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    El Tlacoyo

    4.2 (82 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican
    Open 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

    El Tlacoyo Photos

    Business Info

    EL TLACOYO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids

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    a bowl of soup and a plate of meat
    Inty M.

    My daughter and I just visited El Tlacoyo for the first time and we had an amazing experience Starting with the service, we were greeted and sat quickly, chips and salsas were brought as soon as we sat. The red and green salsas were spicy and tasty. I had a mezcal drink that was spicy and refreshing. To eat we started with the barbacoa, super tender and flavorful (came with cilantro, onion, lime), lamb soup with hominy (bomb) and Guarache ! Everything was fresh, authentic and seasoned! Would recommend anyone to come and try this amazing food!!!

    Menu August 2023
    Robyn V.

    Came back and had the exact green Chile beef burrito lunch I've had a few times before, and although be service is GREAT and the burrito was tasty - it was a bit smaller, included rice and beans were a bit less, and it no longer comes with the small side of guacamole - but the PRICE RAISED from $7 up to $11.44! Ouch. That's pricing for a much nicer restaurant, not a little fast food place. Also there was loud tv on in the kitchen (playing some soap opera with lots of crying/whining and laughing), and different tv (playing loud sports) on in the dining room and I couldn't wait to finish and get out of there quickly. Lastly, my first review talked about how cute it was on the inside. They freshly painted everything white and got rid of all the decor, so now it's pretty bland.

    Burrito
    Amanda C.

    You know this place is authentic when you walk in and you're the only non Latinos dining in! We came on a Saturday for lunch and it was a full house. Super friendly and patient staff. They do not skimp on onions, lime, and cilantro!! Salsas are really spicy. Chips were good. We ordered a burrito and 3 tacos. My husband normally does not like beans and he loved his side of beans!! While the meat can be a bit dry I didn't mind as the toppings and salsas helped. We were super full and had leftovers! Can't wait to return to try more menu items, esp the carne asada plate!

    Yadira C.

    We always love the food here! Authentic Mexican cuisine. The mushroom soup is my favorite as well as the lamb soup and the Chile relleno and micheladas. Always leave full and satisfied with the great flavors of Mexico City!

    Old French fries and dry hard nuggets
    Lorena B.

    Disgusting. Reheated old food. My toddlers fries were rotten and the nuggets were dry and hard. My torta had old carne asada.

    Mikey R.

    This place felt pretty authentic. The meat had good flavor but was dry. The tortillas are store bought. The salsa they give you for chips and salsa is really more just hot sauce. They know how to do cilantro and onions though. They do not skimp on cilantro and onions.

    Quesadilla Huitlacoche

    Food was delicious as always. Try the hitlacoche for something different and tasty. Coffee has cinnamon and I love it.

    Huitiacoche Cheese Crisp
    Laura A.

    El Tiacoyo is not your usual Mexican Restaurant. It's Hidalgo Regional Cuisine. That means you can order things like cow foot tacos, cactus soup, head meat tacos, sausage and intestine tacos, huitiacoche cheese crisp, barbacoa, mixotes and so much more! They have weekend specials this past weekend it was lamb tacos but on past visits I saw goat and brain tacos. They start you off with chips and a creamy green very spicy sauce thats very good and a smokey red sauce that's also good and less spicy. We got the huitiacoche (also known as corn smut or Mexican Truffle) cheese crisp. It's not the Americanized watered down version it's the real stuff. Very earthy and interesting. From what I tried so far from here I've found that they do very good fish dishes here very reasonably priced. They don't use that cheap tilapia or muddy tasting swai fish like other places use. From the two fish dishes I tasted it seems like a very fresh sweet snapper kind of fish. This time I tried what they called grilled fish. When I saw it I thought they gave me the wrong thing because I received an aluminum envelope filled with very moist very fresh tasting fish cooked in juices from tomato and onions and a little butter. By looking at the envelope I think they cooked it on the grill. This dish came with average rice and beans and tortillas. My husband tried the chicken enchiladas, They were made with very fresh tasting chicken and were or mostly were just filled with chicken. The green chili sauce that topped them was very heavy with lime juice. I should mention that this place is not fancy and is very raw looking so you only come here for the food and not the ambiance. It's also hard to see from the street because it's located behind another building. 4.5 stars I didn't round up to 5 because of the average rice and beans and lack of atmosphere

    Gross

    Disgusted. There was rotted meat in the order and also a French fry that looked like it came from a rotten potato.

