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On the west side of Phoenix at Pho 43, loyal customers and newbies alike sip piping hot Vietnamese stews — no matter the record-high temperatures in the Valley. On a recent visit, the pink-and-white colored mom-and-pop restaurant on the southwest corner of 43rd Avenue and Thomas Road was packed…
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Mike Madriaga
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When eating at a restaurant, you don’t want to have to think about whether the kitchen is clean or not. Maricopa County restaurant inspectors take on that responsibility…
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Tirion Boan
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May was a big month for closings. Whether due to the intimidating task of staring down another Phoenix summer or chefs finding the right time to retire, the Valley is down a dozen eateries…
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Tirion Boan
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Does your phone number start with 602? On Sunday, that’s something to celebrate…
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Tirion Boan
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Phoenix’s top sushi restaurants fully dispel the misconception about fish in the desert. These spots show that, yes, you can get fresh fish here, and it can be top-notch…
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Tirion Boan
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The summer fun doesn’t have to end with the long weekend. Tuesday is National Hamburger Day and Valley restaurants are showcasing their favorite burgers at discounted prices…
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Rudri Patel
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Mother’s Day is this Sunday, and Valley restaurants are celebrating and commemorating moms with special meals and drinks. Whether your mom prefers digging into some wings at a fast-casual spot or getting dressed up for a fancy dinner, these 10 metro Phoenix restaurants have something for everyone…
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Rudri Patel
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Whether due to landlord disputes, sales or renovations and rebuilds, multiple metro Phoenix restaurants and bars have closed across the Valley. Here are seven that have shuttered, plus two more that are set to close soon…
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Tirion Boan
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Long before it was Garfield Diner, Welcome Diner, Roosevelt Diner, or even Lil Robert’s Diner, the retro-style eatery on the corner of Roosevelt and 10th streets was known by a different moniker — Hi-Way Diner. In its heyday, Hi-Way Diner dished out burgers, fries and shakes to sightseeing road trippers from its outpost along Route 66 in Williams…
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Lauren Topor
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When a new spot opens in town, we’re eager to check it out, let you know our initial impressions, share a few photos, and dish about some menu items. First Taste, as the name implies, is not a full-blown review, but instead, a peek inside restaurants that have just opened — an occasion to sample a few items and satisfy curiosities (both yours and ours)…
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Tirion Boan
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Two of the Phoenix restaurants on this list were named in late January as semifinalists for the James Beard Awards, one of the top honors in food.
While the national spotlight shines on the Valley’s outstanding Mexican cuisine, we’ll take pleasure in being able to hit up any number of lauded local eateries for lunch. From over the top to under the radar, these are the 10 best Mexican restaurants in metro Phoenix right now.
4900 N. Litchfield Road, Building B, Litchfield Park
Plan ahead and leave plenty of time for your meal at Alebrijes Cafe & Grill. This Litchfield Park restaurant is popular and often requires a wait. But the food is oh so worth it. The kitchen focuses on Oaxacan-style Mexican food, with many of the dishes smothered in sweet, rich black mole or the slightly spicy red version. Stop by for brunch and order the chilaquiles and a coffee-infused cocktail. Or, stay a little later and enjoy a hearty burrito drenched in mole and paired with a fresh fruit-filled margarita. Make sure to check out the specials boards posted in multiple locations around the colorful dining room, which sometimes features spicy and satisfying bowls of pozole or sweet creations such as concha French toast. The restaurant offers indoor tables, bar seating and a shaded patio.
Bacanora’s chef, owner and grill master Rene Andrade has been nominated for a James Beard Award two years running.
Jackie Mercandetti
1301 Grand Ave., #1
Many words have been written about Bacanora, which opened in 2021. That year, Esquire magazine put it on its best new restaurants list. In 2022 The New York Times penned similar praise. And in 2024, the James Beard Foundation nominated chef Rene Andrade as a semifinalist for the second year in a row. It’s safe to say this restaurant has gotten a lot of hype and all this attention has made it one of the hardest reservations to score in the city. But the food is so worth the fuss. Sure there are the flashy items — such as a tomahawk steak that will set you back around $150 — that are undeniably delicious, but it’s the little details that keep us coming back for more. Soupy beans are packed with rich, meaty flavor, and the tortillas are that special Sonoran variety made slightly translucent with their rich combination of flour and lard. At Bacanora, almost everything touches an open flame, and the rotating specials are seriously special.
