Total disappointment, over-priced, small portions and under cooked food, do to the fact that they're understaffed & took 75 minutes to get our meals. With so many, many excellent Mexican restaurants in Phoenix, the best is usually the family run establishments. Larger portions, short wait times for food, and reasonably priced. They need the repeat business, it's not always about profits! read more

3.5 stars Came here for my birthday with my husband. Margaritas were really good. Had chips and guac as well to start, which was also good. The restaurant itself is really cool and has an excellent vibe and atmosphere. Beware that it is pretty loud- didn't bother us but I know some people don't care for that. They have some special "gimmicky" things that are fun for if you have a big group. When it came to the actual food, we thought it was just ok. We really were not fans of the blue corn tortillas used for the tacos. They were thick and gummy/chewy. Service was just ok, but I feel like service is lacking everywhere these days. read more

We went to The Mexicano in January after the "re-opening". This was the original location that had been closed for renovation after a devastating fire. We were greeted when approaching the door as a line had formed prior to their opening time. The young lady asked if we had reservations and we did. Once entering, we asked to have Amy be our server. Michael, the jewel of a manager greeted us by name and suggested that we be seated on the covered patio. I knew that I would be surrounded by a decor that was botanically beautiful, but WOW. The attention to detail, even down to the salt and pepper shakers (my late mother-in-law would have most def had those in her purse), didn't miss a beat. Amy brought us chips and Salsa. Guacamole is so good and we added the pomegranate for an additional crunch, actually got a second order to take home. We loved our tacos and the Margaritas were excellent. I guess I will have to try UBER one day because I surely will want more than one in the future. We are also looking forward to when they open The Mexicano in Chandler, it will be very convenient to meet friends there since they live about an hour south. I can't say enough about the vision of The Maggiore family, they are sure carrying on the legacy of the late Tomaso Maggiore. Splendido! read more

Went for brunch on Cinco de Mayo and really enjoyed the variety in the happy hour menu. The braised beef flautas were so delicious! They had beautiful custom Cinco de Mayo cocktail cups and menus. The bartender was prompt and very polite younger gentleman. After that lovely experience, I decided to make a brunch reservation through OpenTable for my mom on Mother's Day. They had the option of ordering from their regular menu or opt in for the Mother's Day buffet. The buffet offered a build your own taco bar, ceviche, flautas, Mexican rice & beans, churros and so much more! They even added one free margarita for the mom's! The live dj was a lot of fun and not too loud. Our waitress, Claudia was very attentive and personable. She took her time at our table and made a real connection with each of us. It was also really nice that she spoke Spanish. My mom really enjoyed the lively experience. We will be back! read more

The Mexicano - Cinco de Mayo happy hour. Braised Beef Flautas. Hibiscus Agua Fresca Cocktail - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

After several great lunches we tried The Mexicano for dinner. Music was so loud inside & out we couldn't have a conversation. Menu had changed & almost nothing vegetarian. As a vegan I ended up ordering rice & corn tortillas & guacamole to make my own tacos. The guacamole never arrived. So I had rice & corn tortilla. Waitstaff never came back to check even though the restaurant was not full. Even the meat eaters in our party were not impressed. PS was told the pinto beans had pork so I ordered black beans but they brought pinto which I didn't eat. Totally disappointed. The low rating is because service, atmosphere & food choices all were lacking. read more

Our server Jackson was very polite, knowledgeable of the menu, and just a whole vibe tbh. We came in late and he was still so welcoming . Had a great experience , thank you . (: Also I love that there's no tvs so it's super family friendly and makes it a more personal experience. read more

Food + happy hour : AMAZING! From 4 to 6 PM even on a Saturday night we were able to order margs, all the apps and tacos for a fraction of the price. Everything was incredibly tasty, nachos for $9?!? Tacos for $3!? we had a group of six, and everyone left very impressed with food & pricing. And the shot cart sure made for a fun lively crowd. (Note: not a restaurant you want to go to for a quiet Saturday evening!) Service: I will say there is a lot of staff, all smiling and helpful if you ask. But our server in particular, forgot to fill our waters, brought a fish taco instead of a shrimp taco, forgot one person's order, forgot to ensure no beans in a burrito for someone that's allergic to beans, was hard to find.. Maybe she was new or busy, either way would not deter us from going back- overall great spot! read more

