Oct. 2, 2026, 5:01 a.m. MT
Phoenix is a wonderland of great Mexican food. Whenever you find yourself craving a taco, you can find abundant options no matter what corner of the Valley you’re in. But with so many restaurants serving tacos, how does one decide where to go?
For the last three years, The Republic has asked readers to vote for who they believe makes the best tacos in the Valley. Together, the top vote getters make up a pretty great sample of the best that Phoenix has to offer, from food trucks and pop-ups to hole-in-the-wall joints and sit-down Mexican restaurants.
Here’s a look at the nine former winners and finalists of The Republic’s annual Top Taco competition.
Don’t see your favorite on the list? Nominate them for the 2026 Top Taco ballot.
Asadero Norte de Sonora
Family-owned Asadero Norte de Sonora was voted best chicken taco in Phoenix for Top Taco 2023. The restaurant is known for its mesquite grilled chicken served with fresh tortilla and salsa on the side as well as a large menu of ala carte tacos, tortas and burritos.
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Details: 122 N. 16th St., Phoenix. 602-253-4010, asaderonortesonora.weebly.com.
Baja Roots
Baja Roots was voted best birria taco in Phoenix for Top Taco 2023. The food truck, owned and operated by Emilene Carillo, regularly pops up at The Theodore on Saturday nights and Cobra Arcade Bar on Sunday nights.
Details: @bajarootsaz on Instagram
Estero Beach Tacos
Baja-style taco cart Estero Beach Tacos was our overall Top Taco winner in both 2023 and 2024. Owner Jorge Picos works a corporate job during the week and runs popups on weekends, but even without a brick-and-mortar, he’s earned himself a dedicated fan base in the Valley. Estero Beach Tacos is known for its fish and shrimp tacos. To visit, keep up with Estero Beach Tacos on social media to find their next pop-up.
Details: @esterobeachtacos on Instagram.
Pelon’s Food Truck
Pelon’s Food Truck, owned by husband-and-wife Carlos Jimenez Luna and Sarah Guthrie, earned the second highest number of votes for Top Taco 2024. Pelon’s specializes in Jalisco-style Mexican food, but is best known for its birria, chicken tinga and carnitas tacos. Pelon’s schedule is constantly changing; they also cater and do private events. Follow them on Instagram to see where to find them next.
Details: @pelonsfoodtruck on Instagram.
PoNy’s Miches
PoNy’s Miches, a former food truck that has quickly expanded to three Valley locations, was the third-place runner up in Top Taco 2024. Co-owner Jose Flores said he believes their tacos stand out from the rest in part because of his wife Analiz Gonzalez’ house-made cremas. Their fish tacos come topped with a chipotle crema and the shrimp tacos come with cilantro lime crema, served on five-inch corn tortillas.
Details: 725 Estrella Pkwy., Goodyear. Also, 105 W. Portland St., Phoenix. Also, 9897 W. McDowell Road, Tolleson. @ponysmiches_az on Instagram.
Ta’Carbon
Ta’Carbon was a finalist for Top Taco 2023 for its carne asada. It also earned itself a spot on USA TODAY’s Restaurants of the Year list in 2025 for its taco hazz, made with carne asada, cheese and grilled strips of green chilies. Owner Gilbert Trujillo told The Republic, “The meat is the most important. Everything else is an accessory.”
Details: 5834 W. Camelback Road, Glendale. 623-463-8134. Additional locations at tacarbon.com.
Taco Boy’s
Taco Boy’s is popular for its carne asada, which landed it a spot on the finalists’ list for Top Taco 2023. They have six locations in the Valley, plus a “little brother” restaurant Marisco Boys, which food critic Bahar Anooshahr called “excellent” on her first visit.
Details: 620 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix. 602-675-3962. Additional locations at aztacoboys.com.
Tacos Chiwas
The team behind Tacos Chiwas, spearheaded by power couple Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguin, has become one of the most prolific restaurant groups in the Valley. But their OG taqueria remains iconic. It was a finalist in two categories for Top Taco 2023: carne asada and vegetarian calabacitas Mexican squash taco.
Details: 1028 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. 602-358-8830. Additional locations at tacoschiwas.com.
Taco Papi
Business partners and friends Harsimran Sodhi and Gabriel Betancourt opened Taco Papi in Scottsdale, Arizona after Betancourt got his start selling tacos on the street in Glendale. The restaurant was crowned The Republic’s Top Taco 2025 champion for the carne asada, which is cooked over a mesquite grill, giving it a smoky flavor that Betancourt said is authentic to Mexico. The other most popular tacos they serve are the quesabirria dipped in consomme.
Details: 14891 N. Northsight Blvd., Suite 119, Scottsdale. 480-794-1404, tacopapi.com.
It’s almost time for Top Taco 2026, and we want to know who you think should be on the ballot this year. Tell us the name and location of the restaurant, pop-up or food truck that you think makes the best tacos in metro Phoenix, plus the best taco on the menu at azcentral.com/things-to-do/food-dining through Oct. 9.
Phoenix Pizza Poll: After 40 years, readers say this Arizona pizzeria is still the best
Reach the reporter at eddie.fontanez@azcentral.com. Follow @ERFontanez on Instagram.
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Dining and Cooking