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    El Tlacoyo

    4.2 (82 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican
    Open 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    El Tlacoyo Photos

    Business Info

    EL TLACOYO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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    a bowl of soup and a plate of meat
    Inty M.

    My daughter and I just visited El Tlacoyo for the first time and we had an amazing experience Starting with the service, we were greeted and sat quickly, chips and salsas were brought as soon as we sat. The red and green salsas were spicy and tasty. I had a mezcal drink that was spicy and refreshing. To eat we started with the barbacoa, super tender and flavorful (came with cilantro, onion, lime), lamb soup with hominy (bomb) and Guarache ! Everything was fresh, authentic and seasoned! Would recommend anyone to come and try this amazing food!!!

    Menu August 2023
    Robyn V.

    Came back and had the exact green Chile beef burrito lunch I've had a few times before, and although be service is GREAT and the burrito was tasty - it was a bit smaller, included rice and beans were a bit less, and it no longer comes with the small side of guacamole - but the PRICE RAISED from $7 up to $11.44! Ouch. That's pricing for a much nicer restaurant, not a little fast food place. Also there was loud tv on in the kitchen (playing some soap opera with lots of crying/whining and laughing), and different tv (playing loud sports) on in the dining room and I couldn't wait to finish and get out of there quickly. Lastly, my first review talked about how cute it was on the inside. They freshly painted everything white and got rid of all the decor, so now it's pretty bland.

    Burrito
    Amanda C.

    You know this place is authentic when you walk in and you're the only non Latinos dining in! We came on a Saturday for lunch and it was a full house. Super friendly and patient staff. They do not skimp on onions, lime, and cilantro!! Salsas are really spicy. Chips were good. We ordered a burrito and 3 tacos. My husband normally does not like beans and he loved his side of beans!! While the meat can be a bit dry I didn't mind as the toppings and salsas helped. We were super full and had leftovers! Can't wait to return to try more menu items, esp the carne asada plate!

    Yadira C.

    We always love the food here! Authentic Mexican cuisine. The mushroom soup is my favorite as well as the lamb soup and the Chile relleno and micheladas. Always leave full and satisfied with the great flavors of Mexico City!

    Old French fries and dry hard nuggets
    Lorena B.

    Disgusting. Reheated old food. My toddlers fries were rotten and the nuggets were dry and hard. My torta had old carne asada.

    Quesadilla Huitlacoche

    Food was delicious as always. Try the hitlacoche for something different and tasty. Coffee has cinnamon and I love it.

    Mikey R.

    This place felt pretty authentic. The meat had good flavor but was dry. The tortillas are store bought. The salsa they give you for chips and salsa is really more just hot sauce. They know how to do cilantro and onions though. They do not skimp on cilantro and onions.

    Huitiacoche Cheese Crisp
    Laura A.

    El Tiacoyo is not your usual Mexican Restaurant. It's Hidalgo Regional Cuisine. That means you can order things like cow foot tacos, cactus soup, head meat tacos, sausage and intestine tacos, huitiacoche cheese crisp, barbacoa, mixotes and so much more! They have weekend specials this past weekend it was lamb tacos but on past visits I saw goat and brain tacos. They start you off with chips and a creamy green very spicy sauce thats very good and a smokey red sauce that's also good and less spicy. We got the huitiacoche (also known as corn smut or Mexican Truffle) cheese crisp. It's not the Americanized watered down version it's the real stuff. Very earthy and interesting. From what I tried so far from here I've found that they do very good fish dishes here very reasonably priced. They don't use that cheap tilapia or muddy tasting swai fish like other places use. From the two fish dishes I tasted it seems like a very fresh sweet snapper kind of fish. This time I tried what they called grilled fish. When I saw it I thought they gave me the wrong thing because I received an aluminum envelope filled with very moist very fresh tasting fish cooked in juices from tomato and onions and a little butter. By looking at the envelope I think they cooked it on the grill. This dish came with average rice and beans and tortillas. My husband tried the chicken enchiladas, They were made with very fresh tasting chicken and were or mostly were just filled with chicken. The green chili sauce that topped them was very heavy with lime juice. I should mention that this place is not fancy and is very raw looking so you only come here for the food and not the ambiance. It's also hard to see from the street because it's located behind another building. 4.5 stars I didn't round up to 5 because of the average rice and beans and lack of atmosphere

    Gross

    Disgusted. There was rotted meat in the order and also a French fry that looked like it came from a rotten potato.

    Aaron C.

    In a locale full of hard core and amazing authentic Mexican food. This spot nestled off University and Evergreen provides you that experience. No frills and wholly affordable with all of the traditional drinks of Horchata and Jamaica. Then traditional and tasty cuts that you get with ethnic Mexican food with Lengua and Buche tacos and that I ordered. The Lengua was chopped up enough for anyone that's squeamish. The Buche tacos were also amazing...yum.

    Quesadillas de huitlacoche and flor de calabaza. A gordita de chicharron on the back.
    Leticia Z.

    This place is really authentic! Not only are the quesadillas really good, we also had the tlacoyos, sopa de papa and on my previous trip I had barbacoa de Borrego. My daughter never finishes her food and this time she finished her entire bowl of soup. The owner is very friendly and a really nice lady! I'm definitely going back!

