Taqueria El Chino Arizona

- 2618 N 59th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85035

Taqueria El Chino prides itself on a simple, yet profoundly flavorful, menu featuring favorites like tacos, burritos, tortas, and quesadillas. The secret to its widespread popularity is the commitment to traditional cooking methods, notably **slow-cooking its meats for a minimum of 12 hours**. This dedication ensures that every bite—from the succulent beef barbacoa to the highly-praised *cachete* (beef cheek)—is tender, juicy, and packed with deep, savory flavor.

The atmosphere at Taqueria El Chino is **Casual** and friendly, making it a perfect spot for various occasions. It is immensely **Popular for Lunch** and **Dinner**, drawing crowds of hungry workers and families looking for satisfying, authentic meals. The restaurant’s commitment to **Fast service** is a major highlight, ensuring that a quick bite does not mean compromising on quality or flavor. Whether you are dining solo, bringing the family, or gathering a large group, this establishment provides a relaxed and efficient setting. It delivers the kind of soulful, comforting food that the Arizona community appreciates, transforming simple ingredients into memorable meals.

The concept here is straightforward: provide fresh ingredients, authentic recipes, and great value. As a long-standing local favorite, Taqueria El Chino has solidified its place as one of the best low-budget taco joints in the Valley, a title earned through consistently high-quality food and a genuine connection to its cultural roots. Customers who seek a true taste of Mexican tradition, where the focus is firmly on the expertly prepared meat, will find this spot to be an indispensable part of the Phoenix dining scene.

The restaurant’s official address is **2618 N 59th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85035, USA**. This central location in the 85035 ZIP code neighborhood ensures it remains a prominent spot for local diners.

The establishment makes visiting straightforward and comfortable for all patrons.

• **Parking:** Visitors will find parking to be hassle-free, with a **Free parking lot** readily available. For overflow or closer access, **Free street parking** is also generally available in the surrounding area, which is a great convenience in a busy urban environment like Phoenix.
• **Accessibility:** The taqueria demonstrates consideration for all guests by offering **Wheelchair accessible parking lot** spaces. While the general atmosphere is a counter-service style, the focus on accessible parking ensures a smoother visit for those with mobility concerns right from the start.

The combination of easy parking, a prominent location on a main avenue, and a dedication to fast service makes Taqueria El Chino an easy choice for West Valley locals needing a quick, delicious fix of authentic Mexican food.

• **Dining Options:** The core dining services include **Dine-in** for those who wish to enjoy the casual atmosphere, **Takeout** for a quick meal at home or work, and the added convenience of **Curbside pickup**, allowing customers to grab their orders without leaving their vehicles.
• **Mealtimes:** The restaurant’s primary focus is providing excellent food during the most popular dining hours, serving both **Lunch** and **Dinner**.
• **Atmosphere & Crowd:** The restaurant maintains a **Casual** atmosphere. It is a popular gathering spot for **Groups**, thanks to its accommodating seating, and is also an excellent option for **Solo dining** when a quick, satisfying meal is needed. It is also noted as being **Good for kids**, making it a reliable spot for family meals.
• **Menu Offerings:** The menu is centered on satisfying, authentic Mexican fare, primarily offering **Comfort food**, **Quick bite** options, and smaller, focused servings perfect for **Small plates** or appetizers.
• **Payment Flexibility:** For customer convenience, the taqueria accepts **Credit cards**, in addition to other standard forms of payment.

• **Authentic Sonoran Cuisine:** The restaurant is lauded for its dedication to the flavors of Northern Mexico, specifically the Sonoran style, which prioritizes meat quality and minimal fuss, delivering a true taste of the border region.
• **Exceptional Slow-Cooked Meats:** This is the establishment's defining feature. Meats like the **Carne Asada (Ribeye)**, **Barbacoa de Res (Beef Barbacoa)**, and especially the **Cachete (Beef Cheek)** and **Cabeza (Head)** are slow-cooked for many hours to achieve a remarkable tenderness and deep flavor that few other taquerias can match.
• **Fast Service:** A major highlight for busy Phoenix professionals and residents is the documented **Fast service**, which allows patrons to enjoy an authentic and high-quality meal without a lengthy wait.
• **Fresh, Homemade Salsas:** Tacos and other items are served simply, focusing on the meat, and are meant to be dressed at the well-stocked salsa bar. This bar features a variety of homemade salsas, including a famous, creamy, mint green guacamole salsa that perfectly complements the rich meats, and a “very, very, very hot” **Salsa Roja** for the brave.
• **Specialty Off-Menu Items:** The taqueria is known for specific regional specialties that appeal to authentic Mexican food connoisseurs, such as the **Cahuamanta Tacos** (made with manta ray and shrimp stew) and *Bichi* (the rich stew broth), which stand out from the typical taqueria menu.
• **Quality Tacos:** The tacos are the centerpiece, served on your choice of simple, excellent corn or flour tortillas that are sturdy enough to handle the generous portions of juicy, slow-cooked meats without tearing. The unadorned presentation highlights the quality of the filling.

**Restaurant Name:** Taqueria El Chino Arizona

**Address:** 2618 N 59th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85035, USA

**Phone:** (623) 265-3027

**Mobile Phone (Alternate):** +1 623-265-3027

The absolute must-try items are the **Tacos**. To fully appreciate the culinary skill here, locals highly recommend the **Cachete** (Beef Cheek) and **Cabeza** (Head) tacos. These meats are inherently fatty and benefit immensely from the 12-hour slow-cooking process, resulting in some of the most tender, moist, and flavorful shredded beef tacos available in the Valley. Order them simply—just meat and tortilla—and then customize them at the salsa bar. Be sure to try a generous dollop of the creamy, mint green **Guacamole Salsa** for a perfect cool and tangy counterpoint to the rich beef.

Another essential choice is one of the specialty items that truly sets this taqueria apart: the **Cahuamanta** options. This unique stew, traditionally made with manta ray and shrimp, is a rare find and a taste of true regional Mexican seafood fare. You can enjoy the rich, herb-scented broth as **Cahuamanta Orden (Caldo)** or, for a more intense flavor experience, as **Cahuamanta Tacos**, where the moist seafood is used as a flavorful filling.

If you are in the mood for a heartier meal, the **Green Chile Verde Beef Burrito** is a highly-rated choice. It features cubed beef swimming in a thick, savory green chile sauce, providing a satisfying blend of heat and herbaceous flavor that elevates the standard burrito. For those seeking a classic, the **Burrito Al Pastor** or **Torta Al Pastor** offers marinated pork that captures the smoky, rich taste that is central to al pastor preparation.

Ultimately, the essence of Taqueria El Chino lies in its authentic simplicity and the quality of its meats. Choosing any of the tacos with a slow-cooked filling—Cachete, Cabeza, or Barbacoa—paired with a house-made *Agua Fresca* like Horchata or Jamaica, guarantees a fantastic, genuine taste of Sonoran street food right in your West Phoenix neighborhood. It is this commitment to tradition and excellence that makes it worth choosing time and time again.

Taqueria El Chino Arizona

2618 N 59th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85035, USA