Amelia’s Mexican Kitchen on Oracle Road features warm ambient lighting, exposed brick walls, and decorative tile accents along the bar. Tables line the narrow dining room under a mix of pendant lights and skylights that brighten the space.

Chef Jose Contreras, a James Beard semifinalist, leads this Sonoran-inspired kitchen. Regulars rave about quesabirria tacos and margaritas. For an extravagant bowl, the Molcajete Amelia’s towers with steak, shrimp, lobster, cactus, cheese, and onions, served sizzling with tortillas, rice, beans, and guacamole.

This is the family’s second Tucson location; the original is on Grant Road near Craycroft Road. 

Aqui Con El Nene’s Flowing Wells location offers a casual, open-air dining experience. The eatery features a food truck setup with a fan-cooled, semi-al fresco eating tent alongside an air-conditioned dining area.

Their take on the Sonoran hot dog stands out as a local favorite, chipilón-style with cheese melted onto the bread. Other customer favorites include the carne asada tacos, papanchas (stuffed baked potatoes), and the Taco Yaqui, which features two tortillas with a roasted green chile stuffed with carne asada, mushrooms, and melty cheese.

Baja Tacos operates from a modest food truck with shaded outdoor seating. The setup is simple and unpretentious, featuring a few plastic tables and chairs under a corrugated metal roof. Despite its no-frills appearance, the spot is celebrated for its Baja-style seafood tacos, particularly the fish and shrimp.

Customers frequently commend the fish tacos, available grilled or battered, praised for their freshness and generous portions. The shrimp tacos, offered in grilled or spicy enchilado styles, are also popular choices. Additional favorites include the smoked marlin tacos and the Tostada Ceviche Mixto, featuring shrimp, fish, and octopus.

Benny’s Mexican Restaurant offers a cozy setting with a colorful interior. The atmosphere is clean and casual, featuring simple decor that complements its homestyle Mexican cuisine. Known for its traditional dishes from San Luis Potosí, Benny’s provides a warm, family-friendly environment where guests can enjoy authentic flavors.

Favorites include the Tacos Rojos and the Enchiladas Potosinas, made with red chile masa, cheese, and a sprinkle of queso fresco.

Birrieria Guadalajara welcomes guests with a casual and colorful outdoor dining area, featuring bright walls and festive decorations. Papel picado banners and traditional Mexican art pieces hang from the ceiling. Inside almost feels like a diner with its matching red countertop and red barstools.

With birria in the name, they naturally shine with their braised stews and soups. Gravitate towards the birria and cabeza, but don’t sleep on their carne asada tacos.

BK Carne Asada & Hot Dogs buzzes with energy casual space with colorful chairs and wood tables. A salsa bar offers guests fresh salsas and garnishes. The patio is decorated with sports banners and string lights, while the nearby giant anthropomorphic hot dog stares menacingly.

The restaurant is famous for its Sonoran hot dogs and carne asada tacos. Other popular picks include the caramelos, vampiros, and a secretly solid bean burrito.

BOCA features colorful decor and a dog-friendly patio on Fourth Avenue. Chef Maria Mazon, a James Beard Award semifinalist and Top Chef alum, has garnered national acclaim for her playful approach to Mexican cuisine.

Their menu showcases a variety of inventive tacos and sides. Popular dishes include the Macho Taco, combining steak and cheese in a stuffed pepper, and the Puerco Verde taco, featuring shredded pork in a tomatillo sauce. The restaurant is also renowned for its daily selection of fresh salsas, offering unique flavors like mango habanero and pineapple jalapeño.

Calle Tepa Mexican Street Grill offers a festive, casual atmosphere with warm red and orange walls and rustic wood tables. Traditional sombreros and papel picado banners hang throughout, adding to the Jalisco-inspired decor. The salsa bar is built into a repurposed vintage Chevy truck.

The most popular items include street-style tacos filled with carne asada, grilled chicken, or al pastor. Guests also rave about the house-made tortillas and the burritos, especially the Tepa Burrito stuffed with grilled meat and guacamole.

