It is possible to get really bad Mexican in the SouthWest. I rarely ever get burned with my food choices, but score one for Macayo's Mexican Restaurant. I was in Phoenix for five days and had three incredible mexican meals so just figured the odds of getting bad Mexican where similar to the odds of getting a bad slice in NYC. As a result, I let my guard down and went to Macayo's for no reason other than that it was close to my hotel. I'll never be that careless again. I knew I made a fatal mistake when I walked in the door: The place was huge and there were only people at five tables. The atomosphere was that tacky overdone carribean mexican feel with lot's of turqouise and other clashing colors combined with busy carpet. The gringo that took the order was another sign that this place was about as authentic as a made in china sticker. The salsa quite frankly was the worst I ever tasted. I would have begged them to bring out a bottle of Pace if I thought they had it. The chips were equally bad. The menu was completely unimaginative. I ordered a pork burro which came with absolutely nothing in it but bland laying in the pan pork. I paid $2 more for enchilada style which was supposed to come with sauce and melted cheese over it. In places where that kind of things worked the sauce is usually a deep red, here it was a depressing rust color that lacked any flavor. If there was melted cheese over it, there was so little it dissolved in the rusty sauce. My girlfriends Chile Relleno, which I didn't taste, was the worst she ever had. In a place where incredible mexican is the rule, I would venture to guess the over/under for this place staying in business is hours, and if it's not it deserves to be. AVOID!!!
(1)
Jessica P.
4 stars for the chips and salsa... and then we can tack on the green corn tamale in baja sauce to the list of yummies. Yes... a chain. But it's pretty darn good for a mexican fix. Have never had problems at this location. I saw the patio... they have a nice fire pit to keep the peeps warm.
(4)
Shawn And Katrina P.
Macayo's is yet another Mexican place in the valley which is just right there on the line with what I consider "average" Mexican food. There's nothing wrong with being average; it just isn't something I'd want to be known for. It's the type of place where, if you live close by it'll probably work in a pinch if you're in the mood for Mexican... you just won't leave wowed. There's nothing wrong with the food, it's alright... just not unique or fresh enough to really cause you take notice. Comparatively there are places like 'Rosas' in Mesa which have flavorful dishes that actually stand out and make you want to go back. This location has been pretty consistent, and the wait staff are fine; I just can't justify going here more than once in a blue moon when there are quite a few other Mexican places that have much healthier and flavorful options for about the same price.
(3)
Jenny H.
I used to come here literally once a week. My staples were the cheese crisp, chips and salsa, Red Corn Chicken Taquitos, Cheese Enchiladas, Chicken Maxamillian and I have tried just about everything on their menu. I was here opening day at this location. I used to LOVE and adore Macayos. Until about one year ago. They hired a new manager. It started with a lot of great waiters who knew me by name dropping off like flies. Still, there were a few left and I perservered through crappy service to get the food. NOW every SINGLE time I go the soda is flat, the cheese crisp is not cooked correctly, and the service is aweful. It has steadily been becoming worse and worse since Anne, the manager started. I'm not trying to attack her personally but clearly she is not doing it right. My chips are always cold and I have even walked out because it was so crappy. This is coming from someone who has gone to Macayos since BIRTH. For 23 years I have been 'frequent' and since age 18 I went literally every or every other week. I LOVED Macayos, it was my FAVOURITE in the world, and now I cant stand to go. It used to be a friendly, happy family atmosphere, with good food, awesome service and bubbly fizzy soda. No longer. Not since. I have tried and tried again to relive the glory days, but I think it has seen and passed them. I went to Macayos in Tucson and it reminded me of when this location was great. Sad times. I have literally spent THOUSANDS here. But now I wont spend a penny, unless I hear management has changed.
(1)
Gary C.
Dirty place with horrible food. Two steps below frozen ... Went on a Saturday night and you just look around and you see the slop everywhere. The floors are dirty, the restrooms are dirty and the tables are dirty. The food is terrible. I called over our ditzy server and asked her to take my wife's meal off the bill. The margerita was served in a plastic cup that looked like something you would find at a roadside eatery in the 1970's ... Just very poor in every respect ... Try Manual's over by the 101 in Scottsdale for really nice Mexican food.
(1)
Vegegirly K.
