Looking for amazing taco spots in Arizona to celebrate Cinco de Mayo? Or just looking for delicious tacos to enjoy during your visit to Arizona? In this blog post, I’ll be sharing three unique restaurants with three different types of tacos that will surely fill up your belly and leave a smile on your face!
If you’re not familiar, Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexico’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Nowadays, Cinco de Mayo is often celebrated with music, dancing, and a table filled with tacos.
As a local food blogger, it’s a requirement for me to taste as many taco spots across the Valley as possible, and it is my duty to share the very best with you. From street tacos, Native American-style tacos, to fish tacos, Arizona really has it all. Throughout this post, I’ll be taking you on a mini taco tour around Phoenix, Arizona. Hungry yet? Let’s jump right in!
We start off the taco tour with La Santisima in Phoenix, AZ! This is one of my all-time favorite taco shops mainly due to the limitless salsa bar with over 12 different salsas and over 35 different types of tacos. La Santisima is a staple for locals and visitors alike! I should know, I always bring visitors here.
When stopping by their salsa bar, be prepared to get a bit overwhelmed (in a good way) by the selections available. Their salsa bar has a huge variety of flavor profiles, including fruity, nutty, and spicy. I recommend trying their unique strawberry salsa and their peanut salsa.
As for the main event, the tacos, I recommend getting their Cabo Tiger Shrimp, El Gaucho Argentine Steak, Jamaica Rose Shrimp, and Mayan Cochinta Pibil taco (12-hour slow-roasted pork shoulder). Pro-tip: get your taco protein style – where crispy Oaxacan cheese is used as the shell. Whatever way you choose, you really can’t go wrong here.
Our second stop brings us to Fry Bread House in Phoenix, AZ. This iconic restaurant cannot be missed, as they were the first Native American restaurant to win the James Beard Foundation back in 2012. The number one item we’ll talk about here is the Native American-style tacos!
Imagine pillowy, puffy, and chewy dough perfectly golden fried, and freshly made-to-order. Their Native American-style tacos are not for the faint of heart. The size of the taco is larger than my entire hand or the size of a paper plate. One taco can absolutely fill you up. Get it plain or topped with their delicious red chili beef, hot green chili beef, or spicy chorizo! Still not sure what to order? I recommend their Ultimate Taco with red chili beef. Thank me later!
If you’re not looking for something savory, you’ll want to check out their sweet menu section. I recommend their fry bread drizzled in chocolate and butter. It’s amazing and will surely satisfy your sweet tooth. Pro-tip: for the ultimate experience, makes sure to bring a few friends/family members along and order two to three tacos to share. That way, you’ll get the full experience of what Fry Bread House has to offer.
Finally, we end our taco tour with Cousins Maine Lobster, located inside Vīb Best Western Tempe, in Tempe, AZ. This TV famous restaurant featured on “Shark Tank” is more than just lobster rolls. Have you ever tried lobster tacos?
Their lobster tacos are a twist on traditional tacos, taking Maine lobster pieces, stuffing them in flour tortillas topped with pico de gallo, and squeezing their cilantro lime sauce to top it off. The combination of sweet Maine lobster pieces with their slightly tart sauce is truly satisfying in this Arizona heat. If you’re not into lobster, make sure to try their fish or shrimp tacos. Both are equally as delicious.
Pro-tip: don’t forget the best accompaniment to your tacos, Lobster Tots – savory and crunchy tater tots served with warmed main lobster. This will give you the perfect textural contrast to your tacos! Cousins Maine Lobster is any seafood lover’s – or taco lover’s – dream!
You might be wondering, where would be the best Best Western hotel to stay closest to all of the amazing tacos in the Valley? You really can’t go wrong with any of their locations, but I would suggest Vīb Best Western Tempe. This brand-new hotel is absolutely adorable inside. The decor is cozy and modern with a hint of Arizona flair. The best part? Vīb Best Western Tempe is situated in the middle of downtown Tempe, AZ, and is only a few steps away from bars, restaurants, and other activities on Mill Ave.
Tacos are truly a must-try dish in Arizona. After all, it’s a requirement for all visitors to try at least one taco when visiting the state. All jokes aside, there are so many taco spots to pick from for Cinco de Mayo, I hope this list helps get you started on your taco tour journey around the Phoenix Metro area!
Cue the taco cheers!
Patherine Charoenmins, also known as Panther Eats, is an Arizona food & lifestyle blogger who hunts for the very best eats and things to do locally and abroad. Check out her blog here.