The Mexicano Scottsdale — Restaurant in Phoenix

Alyssa A saved the day!

We’ve been wanting to try The Mexicano for a long time, so when we had a friend coming in from Tennessee, we made dinner reservations for 7:15pm. When we checked in we were told it would be about 10 minutes, so we had to wait outside, so it was fine. It was cold out, but they had several heat lamps along the sidewalk. We didn’t get the text that our table was ready until 7:35pm, but it’s understandable, as it was a busy Friday evening. We went to the hostess station and were seated quickly. We were given menus and told a waiter would be with us shortly. After waiting a few minutes, a waiter came by and said he was going to get us chips and water and be back for our drink order. At this point, it’s already 25 minutes after our reservation time, so we were all hungry and anxious to order… at least drinks and an appetizer. This same waiter came back about 5 minutes later, quickly dropped off chips and salsa and left, not even giving us a second to ask if we could order, and didn’t come back. So, we have chips on the table without any beverages, not even waters. Other waiters, waitresses and bussers kept passing our table, but our waiter never came back. We were all growing increasingly frustrated (and hungry!!!). During this time, we were seeing other tables that came in after us, get helped, and get their drinks. It seemed that the couple next to us were trying to wrap up and get their check, but the same waiter wasn’t coming back to them. Another table was now seated to the other side of us, and the same thing happened to them. They were given chips, then the waiter vanished. Finally, a waitress came zipping by dropping something off two tables down (who also seemed to be getting neglected by the same waiter), and we flagged her down and asked if she could help us because it’s now been about 20 minutes sitting here and our waiter hasn’t come back. Alyssa was super apologetic for our experience, and jumped in and took our drink, appetizer and entree orders with a smile. We felt awful for pulling her, as it was clearly not the table she was assigned to, but Alyssa was a true professional. We finally received our drinks, thanks to Alyssa, at 7:58pm. Alyssa then also jumped in and took orders for the table next to us, since the same waiter never returned for them either. When we did see him in the area, he just continued to ignore our table. No apologies for the delay, or checking in to see if we needed anything, even though Alyssa had helped us. Had it not been for Alyssa, we were about to walk out and go to CBCB next door. A manager came by to check in after we had been served our entrees, and we expressed our frustration about our first waiter, who at this point, STILL never returned and explained how wonderfully Alyssa handled the situation. The manager seemed surprised that Alyssa was helping over in this section, as her assigned section was on the opposite side of the restaurant! (My guess is that she was just running the item to that table two tables over, and then when we talked to her, and she realized other patrons were also upset, she took it upon herself to take care of all of us.) The food and drinks were great, but Alyssa was exceptional, and really turned around...

They’ve got misters at the entrance—because nothing says "welcome" like getting lightly spritzed before tequila. We didn’t check out the patio since it already felt like soup outside, but it looked like a vibe. The place was packed for early afternoon on a Thursday and stayed that way the whole time.

We sat at a high top that was half booth, half chair—basically the mullet of restaurant seating. Booth cushion was pretty squishy, but I'm not mad about it. Major shoutout for the foot rails though. High tops without those? Just tall sadness.

Shelby was our server—super sweet, answered the 2 dozen questions I threw at her like it was nothing. Whole staff was really on it. They had a live DJ going too. Music was loud, but not “yell across the table” loud. Just good energy.

I started with the Bloody Orange & Fennel Marg. Tart, almost bitter, but that’s just what blood orange does. Not really my kind of drink but I could see someone else loving it—kinda moody, kinda citrusy, definitely not boring.

Then I had the Mexicano Colado and oh man. I would drink way too many of these. It’s like a piña colada and horchata had a delicious cocktail baby. The cinnamon pulls it all together and makes it way too easy to keep sipping.

As a bourbon girl, I had to try the Mole Old Fashioned. It was giving chocolate oranges at Christmas but boozy and grown up. Lightly sweet, a little bitter, smooth as hell. The bourbon doesn’t overpower it—super balanced, super smart. Whoever made that? Genius. Nailed it.

