I recently visited Phoenix, Arizona, and had the chance to try one of the best Mexican restaurants in the country: Barrio Cafe. This place was featured on the TV show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, and I can see why. The food is authentic, creative and delicious.
Barrio Cafe is a beloved Mexican restaurant located in the historic district of Phoenix, Arizona. The restaurant has gained widespread popularity for its traditional and authentic Mexican cuisine, as well as its inviting atmosphere and excellent service.
Barrio Cafe is located on 16th Street, just south of Thomas Road. It has a colorful and cozy atmosphere, with live music on some nights². The service is friendly and attentive, and the chef/owner Silvana Salcido Esparza is a James Beard Award-nominated culinary master.
The menu offers a variety of dishes from different regions of Mexico, with an emphasis on fresh ingredients and complex flavors. Some of the highlights are:
- The guacamole, which is made tableside with fresh avocadoes, tomatoes, onions, cilantro and pomegranate seeds.
- The cochinita pibil, which is slow-roasted pork marinated in citrus juices and spices, wrapped in banana leaves and served with pickled red onions.
- The chiles en nogada, which are roasted poblano peppers stuffed with chicken, apple, pear, dried apricot and pecans, topped with an almond cream sauce and garnished with cilantro, queso fresco and pomegranate seeds. This dish is chef Esparza's signature creation and represents the colors of the Mexican flag.
I was blown away by the quality and taste of everything I tried at Barrio Cafe. It was a memorable dining experience that I would recommend to anyone who loves Mexican food or wants to try something new. If you're ever in Phoenix, don't miss this gem!
Barrio Cafe's appearance on the popular TV show "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" hosted by Guy Fieri has further boosted its reputation and popularity. The restaurant's unique flavors and dishes have been introduced to a wider audience, attracting even more diners to experience the culinary journey of Barrio Cafe.
Barrio Cafe is a beloved Mexican restaurant located in the historic district of Phoenix, Arizona. The restaurant has gained widespread popularity for its traditional and authentic Mexican cuisine, as well as its inviting atmosphere and excellent service.
Barrio Cafe is located on 16th Street, just south of Thomas Road. It has a colorful and cozy atmosphere, with live music on some nights². The service is friendly and attentive, and the chef/owner Silvana Salcido Esparza is a James Beard Award-nominated culinary master.
The menu offers a variety of dishes from different regions of Mexico, with an emphasis on fresh ingredients and complex flavors. Some of the highlights are:
- The guacamole, which is made tableside with fresh avocadoes, tomatoes, onions, cilantro and pomegranate seeds.
- The cochinita pibil, which is slow-roasted pork marinated in citrus juices and spices, wrapped in banana leaves and served with pickled red onions.
- The chiles en nogada, which are roasted poblano peppers stuffed with chicken, apple, pear, dried apricot and pecans, topped with an almond cream sauce and garnished with cilantro, queso fresco and pomegranate seeds. This dish is chef Esparza's signature creation and represents the colors of the Mexican flag.
I was blown away by the quality and taste of everything I tried at Barrio Cafe. It was a memorable dining experience that I would recommend to anyone who loves Mexican food or wants to try something new. If you're ever in Phoenix, don't miss this gem!
Barrio Cafe's appearance on the popular TV show "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" hosted by Guy Fieri has further boosted its reputation and popularity. The restaurant's unique flavors and dishes have been introduced to a wider audience, attracting even more diners to experience the culinary journey of Barrio Cafe.
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Reviews (1)
- Posted by cortez.lisamSaw the episode a week before our trip to Phoenix and put it on our must see list. My husband is a burger, I'll-never-try-anything-new kinda guy. I have to prod him to eat out of the box. We arrived during happy hour (Mon-Fri 3-5pm) with $1.50 mini tacos and 50% off drinks. Perfect because you get to try a bit of everything. We tried the duck, chorizo & avocado, cochinita pibil, mojo shrimp, carne asada and hash tacos. They are mini tacos so my husband and I each took a bite. All were incredible. From the show I was looking to try the Tilapia and my server recommended the Pollo Poblano, so my husband (who is culinary-challenged) agreed to give it a go. Let's say he licked the plate clean. Literally. Couldn't get enough of the chicken with poblano and peppers in a sauce with goat cheese. Trust me if I can get Mr. Burger to fall in love with this dish, everyone should try it. The tilapia dish was equally amazing. My husband agreed after trying it. We also had some pretty awesome drinks, Try the Barrio Bomba, Sangria and if you like Horchata, I recommend the Chones - which is Horchata with Chambord - truly amazing. For dessert, I couldn't pass up Churros with homemade Cajeta. My husband who has always passed up the Churro stand in the ballpark gave it a go. Again, licked the plate clean. You will never eat another Churro from a ballpark again after eating one of theirs. Three thumbs up!
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