La Sierra

This is a small counter-service place with great food. My friend and I like to ride to Payson and…read morehave B'fast there bc of the food and location. It's clean and the cashier is very pleasant. Never been dissatisfied. The place is set back from the road a bit so it could be a little hard to spot...the first time

Honestly, the food is very tasty and we were pleased with our selection. We used to go to one of…read morethe other places in town and an employee of mine told me that this one was better. They don't have quite the selection of the other place, but the food is very good. My only criticism would be. There was not much in the way of carrots left by the time we got there on Sunday and they put the guacamole on the chips instead of giving it to you on the side. So the chips got sort of soggy by the time we got home. I will definitely have the shrimp tacos again. It was delicious and my son was very pleased with his Carne Asada tacos with guacamole. We also had a Carne Asada quesadilla and the famous chips with the guacamole already on them. Everything tasted very good. The inside is not anything fancy, but there's a few seats and there's a salsa bar with really nice salsa, limes, and if you can go when they are not out of carrots, there are carrots. I wished that their pickled carrots had more garlic in them. So I guess that would be my second criticism or more of a suggestion. The people there are very nice and if you can find the place you should go.

Nice breakfast burrito. Rolled tightly and perfect.

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Love little stops like this

El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

4.1(116 reviews)

0.7 mi

Monterey burrito was gas- 8/10 taste, 9.5/10 value…read more Chips & salsa- 7/10 taste, 10/10 value (it's free) Service- 8/10 Cleanliness & bathrooms- 9/10 I wish they would have told me it was $2.50 to split an entree in the kitchen (I would have said no) Great place overall value score 4.3/5

All the places we wanted to eat were closed, so we ended up here based on reviews…read more Its a pretty large place with plenty of parking. The decor is pretty fun, a little old school but very bright and all the chairs have rodeo themed art. We had a large party and were seated right away. The chips and salsa were fine, nothing to rave or complain about. Salsa was a bit bland but not terrible. Most of us got combo plates and one ordered a steak quesadilla. I picked a pork tamale and a shredded beef taco. I expected like a shredded green Chile pork tamale but it was huge cubes of tough pork. In a tamale! I found the pork inedible and the masa very flavorless. The shredded beef taco came with orange cheese on top and was in a soggy tortilla that immediately fell apart. The shredded beef didn't have much flavor but did have quite a few globs of fat. The quesadilla was huge but the steak inside was gristly. One friend had ordered soda water to drink and they charged her $5 for it! Wild. Its generally free but if you feel the need to charge for it, fine, but $5?? The bathroom was clean.

Inside - "El Rodeo"

Giant soda

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Outside - A look back at "El Rodeo" heading into the sunset

Alibertos Mexican Food

4.0(92 reviews)

0.8 mi

Small world! This is my favorite Mexican food joint in Payson hands down. When I was eating there…read moretoday I took a good look at their logo and felt like it looked kinda familiar in a nostalgic way.... So I did some digging. Turns out, this is the same chain that got its start in my California hometown! I grew up with Alibertos! Totally makes sense why I choose this place above all others in town. Tastes just like home. If you're from SoCal and need your street taco fix, Alibertos has your back. 10/10 no notes, I LOVE this place. Authentic thick and flavorful salsas, perfectly cooked carnitas, proper corn tortillas doubled up to support the toppings Just the best. This isn't your typical Sonoran desert or Tex-Mex Mexican food. This is definitely a taste of that Baja-style Mexican food found close to the TJ border - this chain literally got its start in San Diego California - and I'm not surprised they're still my favorite all these years and miles later. The men and women that staff this location are wonderful as well. I never have any issues as they are always courteous and kind.

I never leave bad reviews, but i have to inform the public on this one…read more Came here Jume 6th, 2026 at 1045 am. Between taking orders at the counter, the employee was using the mop bucket. No gloves and no washing hands between. The employee also likes to hand you your soda cup buy inserting her hand in the inside of the cup, right after mopping. There are other food code. Violations clearly visible but am leaving it up to the state inspector to do his job. The employee seemed fine touching cups on the inside, food and food trays and cleaning supplies simultaneously with no care. I am sure her food handlers card is up to date. I did try to inform her politely, but she waved her hand at me like she was batting away a fly. Very professional. A walking health code violation works the front counter. Beware.

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#7 combo- five rolled tacos with rice and beans

El Rancho Restaurant

3.6(338 reviews)

0.8 mi

ROBERT!! You were amazing, the service and your attitude truly left a mark. we appreciate you…read more The food... ammmmazing! Wow. The Queso loco was soo tasty & great portion size. Great happy hour deals as well. 6$ margaritas & cheap tacos! Also delicious. We will be back & definitely recommend.

