I used to think I knew good Mexican food. Then I moved to Arizona, gained ten pounds in my first month, and realized I was a mere amateur. Seriously, finding the ultimate taco or the creamiest guacamole here is practically a competitive sport.
So, I took it upon myself, read: sacrificed my waistline and my dignity, to eat my way across the desert. I dragged my friends to greasy spoons, neon-lit cantinas, and family-run joints that look like nothing from the outside, but smell like heaven.
After weeks of pure, unadulterated gluttony, I’ve finally done it. We ranked 11 of the absolute best Mexican restaurants in all of Arizona, and trust me, the winner is going to blow your mind. Grab a napkin, because you’re about to drool.
1. Bacanora, Phoenix
Mesquite smoke does the talking here, and it makes a convincing argument. Bacanora, at 1301 NW Grand Ave, Unit 1, Phoenix, AZ 85007, earns our top spot for its Sonoran, live-fire cooking approach that turns simple ingredients into something unforgettable…