The Mexicano - Queso fundido with for tortillas HH $9! - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Five college girlfriends after 40 years meeting in Phoenix and this was our first visit to The Mexicano. From the moment we sat down everything felt special. From the forks to the napkins every detail was thoughtfully done and truly elevated the experience. We were fortunate to arrive while senior management was present. Chris and Michael went above and beyond, offering spot-on food and drink recommendations tailored to each of us, which made the experience feel personal and memorable. Our server, David, was equally exceptional. His interpersonal skills, timing, and genuine enthusiasm enhanced our three-hour stay and made us want to linger (and keep ordering). We arrived during happy hour and intentionally ordered from nearly every section of the menu to experience the range of offerings. Every dish delivered. The ceviche, tacos, Birria Bao Buns, and Tostilocos were standout items, in fact table favorites, memorable enough that we're still talking about them. We were told that the day of our visit was the last day Birria Bao Buns and Tostilocos would be on the menu. As customers, we really hope that doesn't happen. They were unique, delectable, and the kind of dishes you come back for and tell friends about. It would be such a loss not to have them as part of the experience. Our experience was so positive...food, service, and atmosphere that we left not just satisfied, but enthusiastic ambassadors for the restaurant. In fact, we would genuinely love for the owner, Joe, to consider allowing us to create a short promotional commercial or testimonial for The Mexicano. This is a restaurant we would proudly and authentically endorse. The Mexicano delivers something special, and we hope (as a last plug) to see those standout dishes remain part of what makes it unforgettable. read more

Best HH in town! All day, every day at the bar. $4 margs + beers, $10 and under appetizers. Ensalada Fresca is my favorite. Great spice and very refreshing. read more

The Mexicano - Ensalada Fresca - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

The Mexicano was fine. It's a huge place and apparently in a top-notch neighborhood. The semi-covered outdoor space was massive. It's in a typical suburban area. Again, really nice ambiance inside. The service was OK. It was a bit chilly and they had overhead heaters. Despite asking for them to be turned on multiple times, we didn't get the heaters going the entire time. Overall, I think the staff was nice. The food was good. I should've written this review sooner, because I mostly forgot what exactly I tried, but we had a good variety of vegetarian food options. The nachos were massive and good. I think we had enchiladas and tacos and the food was... again, OK. It's probably a bit over-rated on yelp, imho. read more

I visited during a busy lunch hour (6/2023) and was seated near the door and aisle on a crowded shared bench. Too many people passed the table, and I felt like I was eating lunch with the two groups of people on the left and right. My date swirled his food around a few times and did not eat it. I am unsure what others see in the food, but my taco salad was subpar. I understand they are trying to put a unique spin on their food, but why mess with perfection by adding radishes and chipotle honey? The drink the waitress suggested was not good. The one time the server came to our table, I told her I did not care for the drink; she did not suggest something else or ask me if I wanted another drink (how's that for service?). I had a direct view of the bar and bartenders. The bartender sneezed, did not cover her mouth/wash her hands, and continued making drinks. That was it for me; I'm out! read more

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Claudia Itzel made the whole experience outstanding. She was attentive, professional, and genuinely cared about providing excellent service. The food was fantastic as always, but Claudia really made the visit memorable. Can't wait to come back! read more

I absolutely loved this place! It is such a fun atmosphere to go with friends, but also a great date night. The environment is loud with Spanish music playing in the background. The decor I absolutely stunning in its representation for Latin culture. The food was excellent! I had three different tacos. Birria, shrimp, and chicken mole. The Birria was one of the best Birria's in town! So much flavor and tender. The Baja shrimp was also excellent. I loved the poblano cream & the shrimp was nice and crispy. The chicken mole blew my mind. It's so hard to find good mole. This mole was a little spicy, with a nice red chili flavor. I topped it all off with a margarita. Who can go wrong with one of those? It was great. It's a place you must try if you haven't. I'll be back. read more

