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    Velvet Taco

    4.2 (183 reviews)
    Closed 10:30 am - 3:00 AM (Next day)

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    VELVET TACO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Velvet Taco

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    Zoya A.

    This old town velvet taco was a really cool spot- fantastic for people watching and for some tasty/unique tacos They have a wide variety, very kind staff and excellent vibes! Definitely a place to check out if you're looking for a chill place to eat!

    All of my items today - queso blanco & chips, frozen rita and two free tacos with my coupons!
    Vivian H.

    I've been here for a Yelp event and couldn't remember if the tacos were good because I was too busy running my mouth, so tonight I came in again as I had two coupons for two FREE tacos from 2025 Yelp's Children's Museum event in October and Velvet Taco was giving away free things! I chose the cauliflower and salmon tacos and then also got a queso blanco and a frozen rita also. One thing I noted with their physical paper menu that no prices are listed, which I thought weird. Turns out the frozen rita was $7.50 and queso blanco was $5.95. The woman taking my order was super patient with me and very nice. She provided service and with a smile, now thats how I like it, do you your job well and smiling about it. The service was a bit slow but I didnt mind, I wasn't rushing to get anywhere. The ambiance here is super casual and lots of solo, couple, family diners here. They also play some fun poppy music which I enjoyed. Probably after 10-15 minutes, all my items came and then I mosied up to the second floor area to enjoy my early dinner. Nice views of downtown Scottsdale and the fresh air is always nice. Queso was good, but would have preferred the chips to be not so salty. I took my time with the frozen rita and was here for awhile slowing sipping it as I didnt wanna drive under the influence at all. No idea what cops are doing these days. Parking is a bit of a pain around here but I parked closeby, a couple of blocks away. ICE protestors were out when I was coming here, I honked a few times at them. Cauliflower taco was tasty but I think I prefer the salmon one more. I also liked how they package tacos to-go, the separate partitions are a real nice innovation. Overall, I had a good time here. I saved a little over $11 on the two free tacos and my order came to less than $20, with tax and tip. I may not make a special trip here again but if I am in the area and want a solid taco or a frozen rita, Id come back. They are open until 3am on Fridays probably for all the drunk people pouring out of bars in the area, good idea to feed them to soak up the alcohol!

    Two fish-n-chips tacos, chips and queso and two diet cokes from McDs oops.
    Corinna L.

    I'm not sure who decided a yellow curry drizzle goes with fish and chips in a taco, but it kinda works. Above and beyond service at this location. Parking in the back. Thumbs up.

    Mexi-Cali Shrimp & Elote & Margarita
    Bekah C.

    I'd never been to Velvet Taco before (never heard of it, actually) but this place is a total vibe. It's definitely not your traditional Mexican spot--it's more of a fusion of inspirations so the creativity is awesome. (The red velvet cake? So random but it looks delicious.) I ordered the Mexi-Cali Shrimp Bowl and it was just as good as I was anticipating. The shrimp were perfectly blackened and the sriracha aioli gave it just the right amount of kick. We also shared the elote with chips, which was super fresh and the perfect side to round out the meal. Don't sleep on the drinks! We got a Kick-Ass Margarita and it was absolutely worth it--strong, fresh, and paired perfectly with the bold flavors of the food. The atmosphere is energetic and cool, making it a great place to start a night out in Old Town. And the staff is so rad. If I'm ever back in town, I'll definitely stop by Velvet Taco again.

    QR code on table so you can order more tacos or beverages without leaving your seat
    Teena M.

    I love the tacos here! They have such a wide variety and it's a fusion of flavors! Today we tried the rotisserie chicken and the Weekly Feature aka the "WTF" taco which was a lemon pepper chicken taco. I loved the pickled celery on it. The margaritas are good for a chain and a mix. I always add a Grand Marnier floater! The gentleman who cashed us out and took our order was friendly and helpful. He made my margarita full to the brim and rimmed my cup with extra Tajín! Then when he brought it out to me he even pointed out where there were extra limes. ‍

    Upstairs seating
    Tanya B.

    The tacos are huge- I ordered 2 but I could have got by with 1. They are messy - they are so full that the toppings fall out so prepare yourself & get the spoon! It was 35 bucks for 4 tacos and a $5 beer so not cheap but it's not a "Taco Tuesday" 4 bucks taco place! Definitely worth a go but I don't know if we'll be back since we have other preferred options in Old Town!

