10 Must Try Mexican Restaurants in Phoenix

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mexican restaurants

We are so lucky that Phoenix has such an abundance of amazing Mexican restuarants to enjoy. It would be impossible to pick just one favorite, so here are ten must-try Phoenix Mexican restaurants and a few reasons we love them!


Los Reyes de la Torta: Recommended for a giant menu full of options, and tortas of course
This restaurant has become a Phoenix staple over the last two decades and offers over 120 menu choices, including plentiful options of their tortas. They focus on mexico-city style food with local ingredients. If you are a hardcore carnivore, the Del Rey torta includes ham, pork sirloin, breaded beef, and a sausage-chorizo omelet. They also have a wide array of non-alcoholic specialty drinks the whole family will enjoy.
Located at: 9230 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85020

El Bravo exterior picture

El Bravo: Recommended for tamales and traditional flavors
In spite of the bold colors and their mascot bull on the front of the restaurant, El Bravo may look unassuming from the outside, but inside you will find traditional Mexican flavors and recipes that this family owned business has been serving since the 1980s. They also sell a variety of tamales by the dozen if you order in advance.
Located at: 8338 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85020

Barrio Cafe: Recommended for more than your usual vegetarian optionspicture of a bowl of guacamole with pomegranate seeds in it
Mexican restaurants can be a struggle for those who don’t eat meat. While the Barrio Cafe has plenty of options for meat eaters as well, vegetarians in your party will never be stuck with a plain quesadilla or questionable veggie fajitas here. The options are unique and delicious including vegan posole, papas barrio (fried fingerling potatoes with spicy ketchup), and the famous table side guacamole which features pomegranate and is absolutely worth the splurge.
Located at: 2814 N 16th St, Phoenix, AZ 85006

Some Burros: Recommended for the best quality drive thru option
Someburros has several locations, but it was particularly thrilling when their Phoenix location on 7th street opened with a drive through! This restaurant is family owned by the Vasquez family, a name associated with Phoenix Mexican food since 1972 when they opened Ponchos. Aside from some truly delicious chips and salsa, make sure to check out the Someburros specials, most of which are enchilada style burros- pro tip: if, like my husband, you can’t choose between red and green enchilada sauce, you might want to try the Rod Burro.
Location: 5115 N. 7th St. Phoenix, AZ 85014


Los Dos Molinos: Recommended for adding some spice to your life
If you enjoy having your mouth feel a little bit of fire, then you need to add Los Dos Molinos to your list. Another family owned Phoenix staple, it was opened by Victoria and Eddie Chavez, who named the restaurant after two chili grinders they owned, and is now run by the Chavez children and grandchildren. The food is New Mexican influenced and most of their menu items have a good kick. The specialties include Adovada Ribs, New Mexico Chili Stew, and the Relleno Burrito; all of them come with the warning that the food “is spicy! You order it, you own it.”

Located at: 1044 E. Camelback Rd. Phoenix, AZ 80516

Otro Cafe: Recommended for brunch almost any day of the weekpicture of a large flapjack covered in whipped cream and caramel alongside a mimosa on a colorful table
Brunch should not be saved for the weekends! Luckily, Otro cafe serves brunch every day of the week (except Mondays when they are closed!) and they have a huge selection of menu choices, including breakfast burritos, tortas, and of course avocado toast. Though, we won’t judge you if you decide to skip all the normal brunch selections and go straight to the sweet selections on the “Postres” part of the menu which includes Dulce de Leche Flan, Tarta de Limon, or their Cajeta Flapjack!
Located at: 6035 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85014

Joyride Tacos: Recommended for a great taco Tuesday deal
Joyride has an array of Tacos on their menu including gluten free options and one veggie option, and these tacos are only less than $4 each on Taco Tuesday from 2 PM to close. (We also listed them in our National Taco Day post.) You can pair your tacos with happy hour priced drinks on those Tuesdays as well. Don’t forget to close out your night with some churros- whether that be in all their original deliciousness, Flinstones style, or as a sundae. Editor’s note: if you order the Veg-Out burrito, add chicken, and ask for it chimi style, you will not be sorry! Street corn mixed with guac makes an excellent dip for those chips while you wait, and a blood orange margarita or the Tropicale makes a delicious companion to a yummy dinner. This place is super casual and fun, but the food is so good it makes it feel special. Joyride quickly became our family’s celebration spot.
Located at: 5202 N Central Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85012

Chino Bandido: Recommended for fusion food like no other

When you are in the mood for a burrito orpicture of a Chino Bandido combo with refried beans, a quesadilla, and chicken quesadilla but you want something a little different, head to Chino for some Mexican Asian fusion. The restaurant was started by a husband and wife team to embrace their respective roots. You can try a Jade Red Chicken Burrito or get a delicious Chile Relleno over Pork Fried Rice. The combo may sound strange if you have never tried it, but trust me this is a place where out of town friends beg to come each time they visit Arizona.
Located at: 310 W Bell Road, Phoenix, AZ 85023

 

Picture of Carolina's Mexican Restaurant exteriorCarolina’s: Recommended for homemade tortillas and that “this is home” feeling
When you think of Phoenix Mexican restaurants, this is a staple. Carolina’s proudly shares that they have been using their Valenzuala family recipes since the 1960s. While their restaurant may seem a little informal compared to some on this list, their fresh, homemade tortillas do not disappoint and are served with their breakfast, lunch, and dinner options so you can enjoy them throughout the day whether you order from their North Phoenix location at 2126 East Cactus Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85022, or the original South Phoenix location.

Torchy’s Tacos: Recommended for getting ahead of the curve… and all the queso

If you have any friends in major Texas metropolitan areas, you have probably heard them boast about Torchy’s Tacos. Well their gloating days are over because this Tex-Mex chain is coming to Phoenix this summer. I haven’t had their queso in over a decade and I still dream about it. Pro tip: If you order your taco at Torchy’s and say, “Make it trashy” they will nix the lettuce and add that delicious queso right onto your taco.
Located at: 1935 E. Camelback Rd Phoenix, AZ 85016 

Los Sombreros: I know we said 10 but we had to add this one to the list as well!Los Sombreros Elote

Some of the best elote I’ve ever eaten has been at Los Sombreros. You want to eat it with chips, eat it on your tacos or let’s get real…eat it by the spoonful! During the summer months they host Oaxacan inspired patio parties with breakfast buffet, taco bar and icy cold drinks. Located: 322 E. Camelback Rd.Phoenix, AZ 85012 (also in Scottsdale and Mesa)

What are your favorite menu items at these restaurants? Did one of your favorite Mexican restaurants make the list?

14 COMMENTS

    • Hi there! If you click on the restaurant name, it will take you to their website that will give you all the restaurant information, including location.

    • Hi! All of the restaurant names link to their websites, but I’ve edited this post in case having an address listed in the post could help other readers as well. Do be advised that several of these restaurants have several locations and in the interest of keeping the post easily readable I have only listed one, for more information you can click on any of the restaurant names and go to their website for more information. Thanks!

  1. Not even close! Did you forget Rito’s restaurant? Rito’s blows away the majority of your picks by far and is one of the oldest next to Carolina’s and the food at Rito’s is the best!

  2. What a great article— a good reminder of some old favorites, and the addition of some new restaurants to try! Now I know what I’m doing next Taco Tuesday!

  3. Oh wow all of these make me SO homesick! I can’t wait to get back to Phoenix and check every one of these off my list 🙂 Thanks for new recs!

  4. This list is great! We are always craving Mexican but never know where to go so I’ll definitely be referencing this in the future. Yum!!

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