2814 N. 16th St., #1205
It would be almost impossible to write a list about Mexican food in Phoenix without including Barrio Cafe. Since opening over 20 years ago, this mural-covered space has put Phoenix Mexican food on the map. Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza has been nominated for almost as many awards as there are spices in her rich mole, a favorite on the dinner menu. Some of her most famous dishes include fresh guacamole adorned with deep pink pomegranate seeds, which is an essential start of any meal at Barrio, along with a mango margarita or creamy horchata. The Cochinita Pibil comes piled high on a plate swimming in juices best mopped up with the thick homemade tortillas, and the Chiles en Nogada, a colorful dish that represents the Mexican flag, is the restaurant’s signature dish for good reason at this 16th Street institution.
Chilte, the modern Mexican restaurant on Grand Avenue, continues to build national recognition.
Allison Young
765 Grand Ave.
Chilte is coming off a breakout year after transitioning from a food truck to opening in the revamped Egyptian Motor Hotel on Grand Avenue in 2023. The modern Mexican restaurant helmed by couple Lawrence Smith and Aseret Arroyo caught the attention of local foodies for its birria, which is stuffed into hand-pressed squid ink tortillas or a Benny Blanco flour tortilla and served alongside a savory miso consommé, as well as its mole de la casa and quesadilla with grasshoppers. Chilte also has generated lots of buzz outside of the Valley, with accolades from Esquire and Bon Appetit magazines. Contrary to the restaurant’s mantra of “Me vale madre,” the care and attention the team brings to their food is evident. Chilte’s menu changes seasonally, and the owners often host collaboration events with other chefs, making it worth a visit, and a revisit, regularly.
Try the enchiladas filled with chicken and drenched with a fresh, bright salsa verde at Cocina Chiwas.
Dominic Armato
2001 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe
Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguin are behind some of the Valley’s most beloved and buzzy restaurants, starting with the Tacos Chiwas taquerias and as co-owners of Bacanora, Espiritu and the recently opened Santo. With Cocina Chiwas, the couple has carved out something that reflects where they are in their lives and as chefs, taking diners on a culinary journey from their Chihuahuan roots to a seat at their family table. You can smell the mesquite and pecan wood that fuels the grill and oven in the open kitchen, which chars meats, the Anaheim pepper that’s stuffed with queso menonita for the chile relleno and crisp open-faced quesadillas. The space inside is comfortable and chic. The desserts are stunners. Try the sweet corn panna cotta — creamy, beautifully set and full of rich, sweet flavor from the corn that plays well against seasonal fruit.
Las 15 Salsas specializes in dishes from Oaxaca including multiple varieties of mole.
Jackie Mercandetti
722 W. Hatcher Road
As evidenced by this list, metro Phoenix is filled with wonderful Mexican restaurants, but only a few specialize in food from Oaxaca. At Las 15 Salsas, a small, welcoming spot complete with a twinkle light-strung patio, Oaxacan food, and particularly mole, takes center stage. For those who aren’t sure what to order, try the Moles de Fiesta plate, which comes with three different types of the rich sauce, including black, red, and tangy estofado. An extensive cocktail list accompanies the food and includes one of the best mezcal selections in town. Try the smoky spirit in cocktails such as the Zipolite, a spicy blend of mezcal, tamarind, lime and serrano chile, or neat with individual shots or a tasting sampler.
At Los Reyes de la Torta, the massive menu is only upstaged by the enormous sandwiches.
Tirion Morris
9230 N. Seventh St.
From the outside, Los Reyes de la Torta in Sunnyslope looks like any of the other aging single-level strip mall storefronts that are so common in our desert city. But inside, the restaurant seems to sprawl on forever. Pick a seat in any of the multiple rooms and settle in. The massive menu takes a while to peruse. We like to kick things off with a paper umbrella-adorned agua cremosa, a creamy blend of condensed milk and fresh fruit that comes in flavors including mango, banana and strawberry. And while the menu is huge, pictures help narrow down the choices. There are tacos, burritos, seafood cocktails, large plates and salads, but as this restaurant’s name suggests, it specializes in tortas. We love La Reyna, a mountainous sandwich filled with ham, melted mozzarella, breaded chicken, breaded beef and a sausage omelet topped with chipotle sauce, chipotle dressing, tomato, caramelized onions and lettuce. All of these ingredients somehow blend to create a harmonious lunch that will certainly leave you with enough for leftovers.
