Espo's Mexican Food

Espo’s Mexican Food in Chandler is one of those places that reminds you why local, family-owned restaurants matter. From the moment you walk in, it has that genuine mom-and-pop feel—welcoming, unpretentious, and rooted in tradition. The atmosphere is simple and comfortable, letting the food speak for itself. I ordered the Carnitas Chimichanga, and it absolutely delivered. Perfectly crispy on the outside and generously filled, it was rich, flavorful, and clearly made with care. The carnitas were tender and well-seasoned, and every bite felt satisfying without being overdone. The balance of textures and flavors showed real attention to detail. Espo’s isn’t trying to be trendy, and that’s exactly its strength. It’s the kind of place you come back to because the food is consistently great and the experience feels personal. If you’re looking for authentic Mexican food with heart, Espo’s is a must-visit

​I really wanted to love this spot because the vibe is fantastic. They have a really cool patio area that’s perfect for hanging out, though keep in mind the inside is pretty small with limited seating. If you’re coming with a big group, aim for an outdoor table! ​As for the food, I tried a variety of tacos: Carne Asada, Chicken, and Machaca. Here’s the breakdown: ​Machaca: Definitely the winner of the three. It had the best flavor profile. ​Chicken: Decent, but nothing to write home about. ​Carne Asada: This was a letdown. The meat texture resembled ground beef more than steak, and it just didn't hit the mark for me. ​Overall, everything felt a bit plain. While it's a neat local landmark with a great atmosphere, the food itself didn't feel particularly special or "must-have." Great for a casual drink and a snack on the patio, but I’m still searching for that "wow" factor.

First time, it was ok. Liked the ground beef taco, crunch in the shell. Next time I'll ask for more lettuce, tomato & cheese. That would be a great 🌮 😋

We had a green chili burrito, a carne asada plate, and flour chips & salsa. The food was very flavorful, but the salsa was not. It was basically red salty water. It was all just ok. Not the best, but not the worst.

After seeing a tiktok about how good the food was here, we were excited to try. Unfortunately, little mister at the register was very put out when we took away his phone time to take our order. I was cut off with short, annoyed answers without even hearing my couple questions about the menu. The food was decent enough..? It's a cute little place with a neat patio and good prices; we'd probably try again had service proven itself worthy. Jason, if you're a relative to this nice family owned restaurant, there are aspects to the job you should put more effort into.

they give you big portion s. reasonably prices. T the green chimi was Delish and flour chips with queso were very good!

Hard to beat Espo’s on a Tuesday. Pretty good consistent food. I think they made a mistake once in the 50+ times I’ve been here so it’s forgiven. Easy quick solution to family who can’t decide on where to go for dinner. Take out pretty consistent as well.

I came here with my husband and honestly don't have complaints about it, but being charged to use our debit card and then paying extra for chips and salsa on top of our two entrees I was a little irritated. My chimi was pretty good but I have have had much better and bigger portion elsewhere for the same price. Husband said his green chile burro was okay, not bad but not super great. Honestly it's not a place I'd come back and spend money at for lunch when I compare it to other places.

This is the only Mex food restaurant that I crave! To me that speaks volumes! It's been a staple in the east valley for 50 plus years for a reason.

I've driven by when this place is packed and always thought it looked fun. I had time to try it today and I think I didn't know what to order or its just not for me.. I got the carne asada and carnitas tacos. These were just ok. The meat on both was just too soft and kinda wet for my taste. We also got an order of corn chips and an order of flour chips out of curiosity. The flour chips are odd! Small little squares of really puffy, almost pastry-like friedness. Neither of us liked these enough to eat any. The salsa is nice on the tacos but not my favorite for chips. I got the little order of guacamole and this was fresh and a nice size. Ambiance is cute on the patio. I think this is a popular local hangout and I will try again after checking reviews for what to order.

Love that they are close when we are wanting Mexican food and it's last minute because I don't want to cook! Taco Tuesday can be very busy, and they were, but it didn't take long for our order to be prepared. We got it to-go and ordered the 5 flautas plate with rice and beans (I sometimes have to complain about their beans being salty but tonight they were perfect). We also got two crispy, ground beef tacos and wife had the carne asada chimi. They were busy and we ended up getting an extra beans and rice, realizing once we were home that those ended up in the bag. Overall, good meal and sorry but no pictures this time around! If you haven't checked out this local, small business...please take the time. They have a nice outside patio and their food is good and consistent.

