I've lived closeish for quite some time and never came here, somehow. I'll blame i ton the kids - always have to go somewhere that is "kid friendly" and has a "good kid menu." But the wife and I were in the mood for Mexican... so in we came. The kids are a little older so were content with doing the dreaded iPad surfing. There are no games like cornhole or anything for them to "play" with. All good. Kid menu was standard fare. I got the Blue Corn Stacked Enchiladas with chicken. So damn good. I literally overate like it was Thanksgiving. Wife is a vegetarian and the menu was a bit slim for her, especially since salad was off-limits due to Cyclospora outbreak - not taking any chances. Got a flight of frozen margaritas - Cucumber, Mango, Blueberry, and Blood Orange. All of them terrific. I would love to come back. read more

Ugh... Went for the Thursday special (20% off Fajitas). Dropped off the sides plate first then 5 mins later got a platter of beef and chicken fajitas. We ordered chicken and shrimp. Server apologizes and takes it away... A seemingly long time of picking at our beans passes and finally another sizzling platter arrives. Yay... We can eat now. It's beef and shrimp. Oof. Server apologizes again. Wife orders a medium sized margarita on the rocks. 10-12 mins pass... And finally we get the correct fajitas. (With a brand new setup plate too. Yay) We get the bill... The dang margarita costs the same as the fajitas! $20 for a margarita is too much. If the price was disclosed when we ordered we would have skipped it. Not a good value. Our bill was $45 for one order of fajitas and one margarita. (I drink water) LOL: Table next to us is a dude clearly on a tinder date. She's got three empty $20 margarita glasses. He has one. Hope he scored. Bet his bill was $150! read more

Amazing food & service! Highly recommend Different than any other Mexican restaurant in town. You will not be disappointed. read more

A friend had mentioned this place and we decided to try it out for Father's Day. I will say this is goi g to be a regular spot for us. The service was absolutely great. From the lady that seated us to our server. He was running the bar at the same time and was very good at his job. The food was so fresh and a ton of it. They brought out fresh chips and 3 different salsas to have with it. All three were great. Then when it came to our food, the tacos were so stuffed full of meat and well made. The is great inside and outside seating. We were there early but I am sure it fills up quick. We sat at one of the high tops by the bar and there was plenty of room for us. read more

La Ristra - Three street taco meal with pinto beans and street corn. - Mexican Near Me - Gilbert, Arizona

The food here is the bomb..sooo good..have never had a bad meal..stacked enchaladas are one of my favorites!!house margaritas are also very good..or slurge and get the flavored one.. read more

My girlfriend and I came out to La Ristra (New Mexican cuisine) to celebrate Cinco de Mayo for lunch. It was my first time here, great location within a plaza of medical offices. Ristra refers to the preparation of drying vegetables and chile peppers on a string and I saw many of these decorating the restaurant. It was not busy at all at 12:30 PM and our server took amazing care of us. We sat in the bar area which was quiet enough for us to catch up. A trio of salsas and chips on the house came quickly, delicious flavors! I went with the 2 entree combo, beef taco and a pork stew with calabacitas (melted cheese squash medley) and roasted corn. The pork stew was delicious and packed a nice spicy punch. The beef taco, roasted corn and calabacitas were just average, but I finished everything because I was hungry. Overall, decent spot for New Mexican food! read more

La Ristra - Two Item Combo: Green Chile Pork Stew & Ground beef taco, sides-Calabacitas & Roasted Corn - Mexican Near Me - Gilbert, Arizona

Came on a Thursday night and had a couple margaritas and the shrimp fajita that's on special 20% off on Thursdays. The margaritas were perfect and the food was on point. The atmosphere is very nice and appealing. Service was quick getting the drinks and the food would definitely recommend and will be coming here again for sure. read more

La Ristra - Margarita - Mexican Near Me - Gilbert, Arizona

Food, service, ambiance was phenomenal. My cousin from New Mexico said she was impressed. The sopapillas were great.

