Caramba Mexican Food Introduce
Introduction / Overview
For decades, Mexican cuisine has been an essential element of the Arizona food landscape, and Caramba Mexican Food in Glendale stands as a shining example of this rich tradition. Positioned conveniently in the West Valley, Caramba has established itself as more than just a restaurant—it's a family-owned institution known for serving authentic, scratch-made Mexican dishes. Since its first location opened in downtown Glendale in 1990, the restaurant has built a strong reputation across the Phoenix metropolitan area, rooted in a commitment to freshness, flavor, and great value.
Caramba Mexican Food successfully blends the best aspects of a casual, cozy neighborhood restaurant with the speed of a fast-food establishment. This unique approach allows it to cater effectively to diverse crowds, from busy college students and local groups to families and tourists seeking a satisfying, high-quality meal. The dedication to quality is evident in their preparation methods: all dishes and salsas are prepared daily from scratch, using fresh, never-frozen ingredients, including lean cuts of beef and 100% fresh chicken. The cooking philosophy even extends to the ingredients used, avoiding lard and MSG and relying on cholesterol-free, no-trans-fat canola oil.
The menu itself is expansive, covering all the Mexican classics that Arizona diners crave, from burritos and tacos to enchiladas and quesadillas. Highlights include their popular all-day breakfast items, such as the various breakfast burritos and the traditional Menudo. Patrons consistently praise the fresh salsa bar and the vibrant flavors of their dishes, solidifying Caramba’s status as a top-tier choice for authentic Mexican dining in Glendale.
Location and Accessibility
Caramba Mexican Food’s location is highly convenient for the Glendale community and surrounding West Valley areas. Situated on a major artery, the restaurant is easy to access, whether you are driving from a local neighborhood, from downtown Glendale, or from elsewhere in the Valley.
- Address: 5421 W Glendale Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301, USA
- Primary Contact Number: (623) 934-8888
The location features excellent amenities that prioritize customer comfort and accessibility. The restaurant is well-equipped to accommodate all guests, ensuring a seamless experience for every visit. This includes:
- Parking: Customers benefit from a free parking lot and the availability of free street parking nearby, making quick stops or extended dining easy.
- Wheelchair Accessibility: Caramba ensures full accessibility with a wheelchair-accessible entrance, parking lot, restroom, and seating areas.
- Outdoor Space: The restaurant offers outdoor seating, a popular option in Arizona, and even allows dogs in this outside area, making it a perfect spot for pet owners.
The combination of a central, convenient address and thoughtful, inclusive amenities makes Caramba Mexican Food a hassle-free choice for everyone in the Arizona community.
Services Offered
Caramba Mexican Food is designed to serve customers quickly and conveniently across multiple formats, offering flexibility for all dining preferences throughout the day.
- In-House Dining: Patrons can enjoy their meals in a casual, cozy, and quiet atmosphere, with comfortable seating available.
- Takeout Service: Quick and easy counter service is offered for those on the go, making it a reliable fast-food option with quality, made-from-scratch meals.
- Delivery: Partnering with major food delivery services ensures that the menu—from a Giant Caramba Burrito to a full combo plate—can be delivered directly to homes and offices throughout the Glendale and Phoenix delivery radius.
- Catering: The restaurant extends its services to local groups and businesses by offering catering for all occasions, providing a wide array of classic Mexican dishes by the dozen, such as mini chimis, tamales, and tacos.
- All-Day Dining: Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the kitchen is ready to satisfy cravings any time of day, whether for a morning Menudo or an evening Carne Asada Fries.
Features / Highlights
Caramba Mexican Food stands out in the competitive Arizona market thanks to several key features that enhance the dining experience and solidify its local reputation:
- Award-Winning Margaritas: Caramba is renowned for its margaritas, which have been recognized as "Best in Phoenix" by local publications. They are made with gold premium tequilas and are available bottled for to-go enjoyment.
- Fresh Salsa Bar: A highly-praised feature, the complimentary fresh salsa bar offers patrons a variety of sauces, from the classic chunky salsa and tomatillo salsa verde to a spicier roasted 'quemada' or 'fuego' hot sauce, allowing for personalized flavor customization.
- All-Day Breakfast: Serving breakfast options all day long, including popular items like the Breakfast Burrito, Huevos Rancheros, and Chilaquiles, catering to those who prefer breakfast for lunch or dinner.
- Commitment to Freshness: The menu highlights the use of high-quality ingredients, with all food cooked daily from scratch, using 100% fresh chicken, lean beef, and avoiding lard and MSG, appealing to health-conscious diners.
- Local Specialties and Comfort Food: The menu features Arizona-Mexican staples like the deep-fried Chimichanga, Fundido Burrito, and the popular Carne Asada Fries, alongside classic comfort foods like tamales, chile relleno, and Menudo.
- Vegetarian and Vegan Options: The restaurant ensures inclusivity with a variety of dedicated vegetarian and vegan items clearly listed on the menu, such as the Vegan Burrito, Veggie Salpicon Salad, and a selection of black bean dishes.
