Macayo's Mexican Food

- 715 S Rural Rd #101, Tempe, AZ 85288

For decades, Macayo's Mexican Food has been an institution in Arizona, a family restaurant that offers more than just a meal—it delivers a piece of Valley history and a commitment to authentic, scratch-made Mexican and Latin American cuisine. Established in 1946 by Woody and Victoria Johnson, Macayo's has built its legacy on using high-quality, fresh ingredients, often growing their own farm-fresh chiles to ensure the rich, traditional flavors that Arizona diners have come to love. This dedication to quality has allowed them to celebrate over 78 years in the state, continuing to operate with a focus on community and hospitality.

The name Macayo’s is famous throughout the Southwest, largely due to its claim as the inventor of the Chimichanga, their prized creation that has become a staple of Mexican-American cuisine worldwide. Every year, the restaurant celebrates its signature dish, even setting a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the longest chimichanga in 2021. Their menu is a testament to this deep culinary tradition, featuring family favorite recipes alongside innovative twists designed to appeal to every taste.

Beyond the historical significance of their food, the atmosphere at Macayo's is consistently described as Casual, Family-friendly, and inviting. It is designed to be a place where friends and loved ones can comfortably gather, laugh, chat, and celebrate. The restaurant's dedication to inclusivity is clear in its welcoming of Groups, Tourists, and the LGBTQ+ friendly community, including being an identified Transgender safespace. Whether you are looking for a quick, flavorful lunch, a hearty dinner, or a spot to enjoy fantastic happy hour drinks, Macayo's delivers an experience that is both time-honored and thoroughly modern.

Customer feedback often highlights the consistently great experience, noting the excellent salsa and the overall friendly service. While the food is considered "classic" or "solid" by many, the generous portions and full flavor are always appreciated. Crucially, the presence of a well-stocked Bar onsite offering "great cocktails," including their signature margaritas, makes it a popular destination for adults seeking a lively social setting.

The Macayo's Mexican Food location in Tempe is ideally situated to serve both the local residential community and the Arizona State University (ASU) crowd. The address is 715 S Rural Rd #101, Tempe, AZ 85288, USA. This placement near the university campus provides easy access for students and faculty, making it a convenient spot for a casual lunch or dinner gathering.

The restaurant is committed to providing a fully accessible and convenient experience for all guests:

• Parking: Guests benefit from hassle-free access with a dedicated Free parking lot available. Additionally, Free street parking is offered, a valuable amenity in a busy urban area like Tempe. The convenience of parking makes it a simple choice for patrons driving from anywhere in the Valley.
• Physical Accessibility: Full compliance for mobility needs is ensured with a seamless experience provided by a Wheelchair accessible entrance, reserved Wheelchair accessible parking lot spots, accessible Wheelchair accessible restroom facilities, and comfortable Wheelchair accessible seating options in the dining area.

Macayo's Mexican Food in Tempe provides a robust and flexible range of services to meet every dining need, from a quick solo meal to a large celebration:

• Comprehensive Service Options: The restaurant offers a variety of ways to enjoy their food, including traditional Dine-in service, quick Takeout, convenient Delivery, and focused Curbside pickup for maximum efficiency. The option for No-contact delivery is also available.
• Full Meal Service: They cater to every main dining period, serving Lunch, Dinner, and offering delicious Dessert selections. Dining options include full Table service and spacious Seating.
• Full Bar and Cocktail Program: The venue features a fully stocked Bar onsite, specializing in a wide range of beverages, including Alcohol, Beer, Wine, Hard liquor, and their famous Cocktails and margaritas.
• Specialized Offerings: Macayo's is well-known for its excellent value during dedicated Happy hour drinks and Happy hour food times. They also cater to various appetite needs with Small plates and quick, fulfilling Quick bite options.
• Party and Event Solutions: For larger needs, comprehensive Catering services are available to bring the Macayo's tradition to private homes or external venues.
• Accessibility and Inclusivity: The establishment is a designated Transgender safespace and LGBTQ+ friendly, actively welcoming all members of the community. They also accommodate pet owners with a policy that allows Dogs allowed outside in the designated patio area.
• Family Accommodations: The restaurant is explicitly Good for kids, offering a dedicated Kids' menu and providing High chairs for younger diners.
• Convenience Amenities: Guests can enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi and use modern payment methods, including NFC mobile payments, in addition to standard Credit cards and Debit cards.