If you’re not sure what to order off the long menu at Mariscos Playa Hermosa, try the Plato del Capitan sampler.
Tirion Boan
1605 E. Garfield St.
While the name Mariscos Playa Hermosa suggests this restaurant is similar to many of the seafood-filled spots in town, it really offers a little of everything. Sure, there are giant platters of shrimp, mouth-puckering aguachiles and whole fried fish on the menu, which are worth a visit on their own. But the options here go far beyond the sea. Try a selection of carne asada, fried fish, grilled shrimp and chicken all piled into a scorching hot molcajete with green culichi or red diabla sauces. Lovers of surf and turf can get a taste of the land and sea with the Langosta Playera, a plate that includes a grilled lobster tail, carne asada steak and grilled shrimp. Wash it all down with a creative cocktail that rivals the colorful interior of this bright and lively restaurant. This is a popular destination for family celebrations, so reservations are recommended, especially for groups.
At Presidio Cocina Mexicana, the Chile Relleno is smothered in a spicy, tangy ranchera salsa.
Tirion Morris
519 W. Thomas Road
Presidio Cocina Mexicana is an unsung hero of the Mexican food scene in Phoenix. Sure, people know about it and go for brunch on the weekends. But this place deserves to be celebrated. Tucked into a corner storefront in a strip mall off Thomas Road, this small eatery serves Michoacán-style family recipes. Pull up a seat at the bar or grab a table along the back wall of this long, thin space and settle in for an outstanding meal. The Chile Relleno is a favorite that packs a spicy punch. The fried poblano pepper is filled with queso fresco, topped with ranchera salsa, and served over rice and beans. Specials rotate, and if the mole is available, it’s a must-order dish. A pool of rich, dark mole negro blankets tender chicken in this deeply satisfying plate. Presidio Cocina Mexicana hits that sweet spot where it’s perfect for a casual date night but also a hearty midweek meal.
1325 Grand Ave., #1
Grand Avenue has gotten a lot of press for Mexican food lately, thanks to Sonoran sweetheart Bacanora. But just up the street sits Testal. This small counter-service spot offers intense flavors and soul-satisfying dishes from Chihuahua and some of the most unusual burritos in town. The first thing to know is that you’ll probably want to order two for lunch. These burritos are quite small and come open on both ends, like overstuffed rolled tacos. But the beauty of their size is that it allows you to try a variety of the exceptional fillings on any given visit. The rich, bright red birria is a must, and the spicy, cheesy rajas are some of the best in Phoenix. Thin slices of roasted poblano peppers add a slight crunch to the silky sour cream-based sauce and fluffy flour tortilla. This spot also serves bowls, tacos and breakfast. But the burritos are essential to the Testal experience.
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Tirion Boan
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In his reviews, Lee acquires takeout from local restaurants. He then eats in his car, filming his reactions and giving precise point ratings on a scale from 0 to 10 for each dish. This simple, yet effective, format has grown Lee a combined following of nearly 18 million on Instagram and TikTok. And along with that following comes influence — and controversy.
Positive reviews from Lee can result in restaurants seeing lines around the block of hungry customers wanting to try their food. This phenomenon has been dubbed the Keith Lee Effect.
Lee’s negative reviews can hurt small businesses, especially when his fans pile on the negativity. They sometimes clash with local restaurant customers, who criticize Lee’s method of visiting random cities for a few days and sharing opinions without much context.
Keith Lee posted a poll with four restaurant possibilities. The options included SugarJam The Southern Kitchen.
Tirion Boan
So far, it seems Lee’s visit to Arizona is going well. On Feb. 21, he announced via Instagram and TikTok that he would soon visit the Grand Canyon State — but didn’t say when. He then asked his followers for recommendations for restaurants in four categories.
The restaurants should be “mom and pop spots that have great food and great customer service but could use some marketing,” popular spots voted on by locals, “restaurants from different backgrounds, different cultures and different ethnicities,” and lastly, the most popular spots on DoorDash.
On Monday, Lee posted a poll to his social media asking followers to vote on the popular restaurant that most represents Arizona’s food scene. The options were: SugarJam, Latha, Brunch House and Ace of Wings.