Had dinner here Saturday night and ate on the patio. They brought chips and salsa right away which…read morewas nice. We got the guacamole and it needed more salt but was decent. I got the spinach enchiladas with chicken which came with rice and beans. I didn't love the rice flavoring but the enchiladas were delicious. The service was great.

Sparkly strawberry earrings for sale 05/24

Steak Rancheros 10 oz Ribeye

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A good sign when you get lemon with your water.

Filiberto's

2.6(37 reviews)

1.1 mi

A ton of food. Husband got a ginormous burrito and I got the Mariscos rancheros. The shrimp was…read morewell cooked and not rubbery at all. Totally worth the money.

No Stars! Asked for bean burrito special. Order take upcharged cheese ands didn't ask $2.43) (are u…read morekidding me?) so your $2.39 special became $4.60 - no special Charged a "handling charge" per receipt of 0.76 and asked what it was for-answered, "I don't know, call mgt tomorrow) we can clearly per these reviews what happens when they get called. nobody in the parking lot and nobody in the drive-in I guess I should've paid attention to that. No sign anywhere pertaining to debit card charges. Don't know what the handling fee was for. This is a small town - we live here we won't come back.

Salsa Bar

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Carne Asada Bowl

CRNE Tacos Fuego

5.0(44 reviews)

1.7 mi

Listed as temporarily closed on Yelp, but definitely open today. Ordered four tacos, two pork and…read moretwo steak. Charged $3 each, no tax. Even delivered them out to my truck. Friendly service. Located in the parking lot of an antiques store with bathrooms inside, "Western Village Antiques" to be precise. One picnic table available, but we ate off the tailgate of the truck (which I noticed others were doing too). Tacos were great! Fresh ingredients. "Street tacos" sized. Should have ordered six for two people. My only recommendation: use double tortillas for each taco to reduce spillage and messiness. Otherwise, one can ask for a fork. Wife liked pork. I liked beef. Both were great. They were out of chocolate chip cookies. Darn. Strong Recommend.

Just moved up to Payson from California, so trust me when I say: my taco standards are high. But…read moreCrne Tacos? Absolutely blew me away. We came by on a Monday -- their special chicken dinner day -- and ordered the chicken plate (fresh breast + thigh), with rice, beans, fresh corn tortillas, and both red and green salsas. We also grabbed two carnitas street tacos. The second I took a bite, I knew I was in trouble (the good kind). The chicken was perfectly seasoned, with a golden crust that had flavor in every crispy edge. And the carnitas tacos? Authentic, juicy, rich -- exactly what you want in a taco. We literally turned around right after finishing and ordered two more tacos. No shame. Took them to-go and ate them lakeside at Green Lake -- 10/10 vibes. The guys running the truck are genuinely kind-hearted and personable, which just makes the whole experience even better. Why tacos this good are in Payson, I have no idea... but I'm so glad they are. If you haven't tried Crne yet, what are you waiting for? Whether you're a local or just passing through, this place is a must-hit. Hands down, some of the best and freshest tacos I've ever had -- and that's coming from a Cali native. Will be coming back, again... and again... and again. Bonus tip: they serve Vegan options on Sundays!

Carnitas Tacos

Two tacos!

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Chicken Dinner Plate

The Pinon Cafe

4.2(383 reviews)

1.5 mi

Wow, this was a fantastic family diner! This is one of those true country diners and you can feel…read moreit through the faith-based decorations, wood interior, and staff. The staff wasn't as upbeat as I would have liked, but the food made up for it. I ordered the Elvis French toast which was peanut butter, chocolate, and banana. 10/10. We also got the Pinon burrito and that was good. It was cool to see all of their Sasquatch merch. We came in without a reservation on a Sunday morning and got seated in about 10 minutes. There is a dedicated parking lot and only indoor seating.

Back in the day,The Piñon Café used to be fabulous. Big hearty breakfasts, great lunch options with…read morethat obvious homemade touch Now, they are certainly resting on their laurels. Look at the photos of the food... Little 10 inch plastic plates. The cheapest silverware you can buy at Smart & Final. They're cutting lots of corners... Even the butter on the pancake wasn't real butter. It's too bad because it was one of my favorites. I hope somebody decides to turn that place around.

View from counter

Steak and eggs and potato breakfast

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Interior

Chipotle Mexican Grill

2.6(35 reviews)

0.8 mi

It's healthier way of fast food. They was very nice and we enjoyed our meal at the bowl like we…read morealways do and it's so much food to get two meals out of it if not, three. It was clean he even have a little area that you can eat outside we took advantage of

The Chipotle in Payson, AZ is a great choice for fresh prepared food. Never had a bad dining…read moreexperience there. The employees are courteous and friendly. The restaurant is clean.