Seen this place a million times over the years and finally decided to stop in. Very nice little place with excellent food! I tried the green chili burrito and the beef taquitos. Both were very good!! DO NOT SLEEP ON THIS PLACE IT WAS EXCELLENT!

Espo's Mexican Grill 3863 W Chandler Blvd Chandler, AZ September 17th, 2025 Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Portion size: 5/5 Visit: picked up lunch for my family wanted real Mexican food. Food: we ordered one 32oz Green Chile along with one 8oz order of Red chili , two 8oz Bean and cheese, 3 tortillas. Service: Pickup order, Service was great and food was prepared correctly and under 20 minutes, service was also fast and Dinner for three cost $38 with all of our extras included.

My daughter and I decided to meet here and try out the food. It's walk up counter to order. The customer service was great. Plenty of seating, inside and outside. Cute place. The green chili burrito I had enchilada style with green sauce was on point. I recommend you try it. My daughter has three carne asada tacos. She liked them. The beans and rice were really good, too.

I felt like I was sitting in my Mexican aunts kitchen eating good homemade Mexican food. The machaca enchiladas were amazing. The sauce!!! YUM. Beans and rice were fabulous. The salsas were not good. Bland and boring. But the food was excellent. My husband got the machaca plate and loved it as well. If you want chips and salsa, you need to buy them. Very casual taco shop type atmosphere. Good parking. The food! Nice people too. **Let me add, I would usually knock off 1-2 stars because their hot sauce is not good BUT the food was so good I just couldn't. I hope they will up their hot sauce game and even include one little basket of chip with your order.

This may be my go to Mexican spot from now on! I had a corn tamale plate with green sauce, the shredded beef taquitos, and the Best carne asada burrito that I've ever had, not kidding. It might be the fresh homemade tortilla that does it for me. (Side note- the corn tamale has no filling, but still super good).Every bite is packed with flavor, the rice is made with green chile which was a little too spicy for my little one but the beans made up for it. We ordered to-go, which is good because it was a little hot inside but they did have AC coolers which was a plus. Service was fast and the lady was super nice that rung my order up.

Heard about this family owned little restaurant and had to come try. It's super cute and when you walk in it's inviting and the atmosphere was very welcoming. I love family owned businesses because you can feel the love they have put into their food. And honestly for me, I really don't like chain restaurants so here I am trying this place out. The food was good and after placing my order it only took them at the most 10min before I was sitting down and enjoying my meal. I got the combination plate of carne asada and a red chili beef tamale. Yum yum! Let me tell you, the asada meat was so good. They give a nice serving of the guacamole and pico so it all goes well with the meal. My tamale was good, but a little dry on the end. Maybe from cooking it but nonetheless the rest of it was delicious. Now my eyes were definitely bigger than my stomach because it was too much to finish but very delicious. I highly recommend Espo's in Chandler AZ. You'll love everything about it from the moment you step in their door. Their staff, the wait time, the food and the atmosphere whether you eat inside or eat on their lovely patio.

My husband and I came here the other day. The food was good, nothing amazing like "omg we have to go back", but good. The service was nice, you order your food and then pick it up, so nothing like there's a server. The one thing I really didn't like was the bathroom is outside in the back(inside) of the place. It's a cute small place with decent food. And there was a $1.50 tech fee on my receipt and no one told me what for?!

4/1/25 Updated review This place has totally gone downhill... so sad When you go through the gate on the patio to get to the entrance you see the patio bar has turned into a catch all ... it looks like a dump and totally kills the ambiance. The patio has nice lighting ... then you see the dump bar. The salsa bar with fresh lime, salsas, onion, cilantro, etc. no longer exists. They only offer prepackaged salsa cups with their red and green salsas. Say adios to the pico de gallo. The inside tables were dirty and had not been wiped. One particular table had a used toothpick on it... disgusting The tacos were good. I ordered flautas, not taquitos. Flautas have flour tortillas, not corn. It was very disappointing. The most disturbing part of my meal was that fresh diced tomatoes were mixed with older diced tomatoes. There is no mistaking the textural difference. Cringe I tried talking to an employee, who was an older man. He seemed very uninterested. I don't think I will be back.