Contact Information
Arizona locals and visitors can easily reach Caramba Mexican Food using the following details to inquire about hours, place an order, or check on catering options:
- Address: 5421 W Glendale Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301, USA
- Phone: (623) 934-8888
- Mobile Phone: +1 623-934-8888
What is Worth Choosing
Choosing Caramba Mexican Food is choosing a pillar of the Glendale community that has consistently delivered authentic Mexican dining for over thirty years. It successfully merges the convenience of fast service with the quality of scratch-made cooking, a balance that is difficult to find and is highly valued by Arizona diners. The breadth of the menu, catering to every craving from a simple bean and cheese burrito to an elaborate Stuffed Poblano Pepper, ensures every guest finds their perfect meal.
What truly sets Caramba apart is its combination of signature offerings: the "Best in Phoenix" margaritas are a major draw, and the expansive, complimentary fresh salsa bar elevates a simple order of chips and salsa into a customized culinary experience. Whether you’re stopping in for a quick lunch of street tacos, ordering a big tray of tamales for a holiday gathering, or settling in for a cozy dinner with friends and family, Caramba Mexican Food offers high quality, great value, and an undeniable taste of local Arizona Mexican tradition.
Caramba Mexican Food Details
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
- Serves local specialty
Popular for
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Beer
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Quiet
Crowd
- College students
- Family-friendly
- Groups
- Tourists
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- Parking
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Caramba Mexican Food Photos










Caramba Mexican Food Location
Caramba Mexican Food
5421 W Glendale Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301, USA
Caramba Mexican Food Reviews
margaritasenchiladasbarmexican pizzamenudocarne asada friesshredded beefvalleytaco tuesdayceviche
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Caramba Mexican Food is a great spot if you're craving fresh, flavorful tacos and a well-made margarita with just the right kick. One of the standout features is the fresh salsa bar—paired with complimentary chips, it’s a definite bonus. The veggies used for the tacos are crisp and vibrant, adding to the overall deliciousness. A solid choice for a casual, satisfying Mexican meal!
April 09 · M “So-C”I don’t know how this place got so many stars, going over the reviews I’m wondering if those reviews were for the same place cause the food was terrible. I ordered chile quiles and they were very dry.
April 06 · PriscillaMexican food needs to have flavor and not just from salsa. It was so bland, I tossed it. Was not worth going back. I have had it in the past at bell location which was good. This glendale location on my second trip was as bad as the first. I thought it was a fluke. But there will be no 3rd time.
September 12 · jose zavalaFor a small little hole in the wall this place surprised me with a delicious shredded beef taco and fresh salsa bar. I was waiting for my truck to finish up at a near by auto shop. In my 6th month of pregnancy I didn't want to wander far to grab a bite and wait. The service was friendly and their "fresh food" advertising stands true so far for the little bit I did experience 👍 I'll come back.
July 24 · Emily StokesI grew up going here. The owners are awesome the food is amazing. The service is always 100% 👌 they have food beers margaritas everything is tasty. Stop in and try the giant caramba burro.
January 17 · Bullet Medina
More Best Restaurants Near Me
H-D Burgers4.0 (92 reviews)5417 W Glendale Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301, USA
Davina's BBQ & Soul Food Kitchen4.0 (20 reviews)5409 W Glendale Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301, USA
Icy & Creamy Treats and More0.0 (0 reviews)5409 W Glendale Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301, USA
El Charrito Authentic Mexican Cuisine4.0 (1135 reviews)5410 W Glendale Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301, USA
Jack in the Box3.0 (1471 reviews)5447 W Glendale Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301, USA
Church's Texas Chicken3.0 (1103 reviews)5505 W Glendale Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301, USA
Filiberto's Mexican Food3.0 (1152 reviews)5512 W Glendale Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301, USA
Pete's Fish & Chips4.0 (4071 reviews)5516 W Glendale Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301, USA
Menudo Sabor de Casa5.0 (5 reviews)6741 N 53rd Dr, Glendale, AZ 85301, USA
La Rueda Roll4.0 (4 reviews)5242 W Glendale Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301, USA
Tacos Lin4.0 (8 reviews)5604 W Glendale Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301, USA
Little Saigon Restaurant4.0 (1271 reviews)7016 N 57th Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301, USA
Categories
Top Visited Sites
SALT Sea And Land Tacos4.0 (65 reviews)
Las Delicias Restaurant4.0 (483 reviews)
Arizona Wilderness Miracle Mile4.0 (92 reviews)
Las Marias Restaurant4.0 (937 reviews)
Chicago’s Chicken Shack4.0 (502 reviews)
Gorditas La Sena4.0 (46 reviews)Trending Dining Discoveries Posts
The Best Sushi Restaurants in Austin for a Fresh Dining Experience
Why You Should Try the Best Poke Bowls in Your City: A Flavorful Experience
The Best Vegan Restaurants in Los Angeles You Need to Try
The Best Places for Fresh Seafood in San Francisco - Top Restaurants & Markets
A Foodie’s Guide to the Best Brunch Spots in San Francisco
Where to Find the Best Tapas Restaurants in New York City
