Carbon Tapatio

Locally owned & operated

Happy hour specials

Had a really great experience here! The food was amazing and everything I had was really good…read more Jessica was awesome and took great care of me the entire time. She was super friendly, attentive, and made sure I had everything I needed without me even having to ask. It's hard to find genuinely good service sometimes, but Jessica definitely made the experience that much better. I'll absolutely be back and definitely recommend asking for her!

I appreciated the fun vibe and beautiful restaurant, but The Mexicano just didn't do it for me. The…read morefood was good but could have been better, like the Al pastor. It just wasn't crispy enough and wasn't very tender. The drinks were alright, but honestly it's like a Mexican restaurant plus sugar factory. The outdoor patio was nice and I appreciated the misters. It's pretty enough to mostly distract you from the location. Not sure I'd go back.

Chicken Tinga Machete Quesadilla

Shrimp Molcajetes

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La Santisima

4.2(2.7k reviews)

9.2 mi

Wow such a great spot - been wanting to try this place forever now and finally caved this…read moreafternoon. Everything from the atmosphere service and food was perfect. Planning on coming back once a week moving forward. Had the shark, Mahi and the pork Asada toco on the specialty / gourmet tacos section of the menu. Wish I got the servers name but she was extremely friendly! (Younger dark haired Mexican girl). Mahi taco was my favorite, arguably my favorite taco of all time. Rice that it came with was amazing too not a big fan of refried beans but they were alright... marg was good and they have Pacifico which is my favorite so I was a happy customer overall. 3 tacos one marg and a large Pacifico for 36 bucks... can't find that in Scottsdale! Highly recommend

Was out in Phoenix and my friend bet their life on how great La Santisima was...so we had to go…read more Not gonna lie, it was pretty fantastic! The decor and art in the place was amazing, loved it! They were fairly busy when we stopped in so it was a little slow in getting our food but nothing extreme. There's inside seating and a small patio outside. The food was amazing! I had a shark taco and bean and cheese burrito and loved both. Scale of 1 to 10, I'll go back again for sure!

Menu

Salsa / condiment bar

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Shark / cochinita tacos

Jalapeños Sonora Grill

4.8(211 reviews)

19.1 mi

Great hole in the wall spot! The smell was amazing walking in and the food tasted amazing! Came in…read morefor a quick lunch before heading for my second job and it didn't disappoint! The food came out quick and was gone even quicker (hence why there is no food picture ) definitely would come back!

If you haven't had Sonora style tacos, then you're missing out. There are lots of options in AZ but…read morethis is it! Yelp top 100 for a reason. Campechano is a mixed meat taco with asada, tripa, and cheese and it is fantastic. I love corn tortillas as much as the next guy but gotta try flour with Sonoran tacos too. Definitely earned a spot on the list!

Fresh pineapple & cilantro, pickled onions, & fresh pico de gallo!

Roasted peppers and onions

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Ample space with plenty of seating

Corazon De Agave

4.5(376 reviews)

19.7 mi

Very clean place. We were checked on regularly during the meal by the owner to make sure our…read moredining experience was top notch. And it was. We started out with an off menu appetizer consisting of healthy sized octopus tentacles served with potatoes in a delicious sauce. Everything was tender and delicious. Then we had enchiladas with a generous amount of sauce served with beans and rice. We finished with cheesecake. The owner clearly had a sense of humor as you can tell from the picture of my serving. All in all it was a very enjoyable experience and I highly recommend!

Like many others, we saw this place on IG and wanted to try it. We drove out of our way, about…read more45min+ from our house. The place inside was cute. I was happy about the little purse hooks on the table (iykyk). The outside area, not so much. It's on the corner of a strip mall, there was some etched graffiti on the outside windows, which made you aware of the area you were in. (That's the reason for the 1 star deduction.) The place is very small! So yes, you WILL want to make a reservation. We went around 3:30 on a Friday and I would say 3/4 of the tables had reserved signs on them starting at 5pm on up. The receptionist was constantly back and forth looking at them and moving them around to make space for walk-ins. I would skip bringing your kids here. I didn't use the restroom so idk if that was nice or not. The food was fantastic! And the portions were big. The price matched the portions and quality in our opinion. It's hard to find quality food that's worth the cost lately. We enjoyed the chips and salsa. And hubby ordered a Mexican coke, and the server brought him a frosty glass for it. Everyone around us looked like they were enjoying their food. Our server was great. He chatted with us for a while when we told him about seeing the place on IG. He was grateful for the customers. But admitted, it's caused an influx of people and the 'regulars' have become annoyed. Which is understandable. We'd definitely come back if we're in the area but probably not drive that far out of our way again.

