I travel to Nogales every so often, and when I finally arrive to visit friends, they know that the very first question out of my mouth is, "Is Cocina La Ley open today?" It's true. I've been going there for about 10 years, and without fail, their seafood is always consistently delicious. Although most of the locals are probably very aware of this small yet mighty restaurant, it's tucked away in an unassuming location - it doesn't look like much from the outside, but as they say, "Don't judge a book by its cover." I always order the large ceviche, which comes with tostadas, and I also get a side of warm tortillas. When I get that large bowl in front of me, I just can't wait to dig in. But first, I absolutely must put a couple of drizzles of their out-of-this-world made-in-house tamarind hot sauce on top of each bite. I can't begin to describe how amazing this sauce is - just a little sweet, but hot enough to burn your face off. What makes it amazing is it's flavor is so unique and complex. One time I visited, and I saw that there wasn't any hot sauce on the table. I asked the server and he said that they were in the middle of making a new batch. After telling him that I came all the way from Florida for their sauce (and ceviche, of course), the owner came by and sold me a couple of jars of the deliciousness. We had a great conversation about their food, their hot sauce, and how much love they put into their 30 year plus establishment. Back to the food - the shrimp in the ceviche is perfectly bite-sized and always tender, in perfect proportion to all of the other ingredients. The liquid is delicious enough to slurp up at the end of the bowl. I also started ordering the fried shrimp tacos the last few times I went to La Ley. A small plate comes with a simple warm tortilla and perfectly breaded fried 2-3 pieces of shrimp. Their sauces and toppings bar has everything you need to complete the taco - pickled onions, cilantro, tomatoes, onion, etc. With some of their creamy sauce and more of the tamarind hot sauce, each bite is a moment in heaven. Like the ceviche, the shrimp is tender, the breading is fluffy, not oily, and when you put together spicy, creamy, salty, sweet, and sour, you've got one of the most satisfying dishes I can think of. Clearly, I love this place. As I sit here writing this over a thousand miles away (having just visited), I wish I was back in Nogales to visit La Ley. read more

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This place is simple, cool, clean, and very comfortable. The food is absolutely amazing. Yes, when I first hear about this place I was like: yeah, maybe another "wannabe" good Mexican place. BUT oh god, this place is delicious!!!!!! The service is good, you have to order first at the cashier, and then seat. They also have this salsa bar where you can find the cilantro, diced onion, matcha salsas and other toppings. read more

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A must visit for anyone in Nogales looking for excellent food. Simply divine! I had fish tacos, husband had steak tacos and both of us wished we could have eaten more. Ordering is a bit hectic, the place is busy and you have to order and then sit. My advice would be to look at the menus beforehand and go prepared. The food came instantly and at first I was disappointed because there are no toppings. However, the magic thing is the salsa bar with everything you might want. It was heavenly. There's also a shaded area you can eat outside with your pet so you have no excuse not to go. read more

Cocina La Ley - Pet area! - Mexican Near Me - Nogales, Arizona

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Great food, service and reasonable price for amazing food. The margaritas were standard. I think the wait staff made the best impression.

Greetings Nogales Az.!!!!!!!! I found a hidden gem next to the boarder. The fish and shrimp tacos are superb. Simple stuffed in corn tortilla you add your own toppings. Perfect place to eat!!! read more

If you are looking for an authentic taco spot, this is it! We took a mini day trip to try these tacos and it was definitely worth it! The restaurant is off the road a little, but you will find it easily. There is a little outdoor area and inside, just so you know they do not serve the outside, so you can order your food wait and bring the plate outside if you want to eat there. We got the birria tacos and broth, cameron (shrimp), and dorado tacos. *Tip* Drip the dorado taco into whatever broth you get!!!! Everything was very good and came out very quickly. Do not worry if there is a long line, they will get you food out quick. Nothing was bad, would definitely go back and try all the other tacos and ceviche! read more

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Excellent food here! The staff is cool and you pay after you eat in case you want to order more food. I had the Cabeza and breaded shrimp tacos and both were amazing. Definitely worth a try especially since they have reasonable prices. read more

Shrimp tacos and fish tacos are delicious. Good portion. We never had any issue with the services offered.