The Tempe Macayo’s location maintains the high standards and unique features that have made the brand a celebrated Arizona tradition:

• Chimichanga Inventor: Macayo’s is famed for its claim to have invented the Chimichanga in 1946. This historical legacy is a major highlight, and their range of Chimichangas, from the classic Chimi Grande ($21.29) to the Carne Asada Chimi ($22.49), are considered essential Arizona Mexican food experiences.
• Award-Winning Margaritas: The bar program is a key feature, known for crafting Great cocktails. They cater to customer demand by offering convenient Margaritas To Go options, including 12oz Margarita Kit ($44.89) and 32oz Margarita Kit ($56.69), perfect for home entertaining or game days.
• Signature Sampler and Appetizers: Their appetizer menu is a major draw, allowing guests to explore several house favorites. The Signature Sampler ($23.59) is highly recommended, featuring Mini Chimis, Red Corn Taquitos, and the unique Green Corn Tamale Bites, served with their creamy Spinach Con Queso.
• Fast and Friendly Service: A consistent highlight mentioned in customer reviews is the Fast service, which is crucial for the lunch rush and busy pre-event dinners near the ASU campus, ensuring a quick and pleasant experience.
• Happy Hour Destination: The availability of daily Happy hour drinks and food specials makes Macayo's a popular choice for both the after-work crowd and students looking for excellent value in a fun environment.
• Dietary Inclusivity: The menu's dedication to modern dining preferences is notable, offering numerous Vegetarian options across tacos, enchiladas, and fajitas, such as the Veggie Fajitas ($20.09) and Veggie Enchiladas Meal ($16.59).

For reservations, takeout orders, or information regarding the legendary catering services, please use the following contact details for the Macayo's Mexican Food location in Tempe:

Address: 715 S Rural Rd #101, Tempe, AZ 85288, USA

Phone: (480) 967-2552

The mobile phone number for the location is +1 480-967-2552.

When dining at the iconic Macayo's Mexican Food in Tempe, Arizona, a truly authentic experience involves tasting the dishes that cemented its place in Valley culinary history and those most loved by local patrons.

The top recommendation is to order one of the original Macayo's Original Chimichanga creations. While the Chimi Grande ($21.29) is the classic choice, the Carne Asada Chimi ($22.49), which features carne asada stuffed into a crispy flour tortilla and smothered in their creamy Spinach con Queso, is an elevated, must-try dish for meat lovers. This is an essential Arizona experience, allowing you to taste a dish that Macayo's proudly claims to have created.

For those looking to explore other regional flavors, the Green Chile Pork Stew ($16.59) or its companion, the Green Chile Pork Stew Burro ($16.59), comes highly recommended. This is a robust, comforting dish featuring tender pork, fire-roasted poblano chile, tomatillo, onion, jalapeño, and cilantro. It's a flavorful and hearty representation of Southwest culinary tradition that showcases the restaurant's commitment to using farm-fresh chiles and traditional recipes.

Finally, no visit to Macayo's is complete without sampling their famous bar offerings. Ordering a handcrafted cocktail or one of their margaritas is a highlight. If you are dining with a group, selecting a few appetizers like the Tamale Bites ($11.79) or the popular Spinach Con Queso ($11.79) alongside the drinks makes for a perfect happy hour or pre-dinner gathering.

Macayo's Mexican Food

715 S Rural Rd #101, Tempe, AZ 85288, USA