El Norteño

“Served us 2 minutes to closing, food was amazing.”

Adriana Franco★★★

On our way from Saguaro National Park to Joshua Tree National Park, we made a quick food stop in Phoenix and landed at El Norteño purely by chance. Sometimes the road picks for you. First impression: busy. Like, locals-know-something kind of busy. It’s a true hole-in-the-wall, cash-only, no-frills spot with an extensive menu that makes you pause for a second and just point at what sounds good. The staff was friendly and efficient, keeping things moving without losing their warmth. We ordered a red tamale, two machaca tacos, and a chicken taco with a hard shell. The food? Solid. Not the life

Jose Jordan★★

I try new Mexican food places by ordering one taco just to taste it. The asada meat was completely tasteless. This place has good reviews but I learned long ago not to trust good reviews, but to go and try the place myself. The meat was shockingly bland. No flavor. One and done for me. I gave it two stars instead of one because the tortillas were moist and seemed homemade. Too bad. I really wanted to like this place. It's got a great sit-down area with an ATM.

Selina E★★★★★

Finally got my hands on this amazing place! I had the green burrito with cheese, that is what Veronica who took my order says she eats, so I tired it and it was fire . My husband had the gordita plate and it was delicious. This place has been here over 45 years i believe and it's A MUST TRY! I'll definitely be back! Great customer service too! 💙

Mike Beltran★★★★★

Whenever I’m craving authentic Mexican food, this family-owned gem never disappoints. I’ve been coming here for years, and it always hits the spot. The food is flavorful, portions are generous, and you can taste the love in every bite. Their green chili burrito, enchilada style with rice and beans, is my go-to comfort dish—pure perfection. The carne asada fries are loaded and packed with flavor, and their chips with salsa are fresh and satisfying. Everything is made with care, just like home cooking. They offer great weekly specials for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the atmosphere is ver