Whether looking for a kid-friendly spot for a taco dinner or a place that pours the coldest frozen margaritas, Scottsdale, Arizona has a Mexican restaurant for everyone.
Old Town Tortilla Factory
Located in an old adobe home that is more than 75 years old, Old Town Tortilla Factory gives diners an authentic Southwestern feeling. A special of the house, the carne y camerones consists of an 8-ounce beef filet steak and grilled shrimp served in a spicy sauce made from fresh mangos and habanero peppers. Another specialty is the red chile pork chop, covered in an ancho-raspberry sauce. The restaurant also offers a kid's menu complete with a virgin cherry margarita. Desserts include the tortilla banana crisp--sliced bananas encased in a sweet tortilla accompanied by a blackberry sauce.
The Old Town Tortilla Factory is open daily for lunch and dinner. Outdoor seating is available. The restaurant has a full bar.
6910 East Main St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 945-4567
Los Olivos
Los Olivos is a family-owned and operated restaurant that has long been a part of the Scottsdale community. The appetizer selections mix traditional fare like nachos and quesadillas with new favorites like the Mary Lou, special house-made cheese strips covered with red or green chili. The featured entree on the dinner menu is the fajitas available with steak, chicken, shrimp or vegetables alongside an assortment of fixings like guacamole and sour cream. Seafood lovers may opt for the chimichanga, stuffed with shrimp and a choice of creamed or cheddar cheeses then deep-fried and covered in a creamy cheese sauce.
Los Olivos is open daily for lunch and dinner. The bar serves a variety of flavored margaritas, including strawberry, blue, and red wine as well as beer and other cocktails.
7328 2nd St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 946-2256
Carlsbad Tavern
Known for its spicy cuisine, Carlsbad Tavern offers an extensive selections of dishes as well as its "Little People's Choice" menu for children. Appetizer selections include filet mignon tacos, tequila shrimp, Mexican pot stickers with chicken and Anaheim chiles and spicy crab cakes with a habanero aioli sauce. Amongst the lunch specials is Calsbad's take on a lobster croissant sandwich, which consists of chunks of lobster meat topped with roasted peppers, pepper-jack cheese and a lemon aioli. A popular dinner entree is the Taos pork--strips of grilled tenderloin in an apricot and habanero glaze served with cheddar mashed potatoes. For desert, try the sopapillas, which come in a large basket for sharing and honey for dipping.
Carlsbad Tavern is open daily for lunch and dinner. Outdoor seating on the patio is available, weather permitting. The restaurant has a full bar with happy hour drink specials on weekdays,
3313 North Hayden Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 970-8164
carlsbadtaverns.com
Reservations are not required for any of the restaurants discussed in this article, though for large parties, you may want to call ahead for seating. Because restaurants change their hours of operation from time to time, it is advisable to call before visiting.
Hayley Harrison - Hayley Harrison is a 2003 Cum Laude graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. In addition to courses in fiction and nonfiction writing, ...
