Phoenix taqueria that went viral twice in 5 years has closed

After TikTok food influencer Keith Lee bit into a pollo quesataco from Juanderful Tacos, he paused to gather his thoughts.

“Fresh, crisp, seasoned. 8.7 out of 10,” Lee said in the 2024 review of the Phoenix taqueria, covering his mouth with a hand dripping with green salsa. “I’d eat about six of these, though.”

For the uninitiated, that was a glowing review from the former MMA fighter turned restaurant tastemaker, and positioned Juanderful Tacos among Lee’s favorite spots during a trip to the Valley. The video has been viewed 3.8 million times on TikTok. It wouldn’t be the last time the taqueria founded by Juan Robles and his wife, Evelyn Gomez, would host a mega-influencer at their restaurant.

Yet, after five years running the Phoenix taqueria, the owners have called it quits, serving their last tacos on March 21.

“What started as a dream turned into something way bigger because of YOU—our community, our customers, our people,” the taqueria shared in a post on Instagram. “You showed up, supported us, believed in us and made this journey unforgettable.”

Robles and Gomez launched Juanderful Tacos from their backyard in 2021. Soon, they set up in the parking lot of a shopping center on the northeast corner of Camelback Road and 37th Avenue, then moved into a brick-and-mortar space in that center in 2022.

The casual taqueria highlighted its scratch-made approach to both traditional and more modern tacos, placing a large comal up front next to the register, perfuming the dining room with the scent of freshly cooked corn tortillas. Juanderful Tacos was among Phoenix New Times’ best taco shops around the Valley.

Taqueria went viral twice

The day after Lee’s review went live, the taqueria saw a huge surge in new customers and served 10 times as many tacos as usual. The wave of new interest continued.

Less than a year later, YouTuber Juan Gonzalez (aka ThatWasEpic) made an unannounced visit to the restaurant and gave the cashier $10,000 for future orders. Gonzalez announced the open tab to his followers, and a line formed almost instantly. 

Juanderful Tacos sold out of food and offered vouchers for a return visit. After one visit went viral, the crew knew what to expect, Robles told Phoenix New Times in 2025.

“We kept saying, ‘Yeah, it’s busy, but it’s not our first rodeo,’” he said.

The owners did not immediately respond to a request to comment on the taqueria’s closure. In Juanderful Tacos’ Instagram post, the owners expressed gratitude to their customers and community. 

“We’ve shared laughs, late nights, long lines, and so many tacos… and we wouldn’t trade it for anything,” the post said. “From the bottom of our hearts — thank you for riding with us for the last 5 years.”