The Phoenix New Times food team has traveled from El Mirage to Ahwatukee and everywhere in between in search of the very best tortillas, meats, vegan options and more. Here are our findings for the best tacos in Phoenix.
El Fogón Taqueria
1327 E. Chandler Blvd. #108 Tucked into house-dotted hills of Ahwatukee, El Fogón is a true neighborhood gem. This spot is always packed with customers enjoying enchiladas, sopes, salads, mountains of nachos and plenty of tacos. One of the most popular orders is the taco trio, which includes a choice of three of the restaurant's signature creations. Standouts include the Taco al Carbon, which is dunked in red salsa, filled with steak and chorizo and folded over with melty cheese. We also love the Taco Governador, which includes a hearty portion of shrimp with pico de gallo and cheese, folded and grilled. Along with the loaded and folded specialty tacos, there are street tacos that come with the classic meats, onions and cilantro sold a la carte. Settle in to enjoy your meal at this comfortable, modern restaurant and when you're finished, don't forget to stop by the dessert shop next door to complete your experience with a mangonada or churro doughnut with ice cream. 
Juanderful Tacos serves traditional and creative options.
Sara Crocker
Juanderful Tacos
3650 W. Camelback Road Juan Robles and his wife, Evelyn Gomez, started their taqueria out of their backyard in 2021, not long after graduating from Grand Canyon University. The couple opened a brick-and-mortar space within a year. After visiting, it’s understandable how the pair managed to develop a following, which includes the TikTok food influencer Keith Lee, so quickly. Each taco at Juanderful Tacos starts with a corn tortilla that you can see pressed and griddled right behind the counter. The meats that can be tucked into those pillowy tortillas range from traditional to less so. That means you can have a lengua or cabeza taco alongside a cheesy quesataco stuffed with tender grilled carne asada. The taqueria makes everything from scratch, including fiery salsas and refreshing aguas frescas. While not every place that goes viral lives up to the hype, Juandeful Tacos is a fun family-run restaurant worth a visit.
Just Tacos and More offers an a la carte menu allowing customers to mix and match their meals.
Tirion Boan
Just Tacos and More
2910 N. 32nd St., #160 The name of Just Tacos and More doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. But when you try the Arcadia-area restaurant’s tacos, it starts to become clear. These unique, creative bites are just tacos, but they are also so much more. Take, for example, the Mexicano, which starts with a tortilla and your choice of meat, but is then topped with grilled queso fresco, nopales, guacamole and black beans to create an unusual and exceptional bite. One of our favorites is the deep-fried shrimp taco, topped with tender shrimp, avocado, chipotle sauce and chunky mango salsa. Hard-shelled tacos, rolled taquitos and street tacos are also available. Wash it all down with a cocktail, beer or horchata filled with cubes of apple for a unique meal of tacos, and more.
La Bamba
12102 W. Thunderbird Road, El Mirage Driving out to El Mirage may not be high on the list for many Valley dwellers, but La Bamba is worth the trek. The small, homely restaurant is decorated with signs from top to bottom, proclaiming wisdom like “Peace, Love, Tacos.” Order a creamy horchata and some cheesy elote to start, before digging into a platter of tacos. Served a la carte or in combos, make sure to order your tacos "La Bamba-style." This means the soft, yellow corn tortillas are loaded up with melty cheese, your choice of meat, onions, cilantro and a trio of red, green and yellow salsas that make for a colorful and flavor-packed bite. We're fans of the tangy al pastor and the rich and perfectly charred carne asada. When heading out to the northwest Valley, make sure you're hungry and look for the bright blue building to know you're in the right spot. 
Ta'Carbon Mexican Grill
Multiple locations The three West Valley taco shops known collectively as Ta’Carbon are famous for their carne asada. It’s juicy, savory and grilled over mesquite charcoal, earning every bit of its fame. But don’t skip the other specialties at this staple taco spot. Try the Has taco, with carne asada, chopped green chiles and melty cheese. If you can't tear yourself away from the carne asada, there are a few combinations on the menu that include a taste of multiple meats. Try the Taco Campechano, which includes both carne asada and tripas and the Taco Mixto, which has carne asada and al pastor. Any of the meats can also be made into burritos, caramelos, quesadillas, plates or family packs to-go. Slide up to the counter, place your order and then find a seat in the casual, no-frills dining rooms, and make sure to stop by the salsa bar for all the fixings.
