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    El Norteño

    4.2 (430 reviews)
    ModerateMexican
    Closed 7:30 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    El Norteño Photos

    Business Info

    EL NORTEÑO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - El Norteño

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    Right side of menu August 28th 2026
    Ben A.

    I was looking for a quick bite to eat after running an errand to one of the state buildings downtown. This place came up as highly rated and it was one of the closer Mexican food spots so I hit it up. I got there at like 12:30 on a Friday. There was plenty of parking in the parking lot. It's on a very busy intersection right by the 10 freeway entrance. Based off photos I saw on Yelp I ordered the #19 Steak Picado w/ Rice and beans and one flour tortilla. The rice and beans were decent. It comes with one flour tortilla that's large to break apart so don't plan on making tacos. The steak however was pretty fatty and even with squeezing, both lemon slices and both salsas they gave me on it was lacking flavor quite a bit. If I'm ever in the area again I would give it another try and just order something else maybe without steak since it was fatty and like flavor. Also just a heads up when you get there you walk in the front door and there's standing room for about two people where they have the menu then the ordering counter right there. So if you don't look at the menu ahead of time and you have a line behind you, it's kind of a high pressure situation to pick something fast. After you order which is cash only, you have to stand outside in the blazing heat and wait for them to call your number over the intercom and pick it up from the pickup window. They do have outdoor seating area that's shaded but still crazy hot.

    Two flautas, smothered in cheese, guac, and more.
    Ken R.

    I have passed this place by hundreds of times driving downtown over the years, but never stopped. This was my mistake! I stopped in recently on a Saturday night for a night-time craving for some great Mexican fare. This totally hit the spot. It's primarily a carryout only spot, with a few outside tables. In Phoenix, not something you want in the hot months. And, it's cash only. But, wow is the food good. And, the portions are gigantic. I ordered two flautas. You order your food and then leave the small indoor counter so the next customer can enter. It only took a few minutes to get my food. And, I was honestly confused by the sheer weight of my order, until I opened the bag. My two flautas were buried under a mound of guac, cheese and lettuce. My only regret was I didn't grab utensils to eat this! It was messy, but heavenly at the same time.

    Figure out why
    Richard C.

    We got there right at closing and we had a chicken burrito with some extra red sauce that was the best chicken burrito that we've ever had

    Pick up here
    Whitney L.

    CASH ONLY. If you dont have cash, there is a semi sketchy ATM that charges $2.75 for a withdrawal. I ordered a chicken and cheese flauta and got this... Pretty ridiculous. Was hoping this would be one of those hole in the wall places I'd wanna come back to... It is not.

    Bean tostada and two beef tacos
    Destiney S.

    I love this place and tend to get hooked on a particular meal and only order that for a time. My favorite current meal is a bean tostada and two beef tacos. I know you're prolly looking at my plate and are thinking, you order lettuce and cheese? There's some beans and meat in there! Lol, I LOVE the amount of lettuce and cheese they use though. If some falls off, I just pile it back up!! My current meal is my fav because it fills me up and doesn't make me feel heavy after. Plus with all the lettuce, it's practically a salad!! With the holidays I've been going about once a week, always quick and friendly service!

    Chile Relleno Burrito
    David P.

    This is a great Mexican to go restaurant on the NW corner of Roosevelt and 7th Ave. They only take cash, so be prepared for that. I walked inside to look at the menu and order. I was greeted quickly. I decided to try the Chile Relleno burrito because I saw another Yelp review that recommended it. Paid and went outside to wait. A couple of minutes later my number was called, I took my burrito and left. Their Chile Relleno burrito is basically a bean and cheese burrito with a chile relleno inside. It is very good as the chile relleno adds a mild amount of heat and texture. I recommend it. This was a great experience and I will be back.

    Cheese enchiladas
    Tracy Y.

    Not exactly cheap for a hole-in-the-wall takeout spot, but the portions are big so it kinda balances out. It's right on a busy intersection, so if you sit outside, just know it can get pretty noisy with traffic. The menu is simple and has pictures, which makes ordering super easy. We got machaca with our order and it was really tasty--definitely the highlight. Would come back if I'm in the area and craving something hearty.

    Beef Tacos
    Meg M.

    This is the best Mexican food I have had and I have had all the locally rated "best of". The flavor and spice is perfection. They are kind and patient. It is cash only and the location has been there for quite some time. The environment is lively and you can tell it is well loved.

    Alexis A.

