Carnitas, carne asada and al pastor tacos. The dark salsa is the one to go for
1 / 10

Tacos Chiwas

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A family-owned gem serving authentic Chihuahua-style tacos with house-made tortillas and unique fillings. A true taste of Mexico in Phoenix.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Carnitas, carne asada and al pastor tacos. The dark salsa is the one to go for

Tacos Chiwas

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A family-owned gem serving authentic Chihuahua-style tacos with house-made tortillas and unique fillings. A true taste of Mexico in Phoenix.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"Experience the best authentic tacos in Phoenix, with unique options and house-made tortillas that are truly unforgettable!"

TIP

Try Tender Meat Options

For tender meat, opt for Barbacoa or Pastor tacos.

Ask for Non-Spicy Sauce

If sensitive to spice, ask for Avo Crema or other non-spicy sauce options.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Open·Closes 9PM

Cuisine

Mexican

Price

Mid-range

Phone

(602) 358-8830

Address

1028 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85014, USA

Insta-Factor

Medium

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Authentic Chihuahua-Style Tacos

Authentic Chihuahua-Style Tacos

Experience the best authentic tacos in Phoenix, featuring unique options like Lengua and Tripas on house-made corn tortillas.

Best Mexican Restaurants in Phoenix, AZ for Tacos & MoreBest Phoenix Lunch Restaurants: Top 10Best Restaurant Reviews16 Absolute Best Taco Spots In Phoenix
Nostalgic Bar & Pet-Friendly Patio

Nostalgic Bar & Pet-Friendly Patio

Dine in a nostalgic bar area reminiscent of a throwback diner or relax on the spacious, pet-friendly outdoor patio.

Best Tacos 2022 | La Bamba Mexican Grill Restaurant | La Vida
Unique Gorditas and Classic Drinks

Unique Gorditas and Classic Drinks

Savor flavorful gorditas filled with unique ingredients like rajas peppers and queso asadero, paired with refreshing Jamaica or Horchata.

Best Phoenix Lunch Restaurants: Top 10Best Restaurant ReviewsBest Tacos 2022 | La Bamba Mexican Grill Restaurant | La Vida
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Celebrating my dad’s birthday at Tacos Chiwas, a local gem that’s been on his bucket list ever since he saw them on Netflix’s Taco Chronicles! 🌮❤️ Family-owned and serving up authentic Chihuahua-style tacos, their fresh flavors and rich history made this experience unforgettable. Supporting local, Mexican-owned businesses like this is always a priority for us. If you haven’t been, put it on your l...
@rollinwithrochelle
136 likes • 3.6K views

Try Tender Meat Options

For tender meat, opt for Barbacoa or Pastor tacos.

Ask for Non-Spicy Sauce

If sensitive to spice, ask for Avo Crema or other non-spicy sauce options.

Tacos Chiwas 🌮 1028 E Indian School Rd Phoenix, AZ 85014 United States #taco #tacoschiwas #foodreview #azfoodie #supportlocal
@capaldifor2
19 likes • 492 views
It’s time for another @phxmagazine Top 100 Dishes of Arizona. This time we’re checking out Tacos Chiwas. They have three Valley locations, one in Phoenix, one in Mesa, and one in terminal for sky Harbor. They’ve also been featured on Netflix’s Taco Chronicles, so you know it’s good! The magazine said there were three different taco submissions from the food writers for this place, so they decided ...
@melissa_eatlocalphoenix
20 likes • 399 views

Explore Gordita Fillings

Try unique gordita fillings like rajas with queso asadero.

Visit During Off-Peak Hours

Avoid loud music and crowds by visiting during less busy times.

daydreaming about Tacos Chiwas #phoenix #tacoschiwas #foodtiktok #cocacola
@evaneatsaz
28 likes • 829 views

Tips

from all over the internet

Try Tender Meat Options

For tender meat, opt for Barbacoa or Pastor tacos.

Ask for Non-Spicy Sauce

If sensitive to spice, ask for Avo Crema or other non-spicy sauce options.

Explore Gordita Fillings

Try unique gordita fillings like rajas with queso asadero.

Visit During Off-Peak Hours

Avoid loud music and crowds by visiting during less busy times.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Tacos Chiwas is celebrated for its authentic Chihuahua-style tacos, made with fresh, house-pressed tortillas and flavorful fillings. Diners love the unique options like Lengua and Tripas, as well as the variety of salsas and refreshing drinks. While generally praised for taste and quality, some find the prices a bit high for the portion sizes, and consistency in taco temperature has been noted as an occasional issue.

