Caliente Mexican Grill

Easy. Fast. Weird location but really solid food. Pretty authentic they don't have to smother everything with cheese b/c they believe in their product. I can also appreciate the portion size that is not gargantuan. Great iced tea as well if you like it.

Very mid range Mexican restaurant, unfortunately and we are left wondering why the Yelp score is so high. My wife and I stopped in for an early dinner while in town visiting family. While I agree with other Yelpers that the menu is aiming for more authentic offerings, the complete absence of salt was disappointing and made for a very bland meal. We also were disappointed in the chips and salsa offering, especially since the restaurant charges for this starter, which I usually have no issue with, but the two salsas (red and green more the consistency of thin hot sauce) tasted like nothing. The staff was extremely welcoming and friendly, but it certainly seems like they have catered the flavor of their offerings to accommodate the elderly Scottsdale fogies who have to look to Yelp on whether a restaurant is "too spicy". I've had more flavorful Mexican food in Oregon, which is just so sad. Really disappointed that we wasted our last meal in Phoenix on this place.Items Ordered: 4 corn tacos (Adovada, Carne Asada, Mahi Mahi, Blackened Fish), Arturo's Favorite (California Burrito), Chips and Salsa

My brother recommended this restaurant to us for dinner. Came here around 5pm on a Friday. It was pretty busy inside (it's small). They have the tiniest patio on the side of the restaurant so we sat there. We ordered margaritas and chips and salsa to start. The margaritas were ok and a little too sweet for my liking, but still good. Salsa was good as well. My favorite was the salsa verde. I ordered shrimp tacos. I really enjoyed them and there was plenty of shrimp. My husband and mom both had burrito bowls, which they also enjoyed and my step dad had fajitas.Overall the food was good and so was the service. I didn't care for the patio. I know they can't help what it looks like or the size, but it was super narrow and squished.

What an amazing restaurant. The food is phenomenal, the service is great, the environment is extremely inviting/friendly. It's just an overall a great experience. I highly recommend the "PLATO CALIENTE" it is an assortment of 4 different meats that are bursting with flavor! It comes with potatoes, jalapeños, and onions. It's basically a build your own taco platter. They have a great salsa verde & red salsa and a EXTREMELY spice but tasty habanero salsa! This is one of my favorite spots!

There were only four seats left at when we got there at 4:45pm on a Saturday evening. It seemed like a lot of the customers were regulars and knew to get there early. We sat at the bar & liked watching the hustle on the prep line. The server took our order quickly. Enjoyed the guac, the chips were ok. My daughter wasn't sure about ordering the avocado taco, but I convinced her to try it. She was not disappointed. We both really enjoyed our meals. Wasn't too loud given how many people were there. Will go again.

Caliente Mexican GrillLocal Family owned restaurant MariaOrdered the shrimp taco with cilantro and the carna asada taco along with the sausage and chorizo breakfast quesidilla.Also ordered the Plato Caliente for one which consists of their signature platter with steak, chicken and chorizo carnitas topped with sauteed onions and jalapeños with guacamole and sour cream on the side.What a pleasant surprise and wonderful experience. Thank you for adding another delicious restaurant to the area

Fantastic food and even better service! We we the amazing reviews and wanted some good Mexican food so thought we would try. Definitely a little hesitant pulling up to a newer strip mall style establishment but WOW!!! Definitely worth the stop!!! Large menu and service was so friendly to help us pick out what we wanted. Ordered chicken and chorizo nachos and 3 tacos all in corn soft shell. The ingredients are tasty and everything is so fresh and flavourful! Bright and crispy veg, no shortage of avocado and guac, and all around great Mexican food!

Best Mexican food in North Scottsdale!!! I work in the area and stumbled across Caliente a few weeks ago. It's a cute, little spot in an unassuming strip mall. It is pretty small (maybe 8-10 tables + bar seating) but I have never had a problem being seated. I love that it is truly family owned/ran. Maria is the sweetest! The poblano enchiladas are amazing! The chicken flautas are my 2nd favorite! Everything is so fresh and absolutely DELICIOUS! I'll definitely be here at least once a week!

Food & service always great! Family run business. Located near Dutch brothers coffee. They have great breakfast burritos, wonderful lunch bowls and delicious dinner choices at reasonable prices.

The food was really fresh. Obviously, it takes time to make it. Very helpful personnel. Thank you