    2 taco combo (both with Nashville Hot Tofu) and Elote (GF) (V)
    Sam H.

    We stopped off after a movie nearby for a late dinner. The place was shockingly empty on the inside, but not soon after our arrival, it filled up quickly. A young lady opened up another register to take our order. I order the 2 taco combo (Nashville tofu), with elote. The food came up pretty quick and it was delish, especially with the sauce in the red top (nice & spicy). My friend order the shrimp bowl and I tried a shrimp and it was seasoned and cooked properly. So often places over cook shrimp, but this place prepared them well. It's a med size dining room that offers patio seating which was full (it was a beautiful night out) and apparently offers seating upstairs too. All the tables that were initially empty were clean and ready for seating. Highly still recommend this place, especially if you like spicy tofu (as a vegan option).

    Upstairs low key seating indoors
    Andrew C.

    Pretty cool concept: tacos with a variety of interesting, unexpected flavors. Some combos worked better than others; we got the Grilled Salmon (Asian), Chicken Tikka (Indian) and Nashville Tofu (Southern US). Our fave was the salmon, which came out super fresh, and a good portion. The chicken had a solid flavor from the sauce but the coating was a bit undercooked. You can get most of these as a bowl too. Pretty low key, urban hip-style atmosphere, super casual and relatively affordable with counter service and fast-food restaurant style seating. Cool upper level with outdoor seating too. Thumbs up to the concept.

    Travis T.

    I love swinging by this place. Who doesn't love good tacos? Velvet Taco is the newest indoor/outdoor patio restaurant in Downtown Scottsdale. This Texas-based restaurant took over the former Second Story Restaurant & Liquor Bar location in Scottsdale late last year. Velvet Taco's taco creations are inspired by different cultures. You can dine on the lower level or on the outdoor patio. Or you can book a room on the second story which has great views of Downtown Scottsdale. I have been able to sample a number of tacos including the Korean Fried Rice, Mexi-Cali Shrimp, Rotisserie Chicken and the Chimichurri Steak. So far everything that I have tried has been good here. Great place for lunch if you are in Downtown Scottsdale.

    Jennifer W.

    My wife had first tried Velvet Taco in Austin, TX during a work trip. She RAVED about it, so when she found out Scottsdale was getting a location, she was thrilled. The restaurant is counter service style with two levels of ample seating. The decor was colorful and eclectic. We sat upstairs and we were the only one's eating up there (around 7-8PM) so it felt kind of odd. Note: They are open late on Friday and Saturday night (3AM). There was a heavy smell of cleaning product, which was not the most appetizing, but when we got our tacos, we were happy and the smell became irrelevant. The food came out fairly quickly and was hot (in temp, which is preferred) and fresh! We ordered one of each veg taco. Beer battered cauliflower - queso blanco, sabor hot sauce, avocado, roasted corn pico, candied pepitas, flour tortilla Friend paneer cheese - tomato chutney, tikka sauce, raita crema, Thai basil, flour tortilla Nashville hot tofu - crispy tofu, napa slaw, ranch crema, house brined pickles, flour tortilla Let me tell ya, these tacos are BIG and filling! They are a bit challenging to eat due to the size and some flavors got lost in the deep frying, but I appreciate the fusion of cuisines, making this whole experience quite unique.

    chimichurri steak taco
    Ryan H.

    Velvet Taco in Scottsdale is everything I want in a taco spot--creative, flavorful, and fun. We ordered a solid lineup and loved every bite. I had the Chicken Tikka and Chicken & Waffle tacos--two totally different styles, both delicious. The chicken tikka was bold and flavorful, like a full meal packed into one tortilla. The chicken and waffle taco was super unique with a soft waffle-cone-style shell that worked surprisingly well. Just a heads up--it's best eaten quickly, because the waffle shell does start to fall apart if it sits too long. My girlfriend ordered the Quesa Birria Duo and the Chimichurri Steak taco. She was all smiles the whole time and said both were packed with flavor and super satisfying. We also split the Crisp Tots & Sunny Egg--and wow. It was like a loaded breakfast bowl with perfectly crispy tater tots, creamy sauce, bacon, cheese, and a sunny-side-up egg on top. Easily sharable, but still filling enough that we brought half home. Inside, the place has a cool, casual vibe. There's upstairs balcony seating which is a great spot to hang out--just be prepared for the occasional loud engine from drivers outside trying to show off. Minor annoyance, but it didn't ruin the experience. The quality and portion size were fantastic. Two tacos each plus the shared tots was more than enough, and the fact that we had leftovers says a lot. I'm posting more photos on my Yelp review because the food looked as good as it tasted. Velvet Taco definitely lives up to the hype. Can't wait to go back and try even more of the menu.