The ordering process seems redundant order at the first register pay at the second register. prepackage toppings are a waste as some of those aren't used and the ones you need and want aren't in the prepackaged item. This goes with the chipotle mayo sauce for birria tacos, really? read more

Our Tubac Airbnb host and lots of Yelpers rate this #1 in Nogales AZ and though our first visit to the area and maybe the Only one haha (not much tourista happenings here ) we have no other dining to compare it to, but I can't say we disagree, lunch was very satisfying and such a deal for seafood! Shrimp Tacos $2.90 = 2 large shrimp on a single corn tortilla. Would not usually order any fried food in my taco but this Batter is light, airy and such a fluffy crisp while maintaining the juiciness of the shrimp, am I ever glad I listened to y@ll! Even better dressed up with a tango to the Salsa Bar, cabbage, onion, pico de gallo, picked onions, cilantro, and a hit of fresh lime, this dance you don't want to miss! Incredible value, couldn't touch a single shrimp taco due North at the price of 2 here. Dreaming about that magical crisp bite rn as I revisit with this review, Mmm. Cabeza Taco $2.90 meat from head of cow, another First for moi. Very tender stewed meat with more pronounced beef flavor than your regular shredded beef taco. Hubby ordered it, happy to try, and happy to return to him ;D Great to many, well made, just not for me. Ceviche Small $9.35 kinda $$ for this joint but very tasty fresh. Ordered with all the trimmings but as owner?elder server with glasses said, we can add more of the same at the salsa bar as it has all the same ingredients. So hindsight maybe you get more shrimp? with the minimal add-ins, so order the most plain version. Marisco Seafood Soup small $2.90 wow really? can't get Campbell's tomato served you for that price lol. Fills a small styro cup, clean thin tomato cilantro onion broth not fishy with a few small bites of fish and shrimp. Got small just in case it was fishy but It's quite moreish. Mexican coke reg size $2.50. Watching my glucose I took in a lemon seltzer with me and they didn't seem to mind. Soft drinks only here + house Barley& Rice Milks/ Horchata and Jamaica. We also took our bamboo cutlery as noted plastic and styro in the pics. As close as you'll get to the sea in the Sonoran Desert @CocinaLL and swimming in deliciousness :D!! read more

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I ate here last time I came. Nice spot. The ambiance could be improved, but I don't have any major complaints. Mostly the food is good. I recommend that shrimpt tacos. It can be just a bit pricey, so I'm knocking off one star because they did charge me extra for salsa (I wanted it spicy). read more

Very interesting and delicious experience. It's a hole in the wall. Maybe hole against a wall would be more accurate. But it's a destination place. It's at the end of this obscure street that has two or three auto repair shops, a dumpy street. Couldn't tell if the parking lot was for the restaurant or for the adjoining auto body shop. Driving in, a team of cyclists were pedaling out, arriving, there was another team standing and waiting for their orders. So it is well-known, obviously. I had the shrimp paste street taco, fish taco, and birria taco. Didn't care much for the shrimp paste taco. The fish taco was good. The birria was nice and juicy and flavorful. Still can't beat Taco Fish here in Tucson, though. The dining area is interesting, kind of dark and dank. Service was very friendly and accommodating. 5* = A top favorite. Mind-blowing good. I will definitely return and I will go out of my way to go here. Worth every dime of my money. 4* = Outstanding. Tucson-top-tier. Some elements not quite as good as it gets, but it still is worthy of my regular business. 3* = Good experience. I might do repeat business if it is convenient, the only option, the only one in its category, or on a whim, but would not be among the first thing to come to mind. Would definitely recommend you trying it to get your own take on it. 2* = Not so good. Would not recommend at all. Waste of money. 1* = How are they still in business? Stay away at all costs! read more

Cocina La Ley - Mexican Near Me - Nogales, Arizona

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Everything! Great food and service! We had tacos and fish and shrimp soup. Tacos de pescado, cabeza, and cheek. They had lots of good toppings. Tamarind soda was good too. read more

Best shrimp tacos! Really good cabeza tacos! Lots of salsas too! And it's so affordable.

Well I found my new go-to in Nogales. Will post pictures on the next stop! I has a couple birra tacos and a fish taco .

The seafood here is so so good, delicious ceviche, the breaded fish and shrimp tacos were also outstanding. Very authentic Seafood Mexican place, it reminded me of Ensenada. read more

Wow never thought I'd find this gem smack dab in the middle of Auto Service Alley. Service was spectacular, we had a large group of hungry bikers , 20 in fact, the wait staff was on their a game tacos delivered in record time and with little to no errors. Shrimp tacos spicy hard shell, delicious, fish tacos delicious and well prepared, the beef tacos were tasty and well proportioned. Ceviche was to die for, horchata wow drink that all day. The toppings bar was well stocked and had a wide variety of sauces, onions, lettuce, pico, limes and I'm sure I forgot something. A treasure of a restaurant if your in this area make a trip here, you will not be disappointed. Get it!!!! read more

