Mexican in Phoenix

Blue Agave Mexican Cantina

7000 E. Mayo Blvd. North Phoenix

480-419-6375

American, Mexican, Soul Food, Southern, Bars and Clubs, Sponsor

2 articles

Distrito

4000 N. Drinkwater Blvd. Central Scottsdale

480-970-4444

Brunch, Mexican, Recommended, Sponsor

Celebrity chef Jose Garces’s modern Mexican restaurant inside The Saguaro hotel in Old Town Scottsdale is big, colorful, and lively with a spectacular to so-so “modern Mexican” menu of small plates featuring twists on the street food of Mexico City and Mexican Barbacoa (barbecue). Take in the display of brightly painted Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) skull masks, the bar with over 100 varieties of tequila, and a eclectic array of bright pink, glitter,plaid and floral patterns on tables, seating, and walls, then start with the refreshing yellowfin tuna ceviche, the lively Chilango Chop salad, or rich green pozole afloat with pieces of pork belly with crispy skins and littleneck clams. Then, move into excellent offerings like the trio of tender pulled pork street tacos, creamy poblano corn rice, and Yucatan-style smoked chicken. Read our review.

32 articles

Dos Gringos Mexigrill

1361 N. Alma School Rd. Chandler

480-855-3303

American, Bar Food, Buffet, Mexican, Tex-Mex, Bars and Clubs, Sponsor, Slideshow

4 articles

Dos Gringos Mexigrill

1958 S. Greenfield Rd. Mesa

480-633-5525

American, Bar Food, Buffet, Mexican, Tex-Mex, Bars and Clubs, Sponsor, Menu, Slideshow

4 articles

Tacos De Juarez

1017 N. Seventh St. Central Phoenix

602-258-1744

Mexican, Restaurants, Best Of, Sponsor

This humble-looking abode serves less-than-humble vittles served up by a friendly staff. The cheese enchiladas are among the best in town-topped with guacamole and sour cream and stuffed with a mélange of cheddars. Hard-shell carne asadas, with great flavors and just the right amount of cheese, are a house specialty, as is the fluffy Mexican rice, redolent with tomato and onion. (We order an extra side of the rice, it's so good.) Mexican breakfast dishes are available, and the lunch and dinner menus can be ordered from throughout the day.

3 articles

The Tamale Store

15842 N. Cave Creek Rd. North Phoenix

602-435-2604

Mexican, Best Of, Sponsor

You can order a tamales to-go at thousands of Mexican restaurants in Arizona, but the corn masa delicacies at The Tamale Store can’t be topped. After all, tamales are the only thing the shop makes! No lards, shortenings, gluten, preservatives, soy, or MSG are used in the process, and the fillings are always made with the freshest produce and extra lean meats. With twenty years of catering experience, the family behind the business pours a lot of passion into the traditional dish, creating over 20 flavors. You can always pick from standards like beef red chile, chicken green chile, and beans and cheese. But if you’re up for a little adventure, try one of The Tamale Store’s inventive creations like spinach and cream cheese, vegan zucchini salsa, or the flavor of the month (for example, ground beef, dried nuts, and fruit for the holidays). There’s also a selection of dessert tamales like sweet corn and blueberry cream cheese. If you can’t make it to the North Phoenix storefront on Cave Creek Road, look for them at the farmers’ market nearest you.

17 articles

Via Delosantos Mexican Food and Lounge

9120 N. Central Ave. North Phoenix

602-997-6239

Mexican, Best Of, Sponsor, Menu

Known far and wide for its authentic machaca, this family-run restaurant serves strong margaritas and some pretty great chips and salsa. The cool cantina is always jammed, probably because it offers one of the most extensive tequila lists in town. Afterward, slide on into one of the dining rooms, where you'll peruse a menu that offers more vegetarian selections than possibly any other in town. Calibasitas and Corn with Cheese is a rare specialty, as is the Carnitas Picante Calabcitas, a chunk of cod, grilled with green onions, tomatoes, and a side of crunchy grilled carrots. And the Albondigas Soup will have you racing back for more. More soppapias, shrimp burritos, and tasty flan, that is.

