La Pinata

This is a double dose review, as we ate at La Piñata TWICE during our recent Phoenix vacation. This almost never happens, as we go into a trip with a long list of places to try. But we ate at La Piñata the first night and loved it so much we returned on the last. And we'll return when we visit next time, probably twice as well!The space is nice, but nothing fancy. It's a step above any Mexican restaurants we have at home, but only marginally when it comes to ambiance. It's not a fancy 'small portion high price' place but rather a great local option with hearty portions, nice clean restaurant, and good service all for the right price. The chips and salsa are included (hate when they add those to the appetizer menu) and the salsa was very good. We also added a 'crisp' which is basically a 12" tortilla covered in cheese. It was good - kind of like Mexican pizza. They were obviously popular because pretty much every table had one and they were being carried out nonstop by the delivery/doordash types.Both trips I had the same thing - Machaca Chimichanga. It's a specialty of theirs, and it was amazing. Perfect level of crispness, great shredded beef at the appropriate spice level. Beans were amazing, and rice was rice. I tried to switch it up on the second night but it was so good on N1 that I had to just get it again.Wife did the flautas on the first night (loved them) and the Chicken Suiza on the second. She preferred the flautas and honestly I can't remember what the second night was like other than she enjoyed it and said she'd get it again. Son was delighted on night one with his chicken quesadilla - loved it, and that's for a guy who isn't always happy when we get Mexican food. He thinks we go to too many Mexican restaurants. He isn't wrong, but I'm never changing. On night two he had the chorizo egg burro and liked it but said it was a bit spicy for him. He wouldn't order it again, and didn't finish it. He really wishes he had done the Quesadilla again or ordered another type of burro. Over our seven day visit, La Piñata earned 'favorite restaurant' honors from everyone for this vacation in the dinner category. It's a sure thing for anyone who enjoys Mexican food.

My family has been coming to La Piñata for over 30 years, the food is absolutely incredible!!!!The Marylou, the cheese crisp, the red chili, the enchiladas, the Chile rellenos, I could go on and on!!!! Everything is made in-house and fresh and the consistency is off the charts, everything is just excellent!!!!! And then the margaritas taste like you're standing on the beaches of Mexico, so fresh and so tasty with agave and tequila and especially the frozen ones with the Chambord on top oh my gosh!!!!! Jose making margaritas is the greatest!!!My only complaint is the hours, the hours no longer feel accommodating for their customers, it's hard for my family as well as all of our friends to try to have dinner at La piñata now, as they close every night at 8:00! And that doesn't mean you can walk in at 7:45, they close at 8 o'clock sharp. We used to be very very frequent customers, as well as everyone else in our neighborhood but now we have to make a special plan to go to Piñata and all of the other nights we all go to Ajo Al's. It's such a bummer as two or three times a week we would get off work and stop in for drinks and dinner but now with closing at 8 o'clock, it leaves us trying to get off work and race home and pick up our family and try to get to La Piñata to sit down and have dinner as they close promptly at 8 o'clock. They've extended their hours until 9 o'clock on the weekends but it's beyond frustrating trying to have dinner or even pick up dinner without having an epic plan. They changed the hours during Covid and haven't gone back, I wish they would consider their customers and do 9 o'clock during the week and 10 o'clock on the weekends, like all of the other restaurants in Central Phoenix, it would make such a difference to your customers and a lot of people happy!!!!!! Gave 4 stars instead of 5 due to close early hours.

Drinks and service were excellent. The pricing and hooch selection at the bar provided some good value. The bartender was quick and friendly.The food missed no matter what we ordered. The green chile beef tasted good, but the meat in it was overcooked and a bit dry. My wife got a chicken salad because it came with a jalapeño ranch. After it came, they told us they were out of all ranch dressing. Is it not made in-house? Anyway, the chicken was overcooked and dry. She disliked the salad. I ordered steak fajitas, and they came coated in some sort of sweet brown sauce. The meat was overcooked and dry on these, too. The barkeep comped the chicken, but it is unlikely that we will return.

La Pinata, Phoenix Institution, was a welcome oasis for out Phoenix Cane and Walker Society Friday gathering. Temps outdoors punched near 100. Inside it was long pants and shirts weather. The mist-cooled, shaded, vegetated, patio would be dining comfort, especially with teps headed for the scorchies.The chips are good, salsa pleasant. We split an enchilada style (red) bean Burro (burrito), beverage ice tea. Ww don't need much for the rest of the day.

Decided to try La Piñata for lunch as soon as I saw green chile on their menu. The restaurant was pretty busy, but we were seated right away. As soon as we sat down, chips and salsa were brought to our table. The chips were fresh, and the salsa was not spicy but had great flavor. They have lunch menu specials. I ordered the green chile burrito. The burrito was big and can easily be shared. It was delicious and I was not disappointed with my choice. My boyfriend ordered the red chili burrito, and he also enjoyed his food. Our server was great and checked on us often. If you're looking for good food and great service, you should try La Piñata.

Stopped in for a Father's Day dinner and it the spot! We were quoted a 20 minute wait but were sat in under 5 minutes. We were seated outside in the patio, which is covered with fans so it did not feel hot. We ordered the spinach queso dip and it was the perfect shareable. I couldn't get an ouch of the crispy fried flour tortillas. For my main i opted for the chicken fajitas and it was amazing. The portion sizes were perfect for the price point. I had plenty of left overs to take home for lunch the next day. Service was friendly and prompt. I will be back!

Outstanding and authentic Mexican fare in central Phoenix! My daughter and her family just moved into the area and we tried it with a larger group and our one year old granddaughter and it couldn't have been a better experience. Warm Chips and salsa upon arrival, creamy and delicious guacamole to start and a super tasty cheese crisp with whole green chili's on top. We had a combo plate with a cheese enchilada, bean tostada and a beef taco and it was very traditional and utterly delicious. We shall return!

The place is clean with plenty of seating and a nice outdoor patio. Service was just OK just A little slow but the place was busy. The food was just OK too. Not a lot of seasoning, little cheese but serving sizes are decent. My taco shell and tostada shell were stale.

Amazing food and great service. The Machacdilla was unreal and HUGE. Definitely coming back next time we are in town.

We were pleasantly surprised with our experience. Seated right away and immediately got service. We shared fajitas for two, it was very fresh and the meat, chicken and shrimp was high quality and very flavorful. We will definitely be back.