The Best Places to Get Tacos in the Valley

Let ’s get one affair direct : Phoenix tacos can run with the full of ‘em . We ’re look at you LA , San Diego , and Austin . Our greaser scene is often underappreciated by outsiders and it ’s eminent time that misconception gets put to bed .

Need we cue you that the Valley is home to the nation ’s first taco festival , more than its fair share of nationally make out taquerias , and even a James Beard Award - winning greaser connaisseur ? To aid you make the most of your Taco Tuesdays ( and Wednesdays , and Thursdays , and any day that terminate with a " y " ) we ’ve lash out up our top spots and wax poetic about their must - sample tacos .

Diego Pops

Old Town ScottsdaleDiego Pops has been a favorite of the Arizona Taco Festival and is one of the trendiest spots in Scottsdale ’s booming nightlife neighborhood , so it ’s worth checking out . If you do – and you should – order up the braised pineapple plant pork wetback . It wonderfully integrate of the tropical flavor of pineapple flavor with a smoky pork barrel – kind of like the name paint a picture . While a dim-witted selection , that cotija cheese and house coleslaw topping takes it to a whole Modern level .

Joyride Taco House

Central Phoenix ( & Gilbert)This fun , upbeat spot is home to some of the simpler , yet most satisfying tacos in the Valley . The carte ’s crown jewel , the Standard , features chicken , avocado , Mexican slaw , and just the right amount of spicery from the aji amarillo , the Standard is made on a corn tortilla and come in at just under $ 4 . certain , it ’s … standard , but dammit . It ’s worth it .

Blanco Tacos & Tequila

Scottsdale ( & Other Locations)Blanco Tacos & Tequila is n’t where you go for the most unquestionable greaser in town , but the component they utilise do make for one damn tasty taco . Especially the chipotle runt , housing chopped cabbage , pico de gallo , and sweet lime . It ’s spicy , spicy , and it ’s deserving every cent .

Modern Margarita

North PhoenixModern Margarita flawlessly lives up to its name with every dish . It adds a modernistic twist to everything on the bill of fare , from taco to the margaritas ( and even the burgers ) . A perfect example : the Pisces the Fishes taco . It features beer battered mahi mahi and slaked lime - impale aioli . Yes , there ’s a time and spot for a dim-witted taco , but the complexities of this one are too full to pass up .

Otro Café

Central PhoenixWhile the artsy , Downtown Otro Cafe is often bluster for its big breakfast menu , its dinner party menu should not be overlooked , and speaking of overlook – vegetable are often draw a blank in the taco world . In fact , they ’re unremarkably just an reconsideration , but not at Otro Café . This eating house shoot a line a great veggie taco that ’s never exactly the same ( read : the constituent change ) . So you ’ll never be tire with the same sure-enough creation .

Barrio Café

Central PhoenixIt ’s hard to find a Mexican food restaurant that can equate to Barrio Cafe – the first concept created by Arizona caption and James Beard award - winning chef , Silvana Salcido Esparza . And while all the tacos are astonishing , it ’s the Pescado taco with its fresh cabbage , avocado , and beer battered Pisces the Fishes that deserves some extra praise . In a sea of fish tacos ( ! ) , it ’s operose to resist out . But this one by all odds does .

Restaurant Atoyac

GlendaleIf you ’re looking for authentic Mexican food and tacos that ’ll make you block you ’re still in the US , head on over to Restaurant Atoyac . Among the many expectant options is the Tacos de Lengua , which translates to overawe natural language . But wait ! Hear us out : it tastes much better than you think . Plus it ’s only $ 2.25 anyway .

La Santisima Gourmet Taco Shop

GlendaleThis Diners , Drive - Ins & Dives alumna has mastered simple , mouthpiece - watering Mexican food . Our top pick is the Baja Sur Dogfish Shark Taco . It ’s simple yet flavoursome , but what ’s most exciting is that if you order it you ’re eating a taco made from a shark . A beer buffet shark . One that tastes pleasant-tasting and not at all like volaille . Using locally - sourced green groceries and tortillas imported directly from Mexico , La Santisima is as authentic as it vex .

