I'm not local, just here for an event. Came last night, no comment on food, but drinks were awesome (margaritas of course). Came back since it's right here at the hotel, food pick on point!! Asada chimi... Absolutely delicious! And once again, margaritas absolutely solid. Service is awesome, atmosphere.... It's loud with not much folks, but happens. Will be back when back in town! read more

Copal Contemporary Mexican Cuisine - Carne Chimi - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Disappointing is honestly an understatement for our experience. I made a reservation by phone well in advance for a party of 25 and was instructed to follow up by email to confirm, which I did. I even called again the day of our reservation to make sure everything was set and was told we were good to go. We arrived on time for our 4:00 PM reservation only to be told that our table had been given away to "another person with the same name who also happened to have a party of 25." Considering the reservation had been confirmed multiple times, including in writing, that explanation was incredibly frustrating. I had also specifically mentioned twice that we would need a high chair. Instead, the solution offered was to split our group between high-top bar tables, where a high chair could not be accommodated. We were then offered a separate table for my baby and me. This was a family celebration, so separating the mom and baby from the rest of the group was obviously not a reasonable solution. The restaurant did attempt to make up for the situation by providing a few appetizers and desserts, which we appreciated. Our server also genuinely tried to be attentive and helpful, and I do not fault her for what appeared to be a much larger organizational issue. Unfortunately, the problems continued throughout the meal. We arrived at 4:00 PM and did not receive our food until after 6:00 PM. Mistakes happen, and I understand that large parties require additional coordination. However, when a reservation for 25 people is made well in advance, confirmed by email, and then confirmed again by phone the day of, I expect the restaurant to be prepared for that group when they arrive on time. What should have been an enjoyable family celebration instead became an unnecessarily stressful and disappointing experience. Based on our experience, I would not recommend this restaurant for large parties or special occasions read more

Copal has a vibrant atmosphere and presents itself as a modernized Mexican cuisine spot. The space itself is lively and aesthetically pleasing, and the plating of the dishes is elegant and visually appealing. Unfortunately, that's where the experience started to fall short for me. The biggest downfall, in my opinion, is the menu. There weren't many authentic-style entrées, and while the food looked beautiful, the flavor didn't live up to the presentation. It felt like the focus was more on the "art" of the dish than on taste and execution. The chimichanga ahogada was extremely greasy--so much so that every time you cut into it, grease would ooze out. That was honestly unpleasant. When we brought it up, the explanation given was that the chef doesn't have extensive "burrito rolling skills." HUH? That response didn't sit right with me. The birria tacos were good, probably the highlight of the meal, but even then the consomé could have been more bold and flavorful. It lacked that depth that really makes birria stand out. Copal has the capability to be a go-to Mexican restaurant. I'd recommend keeping the main entrées more authentic and simple instead of trying too hard to be overly elevated. If the flavor and quality aren't there, the presentation alone won't bring guests back. I personally can't say I'd return, especially since I've noticed multiple menu changes over time with little improvement. Other Mexican restaurants with elevated concepts manage to balance flavor, texture, and plating beautifully--there's something to learn from them. What also stood out was the lack of energy in the restaurant. Just a couple streets down, you'll find places with hour-long waits and full tables. Meanwhile, during the same time and day, Copal had one other family dining, two guests at the bar, and several employees sitting and chatting. It didn't feel right. Overall, decent concept and atmosphere, but the execution and consistency just aren't there yet. read more

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Food here is always awesome. They have mu favorite Buenavesa on draft! Waitress was totally fun. Service was quick and the decorations are just awesome. Always a great place to stop in for lunch or dinner! read more

