North-American Food and Cooking

CLOSED: X-Tapa Joe's in North Scottsdale

Oh, Joe, say it ain't so. X-Tapa Joe's, the North Scottsdale Mexican restaurant, has been X'd out: The restaurant has shuttered. See also: - Cheuvront Restaurant in Phoenix to Close at the End of May - CLOSED: Busters on the Lake in Scottsdale Located at 7500 East Pinnacle Peak Road, the lively M ... More >>

13 Metro Phoenix Restaurants and Bars with Cinco de Mayo Celebrations

Okay, so maybe you don't know exactly why it's a tradition to eat, drink, and party on Cinco de Mayo (FYI, it's to commemorate the 150-year-old Battle of Puebla, a victory of the Mexican militia over the French army). But those pesky details shouldn't stop you from having a truly awesome modern Amer ... More >>

Taquitos Jalisco: Easy Familiarity and Robust Flavor in Mesa

Fiona Dunlop's Mexican Modern is on Minerva's Must-Read List

Mention the words 'Mexican food' and the descriptors 'rustic' and 'peasant food' as well as 'burrito' and 'killer tacos' may come to most minds. This narrow and pastoral view of Mexican cuisine -- held not only by the average Joe, but by food writers and chefs alike -- is my greatest current frustra ... More >>

10 Best Burritos in Metro Phoenix

The burrito is America's Mexican food, and here in Phoenix, we're lucky to have some of the nation's best -- fresh, flavorful, and more often than not, fearsome in size. Check out our list of 10 burritos that remind you why you choose to live in Arizona. See Also: - The World's First Airborne Mexi ... More >>

Muy Gigante: La Merced Supersizes It in Mesa

Ask a Mexican on Losing Jobs to DREAMers

Welcome to Minervaland

Welcome to Minervaland. In Minervaland, all food is Mexican -- or should be -- and tostadas are easily consumed all the way through without breaking. Strawberry ice creams bars can be found on every corner, every cup of coffee is face-smackingly strong and is always served with a concha; those dome ... More >>

Lunch Under $10 at La Tolteca in Phoenix

Downtowners know to hit up La Tolteca to satisfy all their Mexican food cravings -- from tamales and enchiladas to an entire case of fresh baked cakes and other goodies. There's usually a pretty big lunch rush and it's not hard to see why with their cheap prices and huge portions. The brightly col ... More >>

Doug Robson Dishes On Why Tacos Are Great and What It's Like to Eat Bugs and Worms

Doug Robson Gallo Blanco Café, The Clarendon Hotel 401 W. Clarendon Avenue, Phoenix 602-274-4774 www.galloblancocafe.com See also: -- Gallo Blanco's Doug Robson to Open New (and Slightly Different) Mexican Restaurant in March -- 8 Best Neighborhood Mexican Restaurants: Best of Phoenix 2012 This ... More >>

Django Unchained and Dinner at Baby Kay's

While a jumbo tub of hot buttered popcorn is one of our most frequently indulged guilty pleasures, we think a good movie deserves a little better company than junk food. Try out our movie and meal pairings for yourself or feel free to suggest one of your own favorites in the comments. The Movie: D ... More >>

Jamburritos Cajun Grille Announces New Weekly Location on Roosevelt Row

Food truck fans rejoice: starting on Monday, January 7, it's going to be easier than ever to find a mobile eatery at lunchtime from Monday through Thursday. Jamburritos Cajun Grille Express will be serving up New Orleans eats from a semi-permanent space on Roosevelt between 3rd and 5th Streets from ... More >>

Lunch under $10 at Tacos Atoyac

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 othe ... More >>

12 Favorite Spots to Score Tamales in Greater Phoenix

When it comes to the holiday season, living in the Southwest means enjoying the bonus of fresh tamales in addition to the rest of the country's more traditional fare. Whether they are green, red, vegetarian, or sweet, several places throughout the Valley are happy to serve up your favorites. Here ar ... More >>

Tortas Ahogadas Pours It On with Tasty Cheap Eats

8 Best Neighborhood Mexican Restaurants: Best of Phoenix 2012

We've spent the last year in the laboratory putting Phoenix under the microscope to reveal hundreds of specimens of the best culture, outdoor adventures, shopping, dining, and nightlife the city has to offer. And we're finally ready to publish our results. Nerd alert! Now presenting Scientific Phoen ... More >>

So-So Huevos and Fabulous French Toast at SOL Mexican Cocina

Welcome to Brunched, where Chow Bella samples local restaurants' offerings for our favorite meal. Hey, you get to sleep in and eat breakfast -- what's not to like? See also: Two New Brunches Hit the Valley in October: Mastro's Gets Its First (Bloody Mary Bar!), Lon's Updates Theirs With Outdoor M ... More >>

Chimi Challenge: Macayo's vs. El Molino

Everybody tells the same story about how the chimichanga was invented: somebody accidentally dropped a meat-filled burrito into a fryer. And according to the publicity machine for Macayo's Mexican Kitchen, that somebody was its founder Woody Johnson, who opened his first restaurant here in Phoenix i ... More >>

So What Exactly Do We Mean When We Say "American Cooking"?