Carnitas La Yoca features a spacious dining room with neutral walls, tiled floors, and a large mural of a Mexican lakeside scene. While it is a humble taco shop, if you arrive early Sunday morning, be prepared to wait in a long line of regulars dressed in their Sunday best.

Pork is prince here, so order the classic carnitas with their fresh house-made corn tortillas. For a gelatinous combination of textures from different cuts, order the mixto.

Casa Asada Taquería y Cervecería, offers a modern interior with a view of the open kitchen and mesquite grill. The restaurant features a full-service bar with an impressive tequila selection and a daily-made salsa bar. Known for its authentic Sonoran-style cuisine, Casa Asada specializes in thick-cut steak tacos grilled over mesquite.

Popular menu items include the signature Casa Asada Taco, featuring prime beef and refried beans on a flour tortilla, and the Chile Verde Taco, which combines charred green chile and cheese steak.

El Charro Café, located in downtown Tucson, offers a vibrant and historic atmosphere with its colorful walls, traditional Mexican decor, and charming courtyard. Established in 1922, it is recognized as the nation’s oldest Mexican restaurant in continuous operation by the same family. The interior features sombreros hanging from the ceiling, rustic wooden furnishings, and a warm, inviting ambiance that reflects its rich heritage.

The signature carne seca is marinated beef dried in the Sonoran sun on the roof, shredded for filling dishes such as the chimichanga, a deep-fried burrito that El Charro claims to have accidentally invented

Chela’s Latin Cuisine in downtown Tucson blends rustic charm with modern flair. The space features exposed brick walls, high ceilings with wooden beams, and ambient blue and purple lighting. By night, it transforms into a lively nightclub with DJs and cocktails, offering a vibrant dining and entertainment experience.

The dinner menu includes the likes of Mole Poblano, carnitas, molcajete, flautas, Camarones Culichi, Ceviche Tostada, Mexican Street Corn on a Stick, and Tacos de Calabaza — (vegan) three roasted butternut squash tacos.

Cocteleria La Palma Mariscos Y Mas in Tucson offers a casual vibe at 22nd Street and Sixth Avenue under a large canopy with picnic tables next to the food truck.

Don’t be scared by the thought of seafood in the desert; they source well to keep their ingredients cold and fresh. While their base shrimp and fish tacos are more than good enough, you can indulge with the Taco Quesadilla stuffed with fish, shrimp, or both. Just be aware they close before dinner time.

Contigo Latin Kitchen in Tucson offers a refined, open-air dining experience with panoramic views of the city and Catalina Foothills. Located within the Westin La Paloma Resort, the restaurant features a blend of rustic and modern decor, including warm wood accents and ambient lighting.

Signature dishes Parrillada Platter for two offers a generous assortment of tenderloin, lamb chops, ribeye, Argentinian chorizo, and roasted marrow. Other popular items are the Tacos Contigo, featuring braised short rib with grilled tomato salsa, and the Moqueca de Peixe, a Brazilian stew with fish and shrimp in a coconut milk base.

Copal Contemporary Mexican Cuisine showcases a lively, modern space with vibrant neon signs and an agave bar. The dining room features colorful lighting and a stage area for live music performances. The venue blends upscale cantina flair with casual comfort.

The shareable Trilogia de Dacos allows you to build your own taco bar with six homemade tortillas, pico, guac, and your choice of any three of the following: carne asada, grilled shrimp, pork belly, birria, roasted mushrooms, jackfruit birria. or jamaica (hibiscus). Reviewers also celebrate the Ribeye Aquachile, a medium‑rare ribeye drenched in tangy aqua chile salsa. The Elote ice cream dessert draws steady acclaim for its sweet corn‑infused ice cream sprinkled with chocolate and strawberries.

El Antojo Poblano features a vibrant dining room with yellow walls, festive papel picado banners, and hand-painted pottery. Colorful tablecloths and warm lighting create a cheerful and inviting space for families and friends. The restaurant is best known for its authentic Pueblan flavors and welcoming atmosphere that celebrates Mexican culture.