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I really wanted to love this place! The location is super convenient on the east side, the space has been redone in a super cute way, and the staff was extremely friendly. Visually, the plates are stunning. But the actual food left me really underwhelmed. Even starting with chips and salsa, they brought two teeny condiment cups with the chips, one with a bland tomato sauce and the other was creamy, sort of like ranch dressing. Neither was tasty enough to eat. I had the elote ribs to start. They were well cooked but the sauce and seasoning wasn't very flavorful. I then moved on to quesabirria tacos. They didn't have enough cheese on the outside (though a ton inside) so they were limp and falling apart rather than being crispy like I'd expect. The meat was tender but under seasoned. Same with the rice- it was well cooked but like they'd forgotten to season it. While I was there, I got the pollo al fuego to go. The portion was really small and it was packed so it couldn't be reheated- it was on tinfoil and guacamole was placed right into the chicken and sauce. The flavors were similarly bland. I've known a few people who have raved about Copal so perhaps it was an off day. I'll give it another shot but this first impression wasn't memorable. read more

Copal Contemporary Mexican Cuisine - Quesasbirria Entree - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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One of the few times I felt like I was let down by my fellow Yelpers.. hopefully mine was a one-off experience. There were only five other people in the restaurant where I arrived, but I chalked it up to the fact that I was there early just before 5 PM. Seated promptly, warm chips and two incredible salsa were delivered to my table. That white salsa whatever that is that's pure Gould! I could eat a gallon of that! In the recommendation of my server, I ordered the Pastel Azteca- described as Layers of homemade tortillas, tomatillos, rajas, cheese, and chicken then baked. The flavors were good, but I don't know when it was "baked" ... the dish was served at room temperature.. Even the side of beans... too thin - almost soup like, and not even warm. It looked good, but a big disappointment. Asked for my check, and after several minutes finally walked to the front. My server, the bartender and another server were having a great visit at the bar. Won't be back. read more

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Had such a great experience here. Everything was very tasty. Vegan options. Beautiful decor. Cool vibe. Nice knowledgeable staff.

No gracias. Tasteless and nasty presentation. The food was truly forgettable. This was a delivery. read more

Copal Contemporary Mexican Cuisine - Grilled Romaine Salad - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Beautiful atmosphere with lots of color and eye-catching décor. We started with the queso fundido with chorizo--so good--and ordered the Pizza Norteña, half carne asada and half mushrooms. Both sides were really delicious. Chips and salsa were solid; the chips tasted a little stale but still okay. The elote ice cream was interesting--tasted like vanilla ice cream shaped like corn on the cob to me, but my wife swears she could actually taste the corn. read more

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It was the most disappointing dinner I had in a long time. First is menu has changed. No more bone marrow. Ambiance is perfect we went for birthday dinner. The service started off strong but no one really checked on us. Took us forever to order. They have a full kitchen yet food took forever (not many customers around us). The food was wrong but of course no one checked on us so it was what it was. Our drinks were empty half the time and was hard to get ahold of server to get refills. The food was just same quality as others. Nothing special about sauces. The soup honestly felt like chicken broth and their pico just slapped together. I've heard such high reviews of this place. I was personally disappointed of food quality and service. read more

For being busy with a wedding group the staff did an amazing job! Came here for lunch with co workers as we ended up in Tucson. I got the flautas banadas with no onions or crema and a side of French fries. I believe it was Paris that helped us and she was super sweet and attentive. She did apologize for the wait but it was not bad at all. I came with 4 other co workers and w3 had a great time chatting and eating our appetizers. I enjoyed my good as did everyone else. I would recommend checking it out! Its very pink and pretty and vibrant! read more

Copal Contemporary Mexican Cuisine - Flautas banadas - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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I stopped in on a whim around 2 pm on a Tuesday and the restaurant was mostly deserted except for a few patrons. Paris was my server and she provided excellent recommendations. Both tacos were very flavorful and were generously served. Regular street taco eaters may not be blown away but they were pretty tasty given they're from a sit down restaurant. The real highlight were the shrimp served over a bed of greens. They were grilled over an open flame and drizzled with a sauce or dressing that made them to die for. Do yourself a favor and order them. read more

Copal Contemporary Mexican Cuisine - Camarones "Chpate Los Dedos" - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Great service from Paris. Food was magnificent. It started out right with the cilantro like dipping sauce. That's addicting! Delicious chips and salsa. Had the fundido with pork belly and tortilla soup and washed it down with the tamarindo tequila drink. Aaaahmazing! Vibrant ambiance to go with the vibrant flavors. Must try! read more

