[PHX] Must-try Mex, New Mex, & Native Am Spots

[Foureyes137]

My wife and I are coming to the Phoenix area for 5 days to visit friends and enjoy the weather and people in your part of the country. We'll have a car, we will drive anywhere for great food.

I've combed the boards and put together an idea of some spots we'd like to hit in the white tablecloth/spa cuisine catagory (brunch @ elements. vincent, kai, or mosiac for dinner one night) checked-out the New Times best-of lists as well, but I'm trepedatious when it comes to best-of lists. So I am coming to you, the Chowhounds for suggestions on lunch spots.

I am looking for street food, for the most part, of the Mexican, New Mexican, and Native American variety (we'll have to hit In-&-Out one day, we don't have it up here and I need a double double animal style). I love al pastor hauraches, lenuga tacos mexicanos, and sopapillas (not sure how authentic these are, but boy are they good).

So, are there lunch carts or hole-in-the-wall spots that I should not miss? Hook me up Greater Phoenix/Scottsdale/Glendale/Mesa -breath- /Tempe/Chandler residents!

[Seth Chadwick]

I would recommend El Nopalito at 24th Street and Thomas Road in central Phoenix (southeast corner). It is nothing to look at from the outside, but the food is excellent and dirt cheap and they have lenuga tacos, IIRC.

For New Mexican, the two places that get lots of mentions on here are Richardson's and Carlsbad Tavern, both of which I have been to and enjoyed.

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Carlsbad Tavern
3313 N Hayden Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

El Nopalito
2831 N 24th St, Phoenix, AZ 85008

Richardson's Cuisine of New Mexico
1582 E. Bethany Home Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85016

[1wino]

I second Seth's nomination for Richardson's. Sad to say, I have yet to hit Carlsbad, but have heard nothing but raves about it from all parties.

[JK Grence the Cosmic Jester]

The distant third for NM food is Los Dos Molinos, with three locations in town. If you want the food to be hot hot HOT, then it's *the* place to go, but overall Richardson's and Carlsbad are both superior. I usually find myself over at Carlsbad just because it's something of a restaurant industry hangout; the food is good, not too pricey, and they serve until 2 AM. One I have been wondering about is Frank & Lupe's over on Indian School and (I think) Stetson, has anyone been there?

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Los Dos Molinos
8646 S Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85042

[Seth Chadwick]

I have. Was there right before my trip to Montreal and was with some friends. Overall, it was okay. Nothing really stood out except that they gave plentiful baskets of chips and bowls of salsa while we waited for a table at the bar. However, the desserts were quite terrible.

[johnseberg]

I wasn't very happy with my combo #1 on my last trip to Frank and Lupe's, but, I usually get the smaller enchilada plate with an egg on top, and it's pretty good. Seems like they bundle everything with sopaipillas, which I can live without. http://www.frankandlupes.com

Richardson's is my #1 pick for NM style. I also like their fresh fish. I've never tried the pizza or pasta. Dick's Hideaway might also be my #1 pick for breakfast.

I like Carlsbad, too, but, I stick with the tried and true menu selections, there. The fact that it's close to home, and usually easy to get a table makes me a semi-regular.

I'm overdue for a visit to Los Dos Molinos in Mesa. I find it to be a pretty good lunch.

Another choice for NM is Blue Adobe. I've only been to the Mesa location once, and I didn't hurry back.

[silverbear]

Don't forget about tortas (Mexican sandwiches). Here are some torta specialists:

Tortas El Guero -- fast-food style (order at the counter); limited parking in front; don't even try to park in back unless you have an SUV; some of the potholes in back are bigger than the sandwiches served inside. If the front lot is full, park on Hubbell Street and walk half a block. In Central Phoenix

Los Reyes de la Torta -- full service; also served incredible huaraches, sopes, and quesdallas; in Sunnyslope neighborhood

Tortas La Presa -- like Los Reyes but to the south in Central Phoenix

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Tortas El Guero
2518 N 16th St Ste 2, Phoenix, AZ 85006

Los Reyes de la Torta
9230 N 7th St Ste E, Phoenix, AZ 85020

Tortas La Presa
1811 N 24th St, Phoenix, AZ

[azhotdish]

Sidenote: Tortas el Guero has a lengua torta, and I wouldn't be surprised if the others do as well.

El Nopalito mentioned by Seth below has a variety of street tacos, including lengua and cabeza.

[KitchenMaid]

Also check out Mi Patio for great, inexpensive Mexican food.
7th Avenue and Osborn.

[ipsedixit]

Try Tradiciones at Ranch Market on Roosevelt and 16th St.

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Tradiciones
1602 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ 85006

[JK Grence the Cosmic Jester]

Fry Bread house is indeed terrific. And very filling.
As far as carts, the one I hit frequently is a Sonoran-style hot dog cart that appears evenings on the corner of 20th Street and Indian School. Hot dogs wrapped in bacon with more toppings than you'll know what to do with.

I'm adding links for the two Carolina's locations too. The food is identical at both.

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Carolina's Mexican North
2126 E Cactus Rd Ste 100, Phoenix, AZ 85022

Carolina's Mexican Food Restaurant
1202 E Mohave St, Phoenix, AZ 85034

Fry Bread House
4140 N 7th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85013

Nogales Hot Dogs
1945 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85016

[azhotdish]

You can also get those bacon-wrapped dogs @ Phoenix Ranch Market.

The new Morena's Mexican in Chandler also has them, if you're in that area. Tacos El Guero is conveniently next door.

Morena's Mexican Grill
601 N Arizona Ave
Chandler

Tortas El Güero
611 N Arizona Ave
Chandler

[Kari]

A must is Carolina's, with 2 locations

1202 E Mohave St., Phoenix AZ [phone]
2126 E. Cactus Rd., Phoenix AZ [phone]

Excellent tacos and chimi's. I think the Mohave is more of a hole in the wall, but I have only gone to the Cactus location. I love to eat just the tortillas by themselves as they are fresh made there. Very cheap eats, but very good food.

There is a fry bread house on either 7thst or 7th ave and Indian School that gets very good reviews, I am sure someone will come along with the info.

[Beach Chick]

Just got back from Carolina's last weekend and it's so good!
Love this place..it is a must.
Went to the one on Mohave..close to the BOB/Chase Field if going to a D-Backs game.