As a food writer, I'm required to describe or categorize the food served at restaurants so that readers know what to expect and whether or not they want to go. Sounds easy enough, right? Especially since most of the time, chef-owners or their PR teams do the heavy lifting for me. See also: Eliot W ... More >>

Carolina's Oaxaca Special Burro, Enchilada-Style: A Must-Try Classic.

The Guilty Pleasure: Oaxaca Special Burro, enchilada style. Where to Get It: Carolina's Mexican Food Price: About five bucks. What It Really Costs: No more damage than your average Mexican meal in this town. Which is to say, your cardiologist will make his boat payment this month. See also: 10 Favo ... More >>

El Rinconcito: Mexico City Street Food in Sunnyslope

Silvana Salcido Esparza Explains What Mexican Food Is Not and Discusses the Food Term That Makes Her Skin Crawl

See also: Silvana's Changing It Up Again at Barrio Queen See also: Chef Salad: Jeff Kraus Explains What's Cool About Food Trucks Silvana Salcido Esparza Barrio Cafe 2814 N. 16th Street, Phoenix 602-636-0240 www.barriocafe.com Barrio Queen Tequileria, Restaurant and Tiendita 7114 E. Stetson Drive, ... More >>

Salsitas: Blame it on the Alcohol

Hey, readers, get ready. We're putting new meaning into the term "street food." For Chow Bella's latest mission -- "Eating 16th Street" -- we've employed a young woman who's literally eaten her way around the world. Alex Rodriguez has eaten borscht in Moscow, steak in Buenos Aires and a "life-changi ... More >>

Barrio Queen Still Searching for an Identity

Quick and Thrifty Breakfast at Los Compadres

In an effort to make Mom proud, Chow Bella's taking a good, hard look at the most important meal of the day in the form of Scrambled, a mash-up of breakfast recipes, news and reviews of local restaurants serving the a.m. crowd. We'd been passing the Seventh Avenue location of Los Compadres and noti ... More >>

Los Jarritos: Mexican Food and a Twist of Twilight Zone

Tamale Dinner at Corona Ranch Tonight Benefits Friendly House

If you have a hankering for some Mexican food and don't already have plans tonight, might we suggest tamales and a show in South Phoenix. The 77th Annual Friendly House Tamale Dinner is tonight from 5 to 9 at Corona Ranch Rodeo Grounds.

Juan's Authentic Mexican Food Serves Up Giant (Authentic) Portions for Under $10

Finding decent Mexican food on the cheap in Central Phoenix isn't difficult, but finding amazing service from a staff that makes you feel like family is a little bit more of a challenge. Good thing we found Juan's Authentic Mexican Food. Located on Thomas Road just west of 16th Street, Juan's sits ... More >>

Huevos Rancheros Warfare: Rokerij vs. Gallo Blanco

Huevos Rancheros, the traditional Mexican breakfast dish, is a menu staple at almost every drive-thru taco shop and Mexican eatery in the Valley. It's the perfect cure for a hangover and includes all five important elements of a hearty breakfast -- eggs, tortillas, beans, rice, and cheese. Instead ... More >>

Ask a Mexican on Food Trucks and The Best Mexican Food

Beefy Red Chile Tamales from The Tamale Store

Tacos may very well be the perfect food, but let's face it, the standard Meximerican fare can get a bit stale after a while. Taco the Town is here to highlight some of the more unusual Mexican finds in the Valley. This week: Red Chile Tamales from the Tamale Store ¿Como se dice?: The holiday sea ... More >>

Top 10 Worst Mexican Restaurants in Metro Phoenix

In the Valley there's amazing Mexican food from the mom 'n' pop hole-in-the-wall to blow-your-mind haute cuisine, Mexican-style. You would think that with such a wealth of delicious and accessible Mexican food on every corner, there would be no need for a "Worst Of..." list. You would be wrong. Wh ... More >>

