mexican food

A brief trip to Guadalupe - the Mexican/Yaqui neighborhood at Guadalupe Rd. and Avenida del Yaqui - aka Priest Rd. - where you will find San Diego Bay restaurant (very simple, very good) and the Guadalupe Farmers' Market, with organic produce AND an array of house-labeled salsas and jams (try the Five Amigos Fire Roasted Pepper Salsa and the Peach Jalapeno jam). You'll also find a couple of markets for Mexican tiles and pottery in Guadalupe.


Mexican food" is exceptionally varied because the various regions of Mexico produce different styles. Most Mexican food in Phoenix is going to be "Sonoran" style which usually means "mild comfort food." You can spice it up with jalapeños and similar, but it tends to be hearty with plenty of cheese and tortillas and fairly inexpensive.
If that is what you are looking for, I would suggest Pepe's Taco Villa on West Camelback, Rosita's Place on East McDowell, El Napolito on North 24th Street, Carolina's on East Mohave, or El Bravo on North 7th Street (especially their green corn tamales).
For a step up in price and atmosphere, I would definitely head over to Tradiciones at 16th Street and Roosevelt or Asi Es La Vida on North 24th Street.
High end would definitely be Barrio Cafe on 16th Street, just south of Thomas, but be advised that they do not take reservations and the wait could be substantial. (I will note here that my two visits here were very different. The first time, I thought it was great, while my last visit this past Thursday was very mixed and I was disappointed.)
If you want New Mexican, Richardson's is the place (16th Street and Bethany). There is also the "standard bearer" Los Dos Molinos (South Phoenix), but I was less than impressed on my last visit there because it seemed like they had turned down the heat in the dishes.
One of the things that often gets overlooked, though, is the incredible seafood creations that can be found in Mexican cooking. I think a place that does this very well is Mariscos Playa Hermosa at 16th Street and Garfield.
Also, don't forget our western suburbs. If you are up for a drive to Glendale, I highly recommend Pedro's and La Perla (both on Glendale Avenue), which serve classic Sonoran fare.
And, of course, you can't go wrong with a visit to the food court at Phoenix Ranch Market (16th Street and Roosevelt). Grab some street tacos, a torta, a horchata from the beverage station and save room for one of the pastries sitting in the case as you exit the market.