    Paula P.

    They have their own parking lot but it is quite small. There's only 3 veggie options and I got the Nashville hot tofu and the fried paneer tacos. The size of the tacos is a good portion. They do have some salsa/hot sauce available. There's an open patio that's also dog friendly too.

    Jazmine C.

    Great find in Old Town Scottsdale. Prices are very fair for the area. Took my team to lunch and our group all went with the combo plate (two tacos, a side, and a drink for just under $15), which felt like an excellent deal. The tacos are bigger than your standard street taco and much more unique, with each one running about $5-6 on its own. They're flavorful, creative, and absolutely worth it. The setup is casual and fun. Ordering and pickup are on the first floor, with extra seating upstairs and bathrooms on both levels. When your food is ready, you'll hear it called out over the speakers. Parking is also easier than expected. There are a few spots out front, plus a public garage right across the street. Overall, highly recommend Velvet Taco as a fun, different, and tasty lunch spot in the area. Great food, good value, and easy to visit with a group

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    3 months ago

    Amazing food and service. Great atmosphere. Staff was wonderful. Drinks were made perfectly, food tasted delicious.

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    15 days ago

    SO GOOD! Super affordable with so many unique options to choose from. Loved it so yummy!

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    Page 1 of 5

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    Paco’s Tacos & Sip

    Paco’s Tacos & Sip

    4.5
    (296 reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $$

    I have mixed feelings. First of all the location moved I guess and now they're located where bread…read moreand honey house is at. In the mornings it's bread and honey and at 3 it turns to Paco's. We arrived at 2:30 and decided to wait . While we waited the young lady was nice enough to give us crepes on the house. They were amazing. We ordered 2 different types of burritos (Cali and chile relleno) and a carnita taco/ birria taco and asada taco. The food was just ok. The meat had no flavor at all. The birria taco is supposed to be crunchy and it was soggy. It just was pretty mediocre tasting and I really wanted to like it. Personally the best part was the crepe that was served at bread and honey

    I'm a big fan of this taco spot during the cooler weather as sitting outside is ideal. This time I…read moredecided to turn the family own to what I called "my secret spot"... Usually I'm camped outside with a few cocktails and I stagger my order. Just to be clear, my favorite item here is the Carne Asada Sope!!! Service was great as they gave the family recommendations. Teenagers went for the (classic Azteca & burrito Mio) burritos and birria tacos. The consommé to them was on point as they finished it all on the burritos. Greedy kids also split one of my Sope's seeing how I hyped it up... and left crumbs!!! Salsa bar is located in the corner and labeled so you don't go blazin hot unexpectedly with a salsa. For the adults, we decided to go with the Asada Fries for the group to share, the Mulitas with Carne Asada, Steet taco combo with rice & beans, horchata's and of course a Margarita (or 2) It was a bit to hot for the patio our front that evening, and they do have a another one out back. The only downside was that that bathroom was down for the night so we didn't hang out for a round 2.

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    Paco’s Tacos & Sip
    Paco’s Tacos & Sip
    Paco’s Tacos & Sip

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    Blanco Cocina + Cantina

    Blanco Cocina + Cantina

    4.0
    (1.6k reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$
    Catering service
    Takes reservations

    I planned a dinner party for a group of 13 and explored hosting it at this restaurant…read more Unfortunately, the required minimums for a private event were outside of our budget, and the private‑party structure didn't align with what we needed. Instead, we opted for their take‑home catering, which ended up being an excellent alternative. The online ordering process was straightforward, and the party‑package options made selecting our menu very easy. The food itself was flavorful and well‑received by our group. The only drawback was the pickup experience. Despite arrwaiting in line, we were intentionally passed over for service with no explanation, which was disappointing. Overall, the catering quality was strong, but the in‑person service at pickup could be improved.

