Taqueria El Fundador is a budget eat in Phoenix.
Taqueria El Fundador on West Van Buren is a Guadalajara-style taqueria known for some of the best birria tacos in Phoenix, a cheap west-side counter.
Must order: Birria tacos with a side of consome for dipping.
Tip: The birria is the order; bring cash and expect a line at peak hours.
Address: 3245 W Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ 85009
Comedor Guadalajara on South Central is a big sit-down Mexican room of regional staples, fast service and lunch specials that fill a plate without much spend.
Try: Mexican plate lunches
Order: A combination plate off the lunch-special menu with rice and beans.
Tip: Lunch specials are the value; the room is large, so walk-ins move fast.
The Fry Bread House on 7th Avenue is a James Beard America's Classics winner, plating Tohono O'odham fry bread topped savoury or sweet at counter prices.
Try: Tohono O'odham fry bread
Order: A savoury red-chile fry bread, then a sweet one dusted with sugar.
Tip: It is a Native American institution and a Beard America's Classics winner; cash goes far here.
Filiberto's on Indian School Road is a 24-hour Valley-born Mexican counter, slinging carne asada burritos, rolled tacos and California burritos all night.
Try: Carne asada burrito
Order: A carne asada burrito, the order that built the late-night chain.
Tip: It runs 24 hours; the carne asada burrito is the standby at any hour.
Los Reyes de la Torta on North 7th Street stacks some of the biggest tortas in Phoenix, a family room of burros and tacos priced for a working lunch.
Try: Overstuffed Mexican tortas
Order: The Cubana torta, loaded with multiple meats and avocado.
Tip: One torta usually feeds two; the family room is busiest at lunch.