Also tried the Hibiscus Agua Fresca. Light, floral, not too sweet, just a little sparkle to it. Definitely a patio drink, if the patio hadn’t been actively melting.

Food-wise, the happy hour deal on Thursday is $8 all-you-can-eat tacos. Only four kinds, so obviously we had to try all of them. For research purposes, of course.

The al pastor was delicious—not the traditional spit-roasted with pineapple, but still full of flavor. Pineapple pieces were a little big, but didn’t stop me from inhaling it.

The potato taco is a hard pass. It was basically mashed potatoes inside a fried tortilla. I think there were other ingredients but once the mushy potato hit, I mentally left the chat.

The Baja shrimp taco came with two huge perfectly fried shrimp, topped with cabbage, pico, and cotija. I asked for the verde salsa and it was thick—in a good way. Actually stuck to the shrimp instead of dripping right off. Respect.

The crunchy beef taco though? That thing changed my life a little (maybe a lot). Ground beef cooked up and absolutely swimming in that glorious red grease that great tacos have, perfectly crisp shell, lettuce, tomato, cheese. I am not a crunchy taco girl but this was the only correct form. This is what Taco Bell would be in an alternate timeline where everything is right with the world. 20/10, would come back just for these.

We also got free chips and salsa, obviously. Salsa was smoky, just the right amount of heat, super flavorful. The verde was tangy and thick with that nice little tomatillo bitterness I love.

Honestly? I’d come back just for the crunchy beef taco and the mole old fashioned. Everything else...

As I sauntered into "The Mexicano," a burst of lively mariachi music embraced me, setting the tone for what would be an extraordinary culinary adventure. Picture this: A cozy bar reminiscent of a vibrant fiesta in the heart of Mexico City, with colorful sombreros adorning the walls, and the inviting aroma of authentic spices filling the air.

My taste buds were immediately tantalized by the extensive menu, a veritable cornucopia of Mexican delights. Eager to embark on this gastronomic journey, I opted for the grilled beef - a symphony of flavors that danced the salsa on my palate. The beef was seasoned to perfection and grilled with the expertise of a seasoned (pun intended) chef from the heartlands of Mexico.

And oh, the carnitas! These were no ordinary pulled pork; they were little morsels of heaven that melted in the mouth with an exquisite balance of succulence and spice. The stewed steaks, on the other hand, transported me straight to a bustling Mexican mercado with their robust flavors.

The pièce de résistance, however, was the dessert lineup. The churros were a delightful concoction of crispy, sugary goodness, while the flan had just the right wobble, bathing my senses in a creamy caramel dream. The ice cream, infused with unique flavors, was the cherry on top of this sweet Mexican fiesta.

No trip to "The Mexicano" is complete without their beverages. I partook in the most heavenly margarita, with its perfect ratio of tequila, triple sec, and lime, followed by a crisp beer that echoed the spirit of a Mexican cantina. The agua fresca and horchata, with their refreshing notes, were like a gentle breeze on a hot Mexican afternoon.

The staff, ever courteous, navigated the floor with the grace of seasoned matadors, ensuring that every patron's needs were met with a smile. Their cool service certainly played a significant role in catapulting "The Mexicano" into the limelight.

Let's talk takeout - because let's face it, sometimes you want to enjoy heavenly carnitas in the comfort of your PJs. "The Mexicano" ensures that your takeout experience is as delightful and immersive as dining in.

The decor? A visual feast for the senses - warm, inviting, and charming. Every nook and cranny echoed the spirit of Mexican culture.

In conclusion, "The Mexicano" isn't just a bar; it's a celebration of Mexican cuisine, culture, and hospitality. Tantalizing dishes at wallet-friendly prices make this a must-visit spot. So, do yourself a favor and bask in the glory that is "The Mexicano." Trust me, you'll be shouting "¡Viva México!" before...