6 articles

15 Quince Grill & Cantina

363 Main St., Jerome Outside the Valley

928-634-7087

Bar Food, Mexican

1 article

Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy

7000 E. Mayo Blvd. North Scottsdale

480-513-4445

Mexican, Restaurants, Best Of, Menu

3 articles

Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy

16092 N. Arrowhead Fountains Center Dr. Peoria

623-878-8282

Mexican, Southwestern, Menu

We drove around on a recent banker's holiday, looking for a cheese enchilada. What we found was two things: that most of the local Mexican eateries were closed, and that Abuelo's serves something called the Reynosa Salad. It's a fresh, green salad layered with seasoned ground beef or shredded chicken, jack and Cheddar cheeses, chile con queso, beans, diced tomatoes and guacamole. It's what brings us back to this place time and again, though our dining companions are happy with Abuelo's house specialties like Stuffed Chicken Medallions (chorizo, Poblano, and cheese rolled in a juicy breast and then fried) or the Tilapia Veracruz, sautéed with shrimp, tomatoes, roasted Poblano strips, and olives.

2 articles

Acapulco Bay Co

3030 N. 68th St. Central Scottsdale

480-429-1990

Mexican, Bars and Clubs

1 article

Acapulco Pasteleria y Antojitos

2810 E. Thomas Rd. East Phoenix

602-714-5496

Bakery, Mexican

1 article

ACR Elotes

2312 N. 16th St. Central Phoenix

480-395-1792

Mexican, Best Of

ACR Elotes is certainly the best elote cart in metro Phoenix, but it's also one of the most elusive. It's worth chasing down this particular elote cart, though, which does not always keep regular hours but which makes regular appearances on Calle 16. Bring cash (no cards accepted, at press time), and prepare to delight in the pleasure of a cup of freshly prepared elote. The kernels are tossed in bright, vivid blend of cotija cheese, mayo, butter, lemon juice, and secret spices. True, there's nothing particularly revelatory about it, but it's somehow still a cup of corn for the ages.

1 article

Adalberto’s Mexican Food

3605 W. Chandler Blvd. Chandler

480-899-5802

Mexican

The 1994-founded, family-owned Adalberto’s Mexican Food has opened a second location, this one near Chandler Fashion Center. The 24-hours restaurant offers tacos, burritos, breakfast items, and a drive-thru window.

1 article

Adrian's

4310 E. McDowell Rd. East Phoenix

602-275-1707

Mexican, Restaurants, Recommended, Menu

This perennial Valley favorite is among a handful of places where Mexican breakfast fans can get their huevos rancheros in the a.m. Adrian's is known for its chicken mole, but check out the milanesa: beef pounded flat, then coated with crispy, fresh-fried batter. Chorizo and egg burritos are another breakfast classic.

Ajo Al's

5101 N. 16th St. Central Phoenix

602-222-9902

Mexican, Cafe, Best Of, Menu

It's best not to stand between us and this restaurant when we're on our way there for steak fajitas, as we're likely to knock you down. We can't wait to get to this giant meal, served with rice, beans, guacamole, and Pico de Gallo. Jammed with spicy peppers, onion, and mushroom, these grilled lovelies can't be beat. We love how Al's serves its kicky salsa in tumblers, and we like to pour it over all the yummy entrees here: delicious chicken flautas, Tacos Morongo, even the tasty breakfast burrito when we're at Al's early in the day. We wish we could be there all day!

3 articles

Ajo Al's

7458 W. Bell Rd. Glendale

480-998-1734

Cafe, Mexican, Menu

Whoever heard of Tacos Morongo? We hadn't, until we started dining each weekend at this popular Mexican diner. Now we're addicted to handmade corn tortillas stuffed with seasoned steak (or chicken, or shrimp) and dressed with fresh cilantro, onions, Jack cheese, and a creamy avocado purée. We ordered it every time we went, until Ajo Al's added a new Rellenos Special to its menu. Chicken or Shrimp, stuffed into a spicy Hatch chile, dipped in batter and fried-it's our new fave! Also fabulous is the Tacos Del Mar platter: Grilled Pacific Hawaiian Ono tacos, served in soft corn tortillas with chipotle cream and cilantro slaw on the side. Don't miss out-get over to Al's!