Inside

Quesabirras

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Chicharron Ribeye is AMAZING! Cooked to perfection with a crazy good guacamole.

Presidio Cocina Mexicana

4.6(1.3k reviews)

7.4 mi

Food is fantastic. Ordered chilaquiles with birria as my protein and the meat is tender and…read moreflavorful. My girlfriend ordered aqua chilies they had a nice kick and good portion. We also ordered two cocktails: mezcalita and st.hibiscus both perfect ratios. You can taste the alcohol and not overpowering with artificial mixers, like most restaurants, cocktails. Worth it. Service very good. With great classic Mexican music not the overplayed playlist you hear at every other spot. I might be proposing to my girlfriend here because we loved it so much.

Presidio Cocina Mexicana is one of those places we've been coming back to for years, and it's easy…read moreto see why. There's something so cozy and welcoming about this spot that makes it feel familiar every time we walk through the door. One of my favorite things to order here is the chilaquiles. I usually switch up the meat depending on what I'm craving, and this visit I went with chorizo. The tortilla chips have that perfect balance of crisp edges and just enough sauce to soften them without turning soggy. The chorizo adds a savory, slightly smoky richness, while the toppings bring everything together with fresh, bright flavors. It's the kind of breakfast where every bite has a little crunch, a little spice, and plenty of flavor. I also love ordering a fresh orange juice alongside my coffee--it's become part of my usual routine here. There's something about fresh OJ with a comforting plate of chilaquiles that just makes breakfast feel extra special. The service has consistently been wonderful, and the atmosphere is warm and comfortable without feeling overly formal. After all these years, Presidio Cocina Mexicana remains one of those spots I genuinely enjoy returning to. Good food, great service, and that cozy neighborhood feel that keeps you coming back.

Tamale Breakfast

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Enchiladas Tamale

Casa Corazon Restaurant

4.4(951 reviews)

7.9 mi

I think I just found my new favorite Mexican restaurant!…read more The ambience here is charming. It's located in what looks like an old house, painted on the outside in a dark red paint. There are roses hanging from the ceiling, exposed brick, and colored lighting (would you notice more as the sun goes down). The wood ceilings really make this place special. There is a small bar in the corner. Don't forget to look up because there is a little door above with the guardian angel and children painted on it, and a couple of stained glass windows. From the minute we walked in, we were meeting with smiling faces. When you first walk in, you are inside the kitchen or at least right next to it. We started with a couple of drinks - a Corona and a Diablito, a sotol cocktail with lots of pureed mango. A basket of chips and a bowl of Green dip or brought to the table, and we were directed to the salsa bar back near the entrance. The salsa bar is fantastic, with several different kinds of salsa. We grabbed what tasted like a creamy tomatillo salsa, a pineapple salsa, a pico de gallo, and a creamy Serrano salsa. They were all so good that we couldn't say which was our favorite. I know that pineapple salsa just sent me over the moon! For an entree, hubby ordered a Sonoran burrito. He said the burrito was delicious, and kept pointing out how good the guacamole and side was. It wasn't especially big or small. I ordered the fajitas (steak and chicken combo) and the minute they came to the table sizzling, both my husband and I were surprised at how large this portion was. It was served with tortillas (you get your choice of corn or flour), black beans, and rice. The black beans were good - - I suppose they just tasted like black beans. I was surprised at how delicious the rice was because it's white and I expected it just to taste like white rice. But there was a creaminess to it and a flavor that I couldn't put my finger on but that I know was really yummy (butter, maybe? Cheese, maybe?? Idk). Good meat in my fajitas was super tender and the veggies were grilled just right. This was a really common really delicious meal. This place had been on my list for a long time and now that I finally been here, I'm kicking myself for not coming here sooner. The food was fantastic, the prices super reasonable, and it's set in a cozy, romantic setting. This place is going to be on a regular rotation for us!