Then on Tuesday, Mesa restaurant Myungrang Hot Dog posted excitedly to its Instagram page that “something crazy happened.” Lee had stopped by.
“We are beyond thankful,” the post said. “Many of you mentioned us in his recent post and he actually came! He is such an amazing guy. He has gifted us with something we will soon share with you!!”
Myungrang Hot Dog is a massive chain with stores all over the world. The two Valley locations, in Mesa and Glendale, are operated by local franchisees.
Keith Lee tried and rated five different flavors from Republica Empanada in Mesa.
Jackie Mercandetti
On Tuesday night, Lee’s first Arizona review dropped on TikTok. He visited Republica Empanada in Mesa. According to his video, Lee’s wife was in a shoe store when a Republica Empanada employee saw her and recommended they visit the Mesa restaurant. She posed for a photo with the woman, who is later shown meeting Lee at the restaurant after he tries the food.
Lee tried and rated five empanadas on a scale of 0 to 10. He gave the Cubana an eight, the chicken and mushroom an 8.5 and the jalapeno popper flavor a four, docking points for the texture being “overly soft.” Of the sweet options, Lee gave the Nutella banana an eight, and the Ruiz’s Pieces, a riff on the classic peanut butter and chocolate candy, a one out of 10. Lee does preface this low rating with the fact he’s not a huge fan of desserts.
Overall, he praised Republica Empanada’s fresh oil, the crispy and flakey texture of the empanadas and was a fan of the salsa.
“If this place is slow, in my opinion, it shouldn’t be,” Lee said — words that may hint at what’s to come for the small Mesa business. At the end of the video, Lee went inside the restaurant to find the woman who had recommended the eatery to his wife.
“We told her no promises, but it might get a little crazy tomorrow,” he said. So far the video has 1.3 million views.
Lee then says he left a $500 tip for the employees and an extra $600 to pay for any customer orders that came in after them.
So far, Lee’s visit to the Valley seems to be bringing positivity. But that’s not always the case when he rolls into town.
When he visited San Francisco, chaos ensued. After local restaurants and media alike braced for Lee’s visit and the resulting reviews, he cut his trip short and left after three days. He shared that he’d suffered a severe allergic reaction, and also alluded to a general lack of love for the Bay area’s internationally acclaimed dining scene. He has also been vocal about his dislike of Atlanta’s food scene, which didn’t sit well with locals.
When news media sends out-of-town reporters to cover local stories, it’s called parachute journalism and often, national reporters miss important context on a local story. The far-reaching nature of social media stardom has made parachute influencing a thing, too.
However, as newsrooms continue to shrink across the U.S. and the number of traditional food critics dwindles, perhaps Lee represents a new sort of food critic.
In Phoenix, food influencers abound yet few traditional food critics remain. The position is currently unfilled at the state’s largest publication, the Arizona Republic. At Phoenix New Times, we are lucky to have the insightful opinions of a freelance food critic, who writes one thoroughly researched, context-heavy review each month. But Dominic Armato’s definition of food critic certainly differs from Lee’s.
Lee hasn’t announced his plans for the rest of his visit to the Valley. However, don’t expect to see him roll up to the counter at your favorite eatery. Lee most often uses family members to place his orders so he doesn’t receive special treatment and to maintain his credibility. However, if the Republica Empanada shoe store story is any indication, his wife is becoming equally recognizable.
Whether the former MMA fighter’s Phoenix visit will result in the Keith Lee Effect or a messy food fight for Valley eateries remains to be seen.
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Tirion Boan
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19580 W. Indian School Road, Litchfield Park
Couples have a chance to say cheers to their relationship with a bubbly toast at The Craftsman Kitchen and Cocktails on Valentine’s Day. Also, ladies will receive a rose upon arrival and the chef is serving a prix fixe menu which includes blood orange salad, crab cakes, a choice of steak with roasted garlic mashed potatoes, pan-fried sea bass with a lemon butter sauce or ratatouille topped with eggplant, squash and zucchini. Dessert includes a brulee bread pudding. The special is available at the Litchfield Park location from 5 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 14 and costs $90 per couple. Make reservations by calling 602-429-0505.