    Dining room
    Amanda W.

    El Tlacoyo is a quaint, homey restaurant located in Tempe, AZ just east of the 101 north bound. The atmosphere of this cozy restaurant is casual and relaxing. Soft music plays on the speakers while TV shows play on a low volume. It is comfortable and offers opportunities for conversation or distraction during your meal. The food at El Tlacoyo is authentic and flavorful. They offer you chips and two types of salsa, salsa verde and chipoltle salsa, right as you take your seat, and both varieties are delicious! The menu offers a large selection of Mexican cuisine from the more familiar chicken enchilada to tacos tripa (intestines!). The food mirrors the flavors found from the northern border states of Mexico to the tropical southern tip. Everything, fromm tacos to tequila shots, is priced well and arrives to the table quickly. If you are looking for an authentic Mexican restaurant to try, visit El Tlacoyo.

    Menu shot 1
    Kate K.

    I am afraid to write this review, for fear of it becoming super busy! If you are coming here for the decor you will be disappointed. But if you are coming for some amazing food (and aren't a spice wuss), you will be blown away. The service from the lone female server is always sweet and quick, despite a bit of a language barrier (...if you're a silly gringo who only speaks English, that is). I shy away from meats, including the more interesting offerings here, but anything I've had that is vegetarian, or vegetarian after my slight adjustments to the menu, are delish. Annoyingly closed on Wednesdays. Bonus: keep up to date on your telenovelas while you dine!

    Huarache with with cactus

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    7 months ago

    One of the only places you can find hulcitoche in the valley and I'm obsessed I really love their menu

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    3 years ago

    Delicious and always great service! Wide variety of vegetarian options! I love going there to try new dishes.

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    5 years ago

    I visited precovid and ordered waaay too much food. The food was all tasty and the portions were huge!

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    13 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Authentic and tasty. Get the tlacoyos with tinga. They're the perfect balance of spice, queso fresco, crunch, chewiness, and sauce.

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    6 years ago

    A hidden gem if you're looking for authentic Mexican food! Great service! The Torta is yummy!!!

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    Taco Chelo - Carne asada tacos

    Taco Chelo

    4.7(169 reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $

    Everything !! Start with chips and salsa plus some…read moreguacamole! 2 Sonoran tacos One costra Taco de carnitas Margarita And finished with a tres leches

    I used to live in Phoenix, and I tried this place for the first time literally the same week I was…read moremoving to Denver. Out of all the restaurants I had before leaving Arizona, THIS ended up being one of the places I couldn't stop thinking about after I moved away. Ever since leaving, I've randomly craved these tacos constantly. I've tried other taco spots in Denver hoping something would compare, but honestly nothing really hit the same. So when I came back out to Phoenix recently to visit some friends, this was one of the first places I knew I needed to come back to because I had built it up so much in my head over time. And somehow... it was just as good again. The meat tastes incredibly fresh, flavorful, and well-seasoned, and you can literally watch them prepare everything right in front of you, which makes the whole experience even better. There's something so satisfying about seeing the tacos being made fresh instead of food just appearing from the kitchen. You can tell they care about quality and consistency. The servers were also super friendly and welcoming both times I came here, which honestly makes such a difference. Everyone had great energy, the service was quick, and the whole place just feels inviting and authentic. I honestly think the fact that I remembered this place so vividly for so long says everything. Usually when you revisit a restaurant after hyping it up in your head for years, it ends up disappointing you. But this place tasted exactly how I remembered it, fresh, flavorful, comforting, and absolutely worth the obsession. Safe to say this place is officially a mandatory stop for me anytime I'm back in Phoenix now.

    Photos
    Taco Chelo - Really cool vibe inside

    Really cool vibe inside

    Taco Chelo - Costra Taco - get it!!!

    Costra Taco - get it!!!

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    Ghost Ranch: Modern Southwest Cuisine

    Ghost Ranch: Modern Southwest Cuisine

    4.4(1.5k reviews)
    6.4 mi
    $$

    We love Ghost Ranch andit gives such a fun New Mexico vibe. They have a great happy hour during the…read moreweek, and the food is always delicious. The bartenders are wonderful and super helpful with recommendations, which we always appreciate. Our go-to drink is the Pretty Frosé and it's a must! Honestly, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. It's one of our favorite spots we keep coming back to.

    First time at Ghost Ranch today, it was pretty good! Nice casual Southwest style restaurant with…read morebeautiful decor. Parking was extremely easy, they have a decent sized lot with spots on 2 sides of the building. They do not take reservations, but the wait was reasonable during dinner for a larger party. Drinks are good, they have a nice selection of cocktails and wine. I ordered the Arnold Palmer and it was fresh but could have been a bit more flavorful (was a bit too light). Food is good! Loved the cornbread- it was a nice balance of sweet and spicy. May be too spicy for some. Loved the corn bits inside and the pepper jam(?) on top. Ordered the Chicken Poblano Pasta sub Steak and it was good, worth the price. Flavorful and unique with the cream sauce, corn, cilantro, and onion. Service was also great. We were well cared for. I do feel there are so many other good Southwestern style restaurants in the Tempe/AZ area, but this is also good and I would come back when I'm back in town.

