Top Pick: Macayo’s
Macayo’s Mexican Kitchen has been delivering great Mexican food to this great southwest city for well over a decade. Consistency and quality seem to be the theme for these Mexican kitchens with eight Phoenix locations to choose from. The Margarita’s are a hit and were good enough for President Obama when in town and a Yelp review loved the “…free chips and salsa while you wait for your food.” Another Yelp reviewer suggested the “Crunchy Chicken Tacos” which are “amazing.” Large groups are welcome with CitySearch mentioning that a party of 13 received service that was “friendly, fun, fast and accurate” with “extremely tasty food.” Great service, Margarita’s, food and fun seem to make Macayo’s the natural choice for Mexican food in Phoenix.
Review Stats: 4 out of 5 stars on Metromix, Google, CitySearch and Yahoo reviews.
Click here to find Macayo’s eight Phoenix locations.
The Phoenix Mexican Restaurant Scene
When it comes to Mexican food in Phoenix it is definetly considered the king of cuisine in the metro area. There are literally hundreds upon hundreds of Mexican restaurants in the Valley. The restaurants span from family owned single locations to large corporations that have expanded on the general Mexican menu and have put their own spin on the Mexican influence. The reason for Mexican being a mainstay in the Phoenix market is obvious. Phoenix has a large Latin influence and with our proximity to Mexico many locals consider Mexican food to be the staple of our many different styles of food. There are also many restaurants that have franchised around the area and serve Mexican food along with great drink specials. These favorite Mexican hangouts include Dos Gringos, Salty Senoritas, and San Felipe Cantina. However, there are many single locations that really illustrate the pride that is taken in Mexican cuisine in Arizona.
Pepe’s Taco Villa is one of the more famous Mexican restaurants in all of Arizona. The restaurant may be out of the way but it is more than worth it for the food. Pepe’s is located at 2108 W. Camelback Rd. in Phoenix. The restaurant became famous with their Tacos rancheros, which is spicy, shredded pork lathered with adobo paste. They also have a famous green-corn tamale, authentic imported air-dried beef and chiles rellenos that are perfect with a margarita from the full bar. Don’t leave without trying the sensational mole, a rich, exotic sauce fashioned from chiles and chocolate.
Maria Maria is one of the newer Mexican food spots in the Valley; however it has qucikly made a name for itself. Maria Maria is located at the fairly new Tempe Marketplace at 2000 East Rio Salado Parkway Ste K-1 in Tempe. When you step inside Maria Maria, you will be transported through smell, sight and sound to the Pacific Coast of Mexico. The adventurous menu showcases the complexity of Mexico’s diverse regions, balancing innovation and tradition, spice and sweetness and the freshest, highest quality ingredients throughout
The Barrio Café is arguably the best Mexican restaurant in Arizona. The Barrio Café is located at 2814 N. 16th St in Phoenix. It can be best described as superb Mexican food in a funky setting. You can expect guacamole prepared tableside and modern Mexican specialties such as slow-roasted pork with red achiote and sour orange, and chiles en Nogada, a delicious traditional dish from Central Mexico featuring a spicy poblano pepper stuffed with fruit, chicken, and raisins. They also have fantastic tamales in red mole sauce, phenomenal Chile-infused soups and a striking Chile stuffed with fruit, and chicken and cheese are the stars. The flavor-packed food consistently draws packs of people but you can drink in the intimate atmosphere—and a specialty margarita—while you wait for a table. From the chiles en nogada which are stuffed with fruit, garlic, onions and chicken to the Yucatan-spiced roast pork, chef Silvana Salcido Esparza’s fare is a worth every penny.
The Mini Mercado Oaxaca has become a fixture in its central Phoenix location at 9407 N. Central Ave. This Oaxaca market/restaurant showcases gems from Mexico’s premier culinary region. Look for tlayuda, a crisp Mexican tortilla pizza topped with cheese, beans, chicken, tomato, cabbage, avocado and sensual, smoky salsa; fragrant Oaxaca tamales, rich chicken mole and dreamy chilaquiles, a tortilla chip casserole fashioned with chiles, cheese and grilled beef.
Rosa’s Mexican Grill is a very laid-back Mexican restaurant that most definetly caters to the college students that frequent the establishment, as well as many families looking for a quick bite to eat and looking for some great Mexican food at the same time. Rosa’s is located at 328 E. University Dr in Mesa. This festive, family-friendly restaurant summons up images of a Baja beach taco stand. The tacos are Rosa’s true glory: beef, pork, and chicken are marinated in fruit juices and herbs for twelve hours and then slowly oven-baked for another ten, then shredded and charbroiled. The fish taco is in a class by itself. Spoon on one of Rosa’s five fresh homemade salsas including the fiery habanero version.
Mariscos El Malecon is for the person that is looking for Mexican infused Seafood and this restaurant certainly does not disappoint. Mariscos El Malecon is located at 3801 W. Indian School Road in Phoenix. The restaurant has some wonderful Mexican seafood, including a filet espuma; tilapia and shrimp coated in creamy cheese sauce, sealed in aluminum foil and steamed. Shrimp is expertly handled, especially the butter flied shrimp grilled in the shell. Seafood cocktails and tostada ceviches also shine as well.