"Tucked just off the 10 on North Seventh Avenue, El Norteño has held it down in downtown Phoenix since 1981. Most people have driven past the little hut without realizing they just missed one of the city’s most enduring Mexican restaurants. The setup is simple, but what it lacks in square footage, it makes up for in portion size and staying power. The seven different chimichangas are grease-slicked and fried to a crisp, with fillings like chicken, carne asada, ground beef, green or red chile, and machaca (get the machaca). Portions are big enough to feed two, and the only seating is a scrappy little patio out front. El Norteño is the kind of place the city should care about — it has legacy, personality, and deserves to be protected." - McConnell Quinn