Taco Boys

Phoenix’s Best Mexican Restaurants | Eater Phoenix

"What started as a humble carne asada stand run by father-and-son duo Juan Cornejo and Juan Cornejo Jr. outside Mr. Lee’s Liquor on 35th Avenue and Broadway has grown into one of Phoenix’s most recognizable taquería chains. Taco Boys now operates six locations across the Valley, each one managing to hold onto the same rowdy, mesquite-smoked energy that made the original a hit. The specialty here is Sonoran-style grilling — slabs of beef hit the open flame, get a generous salting, and are chopped to order for tacos, burritos, and vampiros. Carne asada is the staple, but don’t skip the crispy tripas, tender cabeza, or the house beans, which are creamy and smoky. The setup is quick and no-nonsense: graffitied walls, loud Norteño music, and a self-serve salsa bar stocked with smoky reds, tangy verdes, pickled vegetables, and charred chiles. It always feels like someone’s backyard cookout — fast, flavorful, and full of life. Bonus: some locations have full bars serving over-the-top Micheladas and other cocktails that are worth ordering." - McConnell Quinn