Taqueria Los Yaquis

Central PhoenixThis humble taqueria might not look like much , but seated at a plastic snap table eating on styrofoam plates , you ’ll enjoy some of the best wetback the Valley has to offer ( hence its near-5 - star reviews across all corners of Al Gore ’s Internet ) . We recommend the classic grill chicken tacos with the pure admixture of cilantro , salsa , and guacamole . Plus , the price is beyond properly at just a dollar .

Taco Guild

Central PhoenixThanks to its most limitless tequila option , incredible dining area inside an 1890s - earned run average Christian church , and of course , lots of gourmet tacos , Taco Guild is one of the top taco daub in the state . While it has a lot of large taco offering , from the Korean deep-fried chicken to the Cubano , we recommend the fan - favorite chipotle cherry taco . It ’s overstep with blue cheese cheeseflower and chile garlic sauce , which might sound a little unknown , but after one order it ’ll likely become your go - to .

Two Hippies Beach House

primal PhoenixThis eclectic hippie paradise boasts a beach vibration ( complete with the VW van and a welcoming smiley case foretoken ) , an always friendly faculty , and great nutrient . The standout of which is a shrimp greaser , one of the freshest in the Valley – and not just because of that ocean vibe . It ’s topped with ( an addicting ) chipotle mayo sauce , feta cheese , cabbage and pico de gallo , so be ready for a mouthful of flavor .

Speedy Street Tacos

PhoenixThis everyday greaser shack has everything you need and none of the over - the - top addition you do n’t for the utter , quick wetback experience . Plus , the breakfast taco demonstrate that this food knows no boundary . If you ’re in the neighborhood of Speedy Street Tacos , you’re able to get all different mutant around the clock . There ’s a vast selection on the menu , but start with the egg , steak , and tall mallow taco . It ’s a dependable stakes . Of naturally , the apparent testicle & cheese , and wimp versions are n’t defective either .

Barrio Queen

Old Town Scottsdale ( & Others)This rapidly expanding conception ’s popularity speaks for itself , offering Mexico City - inspired dishes to begin with gestate by the previously mention legendary chef Silvana . Like most of the restaurant ’s menu items , the Cochinita Pibil taco move wayyy above and beyond your distinctive pork taco . It ’s marinade in glowering orange , which gives it that clear-cut citrus flavor . It ’s then top with sour orangish onion and perhaps the tastiest pico de gallo in town .

El Hefe

Old Town Scottsdale ( & Others)Yes , El Hefe is a great option for a wild night out when you ’re looking to fuddle a little more tequila than you should . But the restaurant also serves excellent food . Case in stage : the wimp tinga taco . It offers a short piece of chorizo , some mango tree Passion of Christ fruit salsa , and a elan of jicama relish .

Lulu’s Taco Shop

GilbertThese greaser are arguably the most authentic you ’ll find in Gilbert . They ’re made from traditional sept recipes that have been perfect over the last 20 + years . The prawn tacos are direct up and simple , with plenty of shrimp and just enough vegetables . So if you want that " unquestionable " taco in Gilbert , you ’ve establish it .

The Henry

ArcadiaThe Henry ’s Portobello “ Asada ” Tacos are a vegetarian ’s dream . The compounding of portobello mushrooms , guajillo chile , aguacate , quinoa , tomatillo , cauliflower , and refried bean crown with cotija is a astonishingly delicious mix , one that ’s more square and filling than your typical veg taco . We even think it ’s dear enough to convert the most die - hard nitty-gritty lover , for one repast at least .

The Coronado

PhoenixYou certainly do n’t have to be a vegetarian to love a good vegan restaurant – or a vegan taco . Even carnivores wo n’t be able to get enough of The Coronado ’s Solanum tuberosum wetback . Topped with cotija Malva sylvestris and a cilantro - lime stuffing , this thing might make you oppugn your meat - wipe out habits … if only for a few transactions .

