One of my favorite quick, casual places to grab lunch or dinner from! Every time we go, the staff is always very friendly and welcoming. While the line can be long, don't let it fool you because the service is quick and efficient! The restaurant is also adding a drive thru line, so that should help disperse the line inside of the restaurant. Even with how busy the restaurants can get, I've never had an issue finding a place to sit and eat. They make each item to order in front of you, you get to choose which toppings you want to add. I always order my items "con todo" with onion, cilantro, guacamole/crema, and salsa. This trip I ordered 3 especiales: caramelo (steak), gringa (pork), and gabacho (chicken). Unfortunately, they ran out of chicken, so I subbed for an extra gringa, my favorite of the 3. I also got an order of chips and queso, but be careful because the queso is addicting! They also have a help yourself salsa bar, but the salsas tend to be watery and not very flavorful. The orange one is my favorite, adds a good kick to the food. The pricing is reasonable, especially for the quality of food you get, even when I tend to over order. Overall, I will continue coming to Taco Viva any time I'm in the mood for some yummy tacos! read more

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We love Taco Viva so much that I'm doubling down on my first review. Best tacos in Phoenix! There are a lot of creative and delicious tacos in the valley. Some of them are from joints that don't qualify as a Mexican Restaurant. Given the choice, I will always choose the simple, authentic, flavorful tacos from Taco Viva! Gracias! read more

Taco Viva - Pollo, Carne Asada, y Pastor. Con Todo! - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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The tacos here are absolutely delicious, and I'll definitely give credit where it's due--the food is fantastic. However, there's one thing I noticed that I hope management will address. After you order, the cashier hands you a thermal paper receipt. You then take that receipt to the person making the tacos, who takes it with the same gloved hands they'll use to prepare your food. They handle receipt after receipt from every customer and then continue assembling tacos without changing gloves or washing their hands. As someone who pays attention to food safety and hygiene, this was pretty off-putting. Gloves only help if they're changed after touching non-food items. It would be much more sanitary if the order were displayed on a screen, called out verbally, or if employees changed gloves after handling receipts before preparing food. The tacos are excellent, but I hope they improve this part of their food-handling process because it's an easy fix that would make the overall experience much better. read more

Really excited to try this place, pretty straight forward menu. I asked for recommendations and was told to try the vampiros with pastor. I actually did not love the vampiro as I'm used to a softer shell but they still had good flavor. I thought their normal tacos were delicious! Chicken asada and pastor all were hitting and the guacamole was perfect. Make sure to get their homemade salsa as well, really put the flavor profile over the top. read more

Taco Viva - Inside - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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At this point, the line at this taco spot is less of a wait and more of a support group for people addicted to hongos fries. Every time I come here it gets more packed, which is both annoying and completely understandable because the food is ridiculously good. The tacos are fantastic, the fries are life-changing, and the hongos fries specifically deserve their own national holiday. This place made the Top 100 food spots in America list, and honestly? Deserved. It's the best taco spot in the country in my opinion and makes places like Torchy's feel like they're competing in junior varsity. The vibe is also way above average for a taco joint; lively, clean, and full of people who look like they just took their first bite and immediately started planning their next visit. The taco crew is always friendly too, even while dealing with lines longer than a DMV on a Monday. If you don't know what to order, here's the move: Get one taco or an especial if you're a cheese enthusiast, a medium fry with your topping of choice, and guac with chips. That's the kind of meal that makes you sit in your car afterward thinking about your life choices in a positive way. Enjoy. And maybe stretch beforehand because you're going to want to fight someone over the last hongos fry. read more

Taco Viva - Especials, medium hongos fries and chips - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Wow! I stopped by around 1:30 on a weekday and it was so busy! Luckily there's quite a bit of parking behind. What a cute place! Very lively and clean atmosphere. You order at the front then take your slip to the cooks at the open kitchen. I'm not sure why this step but its kinda fun -- they're very friendly, ask you if you want "con todo" and here or to go, then hand you back your food shortly after. You do get to see the trompo (al pastor pork cooking on a spit - the only real al pastor!) and your food being made. I got an al pastor taco and a gringa (al pastor taco with cheese), both con todo. There's a salsa bar and though the tacos already had plenty of stuff on them, I had to add some salsa as it was so good! There is also a drive through. I'll definitely be back! read more

