Carniceria Michoacan — Restaurant in Phoenix

Authentic Mexican "fast food" prepared from the deli counter as you wait and watch. Carneceria is loosely translated as a meat market -butcher, and the Michoacan is actually not a restaurant but a (very) small (crowded at times) grocery market which has a store -length butcher and deli counter . All comfortably in the style of what one would encounter in the heart of Mexico. The space itself is crowded with shelves and cooler cases packed full with what seems like all the back home favorites. The butcher counter and deli ordering is on the left as you enter, with the butcher section farthest back. There's no suggestions for where to line up to order, and the menu is posted up on the wall, on your left as you enter. I think the line for service if any exists would flow from the front door to the back, towards the butcher counter area. I'm a white senior lady in office attire, and yes I stood out from the lunchtime crowd of blue collar workers but that felt just fine. I strolled to the right, checked out the drinks and grabbed a soda, then from the back made my way over to see what the butcher had in the cases. From there I got to the front where the women and men providing lunch counter service took my order. The food was quickly prepared and handed to me, where I turned around and joined the short line for the cashier. If you aren't familiar with traditional authentic Mexican food, the menu doesn't include any English description, and since it's not a sit down place with a wait staff, that might throw off your selecting what to order a bit. There's tacos and typical food items like that though so you can definitely order and get served even if you don't understand the entire menu. Everyone was quietly polite, and no one looked at me as if I didn't belong. The men were there to eat and I was the only woman customer at the time, it was ok I got smiles from the cashier as I took photos before leaving. Cash and cards are accepted , but I couldn't see a place for tipping. Prices are very reasonable and the food delicious. I couldn't eat the entire sandwich, the portions are good for a hungry worker appetite. My co workers were very excited to see what I got and wanted to have a sample, so overall it's a great place as long as you don't expect a traditional restaurant to sit and...

Tucked away in a small lot, this Carniceria is as "carniceria mexicana" as it gets. As a spanish speaker, I don't struggle walking up to the counter and ordering, but my usual order isn't even on posted menu, which is the ESPECIAL DE ASADA, selling for $22.99: a styrofoam plate filled with chopped carne asada, diesmillo-style, paired with grilled onions and jalapeños. There's usually either a pan-handler, a veteran, or someone from salvation army asking for money outside the door, but they don't bother anyone, besides the obvious. Most of the workers are highly respectable and friendly. The store has been clean on every one of my visits, maybe sometimes lingering with a scent not coming from the food, but never anything terrible. More of those smells resonating from the large, open markets in Mexico, if you've ever been. If you are craving something sweet, they have a small pastry shelf, lined with baked goods and pan dulce, selling for a fair price. Would recommend highly and have in the past. The only reason I rated them 4/5 stars instead of 5/5 is because when they are really full on the weekends, or afternoons, all order is lost and making an order for food gets a little lost, along with the line to actually order and pay, but don't let this be your takeaway, this place is great...

I get the "especial," which is about 5lbs of Carne asada, and they throw in some jalapeños and onion inside the plate. I grab a side of guacamole and salsa. It's perfect for a large family meal. My only issue is the ladies at the register. They are usually different every time I go, but they always have the WORST attitude. Other than that, this place is nice, just the customer service you get at checkout. The people serving the food are always helpful and nice. Oh, and always check your receipt before leaving in case they over charge, it happened...