"Like most taco joints, it doesn’t look like much from the outside, but it’s not supposed to. It’s what’s inside that counts, specifically, inside the tacos, which Guy Fieri learned when Tacos Chiwas was featured on one of my favorite TV shows, Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. It was also featured on Netflix’s Taco Chronicles. We shared the Pollo, Pastor, and Camaron tacos. They were all excellent and the house-made corn tortillas were well stuffed with each ingredient. Order at the counter and they bring them to your table, pronto. Next time, we’ll sit at the bar, which is more of a diner throwback. Besides tacos, the menu offers burritos (breakfast and regular) and quesadillas, all of which are served on house-made flour tortillas. The bar offers Margaritas, other cocktails, and beer. There’s also a spacious, walled, pet-friendly outdoor patio. We’ll be back, either sitting at the bar or with our dogs on the patio. Suggestion: add a nonspicy sauce, like an Avo Crema for people who don’t like much spice, like me. YouTube’s Chef’s Apprentice"

John Hornick Chef’s Apprentice

"As someone visiting from Florida—where Mexican tacos are just okay—Tacos Chiwas was a refreshing surprise. These tacos are far superior to what I’m used to back home and came very close to the quality of my all-time favorite, Tacos El Gordo.

I went all out and tried every taco on the menu:
• Asada
• Pollo
• Pastor
• Lengua
• Carnitas
• Tripas
• Tacos Chiwas
• Barbacoa
• Calabacitas
• Camarón
• Chicharrón (today’s special)

The meat-based tacos were flavorful and delicious—especially the lengua, pastor, and barbacoa. The chicken and shrimp tacos were a bit on the mild side for my taste, but once I added their house salsas, everything balanced out nicely.

To wash it down, I had a Jamaica and a Horchata—both refreshing and a perfect pairing with the meal. Prices are reasonable, too—most tacos are just $3.49, which is awesome for the quality.

I’ll definitely be back to explore more of the menu. If you’re in Phoenix and craving authentic tacos, Tacos Chiwas is absolutely worth the stop!"

JT Blanco

"Very pricy tacos, but delicious! The chicharron, tripa and shrimp tacos are the bomb. I have my reservations about the tortillas, not quite right, but on this side of the border you can't complain. The salsas are superlative, very tasty and spicy, as they should be."

Alexander Collins

What People Like

Authentic Chihuahua-style tacos
Unique taco fillings (Lengua, Tripas)
Refreshing drinks (Jamaica, Horchata)

What People Dislike

Can be pricy for the portion size
Occasional lukewarm tacos

Frequently Asked Questions

The Lengua (tongue) and Tripas (tripe) tacos are highly recommended for their authentic flavors. The Al Pastor and Barbacoa are also popular choices.

Best Phoenix Lunch Restaurants: Top 10Best Restaurant ReviewsGoogle Review

Yes, they have a Calabacitas taco made with Mexican squash, corn, white onion, and asadero cheese, and also rajas gorditas.

The Best Places for Tacos in PhoenixBest Tacos 2022 | La Bamba Mexican Grill Restaurant | La Vida

Yes, Tacos Chiwas is family-friendly. They also have a pet-friendly outdoor patio.

They offer refreshing drinks like Jamaica and Horchata, as well as a variety of margaritas.

Google Review

Some salsas can be very spicy. If you prefer mild, consider asking for non-spicy options like Avo Crema.

Google Review+1

Absolutely! The gorditas are highly praised, especially the rajas gordita with roasted peppers and queso asadero.

Best Phoenix Lunch Restaurants: Top 10Best Restaurant ReviewsBest Tacos 2022 | La Bamba Mexican Grill Restaurant | La Vida

While ordering is typically at the counter, some reviews suggest sitting at the bar can help circumvent the usual queue.

Google Review

Mentioned in

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Central Phoenix and ChandlerDespite its humble and unassuming exterior, Taco Chiwas has become nothing short of a sensation in the Valley since its opening in 2016, garnering widespread acclaim and impressive reviews for its freshly prepared tortillas, top quality meats, and great service. Its namesake taco is a go-to, filled with beef, ham, jalapeno, Anaheim chiles and Asadero cheese in a corn tortilla.

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In Phoenix, you’re never far from a good taco—and they’re more than good at Tacos Chiwas. They draw on an archive of family recipes, including lengua and tripe, two things you won’t find at just any ordinary walk-in taqueria. Other notable menu items include the pillowy gorditas, cheesy quesadillas, and hefty burritos.