    Absolutely love this place! I wish I could have gone to this place earlier. El Norteño provides a lot of meal options and food is delicious! The Mexican food is authentic and has flavor to it. The service was great and fast considering my friend and I went mid morning. The place did get packed fast during lunch time. There are tables outside to eat and it's a bit noisy. The place does have limited parking but it's so worth to try out the restaurant. The place only accosts cash so keep that in mind before going. Overall, I will come back here again due to my amazing first time experience:)

    Walk Up Window
    Cassandra A.

    This place has been around since I was a little girl. My family and I used to come here all the time. The food has been consistently good and always affordable. Some of the best, authentic, Mexican food you'll find in Arizona. It's always cooked to perfection and always so yummy. You get a lot of food for your money. They take cash only but also have an ATM for convenience of getting cash as well as circle k across the street. The parking lot is a little small but it's never packed to where you can't park. At night time there are homeless in the area so you keep your eyes open but the people who work here are so nice. They also have benches in front to sit and wait or sit and eat.

    Lilibeth G.

    Small place located on the corner of 7th Ave and Roosevelt. There is a tiny area for you to go in and place your order. They have a small sitting area outside. It's a CASH ONLY place. We stopped to order some green chili burros, red chili burros and a chili fries with meat and waited around 15-20 minutes for our order. The burros and fries were very flavorful but the meat was very fatty and made chewing unpleasant.

    $7.50 for a Dammm  Plain Cheese Crisp ???  WTH
    Mac S.

    I have been coming here for YEARS . But on Thursday 09- 11-25 ,. I was NOT expecting to pay 1 Plain Cheese Crisp $7.50 .. It's a Cheese Crisp !!!!!!!!! not a combo meal .. Never again

    Jack B.

    El Norteño is a solid spot to grab a cheap meal any time of day. The restaurant offers cheap specials ranging from $6.99 to $8.50. The specials depend on what day you come as some days the lunch special is a burro and other days it is a tostada or beef tacos. The rest of the menu has over twenty options so there is definitely something for everyone here. Be sure to bring cash as this restaurant doesn't accept cards. Also, there is an ATM in the covered seating area. The parking lot wraps around the building and has ways to get in from either Roosevelt or 7th. I'd recommend this place if you are looking to take your food to go but the small covered seating area is also an option. It is covered but does not have any AC so I wouldn't recommend it in the heat of the summer. Still, this is a good spot to get a lot of value out of your pocket.

    Store Front of El Nortenos - Walk up and order. Sit in or Take-out.

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    2 years ago

    Best Mexican food in AZ very good ! Will be back and they give great portions doesn't disappoint

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    2 years ago

    I love it. Best Mexican food around. Prices are excellent, portions are well worth the price. Will definitely be ordering from there soon!

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    2 years ago

    Great prices and great food, machaca burrito is AMAZING. Cash only .... Don't forget. They are super quick at getting food out.

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    2 years ago

    Tamales were dry...red sauce flavorless...expected more due to the hype... price ms were great though...

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    3 years ago

    O this place is GOOD'T!!!! Highly recommend the Mexican pizza to share. It's huge! This would be the place to go for a quick lunch or to go

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    2 years ago

    Crispy tacos and pollo fundido are bomb! Not a place you want to eat at but instead take out. Cash only.

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    2 years ago

    Food, Service, Service all excellent... in my opinion definitely the best Mexican (take-out) food in Phoenix! You will not be disappointed.

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    2 years ago

    Love this place, food is always freshly made and delicious. They deserve higher than 5 stars!

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    Page 2 of 11

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    Corazon De Agave - Tacos trois

    Corazon De Agave

    4.5(375 reviews)
    13.6 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.

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    Presidio Cocina Mexicana

    Presidio Cocina Mexicana

    4.6(1.3k reviews)
    1.3 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.

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    Presidio Cocina Mexicana
    Presidio Cocina Mexicana - Tamale Breakfast

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    Casa Corazon Restaurant - Steak Mexicano

    Casa Corazon Restaurant

    4.4(951 reviews)
    2.4 mi
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    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!!

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    Casa Corazon Restaurant - Dining Room

    Dining Room

    Casa Corazon Restaurant - Salsa bar

    Salsa bar

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    Taco Chelo - Carne asada tacos

    Taco Chelo

    4.8(196 reviews)
    8.9 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.

    Photos
    Taco Chelo - Really cool vibe inside

    Really cool vibe inside

    Taco Chelo - Costra Taco - get it!!!

    Costra Taco - get it!!!

    Taco Chelo - Piña Colada Agua Fresca - very tasty

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    Piña Colada Agua Fresca - very tasty

    Mariscos Playa Hermosa

    Mariscos Playa Hermosa

    4.4(1.3k reviews)
    2.0 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

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

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

    El Norteño - mexican - Updated September 2026

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