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Oh man... in one word... phenomenal! The shrimp tacos and lengua tacos were excellent. I will definitely come back here if I can before I leave town. We brought a group here and everyone went back for seconds. Don't miss this place if you are close. read more

So we took a day trip to Nogales and decided on this family owned Mexican restaurant for lunch. It was on a Sunday afternoon...lots of people but the line moved fast and the food arrived almost as soon as we sat down. We tried the shrimp ceviche..beef tacos..and the fish tacos. TREMENDOUS..ALL OF THE FOOD WAS PERFECT. The staff was super friendly and everyone in the place was eating and chatting and enjoying lunch. I tried something that I'd never heard of .Salsa Negra...a black colored condiment that was on the table. I asked one of the employees what it was and said.. VERY Spicy..BE CAREFUL...oh myyy it was so very delicious and it was spicy but had a great flavor. I highly recommend this great little locally owned place. read more

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Local favorite. Soup is really good paired with warm tortillas. Tacos are also good. You can't go wrong eating at this place

I've been going to La Ley for years and always loved their food - UNTIL yesterday. Prices have increased AGAIN - $30 for a quart of shrimp soup to go AND the shrimp were mealy - NOT fresh, and they wanted to charge extra for chipotle sauce - I won't be going back, and I'll no longer tell friends to check out this restaurant that's clearly in decline read more

Drove down from Green Valley to check out Nogales and found this place through yelp. Based upon the parking lot (full to capacity) I knew this was the place! Packed tables inside and a short line but it was moving fast. The tacos were excellent! I got five...3 shrimp, 1 fish, and 1 shredded beef. This will be my new taco spot in Nogales. My wife and I got out of there for $25 bucks for 8 tacos and 2 drinks. read more

Cocina La Ley - Mexican Near Me - Nogales, Arizona

This place was suggested by border police that searched my vehicle and fortunately they were kind enough to suggest this restaurant. The food was very good and the service was as well. They made the food very quickly and the vibe overall was calm. read more

This place is legit I was unsure at first but a local said trust me. Worries escalated as I drove past the mortuary... Stomach and a local kept me going The beef cheek taco with the hand made hot sauce and some cabbage... wow Fish taco ... pico cabbage some key lime juice fish dressing super yummy Shrimp taco...... I would drive from Phoenix to get this.... no words.... Keep up the good work guys. read more

Cocina La Ley - Tacos.... - Mexican Near Me - Nogales, Arizona

Simple menu, simple space, incredible tacos! We came here on the recommendation of a friend who grew up in Nogales. Location is a bit odd, so if you find yourself amongst some auto shops on a small side road, you're on the right track! The taco section of the menu consists of birria (shredded beef), lengua (tongue), Cabeza (head), Camaron empanizado (breaded shrimp), Pescado empaniado (breaded fish) and Dorado de camaron (shrimp and potato in crispy shell). I had the birria, fish, and shrimp. All 3 were delicious, shrimp and birria my favorite. My other half tried one of each taco, his favorite was the head, followed closely by the tongue and shrimp. All the tacos are served with just the meat, and they have a fully stocked self-serve bar with cabbage, pico, cilantro, limes etcetera to dress your own tacos. Sauces and salsas are found on each table. The menu also includes flan, soups, tostadas, and ceviche. We shared a tasty piece of flan, but didn't make it any further past the tacos. Next time! Our food came out within a few minutes of ordering. The staff seemed genuinely friendly, happy to be there and on top of cleanliness of the store. We ordered a birria taco to go and it came packaged in a deconstructed way so as not to get soggy in transport, maybe this is a normal thing, but I've never seen to-go tacos packaged this way, I was impressed. If you're visiting in the summer time, they have great air conditioning. They leave your tab open until you leave, GENIUS business model for this establishment, definitely contributed to my other half ordering one of each taco- ha. Officially added to my list of favorite taco spots. : ) read more

The food comes out quickly. The menu doesn't contain any prices. The birria was my daughter and I's favorite. We enjoyed dining here. Very casual and service was friendly. read more

Cocina La Ley - Menu - Mexican Near Me - Nogales, Arizona

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Called in the order and picked it up with ease. They came out to the car with the food and took the payment. They packaged the tacos and toppings well. Everything was still good and fresh when we got home. We had shredded beef, lengua, and fish. All delicious! Can't wait to go back! read more

