Macayo's Cantina

This place is a southwest tradition and a wonderful restaurant.  They opened their first one in 1946 in Phoenix, Arizona, and it's been growing in popularity ever since.  You most likely will not find one unless you are in Arizona or Nevada, but this means it's still family owned and operated and they simply cannot handle anymore locations.  So if you're ever in the southwest, stop by one.  You will not be disappointed in the food.

Ok so let me be honest.  I've eaten here hundreds of times over the course of my life and sometimes you get great service, and sometimes, it's not so great, so my recommendation to you is go when you have some time, not on a lunch break, or if you're in a hurry.  I just can't tell you they are always going to be fast, because they are not always.  But the food is awesome.

Starters -
Cheese crisp (some call it a quesadilla) - simply some cheese melted over a flour tortilla.  A great starter since it doesn't fill you up like bread and butter do.
Mini chimichangas - I usually order these as a meal, but either way they're good.  Six little bite sized beef, chicken, or a combo of three each, inside deep fried flour tortillas topped with sour cream and guacamole.

Entrees -
Sonoran Enchilada Sampler - Oh so good, this is one of my favorites!  Three different enchiladas served 3 different ways: 1 beef with green sauce, 1 chicken with their signature Baja sauce, and one cheese with their homemade red sauce.  Served with black beans and rice.  Though their rice and beans aren't nearly as good as they used to be.  I say order 2 sides of refried beans.
Chimichanga de Macayo - one large chimichanga with shredded beef, chicken, or carnitas (pork) inside a deep fried flour tortilla, covered with relleno sauce and sour cream.  Very good, but very unhealthy.  Served with rice or beans.

Sides -  The reason I list this is because they have a combination platter where you can mix and match whatever you're hungry for and a lot of these things are delicious.
Try the refried bean tostadas, cheese enchiladas, or shredded beef tacos, all really tasty.  Of course, they have a ton of options here but it's stuff like burros, enchiladas, tacos, tostadas, and tamales.  Too many to mention, but good if you just can't decide.

Desserts -
Soapapillas (pronounced soap-a-p-ahs) are always good.  It's just a pillow shaped pastry dough deep fried and served with powdered sugar and honey.  Almost everyone likes these.
Mini Chocolate Chimis - MY FAVORITE!!!!  They give you 4 little chocolate hot fudge filled deep fried flour tortilla's topped with whipped cream over vanilla ice cream.  I never touch the ice cream because I'm too distracted by the chocolately goodness, but the mini chimis are too delicious to ignore.

Drinks - I only mention this because a LOT of people order the margarita's in special glasses here.  You get a big mug shaped like the head and torso of a man or woman (whichever you like) and drink out of the sombrero on their head.  You get to keep the glass and it's a big deal for some (not for me).

I've gone here for years so I really recommend you try it if you haven't.  But I should warn you, the service sometimes is really lacking.  I know it can happen anywhere, but it seems like 25% of time here, they just don't have enough help.  Anyways, I give them a 3 out of 5 forks, only because the service really needs some improving.  If you don't want to wait, you can always place an order to go over the phone and just pick it up to eat at home.