Taco Boys Introduce
For anyone living, working, or studying in the Tempe area of Arizona, Taco Boys on South Rural Road has quickly become a beloved and essential destination for authentic, high-quality Mexican street food. This local taco restaurant is celebrated for bringing the rich flavors of traditional Sonoran-style cuisine—particularly tacos al carbon (charcoal-grilled)—right into the heart of the ASU community. From the moment you approach, the enticing, smoky aroma of mesquite charcoal grilling the various proteins sets the stage for a truly authentic dining experience. Taco Boys perfectly encapsulates a casual, lively atmosphere that appeals to a diverse crowd, from local Tempe residents to the bustling population of college students and visitors.
Taco Boys is primarily a dedicated Taco restaurant, yet its menu extends well beyond to include other Mexican favorites like burritos, quesadillas, and the popular 'Carne Asada Fries.' Their reputation is built on serving delicious, traditional fare with a modern, fast-casual efficiency. Patrons consistently praise the rich flavor of the meats, especially those cooked over the open charcoal grill, and the generous portions. A major highlight that has cemented its popularity is the extensive, fresh, and meticulously maintained self-serve salsa and toppings bar, which allows every diner to customize their meal exactly to their preference, whether they enjoy a mild finish or a fiery kick. Taco Boys is a true local specialty, offering an unparalleled taste of Mexican culinary tradition in a fun, energetic Arizona setting.
The Taco Boys location is strategically situated at 1015 S Rural Rd #101, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA. This placement is incredibly convenient for the local Arizona community, particularly given its proximity to the Arizona State University (ASU) campus, making it a hotspot for students and faculty. The restaurant is easily accessible from major Tempe roadways, serving as a perfect stop for lunch, dinner, or a quick bite while running errands in the area.
Accessibility is thoughtfully addressed to accommodate all guests. The venue ensures full access with a Wheelchair Accessible Entrance, Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot, and a Wheelchair Accessible Restroom and Seating. Parking is convenient for patrons, offering both a dedicated Free Parking Lot and Free Street Parking nearby. For those who enjoy dining al fresco in the Arizona weather, Outdoor Seating is available, and the space is notably pet-friendly, allowing Dogs Allowed Outside. The environment is described as casual and is popular with College Students, Groups, and Tourists looking for authentic local flavor.
Taco Boys is structured to provide flexible and efficient service to suit the busy Arizona lifestyle, ensuring a quick and satisfying meal regardless of how or when you choose to dine.
- In-House Dining: Enjoy a casual dine-in experience for Lunch and Dinner, with comfortable Seating available. The atmosphere is energetic, often with loud music contributing to the fun vibe.
- Carry-Out and Delivery: Convenient Takeout service allows you to quickly grab your order. Delivery is also available, bringing the char-grilled goodness directly to your home or office in the local area.
- Flexible Meals: The menu offers ideal options for a Quick Bite, as well as hearty, satisfying Comfort Food and Small Plates, such as the 'Cheese Quesadilla' ($3.99) or 'Vampiros' ($4.99).
- Family and Group Options: For feeding larger gatherings, the '1 Lb Of Protein' Family Pack ($39.89) is an excellent value option, and the restaurant is Good for Kids, with High Chairs available for younger diners.
- Beverage and Alcohol Service: The restaurant offers a variety of refreshing Drinks, including Fountain Drinks ($2.99), Bottled Sodas ($4.99), Jarritos ($4.99), and popular Mexican beverages like Aguas Frescas ($5.99). They also serve Alcohol and Beer.
- Payment Convenience: Accepted payment methods include Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and modern NFC Mobile Payments.
The restaurant's standout features are what make it a must-visit spot in Tempe, particularly its dedication to fresh preparation and authentic customization.
- Authentic Cooking Style: The food is known for its incredible flavor derived from an open fire and mesquite charcoal grill, a key differentiator that provides a delicious smoky char to the meats. This is considered a Serves Local Specialty.
- The Signature Salsa Bar: Patrons consistently highlight the self-serve salsa bar as one of the best in the area. It is known for being visually appealing, neat, tidy, and stocked with plenty of very fresh ingredients, including a variety of salsas, pico de gallo, onions, limes, and more for complete customization.