Taco Viva - Busy on a weekday afternoon! - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Tried Viva Tacos and it did NOT disappoint queso & chips, guacamole & chips, carne asada tacos, AND al pastor... and everything was seriously so good. The guac was super fresh, and those chips were perfectly crunchy. The carne asada tacos were packed with flavor and cooked just right, and the al pastor had that perfect sweet + savory combo. Honestly, every single thing we ordered hit. seven the beans were great. Great food, great vibes, and definitely a new go-to spot for tacos. Already planning my next visit Shout out to the amazing service this place has!!! read more

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Cool design and fun place to take the family or just a few friends. There was a pretty long line and we got through it in about 20 minutes; you line up to order, and then get in a second line to have your items assembled. In the assembly line, there were some items that were premade (the fries already had cheese and meat on them, assembler just added guac, so meat looked a little cold). But other than that they all the fixings for you (onion, cilantro, salsa, guac). They gave us a free taco though, for a mistake at the register. Low-key the best pastor I've ever had, they put pineapple in it which always just level up the experience!! Also comes with a crema that didn't overpower the flavors, but balanced it all out. Seriously the best taco I've ever had. I'm telling all my friends. read more

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Came in to try out this place I kept seeing all over my Instagram Got the pollo and al pastor tacos Pollo had a really hot salsa that came on it so unsure if the chicken had any flavor or not. The true star of the show was the al pastor taco! That meat was so tender and full of flavor. I would eat a dozen of them. We also got chips and guac and some beans. Service was friendly and quick. They also took the time to explain some of the menu items. Inside was spacious and clean. Def worth a try! read more

Taco Viva - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Are these the best tacos? I tried a little of everything. The best thing by far is the Taco Pastor. They put this cilantro avocado crema on it as well as the pineapple that takes it to the next level! Typically a lot of places over cook the asada but here it was nice and juicy. It seems chaotic when you walk in but they do a good job taking orders and getting you the food. I would go back. read more

Taco Viva - Pastor tacos and asada - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Finally, a taco spot in Phoenix that's actually worth the hype. My husband and I have been here twice and it's been amazing both times. The al pastor and carne asada are my go-to's. Although the second time around, I favored the al pastor over the carne asada, which has incredible flavor. I love the crispy char, and you can't go wrong with the refreshing slices of pineapple. Don't forget hit up the sauce bar! My favorite is the orange salsa which is a creamier sauce that has a hint of heat. Love! read more

Taco Viva easily exceeded my expectations and lived up to the hype (top 100 restaurant on Yelp). These tacos are the best that I've had in a minute. Each taco was truly unique but traditional in a sense. The Al pastor was my favorite, it came with a delicious cilantro crema. I also tried a moula as well? Quite good but I think I'd get another taco instead next time. Easy 5/5 read more

Taco Viva - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

If you're looking for authentic Mexican tacos rather than Tex-Mex, this is the spot. I loved that you can choose between flour or corn tortillas. The al pastor with pineapple was a standout, and the mushroom taco had a lot of potential, but the heat level was too high and ended up drowning out the other flavors. Honestly, my favorite thing on the menu wasn't even a taco, the carne asada fries were the highlight of the meal. Worth a visit if you're curious about what real Mexican food tastes like. read more

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The food and salsas are delicious. Getting there might confuse you. There was a line out the door, so I followed the crowd. Saw some inexpensive merch and their menu and the restrooms. I finally arrived at counter and paid for meal and got a ticket. I moved over but found out I accidentally cut off the ither people waiting so got in another line to wait for the personal customization of my food order. After that was complete I got my coke product drinks and salsas. The Carne Asada and the Al Pastor were tender, flavorful, and so worth going back for more. The only thing I recommend is possibly lines on the floor for direction, and clearer instructions for newbies. I so wanted to buy a beanie, but next time. read more