Great margaritas, food and the service was phenomenal! For the great quality of food they serve it still came off like a very family oriented restaurant. read more

Drinks were great, service was very friendly. I really appreciate La Ristra having a separate vegan menu! I ordered the vegan calabacitas burrito and the server said it comes with rice (which has beef stock). So I then asked for black beans instead. When my food came out the burrito was loaded with cheese inside and the beans had cheese on top. Very strange because I ordered off the vegan menu. I sent it back and they gave me the correct order. I was with a group of non-vegans and it's just uncomfortable and embarrassing to me for this to happen. If you're going to offer a vegan menu, the staff needs to be educated on what that means. read more

La Ristra - Vegan options - Mexican Near Me - Gilbert, Arizona

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We still come here occasionally. As I said, it isn't spectacular, but it's consistently good. The rice I had on this visit was actually a little more flavorful. If that's a permanent change, that is a good thing. But I'm giving another star because at this time of year they offer roasted hatch chilies. Didn't know about this. They get them from New Mexico, and roast them for you. You order it by the bag (about 25 lbs roasted). That's very cool. We ordered a bag, and are clearing some space in our freezer before we pick them up. read more

Best food, service and vibe! We love this place and go back to it quite often. It's our go to for Mexican! Be sure to get Christmas sauce with XXX hot, if you like hot! read more

Pretty disappointed with our last visit. I ordered the combination and the taco produced a puddle of grease on my plate, gross,, the cheese enchiladas was fine, but the tamale was super skimpy. Instead of a whole tamale, they just put the beef on a corn husk and smeared a dab of masa over the top. read more

It was our first time here and we absolutely loved it!! Delicious food and amazing churro with ice cream dessert. The $5 margarita was worth it as well. read more

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A friend recommended this place, so we stopped by for lunch. The service was wonderful, and Jacqueline answered all my questions about the menu. We love chimichangas and had to try them here. The portions were generous, so we needed a to-go box. The decor was nice, and we chose to sit in the dining room area, which was quiet and relaxing. The kids enjoyed picking out a toy from La Ristra Express box before we left. We will definitely be back to try other items on the menu. read more

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We had a great lunch at La Ristra today everything from the food to the service was fantastic! Carlo's was so wonderful he treated this place like he owned the place and Tatum was very sweet as well . We will definitely make this a regular spot for sure! read more

La Ristra - Cheese enchilada - Mexican Near Me - Gilbert, Arizona

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We saw this as an option for Arizona Restaurant Week and thought they looked good, and we were right! Chips and queso were fantastic, and serving of queso was gigantic. I really enjoyed my blue corn enchilada, the rice, beans, and beef were all excellent. Our server was very personable, and will definitely be back to check out the rest of the menu. read more

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I placed a catering order from La Rista back in May. I stopped by the restaurant to place the order and the hostess let me know that they can't take catering orders and that their manager would have to call me. She took my number and I received a call later that day. I ordered guacamole, salsa, shrimp and chicken fajitas good for ten people. The fajitas came with bell peppers and onions as well as two sides. I chose black beans and rice for the sides and ordered an additional tray of rice. I scheduled a date and time for pick-up, but had to push it back because we were running behind due to an event and the staff happily accommodated. The portions were perfect for ten adults with a little bit left over. The fajitas came with a very generous amount of veggies. The food was tasty and our guests were satisfied! read more

Jermey our waiter was great explaining the menu and giving us insight on all the deals! M-F specials/ Happy Hour 3-6pm ( $2 off appetizers, and $4-8 on selected drinks. Food was so good, I should've taken a photo prior. We order eggs rolls and pile of steak nachos read more

La Ristra - we order eggrolls which were amazing! The nachos were piled up and we like steak so it was plenty! - Mexican Near Me - Gilbert, Arizona

Brought the family here as we were talking about other great authentic New Mexican restaurants in the east valley. I had been here & to the sister location in Chandler a few times with coworkers/friends so wanted them to try out. The variety of tequilas are always a discussion point for us adults and I went with the seasonal Witches Brew Black Berry Margarita. I'm typically not a big fan of Jose Cuervo, but I did notice it was there Tradicional Reposado being used and that is one I can do. The 3 salsa's to start were good, however the chips we got seemed be the bottom of the stash as they were small pieces and made it hard to really enjoy the salsas. We did request another round and some fresh chips and that came right at the same time for our entrees. We had the Birria Tacos with rice and beans, Green Chile Asada Burrito "Christmas style" aka red & green sauce (my choice and it was GREAT as far as portion & flavor profile). 3 Shrimp & Avocado Tacos (recommended if your looking for a hint of seafood for dinner). Last item was a traditional Asada Burrito. It was noted that the meat was tender & good. This location is a bit far for me vs the chandler one, but I'm planning to keep in rotation as I want to check out some of the Happy Hour Specials and events they host. Ladies Night on Thursday had a few of my friends interested & Sat/Sun $20 Unlimited Mimosa Brunch from 10am-2pm may be the right way to kick of a weekend of College or NFL Football! read more

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We haven't been here in a while and man, we've missed out! From the margarita to the beans and everything in between it was amazing! The pork green chilie plate always slaps read more

The service is always great. The food, which is the main reason I started going there, is hit or miss. I've had really good New Mexico Mexican food and I've had very dry dishes. When I go again, I'm going to ask the name of the cook, whether it's good or bad so I can better report. read more

Great place for Mexican food. Service was very good. Blue corn enchiladas were the best.