2 articles

Ajo Al's

6990 E. Shea Blvd., Ste. 126 North Scottsdale

480-998-1734

Mexican, Menu

Whoever heard of Tacos Morongo? We hadn't, until we started dining each weekend at this popular Mexican diner. Now we're addicted to handmade corn tortillas stuffed with seasoned steak (or chicken, or shrimp) and dressed with fresh cilantro, onions, Jack cheese, and a creamy avocado purée. We ordered it every time we went, until Ajo Al's added a new Rellenos Special to its menu. Chicken or Shrimp, stuffed into a spicy Hatch chile, dipped in batter and fried-it's our new fave! Also fabulous is the Tacos Del Mar platter: Grilled Pacific Hawaiian Ono tacos, served in soft corn tortillas with chipotle cream and cilantro slaw on the side. Don't miss out-get over to Al's!

3 articles

Ajo Al's Mexican Cafe

7458 W. Bell Rd. Glendale

623-334-9899

Mexican, Restaurants, Menu

1 article

Alebrijes Cafe & Grill

4900 N. Litchfield Rd., Building B Litchfield Park

623-526-1881

Mexican, Best Of, Essentials

Plan ahead, and leave plenty of time for your meal at Alebrijes. This Litchfield Park restaurant is popular and often requires a wait. But the food is oh so worth it. The kitchen focuses on Oaxacan-style Mexican cuisine, with many of the dishes smothered in sweet, rich black mole or the slightly spicy red version. Stop by for brunch and order the chilaquiles and a coffee-infused cocktail. Or, stay a little later and enjoy a hearty burrito drenched in mole and paired with a fresh fruit-filled margarita. Make sure to check out the specials boards posted in multiple locations around the colorful dining room, which sometimes features spicy and satisfying bowls of pozole or sweet creations such as concha French toast.

1 article

America's Taco Shop

4447 N. 7th Ave. Central Phoenix

602-515-0856

Mexican, Restaurants, Menu

By popular vote, this place is the home of the best carne asada in the valley-not to mention some of the freshest food around. America's Taco Shop makes everything fresh daily, in house, often from locally grown ingredients. We dig the Torta Pastor, a sort of a Mexican sandwich of toasted telera bread, mayonnaise, guacamole, pastor, pineapple, tomato salsa, cilantro, and lettuce. Our vegetarian friends swear by the veggie quesadilla, a flour tortilla stuffed with Monterey jack cheese, lettuce, caramelized onions, and topped off with gobs of guacamole. Did we mention carne asada? Crammed into a freshly made flour tortilla, it's our favorite burrito filling. Add guacamole, caramelized onions and pico de gallo, and you've got a primo meal!

9 articles

America's Taco Shop

7001 E. 1st Ave. Central Scottsdale

480-278-7070

Mexican, Restaurants

2 articles

Antojitos Mi Pueblo

505 W. Dunlap Ave., Suite H North Phoenix

602-492-0944

Mexican, Best Of

1 article

Anyas Fresh Mexcian Restaurant

9240 N. 43rd Ave. Glendale

623-243-2504

Mexican, Restaurants

Arriba Mexican Grill

4649 E. Chandler Blvd. Ahwatukee

480-753-4453

Mexican, Restaurants, Menu

There are only a few Valley outposts of New Mexican-style Mexican food, which is typically hot and spicy. If you like to feel the burn, check out the carne adobada or chile colorado, both of which give off the lingering scorch of Hatch, New Mexico chiles. Nice touch: The traditional chips and salsa opener is served with a side of refried beans.

1 article

Arriba Mexican Grill

1812 E. Camelback Rd. East Phoenix

602-265-9112

Mexican, Best Of, Menu

There are only a few Valley outposts of New Mexican-style Mexican food, which is typically hot and spicy. If you like to feel the burn, check out the carne adobada or chile colorado, both of which give off the lingering scorch of Hatch, New Mexico chiles. Nice touch: The traditional chips and salsa opener is served with a side of refried beans.

