for dinner.

Think handmade blue corn tortillas layered with duck carnitas, grilled pineapple, and pickled Fresno chilies. Or a barbacoa torta with just enough heat to make you sip that smoky mezcal cocktail a little slower.

Lopez, who was born in Mexico’s Jalisco region, says the flavors here are rooted in his hometown. But they’re presented with a different lens.

“The plating, the creativity, it will be more elevated,” he says. “And we will do everything in-house. If it’s on the plate, it’s going to be made in-house.”

That includes sauces, salsas, pickled vegetables, and even the house bitters for cocktails.

Mezcal in the Spotlight

True to its name, mezcal plays a starring role on the drinks menu. Expect more than just margaritas.

Ramona Tacos + Mezcal offers a curated list of smoky, citrus-forward cocktails crafted to complement the kitchen’s bold flavors. It’s not just about alcohol, though. There are fresh juices, agua frescas, and mocktail versions of the restaurant’s mezcal signatures.

It’s clear that cocktails here aren’t an afterthought; they are part of the culinary expression.

Art With a Soul

Back to the hummingbird. Known in Spanish as colibrí, the bird symbolizes memory, movement, and loved ones passed. The mural, custom-painted by Stokes (also behind the vibrant Día de los Muertos-inspired art at The Taco Joint), is more than visual flair; it’s storytelling on a wall.

The restaurant’s design complements the artwork: warm wood, dark tiles, candle-lit nooks. It’s not overdone. Just intentional.

This is where girls’ night meets a chef’s tasting night. Where Sunday brunch might roll into a two-hour lunch with mezcal spritzes and chilaquiles that taste like someone’s abuela finally opened a test kitchen.

Springfield’s Dining Scene, Elevated

Ramona Tacos + Mezcal marks an evolution for Springfield’s food landscape. While the city isn’t short on taco joints or Tex-Mex comfort food, full-service, chef-driven Mexican dining has been rarer.

And in a market that increasingly favors authenticity, craftsmanship, and visual storytelling, Ramona Tacos + Mezcal checks the boxes and then paints over them in color.

It’s a restaurant that respects tradition but isn’t afraid to remix it. A spot where tacos are plated like fine dining, and mezcal gets the same care as small-batch bourbon.

What to Expect

Service is full sit-down, with knowledgeable staff who can recommend pairings. Lopez is often in the kitchen, occasionally walking the floor to greet regulars from The Taco Joint who come to see what’s new.

Ramona Tacos + Mezcal offers a casual yet vibrant dining experience, with entrees typically ranging from around $10 to $16, and cocktails priced between $7 and $8. It’s not cheap, but it’s not unreachable either. This is accessible luxury, the kind worth dressing up for on a Saturday night.

Final Note

Ramona Tacos + Mezcal isn’t just another taco place. It’s a full experience rooted in memory, layered with creativity, and finished with smoke. The kind of place where Springfield locals might just start spending their birthdays.

And for diners like you, who want craft, culture, and a cocktail with a soul, it might be your new favorite table in town.