While Tucson prides itself as a Sonoran town, El Antojo Poblano brings flavors from the Mexican state of Puebla. Rarer options include the spicy pollo en chiltepín and beefy suadero. Other popular menu items include the Cemita, Chalupas Poblanas, and Pollo en Mole.

El Chivo de Oro operates from a food truck under a large canopy, offering open-air picnic table seating for guests. Bright, colorful banners display the menu, creating a lively street-food atmosphere. The casual, outdoor setup invites customers to relax and enjoy a true Tucson food truck experience.

Try not to get carried away with $1 cabeza tacos on fresh handmade tortillas. For a little more funk, get the birria made with a blend of beef and goat. Beware — the red salsa can be brutally hot.

El Manantial offers a classic Tucson food truck experience with a covered outdoor seating area featuring blue tables and white folding chairs.

Open 9 a.m.-11 p.m. daily, they’re a dependable spot for late-evening grilled carne asada tacos and a Sonoran dog with a steamed bun and bacon-wrapped Torito. You can even order a platter of the Toritos as a side.

The interior blends warm yellow walls with string lights and ceiling fans for a relaxed neighborhood vibe. Black chairs and wood tables line the tiled floor. A chalkboard menu, cooler of Jarritos, and salsa bottles add charm to the casual setting.

This family-owned restaurant specializes in Sonoran-style Mexican comfort food with loyal local support since 2002. Reviewers praise the crispy ground beef tacos for their satisfying crunch and savory filling.

El Taco Rustico offers a vibrant and authentic atmosphere that reflects its roots in Coahuila, Mexico. The exterior features a colorful mural depicting mariachi musicians, while the interior boasts a cozy setting with checkered floors and a chalkboard menu highlighting specials.

The restaurant is renowned for its quesabirria tacos, featuring tender, slow-braised beef and melted cheese tucked into crispy corn tortillas, served with a rich consommé for dipping. Other popular dishes include the costillas (mesquite-grilled beef ribs), carne asada burritos, and the Malinche tostada topped with guacamole, meat, and jalapeño crema. Chef Juan Almanza’s dedication to authentic flavors has earned El Taco Rústico recognition among Yelp’s top taco spots in the country.

Formerly known as La Fresita, El Vaquero Coffee & Burrito now offers both Mexican food and coffee drinks with a small patio and convenient drive-thru.

While the namesake burritos are the star, don’t hesitate to order one of their hearty taco plates with fresh corn tortillas.

Ensenada Street Food charms diners with bright turquoise walls and papel picado banners overhead. Floral‑patterned tablecloths and mismatched chairs lend a festive, homey vibe. A corrugated tin roof covers colorful outdoor picnic benches beside their Baja‑style food truck.

This women‑owned Baja California taco spot serves fish and al pastor tacos. The savory “Rojito” quesabirria tacos with dipping broth also earn praise for their tender beef and flavorful broth..

Fini’s Landing immerses diners in a beach‑bar atmosphere with surfboards hanging from the ceiling and a flip‑flop door handle. Flatscreen TVs populate the walls, blending coastal charm with a lively sports bar vibe.

This neighborhood spot featuring responsibly sourced seafood and American‑Mexican fare attracts families and sports fans alike. Guests rave about the fish tacos and the Chubasco shrimp tacos, featuring shrimp with pico de gallo and spicy house sauce.

A dependable late evening option midtown, food truck Karamelo King now offers indoor seating in the former piñata store.

For a small upcharge, get your Sonoran hot dog bun toasted with melted cheese inside. But save room for the namesake Karamelo — a quesadilla with chopped carne asada.

La Botana Tacos greets guests with colorful interior accents, hanging star‑shaped lights and a vibrant patio view. The open layout features plenty of TVs, making it an inviting spot for casual gatherings and sports viewing. A salsa bar sits prominently, signaling its identity as a lively street‑taco focused venue.

They’ve earned a busy local following with their street tacos, daily happy hour specials, and enormous two-for-one margaritas.

(05/27/2024 note: they are closed for the summer and plan on reopening in August)

La Chaiteria offers a vibrant and eclectic atmosphere that reflects its cultural roots. The interior features colorful murals, including one of Anthony Bourdain and one of Kristen Stewart wearing a Tumerico shirt and eating a taco. The space also includes a salsa bar and a selection of retail Mexican items.

