La Vida >>

• BEST PLACE TO BUY A SUGAR SKULL
  The Willow House
  We love the art that celebrates Días de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead — the enormous papier-mâché skeletons, the smaller scenes that depict the dead doing everything from writing at the typewriter to performing surgery in the operating room. But damn, sometimes that art can be expensive!... More >>
• BEST REAL GLIMPSE OF THE BORDER
  Border Film Project
  The members of the Border Film Project — Rudy Adler, Victoria Criado and Brett Huneycutt — were smart enough to hand thousands of disposable cameras to immigrants and Minutemen. Some of them were smart enough to send them back, and SMoCA was smart enough to incorporate the results into a... More >>
• BEST MEXICAN IMPORTS
  Bellas Artes de Mexico
  In the Southwest, "authentic" Mexican furniture isn't hard to find. Even big-box stores have hacienda collections these days. But that little "hecho en Mexico" sticker doesn't always mean much when it comes to quality. Authentic (not "authentic") handmade furniture and imports are much harder to... More >>
• BEST MEXICAN POTS
  Mercado Mexico
  You don't have to go south of the border to find great Mexican pottery — at least not south of the U.S. border. Just south of Arizona Mills mall is a cozy little brick storefront overflowing with clay pots and colorful planters painted in shades of burnt orange and turquoise. Inside, shelves are... More >>
• BEST RUSTIC MEXICAN FURNITURE
  La Casona/Pepe's Rustics
  From roughhewn pine benches to massive armoires covered in wrought-iron spikes that look more like torture devices than entertainment centers, this North Valley warehouse has everything to make su casa exude rustic charm. La Casona specializes in high-end custom rustic furniture, which is hard... More >>
• BEST PLACE TO GET FURNITURE THAT LOOKS LIKE YOU HAULED IT UP FROM MEXICO
  El Paso Import Co.
  El Paso Import Co. started out selling authentic vintage Mexican furniture, but soon mixed in some reproductions (always making sure the buyer was aware). That's fine with us; we can actually afford this stuff. We love it, and are considering moving to a larger house since we've filled our own... More >>
• BEST NEW SPANISH-LANGUAGE STUDIO
  The Spanish Place
  Tucked behind the Yucca Tap Room on the southwest corner of Mill and Southern avenues in Tempe, this relaxed and friendly community space is the place where Spanish-language champions and students can sharpen their Latin-seasoned tongues. The bright blue, green, red and orange walls shower The... More >>
• BEST PLACE TO GET HIBISCUS WATER (1 Comment)
  Phoenix Ranch Market
  Are you ready to get juiced? Try the aguas frescas at Phoenix Ranch Market. There always seems to be a long line of thirsty people waiting for a drink at this store's festive kiosk, where employees ladle ice-cold beverages out of enormous glass jars. We're partial to the jamaica (pronounced... More >>
• BEST MARGARITA
  Padre's Modern Mexican Cuisine
  When we're drinking a margarita, we'll pass on that name-brand $30 shot; what we really want is lime so tart it stings, salt that flakes on our lips, a blend of the hard stuff that's not too heavy on the orange liqueur. And after tasting hundreds of margaritas across the Valley, we found that... More >>
• BEST FROZEN MARGARITA
  Z'Tejas Grill
  Yes, it's a chain restaurant. But the margaritas are so tasty, we're betting even the folks at Arizona Chain Reaction have a hard time resisting happy hour here. Generously poured, perfectly blended, and with just the right tequila kick, these margaritas would convince even the most ardent food... More >>
• BEST TEQUILA SELECTION
  Via DeLosantos
  Perhaps the only clue that this isn't your average Sunnyslope hole-in-the-wall is the cars in the parking lot: On one recent Sunday, we spotted an Audi, a Beamer, and a Lexus side by side. But there's nothing pretentious or upscale inside this homey Mexican restaurant and its smoky blue-tiled... More >>
• BEST MODERN MEXICANA RESTAURANT
  Barrio Cafe