3 articles

Arriba Mexican Grill

2855 S. Market St. Gilbert

480-899-7337

Mexican, Menu

There are only a few Valley outposts of New Mexican-style Mexican food, which is typically hot and spicy. If you like to feel the burn, check out the carne adobada or chile colorado, both of which give off the lingering scorch of Hatch, New Mexico chiles. Nice touch: The traditional chips and salsa opener is served with a side of refried beans.

Arriba Mexican Grill

17211 N. 79th Ave. Glendale

623-878-5777

Mexican, Best Of, Menu

There are only a few Valley outposts of New Mexican-style Mexican food, which is typically hot and spicy. If you like to feel the burn, check out the carne adobada or chile colorado, both of which give off the lingering scorch of Hatch, New Mexico chiles. Nice touch: The traditional chips and salsa opener is served with a side of refried beans.

2 articles

Arriba Mexican Grill

15236 N. Pima Rd. North Scottsdale

480-948-3030

Mexican, Best Of, Menu

There are only a few Valley outposts of New Mexican-style Mexican food, which is typically hot and spicy. If you like to feel the burn, check out the carne adobada or chile colorado, both of which give off the lingering scorch of Hatch, New Mexico chiles. Nice touch: The traditional chips and salsa opener is served with a side of refried beans.

3 articles

Asadero Norte De Sonora

122 N. 16th St. Central Phoenix

602-253-4010

Mexican, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Slideshow

Whether entering from the small parking lot or the surrounding neighborhood, you'll smell the kitchen — grilled meat, aromatic onions, some array of spices — before you even reach the doorway to Asadero Norte De Sonora. Asadero may be one of the coziest Mexican restaurants in the Valley. The dining room is homey and brightly lit, with picnic-style benches and tile-top tables. A TV is going, and a server is rushing around trays of water, tall glasses of horchata, Mexican Cokes, and complimentary chips and salsa. It can feel like a casual waiting room — with patrons chewing while checking their phones or eyeing a soap opera — or an ideal date or family dinner spot. But above all, it's the food that draws in all who sit here or glide in for to-go orders. Recommended dishes listed on the laminated menu (always backdropped by a photo of Havasupai Falls) include the barbacoa burrito, baked costilla, and lengua stuffed into tacos, tortas, and/or burros. The best part? Most meals won't run beyond $10 — unless you blow some change at the toy-vending quarter machines. New Normal: Asadero Norte De Sonora's popular picnic-table seating is more spaced out than ever inside. Takeout is always available, too.

23 articles

Asadero Toro

1715 W. McDowell Rd. Central Phoenix

602-340-9310

Mexican, Best Of, Menu

Asadero Toro is the kind of nondescript, standalone Mexican restaurant that seems to fade into the metro Phoenix landscape without notice. But if you're the kind of Mexican food aficionado who can appreciate a well-made side of beans, it's worth taking note of Asadero Toro. First, there's the bean and cheese burrito, a simple classic that nevertheless has been known to produce feelings of immeasurable joy. Then there's the simple side of beans, which you can order with pretty much anything on the menu. The beans are about as creamy as melted Brie, and lovingly seasoned to extract intense flavor from the humble legume. It may not be fancy, but it's delicious.

5 articles

Asi Es La Vida

3602 N. 24th St. East Phoenix

602-955-2926

Mexican, Dessert, Seafood, Southwestern, Spanish, Best Of, Slideshow

The cuisine at this casual-upscale Mexican restaurant in Central Phoenix is nearly as gratifying now as it was over 20 years ago, when then-owner and founder Moises Treves first brought his gourmet dishes celebrating the regions of Mexico to the Valley. Given its age, the building may seem a bit frayed, but inside, its softly lit rooms decorated with tables topped with white linen, paintings of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, and lazily spinning ceiling fans, make for an intimate place to unwind -- perhaps with a glass of sangria and outstanding dishes like an Acapulco-style shrimp cocktail, a heady soup, and outstanding signature plates of thinly sliced top sirloin, Veracruz-style fish, and enormous butterflied and garlicky shrimp you'd be forgiven for picking up and eating right out of their skins. Read our review.

12 articles

Aunt Chilada's

2019 W. Baseline Rd. Tempe

602-431-6470

Mexican

This brightly decorated restaurant inside the Arizona Grand Resort serves margaritas & classic Mexican favorites.

Mexican in Phoenix

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