With the blackboard menu changing often, find specials ranging from mahi mahi tacos to vegan Cuban tacos. Its westside location makes it a convenient destination after a Tumamoc Hill hike. La Chaiteria also offers a selection of unique lattes, such as Mole, Mazapan, Saffron, and Chai.

La Indita offers a cozy and culturally rich atmosphere that reflects its heritage. The interior features wooden chairs and tables, with walls adorned by murals depicting rural indigenous life. This setting honors the restaurant’s roots in Mexican, Tarascan, and Tohono O’odham traditions.

The menu showcases a variety of popular dishes, including the Tarascan Tacos — corn masa filled with options like cheese, beef, or spinach, sealed and served with enchilada sauce, cheese, cabbage, beans, and rice. Other favorites are the Indian Taco, featuring fry bread topped with beans, beef, chile, salad, and cheese, and the Chicken Mole, with a rich mole sauce using cacao beans from Chiapas. La Indita also offers a selection of vegetarian and vegan options, such as spinach and nut enchiladas with mole sauce, catering to diverse dietary preferences.

La Olla Mexican Cafe welcomes diners with warm yellow walls, wooden tables, and dark chairs in a cozy space. Streamers and festive décor create a family-friendly, informal vibe. Large windows bring in natural light and offer street views near Silverbell Road.

A Marana staple, guests rave about the chicken tortilla soup, Fundido with Anaheim chilies, and deep-fried ground beef tacos for their nostalgic, old-fashioned flavor and satisfying crunch.

Food truck-turned-brick-and-mortar restaurant Las Originales Carnitas El Michoacano now features a spacious indoor dining area with colorful walls and festive decorations.

The restaurant is best known for its carnitas, done in the style of their namesake Michoacán, homeland of carnitas. Take advantage of the vibrant, well-stocked salsa bar filled with salsas and pickled things to cut through the richness of the pork.

La Yaquesita Mexican Cuisine welcomes guests with a warm, inviting interior featuring wood-paneled ceilings, earthy brick walls, and cozy lighting. Large windows and patio seating create an airy feel, while the bar area glows with blue accent lights and rustic charm. The restaurant’s festive patio, strung with twinkling lights, offers a spot for people-watching a busy Fourth Avenue intersection.

The menu is best known for its quesabirrias. Also, don’t sleep on the chips and salsa.

Maico offers a casual and relaxed dining experience with outdoor-only seating. Picnic-style tables sit beneath a covered patio supported by red brick columns, offering shade and a breezy setting for diners.

The menu features popular dishes like Carne Asada Tacos and Chile Rellenos stuffed with cheese and bathed in savory tomato sauce. Enchiladas Verdes, tamales, and hearty breakfast burritos are also favorites among regulars. Maico rounds out its offerings with traditional Mexican drinks such as horchata and tamarindo.

Nana’s Kitchen features high ceilings, warm adobe-colored walls, and large murals of Spanish ships and Aztec warriors. The dining room buzzes under hanging lights and ceiling fans, while sombreros and serapes decorate the space. A full bar lines one side, showcasing glassware and a wide selection of tequila.

This family-run restaurant focuses on homestyle Mexican cuisine served with warm, attentive hospitality. Regulars love the beef chimichanga,  sopa de tortilla, and ground beef tacos.

Penca downtown offers a warm, rustic-yet-elegant atmosphere with exposed brick walls and vintage accents. The dining room features industrial-chic elements and large windows that fill the space with natural light during the day. Guests can also enjoy al fresco dining on the sidewalk patio.

Their menu features refined elevated Central Mexican cuisine, including the chiles rellenos. The Tuétano highlights roasted bone marrow with epazote chimichurri and flour tortillas. On the taco side, make sure to try the Rajas y Papas (queso, chipotle crema, avocado crema, green onion) or the Guajolote (turkey, red cabbage, and chipotle crema).