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Duza's Kitchen

4.6(370 reviews)

1.6 mi

This is a nice cozy place with about nine tables inside and the same outside. The service was…read moregreat, everyone was friendly. This was our first visit and we thought the food was good enough to try again, probably an 7.5 out of 10. They do serve mimosas but use a brut champagne and we would have preferred something a little sweeter. Hint: get the bottle instead of paying for the individual servings.

The food here is phenomenal! So many creative dishes using fresh vegetables. I had the crispy…read morepotato bowl with tofu and everything was cooked perfectly - Tofu, potatoes, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, brussel sprouts, asparagus, white beans, peppers, onion, garlic seasoned with Provençal herbs. Our server was great and the food came out quickly. Such a cute, quaint restaurant! Thank you for the delicious vegan and vegetarian options.

Open kitchen

Daily special

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Restaurant

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16 reviews that are not currently recommended

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

Varun P.

118

2 years ago

I've been to La Sierra twice now, and both times, it delivered a solid, no-frills Mexican food experience. On my first visit, I tried the Mexican pizza, which was a pleasant surprise! It had a crispy tortilla base loaded with flavorful toppings--definitely a fun, satisfying twist on traditional Mexican flavors. The portion was generous, making it great for sharing (or keeping all to yourself!). The second time, I went for the taco salad, and while it was fresh and well-prepared, it didn't stand out as much as the pizza. It had all the right elements--crispy shell, seasoned meat, fresh veggies--but I found myself wishing for a little more kick in the flavor. Service was friendly and efficient both times, and the atmosphere is exactly what you'd expect from a cozy, small-town Mexican spot--warm, welcoming, and relaxed. Definitely worth a stop if you're in Payson and craving some comforting Mexican food! read more

Linda W.

9 years ago

If I could rate this restaurant less than one star, I would! Our server Anna was rude and condescending from the get go. My sister ordered the Spinach Cheese dip from the appetizer menu and was only served after we were all finished with our meals. The cheese dip was the consistency of milk; so runny, the server barely kept the "liquid cheese dip" in the serving dish. She said she would be back with more chips for the dip. She never returned with the chips, only the check. My sister told her she couldn't eat the liquid dip, she said she'd take it off the bill, but never asked if my sister wanted anything else to eat. When my sister paid the bill, Anna asked her how everything was, my sister replied, "I don't know, I didn't have anything to eat." Anna ignored her and walked away. Horrible service, horrible food. read more

R.L. G.

17 years ago

Pick the most average, low-to-mid grade Mexican food that you've ever eaten and that will likely be a good description of the food you'll find at La Sierra. If you don't eat breakfast... or lunch, you'll probably be hungry enough to clean your plate and fill your stomach. Even then, you'd probably walk out the front door while saying "I'll NEVER come back here." Another negative for me: the entire staff, waitresses and counter people speak FLUENT Spanish... and poor English if they're able to speak it at all. Now, YOU might not care if the people preparing your food have hepatitis, tuberculosis or work permits, but I certainly do. "La Sierra"... only if every other restaurant in Payson is closed. read more

Jo C.

2 years ago

I know it wont make a difference but I stopped in to order a "to go" and I ordered Carnitas plate, with rice and beans & tortillas. $18.95 So after 15 minutes of waiting, I got my bag tipped the guy, and then proceeded to go home. Well, I opened it up the foam container and saw the food, I realized that this was either 1. not what I ordered or 2. was a terrible rendition of what carnitas is supposed to be. Carnitas does not have peppers and onions in it. Maybe this was chicken fajitas. Amd Honestly the flavor was not great. Totally disappointed. best thing to say check your food before leaving, or just don't go. It's not worth it. ughh read more

Terry K.

11 years ago

Took family here early in October for dinner. I had the carne asada which was a little dried out but tasty. (Not many cooks know how to properly cook this without drying it out). Daughters & wife had Chimichangas. They all enjoyed them. Decor is colorful and warm. All in all a good eating experience. Has the typical Mexican fare. read more

John S.

4 years ago

Bad service .....................!!!!!!!!!!................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!-------------................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!..............y

Kay M.

5 years ago

The food was great! We brought our kids and they all loved it too. The food came out quick and our waitress was attentive.

Nadine H.

8 years ago

My FAVORITE Mexican Food restaurant on The Rim. Their food is very good, service is courteous, and prices are reasonable.

Lucy H.

6 years ago

What can you say this place has been around a long time they serve very good food and the staff is very friendly

Bonz F.

5 years ago

Fast service good food friendly people Definitely return for the Excellent food thank you

Mark R.

8 years ago

Very Good Food & Service, completely pleasant atmosphere!!

Sherry N.

4 years ago

Good food and fast service. And, good Margaritas!

Tauna M.

102

9 years ago

We love this place. Great service and food.

M S.

7 years ago

Good food, great service. excellent salsa!