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Stopped in a few weeks ago for some tacos and this place was delicious! Freshly prepared right in front of you, exactly the way you like it. I would come back but probably get my tacos plain, they were packed. Good pricing and friendly staff! read more

Taco Viva - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Taco Viva is spectacular. Everything was good, well seasoned and had great flavor. Loved the chicken, carne asada, but I think my fav was the Al pastor. The corn tortillas were soft and had a little firmness. The mini quesadilla is cheesy gooey deliciousness. Tip, ask for the grilled onions and peppers on the side. It's free. Ask for the green crema that comes with the al pastor. It's great on all of the tacos, but is only added on the Al pastor. Overall, highly recommend. Friendly staff and happy to make your tacos anyway you want. read more

Taco Viva - Side of onions - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Amazing! Delicious! There was a little bit of a line when we walked in but it moved surprisingly quickly. Having a giant menu on the wall made it easy to have our choices ready to go when we got to the register. We had a basic order of carne asada tacos and chips and quac. While our order was simple the flavors were not! The carne asada was flavorful and juicy, the onion and cilantro were complimentary and not overpowering, the salsa had just the right heat to it and the guacamole added flavor and a balance to the salsa. We chose flour tortillas that were made fresh while we waited. The chips and quac came with a good portion of tortilla chips as well as a decent size portion of the most amazing guacamole. For the sizes of everything and the deliciousness, I was surprised that everything was so reasonably priced. All around a great experience and meal, especially on a budget! read more

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Taco Viva is easy to spot with that big black, white, and red building right on Indian School. They've got their own parking lot and even a drive-thru, which is always nice. When we walked in, there was already a long line to order, so you know it's popular. Inside, it's really spacious with high ceilings, and they have both indoor and outdoor seating. The place was clean, and the staff was constantly wiping down tables as soon as people left. The line moved a little slow, but honestly, it wasn't bad at all. We ordered tacos, tostadas, and especiales. Everything was fresh and really tasty. The especiales were a bit salty, but still totally fine. Our only regret was not ordering more. They also have a self-serve condiment station, which helps things move faster when it's busy. By the time we finished eating, there was still a steady line of people ordering. Even then, it didn't feel too crowded because tables turned over pretty quickly. read more

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Don't sleep on Taco Viva. Fresh, tasty, and authentic tacos done right in a clean and comfortable environment. I can't say enough good things about out the food! The Al pastor is amazing. The salsas are great - try a few that they have out with some chips. I loved this place and can't wait to go back. Just keep in mind the parking lot will be full on Taco Tuesdays! Amazing food, quick service, and easy Indian School location make Taco Viva a no brainer if you haven't tried it yet. Some of the best tacos in the Valley! read more

Taco Viva - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Red and white lettering all over, looks very cheesy from the outside and like your typical chain. However, I had heard good things, and I love a good taco so I was willing to try! We went right when it opened on a Saturday. It was super busy! There was almost no where to park! Inside was spacious and we found a seat easily for the 4 of us. You walk up to order (like chipotle) and then take your food to your seat. The line was almost out the door but moved relatively quickly. I tried all the salsas and the orange one was my favorite. None of them are very spicy, in my opinion-they do have some heat but nothing that will blow your pallet out. My 18 month old had the red one and liked it, if that tells you anything. The pastor is what I ate, the gringa and the taco. Both were exceptional. The meat was super flavorful and all of the toppings contributed to the flavor. The gringa-with the cheese was very greasy, so be ware. Not sure if it really needed that, the taco version is perfect to me. Chips come with a big thing of the red salsa and that was good to have. Lots of families were there. They don't have high hairs just fyi. read more

This place is doing Mexican food right - you can tell they use quality ingredients. The corn tortillas are handmade and the tacos Al pastor were really really good. You can see the employee cutting the meat off of the trompo behind the counter. I ordered a carne asada taco, an al pastor taco and a carne asada tostada with an horchata and it was 19.00. I do think it's on the pricier side but I think it's worth it. I liked the decor and setup - I think they'll need a bigger spot soon because the parking was a nightmare I also noticed they will be opening the drive thru and I think it will make the parking lot worse. Overall great place for tacos! And I'll be back. read more

