Are you ready to get your taste buds dancing the salsa? Look no further than Mesa, Arizona, for some of the best Mexican food in the country – sorry, Texas, we said it.
With a culture deeply rooted in Mexican heritage, Mesa offers everything from traditional street tacos to savory tamales. It’s like a fiesta in your mouth. So whether you’re in the mood for spicy green chile or a refreshing margarita, Mesa’s got you covered. Don’t believe us? The Chili Verde at Garcia’s and Machahca Enchilada will make you into a believer.
What are you waiting for? Book your Mesa vacation home and grab this list. Warning: These 15 options may cause sudden cravings for guacamole and queso.
1. The Original Blue Adobe Grille

Photo Credit: Li Tsin Soon via Flickr CC 2.0
- Address: 144 N Country Club Dr, Mesa, AZ
- Favorite Menu Item: Carne Adovada
- Price: $$
- Website: originalblueadobe.com
This isn’t your typical Mexican restaurant. The Original Blue Adobe Grille menu perfectly combines traditional Southwestern flare and New Mexico creativity. Not Tex Mex, but more ‘Mesa Mex’. With daily specials, happy hour margaritas, and an Adobe brunch that is to die for, this dessert grille leaves little to be desired – even their specialty pizzadillas!
2. Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant
- Address: 1940 E University Dr, Mesa, AZ
- Favorite Menu Item: Chili Verde
- Price: $
- Website: garciasmexicanrestaurants.net
If you are looking for traditional, authentic Mexican food, look no further than Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant. Everything here is made in-house, from the salsas to the tortillas. Build your own combination of Mexican classics like an enchilada and a tamale… Or go really crazy and order Olivia’s sampler!
3. Macayo’s Mexican Food

Photo Credit: Daniel Hanson via Flickr CC 2.0
- Address: 1920 S Dobson Rd, Mesa, AZ
- Favorite Menu Item: Chimi de Macayo
- Price: $$
- Website: macayo.com/restaurants/mesa
With multiple locations throughout Arizona, Macayo’s Mexican Food has made a name for itself as one of the best Mexican joints in the state. Visit during the week to enjoy one of their many lunch specials and stay awhile to take advantage of their happy hour. Whatever you do, just make sure you save room for dessert!
4. Rosa’s Mexican Grill
- Address: 328 E University Dr, Mesa, AZ
- Favorite Menu Item: Rosa’s Burrito
- Price: $$
- Website: rosasgrill.com
Serving up some of the best Mexican food for the last 25 years, Rosa’s Mexican Grill knows a thing or two about a good burrito. Have a seat in the aesthetically pleasing dining room as you chow down on classic dishes like quesadillas, tacos, tamales, and more.
5. Carolina’s Mexican Food

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- Address: 1450 S Country Club Dr, Mesa, AZ
- Favorite Menu Item: Machacha Enchilada
- Price: $
- Website: carolinasmexicanfood.com/
Regardless of the time of day, Carolina’s Mexican Food has you covered. This tasty restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Enjoy eggs with carne asada for breakfast, a quesadilla for lunch, and a combination platter for dinner. You can even order a dozen hand-made tortillas!
Visiting on a Saturday? Try the menudo!
6. Sol Azteca Mexican Kitchen
- Address: 9265 E Baseline Rd # 103, Mesa, AZ
- Favorite Menu Item: Molcajetto
- Price: $
- Website: solaztecamk.com
With every Mexican favorite you can think of, from street tacos to fajitas, you can’t go wrong with a visit to Sol Azteca Mexican Kitchen. This is a place that you visit time and time again, so do yourself a favor and sign up as a VIP to start earning rewards. You’ll be enjoying a free dessert in no time!
7. Backyard Taco

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- Address: 1524 E University Dr, Mesa, AZ
- Favorite Menu Item: Crazy Potato
- Price: $
- Website: backyardtaco.com
With a mesquite grill and a made-to-order policy, Backyard Taco always guarantees a delicious meal. As the name suggests, tacos are their specialty. Visit on a Tuesday for a special deal on carne asada, pollo, and el pastor tacos.
8. Mangos Mexican Cafe
- Address: 44 W Main St, Mesa, AZ
- Favorite Menu Item: Tostada Voladora
- Price: $
- Website: mangosmexicancafe.com
When you walk into Mangos Mexican Cafe, the bright-colored atmosphere is enough to put a ‘south of the border’ smile on your face. Grab a seat and enjoy Mexican classics like chimichangas, chile rellenos, and shrimp tacos. They don’t call Mangos the best Mexican food North of the Rio Grande for nothing!
9. Rosita’s Fine Mexican Food