Taco Boy’s
Multiple locations There’s a cookout kind of element at Taco Boy’s. The centerpiece behind the counter of the modern taqueria, which first debuted in downtown Phoenix’s Roosevelt Row in 2019, is a large grill fueled by mesquite charcoal. Today, Taco Boy’s has six locations in Phoenix and Tempe to order its Sonoran-style tacos. The taqueria excels at carne asada that’s seasoned simply with salt and flame-kissed on the grill, but don’t skip Taco Boy’s juicy cabeza and flavorful barbacoa. Tacos can be made on flour or corn tortillas, or opt for a vampiro – a tortilla griddled until crisp, then topped with cheese and your choice of meat. No matter what you order, dress up your plate however you’d like with the expansive offerings at the salsa bar. We never skip the verde or guacamole salsa.
Taco Viva
2815 E. Indian School Road At Taco Viva, a high-energy experience starts the moment customers walk through the door and are greeted by a team that shouts "buenos dias" from behind the counter. The restaurant, located on Indian School Road at 28th Street, opened in June 2024. The menu is inspired by the Sonoran and Mexico City upbringings of owners Rigo Neri and James Greaves. That menu is painted on two walls that line the path to the counter where customers order. There are traditional tacos, available on corn or flour tortillas, as well as crisp tostadas, vampiros and cheesy, quesadilla-like mulas that can be customized with carne asada, al pastor, chicken or mushrooms. You can also choose what goes on top of each bite, but for those who don’t want to think too hard – or want the full treatment – ask for your tacos “con todo.” That request adds salsa, guacamole, onion and cilantro. Among the meat selections, try the tender flame-grilled chicken or the flavorful al pastor that is shaved from the trompo and finished on your taco with a thin slice of pineapple.
Tacos Chilango
Multiple locations Tacos Chilango takes inspiration from the street food of Mexico City. It’s grown from one restaurant to three – in Phoenix, Avondale and Litchfield Park – since opening in 2020. Tacos Chilango’s menu ranges from more traditional tacos al carbon to queso tacos and massive machetes. The al pastor tacos are a must order – juicy, a touch spicy and with a hint of sweetness from cubed pineapple. While not everyone loves cheese and seafood, the shrimp queso taco was another standout on the menu. The comforting, gooey cheese isn’t quite as heavy with shrimp and a crisp cabbage slaw tucked in. A final surprise on the menu takes the milanesa filling of a cemita – breaded steak and refried beans – and packages it in a tortilla.
Tacos Chiwas
Multiple locations When Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguin opened their original location of Tacos Chiwas in a former Dairy Queen on McDowell Road in 2016, the couple introduced Valley diners to flavors inspired by their roots in Chihuahua, Mexico. Their menu of tacos on housemade tortillas, gorditas, burritos and craveable elote cups quickly drew long lines. Today, Tacos Chiwas has locations in Phoenix and downtown Mesa. In June, the couple added an outpost at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport’s Terminal 4. No matter which location you’re dining at, you can’t go wrong with the melt-in-your-mouth barbacoa, summery calabacitas or the namesake Taco Chiwas, topped with beef, ham, jalapenos, Anaheim chiles and asadero cheese. Grab a seat, help yourself at the salsa bar and be sure to save room for the restaurant’s heavenly tres leches carrot cake. 
Tacos Veganos
3301 E. Indian School Road 1579 N. Dysart Road, Suite H, AvondaleWhether you avoid meat or not, Tacos Veganos is delicious for all. This vegan restaurant serves classic Mexican street food minus any animal products. Try the beer-battered fried cauliflower or the excellent plant-based al pastor topping tacos, folded into burritos or as a plate with rice and refried beans. Fresh, bright salsas add to the plant-based party. For those skipping meat, but craving rich, hearty flavor, the birria and consome will have everyone fooled. Pair your meal with a cold beer or refreshing agua fresca at this modern, colorful space.
