On my last visit to Phoenix I was struck by nostalgia and had to hit up some of my old haunts, including my beloved La Canasta. Not much has changed here aside from some fresh paint, just as quaint as ever. Order from the counter, have a seat and wait for your food to come out. They also brought out chips, salsa and hot sauce. The salsa didn't taste anything how I remember it. Was lacking that fresh flavor it was known for. I feel like they're serve the stuff they sell in the grocery store, same brand, different recipe. Food wise, prices have gone up but otherwise the menu is as I remembered it. Of course I ordered my tried and true, Nana's Special, pork ted chili? 2 over easy eggs, beans, potatoes, and choice of flour tortillas. That taste, that taste of good red chili! It's the same after all these years! Smokey, spicy, tender, all the yummy things! Dousing each bite with egg yolk and red hot sauce (the same from years ago unlike the salsa), was so satisfying! A taste of AZ history is right here. Not sure for how much longer as so many new buildings seem to be popping up around La Canasta. Hopefully they'll be spared from urban development. read more

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First time trying this place and it's delicious! Definitely worth the hype. Staff were super friendly. read more

La Canasta Mexican Foods - Egg & Egg, Potato & Bean Burrito - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Okay...if you want some real, made from scratch pancakes. This is the place. Come hungry because it's a lot of food. 10/10. Definitely one of my favorites along with the french toast. This place nails it every time. Service was excellent as usual. Sat inside this time which was great as well. read more

La Canasta Mexican Foods - Silver Dollar Special - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

We stopped by for a late lunch after touring the Arizona State Capital Building; let full & happy. We split a taco salad, Modelo Negra Beer, & Horchata; total yum. The service was great, food was delicious, decor was clever, & relaxing. A delightful place to stop for a delicious meal. read more

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I got a Carne Asada Burrito. I think the tortilla and lettuce weighed more than the meat. I've seen more meat in a single taco. Staff wasn't friendly either. read more

I was encouraged to come try the menudo and I did. The menudo was tasty so it prompted me to return a second time to try something else off the menu. I chose a chili Reno plate. The plate did not wow me, the flavor was eatable the rice and beans were tasty but over salted. This restaurant looks like it's been here for a long time. The restrooms could use a makeover and be a lot cleaner. Would I come back to this location is the question. I believe I would just for the menudo. It wasn't greasy it was clean and enjoyable. The staff is friendly. There is room for improvement for sure. read more

I just had a Machaca and Egg burrito , Hands down the best burrito I ever had in my life . read more

So was looking for a place with menudo and decided to stop by here. They have plenty of breakfast options too! The menudo was fantastic as per an authentic Mexican said. I got the breakfast nanas special with red and green over medium eggs and beans. Literally some of the best Mexican food I've had in a while. The owner was super friendly and gave me a sample to try before and was pleasantly surprised! They had life music so made it fun spot! The staff was very attentive even though it's not a full service spot they still offered refill and asked if we needed anything multiple times. Boxed the leftover menudo to go! And we had gotten a small one. Lots of food for a decent price. We will definitely be back here very soon! read more

This place is legit! The green chili beef burro was delicious. The tortillas are amazing! Highly recommend this unassuming place. read more

Since 1962, La Canasta has served real authentic Mexican food that doesn't disappoint. I had breakfast, and everything was hot and fresh, including the tortillas. The portions are huge--come hungry! read more

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Great flavor but the last TWO times literally ZERO meat in the meat and bean burrito! Rip off- Excellent flavor but disappointing

Let's start with the food. If you love cheese with your breakfast you will love it. Overwhelming amounts of it on the omelette. I ordered the Spaniard Omelette and all I could taste is cheese and canned enchilada sauce. There was nothing authentic about my dish. All canned sauce and green chiles. When I entered the dining room there was multiple dirty tables. Which didn't bother me since there could be staffing issues that day but the food was no good for a total of $17.27 with just water and a $1 tip. Ridiculous. read more

La Canasta Mexican Foods - Cheese - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

It's good so far but I had to wait 40+ minutes for me to get my food the lady told me it was because there was a big party and then later told me it was because they messed up if I said nothing I would have waited forever. read more

I was shocked and disappointed to see that the restaurant is a walk up and order. They used to be a full service restaurant with unlimited chips and salsa. The camaraderie is what made this place special as I have been coming here for years. Looking at the reviews, this place seems to be going downhill. The food was still good and I hope they bring back what made this place special. read more

Ugh. Gross af. Got the chilaquiles. Noooooo. Not real authentic Mexican food. The sauce was like old thick sloppy canned sauce. Not even the chips and salsa was good. Not even the sprite fountain drink. Gas was completely off. Hood spot = hood rag tingz lol read more

This the most fake Mexican food ever. Everything tasted off. Not the friendliest staff

good customer service! Super good food I would recommend to anyone looking for a good authentic Mexican restaurant.

