Amazing food and service felt like a family. Such friendly service and it's a beautiful place. read more

Asi Es La Vida - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

4 stars for overall food, 5 for the salsa. We got guacamole, sangria, 2 guisados: ropa vieja and Cochinita Pibil. Love the sangria, cochinita pibil was better, not a wow factor tho. I'd def go back for the salsa and try other entrees. read more

As someone whose family is from southern Mexico I am always on the lookout for authentic southern Mexican food. Well to my surprise I was so blown away by the quality and portions of the food here at asi es la vida! From the service, margaritas to the live music. Everything was just wonderful! I especially loved the sopa de rajas! I definitely want to return with my family! read more

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Came here for Mother's Day and I am never ever disappointed. The food, service and atmosphere are all outstanding. The family run place feels like such a welcoming home. We started with the guacamole which is a must, the chips have so a great taste. The abobada was amazing love that it comes with chilaquiles which is amazing. Recalentado has a mix of cochinita & mole. The cochinita is fantastic. My son had just the chicken chilaquiles and said it was fantastic. We had no leftovers because no one could stop eating. Crepa de cajeta was delicious. read more

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We had the perfect date night here, I had the Carne Tampiquena, and he had the Cochinita Pibil. We had Ceviche Acapulco, and Sincronizadas veggie style for appetizers. We ended with ice cream. We loved everything and service was excellent. Highly recommend making a reservation since it was packed on a Friday night. read more

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We came here for dinner after seeing the giant pink building on the corner and wondering what it was (you can't miss it)! All the staff were super friendly and attentive. I loved the decor and ambiance inside! The food was all delicious! I highly recommend trying this place out if you want to try Mexican food that's not the regular old tacos and burritos you can get anywhere else. read more

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Oh my goodness if you're looking for excellent anti-typical Mexican food like someone's grandma used to make, you have to go here, it means "such as life" and it is the tiniest little place even though the building is large. Go hungry and leave satisfied. Every plate we tried was incredible, I wish I could remember everything we ordered, but the sampler platter is to die for! The tableside guac is lovely. We will come here again and again. The service is a little slow, but it gives you time to really enjoy the ambience and the food. read more

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The odd building, entry and decor is worth a visit just to check it out. The dining room are both pretty small with less than 8 tables in each. We sat in the room with the bar. They also had a man playing guitar and singing very subdued but also lovely music. Not thing like the mariachi bands at many Mexican restaurants. The service was great and very attentive. My wife ordered a mezcal Paloma and was impressed by the amount of mezcal vs some other places we've been. But at $15 it better be good. We stated out with the appetizer combo. Queso Fundido, Conchita Pabil and Mole Poblana. I would recommend all three of these separately but not as a combo. As a combo they are overpriced and barely a taste of each. $22. They were all good but I would order the Fundido as an appetizer along with the Guacamole. The Pabil and Poblano I would order as my entree. The I had to try the soup. They had several sopas. I got the Sopa de Tortilla. It was 5 star. Excellent flavor and well balanced ingredients. After the appetizers and soup we were really looking forward to the entrees. For dinner I ordered the Cameron al Mojo de Ajo (shrimp). The shrimp were overcooked and dry. The garlic and oil was nowhere to be found. The sides were basically boring white rice and a kind of cheesy creamed corn. Meh. My wife ordered the New York Strip. It was tough, very little sear or seasoning and not flavorful at all. And topped with a tomato salsa that just made it wet. On a bed of that same boring white rice. A few spears of asparagus and a couple wedges of avocado. Another pass. So what's the verdict. I would definitely recommend this restaurant but I would probably stick to the menu above the House Specials. If you had better luck with the specials let me know? read more