7366 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale
If you and your significant other want to enjoy a culinary journey on Valentine’s Day, Course Restaurant will meet your needs. Chef Cory Oppold is serving an eight-course meal on Feb. 13, 14 and 15. The meal features oysters, a prawn dish, asparagus risotto, short rib tortellini and beef strip loin paired with gnocchi. Desert is honeycomb brittle with chamomile ice cream. The price per person is $175 and reservations can be made at 480-687-0491.
7134 E. Stetson Drive, Scottsdale
Looking for good eats and plenty of glamorous Old Town ambiance? From Feb. 10 to 14, STK Steakhouse is featuring its six-ounce Australian Wagyu filet for $89. Imperial caviar Kaluga reserve is also available. Dessert includes a chocolate lava marshmallow cake to share for $24. Dom Perignon is available by the glass for $69 during dinner and $49 during happy hour and brunch. Reservations can be made by calling 480-581-5171.
5455 E. High St., #115
Want to start your Valentine’s Day celebration early? From Feb. 8 to 18, Ocean Prime is offering a special menu that includes broiled or seared Chilean Sea Bass with lobster ravioli, English peas and asparagus served with parmesan vin blanc and finished with chile oil. Regular menu items are also available to order. Diners can enjoy this special for $70 per person. To make reservations call 480-347-1313.
340 N. Third St.
If you and your significant other are craving a chance to enjoy live music and dinner, Carcara is ready for you. On Feb. 14, from 5 to 10 p.m. the menu will feature a grass-fed filet and chocolate Chile sea scallops with grilled asparagus for $60 and a dessert special of your choice of dark chocolate mousse, New York Cheesecake or strawberry red velvet cake for $16. A red rose will be handed to each couple during dinner. Reservations at this downtown Phoenix restaurant are recommended and can be made by calling 602-262-2500.
15111 N. Hayden Road, #170, Scottsdale
Brunch anyone? SugarJam knows that some couples prefer to celebrate Cupid’s favorite day early. On Feb. 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., SugarJam is highlighting a special Valentine’s Day brunch which includes a cocktail featuring passionfruit, champagne with strawberries followed by the restaurant’s signature waffles and fried chicken dish. Dessert is a sweet cherry pie. Walk-ins are welcome or you can reserve your spot online.
7212 E. Ho Hum Road, Carefree
Carefree Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse is offering specials on a Valentine’s Day menu starting at 4 p.m. Options include a tomahawk featuring a 40-ounce bone-in ribeye with a choice of three sides for $179 per couple, a 24-ounce porterhouse with choice of three sides for $119 per couple or surf and turf that includes petite filet and lobster tail served with Yukon mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus for $59 per person. To cap the evening off, order a chocolate peanut butter cake for $16 or add an extra bonus to your evening with chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne for two for $26. Reservations can be made by calling 602-374-4784.
4801 E. Indian School Road, #4
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with all things pink from The Bread and Honey House. The restaurant is making heart-shaped French toast with edible pink glitter, pink sugar, fresh berries, whipped cream and caramel sauce for $15. The rosey special is available from Feb. 8 to 18. The strawberry margarita, which is a fruity blend of Tres Amigo Tequila and strawberry puree extract, is served with a pink sugared rim for $12.
5816 N. 16th St.
Several specials will be available on Feb. 14 at Phoenix City Grille. If you’re looking for an upscale yet casual atmosphere with good eats, Phoenix City Grille helps set the mood. Start the meal with raspberry Champagne or a glass of rose with rose petals for $13. Follow a drink with New England clam chowder. Main entrees include dry-aged strip loin and lobster with radish sprouts for $65 or a pistachio-crusted seafood halibut with puree for $38. Finish off with an espresso with biscotti Chantilly cream, spiced Arizona pecans and chocolate-covered espresso beans for $12. These specials are available beginning with dinner service at 4 p.m.
10626 N. 32nd St.
At 32 Shea, couples can enjoy a five-course meal in an intimate dining room. On Feb. 14, executive chef Jordan Marshall will showcase his menu which includes a toasted heart-shaped English muffin with caviar, a winter salad, house-made lobster ravioli with ricotta and Calabrian chile, sirloin beef Wellington and a Basque cheesecake. Guests can also choose between a house red or white or a specialty cocktail. The price per person is $65 (including gratuity) and you can call 602- 867-7432 to make a reservation.
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Rudri Patel
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