Michelin-recommended taquerias pop-up at Chase Field

Michelin hasn’t yet revealed which Arizona restaurants will be included in its coveted, forthcoming Southwest guide, but diners can try three Michelin-recommended taquerias in downtown Phoenix this weekend.

Chefs from Mexico City’s Cariñito Tacos, El Vilsito and Tacos Los Alexis have set up a temporary taco pavilion at Chase Field Plaza. The Bib Gourmand taquerias will pop up on the plaza in front of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ ballpark from Friday afternoon through Sunday. 

Though most recognize Michelin for its stars, the Bib Gourmand nod is “a special distinction for restaurants that serve high-quality food at great value,” Michelin says. These taquerias have also gained recognition from TV features and international pop-ups.

You don’t have to be a baseball fan, let alone have a ticket to the game, to eat at the pop-up. The event is free and open to the public, with food available for purchase. Tacos range from $6 to $12. The taquerias will serve throughout the busy baseball weekend from noon until at least 8 p.m. daily. The Diamondbacks host the Toronto Blue Jays for the next three days.

“The CDMX Taco Pavilion gives our fans a unique opportunity to indulge in the culture, flavor and energy of Mexico City right here at Chase Field,” Derrick Hall, the Diamondbacks’ president, CEO and general partner, said in a press release, “and we’re proud to host this special culinary experience celebrating the intersection of baseball, food and shared traditions.”

Meet the taquerias

Cariñito Tacos is anything but traditional, infusing Southeast Asian flavors into its fare. In Mexico City, the taqueria crafts a taut menu. Among its highlights, Michelin points to Cariñito’s Cantones taco. Crispy pork belly, hoisin, Sriracha and pickled cucumber are tucked into a flour tortilla. It’s one of four tacos Cariñito will offer at Chase Field, along with a vegetarian crispy, soy-marinated eggplant taco with herbs, cabbage, Thai-style sauce and crispy shallots.

El Vilsito and its al pastor tacos caught the attention of Michelin inspectors and the producers of the Netflix show, “Taco Chronicles.” In Mexico City, the taqueria takes over an auto repair shop after dark. In Phoenix, diners will spy the taqueria’s trompo spinning outside of the ballpark. The taqueria’s famous al pastor will be served two ways: with cilantro, onion and pineapple, or “Gringa-style” with cheese.

Tacos Los Alexis is known for its crunchy volcanoes, a crispy tosada-like tortilla topped with bubbly melted cheese, costra tacos that feature a crust of griddled cheese and traditional tacos. The Michelin-recommended taqueria was also featured in Eva Longoria’s CNN travelogue, “Searching for Mexico.” Charcoal-grilled ribeye will be featured at the Phoenix pop-up in costras and tacos.

The taco takeover comes from GrinGo, the same travel group that brought the Michelin-starred Mexico City taqueria El Califa de Leon to Tempe last year. The limited run drew frenzied fans who waited in blocks-long lines for hours to get a taste of what the Michelin Guide called an “elemental and pure” dining experience.

With this latest limited-edition event, GrinGo brings more notable Mexican chefs to cook in the Valley.

“This is more than a food event — it’s a cultural experience designed to inspire international travel and connect fans to one of the world’s premier culinary destinations,” Brian Krupski, Founder & CEO of GrinGO, said in a press release announcing this latest taste of Mexico City. 

The taco takeover tees up the Diamondbacks’ upcoming two-day stand in Mexico City, facing the San Diego Padres on April 25 and 26. The international games are the latest installment of the MLB World Tour.

CDMX Taco Pavilion

Friday, April 17 through Sunday, April 19
401 E. Jefferson St.