The best Mexican restaurant ever in all Tucson, traditional, excellent service, perfect combination between great and fresh food and presentation. Perfect environment, everything is really excellent read more

Don't go here! It's too good and I want it all to myself Absolutely the best Mexican food I've had anywhere in the western hemisphere from Argentina to Alaska. I've traveled a ton for work to Mexico, Central and S.America and nothing anywhere has been so constantly perfect as La Frida. Every dish is prepared with love, it's obvious. Many meals there, never disappointed. I take visitors from out of town, recommend to associates, always rave reviews. Order whatever you can't go wrong, save room for desert. You will probably wait 30-60mins for a table but well worth it. Slip into the tiny bar if there's a seat available when solo. Not a shill, real customer. These folks deserve yet another great review for continuously awesome service and food. Well Done! read more

I wanted to love La Frida because it's one of Tucson's most talked-about restaurants, but unfortunately the experience never lived up to the reputation. We were quoted a 30-minute wait that turned into about 45 minutes. While waiting, we noticed multiple empty tables, yet weren't seated until I went back to the host stand to ask about our status. Within about 30 seconds of checking in, our table was suddenly ready. Since we weren't allowed to stand around the bar, we squeezed onto the few available barstools while we waited. Our first round of drinks came out quickly, but after that the experience completely unraveled. I spent roughly 25 minutes trying to get a bartender's attention without anyone acknowledging me. When we finally ordered a second round, we specifically requested the drinks exactly as described on the menu, including the cilantro and Serrano garnish. We waited another 15-20 minutes, and the drinks never came. After we were seated, our server reordered them for us and again specified the cilantro and Serrano. Even then, the drinks still arrived without those ingredients. I do want to give credit where it's's deserved because not everything was bad. Our table server was friendly, attentive, and genuinely seemed to care. He did his best to recover from a situation that wasn't his fault. The elote was phenomenal and easily the best thing we ordered. Unfortunately, the rest of the meal was inconsistent. The complimentary chips tasted like they had been fried in old oil. My carne asada tacos had tender meat, but almost no seasoning. I actually had another person at the table try one to make sure it wasn't just me, and they agreed the meat was surprisingly bland. The ceviche received positive reviews from others at the table, but the steak entrée with chicharrón wasn't enjoyable because of the texture and large fatty pieces. Toward the end of the meal, a manager came over to ask how everything was. We explained the issues we'd experienced with the bar service and that the evening hadn't lived up to expectations. While she listened, there wasn't any meaningful attempt to recover the experience--no offer to replace the forgotten drinks, no gesture of goodwill, and no acknowledgment beyond the conversation. La Frida has a beautiful atmosphere, and I can absolutely understand why people are excited to try it. Unfortunately, between the confusing wait, the bar service, the repeated mistakes with the drinks, and the underwhelming entrees, this just wasn't an experience I'd choose to repeat. I don't mind paying for great food and great service. I just didn't feel like I received either consistently enough to justify coming back. read more

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Today was a delicious and delightful day. We live on the east side of town and often find it difficult to pick a restaurant that's not 45 minute away. My hubs suggested that we go to The Frida and see if we could get in. We drive over and guess what, we go lucky, must have been that everyone had a 4th of July hangover. We sat at the bar and couldn't be happier. Our server/bartender took great care of us, he offered us drinks, took our food order and made my hubby a really good Margarita, The Frida Margarita, he said it was bomb! I ordered a beer and it came with a chilled glass and lime wedge. We decided on the flautas and the mole enchiladas. Both fantastic, tasty and hearty! I got full with two enchiladas so I donated the third to my hubby, which he was super happy to eat. I have to say, the mole sauce was decadent and full of flavors. It really reminded me of my grandmas mole. It also left a delicious numbing (very slight) on my lips. Perfect balance of nutty, spicy, almost semi sweet goodness. Gorgeously prepared and looked almost too good to eat. Almost..... The place was full, we were still able to have a conversation. It was amazing. Will definitely be back to continue to enjoy the carefully curated menu. Everyone seemed happy and relaxed! This screams a great place to work and obviously enjoy. Well done La Frida! Well done! read more