  A craving for Mexican food and a craving for Barrio Cafe's memorable fare are two completely different things. It's almost as if chef Silvana Salcido Esparza intentionally set out to defy diners' expectations, combining her own dazzling ideas with traditional flavors found in southern Mexican... More >>
• BEST MEXICAN PATIO DINING
  Old Town Tortilla Factory
  What better way to enjoy a margarita (or several), a basket of chips and salsa (or several) and maybe even more, than on the twinkly patio at the Old Town Tortilla Factory? This longtime favorite is a little ritzier than your average Mexican dive, but a little less plastic than some of the... More >>
• BEST NEIGHBORHOOD MEXICAN RESTAURANT, CENTRAL PHOENIX
  El Portal
  We still think Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox should leave office to do the public service she does best — running one of the best Mexican restaurants in town — but we've gotta admit, the lady does a pretty good job of multitasking. You'll often see Wilcox — along with members of... More >>
• BEST NEIGHBORHOOD MEXICAN RESTAURANT, SOUTH PHOENIX (1 Comment)
  Los Dos Molinos
  Los Dos Molinos just might be the king of all neighborhood Mexican joints. It's festive, with glossy blue walls, shiny red chile peppers hanging from the ceiling, and loud music; reasonably priced; and, of course, delicious. The menu covers basics like tacos, enchiladas, and tamales, and the... More >>
• BEST NEIGHBORHOOD MEXICAN RESTAURANT, WEST VALLEY (1 Comment)
  Garcia's Las Avenidas
  It's amazing what can spring from a humble taco stand. Fifty years ago, Olivia and Julio Garcia started small, dishing up home cooking out of a tiny spot with only two picnic tables for seating. Over the years, the business took on new life as the Garcias opened more restaurants, expanding into... More >>
• BEST NEIGHBORHOOD MEXICAN RESTAURANT, TEMPE
  El Peñasco Mexican Kitchen
  Owner Mayela Vargas named El Peñasco Mexican Kitchen after a tiny town in Chihuahua, Mexico, where her parents were born, and the hometown spirit shows. There's a village of miniature adobe homes on display in the middle of the room, murals of plants and pottery on the walls, and upbeat norteño... More >>
• BEST NEIGHBORHOOD MEXICAN RESTAURANT, SOUTHEAST VALLEY
  El Zocalo Mexican Grille
  In Mexico, if you're hungry and looking for a lively gathering spot, you head to el zocalo, the bustling cultural epicenter of small towns and cities alike, where you can dine at an outdoor cafe and watch the world go by. In Chandler, if you're hungry and looking for a lively gathering spot, you... More >>
• BEST NEIGHBORHOOD MEXICAN RESTAURANT, SCOTTSDALE
  El Molino Mexican Cafe
  Old Town Scottsdale isn't the first neighborhood that comes to mind for inspired Mexican food, which is why this unassuming, cheerful spot is such a pleasure to discover. Unlike glitzier restaurants a stone's throw away, where cocktails and cleavage compete with the eats, El Molino is all about... More >>
• BEST MOLE
  Restaurant Mexico
  For years, college kids seeking a cheap meal and working professionals wanting a laid-back atmosphere for a break from business have been coming to this no-frills restaurant for irresistible Mexico City-style cuisine. There's no better time to come than Thursdays at lunch, where you can expect... More >>
• BEST COCHINITA PIBIL
  Asi Es La Vida
  Good thing we love Sonoran cuisine, because it dominates the menu at so many Mexican joints around these parts. But sometimes, for variety's sake, it's a thrill to get a taste of what lies a lot farther south of the border. In the case of Asi Es La Vida, we're talking about specialties from... More >>
• BEST TORTILLAS (1 Comment)
  Carolina's
  We tried — no, make that really tried, just ask our editor — to see if anyone in town could beat out Carolina's, the perennial winner of Best Tortillas. Surely, we thought, this sprawling metropolis has got to have a feisty new contender in this category. And indeed, there are some great... More >>
• BEST TAMALES
  Mucho Gusto Taqueria & Mexican Bistro
  Tamales are tricky. We can whip up a taco, but when it comes to tamales, we have no idea how to get the corn base moist and tasty, or where to begin to make a filling as delicious as the inside of a pork tamale at Mucho Gusto. This Tempe haunt is a favorite far and wide, for innovative Mexican... More >>
