Visit El Taco Santo, Best Mexican Food

El Taco Santo, known for its raging popular taco food truck, has now opened up a permanent Mexican restaurant nearby for the community of Ahwatukee, Arizona (close to Phoenix). It is in The Plaza at Mountainside Shopping Center. Dedicated taco fans can now dine in or take out their Sonora style tacos made daily using only fresh homemade corn and flour tortillas, salsas, and premium meats. I love this place, it's as good as it gets!

​The moment you walk into El Taco Santo, the raw energy and vibe of the Lucho Libre pictures on the walls and tabletops captures the passion seen throughout the establishment. Lucho Libre means freestyle wresting and is a term used in Mexico for professional wrestling. ​There is no free styling here, the food is cooked to perfection.

El Taco Santo Quick Guide:

Dine-in and Take-Out Location:
4009 E Chandler Blvd,
Phoenix, AZ 85044
The Plaza at Mountainside
E. Chandler x S. 40th Street
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Contact:
602-585-2485
cesar@eltacosanto.com
Menu:
Mexican menu below
​Food Truck:
Companies, schools, and available for events and private parties

El Santo is known as the most famous and iconic of all Mexican luchadores, and has been referred to as one of "the greatest legends in Mexican sports."

Lavish Loaf HomeBakery Cinnamon Rolls
​sold at El Taco Santo
​lavishloafbakery@gmail.com

You also can't help but smile in this restaurant when you meet the owner, Cesar. He has to be the sweetest, gracious restauranteur I've ever met. His passion is evident as he treats every customer like family! You can see in his eyes, smile, and with every bite, the heart and love he has for his business and the Señora style cooking. 

Santo Combo $10 ~ Three meat tacos with one cheese quesadilla. If you are searching for, food near me, check this restaurant out!

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Carne Asada (Beef) Taco $3.00 on a handmade flour tortilla. Sonora style premium grilled steak.

Carne Asada and El Pastor Tacos $3.00 each, ready for your individualized salsa and condiment toppings.
​Also included in the picture are incredibly delicious Mexican Rice and Boraccho Beans, $2.50 each for a small bowl.

​​​​There is also a fresh salsa bar offering a wide array of toppings to tag-team all your taste buds as you build your perfect bite!

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​I tried nearly everything on the menu! You can't go wrong with your selection, but I have to say, the Carne Asada was the bomb! For vegetarians, you will love their Vegetable Taco (not shown on this menu). The Quesadillas are also a rockstar with their tortilla to cheese ratio. I am still trying to figure out how they achieved a perfect luscious soft cheese center with crisp edges. The Demon Combo with the Meat & Cheese Quesadilla and three Tacos is a knock out meal. You are guaranteed to be satisfied, as evidence of the countless fans on social media who post rave reviews of Mexican food nearby.. 

Meat & Cheese Quesadilla with Demon Combo

The backstory...

​It all started in the backyard of their house, Oscar Martinez, and his partner Adrian Felix love to grill. One night they were talking about how there was nothing in the local area that does Carne Asada. The concept for El Taco Santo began with his family and partners Adrian Felix and Martin Hurtado. They started searching for a location. With very little money and no one believing in their concept at first, they bought a Food Truck to start three years ago. They found one in McAllen, Texas, and drove 30 hours there and back. Since then, the community has been behind El Taco Santo 100%. 

With the success of the Food Truck, the Plaza approached them to open their first restaurant in November 2019. They plan to open another restaurant in Chandler and Gilbert soon. The Food Truck is still very active, and services companies in the morning, schools in Ahwatukee in the afternoon, taco catering for private events, and  parties. 

Their love for Luche Libre began 40 years ago as they are big fans! They try to go every anniversary to the biggest event in La Arena Mexico, Mexico City.

I highly recommend supporting your local small business community and entrepreneurs, such as El Taco Santo, and shop local. This is one of the best and most authentic Mexican restaurants I have been to! 

What is Sonoran Style Mexican Food?

​Does Phoenix, Arizona have their own cultural cuisine? Like the rest of the United States, Arizona shines for its immigrant diversity in cultures and colorful cuisines. Sonora style cuisine derives its name due to the Mexican state of Sonora, Mexico, which borders Arizona. This region is known for its wheat. Thus flour tortillas are preferred over corn. Also, the Sonora region has many ranches of livestock, and dishes with beef and carne asada are popular. Recipes are also known to use only the freshest of ingredients with simplicity. 

What is your favorite dish at El Taco Santo? What Mexican food is your favorite? I would love to hear from you, drop me a comment please. Thank you, Linda