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La Frida just restarted breakfast hours and it is probably the best time to visit since it did not have a wait to get a table. The breakfast food portions are huge, so make sure to bring your appetite! I enjoyed the elote pancakes and my partner liked his omelette. Make sure to try the homemade spicy peach jam too. read more

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This place always seems to be packed, no matter what time of day you try to go, so we were pleased that we got seated right away when we went around 3:15. Service was very good; restaurant is small, but comfortable and decorated pleasingly. Food is unique and delicious. Complimentary chips with one dip. Four different sauces samples to help us choose. what we wanted for our entrees. Started with the fridachiles appetizer--shrimp and cheese stuffed peppers wrapped in bacon. Yum. And we got 5 of them in our order. Our meals were works of art in how they were plated. Each was topped with a beautiful edible flower! We both enjoyed the dishes we chose. read more

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I'd say the hype is warranted! Absolutely love that we were given a sample of every sauce on their menu as soon as we got there. They're confident enough in their recipes that they let us try them before we even order! Every sauce was delicious. I especially enjoyed the mole, as it was very unique compared to others I have tried, and probably one of the best. The spices used were reminiscent of Japanese curry. I decided to opt for the red sauce enchilada, though, because I loved its garlicky and savory flavor. It did not disappoint! The chicken was tender and not dry at all, the tortilla was good quality, and the sauce was plentiful. I would have enjoyed more pickled onion, but I will just ask for more on the side next time. Their rice was fluffy and moist as well! I will definitely return to try their seafood dishes next, as that's one of their other staples. read more

OMG breakfast! We when in on a Thursday morning and while it was busy it was possible to get a seat. Our waiter was amazing and helped us pick some wonderful food. I got the berry pancakes. The presentation was beautiful and the taste even better. My partner ordered the Diego Rivera omelette. He commented multiple times that this was the best omelette he's ever had. The red chili sauce and the Chicharron steak along with the potatoes made the plate unique and delicious. We will be back hopefully soon. read more

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This was my second time visiting and I finally found the perfect times during the week that this amazing restaurant, doesn't have an hour+ wait lol, 2-4pm and 730-9pm. I was ready to try other menu items and this time I had one of their signature mezcal cocktails, La coqueta! The mezcal hibiscus drink had a yummy tamarind chili brim and a light smoky flavor with a touch of sweetness that gave it a great balance that I almost couldn't put down (they need to put in a mug or chalice cuz I wanted more!) we got the special appetizer of the month which was a fresh tuna tartar- like dish with fresh raw tuna (you could tell by the color of the tuna how fresh the fish was) guacamole and a big rice chip (that's all I could think of describing it) it was lite and refreshing. it was a pretty big portion so didn't want to get full on just that one dish. I decided on los fritaditos as my entree which were 3 small corn masa patties with guacamole and piled with meat on each little patty (I chose birria instead of carnitas) on top of a thin layer of refried bean sauce. We also ordered the short rib dish in the habanero sauce, los condenadas, which wasn't spicy at all but had a mild sweet flavor that was unique and tasty. The ribs were perfectly cooked medium and very tender and boy was it a filling dish that after having a quesadilla with a couple pieces of the ribs, I still took home more than half of the leftovers! The service by Maribel was excellent and super sweet. The restaurant was bright and cool with Mexican music playing classic songs softly in the background. Just writing this makes me wish I had another one of those mezcal hibiscus cocktails lol. As I have given before, this place gets two Foxxy thumbs up, and I'll be back for round 3 read more

