MESA, AZ (AZFamily) — Step into Salt & Sugar Taqueria and you’ll immediately be surrounded by everything pink. However, it’s not only the décor that’s this bright and fun color.
The small, family-owned and veteran-operated restaurant opened last year in east Mesa and has gained popularity for its delicious, homemade food, tasty lemonades, and signature pink tacos.
“It’s my favorite color ever in the world,” said Shauny Bennett, owner of Salt & Sugar Taqueria.
Salt & Sugar Taqueria is located near Main Street and Lindsay Road. Shauny and her husband, John, opened this restaurant after years of doing catering services around the Valley.
Salt and Sugar Taqueria’s signature pink tacos are made with beets.(Arizona’s Family)The Beginning
In 2020, the couple began making and selling sweet treats, such as homemade cookies and rice, from their home, and soon, people were asking them to cater. For the past five years, the Bennetts have traveled around the Valley, cooking onsite at different events.
Soon, the opportunity came along for them to take over the restaurant space. The couple decided to give it a try and combined John’s baking with Shauny’s cooking to open Salt & Sugar Taqueria in August 2024.
Shauny and John Bennett started opened Salt and Sugar Taqueria in August 2024.(Arizona’s Family)The Food
Arizona foodies may have seen Salt & Sugar Taqueria’s signature pink tacos on their Instagram feed. Shauny said customers can expect “Very simple Mexican food. But the main focus is our pink tacos on a pink tortilla. And the way we make our tortillas is with 100% organic beet juice.”
The pink tortillas are made in-house, and the tacos can be filled with chicken, carne asada, birria, and carnitas.
Other savory dishes include their breakfast burritos and quesadillas. Combination plates served with a side of rice, beans, and Sopa Fria (Mexican pasta salad) are also available for tacos, rolled taquitos, enchiladas suizas, and tortas.
Combination plates, served with a side of rice, beans, and Sopa Fria (Mexican pasta salad), are also available.(Arizona’s Family)
“We’re just two people trying to feed people one taco at a time,” said Bennett. “These are all family recipes that I’ve eaten my whole entire life, and I like to share with everybody else.”
For customers craving something sweet, try Salt & Sugar Taqueria’s churro tacos! These are fried cinnamon sugar tortillas shaped into a taco shell filled with banana, strawberries, Nutella, salted caramel, and strawberry sauce. Or you can’t go wrong with a classic chocolate chip cookie that Salt & Sugar Taqueria makes in hot pink.
Satisfy your sweet tooth with the churro tacos or strawberry and peach lemonade.(Arizona’s Family)
Don’t forget to pair your meal with one of Salt & Sugar Taqueria’s signature lemonades, which come in a variety of flavor combinations!
“All of these flavors actually came from customers coming in,” said Bennett. “They like make up their own concoction.” Flavors include a mixture of fruit like strawberry and peach or even cotton candy.
Deals and Discounts
For customers who really want to indulge in the tasty, vibrant tacos, Salt & Sugar Taqueria offers all-you-can-eat tacos for $20 during their happy hour from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The deal is offered every day, and Shauny says the record is 22 tacos.
On Tuesday, customers can get tacos for $2.75.
As a veteran-owned business, Salt & Sugar Taqueria offers a special discount for veterans, military service members and first responders.
Salt and Sugar Taqueria offers a variety of burritos.(Arizona’s Family)Celebrating A Milestone
On Saturday, Aug. 2, Salt & Sugar Taqueria will celebrate its first anniversary at its Mesa location. The day will include $1 tacos during the first hour, a free small lemonade with any plate, raffles, giveaways, games, a pink photo wall, music and more!
“Definitely expect something fun and exciting,” said Shauny. “And pink tacos, of course.”
Salt & Sugar TaqueriaLocation: 2729 E Main St, Mesa, AZ 85204Hours:Monday: 4-8 p.m.Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday: 12-8 p.m.Closed: Wednesday and Sunday
See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it.
Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description.
Copyright 2025 KTVK/KPHO. All rights reserved.