Barrio Queen
One thing Arizona has a plethora of are Mexican restaurants, but there are some that stand out with not only the food but also the atmosphere that they are presenting to you. The unique art and the blend of indoor space with outdoor spaces makes this week’s restaurant one to make sure to visit. With three locations in the Valley, they are continuing the same look and feel at all spots. The building has been done in a Mission style architecture feel, and blends three outdoor patios with the indoor seating. They have a nice wrap around bar that divides the two areas as well.
We were given a big basket of warm crisp tortilla chips when we sat down, along with a large cup of homemade salsa. You can also order tableside prepared guacamole for a separate fee. This will give you the extra experience of seeing it made for you right at your table. They have a large drink menu, including creative cocktails as well as your traditional selection of beverages.
The first item we ordered was the Roasted Elote ($6). For this dish the chef takes an ear of corn, after removing all the corn silk and most of the stalk, prepare it for cooking. By rubbing it with butter and mayonnaise, they then roast it. Once it is cooked to perfection, they add Cotija cheese and a sprinkle of Chile powder. They serve it with a little bit of tomato salsa and a sharp knife. I like to shave the kernels of corn off the cob and then eat it with a fork, but there is no shame in picking it up and eating it the traditional way. The flavors of all the ingredients mix so perfectly that it is very difficult to distinguish any one flavor other than fresh corn.
The next dish was from the enchilada section, The Queen ($12, an additional $6 for an added protein). We had the Carne Asada added into the enchiladas for some additional depth to the meal. The meal starts with a mixture of Oaxaca, Cotija, and goat cheese. It is then mixed with sautéed spinach, shallots and garlic. The mixture is then stuffed inside the tortilla and then covered in their cream sauce. It is finished off with a sprinkle of Cotija cheese and a dollop of Crema Fresca. The mixture is so delightful that even though the dish comes with three good size enchiladas, you will be wishing it were endless after the first bite. But they are very filling and you may struggle to get through the second one. The plate is also adorned with black beans and a small zucchini, squash, and onion side salad called Calabacitas. All the ingredients fit perfectly together and I can definitely see ordering it with or without the added protein.
The final dish we ordered was a selection of their street tacos ($4, or $11 for three). We decided it was best to order the trio taco option in order to get a good variety of options. We asked for most of the toppings to be served on the side in order to be able to taste the protein as is, as well as with the chef’s toppings. The first taco was the Suadero Azteca. This is slow cooked beef brisket that is then diced up and put into the tortilla. It is topped with diced red onion and cilantro. The brisket had a nice non-smoke flavor and was tender to the bite. It was great that it was diced up, making it easier to take small bites and let the taco last longer. The next taco was the Carnitas taco. This corn tortilla was topped with pulled pork that has been marinated in Cola and Orange rind, before being slow cooked and then shredded. It was also topped with the red onion and cilantro. The cola flavor is subtle but does allow for some sweetness to sink into the pork. The final taco was the Carne Asada taco. They marinate the steak in fresh orange and garlic prior to cooking it on the grill. It is then topped with the onion and cilantro, but also a perfectly cooked over easy fried egg. Once the yolk of the egg mixes in with the other ingredients, it becomes another level of flavor than the steak alone. The tacos are easy to hold in your hand and while three does not sound like a lot when talking about smaller sized tortillas, they make sure that there is plenty of filling in their tacos.
The entire staff is very accommodating with requests as well as being extremely friendly. The food is paced well out of the kitchen, which is a nice relief when ordering several dishes. I recommend thinking about getting a table outside under the big shade tree, so that you can enjoy some great food and the mild winter weather at the same time. You will come away feeling like you had a royal meal at the Barrio Queen.
Location and Website – 21001 N Tatum Blvd Ste. 98, Phoenix, AZ 85050 https://www.barrioqueen.com