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Visiting from Seattle and chose this restaurant based on the number of Yelp Elite reviews. It did not disappoint. The 25 minute drive was worth it. We ordered one corn appetizer and chicken flautas and with the chips it was more than enough. Although it was very messy from the salsa verde, we ate the sliced pieces of corn like corn on the cob. We each had an excellent margarita and split a 3d. Everything the local reviewers said was correct. There is nothing like this in Seattle. We would go back tomorrow but it is a long drive and we know of another excellent Mexican restaurant close by. read more

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The hype is reaaaaaal wow! My husband and I had lunch here and right away we noticed the ambience. It has this modern bungalow vibe that I loved. The tables were beautiful and you could feel a sense of pride. They started us with chips and salsa and I wish they hadn't because I couldn't stop eating them. They let you try 4 different sauces and THAT MOLE was too good. We choose the enchiladas freda and quesabirria; delicious! So much sumptuous meat. The melted cheese, the crunch from the onion and cilantro. Handmade cocktails just added to the experience! The mojito was fresh and paired well with the savory dish. We will come back! read more

La Frida Mexican Grill & Seafood - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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We were able to get there around 6pm on a Monday and got seated shortly afterwards. We tried many different salsas with the table chips. I thought the best one was the bean salsa. The food was good and we had great service. The table we had was spacious but there was a filming going on in our area so that was very distracting. They gave our table a free desert to make up for it but it did not make up for the distraction. read more

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Love this place . 2 nd time here for lunch ,our server is Eduardo. Our last sever was Emily . It all . Wonderful staff. Great service . Delish dishes. Simply beautiful place .the owner came n introduced herself to us , her name is Claudia . A place to come n enjoy . read more

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One of my go-to restaurants whenever I'm in town! The food is consistently delicious, service is on point, the ambiance is relaxed, and it's honestly hard to pick just one item from the menu because everything is so good. Highly recommend! read more

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The food here was beyond amazing. Atmosphere average but food spectacular. We got the shrimp and shrimp tacos and the salmon with mole and the ice cream cake. Unbelievable ! Delicious !! We will definitely be back when we're in Tucson again love it. read more

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La Frieda is one of the highest rated restaurants I've seen on yelp (with more than 700 reviews!). The hype is real. The restaurant does not take reservations and had a half hour wait at 5:45pm. The restaurant is modern and clean. It was decorated with a hand-painted mural that really set the ambiance. Once seated we had an excellent server who was very attentive from the start. He offered suggestions for our meals that were spot on. The salsa and chips were excellent and unique. The "salsa" was a crème fresh with jalapeño and other spices. It was light and delicious paired with the chips. While eating our chips, our server offered a tasting of four other sauces - a green pepper sauce, a red spicy sauce, a mole sauce with peanuts and cinnamon and another dark sauce that had black beans as its base. The sauces were offered in order to preview items on the menu that are made with those sauces; I thought this was brilliant. Our appetizers were the star of the night. We ordered a Chicharron/Guacamole bowl that was outstanding; the pork belly was crispy and the guacamole was citrusy and fresh. The other appetizer was the Costilla, which was corn rows in a buttery guacamole sauce. Wow! Amazing! Our main corses were the only thing that was good not great. For the main course we ordered Las Magdalenas (enchiladas), we really enjoyed these, which were covered in the mole. We also ordered Fritaditas (pork gorditas) and fish tacos. The fish tacos were disappointing because tilapia was the fish that was used and it did not have the flaky texture of traditional cod. Very mismatched compared to the rest of the taco. And the gorditas lacked some flavor, especially compared to the appetizers. Presentation on all dishes was excellent. Overall I highly recommend this wonderful restaurant despite being slightly underwhelmed by some of the main dishes. 4 1/2 stars. read more

La Frida Mexican Grill & Seafood - Chicken enchiladas in mole sauce. - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Dinner at La Frida is always exciting! Wonderful service and outstanding meals! Shoutout to the owner for women's month and best women's owned business! Always a great time and love the expansion of restaurant! Beautiful decorations and signage! read more