If you are looking for upmarket Mexican food, with a great drink on the side, my favorite go to…read morespot in downtown Phx is casa corazon... they have a good menu and fo everything well, from grey Baja tacos, in true Baja style to chili rellenos, fajitas and oh my god the salsa bar!! To die for. Chips are gratuit. Service is prompt and knowledgeable. The entrance is via the kitchen as this was once a home, now converted into a great eatery. So you come in the side door to the dining room . Wait staff all greet you and guide you to the dining room, festooned with roses and talavera tiles. It's not kitschy, just gorgeous. The menu is ample and you can't go wrong with anything. The initial refrito dip, tho yummy, has pork. But they have the best, the absolute best black beans!! Try them just for a change. You'll be converted. The dining area is small but cozy and beautifully done. So enjoy!!

Dining Room

Salsa bar

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Aqua de Jamaica

Taco Chelo

4.8(196 reviews)

9.0 mi

Stephanie made a stressful day much less stressful!!! She is a true gem!!!…read more Fantastic little location. Excellent service. Even more amazing food. Try everything. You'll love it!! Super cute vibes throughout. Bathrooms clean and on site. Cute shopping section. But the customer service is where it's at! We appreciate you Stephanie!!! #ASU #OrlandoFam

Sometimes the best meals happen because your original plan falls through. That was exactly the case…read morehere, and honestly... I'm not even a little mad about it. I ordered the veggie tacos with roasted sweet potatoes (skin on, which was absolutely the right call), pepitas, feta, and all the right toppings. Whoever prepped those sweet potatoes deserves a raise because they were cut into the perfect sized pieces. Every bite had a little sweetness, a little crunch, a little saltiness... it just worked. My dining partner ordered the barbacoa tacos, and I didn't even have to ask if they were good. The involuntary "Mmm..." after the first bite answered that question. Four tacos disappeared in record time, followed by, "I could've eaten two more." That's about as glowing of a review as you're going to get. Now let's talk about these tortillas. Handmade. Corn. Tortillas. Are you kidding me? They're the kind of tortillas that had me question every tortilla I've ever eaten. Soft, fresh, and somehow they manage to steal the spotlight even with everything else on the plate being so good. The chips and guacamole were excellent, too. The chips have to be made in-house and they disappeared at an alarming rate. The salsa that came with them had this smoky, fire-roasted, chipotle flavor that kept me reaching for another chip... and then another... and then suddenly I realized I'd eaten way more chips than I intended. The bottled table salsas deserve their own paragraph because they completely confused me... in the best way. They bring three to the table... a green, a red, and a darker red. I kept tasting them individually thinking, "Okay, these are alright." Then I started mixing them. Game over. On their own, each one was solid. Mixed together? That was the magic. I don't know if that's what they intended or if I accidentally stumbled onto the perfect combination, but from that point on, every taco got the salsa trio treatment. The only tiny hiccup was when we first walked in. We were greeted, asked if we wanted menus, and sat ourselves. We waited for a bit thinking someone would come take our order, only to realize it's actually counter service. Once we figured that out, everything was smooth sailing. Not a big deal at all... just something first-time visitors might want to know. Follow the sign "order here" I also loved the layout. You can actually watch them making the food, which somehow makes the wait even harder because everything smells incredible. Two tacos ended up being the perfect light meal for me. Could I have eaten ten? Absolutely. Those two statements can both be true. Meanwhile, my dining partner polished off four barbacoa tacos and was talking about ordering two more. We only ended up here because another place happened to be closed, and honestly, I'm glad it worked out that way. This ended up being one of those meals we keep talked about on the drive home. Oh and the bathrooms?. I walked in and immediately thought, "Whoa... this is a cool bathroom" The lighting had this pinkish-purple glow that made me feel like I'd accidentally wandered into a trendy lounge instead of a taco shop. I honestly wasn't even sure there was regular lighting in there and I didn't look... because the vibe seemed so intentional. Finally, the music. .. upbeat, dance-worthy, the kind that had me bouncing in my seat while waiting for my food. Between the atmosphere, the lighting, and the music, the whole place had me want to hang out a little longer. Zero regrets. I'll absolutely be back... and next time I'm ordering more tacos.