Taco Viva, a welcoming Mexican owned and ran restaurant that has personality. Prices not too crazy for a great standard of flavor in all cuts of meat whether you choose their pork/steak/chicken. Once you finish ordering you hand the ticket to a chef and get to watch your food get prepared behind the glass which is always a great touch in ambiance in my opinion. Tacos are more than enough topping + protein included. Great savory flavor through their choice of seasonings and the sauces that accompany the bar absolutely pair well together. Give this spot a shot if you want casual mexican food that's not too far from Central Phoenix. read more

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So good can't wait to go back. Tried the carne asada, Al pastor, and the mushroom. Mushroom was spicy but good. Place is roomy and plenty of seating. Salsa bar has great flavored salsa. Chips are yum couldn't stop eating them. Tacos are full of flavor tons of filling. Service was great we waited on 2 tacos and they gave us a bean taco for the wait still yummy. read more

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Ever since I got to Phoenix, I have been so surprised at the lack of good, authentic Mexican food. I am thankful to have a friend that helped to enlighten me today, who brought me to Taco Viva. He already raved at how good this place was, and I was more than happy to give it a try. Since it was my first time, I wanted to try one of each of the meat tacos: carne asada, al pastor, and pollo. Ordered them all "con todo", to get the experience of what they're known for. And all I gotta say is: These were probably the best tacos I've had in years. The absolute, most delicious tacos. Of the three, the clear star was the Al Pastor. My god....just pork perfection. I cannot wait to go back and start introducing more people to this place. read more

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Everything was delicious and the ambiance is casual and inviting which is exactly what I expect from a taco place. Best carne asada fries I've ever tried and definitely will be retuning! This place is doing so many things right! Only constructive feedback: it wasn't clear what we needed to do after paying and grabbing our food ticket. It's a simple fix: the cashier needs to ask if the guest has been there before and if they have not, give clear instruction on the fact that you need to hand your ticket to the guys so they can make your food and not sit down prematurely as you end up cutting people in line that have their food already and need to sit down before you. read more

What does delicious food, fast, friendly service and home made horchata have in common? It's all available at Taco Viva. There are good tacos and then there's Taco Viva tacos. In their own league, serving delicious Mexican food. The location is spacious and offers plenty of seating. They are a little different with their order process. Customer pays and then hands the order ticket to one of the staff behind the counter to make the food. So it all made right in front of you. The meats and ingredients are fresh and cooked to perfection. Although they offer other items, we focused on tacos, because it's in the name! We had chicken (pollo), asada (steak), pastor (pork) and hongos (mushroom). I've never had mushroom tacos and let me tell you, they are so good. It's not a typical taco but it's tacos done the Taco Viva's way. They offer corn and flour tortillas. The tacos are as authentic as it gets. Overall, this is a great spot to visit for some delicious food and don't forget to get their horchata!! read more

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The worst thing about this place is that I didn't find it until a few hours before I had to fly home because I would've been eating here DAILY. The atmosphere was so fun, the music was lively and the workers were friendly. The food was GREAT. I loved the flavor of the meat and the homemade tortillas. My favorite thing from here was the horchata. I'm convinced it was the best I've ever had. It was the perfect blend of flavors, nothing overpowering the others. read more

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A friend recommended this place, saying it was just like eating "Tacos al Pastor" in Tijuana, so we went and tried it. We liked the place a lot, it has a pretty spacious dining room area, and their decoration as well as their branding is pretty on point. Service was good and fast, you go to the cash register, order, pay, get your receipt, and then a taquero will take it and prepare your order. We liked the corn tortillas, they are handmade, the flavors were good, but the size of the tacos, the amounts were really small. Each taco is $3.95, I was expecting more for that price. They have a small salsa bar and small bottled sodas, as well as aguas frescas (horchata and jamaica). read more

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On the Yelp top 100 spots... rightfully so some of the best authentic style tacos you'll find in Phoenix! Service is quick and efficient, and plenty of seating inside. A must try spot. read more

