If it wasn't for our favorite Mexican dip, tortilla chips would be super lonely, chimichangas would suffer, and nachos would be sad piles of melty cheese.
Thankfully, that's not the case and we have plenty of restaurants in town serving up big bowls of the sought after green stuff. Here's a list of our ten favorite places to score guacamole.
Gallo Guacamole from HIllside Spot and Gallo Blanco -- Chef Doug Robson and staff really know how to mash an avocado at Ahwatukee's Hillside Spot and Phoenix's trendy Gallo Blanco. The ripe fruit is smashed together with a variety of spices, mandarin oranges, and crumbles of cotija cheese. Scoop it up with their house made tortilla chips and wash it down with a frosty beverage at either one of these Valley hot spots.
. Guacamole from Mucho Gusto -- If you're looking for a healthy dose of chunky green guac, stop by the relaxing patio of Tempe's Mucho Gusto. Big chunks of fresh avocado and mixed with tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and cotija cheese and then topped with a generous dose of Grand Marnier jalapeno syrup. The mixture is more sweet than spicy but totally delicious. Ask for it "hot" if you're craving more heat and don't forget to wash it down with one of Mucho's super strong house margaritas.
Traditional Guacamole with Crab from Distrito -- The vibrant restaurant inside the stylish Saguaro Hotel in Scottsdale may still have a few kinks to work out but their Traditional Guacamole is perfect just the way it is. Ripe mashed avocados are fork mashed with just the right amount of cilantro, serrano peppers for a nice slow burn, a splash of lime and meaty crab. With or without the crab, the giant bowl of avocado mash is enough to feed you and at least three of your friends so make sure you bring your appetite!
Guacamole & Salsa Trio at Asi Es La Vida -- Don't let the bright purple exterior of this quaint family owned Mexican restaurant scare you off --the interior is dark and cozy, perfect for escaping the heat for lunch or impressing a first date. Right off the bat, your server will ask if you want guacamole and you're going to want to say yes. The simple guacamole is served with three spicy housemade salsas and crispy chips. The creamy avocado is barely seasoned to let the true flavor of the green fruit shine through and the spicy salsas add the perfect level of heat to the green dip. Follow up this easy appetizer with a bowl of their Crema de Cilantro for a real culinary treat.
Nutty Rawvocado Dip from Chakra 4 Herb & Tea House -- It may sound like a silly hippie play on words but this unique guacamole is one that shouldn't be skipped because of its goofy name. Silky avocado is blended with sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts and a dash of lime and served with marinated sticks of fresh carrots, celery, and cucumber. A delicious vegetarian treat from one of the Valley's best vegan restaurants.
Creamy Guacamole from Whole Foods -- Sometimes the craving for a big bowl of spicy guac hits but we don't want to hassle with actually going to a restaurant. Thankfully Whole Foods whips up a mean guacamole that's loaded with tomatoes, onions, garlic, cilantro, and lime juice. The creamy dip goes great on pita chips, veggies, sandwiches, or straight outta the container. We never leave Whole Foods without it!
Smashed Avocado from Frank & Albert's -- You really can't beat the elegant beauty of the historic Biltmore Hotel in Central Phoenix and dining in either one of the property's gourmet restaurants is a treat everyone should experience at least once. At the casual Frank & Albert's you can score a bowl full of their delightful Smashed Avocado dip made with ripe avocados, diced jalapenos, sweet cilantro, a drizzle of Arizona lime juice, and garnished with a spoonful of chunky tomato salsa. Scoop it up with one of their crispy homemade corn chips and wash it down with a cold pint of Oak Creek Hefeweizen.
Rita's Guac from Rita's Kitchen -- Every single time we're enjoying the spectacular patio at the Camelback Inn's casual eatery, Rita's Kitchen, we find ourselves with a glass of their fabulous secret recipe sangria and a big bowl of their guacamole. Made tableside and customized to your liking, you absolutely can't go wrong with this appetizer served with an overflowing bowl of their delicious tortilla chips. We like ours salty and spicy with a hearty helping of jalapenos and nice dose of sea salt. It's a pricey dish but worth every penny.
Tableside Guacamole from The Mission -- You pretty much know that when a restaurant has a designated guacamole maker, it's going to be good. Order a bowl of guacamole at this Old Town Scottsdale staple and a cart filled with the ingredients for the perfect guac will be wheeled over to your table. Big Hass avocados are split and then then fork mashed with jalapeno, sea salt, lime juice, olive oil, red onions, and cilantro and topped off with a generous helping of peptias and cotija cheese. It's a tasty fusion of ingredients that can only be trumped by the restaurants espresso churros.
Guacamole Casero from Barrio Cafe and Barrio Queen -- When it comes to inspired Southern Mexican cuisine, Chef and restaurant owner Silvana Salcido Esparza is queen and her passion for cooking is even reflected in her execution of one of our favorite appetizers, the guacamole. Big chunks of ripe avocado are married with fresh tomatoes, cilantro, oranges, spicy jalapenos, and diced red onions then garnished with fresh squeezed lime juice and Silvana's secret guacamole weapon, pomegranate seeds. The concoction is served with a bowl of thick tortilla chips perfect for shoveling the chunky dip into your mouth as fast as possible.
All our favorites lists also are available on our Best Of app -- see it in action here.
And check out our other lists: 10 Favorite Theme Restaurants 15 Favorite Late Night Eats 10 Favorite Summer Foods 7 Favorite Soul Food Places 10 Favorite Sangrias 7 Favorite Paleteria 10 Favorite Breakfast Places 10 Favorite International Markets 10 Favorite Spots for Crepes in Greater Phoenix 11 Favorite Phoenix Beers 10 Favorite Spots for Seafood in Greater Phoenix 10 Favorite Gelato Spots 10 Favorite Burrito Joints in Metro Phoenix 10 Favorite Spots for Wings in Metro Phoenix 11 Things to Eat and Drink Before You Leave Phoenix Ten Favorite Phoenix Hot Sauces and Salsas Top Ten Spots for Mac 'n' Cheese in the Valley Three Favorite Espresso Shots in Metro Phoenix Ten Favorite Metro Phoenix Farmers' Markets Ten Favorite Metro Phoenix Grilled Cheese Sandwiches Eleven Favorite Favorite Places for Sushi in the Valley Ten Favorite Metro Phoenix Cupcakes Eleven Favorite Barbecue Joints in Greater Phoenix Ten Favorite Metro Phoenix Wine Bars Ten Favorite Phoenix Irish Restaurant & Pubs Six Favorite Specialty Cocktails in Phoenix Ten Favorite Metro Phoenix Craft Beer Bars Ten Favorite Gourmet Pizza Shops in the Valley Five Favorite Japanese Restaurants in Phoenix Ten Favorite Margaritas in Metro Phoenix Ten Favorite Coffee Shops in Phoenix Five Favorite Thai Restaurants in Metro Phoenix Eleven Favorite Ice Cream Shops in Greater Phoenix Ten Favorite Phoenix Happy Hours Five Favorite Sonoran Dogs in the Valley Ten Favorite Hot Dogs in Greater Phoenix Ten Favorite Desserts in Phoenix Ten Favorite First Date Restaurants Ten Favorite Burgers in Greater Phoenix Ten Favorite Downtown Phoenix Restaurants for Late Night Dining Ten Favorite Vegetarian Entrees in Metro Phoenix Ten Favorite Chinese Restaurants in Greater Phoenix