• BEST BURRITO (1 Comment)
  El Sol Mexican Cafe & Bakery
  You'll find all kinds of just-baked Mexican pastries on display at this sunny little nook, popular with the Chandler lunch crowd. But take one look at the menu, and it's pretty obvious what they do best at El Sol: burritos, which are the perfect showcase for El Sol's wonderful handmade... More >>
• BEST TORTAS (MEXICAN SAMMYS) (2 Comments)
  Tortas La Presa
  Bigger than a Dagwood. Taller than a New York deli sammy. Able to foot-punch Quiznos' patootie with one slice of bread tied behind its back. That's a Mexican-style torta from Tortas La Presa on North Seventh Street. Not for the weak of arteries, a La Presa torta is a mountain of mozzarella,... More >>
• BEST MEXICAN SEAFOOD
  Mariscos Playa Hermosa
  Maybe it's because we live deep in the middle of Cactus Country that we Phoenicians always seem to be craving seafood. Seems to explain the abundance of mariscos joints here in Sand Land, eh? Still, not all Mexican seafood establishments are created equal. So the one we always make a beeline for... More >>
• BEST MEXICAN HOT DOG
  Nogales Hot Dogs
  Nogales hot dogs are so very bad, and so very, very good. In fact, we like to think of these bacon-wrapped wieners drenched in mayo and topped with any number of condiments such as guacamole, cheese, pinto beans, onions, mushrooms, chopped tomatoes, and so on, along the same lines that we regard... More >>
• BEST CHILE RELLENO (2 Comments)
  Rosita's Place
  We're chile relleno hunters, and we've spent years seeking the perfect specimen. In our culinary travels, we've encountered numerous wanna-bes, from rellenos that required a chain saw to those that collapsed in an indigestible heap, like a baking pie in an artillery range. Splat. The unassuming... More >>
• BEST TONGUE
  Asadero Norte de Sonora
  The best tongue we've ever had was at Bikini Lounge on a First Friday from this artist chick named Summer who had a pierced nose and dreadlocks, though, of course, we couldn't really eat that tongue. Heh, not that we didn't try! Haven't seen Summer in many a month, but we think about her every... More >>
• BEST PALETAS (FROZEN FRUIT BARS)
  Moreliana Fruit Bars
  Cruise south down Central Avenue and you're likely to pass Moreliana Fruit Bars, the birthplace of one of our favorite things about summer — paletas, those sweet frozen bars hawked from little orange carts in the streets and avenues of Phoenix. For 21 years, Moreliana has been making a multitude... More >>
• BEST CARNICERÍA (MEAT MARKET)
  Super Carniceria La Hereford
  We have to wonder: If the cows are happier, does the meat taste better? Because that's the impression we get from Super Carniceria La Hereford, where blissful bovines populate the pasture on the store's colorful outside mural. Inside, you'll find upbeat accordion music, piñatas hanging from the... More >>
• BEST RASPADOS (SNOW CONES)
  Frutti Sweets
  We used to think cherry slushies were the bomb, until we tried the raspado de tamarindo (tamarind-flavored Mexican shaved ice) at Frutti Sweets, a cheerful little shop that also sells soda, paletas, and ice cream. This sugar-rush-inducing concoction is a potent blend of chile powder, ice,... More >>
• BEST TRES LECHES CAKE
  La Tolteca
  Does anyone in this town remember the Guggy's surprise cake? At this point, we're pretty sure we dreamed the whole thing up, but we have vivid memories of birthday cakes purchased at Guggy's coffee shop (there was one at Scottsdale Fashion Square, back in the day when that was still an outdoor... More >>
• BEST PANADERÍA (BAKERY)
  Azteca Bakery & Mexican Food
  Everyone has a weakness. For some, it's gambling. Sex. Chocolate. For us, it's Azteca's glorious conchas — swirled sweet rolls laced with a ribbon of sugary pastel icing. It's hard to go into this bakery and come out with less than a sackful of the light, flaky pastries. Founded by Bernardo... More >>
• BEST LATIN FEAST
  The Spanish Place, Fifth Sunday Cultural Event