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Place is always hopping! We arrived at 4:30 on a Friday and they were already packed. Sat at the bar for twenty minutes enjoying cocktails till our table was ready. We ordered two appetizers, stuffed peppers (fridachiles) and a month special of grilled octopus. Both were spot on and could have been entrees by themselves. We both ordered the monthly special beef rib with mash potatoes and asparagus. Just to die for! Service was great, food was top notch and always a great place to go! read more

La Frida Mexican Grill & Seafood - Beef rib with mash potatoes and asparagus - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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This visit was not as great as expected, especially since I've been here numerous times before. We arrived and put our names on the list for a 35-minute wait, so we ran a couple of errands and came back. Our table was ready with some chips waiting for us, but after about 10 minutes there was still no sign of a waitress. We asked the host if we had an assigned server, and she kindly went to get one for us. Once our waitress arrived, she took our full order since we had already had plenty of time to look at the menu. I then asked if they had the menu of the month, since it hadn't been provided to us initially. After seeing it, we decided to order the whole fried fish instead. I had previously ordered a Fridarita, but my partner asked the waitress to switch it to a Michelada from the monthly menu. For food, we ordered the breaded shrimp, which were very crispy and delicious. Unfortunately, the whole fried fish tasted a little off and lacked salt or seasoning. It came with rice and salad but no tortillas, which felt like a strange omission. For dessert, we tried the capirotada from the monthly menu, but it was on the dry side and nothing like the versions I've had before. After receiving the check and paying, we realized the Fridarita had never been removed from the bill. We were surprised by the mistake. Our waitress apologized and refunded the drink after we pointed it out. Overall, the service was disappointing. Our waitress disappeared for long periods of time, even though the restaurant didn't seem particularly busy. read more

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We started with Margareta's and beer while we pursued the menu and specials list.  We enjoyed the chips and homemade salsa, the waiter let us know what the four sauces were on the table and how they used them in different menu items.  Taste them all they're delicious and it could influence what you have for dinner. We started with COSTILLA DE ELOTE and FRIDACHILES, oh my gosh they were so good.  It took us a while to figure out the best way to eat the Elote, we recommend just pick it up like a normal cob of corn.  The  The entries we had were: LAS SUFRIDAS, LAS MAGDALENAS, LAS REBELDES and the LAS GENERALAS.  They all were expertly prepared with great presentation.  The flavors were so deep and fresh.   The lines can be long and, most people, seem to sit in their cars until you get the text that your table is ready.  The interior is small and welcoming. They have a great bar with several specialty drinks if you want to partake. This is one of the, if not the best, Mexican Grill we've ever eaten at. read more

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La Frida is an excellent Mexican restaurant with a beautiful decor, lighting, music, and artwork. The food is exceptional however, I do feel it is a little overpriced for the food that you receive, $19 for 3 vegan tacos and no sides is a bit much, the presentation is quite lovely and the service is great. Even the restroom is impressive. (If this is the sister to Amelia's on Grant, their restroom is horrendous and that is one of the reasons I do not like to go there.) Overall, I would consider this restaurant to be a place for a special occasion. read more

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Wanted to see what is the buzz about. Went there for an early lunch. The place filled up so fast, by noon there were no tables available. The restaurant is small and the parking lot fills up really quickly as well. I set at the bar. The service was fast and friendly. My food was amazing. All the salsas they gave me at the beginning of the meal were fresh and delicious. Since I set by the bar I had an opportunity to see a parade of gorgeous dishes and cocktails going by....definitely will go back and try other dishes read more

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I saw their ad on Instagram and took my wife and daughter there for a late lunch this past Sunday, for my wife's birthday and you should give it a try. Very busy place, but worth the wait. Nice place, great staff and the food portions were generous and presentation is wonderful too. We each had different plates and tried each others plates, all were great tasting, the salsas they provide are each different and very tasty. Plus, when it is your birthday they bring you this great ice cream treat that I would order, even if it was not for a birthday. I really enjoy going to local places that do a super job and making a meal an experience, which makes it worth the effort and the prices are really quite reasonable. read more