Really cool vibe inside

Costra Taco - get it!!!

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Piña Colada Agua Fresca - very tasty

Mariscos Playa Hermosa

4.4(1.3k reviews)

6.6 mi

Late lunch 3pm normally a slower pace for a restaurant. Host…read moresat us quickly and server was very friendly and when I asked for recommendations she provided us with some great choices. My friend ordered a burrito and I wanted some lite, I picked the mini seafood tower, with all sauces and avocado on the side. Server brought out complementary seafood tostadas. Food quality, service, ambience, all top-notch, highly recommend!

We were invited to hangout with some friends and enjoy the Mexico World Cup match. Not knowing…read morewhere we were going till last minute we ate at home and had just decided to do drinks and dessert wherever we ended up with our friends. Insert the most fire drinks we've scene in a while and they all can be made NonAlcoholic! Needless to say we had no clue what we were getting ourselves into and we were glad cus the prices were high but the drinks were large and delicious! All of my three daughters and my wife felt so cool with their drinks and loved every sip. Our friends said their food was good and one of which got the coolest pineapple drinks we'd ever scene! Along with amazing chips and salsa we are very excited to come back and get some food as this is a stellar top notch seafood place with amazing drinks people and an all around experience

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Our Molcajete Frio is a cold seafood platter with so many of your favorites! Oyster. Crab legs. Ceviche. Shrimp. Delicious!

Alma Southwest Steakhouse

First time here at Alma's !! Honestly I'm going to give this a 4/5 only because of the ambiance and…read morebeautiful Customer service!! The food on the other hand was a 3/5 for me!! I had chicken tacos and it was just decent. The guac and salsa was good and had flavor. The others from my party agreed as well that the food could have been a lil tastier! However, the atmosphere was bomb!! Very modern and cute inside. The prices were decent as well. Did not try an alcoholic drink but they did look very delicious!! -Marshay D.

Our bartender Angel was AMAZING! I said I wanted spicy and he absolutely delivered. Between the…read moredrinks and food, he made our taste buds and tummy's happy. Plus, great customer service. Thank you Angel!

The BEST Mole Chicken in the Valley

Entrance

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Bruselas Quesadillas

Ta'Carbon Mexican Grill

4.5(641 reviews)

12.1 mi

Their condiments and salsa bar are so good, and their meat is fresh. The restaurant itself is…read morepretty bare but very roomy and clean. The counter people are very nice as well and friendly.

Saw some good reviews so wanted to try it out. The meat was okay, not the best quality in my…read moreopinion. Asada had a decent amount of fat and the lack of topping options wasn't great. Was a very simple taco. The bean burrito had the potential to be great, but the beans had a weird taste to them. Not necessarily bad, but it wasn't a flavor I loved. The tortillas really saved the day and are why it got this rating. Service was great! Really nice workers but wasn't the cleanest taco stand around. Not somewhere I would necessarily go out of my way for but not terrible

Gross beans

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4 reviews that are not currently recommended

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

Dana L.

0

2

6 months ago

The food here was great, but unfortunately the service was terrible during our visit. After our food was brought to the table, no one came back to check on us even once. We ended up getting up ourselves to refill our soda and water, even though this is not a self-serve restaurant. Meanwhile, we watched other tables being checked on and served, which made the experience even more frustrating. The salsa bar also had several empty salsas that were never refilled while we were there. When we were ready to leave, we had to walk up to the counter just to get our checks. We've been here before and had a better experience, but this visit was extremely disappointing. Based on this experience, I wouldn't recommend this place. read more

Jesica S.

0

1

0

9 months ago

I don not recommend this place I ate there today with my husband and we both got sick throwing up he called and complained asking them to check the carne asada explaining how we we both got sick and they hung up on him. I will never ever go back to this place read more

Mia W.

0

4

0

1 year ago

The chicken tacos were okay. The meat was a bit dry, but the toppings were fresh. The salsa added some flavor. Staff were friendly and quick. read more

Missy M.

15

23

0

4 months ago

I don't think it exists. My husband and I drove past the listed address and didn't see anything that looked like a restaurant.

