Taco Summer: Deep-Fried Beef Taco Rolls in Mesa

15. Taquitos Jalisco

Taquería: Taquitos Jalisco, 1052 West Broadway Drive, Mesa
Open Since: 2003
Style: From the Mexican state of Jalisco
Signature Taco: Rolled shredded beef tacos

Tacos come in many shapes and sizes. In some cases, after eating as many as we have, you’ll begin to question where the definition of a taco begins and ends. One such example is the rolled taco, also called the taquito, the flauta, or the taco dorado. A tortilla is wrapped around meat — usually shredded, and usually beef — and then fried until crispy. It is a taco designed for dipping.

Not many restaurants in metro Phoenix specialize in the rolled taco, but there is one in Mesa: Taquitos Jalisco. The menu runs the gamut from conventional tacos and burritos to soups, but the prominence of the rolled tacos are right there in the name.

With the rolled taco, there should always be a deep textural contrast between the outer shell and the filling, which should be moist and tender. If the rolled taco is allowed to sit for too long, the moisture escapes — either out the ends or absorbed into the shell — resulting in the treacherous impostor that is the gas station taquito, which bears no resemblance to a great crispy rolled taco.

At Taquitos Jalisco, taquitos come in increments of three and five, always served under a salad-sized portion of lettuce and shredded cheese. As for the dipping, you’ll notice a condiment unlike any other you’ve seen — a bright green, creamy sauce made from tomatillos, jalapeños, and avocado. The combination is common enough, but Jalisco’s sauce is the color of spearmint. If it isn’t artificially colored, it’s some kind of miracle. Either way, it’s deliciously cool, a touch creamy, and packs a nice little kick that takes these very good namesake tacos from really good to great.



Our Taco Summer picks so far:

50. Taqueria Don Beto
49. Kiss Pollos Estilo Sinaloa
48. Tacos Tijuana
47. El Burrito Grande
46. El Horseshoe Restaurant
45. Tacos Sahuaro
44. El Pollo Correteado
43. Adrian's
42. La Fiesta
41. Taqueria Lucy
40. Tortas Ahogadas George
39. Taqueria El Chino
38. Joe's Tacos
37. Taqueria El Gallo de Lagos
36. Tacos Huicho
35. Puffy Taco Shack
34. Ni De Aqui Ne De Alla
33. Mr. Mesquite
32. Senor Ozzy's
31. Tacos Jalisco
30. Ta'Carbon
29. Taqueria Los Yaquis
28: Helio Basin Brewing
27: Sonora Taco Shop
26: Mercado Y Carniceria Cuernavaca
25. Restaurant Atoyac Estilo Oaxaca
24. Paquime Street Food
23. The Rez
22. Asadero Toro
21. La Frontera 1
20. Taquería Yaqui
19. Presidio Cocina Mexicana
18. Mucha Lucha Taco Shop
17. Casa Reynoso
16. Backyard Taco