La Frida exceeded our expectations! Even on Father's Day, when they were incredibly busy, we were seated much sooner than expected. We were quoted a 45-50 minute wait and were seated in about 30 minutes or less. Our server, Andrea, was outstanding~friendly, attentive, and genuinely made us feel welcomed from start to finish. The food was exceptional. While rooted in authentic Mexican flavors, this isn't your typical Mexican restaurant. The menu offers a creative, artistic take on traditional cuisine, with beautiful presentation and unique flavors that set it apart. Everything we ordered tasted fresh, authentic, and thoughtfully prepared. The margaritas were excellent, and every dish was packed with flavor. The atmosphere was vibrant, welcoming, and added to the overall experience. If you're looking for authentic Mexican cuisine with an artistic, elevated flair, La Frida is the place for you. Outstanding food, exceptional service, and a memorable dining experience. We will definitely be back! read more

La Frida Mexican Grill & Seafood - Fresh Ahi Tuna Tartar - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Hands down the best Mexican food in Tucson! Be prepared for an hour wait minimum! If you are lucky you can squeeze in at the bar as this is open seating. The decor is stellar! Fancy and fun with a big Frida mural at the back. Tons of fun lighting and golden monkeys hanging by the bathrooms. The menu is not extensive, just one page with a lot of good options. The fried and breaded prawns are delicious and I also recommend the birria enchiladas with verde sauce. Both served with rice. The Mexican rice is moist and fresh! You can really get an idea of all the sauces they have because the chips and salsa has four options to try and they are served individually on each of the main dishes. I do not ever like Mole sauce but here it is so good! Everything is wonderful and I can't wait to come back! read more

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This place was packed! We didn't want to wait 1.5 hours for a table so we ordered food to-go and sat right outside to eat it fresh. It was pretty cramped and loud inside, so we didn't mind having a more relaxing meal sitting right outside. The hosts were not friendly while we looked at the menu and were trying to decide what to order. We got the Las Condenadas (marinated ribs) and the Las Magdalenas (mole enchiladas). The mole was disappointing and overly sweet. There was too much sauce and it drowned out the rest of the enchilada flavors. The rubs were really well cooked and tasty. The guacamole was nice to eat with them too to keep the flavor from getting monotonous. I was sad the rib pieces had such little amounts of meat to them and some were all fat. Despite the ribs being enjoyable, these were not worth the high price. $30 for ribs with barely any meat is outrageous! Definitely not worth the hype and doesn't belong on the Yelp Top 100 list. read more

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I don't leave many reviews, but after our experience at La Frida, I felt compelled to write one. Everything was outstanding. The food was absolutely amazing, in fact, I honestly don't think they're charging enough for the quality they serve. Every dish was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. The service was exceptional from start to finish, and the ambiance was warm, inviting, and perfectly suited for a great dining experience. If you're traveling through Tucson, or you're lucky enough to live here, La Frida is a must-visit. We'll definitely be back. read more

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Spontaneous return to La Frida weekday 11am just opened , no wait , & plenty of parking . Didn't see brunch offered but large menu on line ( weekends?) but happy to check out some other menu choices . First four small unique salsas are brought w chips & avocado sauce . We started with the Costilla de Elote appetizer small cobs strips of corn smothered a cheese & serrano sauce tasty . ( had tried the Chicarrone steak app before very good too! ) Two refreshing mocktails Vida Libre fruit drink & Traicionera boba lavender prickly pear & both so much more . Even the water had big fresh mint leaf in it . We tried the Las Rebeldes fresh tuna on wonton chips with avocado & special sauce & Las Sufridas 3 hearty Birria tacos with consume both beyond expectations . Also added black beans buttery" goodness . Shared a huge desert with big presentation a vanilla caramel ice cream cake topped with chicharrones placed standing on top almost architecturally, so good ! The service , decor , fresh unique food & presentation worth any and all inconveniences if any . Thank you Katerina our server , you're great . Interesting a big group of teens maybe 15-20 came in maybe school class / group w adult teacher? They sat in two big booths excited to try lunch at highly acclaimed La Frida Mexican Grille & Seafood . Fun to see them ! La Frida Mexican Grill & Seafood lives up to its hype 5 star reputation ! " I'll be back ! " read more