Street tacos are a spoonful of bland Bland BLAND meat. Carne Asada, chicken and carnitas, all bland. Rice Bland Each if the salsas Bland

Espo's Mexican Grill - An Authentic Culinary Revelation in Chandler, AZ After a stretch of eating our way through San Diego and Yuma--where Mexican food was a constant companion--our final stop before heading home landed us in Chandler, Arizona, where I encountered Espo's Mexican Grill, a place where authenticity isn't a gimmick but a way of life. Across from the Staybridge Suites, under a tanned, no-frills sign affixed to a Mexican-styled frontage, I found a burrito that restored my faith in the cosmos. The carne asada burrito wasn't just good--it was narrative-altering. The kind of meal that demands a soundtrack and slow-motion cinematography. A tortilla so fresh it deserved its own passport, cradling meat that wasn't merely grilled but canonized by fire and spice. Every bite bore the unmistakable taste of earthy char, a flavor that no corporate chain has ever dared attempt for fear of absolute culinary transparency. I had intended to eat my way through more Mexican spots during this trip, but the kids, in their infinite wisdom, insisted on the predictable siren song of In-N-Out. A cruel paradox. The universe had laid out a path of tacos, quesadillas, and burritos before me, yet I found myself standing in yet another drive-thru line, questioning my life choices and the irony of a state famous for Mexican food being conquered by the double-double. But Espo's made up for all of it. The tacos were Lethal Weapon good--controlled chaos, reckless but reliable, with salsa that could double as an international currency. The quesadilla? A masterclass in simplicity and indulgence, the cheese woven into the tortilla like some kind of Mayan textile. And the carne asada? A dissertation in balance. The kind of flavor that lingers in your memory, calling you back like an old flame. Even the drink situation came with its own quirky charm. If you're thinking about just getting a cup of water from the soft drink dispenser, let me save you some time--you'll age a full presidential term before the stream fills your cup. Just buy a soft drink. Consider it a small tax for greatness, or a patience test for those unworthy of the carne asada experience. Sitting there, burrito in hand, I experienced a moment of Bill Murray-esque existential clarity--the kind that arrives when you realize the world is absurd, yet somehow, in that moment, it all makes sense. Chandler, Arizona wasn't supposed to be the place where I had the best authentic Mexican bite of my trip. But there I was, and there it was--proof that fate, like a good salsa, works in mysterious ways. If you ever find yourself in Chandler, do yourself a favor. Skip the drive-thru, ignore the familiar, and walk under that unassuming tan sign. Order the carne asada burrito, take a bite, and let the universe shake your hand. Overall Experience 9.4/10

After nearly 30 years, I revisited an old favorite of mine: Espo's Mexican Food. While the exterior has changed, stepping inside was like a time machine to the early 90s, flooding me with wonderful memories. I had the pleasure of catching up with the owner, Leon, who is still as passionate and dedicated to his business as he was back then. His energy and commitment shine through every detail of this place. The counter service was friendly and helpful, with a clearly displayed menu of reasonably priced items that had me excited to order. Here's what I tried: * El Jefe Chimichanga (5/5): A carne asada burrito done enchilada style with red and green (Christmas) sauce. WOW. This was hands-down the best chimichanga I've had in at least five years. Fresh ingredients, high-quality steak, and perfectly balanced sauces. The red sauce was classic and delicious, while the green sauce brought the perfect level of heat. * Crispy Machaca Taco (4.25/5): A classic, well-executed taco with great flavor and texture. Overall, Espo's exceeded my expectations, and I can't wait to return--hopefully much sooner than 30 years this time! Leon and his team continue to deliver amazing food with a welcoming atmosphere. Highly recommend!

First time here, but have heard great things about Epos! The quaint little restaurant is just off set of a busy street, plenty of parking. I went for lunch and was happy to see quite the crowd eating here. No line so service was quick. Friendly interaction, Such a cute Mexican decor and very clean and tidy, The burrito was delicious! I'm not a huge Mexican food buff, but I enjoyed my carne asada burrito and added rice and beans. It was perfection, no complaints here!

