No trip to a Mexican restaurant is complete without an order of queso. This dish of melted cheese can be white, yellow, full or chorizo, peppers or plain, but whichever way you get it, you can’t go wrong. Dip your chip into the cheesiest, creamiest queso in Birmingham with our guide to five restaurants offering the best.

1. El Barrio

queso in Birmingham — The Queso at El Barrio is calling your name. Photo via El Barrio

El Barrio was recently named the best Mexican restaurant in Alabama by FoodLove.com, and I think a big reason for that was because of how good their queso is. With flavors of tequila, goat cheese and chipotle this is no ordinary cheese dip.

You can also add roasted peppers and chorizo for an extra burst of flavor to this already mouth-watering dish.

Location: 2211 2nd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 11:30AM-8PM I Friday-Saturday 11:30-9PM
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2. Sol Y Luna

Get ready for a steamy skillet full of melted cheese and chorizo when you visit Sol Y Luna. This appetizer’s the ultimate pre-meal indulgence, or a great late-night snack over some drinks.

Location: 920 Lane Parke Ct, Mountain Brook, AL 35223
Hours: Monday 5-9PM I Tuesday-Thursday & Saturday 11:30AM-3PM, 5-9PM I Friday 11:30AM-3PM, 5-10PM
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3. Rojo

rojo tacos — Queso with a side of tacos sounds good to me. Photo via Rojo

Rojo is serving delicious Latin American eats in downtown Birmigham like beef empanadas, grilled fish tacos and their classic queso. Nothing tops a classic cheese dip except maybe Kip’s Queso—Rojo’s classic queso with chorizo and jalapeños added in. So if you like it spicy, head to Rojo and try a taste.

Location: 2921 Highland Ave, Birmingham, AL 35205
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 11AM-10PM
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4. Little Donkey

homewood happy hour little donkey — TwPhoto via Madison Croxson for Bham Now

Here at Little Donkey their queso is standard, but so well done. The texture is silky smooth and will leave you wanting to order more and more.

While you’re there, we recommend washing down Little Donkey’s tasty queso blanco with a lime margarita or two.

Location: 2821 Central Ave STE 101, Homewood, AL 35209
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11AM-9PM I Friday-Saturday 11AM-10PM
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5. La Paz

Outdoor dining in Birmingham at La Paz — Waiting patiently for the queso to arrive. Photo via La Paz’s Facebook

At La Paz in Crestline, you could go basic with their standard queso, but I suggest trying out their specialty spinach queso. If spinach dip and cheese dip had a baby, this would be it.

Their queso comes stocked with chiles and spices, but you can also add a little meat to your cheese by including beef or chorizo.