Best Mexican food in Phoenix area? (Mesa, Scottsdale: neighborhood, club, moving to)

[RenW]

It should be no surprise to me that opinions on Mexican food vary here as much as other things. We are all individuals so we like what we like.

Most of the Mexican food we've had has been in the East Valley. We tend to like places that have really flavor meats and salsas. I like my food spicy so I want some options there that are really spicy. Atmosphere isn't so important to us.

Places we really like:
La Santisima Gourmet Taco Shop - our go to place of out of town guests
Somebrero's Mexican Grill - not to be confused with Sombeburro's
Los Taquitos - note: tacos are small "street" tacos - flavorful meats
Taquitos Jalisco - small shop in Mesa
Santos Lucha Libre - Northern Phoenix - we would come here more often if it was closer
Mariscos Sinaloa - tasty Mexican seafood, can be a bit spendy

Places we would return to:
Barrio Cafe - wonderful atmosphere, food looks great but needs more flavor (Location at Airport not nearly as good)
Los Reyes De La Torta - Tempe, Okay food, sit down restaurant
Blue Adobe Grill - Scottsdale, "New Mexican" food, may rate higher after second trip
Casa Reynoso - food better than average
San Diego Bay Restaurant - Guadalupe, Food pretty good, atmosphere not so great
Julia's Mesquite Mexican Grill - Chandler, would probably stop in more if it was closer
Joyride Tacos - Gilbert, "gourmet" taco shop, great atmosphere and the food looked great but just "so-so" on taste. Not a good "value". Would go again with friends.

Some Chains we think are okay for what they are:
Tortilla Fish
Rubio's
Chipotle

Places we won't return:
Someburros - Not nearly enough flavor in anything
Rivas Mexican Food - in Tempe, might return one more time, but wasn't initially impressed
Macayo's - just not good
Filibertos
Poncho’s Mexican Food - Phoenix, Bill Clinton ate here but we weren't impressed, not worth the trip for us

We are getting wonderfully spoiled though, because some of the places on the "won't return" list are better than average Mexican restaurant in the Midwest.

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by RenW

It should be no surprise to me that opinions on Mexican food vary here as much as other things. We are all individuals so we like what we like.

Most of the Mexican food we've had has been in the East Valley. We tend to like places that have really flavor meats and salsas. I like my food spicy so I want some options there that are really spicy. Atmosphere isn't so important to us.

Places we really like:
La Santisima Gourmet Taco Shop - our go to place of out of town guests
Somebrero's Mexican Grill - not to be confused with Sombeburro's
Los Taquitos - note: tacos are small "street" tacos - flavorful meats
Taquitos Jalisco - small shop in Mesa
Santos Lucha Libre - Northern Phoenix - we would come here more often if it was closer
Mariscos Sinaloa - tasty Mexican seafood, can be a bit spendy

Places we would return to:
Barrio Cafe - wonderful atmosphere, food looks great but needs more flavor (Location at Airport not nearly as good)
Los Reyes De La Torta - Tempe, Okay food, sit down restaurant
Blue Adobe Grill - Scottsdale, "New Mexican" food, may rate higher after second trip
Casa Reynoso - food better than average
San Diego Bay Restaurant - Guadalupe, Food pretty good, atmosphere not so great
Julia's Mesquite Mexican Grill - Chandler, would probably stop in more if it was closer
Joyride Tacos - Gilbert, "gourmet" taco shop, great atmosphere and the food looked great but just "so-so" on taste. Not a good "value". Would go again with friends.

Some Chains we think are okay for what they are:
Tortilla Fish
Rubio's
Chipotle

Places we won't return:
Someburros - Not nearly enough flavor in anything
Rivas Mexican Food - in Tempe, might return one more time, but wasn't initially impressed
Macayo's - just not good
Filibertos
Poncho’s Mexican Food - Phoenix, Bill Clinton ate here but we weren't impressed, not worth the trip for us

We are getting wonderfully spoiled though, because some of the places on the "won't return" list are better than average Mexican restaurant in the Midwest.

I tried Filiberto's when I first moved here thinking it MUST be good because there are so many of them. WRONG. I don't get the appeal at all.

I will tell you I am STILL looking for a place that has as food and drinks as good as my favorite local Mexican place in Des Moines, and so far I have come CLOSE in the 18 months I have been here, but not quite Lucky for me I have plenty of places to keep trying!

Has anyone tried Barrio Queen in Glibert/Scottsdale? I've heard good things, but haven't tried yet.

[keer7869]

Best Mexican, by far, is the original Garcia's, 35th Ave/Encanto. It's in the ghetto, but the food is absolutely delicious. Not to be confused with the Garcias chain.

[jimj]

Originally Posted by RenW

It should be no surprise to me that opinions on Mexican food vary here as much as other things. We are all individuals so we like what we like.

Most of the Mexican food we've had has been in the East Valley. We tend to like places that have really flavor meats and salsas. I like my food spicy so I want some options there that are really spicy. Atmosphere isn't so important to us.