We've been going to Espo's for 41 years. Deeply authentic and in my and many of my friend's opinion, the best green chili beef burros in AZ. Breakfast lunch and dinner and an awesome taco Tuesday,

If you want an authenticate and freshly cooked Mexican meal, i.e. tacos, burritos, rice, beans, etc., this is your place. It isn't fancy but the food is delicious and very inexpensive. I had the carne asada and carnitas tacos with rice and beans. Definitely heading back to try more of their menu. Give them a try. I saw some nachos going out that looked awfully good.

First time here. Drove by it and loved the casual old time vibe. Yelp had good ratings so gave it a try. Food was really good. I had the chili relleno plate and added a chicken taco. Relleno was very tasty. I found beans a little runny, but good flavor. The chicken in the taco was bland. They do, however, offer several varieties of salsas. Fresh cooked tortilla, served on the side, was great. The highlight of my visit was the watermelon agua fresca. So delicious!!! Price point was a little high for the chili relleno plate, since there was only 1 relleno but the low price point to add a taco helped. I definitely recommend and will come back if in the area again. Counter service so no rating on service. Note, plenty of parking, outdoor seating that is weather dependent and very limited inside seating.

From the reviews I read I had high expectations for Espos, but unfortunately the food we got was nowhere as good as the reviews said. One of the items was a beef burrito. The beef was not even fully cooked. It was pure pink on the inside, not even edible the rolled tacos were stale and very hard, The chile rellano barely had any cheese in it and was very cold. The best part of the meal was the rice and beans. We will not be going there again!

#1 authentic Mexican food in the East Valley. In Business for more than 54 years from this location! This place has the best red chili which can be served enchilada style over many of their entrees. Eat in, or on the patio during our mild seasons or call to take out! Have a craving for tamales? Order a dozen or more for takeout and be a hero at potlucks, family dinners. This should be on your must try list.

My family and I love Espos! Our favorite are the taco Tuesday street tacos, but have yet to find something we didn't love. Their patio is nice most of the year due to the umbrellas and misters, and all the plants they have out make for a cute dining experience. Staff is great at making sure food gets out fast, especially at lunchtime when they can get quite busy. Go give Espos a try!

I felt the gentleman behind the register rushed us. My machaca enchiladas were good but a lot spicer than I remember. The ground beef taco was good too. I didn't care for the Spanish rice but the refried beans were also good. Inside seating is limited but they offer a lot more seating outside. I did notice a (closed) outside bar. The restaurant was clean too. Oh, they only have 1 type of salsa. It's runny and quite spicy. A better paved parking lot would be awesome.

This place is cute. Outdoor patio with very nice heaters!!! Seating inside too. HUGE menu!!! Lots of drinks including margaritas. Margarita was ok. Food was also ok. Tasted like fast food Mexican like Roberto's though. Big servings and the vibe was nice. Staff was friendly.

This is a great little family owned place. There is a really cute patio with a big fireplace and an outdoor bar (they serve a variety of beers), and a cute little dining room, too. The food is good, and served in aluminum pans straight from the oven so everything is hot and the cheese is melty. It's all delicious. The only downside is that the combos are one kind of entree with rice and beans added. There is no option for a plate with a taco and an enchilada, for example.

Really great patio. Food is really good great taco Tuesday prices. Inside is small but the patio is the place to be. Have been many times burritos are awesome. Salsa bar is great. Staff is quick.

I came here on a Tuesday for the taco Tuesday deal. I will say that the deal price was great but the food was just meh. I would have gone somewhere else for better street tacos but haven't tried anything else on their menu. We got 13 carne asada tacos in total and the meat tastes like ground beef not carne asada. The tortilla was cold and we were eating the tacos just to simply eat them not to enjoy them. The quesadilla was much better than the street tacos so I suggest ordering that! Overall, the service was fast and place was very clean. I'll come back in the future for something else (maybe who knows) but not sure about the street tacos ever again.

The food is amazing. I wish I could be more specific, but everything I've had here is full of flavor and the portions are properly sized as well. The red and green salsas are both out of this world too. Parking can be a bit tricky, but this place is well worth the stop. FYI- they don't have any seafood options.

