Bacanora PHX — Restaurant in Phoenix

Edit (May 2022 - 3 to 5 stars): At some point it looks like they've finally added the ability to make reservations which is a good sign they've heard from more than just me about the issue I talk about below. It was a critical problem but really the only one. Now I can fully recommend this place. That food and drink should not be missed.

(Edit: July 2022) Spoke with the owner outside another concept he's responsible for: Espiritu in Mesa (check it out!). This is someone who truly cares about the experience of his customers whom he treats like family. His passion for you having a great experience is only matched by the quality of the drinks and food at Bacanora. This is some James Beard level food (edit - 2024: Now it's confirmed James Beard, congrats Rene!) so if you're in Phoenix and want to know where some of the best can be found, this little spot is one of them.

(Edit: Below is the original review, leaving up for transparency but the negative here is no longer the case)

Fantastic food, drink, and service during my first visit. Would absolutely recommended this spot were it not for one massive downfall that my wife and I discovered during my second visit that I hope they lose their business gradually over such a poor practice unless the owner states this will never happen again.

While they don't accept reservations or allow call ahead (totally reasonable), the photo here is evidence that they do...for the right people. We showed up 15 minutes after they opened and were denied these seats at the bar because they were saved for someone at Bacanora's friends. One of the servers told us it was their restaurant so they could do what they want. No kidding. There are all sorts of things you can do legally that will lose you respect and customers. Again, the public is not given the ability to reserve seats in any capacity, so what's up with treating anyone you don't know personally like this? Either make it available to reserve for everyone or no one. I'm all for walking in close to open and seeing every seat actually filled, then I'd think "Ok wow better show up before they open next time and wait!". This is not one of those cases. I always reserve ahead of time when given the opportunity and when I'm not given that opportunity it's an absolutely reasonable expectation that I can sit at any seat that doesn't have a person in it (or someone who already showed up and claimed it - typically seen with a drink in front). Note for anyone curious, this was not done for social distancing reasons. Those seats were saved for future customers (who knows when they were showing up) by staff at Bacanora. The first time I was there my wife and I were sitting at the bar right next to other customers.

I've been in Phoenix for 38 years and when you go into a restaurant where they know you, you might get a drink comped, a larger portion of your entree, or a little something complimentary for dessert. Nothing that takes away from the experience of your other customers.

This place is tiny and there's is very little seating, so instead of reserving 3 spots for your buddies ahead of anyone having the chance to claim them, have butts in those seats actively ordering food and giving non-biased opinions of how great everything is and don't denying them because they don't know you personally. Your friends already support you; but they're not all you need to be successful.

I tried to do the right thing first by sending a private message over social media (Instagram) and whomever does their social media did not address my concern at all and just told me to come in earlier. I got there 15 minutes after open, getting there earlier has nothing to do with preferential treatment in a way that's detrimental to other customers. It's a 5* spot with a 1* attitude that could be easily changed by reevaluating how you treat the public professionally.

Not cool Chef Rene Andrade, not cool. You've got the makings of one of the best Mexican food spots in the Valley (and that's a challenge!) but this right here is not how you treat...

This is my third time dining here… I have had a great experience each time prior. I want to preface this with the fact that I work at a restaurant in town, so I come with that perspective as well and have empathy for restaurant owners and staff.

However, we felt extremely rushed last night which is extremely disappointing and took away from the Bacanora experience and food that we love so much. Very rarely do we sit at a table for 90 minutes when we dine out. If we do, it is usually because the kitchen or food is slow to come out.

We were seated at 6:30 pm which means that we would have had until 8:00 pm. Upon sitting down we encouraged by our waitress to order drinks and appetizers pretty quickly. She explained the specials available very fast. I do have time stamps because I love taking photos and will be referencing the time on my pictures from last night in the thoughts to come.

Our appetizers came out at 6:47 pm. Before our drinks even came out, our waitress comes by to remind us of our “90 minutes together” before 7:00 pm and asked us to put in our entree orders. Our drinks still hadn’t come out yet and honestly, we love to enjoy our drinks and apps before we order entrees because usually what we end up initially wanting for an entree can shift after we enjoy our appetizers.

Our drinks were eventually delivered to our table at 6:53 pm, 18 minutes after we ordered them. We ended up putting our entree orders despite not even digging into our appetizers yet. Fine. There were also few times we had some bites left on our plates and the staff wanted to prematurely clear our plates.

