Phoenix New Times | The Leading Independent News Source in Phoenix, Arizona

Taco Summer: Cheesy, Bacon-Studded Gobernador Shrimp Tacos

By Shelby Moore

Sep 5, 2017

Mariscos Ensenada may be better known for ceviche and micheladas, but their saucy shrimp taco studded with bacon and cheese are their sleeper hit.

Taco Summer: Al Pastor De Trompo in a Phoenix No-Man's-Land

By Shelby Moore

Sep 4, 2017

Al Pastorcito D.F. serves a no-nonsense al pastor, shaved from the trompo to order.

Taco Summer: New-School Al Pastor at Gallo Blanco

By Shelby Moore

Aug 31, 2017

At Gallo Blanco, the al pastor isn't roasted on a vertical spit, as is most traditional, but Chef Doug Robson cooks a version that does the original method justice.

Taco Summer: The Smokiest Barbacoa in Phoenix

By Shelby Moore

Aug 29, 2017

At this Phoenix taqueria, barbacoa is cooked in a smoker, which imitates the traditional style of cooking in a pit below ground.

Taco Summer: "Macho Tacos" Loaded with Whole Chile, Monterey Jack, Cabbage, and Carne Asada

By Shelby Moore

Aug 28, 2017

At this Sonoran surf-and-turf-style restaurant, carne asada comes atop a medium-size flour tortilla along with an unchopped green chile and melty Monterey jack cheese.

Taco Summer: Where West Phoenix Has Gone for Al Pastor for Over Three Decades

By Felicia Campbell

Aug 24, 2017

Since the 1980s, El Nuevo Taquito's small storefront on West Van Buren Street has had the trompo turning, from which they have been slicing some of the best al pastor taco taco meat in the city.

Taco Summer: Saucy Shrimp Tacos, Mexican Sushi, and Fresh Churros on Bethany Home Road

By Shelby Moore

Aug 22, 2017

Tacos Kissi is a neighborhood spot with something for everyone, serving a wide array of tacos, Mexican sushi, fresh churros for dessert, and ice cream by the scoop.

Taco Summer: Chorizo-Flecked Al Pastor and Free Grilled Veggies in West Phoenix

By Felicia Campbell

Aug 21, 2017

The tacos at Tacos Chava include the usual suspects, with the standard grilled chicken, carne asada, lengua (beef tongue), and cabeza (beef head and cheek), along with an immensely popular and totally respectable al pastor.

Taco Summer: Unexpectedly Great Braised Bison Tacos in Central Phoenix

By Shelby Moore

Aug 17, 2017

Gadzooks, which opened in Central Phoenix in 2013, offers tacos in addition to their usual enchiladas. We're particularly fond of their Modelo-braised bison.

Taco Summer: South Phoenix Crispy Pork Skin and Buche Tacos

By Felicia Campbell

Aug 15, 2017

This taco truck has been a go-to for downtowners on the go for nearly 20 years.

Taco Summer: Make-Your-Own Grilled Chicken Tacos at Asadero Norte De Sonora in Central Phoenix

By Felicia Campbell

Aug 14, 2017

Though better known for its whole chicken dinners and mixed grills, both the taco plates and the build-your-own plates of grilled meat and tortillas make for some of the best tacos in Phoenix.

Taco Summer: The Mesa Taco With Cult Status

By Patricia Escárcega

Aug 10, 2017

The signature taco at this popular southeast Valley Mexican food microchain is simple but unforgettable.

Taco Summer: Make Like a Cop and Order the "Special" at the Oldest Taco Truck in Peoria

By Patricia Escárcega

Aug 8, 2017

Order "the special" at one of the oldest and most popular food trucks in the northwest Valley.

Taco Summer: Deep-Fried Beef Taco Rolls in Mesa

By Shelby Moore

Aug 7, 2017

Taquitos Jalisco serves many dishes from the Mexican state of Jalisco, but they've become known for their crispy rolled tacos stuffed with shredded beef.

Taco Summer: Mesquite-Grilled Carne Asada and Pollo Asado in Mesa and Gilbert

By Shelby Moore

Aug 3, 2017

Backyard Taco, with location in Mesa and Gilbert, is home to some seriously good East Valley mesquite grilled tacos.

Taco Summer: Tex-Mex Crispy-Shell Shredded Beef Tacos at a Tempe Institution

By Shelby Moore

Aug 1, 2017

Casa Reynoso, an Arizonan institution of Mexican dining, has been open in Tempe since 1984, serving well-known dishes like green chile burritos, cheese crisps, and crispy-shell shredded beef tacos.

Taco Summer: A Fast Casual Scottsdale Shop with Tortilla-Wrapped Surf and Turf

By Felicia Campbell

Jul 31, 2017

Mexican wrestling garb covers the pink walls and upbeat Latino hits blare from a small television in the corner of the little Scottsdale shop turning out epic shrimp and carne asada stuffed tacos and burritos.

Taco Summer: Homemade Michoacan Chorizo and Purple Corn Tortillas in Midtown Phoenix

By Shelby Moore

Jul 27, 2017

A family-owned and Michoacan-influenced restaurant serves dishes like house-made chorizo and cochinita pibil on tortillas made from yellow and purple corn in midtown Phoenix.

Taco Summer: Yaqui Tribe Manta Ray and Shrimp Tacos in Phoenix

By Shelby Moore

Jul 25, 2017

A little hole-in-the-wall in Phoenix serves meaty manta ray tacos courtesy of the Yaqui tribe.

Taco Summer: The 16th Street Phoenix Taco Truck That You Can Always Count On

By Felicia Campbell

Jul 24, 2017

La Frontera 1, also known as La Frontera Comida Mexicana, has been parked at the intersection of 16th Street and Van Buren for a decade, where the immobilized truck has become a staple of late night dining.

Taco Summer

Taco Summer: 50 Valley Tacos

Taco Summer: Machaca Soft Tacos at a 50-Year-Old Phoenix Institution

Taco Summer

Taco Summer: 50 Valley Tacos

Taco Summer: Machaca Soft Tacos at a 50-Year-Old Phoenix Institution

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