The humble taco remains one of the most crowd-pleasing food options around, and given the large number of Mexican restaurants located throughout metro Phoenix, competition in this category gets fierce.
From classic al pastor to beer-battered fish to birria, these are just some of the options you can get at these 15 amazing taco shops in the Phoenix area.
Carbon & Salt
The West Valley’s Carbon & Salt exclusively serves tacos that are charcoal-grilled and come out with a distinct smoky flavor. Taco options include Carne Asada, Al Pastor, Cabeza (cow’s head), Camaron (shrimp), Pescado (fish), Pollo (chicken), and Tacos Gobernador (shrimp with cheese and veggies). This spot also features a topping bar where guests can add limes, lemons, pico de gallo, and a variety of salsas. 15414 N. 19th Ave., Ste. K, Phoenix, carbonandsalttacoshoptogo.com
Presidio Cocina Mexicana
Central Phoenix’s Presidio slings tacos in a bright, sleek setting complete with tall ceilings and an open kitchen. Tacos range from carne asada to shrimp to cochinita pibil. There’s also chicken, chicharron, and a vegetarian option.
Don’t skip the house-made chorizo either. That, paired with one of the top-shelf tequilas and cocktails, and you have a great taco joint. 2024 N. 7th St., Phoenix, presidiophx.com
Taco Chelo
Chef Suny Suntana brings the flavors of his native Mexico to Taco Chelo, which he runs along with artist Gennaro Garcia and hospitality powerhouse Aaron Chamberlin. Santana named the restaurant after his mother, whom he credits with influencing his cooking style.
The tacos come on freshly-made tortillas and topped with all sorts of proteins, including the usual suspects. Off the wall additions such as smoked marlin in the Tacos Gobernador and crispy shrimp make the menu stand out even more. Take note of the vegetarian taco too, it comes with roasted sweet potato, romesco sauce, feta, toasted pepitas, and green onions. If you want al pastor, make sure to visit on Wednesday, the only day the dish is served. 501 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix; 521 S. College Ave., Ste. 112, Tempe, tacochelo.com
Taco Boy’s
One thing that makes Taco Boy’s stand out is how the food gets cooked. All hot menu items are prepared over an open-fire grill filled with mesquite charcoal. From that grill you’ll find plenty of classic Mexican options like tacos, burritos, and a veggie quesadilla.
But really, we’re here for the made-to-order tacos topped with an array of proteins including carne asada, pollo, tripa, cabeza, pastor, and barbacoa. Want to try many? Don’t worry, diners can mix and match options to build a custom taco plate, and have free range of the salad bar too. Multiple locations, aztacoboys.com
Tacos Veganos
The words tacos and vegan don’t often appear in the same sentence, and that’s why Tacos Veganos exists. The restaurant started out by delivering tacos out of a car in 2019, followed by a pop-up the next year, and then a food truck.
Now, owner Jose Bojorquez has two brick-and-mortar locations in the Valley, each dedicated to plant-based Mexican food. Of course we’re here for the tacos, and there are four options including a beer-battered cauliflower “fish,” and vegan asada, al pastor, and pollo. Fun fact: Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian stopped by this spot a few months ago. 1579 N. Dysart Road, Ste. H, Avondale; and 3301 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, aztacosveganos.com
Tacos Chiwas
Tacos Chiwas, which is owned by married couple Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguin specializes in serving Chihuahua-style food. The menu is small, but mighty, and the brand has a strong following due to the excellent tacos. On the list you’ll find al pastor, asada, lengua (tongue), pollo, tripas, barbacoa, and carnita.
The titular offering, the Taco Chiwas, comes with beef, ham, jalapeno, Anaheim chiles, and fresh Mexican cheese. For vegetable lovers, try the Calabacitas, which is filled with Mexican squash, corn, white onion, and asadero cheese. 1028 E. Indian School, Phoenix; and 127 W. Main St., Mesa, tacoschiwas.com
The Mission
Chef Matt Carter is behind The Mission, a modern Mexican restaurant with three locations. Choose from six different tacos, all made on hand-pressed corn tortillas. Favorites include the Pollo a la Brasa, Tecate Battered Mahi Mahi, and the vegetarian Roasted Organic Butternut Squash.
Don’t miss the Roasted Pork Shoulder either, it serves two people, costs $40, and features a pork shoulder that is smoked and slow braised for 12 hours. The tender pork shoulder is served with pineapple habanero glaze and eight tortillas. Pair your tacos with one of the many tequilas poured here, it’s the best list in the Valley. Multiple locations, themissionaz.com
Tacos Los Vales
Family-run Tacos Los Vales started off as a taco stand and now has two locations in metro Phoenix. With so many taco options, fans of the dish will be in absolute heaven. Order taco fillings such as beans, grilled steak, birria, beef head, lengua, and cheese. The most noteworthy offering? The Al Pastor tacos. Tacos Los Vales is also known for the Birria and Vampiro tacos. 5124 W. McDowell Rd., Phoenix; and 310 S. 4th St., Ste. 120, Phoenix, tacoslosvales.com
Just Tacos and More
Central Phoenix’s Just Tacos and More is a low-key, family-owned operation specializing in all things tacos (and more). Meat fillings include carne asada, grilled chicken breast, pork carnitas, and al pastor. Fish options center on grilled salmon, grilled tilapia, grilled shrimp, and beer-battered shrimp. Try especially orders such as the Mango Taco, which comes with a choice of fish, cabbage, mango salsa, chipotle sauce, an avocado slice, and cilantro.