We love this place! The chips and salsa are great + the food has so much flavor! Only thing we didn't love was the Cadillacs margarita. read more

I went here with my daughter because a coworker of her husband recommended it. The atmosphere is casual and they have a pretty decent selection of meals. They start you off with 3 different salsas for your chips (which were warm...NICE!) I went with the shrimp tacos. It had good flavor and good sauce. Our server forgot to ask us for drinks, but I'm guessing it was because it was a little busy, so I can't really fault her for that. Otherwise we got our meals relatively quick. Price for 3 people wasn't bad. I'll probably give them another shot if I'm in the area again. read more

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LA Ristra, Gilbert, AZ - A Fiesta for Your Taste Buds (and Your Instagram Feed) Reviewed on February 19, 2025 If you're looking for a dining experience that's as bold and spicy as a desert sunset, LA Ristra in Gilbert, AZ, has got you covered--literally, with enough melted cheese to make a queso volcano jealous. I recently sat down to a plate that looked like it jumped straight out of a Tex-Mex fever dream, and I'm still dreaming about it (or maybe that's just the lingering kick of their salsa). The star of the show? A mouthwatering dish featuring a hearty chunk of tender meat, smothered in a rich, red chile sauce and draped with enough gooey cheese to make any carb-lover weep with joy. It's the kind of dish that demands a tortilla on the side--not just for scooping, but for soaking up every last drop of that flavor-packed sauce. Paired with a side of cheesy veggies (zucchini, corn, and potatoes, if I'm not mistaken), it's a symphony of Southwestern goodness that'll have you questioning why you ever settled for plain ol' tacos. The atmosphere at LA Ristra screams "authentic yet approachable"--think rustic wooden tables, warm vibes, and a menu that doesn't shy away from heat but knows how to balance it with cool, creamy toppings. Service was as friendly as a neighbor at a backyard barbecue, and the portions? Generous enough to fuel a desert trek--or at least a siesta afterward. Pro tip: Save room for their chips and salsa--they're dangerously addictive, like a spicy siren song you can't resist. If I had one nitpick, it'd be the wait time during peak hours, but trust me, it's worth it for a plate that looks this photogenic and tastes even better. LA Ristra isn't just a meal; it's a celebration of flavor. Five stars for making me question my life choices--namely, why I don't eat here every day. Olé! read more

La Ristra - Short rib - Mexican Near Me - Gilbert, Arizona

COVID-19 did not keep you down, did it, La Ristra? No way, no how! Fantastic burritos with yummy margaritas. Can't go wrong with anyone on that staff, they take such good care of all of us. Of course the ambiance cannot be left out because it's so authentically Mexican, I mean, you'll swear you're in Guadalajara. Five stars every time! read more

2/22/25: yep, still good! unbeknownst to me, I ordered the same menu item as last time (stuffed sopapillas -- very tasty, though!), but my sister ordered something different: fajita burrito chimichanga style. We thoroughly enjoyed both. We tried to sit outside, but although it's a shaded patio, our table was in the sun and it was frying my back. Our server, Delaney, was very understanding and quickly got us a table inside. She was very attentive and friendly, checking back with us a number of times to see how things were going. If you have not yet tried La Ristra, get 'er done! read more

Hard pass!!! Go to Si Senor that's real NM food, service was eh and it was empty i could only imagine if it were busy. The restaurant was nice. read more

Came for date night - we've never had "New Mexican" before, so take the review with a grain of salt. We started with blue corn and white corn tortilla chips and a trio of salsas of ranging spice levels--all were good. We also ordered a frozen house marg and a spicy marg on the rocks; both were delicious but on the sweet side and could've used a little extra alcohol. The service was fast and the server was friendly. For food, my partner ordered the Adovada Short Ribs and I ordered the Blue Corn Stacked Enchiladas (with shredded chicken, Christmas style, with sides of rice and black beans). The short ribs had great texture and flavor, but the sides were meh. The flour tortilla in particular just wasn't good - comparing it to grocery store tortillas, it was better (but close) to the shelf-stable ones, which are light years behind the uncooked ones. The enchiladas were good but it was all very similar textures and flavors, which made the overall experience very average. Not "bad" in any way, but not worth doing again. read more