    **Travel Addition** - we started off with queso and chips,…read morethe queso was very flavorful and delicious and the chips were crunchy: 9/10 - I ordered the Tuscan chimichanga with short rib the short rib chimichanga was not for me. I love short rib but they had blended it with a lot of peppers and onions, if you like those you will probably like this as well. It is large (personally I would rate this 2/10) with street corn. The street corn was absolutely delicious, creamy and flavorful 10/10 - they also had Mexican coke which I enjoyed The vibe inside the restaurant is nice. Very open and lots of seating indoor and outdoor. The decode is cute and they have a lot of tvs to watch sports game. The server was kind and attentive as she could be with how busy it was. I would come here again!

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    Blanco Cocina + Cantina
    Blanco Cocina + Cantina
    Blanco Cocina + Cantina

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    Dilla Libre Dos

    Dilla Libre Dos

    4.4
    (535 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$

    We wanted to find a local small business to cater a staff meeting for my awesome preschool…read moreteachers. Luckily Dilla Libra was right around the corner! The food was a HIT with everyone! The chips and tortillas are perfection, and the variety of choices make it so everyone found something they liked. The queso had just the perfect amount of a kick and was super yummy. The vegan queso is SO good I could drink it! They even called me to narrow down an exact pickup window so the food could be as fresh as possible. We will absolutely order from them again and hope they stay around for a long time! We'll be back for happy hour!!

    I came to order take out for my friends here about two weeks ago. I had everyone's order on my…read morephone and walked in to no one greeting me. I saw only one server, he was waiting about 3-4 tables and seemed to be responsible for the to go orders, as well. He did not welcome me or my friend with me, so we took a seat until he was able to help us. After sitting for about 5 or so minutes, he hastily set two glasses of water down in front of us without making eye contact or saying anything to us. I said hello and asked if we could put a to go order in. He very obviously rolled his eyes at this request, and quickly removed the waters from the table and walked to the ordering POS. He did not say literally any words. Just gestured for us to stand and meet him at the kiosk. We get up and follow him, and I begin by asking for a chicken quesadilla. I did not realize this was something not on the menu, but it doesn't seem like a hard thing to make at a Mexican restaurant ??? He replies rudely, "That isn't even something we have on our menu. Do you even know what you want to order?" I was not understanding why he was acting with disrespect, as neither my friend nor I had treated him with any behavior similar to his. He quickly says "I am going to give you guys 10 minutes to figure your order out and get it together." He leaves. We sit down, and I texted my friend what she wanted instead of a chicken quesadilla. He returns a bit later and we try again. She asked for a bean and rice burrito, so that's what I ask for. He slams his hands on the counter, and huffs and puffs about this order, too. He goes "WE DON'T HAVE THAT EITHER!" At this point, I am really upset with how I have been treated. There was not one point where he was patient, kind, or respectful in any category. This is 100% not how you treat patrons. I ask, "Is us being here too much for you? Is our order too difficult? We can leave, if that is the case." He says it is. We leave. I have worked in food since I was 15 years old. I understand the stress and urgency that comes with a restaurant. At no point have I ever made someone feel badly for ordering. That is what your job requires. If taking an order for a bean and rice burrito is so overwhelming, I would heavily consider a different career path. Disrespectful and incredibly unprofessional. 0/5 stars if possible :(

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    Interior
    Interior
    Chips and Salsa
    Chips and Salsa
    Dining area

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    Dining area
    Taco Chelo

