We are from the west valley, but found ourselves caught in the area of Mochilero Kitchen at 5:00 PM as we wrapped up and were ready to head home. Rather than leave at that time of day to suffer thru traffic on the 101 back home, we decided to have dinner while the traffic died down. I found Mochilero Kitchen on Yelp with a decent star rating, so we gave it a shot. We're very glad we did! From the outside and definitely when we walked in we got the feeling of a nice neighborhood hangout. We usually sit at the bar, even when we dine, but all the stools were taken. They had plenty of seating otherwise though. Had the Mushroom & Poblana Torta and it was fantastic. The Brussel sprouts on the side were equally good. As mentioned earlier it has a good vibe both when walking up and then entering. It's a cut above casual, but very comfortable, non-pretentious. Nicely furnished, clean and the service was attentive and pleasant. read more

Came back here recently and I have to say I was a little disappointed. We arrived and were seated on the patio right away. The hostess asked us if we wanted waters and if we wanted any apps. We said yes and ordered chips and salsa. About 10 minutes went by and our server made an appearance --without the chips and salsa. He seemed like he didn't want to be there and like we were a bother. We told him we had ordered chips and salsa with the hostess and he clearly had no idea. Then he asked us if we were ready to order, but we hadn't even received the chips & salsa yet. We told him we weren't ready.We ordered margaritas and got our appetizer. Then he disappeared for a long time again. When he came to take our order I ordered the Baja fish tacos grilled and he said they can't make them grilled. Which I found odd because the last time we were there they could. So I just ordered shrimp tacos which were excellent. He did ask us if we wanted another round of drinks which on our previous visit we were not asked. I really feel like the service just really lacked. I would say it was a 3.5 star experience. Especially when for happy hour 4 drinks, an app and 2 dishes were about $80 after tip. Side note it was a Friday afternoon and there was a band out on the patio which was nice. It wasn't too loud which I also appreciated. read more

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Amazing service! Food delicious. Tried 4 different tacos and the cucumber honeydew mocktail all was delicious. Tasting very fresh and authentic read more

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What a gem, MOCHILERO Kitchen is the place to stop by because their food is truly amazing. Beautiful, relaxing atmosphere and their nachos are out of this world. If you're looking for something different and authentic, stop here and try them out. read more

Mochilero Kitchen - Mexican Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

Another terrific lunch! We had the chicken tinga bowl and the pork Carnitas bowl, both delicious. The topper was the sopapilla dessert which was enormous, perfect for sharing. Sweet, gooey, and delicious. Service was excellent and while busy, the noise level was moderate. read more

I continue to love this Scottsdale location! They offer happy hour 7 days a week. I believe it is 2:30pm to 5:30pm but please check with the restaurant. I like ordering the tacos separately! My favorite is the fish taco! We really like the plantain chips with guacamole! read more

Mochilero Kitchen - Blood orange margarita - Mexican Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

First visit to this location over Peoria and have to say it's worth the drive compared to the other location. Larger restaurant, more colourful and decorated, no sun set burning through the western windows. This location rocks! Mochilero Kitchen offers a fusion mix of many different South American recipes from your usual favourites like Guac and salsa to more adventurous Cuban and other regions bring out fantastic Plantain chips and marinated meats What's also great is that the menu has great fish tacos and flash fried Brussels. Service was extremely quick! Despite happy hour busyness. Quick with water refills, offering more drinks and both locations always bring out the food so quick regardless of being packed read more

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A family member and I decided to grab a quick lunch here after a doctor's appointment in the area. Coincidentally, it was a Tuesday so of course we both had to get tacos! We each got a trio of different tacos with a side of rice and choice of beans, all at a great price of $12.50! For my tacos, I chose the shrimp diablo, carnitas, and the roasted mushrooms. All the tacos were quite loaded. The shrimp diablo had the most kick in flavor, the roasted mushrooms were my second favorite, and the carnitas were just okay. We also ordered the papas pequenas appetizer to share. Unfortunately, this item did not live up to our expectations, it was blander than we thought it would be. Overall, service was kind of lagging and didn't seem to care. We came during prime lunchtime hours and were surprised that we were the only table besides some patrons at the bar. On the other hand, the ambiance was pretty nice, it was comfortable and casual with modern decor throughout. read more

Mochilero Kitchen - Taco trio - Mexican Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