Drinks and apps were delicious - we ordered the Melon Mixto and Mariscos y Elote and they were truly super great. I think the scallop dish was one of my favorite dishes I’ve ever had at Bacanora. Our entree, the Steak Aguachile, came out in addition the charred cabbage side at 6:59 pm… Also both delicious! We put in another round of drinks to enjoy since we still had 60 minutes left at our table.

Our second round of drinks came out at 7:20 pm. These were delicious as well. We both wanted dessert so we ordered the Flan. Our Flan came out before 7:30 pm and before we even finished our dessert our waitress drops our check on our table… She didn’t even ask if we wanted anything else before this happened. 

We were in no rush to pay as we still had 30 minutes left, and she comes by again and interrupts our conversation to ask if we were planning to pay by phone or card. I was pretty upset at this point so I tossed my credit card on the table after asking “So you need our money right now?”

She could finally tell that we were upset at being rushed and came back to our table to ask us “Do you guys want a shot!?” A shot is not something I would offer a customer to reconcile the situation.

It would have been nice to first receive an apology or have the staff recognize our feelings. Instead she crouches down and offers us a shot. We declined the shot and then the manager on the floor came by to apologize which was nice, but said “You still have 25 minutes left at your table, is there anything else we can get for you.”

It was nice she said something, but to be reminded AGAIN of timing left at our table was the final straw. Your customers carve time out of their mornings on the first of every month to book reservations. I was at my desk during work booking this reservation months ago and to be rushed through a $200 dinner was extremely disappointing. I really feel like the staff needs to be better trained on how to communicate the 90 minutes to guests.

We were celebrating my husband launching his new company and had a funeral the morning of our reservation. So we were excited to finally have time together and enjoy great food. Instead, we were rushed and felt like we were be timed with a stopwatch through our entire meal. I honestly don’t know if I will be back as I have heard from close friends and family members that they have had the same experience so the leads me to believe it...

Nestled in the heart of Phoenix, Bacanora invites diners into a world that blends rustic charm with vibrant culinary expression. My recent visit to this intimate establishment was one of delightful contrasts. As I approached Bacanora, the understated exterior did little to prepare me for the cozy world that awaited within.

The moment I stepped inside, I was greeted by the ambiance of a quaint Mexican village home. The decor is charmingly rustic with beige tile floors, wooden chairs and tables, and walls adorned with muted tones. The lightly chipped paint adds a touch of authenticity to the overall atmosphere, transforming the space into an intimate, romantic setting that seemed to whisper secrets of a distant land. Perfect for a romantic evening, though slightly marred by the chilly air conditioning and music just a notch too loud.

While the dim lighting made a precise assessment of cleanliness difficult, what was visible appeared well-kept, and the restrooms were clean and comfortable — an often-overlooked aspect that was appreciated. I quickly settled into my seat, eager to begin the culinary journey.

The menu at Bacanora stands out with its dynamism and inventiveness. It was apparent that freshness is a hallmark of the dining experience here, thanks to the ever-changing offerings that promise something new with each visit. Our choices were limited to smaller dishes, each promising a unique adventure of its own. The standout dish was the Ceviche; the delicate scallops harmonized beautifully with a subtle sweetness of melon and a gentle kick from the pickled chile soy, delivering an exquisite balance that lingered tantalizingly.

The Pulpo, a test of culinary expertise, was executed with finesse. The octopus was cooked to perfection, surpassing expectations and setting a high bar even against Phoenix’s fine dining icons like Cafe Monarch. Bone Marrow and Calabazas added variety, though the latter didn’t quite meet the heights of flavor I had anticipated. Despite this, no trace of the other dishes was left—a testament to their delightful flavors.

Service at Bacanora was exceptional, as exemplified by our server, Danielle, whose attentiveness greatly enriched our dining experience. Her promptness and deep understanding of the menu were impressive, though a swift snafu with a pork element in the Pulpo was quickly remedied with grace and efficiency, demonstrating an admirable commitment to patron satisfaction.

With an average cost barely cresting $100 per person, Bacanora caters to those seeking a special culinary treat rather than a casual meal. Though slightly steep, the experience can be justified by creativity and high-quality offerings. Be warned, however: reservations are like golden tickets. Secured slots are brief, with a tight 90-minute dining window, and punctuality is paramount lest your table be swept away by the crowd of hopefuls eagerly waiting at the door.

In summary, Bacanora is a charming confluence of rustic décor, exceptional service, and inventive Mexican cuisine that delights with flavor and freshness. However, it navigates a fine line between indulgent charm and the demands of high turnover. As the evening came to a close, I found myself savoring not only the culinary delights but also the embrace of Bacanora’s authentic, albeit brisk, hospitality. With its combinative allure and culinary finesse, I award Bacanora a score of...