    Photos
    Ghost Ranch: Modern Southwest Cuisine - Aztec cake  Top sirloin taco plate

    Aztec cake Top sirloin taco plate

    Ghost Ranch: Modern Southwest Cuisine - Coctel de Camarón

    Coctel de Camarón

    Ghost Ranch: Modern Southwest Cuisine - Sonoran sunset

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    Sonoran sunset

    Taquitos Jalisco - Cheese Quesadilla

    Taquitos Jalisco

    4.3(814 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    Been coming here for over a year and this spot never misses! Great portion sizes with the burritos,…read moreespecially love the à la jalisco burrito with grilled jalapeños in it. Their plates are also huge, i've gotten the breakfast steak and eggs before and it comes with hot, generous portions. They make great tacos as well, the shrimp tacos are a must try. Workers are always friendly, it's got a super cute interior with the painted mural, and it's always clean and fresh. Highly recommend for a quick bite!

    First authentic mexican we tried since we moved to AZ and it didn't disappoint! Big portions and…read moreaffordable We got steak burrito, jalisco burrito and cheese quesadilla. Burrito was huge but it got a little dry at the end. Cheese quesadilla was okay, might be better if we got not just plain cheese. I enjoyed it with the pico de gallo and the green sauce. Wish there was more pico de gallo though. They also have sauce station and pickled onions which my husband really liked. Service was quick! There was a line when we got there but the food came so fast a little after we got a table. They have drive thru too. Ambiance was great. Seats are limited and they have outdoor options. They played Mexican music which adds to the authenticity. Saw reviews that parking is limited but we got lucky, they're were still a few open spots when we came. Overall, would recommend and will come back

    Photos
    Taquitos Jalisco - Order at the counter and they bring the food to you

    Order at the counter and they bring the food to you

    Taquitos Jalisco - #33 Daily Special

    #33 Daily Special

    Taquitos Jalisco

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    Los Sombreros

    Los Sombreros

    4.3(394 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    My dad, my boyfriend, and I went to dinner at Los Sombreros tonight and it was fantastic. Our…read moreserver said they were the only one working tonight and that they'd take care of us, and they sure did. The parking lot outside was parking so we thought we may have to wait, but inside was not busy yet and we were seated immediately. I ordered the smoked chicken enchilada as I saw it was a Yelp favorite and it was delicious. I ended up taking half of it home since we all filled up on chips and salsa before our meal. This restaurant is decorated so cutely. I love how there is a Baja influence with all the surf boards but also southwest appeal. There is plenty of seating and tables for big groups. Even with other people yapping around us, the noise level was perfect to enjoy company. 10/10 would recommend.

    This restaurant is MUST visit! We enjoyed some delicious drinks, entrees, and an app! We were…read moreseated immediately upon arriving in their super cute space; there was both indoor and outdoor options on a Sunday evening! There were heaters available if we needed them, as we sat outside. Our amazing and friendly server offered to turn the heaters on for us, but we didn't need them. I enjoyed a Oaxacan Old Fashioned (on the sweeter side, but that's what I like), we had the Elote (BEST I'VE EVER HAD), and I also had the Carne A La Tampiquena. Everything tasted amazing and was served fresh and in a timely manner. We will most certainly be back (and you should visit, too!)!

    Photos
    Los Sombreros
    Los Sombreros
    Los Sombreros

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    El Jefe Tacos

    El Jefe Tacos

    4.1(409 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$
    Kitchen open late
    Vegetarian friendly

    Food was exceptionally flavorful and seasoned well. We ordered the ramen, tacos, and the Phoenix…read moreroll. We went to here as they were one of the late night spots still open. *This along with a hibiscus drink (large) and a cola! Approximately 50$. * Service was simple, kind, order at the register- type of spot. Ambiance wasn't busy for a Sunday night but the vibes were there, and I can imagine they get busy and can handle a lot with the seating options they have.

    I've been ordering from El Jefe in Tempe for the last 4 to 5 years as we live fairly close. We love…read morethe tacos especially with doing the family meal for street tacos! The meats are so good. We also use to love the sushi side. During Covid, we tried the sushi for the first time. We were hesitant as it's a Mexican joint, right? Not a Japanese specialty shop. So to my surprise, I couldn't believe the sushi especially the Las Vegas roll and their Nigiri cuts were pretty dang good. My disappointment seems to be this last year with the sushi just hasn't been the best or fresh tasting. The Las Vegas roll was always nice and warm but with an awesome cold center and fried to perfection and the sauce just right. Lately it's been the opposite. Super over fried were all you can taste is old burnt oil and it dried out and the sauce just bland and not helping at all. The other thing that bothers us is the lack of wasabi they give! If you're not going to give us full flavor, at least give more wasabi to help mask. I will say they give you plenty of soy sauce packets (just barely any wasabi).

    Photos
    El Jefe Tacos
    El Jefe Tacos
    El Jefe Tacos - El jefe box

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    El jefe box

    El Tlacoyo - mexican - Updated May 2026

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