Phoenix’s Best Mexican Restaurants | Eater Phoenix

"Scottsdale isn’t exactly known for low‑key Mexican food, especially the kind without a drinks menu or sharply designed dining room. But this no‑frills South Scottsdale taquería has been quietly holding it down for years with Jalisco‑style staples and little interest in catering to tourists. The setup is straightforward: counter service, fluorescent lights, and laminated menus — but the food always delivers. On weekends, regulars pile in for birria de chivo and menudo, both available only then. The rest of the week, the menu shines with tortas ahogadas (a Jalisco sandwich specialty) served crusty, fiery, and properly drenched, alongside a deep roster of shrimp plates: camarones rancheros (fajita‑style with bell pepper and tomato), camarones al ajo, fiery camarones a la diabla, ceviche tostadas, shrimp cocktail (or a shrimp‑and‑octopus version), and breaded camarones empanizados. The house salsas, made fresh daily and sold by the pint, are a highlight on their own. An attached raspado shop pours syrup‑soaked shaved ice, the ideal cooldown after anything here." - McConnell Quinn