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THE pink house on 24th Street. Haven driven by it many time over the years and never knew there was a delish restaurant inside! AELV is not your "typical" Mexican restaurant, focusing instead on a simple menu with cuisine from the CDMX area. The building itself dates back to the 1940s as a singular house and then over decades became a multi-unit rental property, and transitioning to a restaurant property in the 80s. Definitely qualifies them as a more unique setting - do not recommend any more than a party of 5 to dine here. You have to walk to the front of the house from the back patio to be sat. Our server was lovely - gave lots of good suggestions, kept our water glasses filled and checked in on us as needed. I ordered guac for the table as a reco from other Yelp reviews. You order by the person and the chips come already in the guac, which is a little weird. Unsure if the extra chips and salsa were part of the guac service or something we got on the house (like at your standard Mexican restaurant). All of us ordered something different for dinner but agreed that it was some of the best Mexican in town - even a simple quesadilla. What I ordered - sangria (solid, a little sweet); Enrollado de Res (holy moly). The sirloin was so tender and juicy. The red wine sauce - not too spicy. Since I hadn't eaten that much that day I joined the clean plate club. Can't wait to come back and try something else next time! read more

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Felt like we were back in Mexico. Loved loved loved the vibe and the live music. The fresh Agua frescas were delicious. New fave date night spot read more

My boyfriend took me here for a cute little date and oh my gosh was I blown away. The staff was so attentive and kind. The food was authentic and flavorful. The decor was so cute and very romantic. Absolutely would recommend it to anyone ¨ read more

We came here for weekend lunch. The menu is small but full of delicious items. We started with chilito poblano. It is cheesy delicious! Then I had adobada pork. The pork is tasty and big piece. I wish I add an order of rice. We found out later on that they gave us a free refill for Aqua Fresca, horchata and jamaica hibiscus. After the tasty lunch, we got choco flan and crepe. Crepe is so delicious with ice cream. We would like to come back for dinner. read more

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This is my new favorite Mexican restaurant in the Phoenix valley, I've now eaten here twice in two weeks, even though I don't live in town! On my first trip I went for lunch and started with the guacamole which came with two excellent house made chile sauces and a pico salsa plus tostadas. For my lunch I had the combo of mole and chochinita with whole pinto beans, perfectly cooked rice and corn tortillas, excellent flavor. The atmosphere is lovely and includes white linen tablecloths and regional decor. Do check out this family run business, the chef and server are brothers, cooking family recipes. read more

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Recently had dinner at the bar with Irving as host. Great margaritas, had the Conchinita Pibil. Amazing dish, rich, complex authentic Mexican recipe from the Yucatan. Will definitely be back. read more

Asi Es La Vida - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

This place was incredible, I'm so happy we stopped here during our trip to Phoenix! Irvin treated us just like family, we felt right at home! The atmosphere, the service, the food, the decor, everything was 10/10 above and beyond! My husband and I both ordered the Cochinita Pibil and it was absolutely delicious, seasoned and cooked to perfection. The vibe was immaculate. Thank you for everything, Irvin! We will come here every time we visit Phoenix! read more

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A tiny, romantic, absolute gem of a restaurant serving complex, beautiful, innovative versions of Mexican food classics. It's the food your abuela would make if she had spent a little time in Europe, gone to culinary school, and possessed a Wild imagination. This is not a chips-and-salsa Mexican joint. But don't let that dissuade you. It was here that I had some of the best food Ive had in the Phoenix Valley. It's that good. Think of it as Unique, sophisticated food with a Mexican flair. The menu is not huge, and changes. You'll find delectable dishes like Borrego Azteca (leg of lamb), carne tampiquena (flavorful top sirloin), ropa vieja (a Cuban favorite), and the untouchable cochinito pibil (a slow-roasted suckling pig). There are selections that bring a Mexican foundation to an international-inspired dish. And everything on that darned menu is amazing. Maybe better. The owner, Irving Rodriguez, knows his food and his clientele. You might find a celebrity quietly dining here, or a couple On their first date. The ambiance is dark and romantic and cozy. In fact the restaurant is TINY. In fact, anything more than a party of 5 is really too much. It's an old converted house, and a small one at that. So don't expect bring your 10 work friends here for lunch. The food here is insane, as I mentioned. If special note are the shrimp (camarón al mojo de ajo). It's a garlicky concoction that will bring you to tears it's so good. Tender, huge prawns smothered in an out-of-this-world sauce and perfectly baked in a garlic and olive oil base. They will send you to taste heaven. Also of note is the carne tampiquena, which is a crazy-tender top sirloin served with a cheesy, unctuous poblano pepper (not spicy). I'm drooling just think of it. Oh, and the queso fundido "dip" is the best Ive had. This restaurant is located in the only bright-fuchsia building on 24th street. You can't miss it. Parking is good and secure, and the area is fine. In fact this place is down the street from the old Barrio Cafe which has, sadly, closed. So check this place out. But again, this isn't a burrito place. There is none of that on the menu. Bring a date or someone you love, and enjoy the live Latin guitar player and the soft lighting. And then settle in for one of the best meals you've ever had. read more