Fuego Tacos Misses a Few Opportunities

Cheese Enchiladas from Carolina's Mexican Food

Tacos may very well be the perfect food, but let's face it, the standard Meximerican fare can get a bit stale after a while. Taco the Town is here to highlight some of the more unusual Mexican finds in the valley. This week: Cheese Enchiladas from Carolina's Mexican Food ¿Como se dice?: Cheese e ... More >>

Campechana Tostada: Mixed Sea Critters from Mariscos Sinaloa

Erica O'NeilThe campechana tostada from Mariscos Sinaloa, packed with octopus and conch.​Tacos may very well be the perfect food, but let's face it, the standard Meximerican fare can get a bit stale after a while. Taco the Town is here to highlight some of the more unusual Mexican finds in the ... More >>

Let's Make it Official: Arizona Needs a State Food

Tacos Atoyac: Street-Style Oaxacan Eats

Fiesta Grill, in Tradiciones' Former Space, Is a Disappointing First Taste

When a new spot opens in town, we can't wait to check it out -- and let you know our initial impressions. Share a few photos, 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, sampling a few items, and satisfyi ... More >>

$10 Lunch at Habanero's

​Resolving to tighten the belt in 2012? Food-wise, this post won't help you much. But money-wise, yes. Here's a delicious, low-priced lunch option in North Scottsdale for Mexican food lovers. Here's a hint: Check out Habanero's Mexican Grill's daily specials white board. On the day we visited, th ... More >>

Top Ten Places to Snag Your Holiday Tamales

Flickr- Big Rick Crappy Photos A Southwest holiday must: steamed tamales wrapped in corn husks. ​'Tis the season for tamales! If you've spent any time in the Southwest you know we do cocoa and cookies around the holidays just like everywhere else, but that the holiday season just isn't the ... More >>

Caramelos from Mickey's Hot Dogs

Erica O'Neil Caramelos! Two crispy, buttery tortillas packed with carne asada and melty queso blanco.​Tacos may very well be the perfect food, but let's face it, the standard Meximerican fare can get a bit stale after a while. Taco the Town is here to highlight some of the more unusual Mexi ... More >>

Tamales 101: 10 Tips from a First-Time Holiday Tamale Maker

​For some, the Holy Grail of Holiday Cooking is the croquembouche. For others, it's the perfect latke or maybe the whole turkey-and-fixin's line-up. But tamales have always topped my holiday bucket list. Maybe because "Tamale Day" has long been described by friends in hushed tones -- romant ... More >>

Wrapped Goodness: The Twelve Tamales of Christmas from Los Sombreros

Here at Chow Bella, we understand how important it is to give (and receive) the perfect foodie gift. So this season, we're helping out by offering 21 food- and drink-focused gift suggestions, one each work day until Christmas, from a local business or provider. You get scads of rock-star ideas, the ... More >>

El Hefe: Tabletop Taps and Mexican Food with a Twist in Scottsdale

Roasted Vegetable and Bean Tostada with a Fried Egg

Jennifer Woods​Lately, in this In Season series, we're taking a look at what I take home from Crooked Sky Farms each week and see what I've done with my CSA share, or part share. This week I'm using butternut squash and green beans.

Poblano May Have Difficulty Competing with Neighborhood Staples

Vitamin T Breakfast Starts Today: Buenos Días, Señor Ham & Egg Torta

Sara Dalton​Wake up, downtown Phoenix, your Mexican breakfast is ready. Vitamin T, celebu-chef Aaron May's home of tacos, tortas, and tequila in the Cityscape building, officially opens for breakfast today and my does it look tasty. Think smoked ham and oven-roasted chicken tortas, a breakfa ... More >>

Huauchinango's Poblano Cuisine Will Leave You Saying "Holy Mole"

Hibiscus Quesadillas from Los Sombreros

Wikimedia Commons- Thelmadatter A bright and beautiful pile of dried hibiscus flowers, ready to become jamaica or quesadillas.​Tacos may very well be the perfect food, but let's face it, the standard Meximerican fare can get a bit stale after a while. Taco the Town is here to highlight some ... More >>

Five Favorite Mexican Restaurants in Phoenix

America's Taco Shop -- mmm. ​Talk about a tough choice. There's no way to offer up the whole enchilada in one post when it comes to Valley Mexican restaurants -- but here's a start. What's your fave? Tell us in the comments. Here are five of ours. 1. America's Taco ShopWe've sampled nearl ... More >>