Mexican near downtown Phoenix

[kittyfood]

A friend of mine just started working at 2nd St. and Washington. She loves Mexican food, but she likes it to be a bit more Americanized than places I would seek out (in other words, Carolina's won't do). Is there anything within walking distance? Alternatively, I can pick her up and whisk her off for lunch, but her time is limited since she's so new on the job. Previously her favorite was La Pinata when we worked nearby, but that's too far given the time constraints. Any suggestions?

[Mahilover]

When you say "Americanized", do you mean ambience-wise? As in you want a nice place to sit down and eat? I think Carolinas is pretty Americanized and not true Mexican food at all. But if you're talking about surroundings, Mi Patio on 7th Ave and Osborn will fit the bill. Nothing outstanding, but it fits the criteria...

[fledflew]

I guess it's uptown as opposed to downtown, but Macayo's comes to mind for Americanized Mexican food. On Central just south of Indian School. Unless you'll be taking the light rail later this year, the preferred route would be to shoot up 3rd street and enter through the back.

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Macayo's Mexican Kitchen Central
4001 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85012

[Booger]

Tradiciones is always a good bet also. Not Americanized in the least, but very approachable for everyone.

[kittyfood]

Thanks, everyone. I will scout out some of those locations. I had already thought of Los Dos but I don't think she would go for that, but some of the others should work.

[Beach Chick]

There is Carlos O'Brien's which is very Amercanized Mex and quite good..great happy hour too! Don't know how close to your friend but it's great place.

www.azeats.com/CarlosOBriens/default.htm

[silverbear]

Carlos O'Brien's is eight miles north of Downtown. I've heard some people incorrectly describe large swatches of Central Phoenix as "Downtown," but I think Northern Ave is beyond any definition I've heard.

[Beach Chick]

I live in San Diego and didn't know how close...asked my DH who used to live in Tempe and he thought about 5 miles or less..
We go to PHX about 4-5 times a year and I'm a Carolina's gal myself and I do like Carlo's but only have been to the place in Chandler that is no longer there..for us in SD, 5-8 miles here is right down the street..

[silverbear]

Besides Los Dos and the Matador, there's Maria's Mexican Grill in the Coliier Center. It's the same format as Chipotle (not full service) but reasonably good.

Along Van Buren a few blocks east of 7th St., there's La Tolteca, which serves a mix of the familiar and the exotic.

A bit to the north, there's Tacos de Juarez, which serves good, non-threatening border food in an ugly yellow shack on 7th St. b/w Roosevelt and Portland.

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La Tolteca
1205 E Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ 85006

Los Dos Molinos
1010 E Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85034

Tacos De Juarez
1017 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85006

Matador Mexican Restaurant
125 E Adams St, Phoenix, AZ 85004

Maria's Mexican Grill
3 S 2nd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004

[bluecat]

I bet Mi Amigos would work. It is at the Arizona Center. The one time I went, it was better than average- fresh food and good service.

http://www.miamigos.com/lunch_combos....

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Mi Amigo's Mexican Grill
455 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004

[ipsedixit]

Tolteca would be the best bet.

Quick, easy in and out, and parking is no hassle. Oh, and the food is delicious.

[mrsw]

Try Matador at 1st St. & Adams.
http://matador2go.com/

[AzChelle]

The first place I thought of was Los Dos Molinos at 10th St. and Washington.

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/467087

Since she likes more Americanized places, she may have to choose her items carefully so she doesn't get blown away by the heat.

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Los Dos Molinos
1010 E Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85034