La Ristra - Blue Corn Stacked Enchiladas (with sides of rice and black beans) - Mexican Near Me - Gilbert, Arizona

Wonderful refreshing Mexican food with a NM flare. So good! Serve was very friendly and the ambiance was great. Nice stone walls and art read more

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The food is always amazing! They also add seasonal specialties and they never disappoint. Service is beyond exceptional, we've never had a bad experience. read more

Hands down the best New Mexican restaurant in town and many others. Food was delivered and was still warm and very tasty. Highly recommended. 5 read more

I love La Ristra, and I'll go back there whenever I get the chance. It's got great-tasting New Mexican food. I'll be honest--when I first saw this place, I didn't expect it to be popular or to stay open, because people in Arizona know Mexican food. And they tend to have a specific idea of what that means--your basic Mexican food. But New Mexican food is much different. It's spicier, and it has a little flair of its own. I know this because I have family who used to live in New Mexico, so I knew what to expect when I went in. Let me tell you--I'm a huge fan of traditional Mexican food, but New Mexican food is just as good, if not better. Be prepared for some spice, because you're going to get it. But the carnitas were absolutely fantastic. And the dips that come with the chips shake up the usual chips-and-salsa pre-meal boredom you'll find in most Mexican restaurants. They also have margarita flights, if that's your thing. I highly recommend La Ristra for those who haven't tried New Mexican food--and for those who have a high standard for it. Even my authentic New Mexican family finds this place to be legit, and I think you will too. read more

Recently went out of state for an extended period of time. Came home and went to La Rista's. It never disappoints! Excellent food and excellent service!! Five Stars all day long!!! Gilbert, you have no idea how good you have it!! read more

We have finally found our go to spot for amazing Mexican/New Mexican food and the most delicious margaritas in Gilbert! Service has been on point for most of our visits. Only once did we feel like the service could be better and they were quite busy that day. I love everything about this restaurant. They have plenty of seating including bar area, dining room towards the back, and in the cooler months some patio seating. All the food we have tried has been delicious and pretty large servings. Their margaritas are truly amazing and I cannot wait to try each of the flavors that they offer. We have tried their fajitas, fajita burrito chimichanga style, carne asada burrito chimichanga style, taco salad, kids corn dogs, and kids chicken strips. All of been delicious and no complaints! I am going to have to work my way through each item on the menu, it is that good! Pros: *Delicious food *Amazing margaritas & good tap list *Friendly service *Lots of seating Cons: *A little expensive *Front room (bar area) gets a tad hot in the summer months *Can be busy Highly recommend this amazing spot! read more

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As a native New Mexican that moved to Gilbert in 2020 I was excited to find a restaurant that catered to food like back home. I tried it for the first time several years ago & ordered red chile. Well it came out brown so j had not been back since then. I met some friends this past weekend for happy hour & the salsa & chips came out & I was very disappointed. The tortilla chips had no salt & the various salsas were bland & tasteless. read more

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Went in, I'm a regular,for Taco Tuesday. The taco is grilled chicken, caramelized onions. And southwest sauce! So good! Just a real surprising and delicious combination,! I'd post a picture,but they're gone read more

La Ristra - New Year's Menudo! - Mexican Near Me - Gilbert, Arizona

My Yelp Bestie Chelsey H. and I went here after a Yelp event for lunch as a friend mentioned this was a great place for New Mexico cuisine. Calabacitas? Sign me up! Though I really enjoyed my food, Chelsey had a different experience which put a damper on my overall experience. Her salad did not come as described and didn't come with dressing when initially brought out. Almost as if the server forgot to bring on the side for the taco salad? She did her best to eat it as our server didn't check back in for a while. Ultimately, we were able to sort it out but I felt bad eating my food while she was trying to get hers sorted so mine ended up getting cold. Though the experience wasn't perfect, I would give it a chance and did enjoy the atmosphere/layout of the establishment. read more

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This is unfortunate. I used to go to La Ristra regularly. I don't see myself ever going back. I went there because it was affordable and had killer food and drinks. Now, it's expensive, and the food is subpar. I couldn't believe how much they charge now for a margarita now. It's unfortunate. read more