Polo’s Taquería operates from a bright yellow food truck parked outdoors, with metal tables and string lights overhead. The setup feels casual and festive, offering shaded seating under umbrellas and communal picnic-style benches.

A traditional trompo of al pastor spins visibly, setting a lively street-taco atmosphere. The birria and cabeza earn an honorable mention.

The Quesadillas invites diners into a space with vibrant red walls, string lights, and eclectic art. Colorful paintings and whimsical vegetable décor create a warm vibe throughout the restaurant. The casual dining area features a mix of tables and chairs, making it a welcoming spot for friends and families.

Despite their distance from the Mexican cuisine-dense south side, their mesquite-grilled carne asada holds its own against Tucson’s best. Chopped into small dice, find the tender bites in the name sake or on tacos. Also order a rib-eye taco and al pastor taco. Make sure to take advantage of their salsa bar — grab some of their salsa seca (chili oil) for the beef and some pineapple chiltepín salsa for the al pastor.

Rollies Mexican Patio features a lively dining space with bold murals, bright teal walls, pink flooring, and strings of colorful lights. The cheerful décor, along with local art and playful details, gives the restaurant a fun, playful vibe.

Enjoy their siganture birria in cheesy tacos, on top of a burger, in a bowl of ramen, or in a Pizzadilla.

Salsa Verde blends earthy tones with playful colors inside a cozy fast-casual dining space. Yellow walls, sombreros, and sombrero ribbons decorate the counter area. A self‑serve salsa bar with colorful toppings anchors the casual interior.

The restaurant focuses on homestyle Mexican fare with a build-your-own format and quick service. The two most popular dishes include the red chile chicken enchiladas and the carne asada tacos. For a giant oblong corn masa tortilla, order one of the machetes.

Seis Kitchen at Mercado San Agustín offers a vibrant open-air atmosphere. The setting combines rustic charm with modern touches in a shaded courtyard.

The restaurant’s menu draws from six culinary regions of Mexico, with standout favorites like the breakfast Chilaquiles —two fried eggs over red chile-soaked tortillas, roasted green chile, pico de gallo, and crema. Crispy Avocado Tacos, with breaded avocado slices and chipotle crema, are another must-try.

Street Taco & Beer Co. in Park Place Mall opens to an airy food court tucked under the mall’s high ceilings and food court canopy. Stainless steel counters, large menu boards, and brick accents create a modern casual vibe.

The mall location focuses on street-style Mexican tacos served with a rotating beer selection and aguas frescas. Furthermore, they are one of the few places in Tucson with al pastor prepared on a trompo.

Taco Fish greets diners in a laid‑back space with tiled floors, exposed brick pillars, and an open counter. Ceiling fans spin above metal chairs and communal tables under warm lighting. The setup channels a shaded Ensenada‑style patio, with an inverted garage door opening on nice days.

This family‑run spot showcases Baja‑style Mexican seafood with house‑made condiments and self‑serve salsa bar. Try the fish tacos and Cevifritos, a combination of ceviche and crunchy Fritos.

Tacos Apson welcomes guests with a straightforward outdoor dining space filled with bright red booths and simple tables. The covered patio, shielded by bold signage and plastic walls, offers plenty of shade and a casual environment. Inside, the classic counter seating with red barstools faces the open kitchen, allowing diners to watch beef on the hand-cranked grill.

Their mesquite-grilled beef and costillas have a magnetic hold on even fancy pants chefs like Janos Wilder and world-class foodie Ruth Reichl. Sleeper hit: the taco chino, stuffed beans in a lightly fried flour tortilla.

Tacos de Cabeza Estilo Cajeme offers a relaxed, open-air dining experience beneath white canopy tents with folding tables and chairs.

This south side taco truck naturally specializes in cabeza tacos. They even offer funky brain (referred to as sesos, definitely an acquired taste) and other offal such as eyeballs (ojos), lips (labios), and even roof of mouth (paladar).

Taqueria El Pueblito features bright papel picado, Mexican flags, and tile-lined counters under black exposed ceilings. A chalkboard menu lists taco specials behind a modest service counter. Tables and white metal chairs sit on a clean tile floor in a casual, festive space.

