La Cocina - Authentic Mexican Kitchen — Restaurant in Scottsdale

A friend recommended this restaurant. We went to celebrate a special occasion. It was pretty busy and the hostess told us there were no table available inside but patio was open AND they had misters. Everyone in AZ is used to sitting in the patios with misters. We were seated. Weirdly we were the only ones in the patio throughout the evening. The misters were NOT working and we asked the hostess to turn them on. She left to check on them. A very nice server (the only bright spot of this evening at this place) took our drink order. Hostess comes back to tell us that the she has been told by the manager that misters are not working . We felt trapped sitting in 100 degree weather with drinks on the way for our special evening. We agreed to stay on... The food/menu - There are no options on the the menu for vegetarians (besides 3 salads). Chips are made with lard - gross! In today's world of healthy living!! I asked the server for vegetarian options as there were NO indication on the menu which ones were and which ones are not. I felt like we moved back the clock 40 years ago when dietary restriction were scoffed on. Even Rubios across from this place has GREAT choices. But I am at a fine Mexican restaurant how about basic cheese enchiladas with rice and beans?? Nope - the sauce on enchiladas contains meat and the beans, again made with lard. He suggested a stripped down version of veggie burrito. Terrible! At this point we did not want dessert - just leave. I paid the bill and got a visit from the assistant manager. She gave me a gift card which I refused because I had NO reason to come back or give it someone to have a bad experience. I paid the bill and left dumbfounded. I have entertained friends and clients at steakhouses which have served me fantastic vegetarian meals. So why an overpriced overrated Mexican restaurant can't offer people...

All around great experience - went with a posse of (ahem) mature ladies for happy hour. First, this place has taken a giant step - no, a leap - up from when I used to teach paint and sip classes there back in the day. The bar is GORGEOUS, the decor trendy and cool, the floorplan very well engineered. (FTR the bathrooms are immaculate with full doors!) Almost immediately upon being seated, Veronica was there to take our drink orders (skinny margarita FTR, just right). She flawlessly juggled orders and cheerfully managed our group of 10 (?or so). We had happy hour chimi (so good, and came with 3 sauces; mole, sour cream, and guac); fajitas (also so good), shrimp cocktails (rave reviews) - in fact everyone loved everything. Service was prompt, friendly, and efficient. Brianna (sp?), the beautiful manager, was so kind and friendly, she seated everyone promptly and came over to chat and check on us a few times. Our group can be loud (sorry!) and we don't all hear that well (that's why we're loud!), so props for the extra attention. Veronica, I hope my granddaughter turns out to be as kind and lovely as you and...

This is one of the best restaurants in Arizona. Some of the best tasting food I've ever had in my life, tortilla soup with the Wagyu fajitas, was absolutely mind-blowing. The meat melts in your mouth, loved the spice on the soup. Loaded my fajita with guac, rice, wagyu, sour cream, and the table salsa. It was perfect. Wanted to mention the non abrasive and gentle lighting, and wonderful traditional mexican music, very, very nice ambiance. Obviously a huge draw is being seed oil free, the whole reason I came here. You feel like a million bucks after eating here. These details are super important. All-around perfect. I can't wait to come back. I will make the 2 hour drive from Sedona just to come here very soon. Thank you so much!

Update: 9/18/25 You can make up for mediocre food with great service, but you can never make up for bad service with amazing food. Hostess treated me like trash, server doesn't know what he's doing. Ive probably told over 100 people to go here. I won't be doing this anymore. Your front of house desperately...