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We just happened to be in the area, and found them with a Yelp search. Wow, are we glad we did. Hostess was wonderful to start the experience. And the rest of our time was just as good. Waiter great. Drinks were right on. And the food! I don't usually like street tacos. Never enough "good stuff". These were different. We each picked three interesting choices from the menu. Each a delight. Pricing good. We both think it's worth the trip from Cave Creek just for dinner. Try it!! read more

This is my local watering hole eat here at least once a week. It's as close to what my family makes, and the best part is I don't have to cook it!! The owner is top notch, the waitstaff is exceptional. They also started having these salsa nights once a month, great energy and everyone is welcoming whether or not you have two left feet! Highly recommend! TVs to watch sports, and music is always on point. read more

We had a fabulous first time adventure and it won't be our last I love love love Jose, the owner of Chef. We ordered tacos and sat outside in a nice relaxing patio. I really did like my mushroom tacos. I would say they're a little bit too salty, and my husband said his was salty as well but overall, the food and taste was great. It was well lit, clean. The bar was great and they had some upscale tequilas. DOG friendly patio. Jóse (Chef/Owner) Javier (our waiter) Nayelli (hostess) DOG friendly patio. I WOULD RECOMMEND read more

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I was here on a quiet Saturday afternoon. Despite there only being 6 customers total the entire time I was there, I was surprised at how slow and lethargic the service was. Even more surprising is seeing several workers out in the open just staring at their phones doing nothing instead of working. Their main dishes are generally $14-$16. I tried out their churro waffle which was pretty nice and sweet. I also tried out a taco and enchilada. The whole place was clean and the presentation of their food is amazing. It's too bad that the ingredients in things such as their tacos don't match the presentation. The food itself was okay, but not high quality. read more

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Wow! This place is delicious! My mom, daughter, and I went for lunch yesterday and loved it! Chips and salsa are tasty and the elote was yummy. My daughter had the crispy potato tacos and wow, they were fabulous. I had a chicken tinga bowl which was huge and delish. My mom loved her breakfast bowl with carne asada. Brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday. We are definitely going to be back! Plus they have a happy hour special with two tacos and a beer for $10. Prices and service were great. Overall, a fabulous lunch! read more

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The staff was happy and attentive, food seemed fresh and a good flavor! Will go back.

All the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. House-made mole was fabulous. All the food was delicious. Outdoor seating area was nice. Definitely recommend! read more

Oh my gosh, I love their margarita so much. I just drank three of them which made me wanna write this review about how good they were. Cucumbrero read more

Mochilero Kitchen - Yum - Mexican Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

AMAZING FLAVOR! We loved every bite of food we tried (guacamole, Al pastor, short rib enchiladas, lobster enchiladas) and the service was fantastic. This is such a cute spot and they had live music on Saturday night at dinner. I cannot say enough about how much we enjoyed it. read more

My boyfriend and I just ate here and are a couple hours later riddled with food poisoning :(

Second time here. This time came for brunch. We ordered the Steak Ranchero and mushroom & poblano omelette and two coffees. The omelette was served open face with grilled onions, poblano peppers and mushrooms with a drizzle of cream sauce. very tasty and smoky flavor with mild bite. I really enjoyed this dish and would rate it at least 4.5. The only criticism I would give is that it does not come with any sides so a small amount of potatoes or toast would be nice. The Steak Ranchero was fine. The steak was tasty and presented over a bed of peppers, onions and tomatoes, with a side of black beans, two eggs and potatoes. I would say good but unremarkable. Although the steak was tasty, it wasn't a large portion and predominantly vegetables. I might pass on this dish next time. Overall, we enjoyed it as this is a good restaurant which I would highly recommend. I look forward to trying some other issues in the future. read more

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The food was amazing and it wasn't too busy for lunch. The bowls are the way to go! Great outdoor seating exists - get one of the padded benches. Have to come back for Happy Hour (tacos and beer for $10) read more

Hands down some of the best Mexican food around. Phenomenal dishes, excellent drinks, and great hospitality. The atmosphere is vibrant and welcoming, highly recommend checking this place out! read more

Delicious fish tacos and a refreshing margarita. Fresh ingredients, good portions, and great flavor. Definitely worth trying!