Just Tacos is also known for the weekly specials. On Fridays customers can enjoy the Sea Friday Duo for $8.99, a combination with one Ancho Chile Marinated Tilapia Fish Taco and a Shrimp Baja Style Taco along with a choice of two sides. 2910 N. 32nd St., Ste. 160, Phoenix, justtacosandmore.com
Elmer’s Tacos
Since 1974, Elmer’s Tacos in Chandler has been slinging tacos to a devoted following. Owner Claudia “Elmer” Cuen arrived in the United States from Mexico at the age of 11. He was raised in Los Angeles, but left California for Arizona to make his dream of opening a restaurant a reality.
Today, his children run the restaurant and carry on his legacy, and the current location is just a few feet from the original. It serves the chef’s signature mix of L.A. and Mexican foods and techniques in the form of chicken, potato, Baja fish, machaca beef, and more. Looking to save? On Tuesdays, the Asada, Pastor, and the Hot & Spicy Grilled Chicken tacos cost $1.99 each. 355 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler, elmerstacos.com
The Beach House
Housed in a tiny building on bustling Camelback Road, The Beach House feels like a true desert mirage. Lucky for Phoenix diners, it’s a very real restaurant that serves fresh, made-to-order tacos and burritos from a small, house-like setting complete with shaded outdoor seating. You can’t miss the 1960s VW van parked outside and kitschy, island-theme décor sprinkled throughout the property.
This popular spot opened in 2007 as Two Hippies Beach House before new ownership took over in 2013. Tacos are served on your choice of flour or corn tortilla and topped with cabbage slaw, seasoned rice, pinto beans, shredded cheese, and pico de gallo. Protein options include grilled or battered-fried white fish, spicy marinated shrimp (the bestseller), shredded beef, carne asada, chicken, pulled pork, or the vegetarian-friendly Garden Variety, which features grilled and marinated prickly pear cactus strips. Diners can top their tacos with a variety of international sauces ranging from spicy teriyaki to red chili. 501 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, thebeachhouseaz.com
SOL Mexican Cocina
The Arizona location SOL Mexican Cocina, a five-spot mini chain, can be found in the Scottsdale Quarter. It has a vibrant outdoor patio that’s perfect for sampling an array of tacos. Veggie lovers can dig into the Roasted Cauliflower, Crispy Avocado & Plantain, or the Sweet Potato & Black Bean tacos. Those looking for meat can enjoy Grilled Steak, Chicken Al Carbon, and Short Ribs. And if you’re feeling fishy, enjoy the Shrimp Dorado, Chipotle shrimp, or the Ensenada-style Fish (crispy fish, lime sauce, pico de gallo, cabbage, and avocado sauce). 15323 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, solcocina.com
Tacos El Atoyac
Located in an unassuming strip mall, Tacos El Atoyac (the name is also listed as Restaurant Atoyac Estilo Oaxaca) serves cheap and tasty tacos. The fish taco is the specialty of the house, and runs $3.75 each. Additional taco toppings include shrimp, carne asada, al pastor, lengua, and carnitas.
Although this spot might not look like much from the outside, especially given the bars on the windows, it’s proof that you should never judge a restaurant by its exterior. The food inside is excellent. 3902 W. Buckeye Rd., Phoenix, no website
Soul Fire Tacos
Soul Fire Tacos just opened in February, and already it’s earned a place on the list thanks to the unique blend of traditional Mexican tacos mixed with Southern cooking. The festive spot was launched by Dana Dumas, who also owns SugarJam The Southern Kitchen a few doors down, and helming the kitchen is chef Johnnie Sixon.
Taste the unique combo in the Beer-Battered Catfish Tacos, which come drizzled with house-made chipotle remoulade and topped with a Southern-style slaw. The taco menu is rounded by carnitas, jerk shrimp, birria chicken, and the Short Rib Birria Tacos. For vegans, the Sweet N’ Savory Vegan is sure to hit as well. 15111 N. Hayden Rd., Ste. 120, Scottsdale, soulfiretacos.com
Taqueria Mi Casita
The no-frills Taqueria Mi Casita’s taco menu is simple and delicious, and there’s a lot that’s special about this haunt. For starters, literally and figuratively, salsas and tortilla chips are made fresh in house.
On the taco menu, diners can indulge in steak, chicken, shredded pork or beef, chorizo, fried fish, and more. Each comes topped with onions and greens. Then, cap off a meal with the flan, it’s made from a secret family recipe. 2050 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler, taqueriamicasita.com