Taco Viva - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

This restaurant is incredible! We came on a Friday at 2 PM and it was still busy for being between lunch and dinner hour. Despite the long line, it moved quickly. Taco Viva serves carne asada, al pastor, pollo asada, and hongos in taco, tostada, mula, or vampiro form. I appreciate these options, including flour vs corn tortillas! I recommend recommending ordering "con todo" - with all the toppings! Come here for a lively environment and great food! read more

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This is one of the easiest reviews for me to write as it is one of our favorite places for taco nights because of the quality with the food and the mean is always levels above many of the places we have ever been to and most of them don't even come close the same the authentic Tijuana style tacos you can get here hence why I believe the price is worth it. Atmosphere is always amazing here with all the music and chatter amongst everyone here. Staff is always amazing as they are always so good at having and holding conversation with people even while prepping the food. Ambiance is great because you feel like you are in an authentic taqueria in Tijuana and it's just great will always be one of our favorites and highly recommend and very understandable why it is ranked in the Top 100 in the US on Yelp as they greatly deserve it read more

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First time here and wow ! The tacos were delicious! They were authentic Mexican tacos ! With hand made tortillas. The only bummer was that we missed out on the pastor because they had sold out but if you're in the area definitely recommend you check this taco spot out. We came after a Dodger game to fit our Los Angeles vibe and wow definitely reminded us of home. The lines are long and feel like never ending but worth the wait. The service is a bit slow but the food is great. The restaurant overall was clean even with the amount of people that were dining in here. read more

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I've recommended this place to everyone that I've met looking for good tacos here in Phoenix. The staff is amazing, and the restaurant is always so clean and well kept. If you want a taco place that tastes amazing and you don't need to worry about the cleanliness, this is definitely for you! I've had friends come from California & Texas and they've even said these are some of the best tacos they've had. We always order Carne Asada Fries and Al Pastor Tostadas or Tacos. 10/10 would recommend! read more

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As someone who's is Mexican American and loves tacos then this is a must try place! The carne asada is cooked to absolute perfection and their salsas tie the whole taco together. It's honestly one of my favorite tacos places in the valley! The service is quick and efficient. A must try! read more

Exceptional authentic food with a happy fun friendly atmosphere that is so clean too!!

Tacos were really good. A little expensive in my opinion but they are worth it. The Al pastor ones are the go to. The loaded fries are also totally worth it. Service was nice and fast and the place was clean. Very busy place too read more

Taco Viva - Tacos al pastor - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

The man that made my tacos was wearing a name tag that said Erick. My ticket had 4 carne asada tacos and 1 chicken quesadilla. Erick asked if everything was con todo. Granted it was loud and hard to hear in there. It took me a few seconds to figure out what he had just said. Then I responded "only 2 of them." Meaning 2 of the carne asada tacos. He said to me "2 of what?" Before I could answer he looked back at the ticket and just started making the tacos. He was so rude. The service he gave is the reason why I will not go back. read more

Second time over at this amazing place. Truly one of the best taco joints in Phoenix! read more

Taco Viva - Al Pastor and Carne Asada tacos, on corn tortillas. Amazing! - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

First visit and already planning my second! I stopped by Taco Viva to try them out since they're fairly new, and this place delivered. I tried the Carne Asada Vampiro, a carne asada taco, and a carne asada mulas. I wanted to sample a little of everything for the most part, and are no regrets with my choices. The Vampiro was the standout: crispy, cheesy, and smoky with just the right amount of char. It's like a taco and a tostada had a deliciously rebellious child. I love a good Vampiro taco. The carne asada taco was solid, classic flavors, well-seasoned meat, and a freshly made tortilla that held its own. The mulas, good as well, cheesy, meaty, and satisfying, like a quesadilla with a mission. Service was friendly, and the vibe was casual but lively. Salsa bar was good and went with the tacos very well. Overall, the food was genuinely good and worth the visit. read more

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Absolutely THE BEST tacos I have ever had, excluding Mexico! The tacos el pastor are out of this world! The owner is always there engaging with customers, great and happy staff. We try and go every Sunday. This place is amazing! read more