Karamelo King

La Frida has proven to be a go to for celebrations since I first tried it. Every birthday or going…read moreaway dinner is an excuse to try something new from their menu. It's an intimate and gorgeous dining space, with some of the most authentic and friendly service in Tucson, and a must try for anyone looking for an elevated quintessential Tucsonan experience.

Love the food there and it taste really great and so delicious. They have nice menu with amazing…read morefood. The Frida Chicken Enchilada was really great and so delicious. The gravy was so tasty and full of flavor. Chicken was tender and nicely seasoned. The portion size was good and very delicious.

Dining room

Chicharron steak appetizer ($16) 7/2026

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Delicious chocolate cake

Guadalajara Original Grill

3.9(1.7k reviews)

2.8 mi•Mountain View

We went to Guadalajara Original Grill with the our partners- a group of more than 10 people--and…read morehad such a great dinner! We had to wait a bit at the beginning, but once they got to us, the service was top of the line. Taking care of a group that size is no small task, and they made it a wonderful evening. The guacamole was to die for! So fresh and full of flavor--I honestly could have made a meal out of that alone. And the food was just as good: everything tasted super fresh and delicious. This was definitely a dinner worth waiting for. Great food, excellent service, and a lovely evening with our group. I would happily come back--and the guacamole would be my first order!

We were really hoping for a great meal, but unfortunately, the experience fell well short of…read moreexpectations. To start, the chips brought to the table were stale and completely lacked that fresh, crispy crunch you expect at a Mexican restaurant. The complimentary table salsa didn't make up for it either--the flavor was underwhelming, and it had huge, unchopped pieces of cilantro tossed in that were way too large to enjoy with a chip. As for the main meals, the food was just okay--nothing special, lacking flavor, and certainly not memorable enough to redeem the start of the meal. Overall, it was a pretty disappointing visit, and I don't see us coming back.

Inside

Carne Asada Angelina

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Sunset

Mi Nidito Restaurant

3.9(1.1k reviews)

4.7 mi

Been years since I've been here, and now I'm kicking myself for waiting so long!…read more Mi Nidito is a Tucson legend, famous for the celebrity photos of notable celebrities who have visited through the years and of course for the food that brought them here. It's colorful, and welcoming. The service was quick and friendly. Of course the chips and homemade salsa were on the table as we sat down. Our waitress was happy to take our order and she was able to make helpful suggestions about the menu. I had the Burro Deluxe and I was overwhelmed by the size of it. The burro was covered in cheese sauce and it was literally bigger than my shoes! The photo doesn't do it justice. I managed to eat 1/3 of it and the waitstaff graciously provided to go boxes to allow me to eat it for the rest of the week!!! It was great fun looking at the celebrity photos and watching all the massive food plates being delivered. Truly a great experience and glad I returned to Mi Nidito! I will be back soon.

Today we saw all the familiar faces at the restaurant. Been coming here since I was a little kid…read moregirl. Never a dull moment here. Service is always the best , very attentive to your needs. Food was always good atmosphere is that of a old tradition Mexican restaurant. If u know u know. This is a preference to come eat here because it feels like home .

Inside

Birria (spiced Shredded Beef)

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Front

Amelias Mexican Kitchen

4.4(1.2k reviews)

2.3 mi

Everything about this place was great! We were in from out of town and wanted some good Mexican…read morefood. We had the beef tamales (tried the green and red sauce) and both were phenomenal! We also tried the pastor chimichangas and my only complaint was that I was too full to finish it!!! Amazing atmosphere, and service. We had Oscar as our waiter and he was attentive, and so friendly. 10/10 will likely come back before we leave town!

I cannot say enough good things! Our first time trying Amelia's was above and beyond. Lorenzo was…read morethee best server ever, he was so attentive and had so many great recommendations. We weren't originally going to get the enchiladas, but Lorenzo told us how good they were and they were TO DIE FOR! Green chicken enchiladas are the way to go. But everything was perfect. Will be back again and again!

Fried fish tacos, rice and refried beans.

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House Cabernet ($9)

El Charro Cafe

3.6(2.6k reviews)

4.0 mi

Great food, ambiance and service. We love this place. Found out this is the birthplace of the…read morechimichanga, had to try it out. Ian is our server, he's very knowledgeable of the menu. They have people walking around just refilling chips and salsa. You can't go wrong. One person mentioned the salsa was spicy ketchup. Couldn't be further from the truth. It is a bare bones salsa but tastes nothing like ketchup. We got the chimichanga app. Very tasty. We shared some chicken tortilla soup and an air dried beef platter. The beef was interesting. It's the only place in the US that is allowed to do this. Very busy place! But they take great care of their customers.