    Aaron C.

    In a locale full of hard core and amazing authentic Mexican food. This spot nestled off University and Evergreen provides you that experience. No frills and wholly affordable with all of the traditional drinks of Horchata and Jamaica. Then traditional and tasty cuts that you get with ethnic Mexican food with Lengua and Buche tacos and that I ordered. The Lengua was chopped up enough for anyone that's squeamish. The Buche tacos were also amazing...yum.

    Quesadillas de huitlacoche and flor de calabaza. A gordita de chicharron on the back.
    Leticia Z.

    This place is really authentic! Not only are the quesadillas really good, we also had the tlacoyos, sopa de papa and on my previous trip I had barbacoa de Borrego. My daughter never finishes her food and this time she finished her entire bowl of soup. The owner is very friendly and a really nice lady! I'm definitely going back!

    Dining room
    Amanda W.

    El Tlacoyo is a quaint, homey restaurant located in Tempe, AZ just east of the 101 north bound. The atmosphere of this cozy restaurant is casual and relaxing. Soft music plays on the speakers while TV shows play on a low volume. It is comfortable and offers opportunities for conversation or distraction during your meal. The food at El Tlacoyo is authentic and flavorful. They offer you chips and two types of salsa, salsa verde and chipoltle salsa, right as you take your seat, and both varieties are delicious! The menu offers a large selection of Mexican cuisine from the more familiar chicken enchilada to tacos tripa (intestines!). The food mirrors the flavors found from the northern border states of Mexico to the tropical southern tip. Everything, fromm tacos to tequila shots, is priced well and arrives to the table quickly. If you are looking for an authentic Mexican restaurant to try, visit El Tlacoyo.

    Menu shot 1
    Kate K.

    I am afraid to write this review, for fear of it becoming super busy! If you are coming here for the decor you will be disappointed. But if you are coming for some amazing food (and aren't a spice wuss), you will be blown away. The service from the lone female server is always sweet and quick, despite a bit of a language barrier (...if you're a silly gringo who only speaks English, that is). I shy away from meats, including the more interesting offerings here, but anything I've had that is vegetarian, or vegetarian after my slight adjustments to the menu, are delish. Annoyingly closed on Wednesdays. Bonus: keep up to date on your telenovelas while you dine!

    Huarache with with cactus

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    10 years ago

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    Taco Chelo

    Taco Chelo

    4.7
    (181 reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $

    Came here for our Friday lunch date a couple of weeks ago (but forgot to write a review)…read more We had a couple of their tacos (I had the Al Pastor as it was only available on a Wednesday ‍ and the wife had the Costra taco and it was all pretty good. Great flavors. We shared their Flamingo (crispy rolled flour tacos stuffed with cheese blend and roasted anaheim pepper, topped with lettuce, sour cream, avocado salsa, pico de gallo and cotija cheese) - VERY GOOD! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! We both had the Modelo Especial with lunch as well, as you gotta do it right! Service was quick as it wasn't that busy when we arrived and were seated - but it got busy not long after.. You can see its a popular place and right in the heart of Tempe so no surprises! It's not a noisy place but far, and quite open, so its pretty average for noise. We will be back - as there are some great foodie places around in Tempe, and Taco Chelo is definitely one of them!

