Taco Chelo Phoenix Introduce
Taco Chelo is a highly celebrated Mexican restaurant nestled in the heart of Downtown Phoenix’s vibrant Roosevelt Row arts district. It has quickly become a standout destination for Arizona locals and tourists alike who are seeking authentic, high-quality tacos served in a casual yet trendy and art-focused environment. More than just a simple taqueria, Taco Chelo offers a compelling blend of traditional Mexican flavors, innovative dishes, and a full bar program featuring great cocktails and a notable beer selection. The atmosphere, which is a collaboration between Monterrey-born Chef Suny Santana and celebrated local artist Gennaro Garcia, creates a truly unique dining 'vibe' that captures the energetic spirit of Downtown Phoenix.
The menu at Taco Chelo revolves around a concise yet powerful selection of tacos, all served on freshly made, handmade tortillas—a detail often highlighted by satisfied customers as making a significant difference in flavor and quality. Favorites include the rich Beef Barbacoa Taco, the flavorful Carnitas Taco, and the Beer Battered Fish Taco, among others. However, certain specialty items have garnered cult followings, such as the highly recommended "Costra Taco"—a decadent creation featuring carne asada with caramelized cheese and caramelized onion on a flour tortilla—and the surprising "Vegetable Taco" which patrons describe as an unexpected favorite due to its unique combination of roasted sweet potato, romesco sauce, and feta cheese.
Beyond the main courses, the appetizers, known as Botanas, are equally praised. A standout must-try item is the "Flamingo," which consists of crispy rolled flour tacos stuffed with a cheese blend and roasted Anaheim pepper, then topped with lettuce, sour cream, avocado salsa, pico de gallo, and cotija cheese. With fast service, a commitment to quality ingredients, and a relaxed, family-friendly setting, Taco Chelo delivers an exceptional Mexican dining experience, whether you are stopping by for a quick bite during lunch, enjoying a late-night meal, or settling in for dinner with a group.
Taco Chelo is perfectly situated at the epicenter of cultural activity in Downtown Phoenix, making it easily accessible for anyone in the Arizona region looking for a high-quality meal. Its location on Roosevelt Street places it directly within Roosevelt Row, a district known for its art galleries, bars, and relaxed vibe, ensuring there's always a buzz of activity nearby.
The address for the establishment is:
501 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
Parking options are provided to accommodate various needs in this busy area:
- Free parking lot for convenient access.
- Free street parking available in the vicinity.
- Paid street parking is an additional option for flexibility.
The restaurant also makes a strong commitment to accessibility, welcoming all guests with full accommodations:
- Wheelchair accessible entrance for easy navigation.
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot available for vehicles.
- Wheelchair accessible restroom facilities are provided.
- Wheelchair accessible seating to ensure comfortable dining for all patrons.
Adding to the welcoming atmosphere, the restaurant is also pet-friendly, specifically allowing dogs outside on the outdoor patio seating.
Taco Chelo offers a comprehensive range of services designed to be flexible and appealing to a diverse local Arizona crowd, from college students to families and tourists.
- Dining Experience:
- Dine-in service with a casual, cozy, and trendy atmosphere.
- Counter service available for a quick and efficient ordering process.
- Outdoor seating on the patio, perfect for enjoying the pleasant Phoenix weather.
- Meal Times and Flexibility:
- Serving Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner, covering all meal periods.
- Late-night food options are available for those looking for a delicious meal after hours.
- Quick bite options for a satisfying and fast meal.
- Food and Drink Offerings:
- A full Bar onsite featuring Alcohol, Beer (known for a great selection), Cocktails (known for being great), and Hard liquor.
- Dedicated Happy hour drinks and Happy hour food specials.
- Comfort food staples, Small plates, and a variety of Vegetarian options including the highly-rated Vegetable Taco.
- Non-alcoholic beverages include traditional Mexican favorites like Horchata, Jamaica, and Agua De Piña, alongside soft drinks like Jarritos, Squirt, Coke, and Sprite.
- Convenience and Groups:
- Takeout and Delivery services for enjoying Taco Chelo at home.
- Catering services are offered for events and large gatherings.
- Good for kids amenities, including High chairs, making it Family-friendly.
- Wi-Fi access for working or studying college students and tourists.
- Payments:
- Accepts Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments for hassle-free transactions.
The features and highlights of Taco Chelo are what set it apart in the competitive Phoenix dining landscape, appealing to a broad segment of the local Arizona community.
- “Legit The Best Tacos EVER”: The highest praise from customers consistently points to the exceptional quality of the tacos. This is driven by the use of fresh, handmade tortillas and unique, flavorful recipes like the Costra Taco (caramelized cheese and carne asada) and the surprisingly popular Vegetable Taco (roasted sweet potato, feta, romesco).
