It's official: Mexican food is Arizona's favorite cuisine. Here's why

By Laura Daniella Sepulveda

Arizona's food culture has long held a special place for Mexican cuisine, and recent research confirmed it as the state’s favorite culinary style and the most popular food business.

A recent analysis by online small business lender OnDeck identifying the most popular type of restaurant by state and city showed that Mexican restaurants were the most competitive food business both in Arizona and Phoenix among 31 other food business types.

Multiple restaurants, shops and trucks across Arizona have earned the love of locals through all manner of serving popular Mexican dishes, from birria tacos and carne asada burritos to Sonoran hot dogs and tamales. Some of these local favorites were featured in The Arizona Republic's essential restaurants of 2024 list.

Yet the popularity of Mexican food extends beyond restaurants — another study by Hello Millions found that Mexican cuisine leads online searches in Arizona. The study analyzed Google searches for different ways of enjoying international cuisines, whether by cooking at home, eating at a local restaurant, or enjoying a takeout meal. The number of searches was adjusted to each state’s population to determine each state's most popular food type.

Mexican food came out as the conclusive winner in Arizona, with an average of more than 50,000 Google searches per month, which is about 550 monthly searches per 100,000 people. The cultural cuisine also ranked as the nation’s second most popular, generating an average of nearly 1 million monthly searches.

Here’s what you need to know about Arizona’s top cuisine types and where to enjoy the best of Mexican food in the state.

The best: LA might be the Mexican restaurant capital of the US, but Phoenix has so much to offer

Here are the five most popular cuisines in Arizona, along with some of their most popular dishes, according to Hello Millions.

• Mexican food: Tacos, burritos, enchiladas and fajitas were among the most beloved dishes, according to Hello Millions.

• Chinese food: Peking duck, sweet and sour pork, dim sum and chow mein were found to be among the most popular Chinese dishes.

• Indian food: Curries were among the most sought-after recipes, and popular variations included chicken tikka masala, butter chicken, jalfrezi and vindaloo.

• Italian food: Lasagna, carbonara, and amatriciana were some of the most popular pasta dishes, along with the timeless classic pizza.

• Thai food: Some of the most in-demand dishes included pad Thai, Thai green curry and Thai fried rice.

• Mexican food: Tacos, burritos, enchiladas and fajitas were among the most beloved dishes, according to HelloMillions.

• Chinese food: Peking duck, sweet and sour pork, dim sum and chow mein were found to be among the most popular Chinese dishes.

• Indian food: Curries were among the most sought-after recipes, and popular variations included chicken tikka masala, butter chicken, jalfrezi and vindaloo.

• Italian food: Lasagna, carbonara, and amatriciana were some of the most popular pasta dishes, along with the timeless classic pizza.

• Thai food: Some of the most in-demand dishes included pad Thai, Thai green curry and Thai fried rice.

  
  

Best Mexican restaurants in Phoenix

The Arizona Republic's dining team rounded up the 100 best restaurants in metro Phoenix. Dozens of them were highlighted for their Mexican food and Mexican-inspired dishes.

Here are some of them, but you can find more in the full list:

• CRUjiente Tacos: "This modern taqueria is the brainchild of chef Richard Hinojosa and oenophile and sommelier Jason Morris, who is the former co-founder of Quench Wines. CRUjiente offers chef-driven crunchy (crujiente) and street tacos and some of the best margaritas in the Valley," wrote dining reporter Bahar Anooshahr. "Both taco and beverage programs have been mentioned in Forbes, thanks to the inventive ways Hinojosa uses tortillas as blank canvases. Don't skip the Korean fried chicken tacos."

• Tacos Chiwas: "I trust the judgment of the Mayor of Flavortown. One bite of the barbacoa tacos and the gorditas at Tacos Chiwas — both sampled by Guy Fieri during his 2017 trip there for “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” — and I knew there was something special about this place," reporter Michael Salerno wrote. "Readers agree: they recently named Tacos Chiwas’ carne asada and calabacitas tacos among metro Phoenix's best tacos."

• Asadero Norte de Sonora: "Asadero Norte de Sonora is a standby on 16th Street, known for dishes that come off their mesquite grill, from chicken to parillada mixed platters of carne asada, cabeza and barbacoa, all served with fresh tortillas and housemade salsa. It’s simple and it’s perfect," wrote editor Felicia Campbell.

• Bacanora: "Bacanora burst onto the dining scene in 2021 and no one has shut up about it since. Myself included. The Republic gave it a five-star review," Campbell wrote. "Chef Rene Andrade showcases Sonoran foods cooked exclusively over his mesquite grill. He elevates classics with what some may call technical skill honed over years, but what I call utter witchcraft. A cucumber salad has no business being as delicious and memorable as he makes it, with nutty sesame seeds, the heat of chiltepin peppers and a dash of salsa negro or soy, if he's in the mood to add it that night. Brunch, which is walk-in only, is just as memorable with dishes like oxtail chilaquiles and a fierce michelada." 

• Gallo Blanco: "Gallo margaritas forever — plus the elote, the cortado, the tacos and the chilaquiles. Well, and obviously the salsas. Doug Robson's downtown Mexican joint remains a standby," wrote Becky Bartkowski, director of audience at The Republic.

• Rito’s Mexican Food: "Family-owned Rito’s Mexican Food was voted best burrito in Phoenix by readers, and for good reason," wrote dining reporter Endia Fontanez. "While green chili burritos are their specialty, they also offer great chimichangas, tacos and tostadas at their four Valley locations."

• Espiritu: "Once you’re within a block of Espiritu on Main Street in Mesa, you’ll smell the burning mesquite. Follow your nose and head inside the Mexican gothic cocktail bar, grab a barstool and order a La Toxica — mezcal, pineapple amaro, Xila agave liqueur, spiced chai and egg whites," Campbell wrote. "If you’re just there for a nibble, get the smoked white fish, which comes with slices of intensely garlicy sourdough bread and house-brined cauliflower, carrots and cucumber pickles. Sounds simple, tastes revolutionary. And that’s just the intro. Find out what the special is, whether grilled half chickens served with tortillas and smoky beans, or whatever else they’re cooking up on the grill and you won’t likely go wrong."

• EL Super Taco: "The pile of mesquite wood in front of this tiny restaurant is the first sign that you're in a good place. The second is the smell of slow-simmered birria de res that hits you upon opening the door," Campbell wrote. "Order the quesa birria combo, a perfect plate of three crispy, cheese-filled birria tacos and a hearty bowl of consomme? along with access to the condiment bar, filled with essentials like shredded cabbage, cilantro, chopped onion, radishes and salsas that range from tingly to oh-my-goodness-give-me-the-cabbage levels of heat.

  
  

Final Thoughts:

If you're moving to Arizona, get ready to indulge in the vibrant and authentic Mexican food scene. With dishes ranging from tacos and tamales to Sonoran hot dogs, you'll experience flavors deeply rooted in the state's culture. Whether you're exploring Phoenix's top-rated spots or discovering hidden gems, Arizona’s love for Mexican cuisine is undeniable—and it's a must-try for newcomers. Your taste buds are in for an adventure!