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Since its debut in the spring of 2016, Tacos Chiwas has become the darling of the local Phoenix Mexican food scene. You can thank the restaurant's tight, focused menu, which specializes in the soulful cooking of the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua. Come here for tacos built on freshly-pressed tortillas �" highlights here include the Lengua (tongue) and tripas (tripe) tacos. You'll also want to try the homemade gorditas, especially stuffed with something like rajas, the restaurants medley of fire-roasted peppers, which are blended with melted queso asadero and a smear of refried beans. Speaking of beans, don't miss the restaurant's homemade bean stew, served with sliced-up hot dogs and perfumed with cilantro.

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It may be known as the taqueria with the funny name, but for owners Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguin, Tacos Chiwas pays homage to their childhoods growing up in Chihuahua, Mexico. Using family recipes, everything here is made from scratch, from the fresh, hand-pressed tortillas to the carnitas that are marinated overnight and smoked rather than cooked in lard. For a true taste of Chihuahua, try the Taco Chiwa, made with beef, ham, jalapeno, Anaheim chiles and cheese; or the calabacitas, filled with Mexican squash, corn, white onion and asadero cheese.

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If your experience with gorditas is limited to the ones you've had at Taco Bell, you haven't had real gorditas. At popular local chain Tacos Chiwas, the gorditas are small — about the size of a coaster — and stuffed with flavor. There's only four to choose from: two kinds of shredded beef (red sauce and green sauce) with potatoes and beans; ground beef with carrots, celery, potatoes, and beans; and the standout rajas gordita, which comes with roasted poblano peppers, Anaheim peppers, onions, asadero cheese, and beans.

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It's nearly impossible to find a Phoenix local who hasn't had the pleasure of taking a delicious dive into a taco from Tacos Chiwas. The original restaurant's location opened less than a decade ago by Nadia Holguin and Armando Hernandez and quickly established itself as a Phoenix landmark. The restaurant has since expanded to include three locations, all paying homage to a cultural cuisine that cemented itself in the city long ago.

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While there are many options, Tacos Chiwas is hands down a fan favorite. First opened in 2016 by husband and wife team Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguin, their locations in Central Phoenix, Chandler, and Mesa all serve up family recipes from their native Chihuahua, passed down through generations. Like many northern states, Chihuahua is known for their cattle industry, so much of the cuisine is meat centric.

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Price: $ – you will only be paying approximately $2 a taco here – this is a more classic street style taco joint. For an authentic taco experience that earns its place among the best tacos in Phoenix, Taco Chiwas is the go-to spot. While I don’t want to undermine other joints by labeling them as non-authentic, Taco Chiwas stands out for those seeking a more classical or street-style taco adventure.

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One bite of the barbacoa tacos and the gorditas at Tacos Chiwas — both sampled by Guy Fieri during his 2017 trip there for “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” — and I knew there was something special about this place. Readers agree: they recently named Tacos Chiwas’ carne asada and calabacitas tacos among metro Phoenix's best tacos. Details: Multiple locations; I visit the original location at 1028 E.

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Since its debut in the spring of 2016, Tacos Chiwas has become the darling of the local Phoenix Mexican food scene. You can thank the restaurant’s tight, focused menu, which specializes in the soulful cooking of the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua. Come here for tacos built on freshly-pressed tortillas –” highlights here include the Lengua (tongue) and trips (tripe) tacos.

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An Arizona institution, Tacos Chiwas makes some of the best tacos in Phoenix, and, bonus, they are easily accessible with three locations across the valley. All the classic tacos are available here, served on thick, housemade corn tortillas. The humble chicken taco stands out here, with a fresh and herby cilantro crema and pickled red onions.

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With taco specialties inspired by the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua—known for its cattle industry— Tacos Chiwas is a must for beef tacos. The restaurant welcomes families and children, offering reasonable prices and excellent service. Other menu highlights include quesadillas, gorditas, and burritos.

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Inexpensive, delicious, and bursting with flavor, it is obvious why so many people who live in the Phoenix area swear by Tacos Chiwas. You can find this delicious joint located in the Midtown area. Even though there are some restaurants that serve over-priced tacos, this is not one of them.

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Nestled in the heart of Phoenix, Tacos Chiwas is a hidden gem that serves up tantalizingly delicious cheap eats. As soon as I stepped foot into the establishment, I was immediately greeted with amazing customer service. The staff was friendly, warm, and made me feel right at home.

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