    Taco Chelo

    4.8
    (190 reviews)
    5.0 mi
    $

    Sometimes the best meals happen because your original plan falls through. That was exactly the case…read morehere, and honestly... I'm not even a little mad about it. I ordered the veggie tacos with roasted sweet potatoes (skin on, which was absolutely the right call), pepitas, feta, and all the right toppings. Whoever prepped those sweet potatoes deserves a raise because they were cut into the perfect sized pieces. Every bite had a little sweetness, a little crunch, a little saltiness... it just worked. My dining partner ordered the barbacoa tacos, and I didn't even have to ask if they were good. The involuntary "Mmm..." after the first bite answered that question. Four tacos disappeared in record time, followed by, "I could've eaten two more." That's about as glowing of a review as you're going to get. Now let's talk about these tortillas. Handmade. Corn. Tortillas. Are you kidding me? They're the kind of tortillas that had me question every tortilla I've ever eaten. Soft, fresh, and somehow they manage to steal the spotlight even with everything else on the plate being so good. The chips and guacamole were excellent, too. The chips have to be made in-house and they disappeared at an alarming rate. The salsa that came with them had this smoky, fire-roasted, chipotle flavor that kept me reaching for another chip... and then another... and then suddenly I realized I'd eaten way more chips than I intended. The bottled table salsas deserve their own paragraph because they completely confused me... in the best way. They bring three to the table... a green, a red, and a darker red. I kept tasting them individually thinking, "Okay, these are alright." Then I started mixing them. Game over. On their own, each one was solid. Mixed together? That was the magic. I don't know if that's what they intended or if I accidentally stumbled onto the perfect combination, but from that point on, every taco got the salsa trio treatment. The only tiny hiccup was when we first walked in. We were greeted, asked if we wanted menus, and sat ourselves. We waited for a bit thinking someone would come take our order, only to realize it's actually counter service. Once we figured that out, everything was smooth sailing. Not a big deal at all... just something first-time visitors might want to know. Follow the sign "order here" I also loved the layout. You can actually watch them making the food, which somehow makes the wait even harder because everything smells incredible. Two tacos ended up being the perfect light meal for me. Could I have eaten ten? Absolutely. Those two statements can both be true. Meanwhile, my dining partner polished off four barbacoa tacos and was talking about ordering two more. We only ended up here because another place happened to be closed, and honestly, I'm glad it worked out that way. This ended up being one of those meals we keep talked about on the drive home. Oh and the bathrooms?. I walked in and immediately thought, "Whoa... this is a cool bathroom" The lighting had this pinkish-purple glow that made me feel like I'd accidentally wandered into a trendy lounge instead of a taco shop. I honestly wasn't even sure there was regular lighting in there and I didn't look... because the vibe seemed so intentional. Finally, the music. .. upbeat, dance-worthy, the kind that had me bouncing in my seat while waiting for my food. Between the atmosphere, the lighting, and the music, the whole place had me want to hang out a little longer. Zero regrets. I'll absolutely be back... and next time I'm ordering more tacos.

    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

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    Really cool vibe inside
    Really cool vibe inside
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    Alma Southwest Steakhouse

    Alma Southwest Steakhouse

    4.3
    (1.2k reviews)
    14.1 mi
    $$
    Happy hour specials
    Large group friendly

    I had an amazing birthday dinner at Alma and my fried Red Snapper was the best I have ever eaten…read more Please bring it back!!!

    This review is for the totality of the experience…read more I made an advance reservation at Alma Scottsdale for a mid-sized group of 7 to celebrate a special occasion. Our party arrived right on time for our reservation, but we were not seated until 15 min later because our table was not ready. It took about an additional 15 min to get tap water for the table (there was not enough provided anyways), and to place our orders too another ~20 min. The food did not arrive until 30 min later. For context, we eventually learned that the restaurant was short staffed and the bartender was also operating as our waiter. When the food finally arrived, there was a mix-up on what was delivered. We had checked with the staff who delivered one of the dishes: we ordered the "wild mushroom" side, but what we received did not look quite like it. We asked clarifying questions x2, but were assured, "no, it is the wild mushroom." Turned out, it was the mushroom empanada that was delivered to our table, which we originally did not order. The management did rectify the situation upon the conclusion of the event when we were paying the bill, but to us, it felt a bit accusatory as if we intentionally wanted to cause a huge fuss about the final total, which was absolutely not the case. The food in general was delicious. If this was a more standard dining experience, it would have been 4-5 stars just for the food. The service was very subpar, and really colored the entire experience negatively, therefore the two star review. I understand that staffing shortages happen -- fine. My family has worked in food service as wait staff for 25+ YEARS, so I am empathetic. But for management to ring up our bill and then come confront us in an inflammatory manner, making us feel like we were wrong, on an occasion to celebrate something special, was extremely disappointing.

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    Velvet Taco - newamerican - Updated August 2026

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