    So my husband said these are the best tacos he has had and his favorite of any we have had in…read morePhoenix. I felt different. First of all, eating anywhere in Tempe, starts with a frustrating time.... Trying to find parking and having to pay to park. I don't understand why restaurants don't have parking for customers. Idk maybe I don't know where to look. Second, it's hot AF in here. I feel sorry for the guys cooking. It's 105 today and the restaurant is so small, it's probably impossible to keep cool during the summer. Finally, the food. It all tastes very fresh! NO SEED OILS is amazing. I feel like I have won something when I find a restaurant that uses olive oil and beef tallow to cook in. Best corn tortillas I have had for sure. We basically tried one of each taco. (Although some of the tacos we ordered were wrong, so we just kept adding) not a big deal, because they were delicious and we loved them. I felt like the carne was chewy but my husband loves chewier meat. The taco with the marlin was my favorite. And the one that came out kind of like a cheese crisp. It's loud in here and again the space is very small. They do not serve wine at all. But yummy margaritas! The bartender is working solo and working hard! She busted her butt and did an amazing job. And smiled the entire time. She was awesome

    Photos
    Really cool vibe inside
    Really cool vibe inside
    Costra Taco - get it!!!
    Costra Taco - get it!!!
    Piña Colada Agua Fresca - very tasty

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    Piña Colada Agua Fresca - very tasty
    Anayas

    Anayas

    4.3
    (201 reviews)
    5.6 mi
    $$

    I'm an Arizona native, and a self proclaimed Mexican Food snob…read more Añayas is in a strip mall behind a Circle K, so it's easy to overlook, but it's a true gem of the neighborhood! It's quaint, never a wait, and it has become our family go-to. We always have wonderful service and great meals with freshly prepared ingredients. The shrimp dishes are incredible, remnant of Puerto Peñasco with shrimp that "pops" (if you know good shrimp, you know what I mean!) They have Negra Modelo on draught (hard to find that!), and their margaritas are delish. You can't go wrong with chimichangas or combo platters! They have moles on the menu but we typically opt for more traditional Sonoran style. If you are on the search for amazing traditional Mexican food in South Tempe - you found your spot!

    Hubby & I had dinner here last Friday night. It t a minute to be greeted & seated, but not bad…read more Hubby ordered his favorite beer & I ordered sangria. Hubby's beer was good. My sangria was good as well. However, the amount you get for around $8.50 is a joke. Its a small glass with just a little bit in the glass. The chips & salsa were good. The spicy salsa is the opposite of the one you would think is spicy out of the two, so pay attention. Hubby got a combo with a tamale & ground beef burrito with rice & beans. He said everything was good. He also ordered a side of guacamole. I thought I got a picture of the guacamole & sour cream. It's crazy how much they charged for them. They were the small plast condiments containers, but they charged almost $5 for the guacamole. I don't remember the extra cost for the sour cream, but it too was way too high for the tiny size. I got a chicken chimichanga with grilled chicken instead of the shredded chicken which came with rice & beans. It was all good. Our server was friendly & did a good job. We loved the decor. It reminded us of being in Mexico. The table & chairs are really cool too. I wanted to love this place, but the cost of the sangria, sour cream & guacamole are just too high for me to justify coming back.

    Photos
    Bar area
    Bar area
    Weekly special
    Weekly special
    Restaurant

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    Restaurant
    Taquitos Jalisco

    Taquitos Jalisco

    4.3
    (822 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    Taquitos Jalisco absolutely delivered…read more I came in hungry and left questioning whether I've been disrespecting Mexican food everywhere else. Everything that hit the table looked amazing, but the taste somehow still exceeded expectations. The birria ramen was hands-down the star--rich, flavorful, and loaded with tender meat. You know it's good when you catch yourself taking "just one more bite" ten times. The burritos were huge and stuffed like they actually care about feeding people, not just filling a tortilla with rice. The carne asada was juicy, well-seasoned, and cooked perfectly. The tacos were also legit--fresh cilantro, onion, cabbage, and meat that actually had flavor (way too many places forget that part). The rice and beans were classic comfort food, and even the aguas frescas were ridiculously refreshing. What really stood out though was that nothing felt lazy. Every plate looked made with intention. Portions were generous, food came out hot, and the salsas had actual kick. Taquitos Jalisco feels like one of those spots you find once... and suddenly you're making excuses to go back. If you're debating whether to stop here, this is your sign. Go hungry. Would absolutely come back.