First time coming to this establishment since everyone raves about this place, and while I was waiting I noticed the cook since the kitchen is open, was TEXTING with her gloves ON. HOW IS THAT sanitary!!!

We love Espo's and go often specially for taco Tuesday. Last few months, every time we have gone, our orders have been wrong and double of what we ordered. Not sure who the older gentleman with the glasses behind the counter is but he is terrible at taking orders. He gets orders wrong and when we brought it to his attention he got very angry and blamed it on us and dismissed us. We were there today with our friends and same thing happened. It took forever for him to put in the orders and he repeated them to us wrong and when we corrected him he got mad and in a very disrespectful way said I got it!!!! Maybe putting someone younger and faster will help move the line along when there is a big line. Also, the salsa station was very dirty and messy.

I have been to Espo's a number of times and it has consistently been good food. This time I went with a shredded chicken chimichanga. It was good but, but I'll probably try something else next time. The menu is pretty large so there's lots to try and includes breakfast items as well. The inside is clean and has a nice ambience. The outside patio area is great too when it is cool out

Great local joint in Costco that isn't a chain. They are known for the green chili burritos and a few of their combos. The rice and beans are tasty.

Still graet food and low prices after all of the years have passed. Definitely a place to check out.

We've been trying out different restaurants in our area since we have only lived here about a year. Espo's is a cute place with decent food with large portions. You can tell this place has been here for years, but it is cute and very clean. I loved the patio seating , which is of course a bit loud being right on the street. The one thing I didn't care for as much is that you order at the counter and they call your number when it is ready. But that is a minor complaint, and really just my personal preference. I would definitely go back, just look at their menu online first so I'll know what I want :)

This is a nice cozy place that serves up some good traditional Mexican food! I was in the mood for tamales. There was a sign outside that read Homemade Tamales that drew me in. I was on an empty stomach too. I guess it's like when you go grocery shopping on an empty stomach and you end up buying anything and everything that looks good. I decided to order my craving of Green Chile and Red Chile Beef tamales with rice and beans. The tamales were very flavorful. The masa was moist and both had a spicy kick to them. The rice was also moist and flavorful. I liked the fact that the rice was fluffy and not sticky. The beans were good and flavorful as well. They weren't dry and thick. They were saucy the way I like. You can mix them with the rice which I love doing. I also ordered a Machaca taco and it was good. It had plenty of shredded meat. The shell had a light crispiness to it. It was served with lettuce, tomato and cheese. I added their hot sauce and it was spicy good. I would definitely come here again to try other items on the menu. I asked what their specialty was and they revealed it is Green Chile made with Hatch green chiles. They were nice enough to give me a sample and I know what I'm ordering next time! It was delicious and spicy!

Stopped in on a busy weekend afternoon for lunch. Although it was busy the service was great and the food came out promptly. I got the machaca enchilada plate with green sauce. Everything delicious. The machaca was tasty and moist. The corn tortillas were also perfect. Espo's is a solid option and I'd like to try more off the menu.

This place screams authentic from the moment you walk in. And you guys know I'm a big price guy and you can not beat the prices here. The service is always on point and 10 tacos for 12 Bucks on taco Tuesday is damn near #1 in the east valley! Family friendly, date night friendly, pj,s and slide friendly! Really enjoy this place! And highly recommend

The food here is excellent. Hard to beat and I grew up along the border. The customer service isn't bad but it's not great. They act kind of indifferent. Busy place always..they won't really miss you if you get annoyed and don't come back. Think soup Nazi in Seinfeld.

When I arrived, a few of the tables inside were full of people. Outside, one of the tables had a group of individuals sitting there as well. You walk up to the cash register in order to make your order. They have a lot of entrée options. The restaurant is somewhat small. I thought the car that they had on the outside and the umbrellas were cute. There is a soda machine in the back where are you can also pick up sauce containers. The sauce containers have a pink, green, and a red sauce. The pink and green sauce were not very spicy. I didn't think the red sauce was very spicy either, but it did have more of a chipotle flavor. They have rotating Agua Fresca options. There are also a few trash cans where you can throw away your disposable plates and utensils after you're finished eating. The green chili, shredded beef burrito was moist. I wasn't sure what the predominant flavor was in the green chili shredded beef burrito, but I later found out that it must have been the green chili. The outside of the burrito was not soft or mushy like I have had at other restaurants. When your food is ready they call out your number and you can pick it up from the front on a tray.