Suhas M.

13 years ago

Nice place and food was excellent

G S.

13 years ago

It was ok. Not great.

La Sierra - mexican - Updated October 2026

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We were enjoying nature and the cool weather for a few day and tried this place for diner one…read morenight. It's located along Christopher Creek off of highway 260 about 20 mile north of Payson. We arrived about 7:30pm on a Friday night and parking was ample and easy. We were greeted and seated upon entering. The servers were friendly and attentive. There were three in our party and two ordered the Beast Burger, a 1/2 pound Colorado Bison. One ordered the Fireside Buffalo Chicken sandwich. We all opted for a side salad over fries and were all very happy with the salad. The chicken sandwich was good although the Beast Burger was the bomb! Flavorful and juicy, one of the best burgers I have ever had. I ordered mine medium rare and it was cooked perfectly. We will be back to enjoy the Beast Burger again soon! Highly recommended!

Not entirely sure how this happened, but somehow we got lost on the way to Kohl's Ranch…read more Considering Creekside Steakhouse & Tavern turn off is practically across the highway, it's honestly a little impressive that we managed to do that. Fortunately for us, getting lost turned out to be a great decision. The restaurant wasn't very busy when we arrived, so they told us to sit wherever we'd like. The service was fantastic from the moment we walked in, and the food was even better. I ordered the Reuben, one of the boys got a burger and fries, and the other ordered the chicken Alfredo. Now here's where things got interesting. After the first bite of the chicken Alfredo, all loyalty to previously ordered meals disappeared. The burger kid immediately developed a serious case of Order Envy and was ready to abandon ship. I'm pretty sure if negotiations had continued, he would have traded his entire burger basket for that Alfredo without hesitation. If you're a parent, you know exactly what I'm talking about. One kid orders perfectly well. Another kid orders slightly better. Suddenly there's a food custody dispute at the table. Thankfully, there was plenty of food, nobody went hungry, and everyone left happy. Amazing food, amazing service, and a relaxed atmosphere that made us feel right at home. We'll definitely make it a point to get lost and end up here again. Sometimes the best finds aren't planned...they're just the result of taking a wrong turn.

Zane Grey Country BBQ & Great Pizza

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The food was hearty country food. Very tasty and filling. I had the prime rib sandwich Philly style…read moreand my husband had the brisket. My toddler loved the Mac and cheese. We liked walking around the courtyard after dinner too. We would go back again next time we're in the area.

SENTRY - WATCHING RESTAURANTS…read more Kohl's Ranch Lodge 202 S Kohl's Ranch Road Payson, 85541 Companion and I were visiting in Payson and were looking for a good place to eat. I had eaten and stayed at Kohl's Ranch years ago and it was a tip top place to stay and eat. Unfortunately, things have changed over the years. The dining room that used to serve great prime rib is no more. Instead, there is only a small eating area by the bar, or you can eat outside if you wish. We could not get the internet on our phones and found out that the only way to access it is to take a room or rent time on it. Never heard of such a thing before. We ordered Iced Tea ($4), and placed our orders for a meal. Companion ordered an individual Hawaiian Pizza ($19). Unfortunately, only the middle was edible as the outside was 2 inches of crust before getting to any sauce. I ordered the Prime Rib Dip which was supposed to be the same as a French Dip. The meat was from their very own smoker. I personally own 4 smokers and the meat that comes out of my smokers tasted nothing like what was served to me. To make a long story short, I spent the evening totally sick and worshiping the porcelain god. For $50.82 I have had meals that were far better. 1 star for cleanliness and that's all. Not recommended

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We were escaping the summer heat in Payson, arrived at about 9:30am. Parking was ample and…read morerelatively easy. We were greeted and seated immediately. There were a few other diners, restaurant was less than half full. Typically dinner decor and vibe. The server was friendly and helpful with answering a few questions. We ordered the southwest omelette, classic breakfast with sausage and sirloin steak and eggs. Two of us opted to replace potatoes with fruit. We all enjoyed our food. My steak was cooked medium rare as ordered and flavors were good. Recommend for a tasty breakfast at a reasonable price!

2 Stars This…read morerestaurant has SO much potential! The food was good, the prices are great, and the inside is decorated awesome. I love that they even have games for children, which makes it a great place for families. Unfortunately, the service really brought down our experience. My fork was dirty, and our waitress was rudely walking away while I was still talking to her. The restaurant wasn't even busy, so there really wasn't a reason for the service to feel so rushed and unwelcoming. Honestly, it just seemed like the employees weren't happy to be there. It's disappointing because the food, prices, and atmosphere have so much going for them. With better customer service and employees who seem happy to be there, this place could be amazing! Maybe we just caught them on an off day, and I'd love to see them turn things around because the potential is definitely there.

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