Food was great! I got take-out so I didn't go "5" stars cuz don't know about the restaurant (looked pretty great from what I saw). I ordered machaca enchilada, and carne asada chimi, along with chips and 1 hot sauce & 1 salsa. Salsa was plain, shoulda got 2 hot sauces -- their hot sauce is SO great! Food was really good, basic Mexican food that I Love! 9:53 am on Sunday morning and there was a five person line, including one that was walking away with chips and beer (I was working, but that looked so good!). I can't wait to go in and actually sit (I always order take-out because this is right next to downtown Phoenix where I work) read more

This Mexican food joint has the most extensive menu I have encountered in the Valley to date! Although not the best in the Valley, it gives many other establishments a run for their money! We stopped in for breakfast one morning while in the area and were very pleased with the offerings we sampled. I went for the Spaniard a Spanish-style egg omelet with tasty fresh green chili strips, plenty of cheese, their Ranchero Sauce, along with refried beans and thin sliced baked and sauteed potatoes, and fresh made flour tortillas. Hmmmm good! This is a must visit where you can enjoy a much above average South of the Border-style meal, reasonably priced and an incredible selection. read more

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Service was not the best, the guys bringing out the food was yelling at other workers saying "we don't get paid for waiting tables, let them get there own stuff". Ambiance was okay tables were very dirty. The food was horrible, beans were canned beans you can taste it. The onions in my fajitas were BURNT. The chile relleno was a thin slice of a whole chile. Would not recommend or ever come back. read more

La Canasta Mexican Foods - Fajita Combination - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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I been coming here for decades the cooks and staff are awesome shout to my cooks y'all rock customer service could be better handle this time around but anytime I have an issue they handle it with no problem so try the place it really the best in phoenix!!! read more

Worst service food under cooked you have to tip before you seat yourself and then the waitress just spends time going down memory lane with one customer overall a wast of your monet and time read more

If I could give zero stars I would. This place has really gone downhill. The green chili was bad. The service was horrible. I felt like I was in the twilight zone. WTF! I will never return to this place. If you want something similar but way better go to Ponchos or el Comedor or Carolina's. read more

I came here a handful of times pre covid and once in 2021. I am not from AZ and my background in Mexican food is limited. La Canasta was very good. It has been a while so not sure what I got. Last time I was there I got togo because that is all they had. I owner handed me my food and asked me if I needed a job and that I could start today. Poor guy. I hope things are better for him now. read more

La Canasta Mexican Foods - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Great local joint that I was introduced to. Reasonable prices. Order at the counter & they will bring to the table. Menu had a good selection. I ordered two carnitas tacos & one machaca taco. I did not expect the amount of lettuce that came on these. If I had been paying attention, I would have said no lettuce, but that's a note for next time. The food was brought out fairly quickly & was pretty good. Meat was juicy & tender. Very, very happy with it. Would definitely come back. I'm also happy with how close it is to my office & that they open so earlier. Super convenient. Worth checking it out read more

La Canasta Mexican Foods - Machaca (Shredded Beef) Taco - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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First time at this location. The original La Canasta. Nice patio setting. When you walk in you order and pay for your food. They bring it to your table. Your coffee and drinks are all self serve. It is pretty much the same at all the locations. Ordered the Huevos Rancheros which included rice and beans. Food arrived, looked a bit different than I expected. Could not find the eggs or tortillas but plenty of red chili pork. Tasted good so let's just go with it. Confirmed order with new server so it must be right. Manager came out to check on us later and identified the plate as Workman's Breakfast. He ordered up the two eggs and all was fine. Authentic and tasty food here. Will be back. read more

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Sylvias La canasta has been a staple in this town since I grew up here. We were coming back from dropping off someone at the airport and decided to grab a green chili Burro. You can't go wrong with Sylvia's the pork is always tender inside and the green chili is excellent. You order at the counter and they bring you your food. My grandson had a tostada. If you know Sylvia's, you know they're hot sauce is one of the best not their salsa, but their actual hot sauce. Everyone was very kind. It was large portion plenty to feed two people with leftovers for under 25 bucks with drinks. read more

