The 5 best taco spots in the Valley based on customer reviews

From Phoenix to Peoria and Glendale to Mesa, the Valley is packed with places that turn the standard taco into something worth driving across town for. Whether it’s classic asada, juicy birria or al pastor, there is a little bit of everything.

So, on this National Taco Day, let’s taco-bout the joints across metro Phoenix that reviewers across Yelp, Facebook, Reddit and Tripadvisor say are doing it best.

What are the best taco spots in the Phoenix metro area?

Ta’Carbon

Locations:
Glendale – 5834 W Camelback Rd.
Phoenix – 2929 N 43rd Ave.
Peoria – 6750 W Peoria Ave.

Ratings: All three locations had average ratings above four stars on Yelp, with the two that have the most reviews earning 4.5 stars. 

What’s good? Fans of the Mexican grill like its reasonable prices, quick service, well-cooked meat and extensive salsa bar.

“Ta’Carbon is by far the best taco in [the] Phoenix area and surroundings. Tastes like you’re eating in Sonora,” one person on Reddit said. “The tortillas. Meat. Beans. Salsas.” 

Eaters specifically highlighted: 

• Taco de asada 
• Taco Hazz, which is carne asada topped with melted cheese and chile verde 
• Taco de tripa
• Taco de lengua
• Plato Alambre, which is grilled steak mixed with bell peppers, onions and melted cheese served with five tortillas

The restaurant’s avocado salsa got some attention from reviewers, too.

Tacos Chiwas

Locations:
Phoenix – 1028 E. Indian School Road
Mesa – 127 W. Main Street

Ratings: In addition to being recommended by people across Facebook and Reddit, the eatery received an average rating of 4.3 stars out of five on Yelp and Tripadvisor. 

What’s good? Tacos Chiwas, a family-owned restaurant that serves Chihuahua-style food, got high marks for its authenticity and consistency.

“The quality of the food and at the same time simplicity makes it the best taco spot I know,” one person wrote.

Visitors were impressed by the salsa bar’s selection, but some said the food was tasty enough on its own. 

The menu items that eaters said were their favorites included: 

• Pastor tacos
• Taco Chiwas, which is beef, ham, jalapeño, Anaheim chiles and Asadero cheese
• Barbacoa tacos
• Lengua tacos
• Tripas tacos
• Rajas gorditas, which includes roasted poblanos, Anaheim peppers, onion, Asadero cheese and beans 
• Calabacitas tacos, which includes Mexican squash, corn, white onion and Asadero cheese 

People also praised the freshness of the homemade tortillas.

Taqueria Obson

Location:
Guadalupe – 8400 S. Avenida del Yaqui

Ratings: Taqueria Obson had an overall average rating of 4.6 out of five stars on Yelp. 

What’s good? For the birria lovers out there looking for a new spot to try, Taqueria Obson could be the place to go.

“It was stuffed with tender and juicy shredded beef! It was packed with flavor and the dipping sauce [consomé] was so good,” an eater shared. “The taco was so cheesy and fresh! Definitely a must-get!” 

Make sure to get a cup of the consomé. Some reviewers said it was delicious enough to drink. 

Besides the birria, the other dishes that came recommended were:

• Asada taco
• Pastor taco
• Cabeza taco
• Taco Mexicano
• Papanchas, which is similar to a loaded baked potato.

For those who like to dress up their tacos, Taqueria Obson offers three homemade salsas: red, green and guacamole. 

Taqueria el Trompo

Locations:
Phoenix – 4434 W Thomas Rd., Suite #17
Phoenix – 4245 W Bethany Home Rd.

Ratings: On Yelp, Taqueria el Trompo had an average rating of 4.2 out of five stars. 

What’s good? Looking for the best al pastor in the Valley? Reviewers pointed to Taqueria el Trompo because they use a trompo, a vertical rotating spit that slowly roasts the marinated meat.

“Taqueria el Trompo [has] the best al pastor tacos I’ve had in Arizona. This is Mexico City-style tacos … and it is so good,” a Redditor said. “I love looking at the kitchen and seeing them work. You can tell the food is gonna be bomb.” 

Foodies called the taqueria extremely authentic and a hidden gem. How do they know? The homemade tortillas are thick and a little crunchy. 

Other highlights of the restaurant that posters listed were its quick service, reasonable prices and friendly staff. 

In addition to the al pastor, other hits were:

• Carne asada taco
• Trompo burrito
• Lengua burrito
• Shrimp taco
• Chicken flautas
• Steak fajitas

Eaters did suggest adding the restaurant’s red hot sauce or green guacamole sauce to whatever dish you get.

Taco Viva

Location: 

Phoenix – 2815 E. Indian School Rd

Ratings:  The eatery was consistently recommended by posters on Reddit and has an average rating of 4.7 out of five stars on Yelp, which is the highest of our roundup. 

What’s good? One of the owners of the restaurant grew up in Sonora, while the other lived in Mexico City as a teenager. Their food is inspired by flavors from all over Mexico, and their corn and flour tortillas are made in-house.

“I order and eat tacos for a living … and I can tell you this is a top tier taco spot,” a reviewer said. “Handmade tortillas are great. … The tacos here are actually fantastic, but they’re delivered in a hospital cafeteria environment, which doesn’t do them justice. If you’re just looking to consume nutrients, you’ll be stoked. The tacos are great.”

Taco Viva has an open kitchen, which was highlighted by reviewers. They also liked the quick service, cleanliness and portion sizes.

The restaurant’s al pastor received recognition and is prepared on a trompo.

Other dishes that people said they enjoyed included:

• Vampiros
• Fries asada
• Taco asada
• Taco pollo asada
• Fries Hongo, which is fries with mushrooms, sweet peppers and onion

A suggestion: order everything “con todo” and the food will come with salsa, guacamole, onion and cilantro. 

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