- Late-Night Service: Taco Boys offers Late-night food, catering perfectly to the schedules of the nearby college students and anyone with a late-night craving for authentic tacos or 'Carne Asada Fries' ($12.99).
- Highly Praised Menu Items: Beyond the classic 'Tacos' ($3.99), the 'tripa tacos' are frequently called "INSANE" by customers for their incredible flavor and generous meat portions. Other favorites include the Carne Asada (steak), Pastor, and Chicken meats, noted for being tasty and tender.
- Fast and Efficient Service: Despite the frequent crowds, the restaurant is known for its Fast Service, ensuring minimal waiting time for your high-quality meal.
For quick access to orders or inquiries, use the following contact details:
Address: 1015 S Rural Rd #101, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
Phone: (480) 597-5623
Mobile Phone: +1 480-597-5623
Taco Boys is a compelling choice for anyone in the Arizona region, particularly in Tempe, who values authentic flavor, generous portions, and a lively atmosphere. What sets this restaurant apart and makes it worth choosing is its unwavering dedication to the charcoal grilling process. The mesquite-charred meats, such as the highly-recommended tripa (tripe) and carne asada (steak), provide a depth of flavor that a standard griddle cannot replicate, earning high praise from customers who value authentic, high-quality beef. The meats are consistently described as tasty, tender, and incredibly flavorful.
In a city with many Mexican restaurants, the self-serve salsa bar at Taco Boys is a game-changer. It ensures that every taco, burrito ($12.99), or vampiro can be perfectly customized with fresh ingredients, clean vegetables, and a variety of homemade salsas, allowing the customer to control the heat and the balance of flavors. This commitment to fresh, customizable toppings enhances the entire dining experience. Furthermore, the combination of authentic, hearty 'Comfort food' offerings, like the 'Carne Asada Fries,' with the convenience of 'Fast service' and the availability of 'Late-night food' makes Taco Boys an indispensable part of the local Tempe dining landscape, especially for the active ASU population. For a real taste of authentic, Sonoran-style char-grilled tacos with a vibrant atmosphere, Taco Boys is the clear and flavorful choice.
Taco Boys Menu
Drinks
- Fountain Drinks $2.99
Choice of Coke,Sprite, Diet Coke, Dr Pepper, Powerade Mountain Berry, Vitamin Water XXX
- Aguas Frescas $5.99
- Bottled Sodas $4.99
Coke, fanta, sprite, topo chico, cidral mundet, sangria Señorial
- Jarritos $4.99
Grape fruit, mandarin.
Family Pack
- 1 Lb Of Protein $39.89
Choice of protein: carne asada (steak), pollo (chicken), tripa, cabeza, pastor, barbacoa + 15 tortillas.
Sides
- Orden De Maíz (5) $1.99
- Chips $3.99
- Fajitas $5.99
- Beans Plate $5.99
- Orden De Harina (5) $1.99
- Cebolla Asada Con Jalapeño $2.49
Entrées
- Platos $12.99
Salad bar + 5 tortillas + choice of protein: carne asada (steak), pollo (chicken), tripa, cabeza, pastor, barbacoa.
- Cheese Quesadilla $3.99
- Veggie Quesadilla $6.99
Cooked with fajitas,and cheese
- Quesadillas $6.99
Salad bar + choice of protein : carne asada (steak), pollo (chicken), tripa, cabeza, pastor, barbacoa.
- Burritos $12.99
Salad bar + choice of protein : carne asada (steak), pollo (chicken), tripa, cabeza, pastor, barbacoa, bean & cheese.
- Veggie Burrito $9.99
- Carne Asada Fries $12.99
- Tacos $3.99
Salad bar + choice of protein : carne asada (steak), pollo (chicken), tripa, cabeza, pastor, barbacoa.
- Vampiros $4.99
Salad bar + choice of protein : carne asada (steak), pollo (chicken), tripa, cabeza, pastor, barbacoa.
Taco Boys Details
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
- Serves local specialty
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Comfort food
- Late-night food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
Crowd
- College students
- Groups
- Tourists
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Taco Boys Photos










Taco Boys Location
Taco Boys Reviews
salsabarcarne asadamusiclunchtripasself servevampiro tacostoppingscabeza tacos
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Wow… the tripa tacos here are INSANE!!! Must try! The flavor from the grill is incredible and the meat portions are super generous. Definitely thinking of becoming a regular. The self-serve bar is amazing as well. Highly recommend! 🌮🔥
September 15 · Ranger_JaySome of the best tacos in town! Tacos meats were tasty and tender, we had the asada, pastor, & chicken. Tortillas were soft and did not stick together. The salsa bar was visually appealing, neat, & tidy with plenty of very fresh ingredients. Service was pleasant & efficient. A few paper napkins were scattered on the floor, I wish they could have swept those up but it was during the lunch rush. Restrooms were clean. Be prepared for loud music! Nice vibe. Overall a 5 star meal!
June 18 · Karen DThe food was awesome. Lots of choices. Lots of flavor. The guys working the counter were really helpful. Inside was a little loud but it was a perfect day for sitting outside.
October 14 · Gretchen SietsemaLast time we went there was a wire from the grill in my husbands taco. We decided to try it again and I ordered a bean and cheese burrito there was barely any beans and the tortilla was burnt. Tacos were not that great either there was a lot of fat in the meat this time. We paid $50 for wack food and the beer was hot too.
June 22 · M RenoI got a quesadilla which was fine. It was huge. I didn’t love it just a little greasy for my taste. The salsa bar also is fine I just don’t love any of the salsas. Nothing wrong here and it’s better than most I just don’t find myself loving anything. The real issue is the menu has a quesadilla with asada 10.99 but they charge 11.99 on the receipt. I get it beef prices are going up faster than you can make new menus it’s paint fail with tip drink and tax lunch is now almost a $20 affair
October 08 · Jon Brown
More Best Restaurants Near Me
The Halal Guys3.0 (1052 reviews)1015 S Rural Rd #104, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
Board & Brew - Tempe4.0 (2952 reviews)1015 S Rural Rd #105, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
Two Hands Corn Dogs4.0 (253 reviews)1015 S Rural Rd #106, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
Ahipoki Bowl4.0 (418 reviews)1015 S Rural Rd, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
Dragon Flame Chinese Grill u9f99u7131u70e7u70e44.0 (3258 reviews)Parking lot, 909 E Lemon St, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
McDonald's3.0 (2074 reviews)1205 S Rural Rd, Tempe, AZ 85280, USA
Jerry's Grill4.0 (4 reviews)1217 S Rural Rd, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
Hassayampa Dining Hall3.0 (53 reviews)626 E Lemon St, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
Build-A-Pita & Pizza Restaurant - Tempe4.0 (79 reviews)922 E Apache Blvd Ste 101, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
Subway3.0 (57 reviews)711 E Lemon St Mall, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
El Paisano Restaurant at The Carmin4.0 (877 reviews)1000 E Apache Blvd suite 102, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
Pho Fresh Alley & Boba Tea4.0 (467 reviews)1000 E Apache Blvd Suite #103, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
Categories
Top Visited Sites
Waffle House4.0 (2941 reviews)
BIRRIERIA LICHA'S5.0 (6 reviews)
First Watch4.0 (1258 reviews)
Rosati's Pizza3.0 (596 reviews)
Taco Bell3.0 (1175 reviews)
ATL Wings Roosevelt Row3.0 (153 reviews)Trending Dining Discoveries Posts
Where to Find the Best Sushi in Seattle: Top Sushi Spots & Must-Try Dishes
Why You Should Always Try the Chef’s Tasting Menu at Fine Dining Restaurants
The Ultimate Guide to Exploring Seafood Restaurants in Boston: Top Seafood Spots
The Best Sushi Restaurants in Austin for a Fresh Dining Experience
The Best Places for a Romantic Dinner in Miami: Top Spots for an Unforgettable Date Night
The Best Vegan Restaurants in Los Angeles You Need to Try