We have been there many times over the years and at some of there other locations as well…read more The wait is usually long and as the day goes on it gets longer. It is a very popular place. They have several different areas. Inside, outside courtyard and a patio. They didn't have enough employees to cover all the tables so the service was slow. Sadly this time the food was just very salty. No where near as good as the times we had been there in the past. Pass.

Steak burro

Beautiful setting of Mexican Folk Art

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Charro Street Tacos

Tumerico

4.8(1.5k reviews)

2.1 mi•Sam Hughes

Food is delicious and the portions are great! I love the vegetarian and vegan options. The beet…read morejuice was delicious too. The only downside is that they're on the pricier side.

Delicious food, with so many incredible vegan options, and as with many of the best restaurants in…read moreTucson, Wendy, the owner and chef is often available for a hug and a hello. Cozy and understated, there is nowhere like this in Tucson, the dishes are so satisfying and with generous portions, which often allow you to have a delicious snack for later. The service is always friendly and welcoming, and you will leave feeling satisfied in body and spirit alike!

Dining area vibe

Chefs custom plate with two tacos, tamale and mole enchiladas

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Entrance

Amelias Mexican Kitchen

4.4(759 reviews)

5.8 mi

This review is for the 5553 E Grant Rd, Tucson, AZ 85712 location. Great food, fast service,…read moreexcellent margaritas and Outstanding value! We walked in on Monday October 19, 2026 @ 12:55 PM and were immediately greeted and seated indoors. Outstanding experience, we will be back again!

I have always had a really good experience with the food at Amelia's. We have gone for their brunch…read moreas well as their dinner, and I think they have a great refried beans recipe! If you are able to go for brunch, I would recommend getting the Chilaquiles with both the red and green sauce! You will not be going wrong with this. I am relatively vegetarian, and so if you don't eat lard, you can also get the black beans as another vegetarian option!

Amelias Mexican Kitchen - An action shot of some of the friendly and attentive service that is the standard here. (*you can't tell from the pic, but they are good)

An action shot of some of the friendly and attentive service that is the standard here. (*you can't tell from the pic, but they are good)

Mole enchiladas

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2 QUESABIRRIAS W/RICE & BEANS, CALDO (Juice meat)

El Chinito Gordo

4.4(444 reviews)

3.9 mi

This is an interesting restaurant as it really doesn't seem like a Mexican restaurant from the…read moreinside, but they have fantastic food. We stopped in after hiking in Saguaro and we were seated immediately. Service was good throughout the meal and they were attentive. Chips and salsa and the guacamole was very tasty and flavorful and we tried a variety of tacos and gorditas, all of which were delicious. We also got 2 margarita flights and one was definitely enough between 2 people as they are full margaritas; they were very tasty and had unique flavors, so it's definitely a good idea to try some when you come here. This is a great restaurant and we'd definitely recommend coming here!

Sad to hear this place is leaving. I've had some amazing dinners here! Margaritas flights were…read moregreat and the Eggless Chili Poblano's were delicious!

Kahlo plates as decoration

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Drink menu

La Indita

4.4(227 reviews)

3.7 mi•West University

We stopped here on our way home to Phoenix from Bisbee. We…read morewere looking for good places to go and this came up. It did not disappoint. My husband got the flat enchiladas, and I got the chile rellenos. The chips were good, the salsa was good and we thought it was a very quaint place. The server did a great job because a lot of us came in at once. We will definitely stop here again.

Service and ambiance were great. It was my first time…read morevisiting this place, I took some out of town friends since I have always heard good things about it. I was not impressed by the lack of flavor in the salsa that came with their "chips and salsa." It just tasted like watered down tomato. I ordered the green enchilada plate, and the green creamy sauce was also very lacking in flavor. I hardly ever reach for salt at a restaurant, but had to add salt to salsa and the enchiladas. If the chance comes up to try it again, I'll try other food. But I'm sad to say out-of-towners were disappointed. That's a first when taking people to try food in Tucson.

Seating

Chips

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Our table looking pretty

La Yaquesita Mexican Cuisine

4.6(113 reviews)

3.5 mi•West University

I came in and sat at the bar…read more The staff was friendly. I ordered two tacos. They were loaded with meat. I had the grilled chicken and pork. Both were tasty but the pork was fantastic. I highly recommend getting the pork! I also enjoyed the green salsa with it.

Super fun place for great Sonoran dogs and tacos. We wanted to sit in their patio but Tucson is…read moreHOT! So we got take out for lunch and everything was amazing. Service was friendly and the food is good. Can't ask for more than that.

A glimpse of the decor

Sonora Hot Dogs and fries

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2 Piece Quesabirrias IG: ea_yelpelite

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11 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Rachael E.

