Tex-Mex in Phoenix

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

Blue Sage

5350 E. Marriott Dr. North Phoenix

480-293-5000

American, Breakfast/Brunch, Brunch, Buffet, Mexican, Southwestern, Tex-Mex, Recommended

It's a creation by nationally renowned chef Mark Miller, but don't expect to see him - this is a corporate spin-off that simply hints at his famous Coyote Cafe of Santa Fe. Some dishes are first-rate, like soups and steaks. Others are resort fare fancied up with lots of spice.

1 article

Casa Carmen

6840 N. 35th Ave. West Phoenix

602-973-8556

American, Mexican, Tex-Mex

1 article

Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill

1744 S. Val Vista Mesa

480-633-8226

American, Mexican, South American, Southwestern, Tex-Mex, Best Of, Menu

There are lots of homegrown options for Mexican food in Arizona, but we have to hand it to one Utah-based chain restaurant for serving fresh, healthy food: Costa Vida. There are three locations in Arizona: Mesa, Queen Creek, and the newest location in Goodyear, which has online ordering capability. Costa Vida serves standards like burritos, tacos, enchiladas, nachos, and quesadillas, but we really love the salads, served on a tortilla hand-crafted with stone-ground flour. Top the leafy greens with sweet pork, grilled chicken, shredded beef, raspberry chipotle chicken, mango chicken, or grilled steak to get your protein fix, and then choose tomatillo ranch, cilantro lime vinaigrette, or sweet and smooth mango dressing. The brand is also working to make its food as gluten-free as possible, including sauces, dressings, and meats. It’s easy to avoid wheat gluten; just be sure not to have the flour or whole wheat tortilla or two of the desserts, tres leches cake and key lime pie.

1 article

Denny's

5002 N. 7th St. Central Phoenix

602-279-7721

American, Breakfast/Brunch, Diner, Fast Food, Mexican, New American, Tex-Mex, Traditional, Best Of

The very first Denny's opened in Lakewood, California in 1954, and over the past six decades the company has constructed a global empire 1,600 locations strong. Breakfast classics like the Grand Slam and Moons Over My Hammy have stood the test of time, bringing loyal customers back to the always-open coffee shop-diner year after year, but the menu also includes lunch and dinner items from club sandwiches to spaghetti and meatballs. Denny's has managed to stay current after all these years with newfangled creations like the Hobbit movie tie-in menu, which offers Middle Earth-inspired items from Frodo's Pot Roast Skillet to The Ring Burger--indulgent dishes that will have late-night Phoenix diners claiming them as their precious. When it comes to finding your local Denny's, Voice Places never closes.

3 articles

Dos Gringos

8000 S. Priest Rd. Tempe

480-753-4577

American, Bar Food, Mexican, Tex-Mex, Bars and Clubs, Readers' Choice

After Dos Gringos Trailer Park closed in 2009, college kids and Tempe day drinkers alike were left without one of their favorite spots to grab a bucket of Coronas and a giant burrito first thing in the morning. Thankfully, the drinking gods have blessed them with a brand new drinking hole that's just as much fun as its predecessor. Closer to Ahwatukee than ASU, the newer Tempe eating and drinking spot retains everything we love about Dos Gringos but with more of a mixed clientele (read: more than just ASU students). Grab a Corona or Gringorita while enjoying the beautiful Arizona weather (well, five months out of the year at any rate). Indoor and outdoor seating is available, as are several food and drink specials during the weekday happy hour, every Monday through Friday. Weekends tend to get a little crazy, so leave the kids (or parents) at home.

6 articles

La Guadalupana Restaurante

2243 N 16th St. Central Phoenix

602-254-5114

American, Mexican, Tex-Mex

1 article

Las Glorias Grill

7835 N. 19th Ave. North Phoenix

602-944-8457

Mexican, Tex-Mex, Best Of, Menu

Want to sit down and enjoy a Mexican dinner rather than picking it up at a drive-thru window? Las Glorias Grill is a great place to hang out, relax, and spend no more than you would on fast food. On Wednesday nights, the tender whitefish tacos are 99 cents apiece. The fish is grilled then folded inside a warm corn tortilla, garnished with crumbly white cheese, lettuce, and a surprisingly light sauce that doesn’t overpower the light fish. Don’t like fish? Stop in any time on Thursday when all tacos are $1.25. The screaming deal gets even better when you pair a couple tacos with some margaritas, which are 99 cents all day, every day. Las Glorias also serves some tasty Tex-Mex, like chimichangas and tortilla soup, as well as breakfast platters like huevos rancheros and chilaquiles. And on the weekend, cure your hangover with a bowl of fresh menudo.