  Whenever a fifth Sunday squeezes into the crowded calendar, Nancy Lewis and her crew of Spanish cultural champions fill their mouths with linguistics and their bellies with delectable Latin food. The group samples authentic Latin cuisine outside of the standard Sonora, Mexico, fare, including... More >>
• BEST LUNCHTIME SERENADE
  Tradiciones
  At Phoenix Ranch Market's new sit-down Mexican restaurant, there's always music. Sometimes it's piped in, but more often, it's performed by live musicians — perhaps a band out on the courtyard stage, or a soloist singing romantic melodies from his vantage point behind a keyboard in the busy... More >>
• BEST PLACE TO HEAR LIVE MARIACHI MUSIC (1 Comment)
  La Casa del Mariachi
  The worst thing a Mexican restaurant can do is hire a bad mariachi band. Imagine being tied to your table, waiting for the check, while the Mexican Hat Dance plays for the umpteenth time. Shudder. We've been there. Thankfully, you won't have that experience at La Casa del Mariachi. Sure, the... More >>
• BEST MEXICAN RADIO STATION
  Club 95 Latino Vibe
  Even before reggaeton became all the rage in the Valley, Club 95 was playing hot tracks by reggaeton artists like Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, and Ivy Queen. The station also sponsored various reggaeton nights around the Valley, adding even more muscle to the growing music scene. Club 95's DJs also... More >>
• BEST PLACE TO BUY NARCOCORRIDOS
  Discoteca de Joyas Musicales
  According to author Elijah Wald, there have been public cries to ban narcocorridos, or Mexican drug ballads, in Mexico since the '70s. Baja California jumped on the bandwagon with a voluntary ban in 2002. Even Arizona has considered a radio ban on narcos. Yeah, good luck with that. Often talked... More >>
• BEST PIÑATA STORE (4 Comments)
  Dulceria Pico Rico
  What's a party without a piñata? Boring, we say. And what better way to acquire your piñata than with a one-stop party shop at Dulceria Pico Rico? This well-lighted, expansive shop on 16th Street, in the heart of what we've come to call Little Mexico, has a wide array of piñatas, in all the... More >>
• BEST PLACE TO FIND A QUINCEAÑERA DRESS
  Azteca Wedding Plaza
  The quinceañera was originally a religious coming-of-age ceremony that declared a young virgin eligible for marriage. Today, it's more like a Hispanic teenager's excuse to party. Yes, it's supposed to be about God, but what would a celebration of womanhood be without the perfect dress? Azteca... More >>
• BEST VENUE FOR BIG-NAME LATINO ACTS
  Dodge Theatre
  There's a reason hordes of Hispanics have been heading for downtown Phoenix in recent months, and it isn't to stage another massive demonstration for immigrant rights. It's because Dodge Theatre has become something of a hot spot for superstar Latino acts over the past year. The topflight,... More >>
• BEST LATIN DJ (1 Comment)
  DJ Big Latin
  Andy Herrera, a.k.a. DJ Big Latin, has been spinning cumbia, bachata, merengue, and reggaeton around the Valley for the past four years, and the portly Dominican has always been one step ahead of the trends, helping to launch the Valley's first (and still most popular) reggaeton night at... More >>
• BEST LATIN DANCE NIGHT
  Beat Lab Saturdays at Club Dwntwn
  In its past incarnation as the Crowbar, Club Dwntwn was a hip-hop and Top 40 palace catering to gay clientele. Now, the club is one of downtown's top gay Latin hot spots, offering two dance floors with DJ-spun cumbia, salsa and Spanish-language rock. Despite the recent surge in popularity,... More >>
• BEST GAY LATIN DANCE NIGHT
  "Kaliente Saturdays" at Karamba
  No doubt about it now — Karamba is purely a gay Latin club, even if it's best known for having hosted the hugely popular '80s/electro/glam night "Hot Pink!" on Fridays. Club owners recently replaced "Hot Pink!" with "Vertigo Fridays," a reggaeton and Latin dance night, complete with lithe,... More >>
• BEST MEXICAN NIGHTCLUB
  Club Macarena
  Although it might take you a few extra minutes to get through the long line outside this west-side Hispanic hangout, the wait will be well worth it, if for no other reason than to peep the outlandish fashions on display by the throng of Latino clubgoers who flock to the ultra-popular Club... More >>