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Came for lunch this time. Fair to say I'm not a purist when it comes to traditional cuisines, but, I am pretty good at telling exceptional taste vs good taste. La Frida's food is exceptional tasting. Even some regular offerings like a ceviche can taste so refreshingly different than the regular fare you may have had overtime at so called traditional Mexican restaurants. I will say, if you can, just try everything from the menu over time. And yes, the server was great, very helpful In explaining the menu items and providing her recommendations. read more

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La Frida has been on my restaurant bucket list for a while now, and I was so stoked when the opportunity finally presented itself to check it out! I live just far enough away that it makes it difficult to get over to this area, and I was always told that the place was insanely busy and so I never really made a huge effort to go. But recently on a Saturday morning, some friends and I found that we had a little bit of free time and were in the area so we got there shortly after opening and it wasn't super busy at all, which was amazing! We were able to sit down right away and I've got to tell you this place is worth every ounce of hype that it gets! The space is beautiful. I love the fresh modern appearance and the Frank Lloyd Wright-esque connection to natural elements. Our server was awesome and I am so sad that I don't recall his name at the moment, but he was very attentive and took great care of our table. I started with a water which I loved the mint leaves they added - makes it extra refreshing. And because it was breakfast, I had to have a cup of the Café de Olla. The barista did an excellent job with it, super robust, and the foam art was on point. For my meal, I ordered the Fridaquiles - the Mole sauce was intriguing and y'all it was delicious. They do a fantastic job and would highly recommend getting it. For my protein, I chose the Birria which was perfectly prepared and topped with Queso Fresco. The chips were sturdy and stayed crispy the entire time which was awesome. Overall, very pleased with the experience and can't wait to come back to try more of the yummy things on the menu. read more

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What a special place this restaurant was. Located in the normal area, but this is five stars restaurant ! The foods and drinks were crafted carefully and artistically to elevate into the next levels. I still can taste every single one of the ingredients and freshness, it's just one of a kind place. The service was amazing and the ambiance was lovely. We were here on valentines night and I saw people still waiting for to get a table around 9pm. The only negative thing about this place was the waiting time because they don't take a reservation ahead. We were smart enough to put our names 3 hours prior. We went to check in to our hotel and rest then come back to the restaurant. Overall we had a great experienced here. Thank you. read more

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I really loved the Jackfruit Tinga tacos here. The jackfruit Tinga filling has a strong deep flavor that doesn't feel like an afterthought. I also enjoyed trying the battered cauliflower tacos with the blue corn tortillas but contrary to my expectation that it would vise versa, the jackfruit tinga taco was the star for me. The food is delicious, creative and presented beautifully. I like how the restaurant is decorated too. Back when I went in 2024, they didn't take reservations and table seating wait times could be very long during popular meal times. My general rating system: 1 star: I would stay away 2 stars: Has some good things about it but I generally don't recommend. 3 stars: Pretty good. I wouldn't go out of my way to go back but a decent place 4 stars: Great place. I would go back. 5 stars: I highly recommend stopping whatever you are doing and making plans to try it out! An Evie favorite! read more