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Came here for the husbands birthday on a Friday with family. Atmosphere is fun and colorful inside and out of the resturant. Nice patio too. We were seated inside. Tried the corn ribs which were tasty. Chips and salsa were good too. Our server was attentive and answered our questions we had about the menu. Great customer service skills. Everyone at the table enjoyed their entrees and said they wanted to come back. The style is Contemporary Mexican cuisine. We will be back read more

Copal Contemporary Mexican Cuisine - Enchiladas de Geronimo - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Very good food, and the staff was so friendly. We got there at 3 just in time for Happy Hour, $2 off appetizers and drinks. We had the ribeye aguachili and it was amazing the flavors were so good. Then we had the ceviche tostada trio, wow ceviche on fried shrimp so awesome, never eating tostadas any other way. LOL We had a few margaritas and a Paloma that were nice and strong. Such a great spot, definitely show them your love. read more

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After two trips to Copal I can tell you this much- the service leaves much to be desired but what's lacking in service is made up for in flavor. Both times we have gone was for an early lunch and it was what one would say "slow" - only 2 or 3 other tables. We had to ask about our drinks multiple times. But once they came they were delicious. The margarita flight is a great value and let's you try 4 flavors. The tostadas bandañas were the perfect portion size for lunch and the esquites as delicious!!! The queso fundido hits the spot - even without a protein. The elote ribs are also a great starter. Sadly they haven't had the barrio bread either time but I look forward to it. For dessert the elote ice cream is sometime unique in both taste and presentation. The gooey cake is gooey and incredible. The vibe inside is fun and full of neon and murals! There is an outdoor pet friendly grassy spot and seating with oversized games which is fun! Good spot for food but definitely be ready to check on your plates and drinks. read more

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Tasty spot for dinner if you're looking for a different/modern take on Mexican food on the east side of town. We've been twice and have enjoyed our meals both times. Instead of chips, meals start with chicharrones which are a nice twist and not too heavy. Thoughts on what we've tried: - Elote ribs: Good, but as other reviews have mentioned, a bit difficult to eat (can get messy). - Queso fundido: We added pork belly, good for sharing, on the heavier side for appetizers but the melty cheesy goodness with the saltiness of the pork belly went so well together. - Ribeye Aguachile: Even though it's an appetizer, I got it as my entree at the staff's recommendation - it was worth it! My favorite dish we've had at Copal so far. The ribeye was cooked perfectly, and the tatemado salsa had a wonderful smoky flavor. - Ribeye Pa-mi: The rib-eye was also cooked perfectly, but prefer the aguachile preparation (above). - Pollo al Fuego: The chicken was tender; the adobo sauce is flavorful and the chicharrones and mushroom topping added a nice texture to the dish. Overall, satisfying meals though a bit on the pricey side, but would definitely go back. read more

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At first sight the restaurant is current trend, a lot of instagram photo opportunities. I will admit unfortunately it had a not so pleasant smell in the restaurant. The food thankfully was delicious! The bartender girl kept checking on us making sure we were topped off. read more

Copal Contemporary Mexican Cuisine - Ceviche Duo and guacamole - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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The restaurant was understaffed, but the food was tasty and budget-friendly. We'll be back. :)

I had the most amazing experience at Copal contemporary Mexican restaurant. Talk about aesthetically pleasing! This spot is absolutely darling and a designer's dream! Every inch is Instagramable! We really enjoyed our food. The pastel Azteca has the best flavor, very authentic. Our server Alexis was very friendly and helped guide us through the menu. Alex helped us with craft cocktails and was very personable. We also got to meet mom, Beatrice who is an angel and helped design the restaurant. Lots of inside and outside seating. read more

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Good drinks. Interesting vibe. Food was a bit bland for us, but we are used too spicy and big flavors. I would definitely go back for the margarita flight. read more

