Looking for the best Mexican in Phoenix, Portland, and Crescent City
 

I'm looking for the best Mexican restaurant in Phoenix (lonnnggg layover), Portland, OR (will be there 2 nights) and Crescent City, CA (final destination down the Oregon coast)

Though we are not of Mexican decent, we do consider ourselves aficionados. There are a few places around where we live that all have the same menu. We've been to Mexican restaurants in other cities that also have this same [basic] menu. These places are usually good [some better than others due to minor subtleties/atmosphere/etc.], but nothing great. Usually it seems you find these places in suburban strip malls. In fact there is one in a strip mall very close to our house that we patronize very often. We enjoy the food and the atmosphere, but if someone were to ask for the best Mexican restaurant in the area, I definitely wouldn't send them there. So that's not what I'm looking for.
Then there are the places that are in another league. Not necessarily by price per say, but by quality and creativity of the menu. They may still have your standard tacos, burritos, and enchiladas on the menu, but they are not like every other place in town. Something sets them off different the rest. If you know of a place that fits the description of the latter one of these places, please let me know.

In Portland I highly recommend Taqueria Nueve and Esparza's. They are my favorite Mexican restaurants in town! Yummy!

Went to Tortilla Factory in Phoenix and it was lousy.

La Hacienda in Scottsdale (Phoenix) is a very highly rated (AAA 4 Diamond) Mexican restaurant. I ate there a few weeks ago and it was excellent, although the chef made a special vegetarian entree for me without any cilantro (to which I am violently allergic). My food was delicious, and the other three adult diners enjoyed theirs' very much. One of our party had the special pork entree (they insist on calling it "pig," for some reason) and he loved it.

The prickly pear margaritas are excellent.

The restaurant is located on the premises of the Scottsdale Fairmont Princess resort.

In Phoenix, Aunt Chilada's, La Parilla Suiza, and Macayo -- very good Mexican restaurants.

Los Dos Molinos and Carolina's: best shacks in Phx.
http://carolinasmex.com/

I'm not a big fan of Mexican food, but a friend who is says the best in Portland is at D.F. http://www.dfpearl.com/. My impression is that this place is more gourmet Mexican. If you're looking for great tacos, burritos, enchiladas and tamales, head to Hillsboro, 20 miles west. I agree with eurotraveller about Esparza's but I think of it more as Tex-Mex than Mexican.

I'm curious.... Why are you looking for the best Mexican in Portland, where most visitors are looking for great seafood?

I personally think that the Barrio Cafe on 16th near Thomas in Phoenix is BY FAR the best in Phx. Not the traditional cheesy-glob, rather fine dining in the heart of working class phx. An easy cab fare from the airport.
Do your homework, read some reviews and the decision will be easy (especially if you are looking for the type of place I think you are).
La Hacienda at the Princess is highly rated also. It is, however, at a resort hotel and rather glitzy and high priced...and a bit hokey...ie. tequila shots from a waitress' holster....

giro: Thanks, after doing some research, I had thought Barrio Cafe looked like the best bet

beachbum: I'll be getting plenty of seafood on my trip as well, but Mexican is our other favorite cuisine, so wanted to scout out some places.

<i>&quot;rather glitzy and high priced...and a bit hokey...ie. tequila shots from a waitress' holster....&quot;</i>

We didn't see any of that, by the way. The decor is hacienda/private home type with no &quot;glitz&quot; whatsoever. Dinner for four (before alcohol) was about $240, not bad at all, and we had a waiter who wore no holster. Perhaps they've changed decor and ambience lately?

I have to second Los dos Molinos in Phoenix. Very spicy but good.

I'd definitely check out La Hacienda at the Fairmont Princess. In my experience it's unusual to find high end Mexican food, great atmoshpere and good service.

In portland definately try Esparza's. If you're looking for great casual authentic street food go to La Calaca Comelona on Belmont. If you're into trying nice tequila's head to DF in the Pearl District. You can get a flight of tequilas, and they let you choose which ones you want to try. Very fun.

Definitely Los Dos Molinos and Carolina's in Phoenix.

Try the Ostrich or Buffalo when at Esparzas.

I second the Taqueria Nueve in Portland (although I haven't been to Esparzas, now I have to try it :)).
Definitely try the tacos!!!

This may be resurrecting a long dead thread but I want to add Nuestra Cocina to the list for Portland. Beautiful flavors of a Oaxacan menu, smells of roasted chilis without being fiery hot to taste. Try the steak and drunken beans. Nice margaritas, not the syrupy green stuff. 2135 SE Division St.

Tee Pee Tap Room in Phoenix..
old school and great Mex..love the chile relleno!
44th &amp; Indian School

Los Dos Molinos in Phoenix is great.