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I have been wanting to try this place for a while. Finally, had the chance to give it a shot. I ordered the carne asada as that is the standard by which you can tell if a Mexican restaurant is good. It had a delicious flavor. Cooked really well, the meat was not dry which is good because sometimes some places over cool the meat. The guacamole on the lettuce was tasty. The rice was also really good and so were the beans. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the tortillas, not sure what happened with those. The place has been around for a while and it shows it's age but that's what makes it good. It's got a cool old school feel inside. Not trying to be fancy....just good. I would definitely recommend this place for sure!!!! read more

La Canasta Mexican Foods - Carne Asada Combo - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

My wife and I shared the Taquitos de Los Puercos Juicy, tender pork, wrapped in a corn tortilla with cheese, lettuce, tomato Some of the tastiest pork I've ever had Came with rice and beans, and the rice was really fantastic My wife ordered a pint of albondigas and absolutely destroyed it; nice, big meatballs, good flavor, the carrots were cooked down real nice and were real tender Very family style feel 10/10, would absolutely return, would absolutely recommend read more

Red and green enchilada style burrito rice beans light cheese. Thank me later. The food is authentic passed down thru generations salsa and menu variety are prime. read more

I ordered the chicken taco combo. It came with 2 tacos, rice and beans. I got the soft chicken tacos. The chicken was seasoned well and everything seemed fresh. The tortillas were cold though so I didn't love that. Their hot sauce is ok. It's not my kind of hot. The mild sauce tasted like pace picante. The meal was a good portion and I would go again. I just hope they work in their salsa. If they do I would give it a 4 star. read more

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I've been going here La Canasta for 5 years. I never had an issue. Food was always excellent. Always good for this time. And this day, I order some mandoodle. And it tore my stomach up. I have diarrhea and I have to miss 2 days of work. In order to recover, I would not suggest you order the munoodle. I think that employees and the new hires are lazy and nasty. How can you go wrong with mu noodle and corn tortillas?. Terrible terrible city of phoenix employee. I plan to go complain to the owner. DC disappointed customer. read more

All I did was walk in and one of the workers really rolled her eyes. I understand we walked in 15 min prior to closing time, but I wasn't able to put in an order by phone. They told me to put in the order in person. So I did that. Then disrespected. No more at this location. Customer service is poor over here. read more

The service was great to be quite honest. The thing about this place though is that it's honestly just white wash (no offense please) Mexican food. I got a carne asada burrito that had about maybe 6 pieces of meat in the whole burrito and the rest was just lettuce and bean. On top of that it wasn't even carne asada; it's just the shredded meat from the hard tacos. My total came out to 18 dollars! Just for the burrito (no salsa, drink, chips). Again good service but the price for what you get is out of line. read more

The red chili is amazing. So flavorful. All the food we've eaten here has been delicious.

I've been coming here my whole life and it was so delicious up until about a year ago. They changed the ground beef recipe and no longer have the good taste that it once had. The ground beef tacos now taste like dog :( read more

Met up with a friend for breakfast, we were both craving a good Mexican breakfast. We were seated right away and got chips & salsa immediately. Chips were good, salsa was basic. We did not eat the chips & salsa I had the machaca & eggs .. more like shredded meat then machaca, served with two eggs over easy, beans with cheese & fried potatoes and flour tortillas. Coffee was blah, nothing Fancy, Food was good not great, service was good. Plenty of parking .. this place has been in business since 1962 and this is the original location. read more

La Canasta Mexican Foods - Machaca & eggs - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Food is okay. No complimentary chips and salsa here like in most sit down places like this. You order before you get a table from some loud people behind a counter. Then you help yourself with the rest. Not my favorite spot for Mexican food but it's close to my place of work. read more

La Canasta Mexican Foods - Ground beef - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Michael and Cesar bestowed the kindest hospitality to our family. Excellent food and service...

This is a hidden local gem. The menu is complex and offers so many awesome things to try. I had the enchiladas with eggs, yes eggs on top! OMG is the delicious. The rice and beans is also really good! I can't wait to try this again one day! The restaurant has been around a long time and feels like a traditional experience! read more

La Canasta Mexican Foods - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona