Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina Phoenix: Authentic Mexican Food Since 1964

Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina | Indian School Introduce

Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina on Indian School Road is not just another dining spot in Phoenix; it is a long-standing culinary institution with a deep-rooted legacy in the Valley. Established in 1964 by Manuel and Alice Salazar at 32nd Street and Indian School Road, this family-owned restaurant has been serving the community for decades, consistently delivering authentic, high-quality Mexican food prepared from scratch daily. This dedication to tradition and quality has earned Manuel's numerous awards and a devoted following among Arizona locals.

The restaurant offers a friendly, professional, and cozy atmosphere, making it a perfect spot for family dinners, solo dining, or gathering with groups. The menu is expansive, reflecting a rich tradition of Sonoran-style cuisine alongside popular Latin American and regional specialties. Patrons can explore everything from the highly praised, sizzling Fajitas and the hearty Tampiqueña Dinner to traditional favorites like the Special Taco, Enchilada, Rice & Beans combo. The experience is further complemented by a full-service Cantina that features great cocktails and a strong beer selection.

Customers consistently rave about the "spectacular" service, the generous quantity of food, and the overall quality. Whether enjoying the fresh chips and salsa, indulging in a famous Cheese Crisp with green chiles, or bringing home a Family Style Pack, Manuel’s commitment to excellent food and a welcoming environment has made it a beloved fixture in the Phoenix dining landscape. The Indian School location continues the Salazar family’s mission to serve the finest in Mexican food with a friendly approach.

Location and Accessibility

The Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina on Indian School Road is perfectly positioned at 2820 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85016, in a vibrant and easily accessible area. Its location in Central Phoenix makes it a convenient dining choice for residents from the Biltmore, Arcadia, and surrounding neighborhoods.

Accessibility is a key priority, ensuring that all guests can enjoy the dining experience comfortably.

Wheelchair Accessibility: The restaurant is explicitly noted as being "wheelchair friendly," offering a wheelchair-accessible entrance, parking lot, restroom, and seating, a feature highly valued by customers like the one who recently visited with their spouse.
Parking: Guests benefit from a free parking lot on-site, as well as the convenience of free street parking nearby, simplifying the arrival and departure process.
Seating: Both comfortable indoor seating and desirable outdoor seating options are available, catering to different preferences and Arizona's seasonal weather.

Services Offered

Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina provides a comprehensive array of dining and convenient services tailored to meet the needs of the modern Phoenix consumer.

Dine-in and Table Service: Full-service dining with a cozy and casual atmosphere, complete with a bar onsite.
Takeout and Curbside Pickup: Seamless options for ordering meals to-go, including the convenience of curbside pickup.
Delivery and No-Contact Delivery: Food is available for delivery, with a no-contact option for enhanced safety and convenience.
Catering Services: Extensive catering options, including Family Style Packages and party platters, are available to bring the flavor of Manuel's to any event, whether a small gathering or a large party.
Full Bar Service: A Cantina serving a wide range of beverages, including alcohol, beer, cocktails (praised for being "Great cocktails"), hard liquor, and wine. Happy hour drinks and food specials are also featured.
Dining Flexibility: Offers a wide range of dining times, including Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, and Late-night food. Accepts reservations for planning ease.

Features / Highlights

The reputation of Manuel’s is built on its quality, authenticity, and variety, which sets it apart in the competitive Arizona dining scene.

Award-Winning, Authentic Cuisine: Established in 1964, the restaurant maintains a strong commitment to serving traditional Sonoran-style Mexican food, using scratch-made, high-quality ingredients, which has led to numerous accolades.
Famous Fajitas: The Chicken, Steak, or Combination Fajitas are a customer highlight, frequently cited as "one of the best" by repeat patrons, served sizzling hot and fresh.
Expansive Menu Variety: The menu extends far beyond standard fare, featuring unique specialties like the Tampiqueña Dinner, Seafood Enchiladas, Spinach Enchiladas, Baja Fish Tacos, and the hearty Fiesta Platter.
Signature Appetizers and Sides: Known for their classic starters, including the famous Cheese Crisp with green chiles, homemade Guacamole Dip, Espinaca Dip, and fresh chips and salsa, which are highly praised.
Family-Oriented Value: Offers excellent portion sizes for the quality and price, providing great value. Dedicated "Take Home Packages" and "Lil' Bandidos Meals" cater perfectly to families.
Cantina Experience: The full bar is a major draw, with a "Great beer selection" and creative, quality cocktails, making it a favorite spot for happy hour and socializing.
Dessert Selection: Features classic Mexican desserts like Fried Ice Cream, Flan, and Sopapillas, providing the perfect finish to any meal.

Contact Information

For making a reservation, placing a takeout order, or inquiring about catering services, local users can reach the Indian School Road location using the following information:

Address: 2820 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA
Phone: (602) 957-7540
Mobile Phone: +1 602-957-7540

What is Worth Choosing

Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina on Indian School Road is the definitive choice for Arizonans seeking a trustworthy, high-quality, and authentic Mexican dining experience rooted in decades of family tradition. Unlike newer, trend-driven establishments, Manuel’s offers consistency and a classic comfort that has been refined since 1964. It is worth choosing for the sheer breadth of its menu, which perfectly balances traditional favorites with unique specialties, ensuring that both newcomers and longtime patrons always find something delicious.

The combination of the celebrated, award-winning food—particularly the spectacular fajitas and fresh chips and salsa—and the highly-rated, friendly service provides a superior value. The added convenience of a full-service Cantina, inclusive accessibility features, generous portions that guarantee leftovers, and the availability of family take-home options makes Manuel's a truly comprehensive and reliable choice for any occasion, from a quick solo lunch to a major family celebration. Choosing Manuel's means choosing a genuine piece of Phoenix culinary history, where the quality of the food and the warmth of the hospitality remain paramount.

Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina | Indian School Menu

TAKE HOME PACKAGES
Family Style Six Pack $49.75
Your choice of (6) of the following: shredded beef taco, ground beef taco, chicken taco, shredded beef enchilada, ground beef enchilada, chicken enchilada, beef tamale, green corn tamale, bean burro, red chili burro, & green chili burro. Served with a quart of rice, a quart of beans, a pint of salsa, & (2) small bags of chips. Feeds up to (6) people.
Family Style Fajita Taco Platter Pack $83.50
Includes (1) pound of grilled chicken, (1) pound of grilled steak, (1) pound of carnitas, (1) pound of grilled chilies & grilled onions, (1) pint of pico de gallo salsa, a quart of rice, a quart of beans, a pint of salsa, & (2) small bags of chips. Feeds up to (6) people.
Family Style Pollo Especial Pack $59.75
Includes (10) miniature pollo especials, a quart of rice, a quart of beans, a pint of salsa, & (2) small bags of chips. Feeds up to (6) people.

SPECIALS
Special Taco, Enchilada, Rice & Beans $12.25
Monday and Tuesday, all day!

LUNCH SPECIALS
A. Chimichanga Chicken, Beef, Or Carnitas With Guacamole & Sour Cream
Served with rice & beans.
B. Red Or Green Chili Con Carne Burro Enchilada Style
Served with rice & beans.
C. Cheese, Chicken, Beef, Or Carnitas Enchilada
Served with rice & beans.
D. Bean Burro Enchilada Style $12.35
Served with rice & beans.
E. Pollo Especial $14.95
Served with rice & beans.
F. Homemade Tamale With Beef Or Green Corn
Served with rice & beans.
G. Flauta Chicken Or Beef With Guacamole
Served with rice & beans.
H. Chicken, Shredded Beef, Or Ground Beef Taco
Served with rice & beans.
I. Folded Cheese Crisp With Red Or Green Chili Con Carne
J. Taco Salad With Chicken, Shredded Beef, Ground Beef Or Carnitas With Guacamole & Sour Cream
K. Shredded Beef Taco & Bean Tostada
L. Shredded Beef Taco & Cheese Enchilada