- The Flamingo Appetizer: A signature and celebrated dish that customers rave about, describing it as the "best thing on the menu." These crispy rolled tacos are stuffed with cheese and roasted Anaheim pepper and topped with fresh, savory ingredients.
- Art-Centric, Trendy Atmosphere: Located in the artsy Roosevelt Row, the restaurant itself is a piece of art, created by artist Gennaro Garcia. The vibe is described as 'relaxed,' 'cozy,' and 'trendy,' making it a highly desirable spot for the hip Downtown Phoenix crowd and offering a vibrant backdrop for social dining.
- Exceptional Beverage Program: Taco Chelo excels as both a restaurant and a bar. It boasts a "Great beer selection" and "Great cocktails," including specialty drinks like the Picosa, which customers find delicious, offering a perfect pairing for the bold flavors of the Mexican cuisine.
- Comprehensive Dining Availability: The offering of Happy hour food and drinks, along with Late-night food service, ensures that the restaurant is a go-to spot for almost any craving or schedule, catering to the fast-paced life of the Downtown area. Fast service is also a noted highlight, ensuring efficiency without compromising quality.
For general inquiries, takeout orders, or to learn more about Taco Chelo Phoenix, please use the following contact information.
- Address: 501 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
- Phone: (602) 368-5316 (Also listed as Mobile Phone: +1 602-368-5316)
For any Arizonan seeking an exceptional Mexican food experience, Taco Chelo in Downtown Phoenix is worth choosing because it is the perfect intersection of culinary excellence, unique atmosphere, and dynamic location. You are not just getting tacos; you are getting a curated experience backed by quality ingredients and local artistic talent. Unlike many other taco spots, Taco Chelo offers a sit-down, relaxed vibe that is still incredibly hip and conveniently located for locals and those exploring Roosevelt Row.
The menu's high points—the acclaimed Costra Taco, the surprisingly delicious Vegetable Taco, and the must-order Flamingos—demonstrate a commitment to fresh flavors and creative twists on classics. When combined with the "delish" salsas and the selection of quality drinks, including great cocktails and beer, the entire meal becomes a cohesive and highly satisfying experience. It is a place that successfully caters to every crowd, from a family grabbing dinner to a group enjoying late-night food and drinks. When Arizonans are looking for a reliable, trendy, and genuinely delicious Mexican restaurant that epitomizes the modern Downtown Phoenix dining scene, Taco Chelo provides a memorable meal that consistently earns rave reviews for its food and attentive service.
Taco Chelo Phoenix Menu
Postres
- Mexican Chocolate Pot De Creme $7.50
Rich Chocolate custard, cocoa nibs, whipped cream
- Arroz Con Leche $7.50
Mexican rice pudding,vanilla cinnamon berry jam
Torta
- Torta $13.50
chorizo, refired beans, pinto beans, cheese blend, avocado, sour cream
Sides
- Extra Side Sour Cream $0.50
- Extra Asada Sauce $0.00
- Extra Flour Tortilla $1.00
- Extra Side Meat $4.00
- Grilled Jalapeno $1.00
- Extra Side Guac $2.00
- Sliced Avocado $3.00
- Extra Corn Tortilla $0.75
Salads
- Chelo Salad $13.50
Romain, jicama, orange,cucumber, avocado crema,cilantro, mint,lemon vinaigrette, pepitas, cotija cheese, radishes, chimayo chile
- El Jardin $13.50
Romain, kale, pepitas, avocado crema, crispy tortilla strips, cotija cheese, chile morita dressing, queso cotija
Tacos
- Beef Barbacoa Taco $5.25
onion, cilantro, salsa tlaquepaque
- Carnitas Taco $5.25
onion, cilantro
- Chicken Taco $5.25
adobo marinated chicken, avocado salsa, pico de gallo, cotija cheese, sour cream
- Fish Taco $6.00
Beer battered fish, cabbage, pickled onion, chile morita crema, pico de gallo
- Vegetable Taco $5.25
Roasted sweet potatoe, romesco sauce, feta cheese, toasted pepitas seeds, green onion
- Pastor Taco (Wednesdays Only) $5.25
Onion, cilantro, pineapple
- Costra Taco $5.35
Carne asada, caramelized cheese, caramelized onion on a flour tortilla
- Carne Asada $5.25
carne asada, avocado salsa, onion, cilantro
- Sonoran Taco $5.25
served on flour tortilla with carne asada, cabbage, sonoran salsa, and avacado salsa
- Crispy Shrimp Tacos $7.25
2 minced shrimp stuffed tacos, topped with cabbage, sliced carrots, pickled onion. Served with seafood broth on the side *contains bacon*
Botana/Appetizer
- Refried Beans $4.50
Refried beans topped with cheese blend.