I wouldn't necessarily call ASI Es La Vida a hole in the wall as its pastel colored pink building is distinguishable and more upscale than other Mexican restaurants nearby. It's a white table cloth, date night spot. The menu is traditional. We shared a sampler which was tasty. I ordered the cilantro soup which was tasty but on the small side. Service was great. Definitely on the more expensive side for Mexican. I prefer more low key Mexican spots, but glad I tried. read more

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How in the world have I missed this simply gorgeous eatery all these years? This is not your typical local Mexican place in the valley. It is upscale, charming to luxury decor, and live music playing softly in the background. I guess you can say it is romantic but I was alone. I don't want to deter anyone from trying it based on that description as a date spot only. It is of course a lovely date spot too. Asi, specializes in Mexico City style food. And let me tell you the food is out of this world! it is a small menu but what they have is fantastic. An amazing meal was had here recently. You could say this is a special occasion type of place too since the couple at the next table was celebrating a wedding anniversary. I happened upon this place quite by accident with no plan and was so happy I did. It is pricey but lunch is much more reasonable. I definitely will be back. Oh, and the service was some of the best table service I have ever had ever anywhere. Very spoiley. read more

This place is a real gem in Phoenix. You certainly will not miss it as it stands out as a bright pink beacon on 24th! This is an intimate space so definitely call them for a reservation. We received a warm welcome and were taken care of! There wasn't a single item I didn't enjoy! Their salsas and guacamole are wonderful. The queso fundido and ceviche Acapulco all hit well. Do not expect to find tacos and fajitas on the menu. They do know how to treat thinly sliced sirloin and serve it with flavorful sides including their award winning molé sauce! And the tres leche...WOW! My one critique is their cocktails lacked. However, the Modelos were cold! Grab some friends, order several items and share with friends in a Frida Kahlo decorated space that is quite special! read more

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I have driven past this place hundreds of times and always been curious but for some reason never went. Then my husband went to an event with yelpers who recommended it. We came 30 mins before their closing time and they were kind enough to let us dine. I was underdressed and had no idea it was more of a date kinda restaurant. I thought it was casual but the ambiance is really nice. They had live music on a Thursday night. Service was friendly. The tomatillo sauce tasted so fresh. We shared a platter that had cochinita pibil, chicken mole and cheese. I liked the cochinita pibil the most. I tried the cilantro soup and it was also good - per our server it's the only place in the Valley that serves it. I had the shrimp with garlic as my main - really tasty. I would come back, this time dressed appropriately. read more

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Not so hidden on 24th Street is a bright pink building home to Asi Es La Vida. A back entrance (the only entrance) brings you through a view of the kitchen to the front of the restaurant. It is a cozy setting, and often has live music. I highly recommend the queso with chorizo and table guacamole. The chips that come with are not a large portion, so you might want to ask for extra to thoroughly enjoy those dishes and the red ansalsa. table salsas. For main courses, they aren't over the top, but have good flavor, though the rice has consistently been too buttery as my only negative. I have had the pibil and the poblano. The portion size is just enough to satisfy without being overwhelming. Last time I had desert for the first time. A tree leches cake which was light and refreshing, and creme brulee. Overall, I think this is good option for a nice date night evening or dinner with friends or coworkers who would like Mexican, but who might not be as adventurous for someplace with super spicy or hot food. Price is about $35-$45 per person with apps and dessert. read more

This is the best Mexican food in the valley hands down. The kind of food you'd find in a fancy restaurant in Mexico, for great prices, with great service and great margaritas. They're also incredible at improvising if you have dietary restrictions. Gluten free chips, adjustable other dishes. Absolutely awesome! read more