APPETIZERS
Cheese Crisp
Large toasted flour tortilla covered with melted cheese. Choice of regular or extra crispy.
Guacamole Dip $12.40
Made with fresh avocados. Served with corn chips.
Mexican Pizza
A choice of chicken, carnitas, or beef on a thin golden fried 10" flour tortilla topped with our delicious norteño sauce & cheese. Oven-baked & garnished with green onions & tomatoes.
Mini Chimi Plate
(8) Crispy chicken or beef miniature chimis served with sour cream & fresh guacamole.
Nachitos
Corn tortilla chips with your choice of chicken, carnitas or beef, which is smothered with melted cheese & topped with beans, sour cream, guacamole, & jalapeños.
Espinaca Dip $13.15
Spinach leaves blended in a cheese sauce with tomatoes, mild spices and chilies. Served with corn tortilla chips.
Taquitos
(4) Rolled chicken or beef taquitos filled ith finely chopped jalapeño & cheese in a golden fried corn tortilla. Topped with guacamole.
Street Tacos
(4) Miniature soft grilled chicken, steak, or carnitas tacos. Served with a side of pico de gallo & cabbage.

SOUPS & SALADS
Tortilla Soup $12.35
A delicious mild flavor of chilies, spices, & tortillas blended to perfection. Served over grilled chicken, avocado wedges, shredded jack cheese, & cilantro. Topped with corn tortilla strips.
Albondigas Soup $8.95
Our homemade Mexican soup made fresh with garden vegetables, rice, & plump meatballs. Served with your choice of corn or flour tortillas.
Taco Salad
A tossed green salad topped with your choice of warmed chicken, shredded beef, or carnitas with green onions, diced tomatoes, cheese, guacamole, & sour cream. Served in a fried tortilla bowl.
Manuel's Layered Salad
A toasted flour tortilla smothered with beans, cheese, & sour cream. Topped with choice of grilled chicken or steak. Covered with shredded lettuce & pico de gallo.
Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad $17.35
Chopped romaine lettuce tossed with grilled chicken, diced tomatoes, tortilla chips, corn, jack cheese, & Tuscan Caesar dressing.
Dinner Salad $6.40

A LA CARTE
Chicken Fajita Burros $13.05
Bean & Cheese Burros $7.25
Chicken, Carnitas, Or Beef Burros
Red Or Green Chili Burros
Machaca Burro $13.05
Steak Fajita Burros $14.05
Carne Asada Burros $15.75
Served with guacamole & pico de gallo.
Chorizo & Egg Burros $10.35
Egg Burros $9.20
Vegetable Burros $9.80
Beef Or Chicken Tacos
Beef Or Green Corn Tamales
Mom's award-winning tamales.
Bean Tostadas $6.20
Chicken, Carnitas, Or Beef Tostadas
(1) Chicken Or Beef Flauta With Guacamole
Cheese & Onion Enchiladas $7.50
Chicken, Carnitas, Or Beef Enchiladas
Chili Relleno $11.80

