ArizonaCityLiving.com Top Mexican Restaurants in Arizona:
Arizona, with its rich culinary tapestry, offers a delectable journey through Mexican cuisine that’s nothing short of extraordinary. From the northern deserts to the southern borderlands, the Grand Canyon State is home to a vibrant array of Mexican restaurants, each with its own unique charm and flavors. In this gastronomic adventure, we’ll explore the top 55 Mexican restaurants in Arizona, showcasing the authentic tastes, culinary traditions, and hidden gems that make this southwestern state a haven for Mexican food enthusiasts.
Arizona’s affinity for Mexican cuisine runs deep, influenced by a blend of Sonoran, Sinaloan, Oaxacan, and other regional flavors. Whether you’re a fan of sizzling street tacos, smoky carne asada, rich mole, or fresh seafood, there’s a Mexican restaurant in Arizona waiting to tantalize your taste buds.
Our carefully curated list encompasses a wide range of dining experiences, from unassuming family-owned taquerias to upscale eateries that put a modern twist on traditional dishes. We’ve scoured the state, from bustling cities to charming small towns, to bring you the best of the best.
As we journey through this culinary landscape, you’ll discover the stories behind these restaurants, the chefs who pour their hearts into each dish, and the communities that have embraced them. Whether you’re a local resident seeking a new favorite spot or a visitor eager to savor Arizona’s flavors, this list has something for everyone.
Prepare to embark on a flavorful exploration of Arizona’s Mexican restaurant scene. From the moment you step through their doors, you’ll be greeted with the warm hospitality that characterizes Mexican culture. So, loosen your belt, summon your appetite, and get ready to indulge in the Top 55 Mexican Restaurants in Arizona.
As we wrap up this culinary journey through Arizona’s vibrant Mexican restaurant scene, we’ve had the pleasure of introducing you to the top 55 Mexican restaurants in the Grand Canyon State. From the sizzling streets of Phoenix to the charming corners of Tucson and beyond, Arizona’s love for Mexican cuisine knows no bounds.
- Barrio Cafe
- El Güero Canelo
- City: Tucson
- Reason they are famous: Famous for its Sonoran-style hot dogs, El Güero Canelo is a beloved spot for those seeking authentic Mexican street food.
- Los Dos Molinos
- City: Phoenix
- Reason they are famous: Los Dos Molinos is renowned for its spicy New Mexican cuisine, especially its fiery red and green chile dishes.
- Carolina’s Mexican Food
- City: Phoenix
- Reason they are famous: Carolina’s is famous for its homemade Mexican fare, particularly its delicious tamales and burritos.
- Tacos Chiwas
- City: Phoenix
- Reason they are famous: Tacos Chiwas is celebrated for its flavorful and authentic tacos, made with high-quality ingredients and traditional recipes.
- Gadzooks Enchiladas & Soup
- City: Phoenix
- Reason they are famous: Gadzooks is known for its build-your-own enchiladas and delicious soups, offering a customizable Mexican dining experience.
- Barrio Queen
- City: Scottsdale
- Reason they are famous: Barrio Queen is known for its upscale take on Mexican cuisine, offering a diverse menu with a modern twist on traditional dishes.
- El Norteno
- City: Phoenix
- Reason they are famous: El Norteno is a popular spot for authentic Sonoran-style Mexican food, especially its carne asada and burritos.
- Asadero Toro
- City: Phoenix
- Reason they are famous: Asadero Toro is famous for its grilled meats, including mouthwatering carne asada and tacos al pastor.
- Tacos Tijuana
- City: Phoenix
- Reason they are famous: Tacos Tijuana is celebrated for its street-style tacos and other Mexican favorites, offering a taste of Tijuana in Arizona.
- Mi Nidito Restaurant
- City: Tucson
- Reason they are famous: Mi Nidito is renowned for its authentic Tucson-style Mexican food, including its famous chimichangas and enchiladas.
- Ranch Market Taqueria
- City: Phoenix
- Reason they are famous: Located inside the Ranch Market grocery store, this taqueria is known for its diverse selection of tacos and Mexican street food.
- Comedor Guadalajara
- City: Phoenix
- Reason they are famous: Comedor Guadalajara is famous for its traditional Mexican dishes, including birria, menudo, and carne asada.
- Los Taquitos
- City: Phoenix
- Reason they are famous: Los Taquitos is popular for its flavorful tacos, homemade salsas, and a variety of authentic Mexican dishes.
- La Santisima Gourmet Taco Shop
- City: Phoenix
- Reason they are famous: La Santisima is known for its gourmet tacos with unique and fresh ingredients, as well as its extensive salsa bar.