5 stars everyone we go! The special was the lamb chops tonight and they were incredible, service was top notch. The Cadillac margarita is our favorite read more

Asi Es La Vida - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Came here recently with a friend. The aura of the restaurant is cute, it is date friendly. They had a live musician as well, and we went on a Thursday evening. Although, it was confusing at first coming into the restaurant, because there was no guidance from anyone. I ordered the Borrego Azteca, which was lamb leg, rice and beans. It was pretty delicious. I do wish the presentation was a bit better. Although, our server was very nice and attentive. read more

Asi Es La Vida - Tres Leches Cake - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

I drive past this place all the time and finally met up with friends for lunch and let me say, I've been missing out! It is so beautifully decorated inside and out, and has such a comfy and old school vibe. The staff were so friendly. Our waitress was great with suggestions and her service was impeccable. The food!! Amazing. Especially in quality and for a reasonable price. You can tell that so much flavor and love goes into their food. I'll be back, and I'll be bringing more family with me. read more

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We came here for my mother in laws birthday on a Sunday around 4 and there was not a wait for a party of 7. The restaurant is beautiful and service was really great. we got the sample appetizer plate that came with mole, cochinita pibil, nopales with cheese, and poblano shrimp and cheese. It was delicious we cleaned the plate. The salsas weren't hot but they were so flavorful and delicious. 3 of us got the carne tampiqueña and we all finished our plates. Very delicious and balanced plate. everything was so good we forgot to take pics of the actual food. highly recommend this spot in general and can't wait to come back and order the cochinita pibil. read more

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My mom and I visited here when I first moved to AZ 5 years ago and we truly loved it. Both the atmosphere and food were great. Haven't been able to make it back since but it's on my list of places to go again! read more

The color of pink on the building is welcoming and exciting upon arrival. The ambiance inside is intimate and well-decorated. There are multiple rooms and areas inside the restaurant which makes for a unique feel when walking through to be seated. Quiet live music was playing and we were sat at a small two person booth in the bar area. It was well-lit. The food was absolutely divine. The guacamole and chips are an excellent starter and the chocolate flan finished the meal nicely. The only downside was the service. I believe it was a Thursday night, prime dinner time, but it took awhile for us to be served water after asking twice. I can't wait to go back! read more

Pretty basic and all of the food needed S&P. I grew up in this neighborhood and have passed this place so many times, I really wanted to like this restaurant but again nothing great. It's been there for YEARS! Because I cook professionally and have been in the industry for about 35yrs I know a little about food. Also being of Latin decent I know about Mexican food and of the different regions. Mex shrimp cocktail was sweet and did not taste fresh. The Chile en Nogales was so under seasoned as was all the food. Againi wanted to like this place but I will never return. read more

This family is very warm & welcoming , it is an intimate setting, comfortable, you are greeted immediately, and seated. The menu is one page of wonderful options. Starting with the combo platter appetizer offers you a taste of several sauses and entrees , all very tasty options. The fish option is definitely fresh, there is offerings of chicken, shrimp, beef, lamb and pork. The beans and vegetables are tasty. Deserts are fun. There is a full bar and good wine selections to choose from. And there is live soft guitar music. If you want a cozy delightfully delicious meal, you will find it here! read more

Ambiance: Such a cute spot with Frida Khalo decor everywhere I loved it Service: Cindy was so kind and helpful!! Food: we ordered the pescado veracruzano and omg it was so delicious and then we also ordered the mole poblano and it was alright lacked some flavor Drinks: the sangria was amazing and not too sweet which I liked read more

Asi Es La Vida - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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A delightful, intimate atmosphere that is warm and inviting. Table settings are elegant and authentic. Service was excellent. Outstanding food from start to finish. Fresh, flavorful and worth every penny. A talented guitar player in the corner played beautiful Spanish songs that enhanced our dining experience. Highly recommended. Take guests from out of town--they'll love it!! read more

Great food, good ambiance, wonderful service. Our server was hilarious and super accommodating. I'm so glad we found out about this place. read more