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BEST!! You have to experience it. I mean the ramen birria... but everything else is great too. Also Maggie was a great waitress!! read more

The Mexicano - Spicy Margarita - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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We had Jeronimo as our server who went above and beyond for us was very attentive asking us about allergies without any prompt from us. He also always made sure our drinks were never empty and our food came out fast! Can't wait to come back and enjoy again read more

The Mexicano is a one of a kind experience. Make sure to reserve on Open Table if you're heading in for dinner on busier nights! The color never stops, the culture is bursting from every corner and the staff is as friendly as they come. From the music to the patio, margarita bar to the DJ, fire dancers and other unique performances you're sure to have a memorable time. The food is outstanding with beverages to complement the experience! You'll find me here a few times a month. Always a great place to take company/visitors!! read more

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Decided to try this place because of it's spectacular happy hour menu and prices. Tacos are only $2 and nachos and wings are $10. The catch is you have to get a seat in the happy hour area and we were fortunate to get one. The tacos were really good. We tried the al pastor and the chicken. The al pastor was more flavorful and both tacos had lots of toppings. The nachos were also very good with lots of melted cheese, meat, and other toppings. The chicken wings were served super hot and crunchy. They were also pretty spicy but had really nice flavorful. When I mentioned how spicy they were, the server brought us sour cream and their cilantro cream dressing. The dressing paired well with the wings. Overall, this place has a great happy hour with really good food. read more

The Mexicano - Happy hour menu 10/23 - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

I'VE HEARD TYPING IN CAPS MEANS YELLING - WHICH IS WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO DO TO HAVE A CONVERSATION IN THIS RESTAURANT. The food was good and the service was very good as well. I would say the prices of their drinks and food are not in alignment with their service and quality of food. These guys would not make it here in Vegas very long, yet I wish them the very best. read more

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Everything about this place is awesome! I loved the steak fajitas - the beef is from Argentina and they were the best fajitas I've ever had. The whole place is great and there is something for everyone. It's got a great Margarita bar too! Highly recommend! read more

We went there Friday evening at 7pm to celebrate the birthday of a friend. Upon arriving I was supriseed to see a DJ booth adjacent to the host stand, it was quite loud and difficult to communcate with the host. Since this was in the Bar/Lounge area I thought it would be quieter on the patio where we were going to be seated, boy was I wrong! After about 10 minutes they actually raised the volume to a point that we could barely communicate with the other people at our table. I asked our server if they could lower the music she said she would ask but doubted they would since that is the "Vibe" they wanted. We left before ordering food, so I can't comment on that. I think the mangement should advertise as a dance club instead of a restaurant. I will not be back. read more

Our server Samantha was totally awesome. The restaurant was fantastic, just wish our food was the same. I had the Queso Birria's and my wife had the carne Asada chimichanga style. The Birria's were cold and extremely greasy with hardly any flavor. The consume sauce was mediocre at best. However the rice and beans were pretty good. My wife's carne asada and it was thick, chewy and lacked flavor. All in all, we will give it a 3 star. Shame, we were really looking forward to this place. read more

The Mexicano - The Queso Birria's. - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

The food was good don't get me wrong but the service was horrible, me and my husband were livid, this blonde girl named kasey took forever to take our orders, made a snarky remark about us to another table because that table thought the other extra bottle of acqua panna was theirs trying to imply they only wanted 1 bottle but it was ours but kasey proceeded to make a snarky remark of "oh they probably heard you guys order it so they wanted it too", mind you the table was right in front of us...it was so unnecessary and unfunny, then she proceeds to dodge us and serve this couples in front of us instead, then made this other server take our order after we waited 15 mins plus for our second round of tacos. read more

The Mexicano - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

The food is fantastic, the atmosphere is beautiful, lively and fun, the service is great. It's a definite go to again and again. Loved it!! read more

What a fun place! They know how to make your dining experience memorable from the drinks, to the appetizers, and all the way to the desserts. But, the fun doesn't interfere with the quality of the food. Excellent and authentic Mexican food. We ordered the machete quesadilla and it took 4 of us to finish it. We were stuffed but it was soo good we had to keep eating. A must try!!! read more

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If you want a fun, modern, Mexican vibe; the Mexicano is the place to check out! Huge space with indoor/outdoor seating. Festive decor. Fire dancers. Your very own build a margarita bar. What more could you ask for. The menu boasts of classic items that are well presented and hits on flavor. My only set back was the service. It was lacking. We always had to grab our waiters attention instead of him checking in. However, I loved the food and ambiance enough to return. read more

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Great food. Got the mix and match tacos. My wife liked her margarita flight. Highly recommend. Gino was very helpful.

