Photos by Mauro Whiteman
Grade: B
America’s Taco Shop, a midtown restaurant with a friendly staff, great food and low prices, is one of the best places in central Phoenix to find quality Mexican food without breaking your budget.
Located on Seventh Street and Monte Vista Road in what appears to be an old house, the restaurant has a humble and relaxed atmosphere. It’s the kind of place college students might go for an affordable meal with friends, or enthusiastic downtowners would frequent to avoid some of the stuffy, upscale restaurants of the suburbs.
During my most recent visit to the restaurant, a smiling, mustached employee joked with me, asking if I could find the bottle opener for my bottle of Coca-Cola. (I eventually found it attached to the frame of a picture on the wall.)
The restaurant has several interesting beverage options, including horchata and cochata — a mix of iced coffee and horchata. But I always opt for the classic half-liter glass bottles of Mexican Coke, at least now that I know where the bottle opener is.
The tacos are a natural choice for anyone who walks into America’s Taco Shop. Besides their place in the restaurant’s name, they have fresh and flavorful ingredients.
The al pastor taco’s best feature is its pineapple-based dipping sauce, which brings a splash of sweetness to the mostly savory, citrus-spiced pork taco. The meat is tender, although it seems like it would taste even better with some cheese melted over it.
Steak lovers will enjoy the carne asada taco, although the meat is a bit crumbly. And without the tasty pineapple sauce of the al pastor taco, the carne asada is slightly bland. It is served with caramelized onions, guacamole and lettuce.
Both tacos are served in a fresh, soft corn tortilla with guacamole, and are small enough for a meal to consist of three or four tacos. Two tacos are could be enough for a light lunch.
Although the carne asada was a bit disappointing in a taco, it makes for a delicious sandwich. The carne asada torta, served on a fresh bun like an American sandwich, is a more substantial version with the same basic ingredients as the taco. But with even more meat, the char-grilled steak seems less crumbly and more tender and juicy. Topped with mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato and jalapeno peppers — just spicy enough to add some zest — it has the classic taste of something that could be served at a Fourth of July picnic.
The great taste of America’s Taco Shop is matched by its equally appealing prices. A sizeable lunch or dinner can easily stay under $10 and specials are around $6.
Now that CityScape’s Vitamin T is closed, America’s Taco Shop might be the best place to get low prices for good Mexican food. Unfortunately for ASU Downtown students, it’s not as close to campus as Vitamin T. Still, the restaurant is a solid option for college students looking for an inviting place to eat.
Contact the critic at john.l.fitzpatrick@asu.edu