La Frida Mexican Grill & Seafood - Jackfruit Tinga- my favorite! - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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I have now experienced a brunch here...and I have had a memorable dinner at La Frida. Both times the food was exceptional, the service was fantastic (like, beyond what one could hope for...a wonderful blend of friendliness and professionalism). And the place has a welcoming and cheerful energy. Somebody in their organization has a sense of style and a flair for decorating--or maybe they hired the next generation's Frank Lloyd Wright, or Joanna Gaines. There is a bit of a wait, and I am told that this is pretty common. But extended waits to get into places that serve up some good vittles is what happens when people go the extra mile in everything they do, and then as a result, they create, "a bit of a buzz" about town. Yep, it stands to reason that people are going to gather. So, if you, like so many other Tucsonians, have put this place on your culinary bucket list, be ready to wait for bit. But the wait, you will find, is gonna be worth it. (Shoot! This paragraph sounds like a well-written summarizing and concluding paragraph. I really should move it to the end of this review. Nawh, I'ma gonna leave it here, as it establishes my feelings for the place pretty well. ) But part of the puzzle for why so many are flocking here, is that the food they share is really good. I had the Frida Chicken enchilada and the sauce that my three enchiladas were wading in could be described as "divine". I must also share that we opened up the feast by sharing two orders of their street-corn on the cob-lets. The creamy sauce that is made lovingly with Mexican crema, crumbled Cotija cheese, chili powder, cilantro and a hint of lime is so good that we all sopped up the final remains of it with the complimentary tortilla chips. We probably looked a lot like starving WWII POW camp prisoners --licking up every ounce, but our motivation was not because we were famished...rather, the sauce is something akin to amazing. I chose not to get one of their wondrous cocktails, as I had just finished a round of golf and had had two rounds of birdie juice during the game (birdies don't often come to me, and when 3 come in a single game.. why, that is cause for celebration...but we stopped drinking after the second.) So anyways...back to their adult beverages... I am not being hyperbolic when I describe them as, "Wondrous"... for they are both a visual feast to behold, and they will take your tastebuds for a joy ride. My wife sampled one of their margaritas and it was really good. We also acted like stupid traffic-jam-producing-drivers going past an accident every time one of their cocktails was paraded by. They are pretty to look at--and in our defense, it is hard not to look. *We actually also did more, "neck craning" from our table as many of the food dishes offered by LA FRIDA were marched past us on their way to other tables. The food dishes created here are also, like their cocktails, "awfully purty" and fanciful to look at. Somebody here has a flair for presentation... perhaps they are this generation's Ferran Adrià (known for molecular gastronomy and deconstruction of dishes), or the head chef here is the next, Heston Blumenthal (known for sensory dining and theatrical meals that elevated presentation to high art.) *I must share that before you assume that my, "baa baa ba brain is good," I have to confess that I just google-searched for, "famous chefs who were known for presentation of their food." (*And, if you are playing along with my "subtle reference to movies" game, the "Baaa baa brain" reference is a call-back to Simple Jack, the mentally impaired farm-hand in the 2008 film classic, "Tropic Thunder". And, I also can bet by now, that if you have read-along this far, you are most-likely thinking, "Yes, this reviewer is a lot like Simple Jack." Okay, here comes my real conclusion.... Places like La Frida make me wish that the good people who are in charge at YELP would allow us to change the font color. For places that are truly amazing...we could probably go with a golden hue. This would immediately tell readers that this place they are reading about is super special and a, "must try". La Frida is a gold for me! One more comment... When my wife and I had brunch, a week or two ago, at La Frida, our waiter was truly exceptional. He was super friendly and helpful, he offered suggestions, was patient as we drooled over the selections on the menu, he went back to the kitchen to see if we could actually get a 3 gallon bag of the corn crema sauce that was mentioned in the 4th paragraph of this review, and he generally could be described as the kind of guy you name your first born child after. Anyways, his name was Edgardo and you should be so lucky to have him as you waiter when you finally treat yourself and go. Oh, and my final piece of advice..don't name your baby, "Edgardo"--that would be cruel. (I'm kidding!) *That was a call-back to the Johnny Cash hit single, "A boy named Sue." read more

La Frida Mexican Grill & Seafood - This bottle of high end Tequila that sits on their shelf and legend has it that it was painted by female inmates in a Mexico prison. - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

great food, good price, small eating area but moves along pretty fast , staff is friendly

