Rick G.
Yelp
A recent published study states that Maricopa County boasts over 1,700 Mexican restaurants. That's amazing! With this many restos offering some interpretation of Mexican gastronomy - it's no wonder picking and choosing is so hard! Mexico with 32 federal jurisdictions, with an estimated 68 ethnic groups, makes selection, tasting and enjoying such diversity difficult if not near impossible - but very good for adventuring, experimenting and savoring. Which style is preferred, what methods are favored, what ingredients are important! So, if you're anything like me, I have some favorites from different regions Oaxacan to Ciudad Mexico, from Bajacaliforniano to Yucatán, Norteño to The Central Highlands, from Caribbean to Pacific, from Veracruzano to Poblano, or Veracruz to Jalisco - they all make their differences discerned (like New Orleans to New York to Chicago)! Locally, the Valley of the Sun being the Sonoran Desert, our very own Sonoran-style Mexican's home. And that is what Los Olivos Mexican Patio exemplifies and offers so well! The Corral family for years has not only been cooking up fine award-winning Sonoran meals but appear to have been consistent enough to still do it today. Just recently stopping in for lunch we experienced a couple of their extraordinary and delicious Cadillac Margaritas in which you could actually discern tequila in it (compared to other low potent restos)! The sour cream enchilada and green corn tamale, is very, very Sonoran in its prep, as well as the rice and beans that come along were just right. My wife had some amazing Fish Tacos, in soft corn tortillas stuffed with mildly sauteed tender shrimp, along with cabbage, super tasty and fresh pico de gallo with cilantro dressing. The Green Corn Tamales are exquisite, perfectly textured, and are simply sweet deliciousness. Overall, with its comforting atmosphere, unique postmodern adobe architecture inside and out, accommodating separate salons and seating, terrific service and the most delectable Sonoran food, one cannot go wrong here. It's a must try.