Carbon Tapatio - mexican - Updated September 2026

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Service was good but the food wasn't it. I had better tacos from a street vendor. The place looks…read morenice.

Good service, but they really need to add some blinds in there. As the sunsets the sun beams…read morestraight in on all tables and the restaurant is super hot. They also need more inside tables.

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I was introduced to Comedor once I started working in the area a few years ago. A few of my current…read morecolleagues had previously worked together at another company and this was one of *their* go to spots for lunch as well..... decades of an open business in one location says a lot! It appears a very unassuming building just off the 17 and Central, but inside is a warm and welcoming restaurant. I don't think they take reservations - every time we've gone we have to wait for a table. Which, it doesn't usually take more than 15 - 20 minutes, but I always recommed going earlier than noon. There are plenty of benches for waiting. Once we've been sat, it does not take long for a greeting and staff to take our orders. .I think this is a lunch-heavy spot so they understand time is part of the essence. Lots of good, delish affordable lunch options (max $13/14) that include a hearty serving of beans and rice. You get your standard chips and salsa - and they have non-picante and picante options.

I have been going to this amazing Mexican restaurant for quite soms time and have seen some…read moreevolutions, however the food and service has been great ever since I started going. I like to joke with my wife that this is where the cartel bosses take their side pieces, but only half way joking as I have seen some dudes that fit the bill. As I remember my first visits an amazing husband and wife team ran the show. They have a great spicy salsa to go qith some great chips to introduce you as you both down. They have a full bar and great prices. They used to have some old school mariachi come around to tables but perhaps they retired. They also had great oysters at a cheap price but lets not keep talking about the past. My go to now is the #9 with tostada, green chole enchilada and a chicken taco. Their green chile sauce is so good that I get some on the side. It is thick with huge chucks of chile and a savory sauce. I used to get tha Machado burro with green chile added but I have grown out of burritos as i get old since its just so much meat. Rice and beans are amazing and I dont care for the haters that whine about cheese on the beans cause this is packed with Mexicans that know good food. I took my wifes abuela here because if she didnt like it Id have to get a divorce. We shared a parillada with a whole fish and she lived it. My wifes favorite is the sirte mares which while pricy, I know I will get some action later. Good Tortillas Salsa Negra Modelo in a mug Great Service Around covid and after they started closing earlier, I never asked the reasoning but just go for lunch or an Early dinner. This is my best Mexican in Phoenix. Sure there is taco trucks and food at home, blah blah blah. BUT thiss place is massive and great. From the outside it looks like your in the hood, but inside looks like a massive dining room as it name intends. Never had anything bad here. My favorite part aside from the food is the little dude on a platform in the parking lot guarding our cars. I just wonder what action he has seen over the years, but from what I have see is that the customers are as chill as the service staff and makes for a great place to have an early Friday dinner to forget about the BS you put up with through the week or into the weekend if you are blowing through the struggle.

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I stumbled across this restaurant on my way home. I decided to give it a try so I ordered some…read moreCarne Asada burrito and Carne Asada tacos. Food is made fresh and delicious. It's in my rotation now.

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This place was worth waiting for. It used to be a taco truck parked in the parking lot. Eventually…read morethey opened up the small restaurant and OMG! they have the best carne asada. So far we have tried their carne asada soft street tacos, quesadillas (cheese crisps) with and without carne asada, and bean tacos. All delish. We've been there several times and it never disappoints. Also a big plus is that they are open late every day .

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On our way from Saguaro National Park to Joshua Tree National Park, we made a quick food stop in…read morePhoenix and landed at El Norteño purely by chance. Sometimes the road picks for you. First impression: busy. Like, locals-know-something kind of busy. It's a true hole-in-the-wall, cash-only, no-frills spot with an extensive menu that makes you pause for a second and just point at what sounds good. The staff was friendly and efficient, keeping things moving without losing their warmth. We ordered a red tamale, two machaca tacos, and a chicken taco with a hard shell. The food? Solid. Not the life-changing, write-home-about-it experience some reviews might promise, but good, satisfying, and exactly what you need when you've been on the road. The standout for me was the hard taco shell, crisp, fresh, and doing more than just holding things together. This is the kind of place that feeds you well and sends you on your way. No fuss, no pretension, just a quick, tasty reset before the next stretch of highway.

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