- Chips,Salsa + Guacamole $7.00
Salsa Verde,Guacamole,Salsa Asada
- Corn Quesadilla $3.25
corn tortilla & cheese blend
- Frijoles A La Charra $5.50
Pinto Beans Stewed, Bacon & Pico de gallo
- Flamingo $11.25
Crispy rolled tacos stuffed with cheese blend and roasted Anaheim pepper. Topped with shaved lettuce, sour cream, avocado salsa, pico de gallo and cotija cheese
- Burrito $10.00
Refried Pinto beans, cheese blend
- Chicharrones $8.00
Cholula,Guacamole, Lime,cotija cheese and chimayo chile
- Flour Quesadilla $3.75
N/A Beverages
- Jarritos $3.50
Various flavors.
- Lemonade $4.00
- Squirt $3.50
- Sprite $3.50
The cold, refreshing flavors of lemon and lime, perfectly blended.
- Jamaica $4.00
- Diet Coke $3.50
A crisp, refreshing taste you know and love with zero calories.
- Mineral Water $3.50
- Iced Tea $3.50
- Horchata $4.00
- Coke $4.50
The cold, refreshing, sparkling classic that America loves.
- Agua De Piña $4.00
Taco Chelo Phoenix Details
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Delivery
- Onsite services
- 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
- Comfort food
- Happy hour drinks
- Happy hour food
- Hard liquor
- Late-night food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Seating
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Trendy
Crowd
- College students
- Family-friendly
- Groups
- Locals
- Tourists
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
- Parking
Pets
- Dogs allowed
- Dogs allowed outside
Taco Chelo Phoenix Photos










Taco Chelo Phoenix Location
Taco Chelo Phoenix
501 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
Taco Chelo Phoenix Reviews
fish tacospatiohappy hourveggie tacosfliescarnitas tacosbarbacoa tacossweet potatoflamingochorizo torta
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Legit the best tacos EVER. Surprise favorite taco is the veggie taco. The Costra will blow your socks off. The salsas - delish. But the best thing on the menu is definitely the Flamingos! The food was sooooo good we didn’t get any pics of it before we demolished it! But cheers to Joshua — best service hands down!
October 05 · Andrea LansfordReally relaxed vibe, decent location to other restaurants and bars in downtown Phoenix.Food was good, parking is a hit or miss for close spots.Chicken tacos were very good and the barbacoa quesidilla was delicious. Got their Picosa drink which was delicious as well.
October 07 · Alexis SanchezTaco Chelo in downtown Phoenix is officially on my top taco spots list! I had both the shrimp tacos and the carne asada tacos and let me just say, they nailed it. The shrimp tacos were different in the best way bold flavor, a little twist I didn’t expect, but really enjoyed. And the asada? Juicy, seasoned just right, and full of flavor.But the real MVP? Their handmade tortillas. You can taste the difference. Fresh, soft, and they tie everything together perfectly.There’s no shortage of taco spots in Phoenix, but Taco Chelo stands out not just for the food, but for the vibe. You can tell it’s got that local, family-run heart behind it. And as someone who supports mom-and-pop businesses any chance I get, this place hit home. I’ll definitely be back and bringing people with me.
June 26 · David MadridThe smell hits you when you walk in, and you know it's going to be good before you taste it.The place was good. Clean. Stephanie and her husband own it. Grace runs the place when Stephanie isn't there. And they know what they're doing.These people, God bless them, have committed the radical act of using healthy oils instead of the industrial sludge most places pump into your arteries. No seed oils, they promised, and I believed them because Stephanie had that look people get when they're telling the truth about something they actually care about.The tortillas are pressed fresh, in an open kitchen you can watch. Not in some factory in Ohio three months ago, and not from a bag with an ingredient list longer than the Constitution.Everything made to order. No shortcuts. The tacos came out hot and they were the best I'd had in a long time. Simple ingredients done right. The way it should be.I'll drive back there. Good food is worth the drive.
September 10 · Christopher SandsGreat experience here on a Monday evening. Parking wasn't an issue as we just parked on the street nearby. There were plenty of meters open. Not a long wait at all and plenty of seating there. We sat outside on the patio to enjoy the weather. Had a bunch of tacos--carnitas, barbacoa, costra, chicken. Tortillas were soft and warm with great texture. Generous fillings were delicious. We especially liked the costra. That caramelized cheese and onion were just perfect. Washed it down with a pumpkin spice horchata. We'll definitely return.
October 07 · Jon
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