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It's been alluded to bunches in writelots active topic "Phoenix Upscale Mexican Food" (viewtopic.php?t=7226), but what about a listing of great (i.e., tasty, cheap, safe) "downscale" Mexican Food?

I've lived in Phoenix for ten years now, but don't really have much info on the subject.

Maybe a criterion to keep in mind is "somewhere to take a dozen family members visiting from out-of-town (think California, not Wisconsin/Minnesota/New Hampshire/Maine/etc.) who want some good, Arizona Mexican food." Of course, driving a bit (say, to Surprise, Chandler, Apache Junction, Avondale, etc.) is perfectly fine.

Carolinas. That's all you need to know.

Via De Los Santos, in Sunnyslope, on Central, just north of Dunlap.

Tortas Reyes, also in Sunnyslope, on 7th St, just north of Dunlap.

carolina's on 7th street and mohave (also in north phoenix and peoria)
los taquitos on 48th street and elliot
my two favorites
i could eat breakfast at carolina's and dinner at los taquitos just about every day
i hope someone comes up with a good place near papago park

trekkin gecko wrote:i could eat breakfast at carolina's and dinner at los taquitos just about every day

Especially if you were looking to gain 500lbs in a month.

Casa Reynoso on Mill Avenue in Tempe.

I ate at Garcia's all the time when I was a kid and just recently rediscovered them and the taste is the same as it was then. Their food is what I have Based my perception of what good Mexican food is. Decent prices and a nice relaxed atmosphere also a full service bar.
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Maybe not Mexican food, but similar in style-- The Fry Bread House is pretty awesome (Phx and Mesa) and so is Nachobot (5th & Roosevelt in Phx).

El Bravo on 7th Street between Northern & Dunlap.

Not quite Mexican, but Chino Bandito on 19th Avenue just north of Greenway.

Think sticking around Sunnyslope gives you the opportunity to do a lot of great hikes and finish off with some great food & beverages.

Second ChinoBandito! That place is awesome!

kingsnake wrote:Via De Los Santos, in Sunnyslope, on Central, just north of Dunlap.

Tortas Reyes, also in Sunnyslope, on 7th St, just north of Dunlap.

Two great ones here...
Also our new hangout..
Restaurant Sinaloa for seafood. We go to the one on Bell, I think there's one in Mesa.

I second the Garcias on 35th Ave. It is the original Garcia's and the "other Garcias" that you see around town are not affiliated with it. I also like Macayos, always have. And it was handy since there's one near downtown and in Sunnyslope...

Los Dos Molinos on Central south of Baseline gets my vote. Some people hate it, I happen to love it. Spicy hot, and pretty rustic. The neighborhood even looks a little like Mexico (did I say that out loud?)

had dinner at the teepee on saturday night for the first time
4144 east indian school
had an excellent combo dinner with plenty of chips n salsa
guacamole, machaca taco, chili relleno, beans and rice were all good
that will be my default sit-down restaurant, but i've heard several recommendations for casa reynoso so need to try it
la canasta on 7th ave and grant is another good choice
is ajo al's still in business?

trekkin gecko wrote:is ajo al's still in business?

Last I heard, they were shut down by the Health Department, so I don't know.....

That was five six years ago. Some sort of cooked up vendetta by DA, I thought. Anyway, they got four spots now. (According to my quick look at their web site ...)

They can't be gone, one of my friends eats there like 6 times aweek.

Just finished eating at Los Dos Molinos in Springerville this evening. Nice and spicy at that one too!

Todd nailed it. Carolina's.

second place, Rito's.

la condesa is decent. it's a salsa paradise.

There's nothing in AJ except Elvira's BLEECH or the usual Taco Hell or Filibertos DOUBLE BLEECH

Dos Gringos on Phelps Drive is OK but nothing spectacular. I often stop at Los Hermanos in Superior~~~it's a dive but GREAT food. The green chile pork will stick to your ribs and stay with you for hours after.

I love Latin food especially Cuban and Puerto Rican. It's seasoned but not hot and has some wonderful flavors....Tostones, mofongo, Pasteles (a Puerto Rican tamale) arroz con gandules........ flavors of the Caribbean but not the heat. YUMMY!