102

2 years ago

3.5's **Karamelo King - A Mixed Bag of Deliciousness and Downsides** I recently visited Karamelo King, a vibrant Mexican food truck known for its street-style eats. Here's my detailed take on the experience: **Flavorful Asada:** First and foremost, the asada is decent. Not the best I've ever had at a food truck, but I would have it again. **Great Salsa Bar:** The salsa bar is strong point. They offer a variety of salsas, from mild to fiery, each adding a unique dimension to your meal. There's something for every palate - whether you're a heat-seeker or prefer something more subdued. The freshness of the ingredients shines through, making this a delightful part of the meal. It's also located indoors and immaculately clean. **Affordable Prices:** Karamelo King keeps it wallet-friendly. You get good value for your money, especially considering the quality of the food. This makes it an attractive option for those looking to enjoy Mexican cuisine without breaking the bank. **Portions Small:** However, the portions are on the smaller side, which might leave you wanting more, especially if you're particularly hungry or if you're sharing with others. It's somewhat disappointing when the taste is there, but the quantity isn't. **Seating Inside but Not Outside:** While you wait for your order, there's no outside seating, which can be a bit inconvenient if you prefer to eat al fresco. However, once you've got your food, there is seating in a nearby indoor area, which is a plus for those who want to sit down and not have traffic noise, but can make the waiting experience less comfortable. **Overall:** Karamelo King earns a solid 3.5 stars. The asada and salsa bar are definite wins, and the price point is commendable. However, the smaller portions and the lack of outdoor seating while you wait for your order detract from the overall experience. If you're in the area and looking for a quick, tasty meal with the option to sit down inside, this could be your spot, but come prepared to possibly stand or sit elsewhere while you wait for your food. read more

Mandy T.

Elite 26

363

694

2332

2 years ago

I visited this taco truck with friends who rave about it and absolutely love it. They have the bonus of indoor seating, which is nice, and a taco toppings bar to customize your tacos. Unfortunately, I found the carne asada tacos way too salty. The chicken tacos were better but still too dry for my taste. read more

Iveth R.

140

7 years ago

Super authentic Sonoran Food! Karamelo King is their name for a reason... I am telling you their Karamelo, a quesadilla filled with meat, is the best in Tucson! Also, their Sonoran Hot-Dogs are to die for! I usually end up getting 2... :) no regrets! read more

Lily F.

10 years ago

I tried the chicken karamelo . It was good, tasted delicious , but the reason i just give them 4stars is the lady who ask me what i wanna order, i dont know if she was tired or not , but she doesn't look happy at all. But i keep coming back. read more

Yujue W.

7 years ago

Must try pork taco. Really really good. I actually called my friends in San Francisco, plus another friend in Seattle. I will bring them here for pork tacos. read more

Michael Y.

10 years ago

Top 5 best mexican places everrr. Straight out a food cart and delicious sides to go along woth it. Trust me and try this place!

Robert N.

6 months ago

Tasty and worth your money come here whenever you need some good Tex-Mex for yourself after a long day at work

Johnny L.

11 years ago

A friend took me here after a gig and wow! Don't let the raggedy appearance fool you, this place is great!

Esteban V.

114

11 months ago

Needs no introduction. A king is a king. I've been eating here for years and they are the best.

Ally F.

6 months ago

Workers were really shy but the food was made quick and so delicious definitely coming back!!

Mark O.

2 years ago

Love love love this place!! The food is amazing!! Would highly recommend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Karamelo King - mexican - Updated October 2026

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El Manantial

4.2

(59 reviews)

The absolute best place for Mexican food north of the border! You have to try the torta!read more

First visit the food was delicious and the cook was very courteous and friendly. Our can sodas got…read moregiven to us room temperature though. Unfortunately, the cashier had a horrible attitude, which really took away from the overall experience. Hoping customer service improves because the food itself was great.

Taqueria Y Hot Dogs Zahid

4.9

(15 reviews)

Amazing! Happy to find Zahid they have loaded Sonoran hotdog using all beef hotdogs!! the…read moremajority of other places use standard issue weenies which are 50% beef 50% pork & charge a premium for all beef. This place is super clean and you can tell they have a higher standard of quality. I love the broad array of salsa's each having their own unique flavor. The service was friendly and quick. It was exactly what I wanted in a Sonoran dog, very delicious. I won't be going anywhere else and trust me. I've tried everywhere. My husband had the carne asada tacos which were flavorful and tender. The salsa bar was clean and you can tell they refill often to maintain freshness. You can tell it is a family business they take great pride in what they are offering. It is a smaller restaurant, but can accommodate a decent size crowd. I will be back for sure.