OUR SPECIALTIES
Chicken Fajitas $22.50
Sautéed with green chilies, tender white onions, & our special seasoning. Served with beans, sour cream, guacamole, tomatillo sauce, & your choice of corn or flour tortillas.
Steak Fajitas $23.50
Sautéed with green chilies, tender white onions, & our special seasoning. Served with beans, sour cream, guacamole, tomatillo sauce, & your choice of corn or flour tortillas.
Vegetable Fajitas $19.30
Sautéed with green chilies, tender white onions, & our special seasoning. Served with beans, sour cream, guacamole, tomatillo sauce, & your choice of corn or flour tortillas.
Combination Fajitas $23.50
Combination of any (2) items (chicken, steak, or vegetables) that are sautéed with green chilies, tender white onions, & our special seasoning. Served with beans, sour cream, guacamole, tomatillo sauce, & your choice of corn or flour tortillas.
Achiote Shrimp Fajitas $24.55
Sautéed with green chilies, tender white onions, & our special seasoning. Served with beans, sour cream, guacamole, tomatillo sauce, & your choice of corn or flour tortillas.
Pollo Especial $19.95
Delicious chunks of chicken & mild chilies wrapped in a flour tortilla, deep-fried & covered with green norteño sauce, melted cheese, & a delicious jalapeño cream cheese sauce. Served with rice & beans.
Carne Machaca Dinner $20.50
Shredded beef sautéed with fresh tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, & our special seasoning. Served with guacamole, rice, beans, & your choice of corn or flour tortillas.
Manuel's Chimichanga Dinner
One of our wonderful chimichangas with your choice of regular fillings, covered with green norteño sauce, guacamole, sour cream, & served with rice & beans.
Tampiqueña Dinner $23.85
Grilled 8 oz marinated skirt steak served with a cheese enchilada, rice, beans, guacamole, & your choice of corn or flour tortillas.
Seafood Enchiladas $20.40
(2) Flour tortillas stuffed with bay shrimp, pico de gallo, & imitation crab, which is smothered with espinaca sauce & topped with avocado slices & sour cream. Served with rice & beans.
Spinach Enchiladas $18.50
(2) Enchiladas stuffed with fresh leaf spinach, grilled onions, & mushrooms covered with our blend of jalapeño cream cheese & tomatillo sauce. Served with rice & ranchero beans.
Baja Fish Tacos $19.85
Grilled cod tacos with crisp cabbage, pico de gallo, & a spicy homemade tartar sauce in a flour tortilla. Served with rice & ranchero.
Rolled Quesadilla
A large grilled & toasted flour tortilla stuffed with your choice of steak or grilled chicken with melted cheese & pico de gallo. Served with guacamole & sour cream.
Fiesta Platter $19.50
Miniature pollo especial, shredded beef taco, tostada, corn cheese crisp, beef flauta, & refried beans.
Shrimp Picado $24.10
Shrimp marinated in an achiote citrus chili sauce & Manuel's secret spices, grilled white onion, cilantro, jalapeño, & fresh tomato. Served with rice, beans, & your choice of corn or flour tortillas.
Carnitas Dinner $18.30
Slow roasted pork marinated in our signature blend of spices. Served with rice, refried beans, pico de gallo, & your choice of corn or flour tortillas.
Street Taco Dinner
Four miniature soft grilled tacos served with rice, beans, cabbage, & pico de gallo.
3 Amigos Enchilada Dinner $21.90
Tomatillo chicken enchilada, cream cheese spinach enchilada, & red shredded beef enchilada. Served with rice & beans (no substitutions).
Carne Picado
Marinated steak or chicken grilled with white onion, cilantro, jalapeño & fresh tomato. Served with rice, beans, & your choice of corn or flour tortillas.

COMBINATIONS DINNERS
#1 - Red Or Green Chili Burro, Cheese Enchilada, & Beans
#2 - Sour Cream Ground Beef Green Enchilada, Shredded Beef Taco, & Rice
#3 - Chorizo Con Huevos $17.10
Homemade spicy Mexican sausage blended with scrambled eggs. Served with rice, beans, & your choice of corn or flour tortillas.
#4 - Shredded Beef Taco, Cheese, Enchilada, & Beans
#5 - Shredded Beef Taco, Bean Tostada, & Cheese Enchilada
#6 - Chilaquiles
Baked casserole or chicken, corn tortilla chips, green norteño sauce, sour cream, cheese, & topped with black olives. Served with rice & beans.
#7 - Chili Relleno Dinner $17.55
A roasted green chili stuffed with Monterey Jack cheese, wrapped in an omelet & covered with our norteño sauce. Served with rice, beans, & your choice of corn or flour tortillas.
Mix & Match - Any (1) Item $15.25
Build your own great Manuel's meal! All meals are served with your choice of side.
Mix & Match - Any (2) Items $19.50
Build your own great Manuel's meal! All meals are served with your choice of side.