We loved Espo's! We ordered the chips and queso, a bean and cheese burrito, steak burrito and carne asada taco. It was wonderful and such great value! Will definitely be coming back.

Went for the first time today! It was soooo good! We got a carne asade taco, bean and chicken tostada, a beef taco, chicken burrito and chips and salsa! Everything was delicious! The service was fast, everyone was nice and the place was clean! Also had an outdoor patio to sit at, overall the place is great and I'm definitely going to be back!

I ordered their chicken taquitos... absolutely inedible. they were extremely overcooked. i'm so upset about it...

Heard great things about this place, but can't understand why after going for my first time. Had the carne asada plate, the carne is some of the worst carne I've ever had. Bland, tasteless and appears to be boiled or cooked in a slow cooker? My wife had the enchiladas, they were fine nothing to rave about. My son had a chicken taco, again bland and not appetizing. Elmers is much better, in my opinion and is priced similar if not better. Can't say I would eat at again or suggest to any friends or families.

Espos Authentic Mexican is the kind of place where every bite feels like a celebration of true Mexican flavors. The carne asada is the star of the show--tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned, with a slight char that gives it just the right smoky flavor. Paired with refried beans that are creamy and rich; every element on the plate complements the next in harmony. The pico de gallo is a standout, too--fresh, vibrant, and packed with just the right balance of tangy lime, crisp onions, and a hint of heat from the jalapeños. And the freshly made guacamole is the perfect finishing touch--smooth yet chunky, with just the right amount of salt and lime, it's the kind of guac you want to dip into all night. While Espos Authentic Mexican has a lot to offer, the rice could definitely use a bit more attention. It's not bad by any means, but compared to the vibrant, flavorful elements on the plate, the rice feels a bit lackluster. It's a little dry and lacks the rich, seasoned depth that really elevates a great Mexican meal. With a bit more attention to seasoning--maybe a touch more tomato or even a hint of saffron--it could transform from an afterthought into a standout side dish. Right now, it's just a filler next to the juicy carne asada, creamy refried beans, and zesty pico de gallo, which is a bit of a missed opportunity, especially considering how well the rest of the flavors come together. With the rice not being as authentic as everything else it could throw the dish off balance. In the future I would love rice that was more fresh and attended to in a better manner. The atmosphere at Espos is laid-back and simple, which makes it perfect for a relaxed evening out. The lighting is soft and warm, setting a cozy tone, while the rustic decor adds to the authentic feel. There's no rush here, just the quiet hum of conversation and the comforting sounds of Mexican music playing in the background, making it easy to unwind and enjoy a meal with friends or family. It's the kind of place that feels like home, where the food is always satisfying, and the vibe is just right.

The food was decent. The hype made the expectations higher. I thought it was a tad bit pricey. The drink was strong. Made up for the high expectations of the food

Ambience: Great Food: Excellent Service: TO GO Server could have presented a better attitude.

I worked with Leon from Espo's to cater my husband's celebration of life! Leon went above and beyond his staff did amazing by coming in early to prepare all the food. Get it delivered promptly on time 30 minutes before the event started. Leon even went a day or two before to scout the venue site and make sure they had enough chafing containers ready for them ! The event was beautiful. Everyone loved the food and complimented us asking where we got it. I highly recommend Espo's just for a casual lunch , or a large gathering of a around 100 people like we had! Fabulous job kudos to Leon and his staff at Espo's!!

Decided to try this tucked in the corner Mexican restaurant. They have outdoor seating and a small sitting area inside. The service was very nice and the food came out quickly. The food comes out in big foil tins and they do give you a big portion of food. For me, it was overall ok. I didn't really get the flavors of Mexican food. The only thing I really liked was the horchata which was hand made and not from a machine.

Food was great and the music was awesome, very good taste playing Selena music. Patrick our waiter was great! Very attentive and fast!

I love this place, it is the best Mexican food in the East Valley by far! I come here all the time