Cocina La Ley - Mexican Near Me - Nogales, Arizona

Service was excellent and food was definitely authentic and so delicious! We ordered beef cheeks, shredded beef, shrimp, and fish tacos to go. It was packaged individually and it was build your own tacos at home. Which was a great concept because we had an hour drive back from where we were staying and the tortillas did not get soggy. Instead they were kept warm. The beef cheeks were my favorite! Side note: the bathroom was super clean and reminded me of a chic hotel bathroom. read more

Heard sooooo many good things about this place. I ordered the seafood soup & 2 tacos. And a flan cake like dessert!! One cheek & one beef taco. I like they have a condiment bar with fixings. Very very good. Seafood soup loaded w seafood. Tacos so much I split them & made another w the soft tortillas that accompanied. Damn good food for sure!!! read more

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Really good food and service. I visit them when I have the time and visiting Nogales. Recommendation, salsa bar is always really fresh, but when is really busy, sometimes can get messy. It is a constructive feedback for the owners. Keep the person in charge on top of the salsa bar. Food amazing as always and salsas really fresh as always too. read more

Crazy good tacos, ceviches, and agua frescas. Super nice people. We had in order of my favorites: shrimp dorados, Baja shrimp tacos, cabesa, fish tacos. So good read more

Amazing check Tacos and Ceviche is out of this world owner was totally awesome will be going back Thanks to the owner Amazing lady read more

I had to come to Nogales for an interview and needed some lunch, and Cocina La Ley was a recommended spot. A simple menu with authentic Mexican food, there are just a few things to choose from but there are still great options. Great, cheap prices! I got two tacos and a drink for $8. The fried shrimp was delicious and the portion was huge for a taco, and then the birrio taco had a slight bbq flavor with lots of sauce/drippings (no pics because I was too busy scarfing down my food, oops). There's a sauce bar up by the counter with plenty of fresh salsa, onions, and cilantro, plus bottles of different sauces. The staff was friendly and I enjoyed a nice meal while in town. read more

Cocina La Ley is a little hole in the wall next to an auto shop. Sounds sketchy but the food and menu here is simple but delicious. Especially the seafood soup (fish and shrimp)! I know what you're thinking. Seafood at a little Mexican spot in Nogales?!! *raises eyebrow* The white fish and shrimp in the slightly spicy but flavorful and overflowing broth is one of the most unique soups I've ever had. I've also had the shredded beef tacos here. They're served with just the meat on corn tortilla and there's a self-serve bar where you can add on the fixins'. Not the place you go for ambiance and I wished they didn't use styrofoam. Come for the good food and friendly staff! read more

Cocina La Ley - Fish and shrimp soup - Mexican Near Me - Nogales, Arizona

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What an INCREDIBLE place to eat and laugh!!! Lorena was the BOMB and we asked her to simply bring us food and she ROCKED IT!!! We will travel back to Nogales just to eat here!!! read more

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Hidden gem!! Order when you walk in and have your food before you sit down at the table! Delicious!!! And good pricing! Clean/simple! Highly recommended ! Fish soup is so comforting! read more

Cocina La Ley - Civice and Lengua tacos mmmmmm - Mexican Near Me - Nogales, Arizona

The owner is kind and present, making sure his customers leave content. The fluffy light breaded fried shrimp and fish tacos are a must! The birria tacos were to die for. The food is so good that I plan on literally ordering one of everything the next time we visit. read more

So I visit my dude on the regular and am always hoping and praying for a place to eat I haven't been to yet. Last time I was there he suggested Cocina La Ley. Fish tacos, Barbacoa, and ceviche. All great. And they packed everything to go like they do in nyc. Hot stuff in one bag and cold in the other. All the fixings on the side. Food was great. You probably need a local to help you find it. I don't know if Siri could even find it. But go ahead and try cuz it's worth it. read more

Really good tacos; fish, birria, cabeza. A great local family owned restaurant in Nagales, Az. Location is a little hidden though but trust your GPS. read more

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Easily the best fish tacos I have had in the United States. If you think you've had the best fish tacos somewhere else, then you obviously have not been to Cocina La Ley. The way you order and pay is kind of odd -- you tell the cashier what you want and he tells the chef. You sit down and the food comes out in seconds. If you want more tacos you go back to the counter and order more. When you're ready to cash out you let the cashier know, and he magically remembers your order even though he didn't write it down. I tried four different tacos, but after eating those fish tacos I can't even remember what the other tacos taste like. These fish tacos are so ridiculously fresh and the way they fry them is magical. I want to say it's almost fluffy and it's not greasy at all. They give you a couple of large pieces of fish too, so a couple of tacos filled me up. Please go. For the love of Yelp, you gotta. read more