20 restaurants for tacos in metro Phoenix
Mexican Independence Day is Sept. 16, the day in 1810 our southern neighbors revolted against the ruling Spanish regime. Much like our own Independence Day, Mexicans and Mexican-Americans celebrate with fireworks, fiestas and food. We're not in charge of the fireworks, but we can tell you where to find some pretty explosive tacos that will put you in a revolutionary mood.
Phoenix
America's Taco Shop
This taqueria chain, which was founded in Phoenix, features such tacos as the al pastor made with sliced citrus-marinated and slow-roasted pork with a topping of fresh pineapple inside a soft corn tortilla ($2.35 each).
Details: 2041 N. Seventh St., Phoenix. 602-682-5627, other locations at americastacoshop.com.
El Napalito
Think outside the taco box with the longaniza, made with a Spanish chorizolike sausage, onions and cilantro inside soft corn tortillas (99 cents each).
Details: 2831 N. 24th St., Phoenix. 602-522-2043, elnopalitophoenix.com.
Pepe's Taco Villa
At this venerable shop, choose such tacos as the Monterrey, a flour tortilla filled with machacado (dried beef), scrambled eggs, chile, tomato and onions ($4.95).
Details: 2108 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix. 602-242-0379, search "Pepe's Taco Villa" on Facebook.com.
La Salsita
Go wild with tacos made from two layers of corn tortillas stuffed with pork tripas (intestines, $1.50), beef cabeza (head, $1.25) or beef lengua (tongue, $1.50), and then belly up to the salsa bar.
Details: 4011 N. 32nd St., Phoenix. 602-522-2055.
The Stand
The short-rib tacos come in warm corn tortillas with braised short-rib meat, pickled red cabbage, cotija, diced onion and fresh cilantro ($2.95 each).
Details: 3538 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. 602-314-5259, thestandbnt.com.
Northeast Valley
Barrio Queen
We like the succulent cochinita pibil, double-thickness flour tortillas folded around shredded pork that has been marinated with sour orange and achiote paste, topped with pickles, sour orange, onions and pico de gallo (three for $10).
Details: 7114 E. Stetson Drive, Scottsdale. 480-656-4197, barrioqueen.com.
Coconuts Fish Cafe
Of course you would get the fish tacos here — two white-corn tortillas wrapped around grilled mahi-mahi and ono, with Jack and Cheddar cheeses, coconut coleslaw and salsa ($11.90).
Details: 16640 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-275-6690, coconutsfishcafe.com.
Cien Agaves Tacos & Tequila
Hit the "Taco Stand" and try the spicy chorizo con pappas tacos made with hot sausage and seasoned potatoes ($3.95), or the veggie taco filled with seasonal vegetables, black beans and melted Mexican cheese ($3.50), on your choice of corn or flour tortillas.
Details: 7228 E. First Ave., Scottsdale. 480-970-9002, cienagaves.com.
Los Favoritos
How about a nice combination? Dig into the six little rolled tacos filled with seasoned shredded beef and served with rice and beans ($6.75).
Details: 8489 E. McDonald Drive, Scottsdale. 480-609-0063, other locations at losfavs.com.
Salt & Lime Modern Mexican Grill
Enjoy your beef barbacoa taco, made with chile-braised short ribs, Oaxaca cheese and pico de gallo, nestled in choice of corn tortilla, flour tortilla or lettuce cup ($5.25).
Details: 9397 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale. 480-661-5463, saltandlimeaz.com.
Southeast Valley
Los Taquitos Mexican Grill
Choose from such street tacos as carne asada, chicken, carnitas, pastor or veggie, all topped with cilantro, onions and salsa and served as a meal with rice and beans ($1.29 each, $6.49 as a meal).
Details: 4747 E. Elliot Road, Phoenix. 480-753-4361. Also 7000 N.16th St., Phoenix. 602-371-0111, tgrill.com.
Baja Joe's Mexican Cantina
Stop by for the weekday-lunch special of one taco and one enchilada, each filled with ground beef, shredded beef or chicken served with rice and beans ($6.99).
Details: 1927 N. Gilbert Road, Mesa. 480-655-1828, bajajoescantina.com.
Taco Nazo
How about a taco in the form of a salad? Indulge in a big, crispy flour tortilla shell filled with beans, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream and your choice of meat: steak, chicken, pork or shredded beef ($5.75).
Details: 1405 W. Southern Ave., Tempe. 480-902-0828, tnazo.com.
So Cal Fish Taco
Get two tacos filled with blackened grouper, a mild fish broiled and then layered with shredded cabbage, cotija cheese and Baja sauce and served with rice and beans ($8).
Details: 219 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert. 480-807-6225, socalfishtacos.com.
Elmer's Tacos
Feel special with one of the dinner specials such as a shredded-beef or -chicken taco and two mini chimichangas ($7.47).
Details: 355 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler. 480-963-6763, elmerstacos.com.
West Valley
La Perla Cafe
Celebrate with a combination plate of ground-beef taco and cheese enchilada with beans ($7.75).
Details: 5912 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale. 623-939-7561, laperlacafe.net.
Brushfire Tacos y Tapas
Blink and you'll miss this little drive-through taqueria. So keep your eyes wide open and catch the great steak tacos, a pile of carne asada folded inside a flour tortilla (corn on request) with cheese, guacamole and pico de gallo ($3.49 each, $7.99 with chips, salsa and a drink).
Details: 83495 W. Thunderbird Road, Peoria. 623-776-3556, brushfiretacos.com.
Old Pueblo Cafe and Pub
Fish tacos are made with sauteed tilapia, cabbage and pico de gallo tucked into grilled corn tortillas and served with rice and beans (lunch, two for $9.50; dinner, two for $10.95 and three for $13.95).
Details: 102 N. Old Litchfield Road, Litchfield Park. 623-935-5059, oldpueblocafe.com.
Don Taco
Pig out on the pork carnitas taco, a corn tortilla filled with succulent pork, pico de gallo and guacamole ($2.99 each).
Details: 10220 W. McDowell Road, Avondale. 623-907-0005, search "Don Taco Az" on Facebook.com.
La Placita Cafe
Poached shredded chicken is stuffed inside crunchy corn tortillas with lettuce, cheese, green onions and tomatoes for a plate of three deluxe chicken tacos, served with rice and beans ($9.90).
Details: 424 E. Monroe Ave., Buckeye. 623-386-4632, search "La Placita Cafe" on Facebook.com.