Atmosphere was good , server was patient and kind . Food was okay . Honestly the chips and guacamole was the best part of my meal , oh and the Shirley temple :) read more

Mochilero Kitchen - Mexican Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

We've been here before and keep coming back because the food is always delicious! I had the chile relleno, and it truly tasted like home. My husband ordered the striped bass, which was also excellent. For dessert, we had the tres leches butter cake--took it home, and it was just as amazing. The service is always great, and the owner is always there, making sure everything is top-notch. We also love the music, and the cozy, inviting atmosphere makes every visit a wonderful experience. read more

Great happy hour. Margaritas are very good. The guacamole with plantain chips kills it.

We love Mexican food! I'm usually not that hyped about a new restaurant, but there's this amazing place in the Horizon Shopping Center. It's called Mochilero Kitchen in Scottsdale, and it's one of the best scratch kitchens serving real, authentic Mexican food. "Mochilero" means "backpacker" in Spanish, so basically, they take you on a food trip through different parts of Mexico. The restaurant, owned by brother and sister duo Jorge Cota and Meliza Miranda, draws inspiration from various regions of Mexico, offering a modern twist on traditional dishes. Their craft taco selection was to die for. I went with the Mochilero trio, $16.00, a choice of 3 tacos, rice, and beans. I selected Papa Brava, their potato taco, Carne Asada, and a Baja fish taco. I couldn't decide which one I liked best; everything was packed with flavor, probably the best potato taco I've tried. My wife had the "El Mochilero" lunch plato, $18.00, a cheese Chile relleno with a choice of enchilada and taco. All the flavors were balanced; none of the ingredients were overpowering or too spicy. They have brunch on the weekends, daily happy hour from 2:30-5:00 pm with drink specials and Bonitas. We can't wait to go back for happy hour to order a bunch of Bonitas to try different things. read more

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We tried for the first time on Friday evening. We sat on the patio however we were partially blocked from the main dining room by a large square post and we think that caused our server to not see us and thus forget about us. Service for us was a tad slow. It took well over 15 minutes to place a drink order, maybe thirty minutes before we placed our dinner order and the bill took about 15 minutes to be dropped off when we had asked for five minutes after dinner! We tried a "She's Spicy" special drink and it had a slight smokey taste from the mezcal and a good balance of sweet and tart. The blood orange margarita was also very good. We started with a $4 side of guacamole - for two people that is more than enough! It was tasty although it did have that refrigerated onion note that is a little off-putting. They never brought out the half order of Brussels spirits that we ordered and that worked out just fine. The veggie enchilada stack with beef filled chili relleno was really flavorful and quite a large dish. The poblano was nice and spicy and the beef filling seemed freshly grilled. The al pastor pork tenderloin was very tasty with not too much al pastor sauce and very tender pork. The pineapple salsa was a nice touch of flavor. We will return and probably sit at a different table if outside so as to not get overlooked! read more

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Meh and a bit disappointing. Highly recommended, I came here for a business lunch. I was excited because I love Mexican food and again, this was highly recommended. They were not too busy so one would think service would be on point. Unfortunately, it was not. The server was slow to greet us and get drinks then rushed us to take our order, even though we continually asked for more time since we have never been here. We placed our order and pretty much didn't see our server again until it was time for the bill. Luckily the food was decent and we didn't need much more than drink refills. We flagged someone else down for refills, finished our meal, paid and left. Definitely did not live up to the hype. read more

So so good! The chips and salsa were the best I've had in a long time - I know that sounds so basic but try them and you'll see what I'm talking about. Also - the Pata Brava taco was so good I might have to come back to Scottsdale just for that. I also had a Baja fish taco - it was ok, nothing bad about it but not as noteworthy as the rest of the food. The cocktail menu was heavy on the tequila and agave (as a Mexican restaurant should be) and I don't usually love tequila but I tried their Cucumbrero and it was refreshing and tasty - definitely perfect with chips and salsa. read more

I went for happy hour and had the flautas.... Wow. Once again they've done the lords work. read more

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Great taco spot. Feels more authentic than the rest of the taco places. I've tried all of their tacos and all were excellent! Check them out on Taco Tuesday! read more

Mochilero Kitchen - Best Taco Tuesday in town! Must try. - Mexican Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

