Tacos Atoyac is pretty much known by every foodie in the Phoenix Metro area as the best spot to grab a taco or five. Reasonably priced and well made with fresh, quality ingredients, the small, simple tacos are great for anyone who loves variety but adheres to a budget. Not to mention all of the other delicious options like tamales, horchata and tortas.
The small stand off of Glendale Avenue just east of Nineteenth Avenue is the perfect place to bring an out-of-towner for authentic Mexican cuisine. Its charmingly tiny interior and covered patio, with owner Pablo Lopez behind the register, makes Tacos Atoyac an ideal, albeit understandably crowded, lunch destination.
See Also:
- Best Neighborhood Restaurant, Central Phoenix - 2012: Tacos Atoyac
- $10 Lunch at Taqueria Mi Casita
- A Guide to Fresh Mexican Cheese and the Dishes to Top with It
How many tacos and tamales can you buy at Tacos Atoyac for under $10? Find out after the jump.
Tacos Atoyac's menu has a ton of options, most of which are between $1 and $5, so for $10 you can really try a little of everything. We went for a lengua taco, a chorizo taco, a red chile beef tamale, and a side of beans and rice all for only $8.20. Depending on how strict you are with your $10, you can even add a delicious housemade horchata for $10.11 total.
The crazy part of this lunch deal is that Tacos Atoyac isn't some Filiberto's copy cat. The Oaxacan style is a nice change from the typical Sonoran or Americanized styles of Mexican food commonly found in the Valley. The meats are all marinated and prepared perfectly. The tortillas are fresh. The salsas are homemade and all the tacos really need other than that is a little squeeze of lime juice. If red meat isn't your thing, they also offer some great shrimp and fish tacos.
The tamales are also a winner at Tacos Atoyac, with perfectly moist masa, not dry and hard to swallow like typically found in those sold in the freezers of many local grocery stores. Plus the fluffy, lightly seasoned rice and smooth and flavorful black beans make a perfect side to any order. Next time we're going back for more tacos and a torta.
