Pozoleria Mi Casita

As the name implies, you can't go wrong with the West Phoenix storefront's Mexican soups. Three versions of puzzle (red, white, or green), as well as caldo de res and menudo, make this quaint restaurant worth seeking out. Richly flavored broths liberally loaded with chunks of tender meat are top-notch, as is the cesina (seasoned beef) entree. Mexican-food staples such as carnitas, tortas, mole rojo, burritos, tacos, and a wide variety of mariscos (seafood) round out the typically extensive menu. Like so many tiny family-run Mexican places in Phoenix, Mi Casita is easy to miss. But its authentic flavors make it a diamond in the rough on the west side.