Best Mexican restaurants in Phoenix (Mesa, Chandler: university, school, hot)

[vegaspilgrim]

Here's an idea for a fun thread, to take a break from all these flamewars going on. The Phoenix area, as you know, has a TON of Mexican restaurants, of all types, shapes, and sizes. What do you consider to be the very best ones? Here are the different categories:

1. Best sit-down, family Mexican restaurant?
2. Best taco place?
3. Best burrito place/ taqueria?
4. Best Mexican seafood?
5. Best "gringo" Mexican restaurant?

[dixierox]

Carolina's on 12th st and Mohave. Awful area but the best taco's, tortilla's, green & red chile burros you'll ever have! I highly recommend it!

[Steve-o]

Can I vote for the worst? haha If so, then I nominate Macayos. BLECH!

[Magnum Mike]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

Here's an idea for a fun thread, to take a break from all these flamewars going on. The Phoenix area, as you know, has a TON of Mexican restaurants, of all types, shapes, and sizes. What do you consider to be the very best ones? Here are the different categories:

1. Best sit-down, family Mexican restaurant?
2. Best taco place?
3. Best burrito place/ taqueria?
4. Best Mexican seafood?
5. Best "gringo" Mexican restaurant?

1 - Aunt Chilada's
2 - Taco Bell?
3 - Couldn't tell ya
4 - El Torito's
5 - Macayo's

[FrAZToCO]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

Here's an idea for a fun thread, to take a break from all these flamewars going on. The Phoenix area, as you know, has a TON of Mexican restaurants, of all types, shapes, and sizes. What do you consider to be the very best ones? Here are the different categories:

1. Best sit-down, family Mexican restaurant?
2. Best taco place?
3. Best burrito place/ taqueria?
4. Best Mexican seafood?
5. Best "gringo" Mexican restaurant?

Sure I'll bite

1. Comedor Guadalajara / Central & I17 ( tough getting in there during Lunch)
2. Someburros / EastValley (I really like there Tacos)
3. Moreno's / Broadway & Horne (Tacos and Hot dogs just like I get in Mexico)
4. Go to Rocky Point (With seafood freshness counts alot)
5. Mi Amigo's / Arizona Center (Not a big fan of "gringo" Mexican food)

[SMG]

Originally Posted by Magnum Mike

1 - Aunt Chilada's
2 - Taco Bell?
3 - Couldn't tell ya
4 - El Torito's
5 - Macayo's

Mike--These are chain restaurants and about as far from Mexican food as one can get...

[Bungle]

I have a tie for #1...

1a. Los Dos Molinos / Central & Dobbins
1b. Restaurant Mexico / 5th & Mill

[SMG]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

Here's an idea for a fun thread, to take a break from all these flamewars going on. The Phoenix area, as you know, has a TON of Mexican restaurants, of all types, shapes, and sizes. What do you consider to be the very best ones? Here are the different categories:

1. Best sit-down, family Mexican restaurant? Pepes Taco Villa on Camelback or Rositas on East Mcdowell. Both are Mom and Pop places and have been there for decades.
2. Best taco place? Guedos in the East Valley, Chandler Blvd and Az Avenue
3. Best burrito place/ taqueria? See #1
4. Best Mexican seafood? there is a place called "San Diego Bay or something like that in Guadalupe...people drive from all over the valley to eat there.
5. Best "gringo" Mexican restaurant?

See Mikes responses...lol. El Torito is actually not bad gringo food.

I have lived all over the valley for the last 30 years and could get more specific to your area if you would like...

I forgot two of my favorites. Los Dos Molinos on Alma School in Mesa. Villa Los Santos in Sunnslope...TONS of Tequilas and excellent food.

[he's so hott]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Can I vote for the worst? haha If so, then I nominate Macayos. BLECH!

Macayos wasn't anything special in my opinion.

[silverbear]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

Here's an idea for a fun thread, to take a break from all these flamewars going on. The Phoenix area, as you know, has a TON of Mexican restaurants, of all types, shapes, and sizes. What do you consider to be the very best ones? Here are the different categories:

1. Best sit-down, family Mexican restaurant?
2. Best taco place?
3. Best burrito place/ taqueria?
4. Best Mexican seafood?
5. Best "gringo" Mexican restaurant?

A lot of tough choices here. My votes as of right now (might change depending on most recent meal):

#1 -- Tradiciones at Phoenix Ranch Market, 16th & Roosevelt
#2 -- Pepe's Taco Villa -- 21st Ave & Camelback
#3 -- Carolina's, 12th St & Mohave
#4 -- San Carlos Bay -- McDowell Road near 51 Freeway
#5 -- Rosita's -- University & Hardy in Tempe (I don't meant to insult them by calling them "gringo." It's more an observation that the clientele appear to be mostly non-Hispanic.)

Another category worth discussing: Best tortas (Mexican sandwiches) -- I vote for Tortas El Guero on 16th St. b/w McDowell & Thomas