Came in for lunch & sat outside. Great weather. They have space heaters as well. Since it was Taco Tuesday, they had 3 tacos for $16. I ordered the carnitas, pork chicharrón, carne asada, & short rib tacos. No sides. Also ordered blood orange margarita. First thing, I also ordered a water which came in a metal/tin cup. Seemed a bit odd considering this is Arizona & it can be like a million degrees in the summer & burn lips but maybe they have different cups for the summer. Second, the tortillas are blue corn. The pork chicharrón taco was really good. The protein was great & perfectly crispy. The carne asada & short rib tacos were decent but missing something. Maybe more citrus or salt? Maybe both? The carnitas had a good flavor as well but for some reason I was expecting it to be crispy. The protein to tortilla ratio was good. The avocados included in the tacos were also good & not mushy. The blood orange margarita was awesome. Would definitely come back for that. Not sure about the food. The service was good. I was checked on regularly, food, & drinks delivered quickly. read more

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Good place for happy hour or for a relaxed lunch or dinner. Friendly staff and nice environment.

Have had delivery a number of times. The fish tacos , shrimp tacos & garlic shrimp are great. The appetizer short ribs is great but last night it was very greasy. The corn is great. Garlic shrimp is great. The Vera Cruz fish is dry , bland & not good at all. Hubbie threw it out. Churros are good. Rib eye taco is good not great. any . Also the swordfish tostada has hardly any swordfish, it is 99% onions & celery & but not swordfish. See pic . I mean. Seriously ? Guacamole is good. I do feel this restaurant does have great potential though. It is not inexpensive but I would rather pay more for better quality. read more

Mochilero Kitchen - Where is the swordfish ? - Mexican Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

I've been here many times and service was always quick even on busy evenings. However, we came on a Friday evening around 7 pm with only 2 other tables and had to wait quite a while to order our food. Our waitress was seen at every table but ours. We finally had to get up and request attention. Of course by then our special needs son couldn't sit still and was screaming away making an unpleasant dining experience for everyone. read more

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Mochilero Kitchen opened recently, very near to where I live. They sent coupons in the mail, one for a free queso or esquites (street corn) appetizer or $5.00 off the total. I was craving queso, so my boyfriend and I went there for dinner tonight. The queso and chips were a hearty portion (normally $13.00, so I probably wouldn't order them without the coupon) and were so delicious! The chips were fresh out of the fryer and the queso had a wonderful flavor. Yes, some of their prices are high, but really the prices are all over the place. We happened to visit on Taco Tuesday, so we were able to order 3 tacos plus rice or beans (I had both for no upcharge) for $12.50. I had the Baja fish, which was $1.50 extra, the papa brava, and the roasted mushroom tacos, along with rice and beans. My boyfriend had the shrimp diablo, which was $1.50 extra, the papa brava, and the chicken tinga. My favorite was the papa brava. My boyfriend liked the shrimp. The shrimp were so huge that he had to eat some of them separately and not in the taco. Everything was wonderfully flavorful and delicious. The rice and beans were excellent as well. We were stuffed and our total was only $30.54 plus tip (after the coupon). The service was excellent and the food came out fairly quickly, considering the restaurant was quite busy. Be sure to tip on the full amount before the coupon. Their tableside payment system was providing tip amounts based on the $30.54 after coupon total, which is incorrect. Luckily, you're able to add a custom tip. I'd hate to ding the server just because we used a coupon! read more

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This is a nice spot for a large group dinner. We made a reservation day of for 26 people and they were able to accommodate us, although it was outside, but that was very much appreciated. It was summer in Scottsdale so it was quite hot even in the evening when the sun was going down, but they had nice misters outside which made things more tolerable. Service was pleasant attentive to our large group, it did take quite a long time, like close to an hour, for everyone to get their food but I can't really fault them for that since we were a very large group. The food itself unfortunately just wasn't that good. We got the veggie enchilada stack which wasn't super flavorful, two baja fish tacos which had a pretty skimpy portion of fish, and a papa brava taco which was pretty tasty. Also got nachos to share which were fine, but the chips were too thin to hold up to the sauce and toppings. Good service, nice ambiance, but the food left something to be desired. Still would recommend for a large group though, we all in all had a good time. read more

Definitely one of my favorite Mexican Food restaurants. The service is excellent, food delicious and clean restaurant. Tried three different tacos and they all were amazing. They have the trio salsas and plantain chips and also tortillas chips. All fresh & excellent flavor. Yummy!!! read more

The food was very good. I had the short rib enchiladas and the flan. Highly recommend both. Service was good and ambiance was adequate. Will definitely go back again. I want to try the chilaquiles. read more

Most authentic Mexican place in this part of town. Not your usual beans-and-cheese place.