Food here is very good, maybe not award-winning, but good. We have been a couple of times. The first time I had the birria nachos and thought they hit all the happy notes, cheesy, beefy, beany. The combination with crispy chips was just right. Today I tried the tacos (al pastor, carnitas, and tinga). Of the three, I thought the carnitas had the best flavor, just added a little lime. The al pastor was a little too sticky for my taste and the tinga didn't have quite enough zing. The one area that would win an award is for -est restaurant. I grabbed a sweater that I keep in the car and it was not enough. If anyone from the restaurant sees this, please consider lowering your electrical expenses and raising the temp a couple of degrees. Gracias. read more

The Mexicano - Left to right- carnitas, al pastor, tinga tacos - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Great Vibes, Generous Portions, and Friendly Service My sister and I stopped met one of my best girlfriends at the Mexicano for Happy Hour and ended up having such a fun evening. The atmosphere is lively and upbeat, perfect for catching up and sharing good food. We kicked things off with drinks: my sister had the frozen watermelon margarita, which she really enjoyed. I ordered a regular Paloma--while it was decent, I would have loved to taste more of that fresh citrus flavor. If there was fresh grapefruit, lime, or orange juice used, it didn't quite shine through. That said, it was still refreshing. The chips and salsa were a standout--the salsa was flavorful and clearly made with care. We split the Tour de Mexicano, and wow, it was a lot of food! The green chili was especially good--mild in spice but rich in flavor. For dessert, we indulged in the churros, which came with three dipping sauces: chocolate, caramel, and what I think was dulce de leche. All were tasty and a sweet way to end the meal. The back patio is a great space, especially for larger groups, and while it's not the place for a quiet dinner, it's definitely ideal if you're looking for a good time. The staff were friendly, attentive, and helped make our evening even better. We'll definitely be back for the fun vibes and generous portions read more

Maggie M was our waitress. Maggie was excellent.It was Cinco De Mayo and she was professional, prompt, kind and awesome Thanks Maggie for making our holiday the best. read more

The Mexicano - Our entertainment for the night. Such a beautiful young lady. - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

The ambiance is so fun and lively! They have a margarita bar and you can choose from so many flavorings to add, fruits, and candy! Top it off with a fun crazy straw. When my boyfriend and I did get up to go make a margarita at the margarita bar the hostess must've forgotten we were already sitting there because she sat someone else at our table that had our water and chips there. When I went to go tell her it was like she panicked and kind of just froze there and didn't do anything about it. She mustve been new, it was really strange. Not like a sorry or went to go fix it. My boyfriend went to kindly go tell the lady sitting at our table that we were already sitting there and she got up thinking it was weird water and chips were already there. There were plenty of other tables open. Our waitress was a ray of sunshine! She had such a great charisma about her and was so nice and funny. Her name was Yvette. Thank you for making our first time at The Mexicano great! The food was amazing! I got 3 Baja style fish tacos and my boyfriend got 3 of the best f#*%ing quesa birria tacos! Delicious! The food, margaritas, and waitress was top notch. We also got to see a fire dancer perform as well. Would definitely come back! read more

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Love the atmosphere here, piñatas all over, margarita bar, and great food. We got the margarita flight, Birria nachos, and mole enchiladas all which were amazing We saw the long quesadillas that looked amazing if we had a bigger group All around we had a great time, I also saw a churro tower that I'll try next time too read more

The Mexicano - Birria nachos - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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This concept has jumped on the experience dining and they do it well. First, yes they have a margarita bar where you build your own margarita. AMAZING that this is the first time I have expended my horizon beyond a Bloody Mary bar. The food is good, but I don't know that I walked away talking about the food or would say there was something worth making a special trip for. The draw of this place is the vibrant atmosphere, numerous gram worthy food presentations (yes try the churro cart and guac ferris wheel), and the creative cocktail program. read more