They earned their following with its Zacatecas burrito — a classic carne asada burrito ramped up with the simple addition of bacon. Their comforting menudo is almost just as popular. But you can’t go wrong with any of the tacos; load up at the salsa bar.

Taqueria el Rapido features bright orange walls, tiled floors, and sturdy black chairs in a clean, open layout. Natural light pours through the front windows, brightening the casual dining area. A brick-trimmed order counter and salsa bar anchor the space with practical charm.

The taqueria serves Sonoran-style tacos, burritos, and tortas with generous fillings. Regulars recommend the carne asada and birria tacos.

Tacos Los Compas operates from a covered outdoor cart with a red-and-green roof and picnic-style seating beneath. Booths built from repurposed benches and tables offer a casual, communal dining vibe. A salsa bar and condiment area stands nearby, inviting guests to customize every taco.

This popular food truck specializes in Michoacán-style Mexican street tacos with affordable pricing and fresh ingredients. Diners rave about the crunchy tripas tacos, carne asada tacos, and carnitas tacos.

Taqueria Juanitos welcomes diners with a spacious, recently renovated interior featuring bright orange walls, colorful chairs, and a lively atmosphere. The open kitchen and digital menu boards keep the energy up, while wall-mounted decorative sombreros add a Mexican touch.

They blend Michoacán and Los Angeles street Mexican cuisine for their own style. Here, the tacos al pastor and carnitas to show off their skill with pork. However, they are also known for their carne asada tacos and generously portioned burritos.

Taqueria Pico de Gallo welcomes diners with a bright, decorative tiles with their rooster mascot at the counter. The simple dining area features sturdy tables, black chairs, and white walls adorned with colorful Mexican art near the entrance.

The restaurant is renowned for its thick, soft house-made corn tortillas. For tacos filling, go for the fried seafood or braised meats. Make sure to grab a cup of their lush horchata.

Taqueria Porfis offers a simple interior with red-and-white checkered trays visible near the counter. The dining area includes bar stools along a counter and straightforward tables under a drop ceiling.

Go for the tacos dorados and tacos al vapor — soft corn tortillas dipped in red sauce and filled with beef and potato.

Taqueria Y Raspados Jason occupies a small indoor space with simple tables beneath ceiling fans. The place echoes its food-truck roots while offering a clean, sheltered environment for dining outdoors as well.

This family-run spot shines with Sonoran hot dogs, tacos, and freshly shaved raspados. Go for the Sonoran hot dogs with bacon-wrapped peppers, some quesabirria tacos.

Teresa’s Mosaic Café in Tucson offers a bright, festive interior with colorful mosaic-tiled tables and expansive windows showcasing views of the Catalina Mountains. Guests can observe handmade tortillas being prepared in the dining room, adding to the restaurant’s authentic charm. Established in 1984 by Alfonso and Teresa Matias, the café is renowned for its Oaxacan and Sonoran cuisine, particularly its huevos rancheros featured on Food Network’s “Throwdown with Bobby Flay”.

Patrons frequently praise the huevos rancheros, served on crispy corn tortillas with beans, eggs, cheddar cheese, and house-made red salsa. The Mole Negro Oaxaqueño enchiladas, filled with scrambled eggs and topped with sesame seeds, are another standout. Other popular dishes include the Machaca de Tres Chiles con Huevo and the menudo, available in red or white, served with pan birote. On the taco side of things, get a comforting plate of ground beef tacos.

Tumerico radiates warmth and creativity, with colorful murals from local artists, eclectic wall art, and eccentric furnishings across several cozy dining spaces. Cacti, hummingbirds, and desert vistas adorn the walls, alongside framed accolades and hand-painted signs. The vibrant, artistic décor — paired with the inviting scent of spices — creates an atmosphere that feels both celebratory and rooted in the local community.

The restaurant is known for its imaginative, plant-based Latin cuisine made from scratch with organic and local ingredients. Customer favorites include the jackfruit carnitas, vegan tamales, and al pastor tacos. Eggs and mozzarella cheese are available upon request.