Photo Credit: Christine Lu via Flickr CC 2.0
- Address: 2023 W Guadalupe Rd, Mesa, AZ
- Favorite Menu Item: Menudo
- Price: $$
- Website: rositasfinemexicanfood.com
With mouthwatering specials and excellent service, Rosita’s Fine Mexican Food is easily one of the best places in Mesa to enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine. This family-owned restaurant has been around since the 1960s and has only improved with age.
10. Serrano’s Mexican Food Restaurants
- Address: 1021 S Power Rd, Mesa, AZ
- Favorite Menu Item: Serrano’s Special Quesadilla
- Price: $
- Website: serranosaz.com
Also located in Chandler and Queen Creek, there is no denying that this family-owned restaurant is a local favorite. They might come from an old tradition, but everything about Serrano’s screams modern and hip. Baja fish tacos, Queso Fundido Dip, and Tortilla soup await to transport you straight to the Mexican Coast.
Sit down for a one-of-a-kind, dine-in experience, order takeout for a romantic dinner back at your vacation home, or check out their fiesta menu for large gatherings!
11. ZONA Cantina + Cocina

Photo Credit: Christ Mort
- Address: 5609 E McKellips Rd Ste 101, Mesa, AZ
- Favorite Menu Item: Shrimp Empanadas
- Price: $$
- Website: zonacantina.com
Did someone say guacamole? This modern-style Mexican restaurant has all of the staples and more. Stuff your face with guac and chips, then choose an adventurous main dish like the Mexican-style burger or short-rib enchiladas.
12. Taquitos Jalisco
- Broadway Address: 1052 W Broadway Rd, Mesa, AZ
- Gilbert Address: 437 S Gilbert Rd #2, Mesa, AZ
- Favorite Menu Item: Chorizo Torta
- Price: $
- Website: taquitosjaliscoaz.com
If you are looking to enjoy authentic Mexican food in a fast-food-style setting, then Taquitos Jalisco is the place for you. With over twenty different types of burritos, a heft combination list, and tacos galore, there is something here for everyone to enjoy. Plus, they have a drive-thru!
13. Carbajal’s Mexican Food

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- Address: 7302 E Main St, Mesa, AZ
- Favorite Menu Item: Beef Fajita
- Price: $$
- Website: carbajalsmexicanfood.com
Sometimes simple is best, and no place does it better than Carbajal’s Mexican Food. This straightforward restaurant offers all of the Mexican favorites without any of the fluff. Order al a carte or opt for a combination, but be prepared to leave overstuffed and satisfied.
14. Meño’s Place Taco Shop
- Address: 1720 W Southern Ave C5, Mesa, AZ
- Favorite Menu Item: Street Tacos
- Price: $
- Website: facebook.com/menosplacetacoshop
Meno’s is a place you would never know existed unless you stumbled upon it, but once you get a taste, you’ll be making little hand-drawn maps for your friends, recommending it to out of towners, and putting it on your own speed dial!
Nothing says good Mexican food like a small, family-owned restaurant sporting colorful decorations and top-notch customer service. Burritos, pupusas, and street tacos will have you singing all the way to your next siesta.
15. Baja Joe’s

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- Address: 1927 N Gilbert Rd, Mesa, AZ
- Favorite Menu Item: Parrillada De Mariscos
- Price: $$
- Website: bajajoescantina.com
If Baja-style Mexican cuisine is what you are after, look no further than Baja Joe’s. Baja Joe’s prides itself on their Sinaloan-style Mexican seafood, but you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. Plus, when you have 12 specialty margaritas to choose from, you’ll never want to leave!
The Best Mesa Mex Awaits
Mesa is a Mexican food lover’s paradise, with tons of amazing restaurants ready to provide you with in-depth flavor experiences. Whether you are looking for authentic family recipes, fusion dishes, or something more contemporary, you will find it here.
So what are you waiting for? Get out there and discover all the delicious dining options with a stay at a Mesa vacation home!