You’ve survived another week of pretending to care about quarterly reports and office small talk. Now it’s time for tacos that don’t require a second mortgage. Clear your Saturday schedule—these Mesa spots deliver authentic flavor without the Scottsdale price tag.
El Bigo Taco
$ | (602) 469-3154 | WEBSITE
El Bigo Taco is a family-friendly spot in Mesa with a welcoming, clean atmosphere. So their dining area never feels so packed that tables bump and chairs scrape against neighbors’—unless you’re enjoying a casual date night and don’t mind the cheerful buzz. You can expect tasty tacos with various meat options, fresh corn tortillas, and other Mexican dishes, all at an affordable price.
Mr. Pancho Mexican Food
$ | (480) 649-6033 | WEBSITE
This Mexican spot in Mesa is perfect for all kinds of occasions—family dinner, grabbing a quick bite solo, and, most importantly, achieving that blissful carne asada and gordita high. Beyond the affordable prices, there’s pozole, shredded beef chimichanga, and some seriously good chips and salsa.
The Taco Spot Food Truck Mexican Food Catering
$$ | (480) 361-9080 | WEBSITE
This reliably satisfying food truck in Mesa is one of the few spots in the area that still offers late-night service. So when you find yourself craving tacos at 10pm on a Saturday and you’re tired of overpaying for mediocre Mexican food, come here for some flavorful Al Pastor and a refreshing agua fresca.
Tacos El Paisa
$ | (480) 203-2260 | WEBSITE
If you’re into authentic Mexican food, head straight to Tacos El Paisa in Mesa where they have classics like chiles rellenos, asada tacos, and asada burrito. And if you couldn’t care less about those main dishes, focus on the sides where there’s rice and beans praised for their tasty flavors and an array of salsas to accompany your meal. Also, breakfast burritos. There are amazing breakfast burritos.
Birrieria Don Jose
$ | (480) 912-1292 | WEBSITE
With scratch-made tortillas and a salsa bar that dazzles, this popular spot in Mesa is one mariachi band away from making you think you’re in Mexico. Grab a seat at a family table, share a smile with the friendly staff, and devour tender birria tacos, massive birria burritos, asada fries, and birria ramen while you do. And, of course, try the churros and consome.
The Original Blue Adobe Grille
$ | (480) 962-1000 | WEBSITE
This Mesa gem is almost guaranteed to get packed during dinner hours. Families line up for plates of Chorizo Stuffed Chicken and lively conversation while friends gather over margaritas and green chili pork. The quaint spot is a fun place to enjoy some reasonably priced drinks, soak in the authentic New Mexico atmosphere, and count the Southwest-inspired touches around the cozy dining room.
Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant
$ | (480) 844-0023 | WEBSITE
Similar to the best spots in town, Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant serves great Mexican food in a space that’s casual enough to walk in with a few friends at the last minute. But this spot has the bonus of large portions and tasty margaritas. Come for the popular El Magnifico Sampler that gives a little bit of almost everything and is very big, combo plates that are consistently enjoyable, and a welcoming atmosphere that makes it a favorite for both new and returning guests.
The friendly service and affordable prices—with most combo plates around $15–$18 and margaritas at $9–$12—make it worth visiting despite occasional seating issues when busy.
Los Taco Chefs
$ | (602) 712-1558 | WEBSITE
A family-friendly Mexican spot that also serves top-quality homestyle cooking screams a welcoming atmosphere that will end with some leftovers to savor. Even if stopping by after work at 5pm for homemade chips, fresh guacamole, and a horchata isn’t your thing, the Mesa restaurant has the same generous service late into the evening.
The chimichanga is seriously good and paying $12 for a taco plate featuring shrimp, asada, and tilapia before chatting with Jesus the chef in a room full of happy regulars, except for the family celebrating a birthday, makes complete sense to us.
El Metate Mexican Food
$ | (480) 830-4324 | WEBSITE
El Metate Mexican Food serves up a special deal every Tuesday until closing. Swing by for three beef enchiladas for $12, a $7 build-a-burrito (you get to pick fillings and salsas), and $4 mini-margaritas.