BURGERS
Cheeseburger $13.25
Charbroiled 1/3 pound burger served with french fries.
French Fries $3.05

LIL' BANDIDOS MEALS
Miniature Tacos (3) $8.15
Cheese Enchilada $8.15
Fried Chicken Strips (2) $8.15
Grilled Chicken Breast $8.15
Cheeseburger $8.15
Bean Burro $8.15
Cheese Crisp $8.15
Grilled Cheese Sandwich $8.15
Rolled Tacos (4) $8.15
Mac & Cheese $8.15
Miniature Beef Chimichangas (3) $8.15
Miniature Chicken Chimichangas (3) $8.15

SIDE ORDERS
Refried Beans
Spanish Rice
Guacamole
Salsa
Hot Sauce
Enchilada Sauce
Espinaca Dip
Spinach leaves blended in a cheese sauce with tomatoes, mild spices, & chilies. Served with corn tortilla chips.
Jalapeño Cream Cheese
Pico De Gallo Salsa
Flour Tortilla 13" (Dozen) $7.35
Sour Cream
Green Or Red Chili Con Carne
Chili Con Queso
Spicy Bean Dip
Tomatillo Salsa
Tortilla Chips
Steamed Vegetables (12 Oz) $6.50
(1) Egg $1.40
Shredded Cheese $1.40

DESSERTS
Fried Ice Cream $7.05
Flan $6.85
Sopapillas $8.20

BEVERAGES
Soft Drinks $2.25
Iced Tea & Coffee $1.95

Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina | Indian School Details

Service options
Outdoor seating
Curbside pickup
No-contact delivery
Delivery
Takeout
Dine-in

Highlights
Fast service
Great beer selection
Great cocktails
Serves local specialty
Sports

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Coffee
Comfort food
Happy hour drinks
Happy hour food
Hard liquor
Late-night food
Quick bite
Small plates
Wine

Dining options
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Catering
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Amenities
Bar onsite
Restroom

Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Quiet

Crowd
Groups
Tourists

Planning
Accepts reservations

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments

Children
Good for kids
High chairs
Kids' menu

Parking
Free parking lot
Free street parking
Parking

Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina | Indian School Photos

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Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina | Indian School Location

Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina | Indian School

Arizona Maricopa County Phoenix Los Olivos Plaza East Indian School Road

2820 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA

Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina | Indian School Reviews

An average rating of ★4.4 from 1645 user reviews.

margaritasfood and servicebartenderfried ice creamcheese crispspinach enchiladasalbondigascheese enchiladashredded beef tacostampiquena

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Wonderful new (to me) Mexican restaurant I can add to my list. Cheese crisp with green chiles is delicious as were their chips and salsa! Fajitas were one of the best I've ever had. Service was spectacular. Can't wait to go again. So yum and great prices for the quality and quantity.
May 26 · M B
Hubby and I were in the area checking out a condo for a friend and decided to try Manuel’s. Wheelchair friendly. Food was delicious. I ordered the Tampiqueno steak platter. It came with a cheese enchilada, but I asked for chicken for an extra charge. Hubby said his fish tacos were delicious. My food was delicious and I brought leftovers home.
September 12 · R W
First time here. Chips and salsa were delicious, filled up on those and didn't finish my meal. The food was great, service was awesome, came back to check on us often. Will definitely be back.
December 17 · Jason Burlingame
HAIR IN FOOD! I should maybe give another star off. Service was great better than expected. Atmosphere ok. Food temp good food eh ok BUT party of 5 we found a black hair in our salsa and then another in our food We told the bus boy coming to collect dishes but it was ignored No one did anything about it So no more for that location we all May have eaten more than that
June 29 · JJ Ms Foodie
Love Manuels! I've been going there for at least 30 years. I appreciate the remodel at this location. My review today is to voice my displeasure with the price increases and a recent issue with the food. First of all, the service is always on point. Probably the best of all their locations. The prices and portion sizes are killing me. I'm having a hard time justifying the prices when regular grocery prices aren't bad. $19 for a plate of food that costs $3.50 to make seems ridiculous. Prices used to be fair, but seem unreasonable now. Sorry, but if things don't change, I'm going to start going elsewhere.
June 02 · M M