food drink

The Best Birria Hotspots in the Valley

by Phoenix Magazine

Phoenix Random AF Taqueria Birria ramen, birria grilled cheese, birria egg rolls, birria french fries… owner-chef Enrique Garcia will deploy his dreamy, umami-drenched birria on just about anything at his Phoenix liquor store lunch counter. The grilled cheese is his OG. 2527 N. 32nd St., 602-515-4768, @randomaftaqueria

Phoenix
Random AF Taqueria

Birria ramen, birria grilled cheese, birria egg rolls, birria french fries… owner-chef Enrique Garcia will deploy his dreamy, umami-drenched birria on just about anything at his Phoenix liquor store lunch counter. The grilled cheese is his OG. 2527 N. 32nd St., 602-515-4768, @randomaftaqueria2020

Photo by Mirelle Inglefield

Scottsdale
Birria’s Mexican Food and Bar

Scottsdale is not exaclty ground zero for quality birria, but this family-run ramshackle cantina does terrific renditions on McDowell Road, including an insanely good crunchy-gooey double quesabirria combo plate. 8110 E. McDowell Rd., 480-634-4986, birriasmexicanfoodbar.com

Photo Courtesy Birria’s Mexican Food and Bar

West Valley
Tacos El Patron

Eggrolls are the preferred delivery system for the taco legend’s juicier-than-average birria, wrapped and deep-fried to hold the juice in more effectively than a taco shell. It comes with consommé for dipping. You know, in case they aren’t juicy enough for you. 4241 W. Thunderbird Rd., 602-368-1707, tacoselpatronaz.com

Photo Courtesy Tacos El Patron

East Valley
Caldwell County Mexi-Cue

Caldwell’s birria taco is derived from the mothership’s award-winning mesquite-smoked brisket, yielding one of the most flavorful birrias you’ll ever eat. The coefficient: Caldwell’s uniquely viscous, sweet consommé. 546 N. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert, 480-813-3727, ccmexiq.comGilbert Rd., Gilbert, 480-507-3383, gilberthouserestaurant.com