Taco Chelo Tempe
$ | (480) 209-1731 | WEBSITE
A great-value taco spot will never go out of style. So expect this Tempe favorite to be crowded. We suggest getting here early, then loading up on shrimp tacos, street tacos, and freshly made corn tortillas.
Taquitos Jalisco
$ | (480) 964-9700 | WEBSITE
It’s not so surprising that this Mexican restaurant in Mesa has good breakfast burritos, because we’re generally fans of their work between tortillas. Go straight for the cabeza tacos (one of their specialties), the crunchy tacos, surf and turf burrito, and small quesa burrito.
Parrilla Los Picos
$ | (480) 833-4711 | WEBSITE
If you need to survive a family dinner with your cousin who insists on ordering for everyone, do it with some huge margaritas and enchiladas suiza at nearly half their regular cost. The Mesa location has beautiful art and patio seating for large parties to savor affordable ceviche tostada, shrimp in garlic sauce, and green chili burrito enchilada style.
Serrano’s Mexican Food Restaurants
$ | (480) 854-7455 | WEBSITE
This East Valley Mexican spot serves up solid shredded beef enchiladas with black beans and rice, a $5 margarita, and some more discounted appetizers. If you’re having enough fun, you can always stay and enjoy their whole chicken chimi later.
Guasave Mexican Kitchen
$ | (480) 647-2094 | WEBSITE
Tucked away off the beaten path, we get why this Mesa taqueria always draws a crowd. They have $3 carne asada tacos, $7 carne asada nachos, and a bunch of Mexican Coke options. The self-serve salsa bar offers a wide variety of flavors, including a delicious habanero option. The decor has a charming Mexican theme, and the restaurant is kept impeccably clean.
Overall, Guasave Mexican Kitchen is a beloved spot for those seeking delicious and authentic Mexican cuisine with friendly service and reasonable prices.
Antojitos LindaMar MESA
$ | (623) 335-9785 | WEBSITE
You want to arrive at Antojitos LindaMar MESA early if you plan on getting a table during peak hours. As soon as it opens, it feels like everybody who craves authentic Mexican flavors in Mesa descends upon the restaurant. Understandably so—the food is affordable and excellent. Antojitos LindaMar also highlights a bunch of their specialties, including their fresas con crema, not too sweet but really good, and elote en vaso con hot Cheetos, which remains a popular choice among customers.
Picante Grill
$ | (623) 418-7670 | WEBSITE
Picante Grill in Mesa may have a standard Mexican menu, but it’s still a vibrant spot to get some good food before heading elsewhere. Stop by the Mexican eatery for a plate of carne asada fries or a carna asada quesadilla. And they have vegetarian options like caramelized veggies if you need a lighter bite with your meal.
The Taco Spot – Mesa
$ | (480) 687-9392 | WEBSITE
The Taco Spot in Mesa has one of the most popular Taco Tuesdays in the area, and it’s even better when you can enjoy their fresh street tacos in their clean, welcoming space. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or settling in, you can get flavorful pastor or chicken tacos, birria ramen with perfect spice, and the sweet Mango Magic to cool things down.
The friendly staff like Mani, Dilen, and Maria make every visit feel respectful and pleasant, while the hand-made corn tortillas and bomb red salsa keep the flavors authentic and memorable. Don’t miss the vampiro tostada or anything birria for a truly packed-with-flavor experience, even if the portions are small. With decent parking and a consistently clean environment, this spot delivers delicious Mexican food that’s worth the trip.
Asi Es Mi Tierra
$ | (480) 373-6673 | WEBSITE
You’ll probably see half of Mesa at Asi Es Mi Tierra during happy hour since this place has great deals (like $3.95 margaritas) and a reliable, authentic Mexican menu. The #56 enchilada is also great, in case you decide to stay for dinner after a few glasses of punch.
Taqueria Factory
$ | (480) 474-4772 | WEBSITE
Taqueria Factory may not have the fanciest dining room in Mesa. But their birria tacos are always incredible—the kind of thing you don’t find elsewhere around town—so any visit feels like a win. Grab a seat at a family table or bring friends to enjoy the good music through the speakers and eat something authentic. Taqueria Factory also serves sweet drinks made with real fruit and shaved ice with ice cream, which complement the Tres amigos combo perfectly.