5 Cheap (But Good) Tucson Mexican Restaurants

Posted on | April 19, 2009 | 5 Comments

1. El Torero, 231 E. 26th St. (4th Ave. & 26th St.) Tucson 85713. (520) 622-9534.

Michael Stern (food critic) loves El Torero. Customers love it. Even the waitresses have been there (mostly) for 25-30 years. They love El Torero, too It’s that kind of place. Oh, did we say the food was good? Yep. Order a “2 and 2.” It’s 2 cheese enchiladas and 2 beef tacos. It’ll run you $6.50. A hidden Tucson gem.

2. Casa Del Rio, 1060 S. Pantano (nw corner of 22nd & Pantano) Tucson 85710 (520) 296-2309.

Good neighborhood cafe with terrific food and big portions. Came highly recommended by a reader. Plates run around $8-$12, but you can order a la carte for much less. Always have lunch specials, too. Yum. GOOD eats!

3. Little Cafe Poca Cosa, 151 N. Stone Ave. (Stone Ave. at Alameda Street.)Tucson 85701 . No phone.

No, I don’t mean the Cafe Poca Cosa (although that one is good, too). I mean the little one. I just love this little place. I mean I LOVE it. It’s small, unpretentious, and the food is outstanding. They have daily specials on the blackboard inside. They call themselves, “the tiny restaurant with the big heart” and they are right. If you’ve never had a horchata, get up immediately, drive downtown and buy one here. Cash only–no plastic. Entrees are maybe $10 or less. LOTS of food. All good.

4. Chile Verde, 1 E. Congress. Tucson 85701 (520) 792-8226.

This is a downtown taco joint, but it’s so much more than a taco joint. Like really, really good food. I visited with a friend a few weeks ago and loved the place. I ordered the chile verde taco, and enjoyed it. This is basically a lunch spot, Mon.-Fri. only. They don’t have a web site, and I can’t quite remember what I paid, but I think it was about $9 or so.

5. Teresa’s Mosaic Cafe, 2455 N. Silverbell Tucson 85745 (520) 624-4512.

Fun place for breakfast, lunch OR dinner. Dinner entrees run from about $9-$16. Good eats.

6. La Placita Bar & Grill, 99 W. Esperanza Blvd., (across from the Green Valley Mall). Green Valley 85614. (520) 625-2111.

Yes, it’s in Green Valley, but this one comes highly recommended GOOD food. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Prices range from oh, about $7.50 to maybe $15.00 for the combo plate. Platters come with beans, rice, soup or salad. You won’t leave here hungry.

Well, that’s actually 6 cheap but good Tucson-area Mexican restaurants. You really can’t go wrong.

If you are enjoying our series of posts on cheap (but good) Tucson dining, go right here for a list of cheap (but good) Tucson breakfasts. Go here for a list of cheap (but good) Tucson lunches.

Other cheap (but good) Tucson Mexican restaurants.

What Tucson Mexican restaurants do YOU like? Where do you go for cheap (but good) Mexican food in Tucson?

–Posted by Hortense P. Tightwad.

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