10 Great Spots for Pozole in Metro Phoenix

Pozole is a hundreds-year-old Mexican stew made with hominy and often some type of protein (chicken, beef, or pork). Like many dishes from Mexico, it's regionally influenced, which is why you'll see different colors of broth (red, white, or green).

Pozole is generally served with garnish, and usually enjoyed on special occasions. Or you can just order it at these pozolerias and restaurants across greater Phoenix.

Pozoleria Mexican Food

2801 East Van Buren Street

Pozole is the star at Pozoleria Mexican Food, a counter-service restaurant where you can have your pick of red, white, or green. Each bowl is served with pork and topped with avocado, radish, lemon, onions, cilantro, and a side of chicharron.

Tortas Ahogadas Guadalajara

518 North Arizona Avenue, Chandler

Located inside the Mercado Plaza del Sol, this small establishment packs a big punch. Serving traditional Jalisco-style food, you can find such gems as tortas covered in a red chili sauce, carne en su jugo, and red pork pozole at Tortas Ahogadas Guadalajara. The well-stocked salsa bar lets you pick your own toppings and garnishes.

La Mejor Barbacoa

6522 North 59th Avenue

This is a place where you feel like you just entered a restaurant in Mexico City — even though it's located next to Old Towne Glendale. La Mejor Barbacoa, as its name indicates, specializes in barbacoa, a lamb barbecue recipe passed down three generations. Among the other menu items you'll find are quesadillas filled with huitlacoche or squash blossom, huaraches, and, of course, pozole. Here, the green pork pozole is served with pork rinds and avocado.

Los Taquitos

Multiple Locations

Los Taquitos' extensive menu grows a little every weekend with the addition of pozole and menudo on the menu. The red pork pozole is hearty with a nice, spicy kick. The family-owned local chain also offers thin, crispy chips and salsa to pair with your pozole.

Casa Corazon Restaurant

2637 North 16th Street

Inside this bright-orange building in central Phoenix, simple ingredients are elevated into bold flavors. The pozole at Casa Corazon Restaurant is chicken and hominy cooked in a flavorful green broth, served with onions and cilantro as a garnish. Couple it with one of the refreshing flavored waters, and you'll be set.

Gallo Blanco

928 East Pierce Street

Inspired by his childhood, Chef Doug Robson provides two kinds of pozole for his guests — one, a red pozole with pork; the other, a vegetarian option served with seasonal vegetables. Both hearty options served at Gallo Blanco come with a side of tortillas.

Ladera Taverna y Cocina

8729 North Central Avenue

This hip Mexican restaurant and bar offers a menu described as “an authentic take on modern Mexican cuisine.” Tacos are an easy choice, and the cocktails are top tier, but the pozole at Ladera Taverna y Cocina is also worth spotlighting. It’s served as a hearty red meal-starter, and topped with cabbage, avocado, radish, onion, cilantro, and, of course, lime.

Urban Beans

3508 North Seventh Street

This 24-hour eatery, located along the lower Seventh Street dining corridor, doesn't just serve coffee and baked goods. It'll satisfy all of your vegan cravings with choices like lasagna, quesadillas, and pozole. In addition to the hominy, the soup at Urban Beans contains garbanzo and potatoes, and is topped with lime and cabbage.

Taco Guild

546 East Osborn Road

Taco Guild has a nationwide reputation for tacos, but its pozole is definitely worth trying. The restaurant serves a green carnitas pozole during the weekdays only, so you better move.

Barrio Cafe

2814 North 16th Street

It should be no surprise that Barrio Café — established in 2002 by Wendy Gruber and Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza and located along Calle 16 — has an excellent rendition of this dish. The posole verde here is high on the menu, and includes pork, hominy, tomatillo, poblano pepper, cabbage, and onion.

Editor's note: This story was originally published on January 29, 2020. It was updated on August 12, 2020.