The Mexicano - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Had lunch today at Mexicano in Phoenix. It was exceptional as always. I had the Restaurant Week 4 course menu for $33 and it was really good. Love this place. Conner was our server and he was EXCELLENTE!!! read more

FYI: the piñata drink isn't in the piñata - it's served alongside it Kinda cumbersome. Orders came out wrong but we're corrected quickly. It was the hairs on the plates that was annoying, on an entree and again later with the dessert!!! Beard covers, plz. Outside during the summer.... The misters do nothing. But if u are eating inside, it's a beautiful icebox. But, Evette G is the best waitress read more

The Mexicano - Hair on the plates - Mexican Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

This place is good! I had heard people talking about The Mexicano for years, and I was finally able to try it. I came during happy hour both times, and I was lucky enough to be seated quickly. The happy hour choices are enough for a meal. Then second time I went, I got the ahi tuna tacos just to try them. They are small and cute, but we had too much food. I think next time, I'll skip those and just order off of the happy hour menu. The chips and salsa are really good. The birria nachos amazing. I also loved the al pastor tacos. The amazing end to dinner was the churro cart for dessert. These are some of the best churros I've had. They are light, fluffy, and crispy. The tres leches and caramel sauces were my favorites. I'll definitely be back, and even though I don't always get dessert, I will save room for churros. read more

Literally please run do not walk to this restaurant. I am kinda a nacho connoisseur and have tried nachos from all over Arizona and this location....I'm obsessed . They are theee perfect nachos. The birria is nothing like you will ever get anywhere else it's amazing. ALL of their food is so good to their nachos and main menu food items. Margaritas are delicious . Everything has always been so clean and fresh and I've gotten to know the servers from how friendly they are. Friday and Saturday night is a VIBE. Just go, trust me. They even have a candy bar ! You will never regret a dollar spent at this place and I've brought everyone I know actually. They know that's where I'll be if I'm going to dine Mexican food read more

My girlfriend I went to visit this restaurant a couple of weeks ago and the wait time was insane (2 hours) and they don't accept reservations so we decided to go during the weekend when they just opened up. We went around noon, they open at 11. We sat outdoors which offered plenty of shade and misters to keep cool. We were pleasantly surprised to discover that they offer happy hour daily from 11-6pm. I ordered their white sangria which was delicious. The size of the drink did not disappoint either. We enjoyed their traditional guacamole which contained pomegranate seeds. I also ordered the Chicken Tinga and Chicken Queso Birria Tacos. Both were bursting with flavor. Our server, Bradley, was great and attentive and had great recommendations. Fabulous Saturday spent at the Mexicano and I highly recommend this spot for anyone! read more

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Joey has a fly problem and he also seems to have set up his restaurant incorrectly. The outside has more seats than inside, but he has no misters or ways to prevent the swarm of flies that joined our table for dinner last week. The only people eating outside were large families, so no idea why the hostess put a party of two outside. Chips were very thin and out of a bag. They basically broke apart in every dip. The two happy hour drinks though were good and well priced. We never got to eat because after we bailed on the flies and heat, we were sweaty and needed to go. Finally, if you have outdoor seating, close the door in-between the outside and inside. It was an oven inside the place as well. Oh, your outside benches you want people to wait on are directly in the sun. Details Joey...you don't know everything. read more

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Major plus for in house horchata and tortillas. I was visiting from out of town and my friend recommended here it cocina madrigal. This easier to accommodate with my arrival time. Flavorful food, really makes me miss AZ. The El Pastor was perfection. Meat was so flavorful, and the salsa was refreshing. Small blip was the churros. They were out or chocolate so they gave us three cups of creme without any forewarning of being out of chocolate. Would not have ordered them if I knew beforehand. Wishing for a franchise in DC. read more

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Had the machete birria. It was tough a chewy. And then the flan had more of a crème Brulé textire. This is the first time of many years coming here that it was a bad meal. read more