- Otro Café
- City Location: Phoenix
- Reason they are famous: Otro Café is known for its inventive Mexican cuisine with a focus on using locally sourced and fresh ingredients. Their menu features a variety of tacos, enchiladas, and creative cocktails.
- La Tolteca
- City Location: Tempe
- Reason they are famous: La Tolteca is famous for its traditional Mexican dishes, including mole enchiladas, chiles rellenos, and a cozy, family-friendly atmosphere.
- The Barrio
- City Location: Gilbert
- Reason they are famous: The Barrio offers an extensive menu of Mexican classics with a modern twist, including their popular street corn and creative margaritas.
- Barrio Gran Reserva
- City Location: Tucson
- Reason they are famous: Barrio Gran Reserva is known for its upscale Mexican dining experience, featuring dishes like duck carnitas and an extensive tequila and mezcal selection.
- Frank & Lupe’s El Sombrero
- City Location: Scottsdale
- Reason they are famous: Frank & Lupe’s El Sombrero is famous for its Sonoran-style Mexican food, including chimichangas, enchiladas, and their signature salsa.
- The Original Carolina’s
- City Location: Phoenix
- Reason they are famous: The Original Carolina’s is renowned for its delicious and authentic Mexican fare, especially its red chile burritos and homemade tortillas.
- Cocina Madrigal
- City Location: Phoenix
- Reason they are famous: Cocina Madrigal is known for its modern take on traditional Mexican cuisine, offering unique dishes like cochinita pibil tacos and grilled street corn.
- Los Reyes de la Torta
- City Location: Phoenix
- Reason they are famous: Los Reyes de la Torta is famous for its enormous tortas (Mexican sandwiches) filled with a variety of meats and toppings, as well as their authentic Mexican street food.
- Mariscos Ensenada
- City Location: Phoenix
- Reason they are famous: Mariscos Ensenada specializes in seafood dishes inspired by the coastal cuisine of Ensenada, Mexico, offering ceviche, tostadas, and shrimp cocktails.
- El Bravo Mexican Food
- City Location: Phoenix
- Reason they are famous: El Bravo is known for its flavorful green corn tamales, enchiladas, and other traditional Mexican dishes.
- Los Olivos Mexican Patio
- City Location: Scottsdale
- Reason they are famous: Los Olivos Mexican Patio is famous for its charming patio dining experience and classic Mexican dishes like tamales and enchiladas.
- Taqueria Don Beto
- City Location: Mesa
- Reason they are famous: Taqueria Don Beto is celebrated for its authentic street tacos with a variety of fillings and homemade salsas.
- El Tlacoyo
- City Location: Phoenix
- Reason they are famous: El Tlacoyo is known for its traditional Mexican antojitos, including tlacoyos, huaraches, and sopes, all made with fresh masa.
- Ta’Carbon
- City Location: Phoenix
- Reason they are famous: Ta’Carbon is famous for its delicious carne asada and al pastor tacos, cooked on an open charcoal grill, and served with homemade tortillas.
- Taqueria Los Yaquis
- City Location: Tucson
- Reason they are famous: Taqueria Los Yaquis is celebrated for its authentic Mexican street tacos and carne asada, known for its tender and flavorful meat.
- Birrieria Tijuana
- City Location: Phoenix
- Reason they are famous: Birrieria Tijuana is famous for its birria (slow-cooked stewed meat), especially its birria tacos and consommé.
- La Santisima Gourmet Taco Shop (Different location)
- City Location: Chandler
- Reason they are famous: Similar to the original location, La Santisima in Chandler is known for its gourmet tacos with unique and fresh ingredients and an extensive salsa bar.
- Gadzooks Enchiladas & Soup (Different location)
- City Location: Scottsdale
- Reason they are famous: Gadzooks offers a build-your-own enchilada experience with a variety of fillings and sauces, as well as delicious soups.
- El Norteno (Different location)
- City Location: Mesa
- Reason they are famous: El Norteno continues to be popular for its authentic Sonoran-style Mexican food, including carne asada and burritos.
- Tacos Tijuana (Different location)
- City Location: Mesa
- Reason they are famous: Tacos Tijuana’s additional location in Mesa offers the same delicious street-style tacos and Mexican favorites as the original spot in Phoenix.
- Tacos Atoyac
- City Location: Phoenix
- Reason they are famous: Tacos Atoyac is famous for its authentic Oaxacan cuisine, including delicious mole dishes, tlayudas, and flavorful tacos.
- Gadzooks Enchiladas & Soup (Different location)
- City Location: Phoenix
- Reason they are famous: Similar to the original location, Gadzooks offers a build-your-own enchilada experience with a variety of fillings and sauces, as well as delicious soups.
