When a family-owned Mexican restaurant in South Phoenix earns the title of Yelp’s #1 restaurant in the entire United States, you know something extraordinary is happening in the kitchen. 🏆
Cocina Madrigal Tacos + Tequila, opened in 2018 by Chef Leo Madrigal and his sons, has captivated locals and travelers alike with handcrafted tacos, homemade enchiladas, loaded burritos, decadent churros, and bold Oaxacan-inspired flavors.
This isn’t your average taco joint—it’s a testament to three decades of expertise and a family’s deep roots in Oaxacan cuisine.
How Cocina Madrigal won Phoenix’s hearts
Chef Leo Madrigal grew up in Oaxaca, Mexico, where he learned to make fresh chocolate and mole from scratch alongside his grandmother, cultivating memories that would shape his future restaurant. 💚
After moving to the United States and settling in Arizona, Leo spent over 20 years as corporate chef at Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill, developing menus for high-profile restaurants including Taco Guild, Hopdoddy Burger Bar, and Salty Sow.
When he finally opened his own restaurant in 2018 near 16th Street and Broadway Road with his sons Brian and Edson, the community response was overwhelming.
Within just four years, Cocina Madrigal accumulated more than 2,300 overwhelmingly positive Yelp reviews and earned recognition as the #1 restaurant in America on Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in 2022.
The restaurant maintained its position on the national Top 100 list in 2023 and 2024, cementing its reputation as a Phoenix institution.
Phoenix New Times awarded Cocina Madrigal Best Enchiladas in both 2019 and 2022, recognizing the restaurant’s signature dish as the finest in the Valley.
Everything at Cocina Madrigal is made from scratch, from the handmade-to-order tortillas to the fresh salsas, embodying Chef Leo’s philosophy that guests should “feel like home” when they visit. 🌮
When a devastating fire forced the restaurant to close in spring 2024, daily requests from devoted fans prompted the family to reopen as a food truck in April 2025 while the original location currently undergoes repairs.
The unwavering community support demonstrated just how deeply this family restaurant has won locals’ hearts.
Food Highlights
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Wild Mushroom Enchiladas: Featuring a mix of three wild mushrooms, jack cheese, ancho mole cream sauce, avocado relish, and sour cream sauce, this award-winning dish helped earn Phoenix New Times Best Enchiladas recognition and became so popular that fans demanded it during the food truck phase
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Oaxaca Fundido: This beloved appetizer features Oaxaca cheese melted over longaniza sausage, roasted jalapeños, mushrooms, caramelized onions, and epazote, served with fresh housemade corn tortillas that reviewers describe as fantastic and the mushrooms “really set it apart from other quesos.”
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Beef Tenderloin Steak Tacos: Made with pomegranate marinade, chipotle aioli, fried peppers and onions, and gorgonzola cheese, these gourmet tacos represent Chef Leo’s elevated approach to traditional Mexican street food
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Churros: Bavarian cream filled with crème anglaise and caramel sauce that Chef Mark Tarbell declared “changed my world” and “the best one I’ve ever had,” leaving him speechless after just one bite
- Beef Birria Enchiladas: Slow-braised beef birria with jack cheese, red chile sauce, and avocado cream that Arizona PBS guests raved about, calling them “life-changing” and making them fall in love with enchiladas 🌶️
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Madrigal Burger: Topped with jalapeño bacon, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, red onion, tomato, and chipotle aioli, this signature non-Mexican item showcases the family’s creative fusion approach and became a fan favorite
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Grilled Elote: Charred corn dressed with chipotle aioli and cotija cheese that guests specifically mentioned as one of their favorite appetizers, embodying authentic Mexican street food culture.
Atmosphere
The comfortable restaurant creates a warm and exciting ambiance where guests genuinely feel like part of the family. Owner Leo Madrigal often flits from table to table when the restaurant isn’t too busy, personally greeting guests and sharing stories about the dishes. ✨
Bottom Line
Visit Cocina Madrigal for Yelp’s #1-ranked restaurant experience in America, award-winning enchiladas that will change your perspective, authentic Oaxacan flavors made from scratch by a James Beard-caliber chef, and a genuine family atmosphere where you’re treated like family. 🎉
Address:
Note: The original restaurant at 4044 S 16th Street is currently undergoing repairs after a fire.
As of April 2025, Cocina Madrigal is operating as a food truck at a temporary location nearby at 1530 E Wood St, Phoenix, AZ 85040.
Please check their website or call for the current operating location and hours.
🕔 Typically open daily from 11:00 am-9 pm—please call ahead or check social media for the current schedule