So, I haven't went anywhere to specifically try Carne Asada in Tucson for a while, and I know, I…read moreneed to get out more, I am a Yelp Elite after all, right? So I changed that and went to Zahid's. So to remind you, good Carne Asada has the following: 1. Seasoned 2. Juicy 3. Tender 4. Good cut(no grisle, not cut like kibble ect) So Zahid's is mildly seasoned, it's juicy, but not super juicy? But that's because it was chopped to all hell so it was like steak kibble. But the cut itself was of solid quality so it wasn't wholly bad, but I also wasn't excited by it. It was tender, but again, that was minimized because they chopped it like Parsely. The burrito had mozzarella cheese and cabbage. I was under the impression it came with beans in it, but it didn't, they came on the side. I think that was better, the beans were in a watery, yet flavorful broth that would've masked the mild flavored steak. I really wanted to give this 4 stars, but I can't on this slightly above average Carne Asada. What made this burrito good was the pickled onions and jalapeño salsa. But sauce or salsa in this case, shouldn't carry your food. At all. That means you're not making it right. Anyway, it's worth noting the tortilla was really good and the burro, a medium, was a decent size. I will return to get the Al Pastor, it looked good. But for Asada? Probably not? If I did, it would be a taco.

Taqueria El Cheke

4.2

(37 reviews)

An expanded food truck! They have enclosed the area around the tuck to make a more permanent…read morerestaurant. They have lots of fans to help with the heat. Turn in by the tire shop. A lot of typical Hispanic found selections... Tacos are individually priced and with your choose of meats. Chicken and pork were loaded with flavor and quantity of meat! You have to add charred onions!! Large salsa bar so you can add your desired spice and toppings.

I have driven past here several times and finally decided to go to try out their tacos and their…read moreCaramelo, Taqueria El Cheke did not disappoint friendly service although there was a slight language barrier food was fast, hot and delicious. The salsa bar had everything you needed to complete your tacos. The chard green onion was the perfect compliment to the meal. Definitely would recommend this place and look forward to returning.

La Carreta del Rorro

4.1

(83 reviews)

This place made me so happy. Probably the best tacos I've had in a long time... and on this side of…read moretown?! You seriously can't beat it! The food was SO good that I'd honestly have them cater one of my events. Real, authentic Mexican food. I've had tacos all over Tucson, especially on the south side, and from many different parts of Mexico. These were absolutely delicious. I'm honestly shocked by all the bad reviews. Yes, I noticed they're a little more expensive, but if that means they can make a decent living while serving food this good, I'll gladly pay it every time. Don't give me those fake meat tacos from Filiberto's or Nico's... give me THESE! Dare I say it... I think they're even better than El Nene. ¡Muy rico! I'll definitely be back!!

Every time I want to eat it .There just never open. It's says Monday - Friday buts it's really not…read moreI think open like 2-3 days out the week

Percheron

4.3

(90 reviews)

Rolled into Tucson late on Thursday night and needing a bite to eat we ended up here. We had our…read moredoubts but they were quickly quieted away. Yes the place is in not the best neighborhood but the burrito makes up for it. At first I was a little worried when I read mayo as an ingredient in their carne asada burrito but i figured it's there for a reason and ordered as is. It was 10/10 delish! The meat was perfect the tortilla was killer! So good that on our last day in town we picked up breakfast burritos from there. Sooooo giant and soooo delish! Thank you!

Got into my hotel at 9 and started to feel hungry! After a quick search, I found "bacon wrapped…read moreburrito" and that was the obvious choice. Percheron Mexican grill is just a food truck with some outdoor covered seating. If that's not your thing, they also have a real restaurant 3 minutes away. The menu is pretty sizable (literally and physically)! The classic Percheron is diezmillo steak, mozzarella, avocado, tomato, onion, mayo, wrapped in a flour tortilla and bacon! $15. I was behind two parties of two and my food took 15 minutes. I opted to take the food to go, since it was 9:45 pm. Thats always a risk because the food might not be as fresh as when it's freshly served. The woman ahead of me asked for well done crispy bacon wrap. I should have done the same, but I wanted to try it the standard way first. I really wanted to love this, but the standard soggy bacon wrap is not my thing. My stomach could not cope with the grease either -- this looks like pretty low quality bacon that is mostly fat. I was pretty disappointed and only finished half!

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10/10 delicious Sonoran Hot Dog! They have a little topping bar out front so you can add various…read moreveggies, salsas and hot sauces. They even have covered seating so you can enjoy your dog right there! Don't miss this spot for a quick bite.

Burro Station

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Food was really good! I had the vaquero and my friends had the fries, boneless and torta. I must…read moresay that it was the best burro that I've tried in Tucson! And the rest of the food was really good as well it made breaking my diet worth it

Cute, small, outdoor patio seating. Great spot for a quick bite. Been here twice and both occasions…read morefood was served hot and was delicious. Definitely ask for your burrito wrapped in bacon.

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