- The Drowning Taco
- City Location: Tempe
- Reason they are famous: The Drowning Taco is known for its creative and delicious taco creations, including unique flavor combinations and homemade tortillas.
- Los Compadres Mexican Food
- City Location: Phoenix
- Reason they are famous: Los Compadres is celebrated for its traditional Mexican food, including chiles rellenos, tamales, and hearty breakfast options.
- Cocina 10 at Crescent Ballroom
- City Location: Phoenix
- Reason they are famous: Cocina 10 offers Mexican street food with a modern twist, and it’s particularly famous for its street corn and gourmet tacos.
- Taqueria La Hacienda
- City Location: Phoenix
- Reason they are famous: Taqueria La Hacienda is known for its authentic and affordable tacos, with a wide range of meat choices and fresh salsas.
- La Santisima Gourmet Taco Shop (Different location)
- City Location: Glendale
- Reason they are famous: This additional location of La Santisima is famous for its gourmet tacos with unique and fresh ingredients, as well as its extensive salsa bar.
- Mucho Macho Taco
- City Location: Scottsdale
- Reason they are famous: Mucho Macho Taco is celebrated for its large and delicious tacos, creative salsas, and laid-back atmosphere.
- Tacos Huicho
- City Location: Tucson
- Reason they are famous: Tacos Huicho is known for its authentic and flavorful tacos, especially its carne asada and al pastor options.
- Rosita’s Place
- City Location: Phoenix
- Reason they are famous: Rosita’s Place is famous for its family recipes, homemade tortillas, and classic Mexican dishes like chiles rellenos and enchiladas.
- Taqueria El Fundador
- City Location: Phoenix
- Reason they are famous: Taqueria El Fundador is celebrated for its authentic Mexican street tacos, with a focus on simple yet delicious flavors.
- Barrio Queen (Different location)
- City Location: Scottsdale
- Reason they are famous: The additional location of Barrio Queen offers the same upscale take on Mexican cuisine, featuring a diverse menu with a modern twist on traditional dishes.
- Taqueria El Gallo de Lagos
- City Location: Glendale
- Reason they are famous: Taqueria El Gallo de Lagos is known for its affordable and flavorful tacos, including options like lengua (beef tongue) and cabeza (beef head). Rito’s Mexican Food
- City Location: Phoenix
- Reason they are famous: Rito’s is famous for its massive burritos and green chile, creating a loyal following of fans.
- Birrieria La Comadre
- City Location: Tucson
- Reason they are famous: Birrieria La Comadre is celebrated for its tender and flavorful birria, served in various forms, including tacos and consommé.
- El Tlacoyo (Different location)
- City Location: Mesa
- Reason they are famous: The additional location of El Tlacoyo continues to be known for its traditional Mexican antojitos, including tlacoyos, huaraches, and sopes, all made with fresh masa.
- Tacos Kissi
- City Location: Glendale
- Reason they are famous: Tacos Kissi is famous for its mouthwatering street tacos with a variety of meats and homemade salsas.
- Cocina Madrigal (Different location)
- City Location: Chandler
- Reason they are famous: Cocina Madrigal’s additional location in Chandler offers the same modern take on traditional Mexican cuisine, featuring unique dishes like cochinita pibil tacos and grilled street corn.
- Taqueria Don Beto (Different location)
- City Location: Tempe
- Reason they are famous: Taqueria Don Beto’s additional location in Tempe continues to be celebrated for its authentic street tacos with a variety of fillings and homemade salsas.
- Tacos Jalisco
- City Location: Phoenix
- Reason they are famous: Tacos Jalisco is known for its flavorful and affordable tacos, offering a wide range of meat choices and traditional Mexican flavors.
These restaurants, each with its own unique story and flavors, embody the essence of Mexican culinary traditions. Whether you’re seeking the comfort of time-honored family recipes or the excitement of modern interpretations of classic dishes, Arizona’s Mexican dining scene has something to offer every palate.
But our exploration doesn’t have to end here. If you’re hungry for more information, tips, and recommendations about the best places to eat and explore in Arizona, look no further than ArizonaCityLiving.com. This resource-rich website is your gateway to discovering the hidden gems, local favorites, and cultural treasures that make Arizona such a remarkable place to live or visit.
So, whether you’re a resident looking to uncover new culinary delights in your own backyard or a traveler planning your next Arizona adventure, let Arizona City Living be your trusted companion in navigating all that this beautiful state has to offer.
As you venture out to explore the diverse Mexican restaurant scene in Arizona, remember that the joy of discovery lies not only in the flavors on your plate but also in the stories behind each dish and the warm hospitality of the communities that welcome you with open arms.
Thank you for joining us on this flavorful journey, and may your future dining experiences in Arizona be filled with delicious memories and culinary delights.