3 articles

Ricky's Authentic Mexican Food

7323 E. Shoeman Lane Central Scottsdale

602-476-1499

American, Mexican, Tex-Mex

1 article

Rusty Spur Saloon

7245 E. Main St. Central Scottsdale

480-425-7787

American, Tex-Mex, Bars and Clubs, Music Venues, Best Of, Readers' Choice, DrinkHere

A genuine historic landmark, the Rusty Spur fits Old Town Scottsdale’s penchant for Western kitsch like a tasseled glove. The compact building started life as a circa-1920s savings and loan (the city’s first), later becoming a saloon in 1958. Back then, liquor was stored in the vault and cowboys and cowgirls slaked their thirsts. These days, Rusty Spur still serves the Wrangler-wearing crowd, as well as tourists, locals and the occasional celebrity. Vince Vaughn, Jennifer Aniston, and Post Malone have all been sighted here. It packs as much rustic charm and kitsch as ever, from the wagon-wheel chandelier overhead and cheeky bar stools shaped like the legs and posteriors of can-can girls to the license plate collection, mounted deer heads, dollar bills and antiques decorating every inch of space. Local country, Americana and rockabilly artists rip it up on a tiny corner stage daily and nightly, creating a party atmosphere where patrons dance if they can find room. Yee-haw.

7 articles

Sandbar Mexican Grill

10050 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale Paradise Valley

480-998-8845

American, Mexican, Tex-Mex, Bars and Clubs, Menu

9 articles

Z'Tejas Southwestern Grill

7014 E. Camelback Rd. Central Scottsdale

480-946-4171

American, Brunch, Grill, Mexican, Southwestern, Tex-Mex, Best Of

This Southwestern grill originated in Austin, Texas, and first expanded in 1991 with a second location in Scottsdale. Since then, it’s spread throughout the Valley to Phoenix, Tempe, and Chandler, serving it’s version of Tex-Mex with a few outside influences. Starters include catfish beignets with cornmeal-crusted catfish and jalapeno tartar sauce as well as raw ahi chipotle citrus bites, a ceviche with mango, jicama, and avocado wasabi aioli above crispy tostada rounds. But what Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill does best is grill. From seasoned chicken topped with nopalitos salad to green chile barbacoa, the meat entrées are outstanding. Other mouthwatering options include five-cheese macaroni with achiote chicken and toasted bacon gratin, grilled ruby trout salad with spicy walnuts and goat cheese, and smoked chicken chile relleno with pecans, apricots, raisins, and Jack cheese. The best time to hit up this chain is during happy hour, when a small plate of seared sesame ahi tuna, normally over $20, can be had for a mere $6.

16 articles

Z'Tejas Southwestern Grill

20 W. Sixth St. Tempe

480-377-1170

American, Brunch, Mexican, Southwestern, Tex-Mex, Best Of

This Southwestern grill originated in Austin, Texas, and first expanded in 1991 with a second location in Scottsdale. Since then, it’s spread throughout the Valley to Phoenix, Tempe, and Chandler, serving it’s version of Tex-Mex with a few outside influences. Starters include catfish beignets with cornmeal-crusted catfish and jalapeno tartar sauce as well as raw ahi chipotle citrus bites, a ceviche with mango, jicama, and avocado wasabi aioli above crispy tostada rounds. But what Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill does best is grill. From seasoned chicken topped with nopalitos salad to green chile barbacoa, the meat entrées are outstanding. Other mouthwatering options include five-cheese macaroni with achiote chicken and toasted bacon gratin, grilled ruby trout salad with spicy walnuts and goat cheese, and smoked chicken chile relleno with pecans, apricots, raisins, and Jack cheese. The best time to hit up this chain is during happy hour, when a small plate of seared sesame ahi tuna, normally over $20, can be had for a mere $6.

13 articles

Tex-Mex in Phoenix

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