Gallo Blanco, operated by Chef and Owner Doug Robson, closed Jan. 31, vacating their prized spot inside the Clarendon Hotel on Clarendon and Fourth avenues. Even though the restaurant, which specialized in Mexican cuisine, is gone, there are plenty of other places in Phoenix where you can get your Mexican fix.
Note: All ratings taken from Yelp.com.
Burros
If you are looking for burros, Rito’s Mexican Food and Carolina’s are the places to go. Rated four-and-a-half and four stars, respectively, both places have burros that are just to die for.
Rito’s Mexican Food
907 North 14th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85006
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Monday to Friday), 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Saturday), closed on Sunday
Carolina’s Mexican Food
1202 East Mohave Street
Phoenix, AZ 85034
Hours: 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (Monday to Friday), 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Saturday), closed on Sunday
Enchiladas
For enchiladas, look no further than El Norteño and Tacos de Juarez. Both are rated four stars and will not empty your wallet. Tacos de Juarez has more than just enchiladas, with customers also enjoying the tacos and chimichangas. El Norteño’s menu includes classic dishes like burros, tacos and tostadas, as well as a Mexican pizza for $9.15.
El Norteño
1002 North 7th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Monday to Saturday), 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Sunday)
Tacos de Juarez
1017 North 7th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85006
Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Monday to Wednesday), 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Thursday and Friday), 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday)
Tacos
Tacos are a Mexican food staple. Just a handful of these authentic restaurants are located in central Phoenix, all with three-and-a-half star ratings or higher.
If you’re willing to go a little ways away from downtown Phoenix, La Piñata will reward those extra miles with tasty tacos and the best chimichangas and cheese crisps. Paz Cantina is a bit closer to downtown, since it is only on Roosevelt and Third streets, and has tacos that are just as good. The pork belly tacos discovered by Downtown Devil dining reporters last December were particularly loved.
La Piñata
3330 North 19th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85015
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Monday to Thursday, Sunday), 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Friday and Saturday)
Paz Cantina
1011 North 3rd Street
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Hours: 11 a.m. to midnight (Monday to Friday), 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. (Saturday), 9 a.m. to midnight (Sunday)
Barrio Cafe has a variety of tacos for $12 or $13, such as the Tacos De Carne Asada and the Tacos De Pescado with beer-battered fish. Each order has three tacos with a side of salad or spicy fries. The restaurant is widely renown for its authentic Mexican recipes.
Barrio Cafe
2814 North 16th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85006
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Tuesday to Thursday), 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. (Friday and Saturday), 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Sunday brunch), 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. (Sunday dinner), closed on Monday
If you like beef or chicken tacos, Mi Patio is the place to be. Served with shredded lettuce and cheese, you can also get tomatoes and onions for free if you ask.
Mi Patio
3347 North 7th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85013
Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
For those who called New Mexico their home, Los Dos Molinos welcomes you home with décor such as New Mexico-themed paintings that sets the mood for an authentic meal. The restaurant has shredded beef, chicken, and soft shell tacos that are all $4 and under.
Los Dos Molinos
1044 East Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85014
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Tuesday to Thursday) 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Friday and Saturday), closed on Sunday and Monday
Otro Cafe has an assortment of tacos with seafood, pork, steak and chicken, most costing around $4. With a four-star rating, the sister restaurant to Gallo Blanco is owned by the same people, so you can expect the same high level of deliciousness and flavor.
Otro Cafe
6035 North 7th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85014
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Monday to Thursday), 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Friday), 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Saturday), 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Sunday)
If you’re looking for something new, La Santisima Gourmet Taco Shop does not disappoint. The Shop has tacos with a twist, containing unique ingredients like dogfish shark and Tinga chicken.
La Santisima Gourmet Taco Shop
1919 North 16th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85006
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Monday to Saturday), 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Sunday)
Seafood
If you’re craving seafood, Mariscos Playa Hermosa offers a myriad of options such as oysters, shrimp and octopus. In addition, there are also burritos and tacos with classic combinations like carne asada and red chile burritos as well as carne asada and dorados tacos.
Mariscos Playa Hermosa
1605 East Garfield Street
Phoenix, AZ 85006
Hours: 10 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Monday to Thursday), 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Friday to Sunday)
Hopefully this list helps with any Gallo Blanco withdrawals. The journey is all worth it once you get a sample of these restaurants. Also, if you just love the Clarendon Hotel/live nearby and do not want to walk or drive to these other places, the new restaurant that just moved into the Clarendon, Cafe Tranquilo, has its own Mexican dishes to offer.
Contact the reporter at Nikiana.Medansky@asu.edu.