Mi Patio

Central PhoenixMi Patio has been one of Arizona ’s Mexican food go - to ’s for over three decades , and this sour pick beef cattle taco is one of the top reasons why . It ’s simple , certain , but it ’s also a staple . It ’s full of flavor , packed with yummy beef , and topped with lettuce and cheese ( and tomato plant and onions if you ask nicely ) . Simple , but incredibly efficient .

PHX Burrito House

Central PhoenixThis cozy , Mexican food mainstay will make you experience like you ’re back at grandma ’s house – if you ’re grandma ’s a wetback schoolmaster . All of the taco fluctuation are top - pass , but the pork in green chili sauce taco is the right move for a number of reason : 1 ) the sauce is incredible , 2 ) the pork barrel is tender , and 3 ) the combination of flavour in the soft edible corn tortilla is about as well as it get at the Burrito House .

The Mission

Downtown Scottsdale ( & Others)This upscale Latin eatery has pull in its chops in the Scottsdale dining fit with its handmade , top - calibre , and of course , delicious fare item . And while the selection of tacos is notable as a whole , the porc shoulder taco is the star . boast some smoke , braised bitch , and a spicy pineapple glaze , this taco is a definite can’t - miss . So really , do n’t .

Tacos Chiwas

Central Phoenix and ChandlerDespite its lowly and unassuming exterior , Taco Chiwas has become nothing short of a sensation in the Valley since its opening in 2016 , garner widespread acclaim and impressive reviews for its freshly educate tortillas , top quality meats , and enceinte religious service . Its namesake taco is a go - to , filled with squawk , ham , jalapeno , Anaheim chilli and Asadero Malva sylvestris in a clavus tortilla .

La Hacienda

North ScottsdaleAs one of the Valley ’s top - rated Mexican intellectual nourishment eatery , it ’s impossible to not have a great meal La Hacienda . The affectionate , Spanish - style eatery create the perfect taco eating atmosphere and its extract of menu point does n’t let down the taste bud . For an out of this earth bite , try the lobster tacos with Maine lobster and arbol cram on a flour tortilla .

CRUjiente Tacos

ArcadiaThis nationwide recognized taqueria might look invisible from the exterior , but inside is a hoarded wealth treasure trove of top - of - the - product line tacos and high - quality , creative spirits to go with them . Chef Rich ( as seen on Food connection ) has dream up a lineup of creative menu items ramble from a duck breast taco with mole verde to a Charles Lamb taco . However , if we had to pick one , we ’d go for the Korean fried volaille with contract cabbage , pickled jalapeno , gochujang and mojo de cebollin .

Taco Chelo

Downtown PhoenixThis relative newcomer to the Valley ’s taco prospect has already made quite the impression thanks in part to its graphics - focused atmosphere and the huge name behind it , like celebrated Arizona restaurateur chef Aaron Chamberlin . The aboveboard card lets the tacos shine – especially the pop newcomer the costra taco with carne asada , caramelized tall mallow , and caramelise onion plant on a hand - pressed , pertly - made tortilla .

Kai

While everybody loves a quick and unproblematic street greaser , sometimes you need to enjoy a taco that ’s as superfluous as you are , and that ’s precisely what you ’ll find at Kai – Arizona ’s only AAA Five Diamond restaurant that ’s heavily act upon by the State Department ’s aboriginal American roots and local food manufacturer . The Recado Rojo Compressed Lamb Taco come in at a whopping $ 50 features locally - produced “ gotija ” cheese and chickpea dome with pickled pineapple tomatillo and lamb on aji amarillo and annatto semen chemeith .

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Jamie Killin is a Phoenix writer with a lot to say about Mexican food . Learn about the latest Phoenix happenings on her Twitter at@jamiekillinor Instagram@jamiefayekillin .

Tacos at La Hacienda