    Stopped in on a Saturday afternoon couldn't get in the parking lot…read more OK, this place has to be good. I'll come back. Came back two days later went through the drive-through and ordered by Diablo carne Asada burrito. The smell that came through the drive-through window made my mouth water immediately. I couldn't wait to get home. Only to open my burrito and find it to be 90% rice. A few scraps of steak in my $15 burrito. Such a disappointment. The only reason I gave it two stars is because it was actually spicy

    Photos
    Order at the counter and they bring the food to you
    Order at the counter and they bring the food to you
    #33 Daily Special
    #33 Daily Special
    Taquitos Jalisco

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    Los Sombreros

    Los Sombreros

    4.3
    (394 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    My dad, my boyfriend, and I went to dinner at Los Sombreros tonight and it was fantastic. Our…read moreserver said they were the only one working tonight and that they'd take care of us, and they sure did. The parking lot outside was parking so we thought we may have to wait, but inside was not busy yet and we were seated immediately. I ordered the smoked chicken enchilada as I saw it was a Yelp favorite and it was delicious. I ended up taking half of it home since we all filled up on chips and salsa before our meal. This restaurant is decorated so cutely. I love how there is a Baja influence with all the surf boards but also southwest appeal. There is plenty of seating and tables for big groups. Even with other people yapping around us, the noise level was perfect to enjoy company. 10/10 would recommend.

    This restaurant is MUST visit! We enjoyed some delicious drinks, entrees, and an app! We were…read moreseated immediately upon arriving in their super cute space; there was both indoor and outdoor options on a Sunday evening! There were heaters available if we needed them, as we sat outside. Our amazing and friendly server offered to turn the heaters on for us, but we didn't need them. I enjoyed a Oaxacan Old Fashioned (on the sweeter side, but that's what I like), we had the Elote (BEST I'VE EVER HAD), and I also had the Carne A La Tampiquena. Everything tasted amazing and was served fresh and in a timely manner. We will most certainly be back (and you should visit, too!)!

    Photos
    Los Sombreros
    Los Sombreros
    Los Sombreros

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    El Jefe Tacos

    El Jefe Tacos

    4.1
    (412 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$
    Kitchen open late
    Vegetarian friendly

    Food was exceptionally flavorful and seasoned well. We ordered the ramen, tacos, and the Phoenix…read moreroll. We went to here as they were one of the late night spots still open. *This along with a hibiscus drink (large) and a cola! Approximately 50$. * Service was simple, kind, order at the register- type of spot. Ambiance wasn't busy for a Sunday night but the vibes were there, and I can imagine they get busy and can handle a lot with the seating options they have.

    I've been ordering from El Jefe in Tempe for the last 4 to 5 years as we live fairly close. We love…read morethe tacos especially with doing the family meal for street tacos! The meats are so good. We also use to love the sushi side. During Covid, we tried the sushi for the first time. We were hesitant as it's a Mexican joint, right? Not a Japanese specialty shop. So to my surprise, I couldn't believe the sushi especially the Las Vegas roll and their Nigiri cuts were pretty dang good. My disappointment seems to be this last year with the sushi just hasn't been the best or fresh tasting. The Las Vegas roll was always nice and warm but with an awesome cold center and fried to perfection and the sauce just right. Lately it's been the opposite. Super over fried were all you can taste is old burnt oil and it dried out and the sauce just bland and not helping at all. The other thing that bothers us is the lack of wasabi they give! If you're not going to give us full flavor, at least give more wasabi to help mask. I will say they give you plenty of soy sauce packets (just barely any wasabi).

    Photos
    El Jefe Tacos
    El Jefe Tacos
    El jefe box

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    El jefe box

    El Tlacoyo - mexican - Updated June 2026

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