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First the ambiance is cool, a great vibe. The service was attentive and friendly. Everything was fast but it was mostly empty. The only problem was that they delivered the app with the meal. They start you off with pork rinds and two amazing sauces, I'd have that lime habenero sauce everyday. They brought their fantastic seasoned chips because my wife isn't down for pork rinds. We got the taco trio app with crispy pork belly, mushrooms, and burria. They were all great! Then we had their smashburger it was good but could've used a little more seasoning so I put that lime sauce on it and made it killer. We also had a Margherita and their Cuba Libre, both great, so much so I had 2. And to wrap things up we had their tasty gooey butter cake. We were stuffed and very satisfied at the end. We will be back for sure. read more

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One of the best meals in Tucson! Eastsiders come check out this place! The decor is bright and fun and very unique. The uniqueness doesn't end there as their menu follows the same vibe. There are so many unique dishes to choose from. I tried the Pastel Azteca - which consists of grilled tortillas layered with chicken, peppers, cheese, and amazingness! I've never tasted a flavor profile like this. It is baked and I thought it might have the texture of lasagna, but it doesn't - it's somehow crispy and soft at the same time - it's magical! Trust me, just order it! The service was amazing - I was with a friend and we were so busy chatting and they didn't mind us taking extra time to order - they answered all of our menu questions and helped us with our selections with enthusiasm. This place will be on my east side rotation on the regular! read more

Copal Contemporary Mexican Cuisine - Pastel Azteca - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Came here on a Friday evening. Our bartender Josue was absolutely amazing! Give Josue a raise! He was so pleasant, so helpful with the menu, answered all of my questions about the restaurant, and even gave some great recommendations. I ordered the quesabirria tacos (came with the traditional broth dip, and a delicious cheesy dip). I had The Elote ribs (yum!) . And Josue made me two cocktails that were absolutely delicious. I definitely plan to come back and try some other things on the menu. read more

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Went here Friday night around 8pmwith my husband and was really pleased by the unique menu and moody vibrant colors. I was shocked it was so empty on a Friday evening. I was sad to see Pita jungle leave this location a while back and didn't care much for the restaurant that came after, but this one, I feel could be a good thing for east Tucson. The service we received was very caring and attentive. I ordered a lavender fizz I think it was called and I loved that our server didn't wait for me to tell her if I liked the drink or not, she asked and insisted on honesty. When I told her it wasn't my cup of tea, she did her best to rectify it. I also order the caldo de queso soup with chicken and loved it. It was both me and my husband's favorite thing we tried. In addition to that, he got the pastel azteca and I got the ribeye pa-mi. He didn't love the flavors of his order though I thought it was good. I also took a chance with the ribeye dish, not being a steak person. I thought it would be more flavorful and though the sauce in it was yummy, it was.. a lot. And not enough to always mask the flavor I wanted more of from the beef. The fries were good though. A cool thing about this restaurant is that they give you chicharrones w/ 2 awesome sauces upon being seated. I thought this was so different and both dips were so good. Only thing is that they were SOO incredibly crunchy, one would even argue too crunchy. Never had them that hard. If they took it down a notch, it'd be perfect.. at least to me lol! I could t leave without trying the elite ice cream which is exactly as described, but also pretty frozen and hard. Still edible though! The chocolate and strawberries were a nice touch and there was actually bits of corn which was interesting lol. Really cool to try. All in all I enjoyed the restaurant and would love to try more of their entrees. Yes it's a little on the pricier side, but portions were pretty big and for the service and value, I'd say it's worth it! read more

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My partner and I went to Copal one evening when neither of us felt like cooking. We were greeted and seated promptly next to the bar area. Copal has a fun vibe, and they had live music the night we were there. We could converse over it, which is something I appreciate. We were excited to see quite a few vegan and gluten free options in the menu. We started with elote ribs, which were amazing! Loved the tajin, cilantro and queso fresco topping. We then ordered the queso fundido. It was a bit salty, and we could have used a few more tortillas, but it was both tasty and filling. Finally, we got the cauliflor trufada that was prepared in a way that tasted too much like meat to me, but my partner liked it. We definitely will be back for the elote ribs and to try some of the other menu options. read more

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Visited Copal for happy hour this week and had a lovely experience. I very much enjoyed the watermelon and cucumber jalapeño margaritas, and the Pizza Norteña was perfect to share. We ordered half birria, half care asada, and both were delicious. The space is light and airy, with fun decor and a friendly staff. I'll definitely be back. read more