Places we really like:
La Santisima Gourmet Taco Shop - our go to place of out of town guests
Somebrero's Mexican Grill - not to be confused with Sombeburro's
Los Taquitos - note: tacos are small "street" tacos - flavorful meats
Taquitos Jalisco - small shop in Mesa
Santos Lucha Libre - Northern Phoenix - we would come here more often if it was closer
Mariscos Sinaloa - tasty Mexican seafood, can be a bit spendy

Places we would return to:
Barrio Cafe - wonderful atmosphere, food looks great but needs more flavor (Location at Airport not nearly as good)
Los Reyes De La Torta - Tempe, Okay food, sit down restaurant
Blue Adobe Grill - Scottsdale, "New Mexican" food, may rate higher after second trip
Casa Reynoso - food better than average
San Diego Bay Restaurant - Guadalupe, Food pretty good, atmosphere not so great
Julia's Mesquite Mexican Grill - Chandler, would probably stop in more if it was closer
Joyride Tacos - Gilbert, "gourmet" taco shop, great atmosphere and the food looked great but just "so-so" on taste. Not a good "value". Would go again with friends.

Some Chains we think are okay for what they are:
Tortilla Fish
Rubio's
Chipotle

Places we won't return:
Someburros - Not nearly enough flavor in anything
Rivas Mexican Food - in Tempe, might return one more time, but wasn't initially impressed
Macayo's - just not good
Filibertos
Poncho’s Mexican Food - Phoenix, Bill Clinton ate here but we weren't impressed, not worth the trip for us

We are getting wonderfully spoiled though, because some of the places on the "won't return" list are better than average Mexican restaurant in the Midwest.

I forget where I read it but this saying has always stuck with me. It goes something like this, "if you're looking for decent Mexican food don't look any place where the name ends in 'Bertos".

[elcajones]

Originally Posted by ElleTea

I have not been here, but I hear co-workers rave about this place:

Taquitos Jalisco - Mexican - Mesa, AZ - Yelp

No alcohol, but the food is supposed to be amazing.

I tried at after searching yelp for the best taco shop in Mesa, since moving out here and discovering that Filiberto's carne asada is tastless and aweful.
I happy pulled into the drivethru and asked the cashier how the food was. Her response was, "It's ok, not great." I did at least appreciate the honesty. My verdict. Better than filibertos by a very narrow margin, not worth my time or money to eat there again. How the heck did they get all the great yelp reviews. I just more or less gave up on taco shops out here and devour them when I visit San Diego.

I will say this, if you find yourself off I17 and Camelback Taco Tote is excellent!!! I eat there for lunch whenever I have a job site near by, and it's almost worth the drive out from Mesa when I get a craving on a Saturday. Only not worth it because ADOT closes up to much freeway too often on weekends.
The east valley has decent sit down places but as for that greasy artery clogged crap I grew up on in So-Cal, it's few and far between. Back home you could throw a rock in any direction and randomly hit a taco shop. Some are better than others but they were all pretty good.

[asufan]

Originally Posted by elcajones

I tried at after searching yelp for the best taco shop in Mesa, since moving out here and discovering that Filiberto's carne asada is tastless and aweful.
I happy pulled into the drivethru and asked the cashier how the food was. Her response was, "It's ok, not great." I did at least appreciate the honesty. My verdict. Better than filibertos by a very narrow margin, not worth my time or money to eat there again. How the heck did they get all the great yelp reviews. I just more or less gave up on taco shops out here and devour them when I visit San Diego.

I will say this, if you find yourself off I17 and Camelback Taco Tote is excellent!!! I eat there for lunch whenever I have a job site near by, and it's almost worth the drive out from Mesa when I get a craving on a Saturday. Only not worth it because ADOT closes up to much freeway too often on weekends.
The east valley has decent sit down places but as for that greasy artery clogged crap I grew up on in So-Cal, it's few and far between. Back home you could throw a rock in any direction and randomly hit a taco shop. Some are better than others but they were all pretty good.

Los Favoritos has locations all over the East Valley and a nearly cult following by some customers. I love the carne asada.

[elcajones]

Originally Posted by asufan

Los Favoritos has locations all over the East Valley and a nearly cult following by some customers. I love the carne asada.

They have the like arm length super carne burrito! lol. I forgot about that place. I had a location in extreme south Chandler over a year ago. I need to google other locations. They are decent. Up to par for sure if I recall.

[Java Jolt]

Lately I have had a craving for Tex-Mex and Z'Tejas hits the spot.

There are several Z'Tejas locations but the one I tried is in Tempe near Mill and 6th, not bad at all.

[MNSvenska]

We are new in Sun City. How about inexpensive & good tex-mex in the west valley? Any ideas?

[Renegade007]

ANYTHING except Taco Bell, Del Taco and any place with "-erto" at the end. Filibertos, Humbertos, Polibertos, Albertos, Debbiebertos, Tiffanybertos.... even frozen Mexican food at Safeway is better than that.

Personally I like those little "greasy spoon" restaurants along west McDowell and Thomas roads. There are some hidden gems hidden in the 'hood, if you know where to look.