Phoenix's defining Sonoran dish: large green poblano chilis roasted and peeled, stuffed with Oaxacan or Monterey Jack cheese, dipped in egg-white batter, fried golden and bathed in warm tomato sauce.
Chiles rellenos originated in colonial Mexico in Puebla, the same kitchen culture that produced mole and the tradition of stuffed dishes for fiestas. The dish reached the Sonoran desert through the 19th-century Mexican-American border culture and became a Phoenix staple after the post-1900 wave of Sonoran migration. Phoenix versions split into two schools: the meat-stuffed picadillo version and the cheese-only Sonoran version (canonical in Phoenix). Comedor Guadalajara, The Original Carolina's and Asadero Norte de Sonora serve Phoenix-canonical versions.
4 editor picks for Chiles Rellenos in Phoenix, ranked by editorial score. All Phoenix signature dishes · Chiles Rellenos across every city.
Also in: Santa Fe.
Tacos Chiwas ★ 4.5
central-phoenix · 1028 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85014
Tacos Chiwas on Indian School Road is a family-run Chihuahua-style room, plating gorditas and tacos from recipes carried up from northern Mexico.
The Original Carolina's Mexican Food ★ 4.4
central-city · 1202 E Mohave St, Phoenix, AZ 85034
The Original Carolina's Mexican Food on Mohave Street has stretched its thin house flour tortillas since 1968, a Valenzuela family standard in Phoenix.
Asadero Norte de Sonora ★ 4.4
central-phoenix · 122 N 16th St, Phoenix, AZ 85034
Asadero Norte de Sonora on 16th Street is a neighbourhood Sonoran grill, turning out mesquite carne asada wrapped in house-made flour tortillas.
Comedor Guadalajara ★ 4.1
1830 S Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004
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.