Arizona diners craving Mexican- and Latin-inspired food now have even more destinations that will satisy their culinary cravings with the recent openings of restaurants that offer options ranging from casual to elevated cuisine.
Funky Frida’s Mexican Cantina, Phoenix. Billed as an artist-inspired cantina, Funky Friday’s debuted last October with casual Mexican-inspired food including $9.99 taco lunch specials, guacamole, esquites, tamales and carne adovada, an extensive cocktail menu, an indoor and outdoor bar, a dog-friendly patio, and happy hour and brunch specials. The cozy neighborhood hangout is from the team behind The Starving Artist, another Phoenix artist-inspired outpost.
Camello, Phoenix. This “luxurious and theatrical high-energy Mexican restaurant” from 151 Hospitality restaurant group opened Feb. 2, showcasing a menu inspired by Executive Chef Julio Mata’s roots in Guaymas, Mexico. Located in The Esplanade in the city’s Biltmore neighborhood, Camello offers basics like tortilla soup, tacos and burritos for lunch and more elevated dishes including a raw bar, Guacamole con Ribeye, Branzino Zarandeado and Chiles en Nogada for dinner. Views of Camelback Mountain are an added plus.
The Mission, Gilbert. The third Valley location of this modern Latin restaurant opened at the Epicenter at Agritopia development on February 9. Tableside Mission Guacamole, Tostadas Duck Carnitas Empanada Arroz Chaufa, Peruvian Duck Fried Rice, specialty tacos on hand-pressed tortillas, A LA PARRILLA dishes cooked over pecan and mesquite, and an agave-centric craft cocktail program are highlights in this upscale space that features signature candlelit interiors and a Himalayan salt brick wall.
Santo Agave, Peoria. February 16 brought the debut of this elevated Mexican restaurant described as “a vibrant Mexican
And coming soon…
PoNy’s Michés Michelada Bar & Grill, Phoenix. From the owners of the popular PoNy’s Michés in Goodyear, Arizona — the mariscos and michelada restaurant that won third place in The Arizona Republic's Top Taco 2024 for the fish and shrimp tacos — comes the announcement of a new concept/second location coming soon. “It’s going to be a fun place to come watch sports and have some delicious cocktail drinks and micheladas. Can’t wait to share more details,” a recent Instagram post announced. The story behind the soon-to-debut space is as interesting as the food: PoNy’s started as a food truck from Jose (Pony) Flores and his wife Analiz Gonzalez in 2020, then grew into the brick-and-mortar PoNy’s Michés in 2024 after partnering with a local entrepreneur who had fallen in love with the food.