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Sat at the bar for light food and drinks. Great selection of tequilas, bacanoras, sotols and mezcals. Margaritas were hand mixed with fresh lime and good tequila. Ordered the elote ribs and tortilla soup with chicken. Both were really flavorful. Soup had plenty of chicken. Finished off with the elote ice cream. Delicious and beautiful presentation. It was a slow night due to U of A graduation. Staff were very attentive and friendly. Overall great experience. read more

If the prices were more reasonable this would be a solid 4 stars or more. This for me just inches into 4 stars, barely. This was a nice stop. A little expensive. The cocktails were amazing. Enjoyed a happy hour. Ordered shrimp (Camarones Al Ajillo). I felt the shrimp a little small for the price. Enjoyed the Queso Fundido with pork belly. Very nice. Pork belly was delicious and the queso was nicely cooked. Had a chicken dish marinated in our house adobo, served with tortillas, pickled onion, and guacamole and micro green. It was nice. Beautifully plated. Rice was ok. All very enjoyable. Not spectacular but enjoyable. I did not like the prices. $26 for very little chicken. So I will have to reflect on returning because of the prices. read more

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We stopped here on a whim and were not disappointed! The service was friendly and the food was incredible. We loved the decor, too. The chips and salsa were yummy! They had a chips had a nice kick to them thanks to a house made spice sprinkled on them, which worked nicely with the créma they were served with. We also enjoyed the queso fundido, birria tacos, and flautas. Everything was 10/10 would absolutely eat here again. read more

Copal Contemporary Mexican Cuisine - Cool decor - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Nice vibe and good service but food was disappointing. Had the Pollo Al Fuego (chicken thighs) and the sauce was way too salty and the rice and beans were very bland. I really wanted to like this place but can only give it two stars. read more

Paris our waitress/Bartender was amazing. My client was so happy she ordered another margarita. Excellent taco Tuesday deals and drink specials. Only criticism they need to get an extensive voice of hot sauce if they want to call themselves a Mexican restaurant. read more

I decided to try this place out on Saturday afternoon. Pleasant open atmosphere with a nice large full bar area. Seats at the bar were pretty tight. service was prompt at the bar. I started with a Jack and Coke with Chips and salsa. Chips were tasty so I tried their signature Rajas dip appetizer with heavy cream, layer of cheese, and poblano slices mixed in. it was kinda bland so mixed in the salsa. The appetizer took lil bit to get from kitchen, apparently restaurant was short staffed for number custOmer's this day. I was reassured Dinner staffing is better. Definitely worth a stop in and try the food. read more

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Amazing food. So much better than typical Tucson Southwestern restaurant fare. Service is prompt and always friendly. Food is freshly made and delicious. read more

The vibes, super fun. I love the neon signs and colors. The margarita flights are also super good as well as all of the appetizers. There is a soup that other I was with wasn't a fan of, extremely salty was the complaint. Also the service was rather slow but maybe it's because the place is new! read more

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Wow! This is the best enchilada I've ever had. The sauce is so flavorful and has so many notes. The salsa with the chips is unique with the spicy lime. Quick service and checked on frequently. Very fun color and vibes. Can't wait to come back read more

Copal Contemporary Mexican Cuisine - Salmón - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Excellent cuisine as advertised with amazing take on real Sonoran recipes. I had my favorite, cheese enchiladas, chili Verde and Margarita. Yum. Service and ambiance were above par. Pleased with entire experience. read more

Food was excellent presentation was beautiful Service was okay place was super slow and we waited a very long time to get order taken and served although the waitress was super sweet Ambiance was nice very very clean and super organized The bar was well stocked read more

Copal Contemporary Mexican Cuisine - Ceviche - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Great food! Pastel Azteca was amazing, good Birria, a decent whole cauliflower dish. Good portions for the price too. Service was good right until the food dropped, then we never saw a server again. Had to hunt them down for to-go boxes and to pay, so that part was disappointing. Still, I'd definitely go back for that Azteca. read more

Great service, food is not very seasoned and a bit too expensive. Don't get the tacos if you do go.