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Literally the best mole in Phoenix! I always try to make it here when I come in town! Their drinks are so fresh! They most likely will have a one person band singing and it's always great! What a great local restaurant you must visit! read more

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I've always delicious food and great service here! We have ordered almost all the appetizers throughout the years as well as entrees and I've never ordered anything I haven't enjoyed. read more

So much flavor!! What a gem. There are so many good places to eat in Phoenix but I want to come back to this one and will be thinking about it until the next time I get up that way. The Ropa Vieja and Tinga were excellent as were their house margaritas. The different salsas served with tostones also delicious. 10/10 all the way! read more

Absolutely fantastic lunch at this authentic 'Mexico City' restaurant. Couple things based on comments in other reviews- yes you come in the back door- just keep walking past the first dining room to the second and ask the bartender for a seat. There are two dining rooms and we counted about 16 dining tables and five seats at the bar. We didn't have a reservation for lunch and walked right in, so that was nice. Can't miss the building- I can't believe how many times we have driven by this place- way too many times! We started with the Guacamole and Salsa for two- very fresh and I've never tasted a chipotle salsa that was so spicy and smokey. Give it a try. I had the Recalentado and it was amazing. A perfect portion of the chicken mole (very chocolatey and smokey!) and the pork cochinita. Served with rice and beans. Absolutely wonderful tasty meal. Hubs had the Cesina- thin sliced sirloin and he loved it. He had a couple Tecate (one Micheleda style) and I had a glass of wine. Total for lunch was $59 before tip. Friendly and efficient service as well. This would be a great spot for a date night, so we will be back. read more

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This was a delightful little date night spot that was recommended to us by several of our friends. After trying it for myself, not only does it receive my date night stamp of approval, but it is also a spot I can genuinely say has some of the BEST authentic Mexican dishes I have tried in Phoenix. The place has a lot of character, something you take notice right away by its pink, eye-catching exterior. Inside, the walls are decorated with portraits of Frida Kahlo, crosses, flowers, and other trinkets that set it apart from many other restaurants of its caliber. White linen on the table and perfectly placed cutlery, you know you are about to eat at an exceptional place. Yet there is a homey feeling, all thanks to the waiters and cooks that serve the establishment. A very attentive staff that knows the menu like the back of their hand. They take the time to know your preferences and make suggestions accordingly. Many stopping to chat up customers who appear to be happy regulars that know the staff by name. We knew we were in good hands. To start off our evening, we went for their queso fundido and side of guacamole. Both were devoured in minutes. The guac was paired with crispy chips. The queso fundido paired with tortillas. I will say the one flaw was the tortillas. Not terrible, but also not at the standard I would expect from an establishment that serves authentic Mexican cuisine. I guess I was expecting tortillas that tasted homemade. Instead, they tasted like a stack of warmed up Guerrero tortillas, which isn't necessarily a bad thing depending on your personal preference. We ordered drinks. I went for a glass of sangria and my husband requested a paloma. Both met our expectations. Everything was served promptly. For our main course, my husband got the combo plate which allowed him to choose two stews served with rice and beans. He chose mole and cochinita pibil. My husband said it tasted like one of his tias from Guerrero, Mexico had made the dish. I went with the Chef Special, a shrimp dish with peppers in a cream sauce. It was delectable. I understood what my husband meant when he compared the dish to something his tias could make. The kind of dish you order when you are feeling homesick. We left nothing on those plates. We went home contemplating our next visit. If you are thinking of going, I would say do not hesitate. You have no idea what you're missing. read more

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Gorgeous food: loved the sample platter of cochinita pibil, chicken mole, and a cheesy nopales dish. The guacamole was fresh and the shrimp ceviche delicious. Refreshing margaritas as well! Kind service, good prices. Can't go wrong here! read more

My three positives and a negative because the world needs more positivity: + Wow! Fresh, non-greasy, just lovely food. I do not have the vocabulary to describe how spectacular the food tasted. And, such a cozy, homey feeling. Perfect for a date + the guacamole and salsas were perfection. Both the smoky red sauce and tomatillos green sauce had such depth + my shrimp dish screamed homemade- not a frozen fillet to be found - go off peak. There are not a ton of tables or parking read more

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