I lucked out today. This place has been on my bucket list for a while, but the long line outside always scared me off. Today I came by at 2:50pm on a Sunday and got a solo seat at the bar. The secret was coming in mid afternoon with no wait. Several servers asked me if this was my first visit. Yes, I replied. Was my awe-struck gaze around the restaurant so obvious? I ordered chicken mole enchiladas (Las Magdaenas, $21) and everything was perfect: prompt and friendly service, beautiful presentation, and a well-balanced sweet and spicy mole. The portion didn't look huge. But it filled me up. The place isn't big. The bar seats eight people and there are at least 14 tables and booths that seat 4-6 people each. At 3:30 pm there were three empty booths in the back! Music was classical Spanish that wasn't too loud. read more

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Ok I wanted to eat here for the past year. We finally got a chance to go for lunch and boy was it good. I will say the service is five stars!! The restaurant is cool inside with neat art and a very open bar area. It was a nice set up inside with ample space between tables. The food was so obviously made fresh, but the highlight is the toppings. The mole, the salsas, every single one was a delight for my tastebuds. The dip with the chips is spicy in a great way. I cannot wait to dine here again. I had the Delaura's and the crispy outside was so yummy. Will definitely come again. Bravo to the chef! read more

La Frida Mexican Grill & Seafood - Hot white salsa - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

One of the best Mexican restaurants I've visited! The food presentation was beautiful, the flavors were outstanding, and the portions were generous. The service was excellent, and the interiors were stylish and welcoming, creating a wonderful dining experience. I would definitely recommend this place and look forward to coming back. read more

Wow. Just wow! We went to La Frida for lunch on Wednesday for the first time. The decor is so stylish, and so comfortable in equal measure. The mural of Frida Kahlo immediately lets it be known that this is not your average Mexican restaurant (and I enjoy average Mexican restaurants as much as any Tucsonan). The hostesses are sweet and helpful, our server was wonderful, but dear God! The food! The plating itself is a work of art. From the tortilla chips and dip all the way through the entrees, it was amazing. I had the Camerones Volcan. It was spectacular! Perfectly seasoned, and absolutely delicious. My husband had the Kahlo enchiladas and loved them! I tried a couple bites and definitely agree. They definitely know what they are doing in this restaurant and I am here for it. The staff is clearly well trained and delightful. Cannot wait to come back and try other items on the menu! read more

La Frida Mexican Grill & Seafood - Kahlo Enchiladas, complete with an edible flower! Gorgeous! - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Breakfast at La Frida is as good as we remember. The service was great, not only was our server attentive but so was the rest of the staff from the host to the bartender. The habanero chilaquiles were amazing, and the pancakes were my favorite. My girlfriend's latte was so good I had to order one for myself. We will be back soon! read more

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This is hands-down one of my favorite spots, and I recently had the chance to take a friend who hadn't been there before and once again, we were not disappointed! We started with two mocktails traicionera and an order of their chicharrones appetizer. Let me tell you, that appetizer is massive, definitely not your average starter. The serving easily feeds four people, and honestly, it could be a meal on its own. Super crispy, flavorful, and one of my go-to dishes every time I visit. My friend ordered the mole enchiladas, and they were incredible. They make their own mole from scratch, you can tell it's a slow, thoughtful process because the flavor is rich, deep, and perfectly balanced. The enchiladas come with tender, visible chunks of chicken and a side of house rice that looked amazing. I went with the fritaditas, made with braised pork, pickled onions, and served on little corn sopes over a creamy bean sauce. Absolutely delicious every bite was packed with flavor. We didn't have room for dessert, but I spotted one being served nearby, and it looked so good. Next time, I'm definitely saving space! If you find yourself on the east side, this place is absolutely worth a stop. Consistent, flavorful, and always leaves you satisfied. Oh and the decor. Spot on. Inviting, festive and the music is loud enough to hear it low enough to hold a conversation. read more

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