The ONLY Mexican chain I like. It seems like Macayos has been around forever. Sort of a Phoenix area landmark. The salsa is okay. A bit mild and tomatoey for my taste. The "hot" salsa is a joke. It is not even close to spicy. To me authentic salsa ALWAYS has a bite. Most of the food here is mediocre. What stands out to me and allows me to give it 4 stars are the tamales with the baja sauce. This baja sauce is amazing. Creamy and spicy, the perfect match for their slightly sweet corn tamale. The margaritas are pretty good too. I like my margaritas strong and was at first disappointed that I couldn't taste the tequila. Halfway through the drink it hit me like a freight train. It must not have been mixed properly. Macayos is a good place to take out of towners. They will get a kick out of the kitschy, slightly tacky decor. And the food is suitable for gringo tastes.
(4)
Butterfly W.
If you've been here and didn't like it, go again and try anything with their BAJA SAUCE. It is one thing that is AMAZING. (Shredded Beef Burro with Baja sauce or Green Corn Tamales with Baja sauce are top pics.) Tried Baja sauce at other places in the valley, and nothing compares. The place has Bright Mexican decor. It's not fine dining, but it's not meant to be. Comfortable and casual. Salsa is ok - but ask for the hot and it's even better. Service may be spotty, but the $3 margaritas (when you bring in your Macayo's glass) are a deal... Oh and the stuffed animal grabber machine at the front door is a rip off - no grip - just eats your money so avoid it!
(4)
Christina G.
When I moved to Scottsdale from SoCal, one of my BIGGEST fears was that I wouldn't be able to find the kind of Mexican food that I like (seriously). People are always super opinionated (myself included) about where to go for the best Mexican food and in the past I have been disappointed in most of the recommendations I have received. While I have yet to venture out and find a taqueria worthy of replacing Taqueria de Anda (Santa Ana, CA), I have found a good substitute for my beloved La Capilla (Huntington Beach, CA). When you walk in, you are greeted with kitschy "mexican" decor. Their hostesses are efficient and we've always been seated quickly. The food is great. One of my biggest pet peeves is when restaraunts lack consistency. When I go to Macayos I know exactly what I am going to get... every time. Everything that I have tried (so far) has been great. My favorites: Grande Chimichanga de Macayo with chicken or carnitas, tortilla soup and their green chili corn tamale... mmm They also make great drinks and have a great happy hour, all their apps are 1/2 price. My fave is their green chili corn tamale bites, served with a side of baja sauce. Have you tried the baja sauce people? It's (jalapeno cream cheese I think?) soo bad but soo good. I know a lot of people probably have mixed feelings about this place because it's a "chain" restaurant... but to me it just doesn't feel like it. It's nowhere near what I would consider "chain" Mexican food to be: El Torito... They aren't in the same category. All I have to say is don't knock it til' you try it. My only complaint would be the wait staff (the bartenders are great)... Don't get me wrong, the service has (almost) always been WAY better than average. However, most aren't too friendly and a few are just downright odd. But, I won't hold that against them or the restaurant.
(4)
Melinda Q.
While visiting Arizona we were told we must try Macayo's. The margaritas (fruit flavored and blended) were a bit on the sweet side- to the extent that I was worried I might get a tooth ache. The prices here are very reasonable. I had the fajita quesadilla, delicious- I cant stop thinking about it. The service was friendly and somewhat efficient. This isn't a place you go for decor and ambiance- but they do have outside seating, always a plus in my book.
(5)
Jenn E.
Yes I know Macayo's is a chain....but I like it...so sue me! They do a good job with the classics and it is fairly consistent. I go there for happy hour once a month with a group of people, and we always get great service. The salsa is addicting and the half price appetizers at happy hour are a great deal! The mini chimis, the spinach con queso and the cheese crisp are my favs. I usually just end up getting a cheese crisp with a side of beans...and it comes out to like $6! I also really like the Baja Shredded Beef Chimi....the meat is really tender and flavorful, and then it is covered in the creamy baja sauce...heaven! I like to go for lunch during the week too because they have great lunch specials....I am a fan of the Tostada Grande...which is basically a tostada the size of a dinner plate! So if I am in the mood for a classic standard...Macayo's fits the bill.
(4)
Doug T.
Mini chicken chimmies with extra guacamole and sour cream plus a frozen canyon three tequila margarita with salt. Muy Bueno on the patio in the late afternoon on a relatively cool day without the misters to soak you. In the morning I felt I had to go back to oatmeal and berries (red, black and blue) to counter the dairy products and alcohol from the day before. Works for me...
(4)
Gerry G.
Let me start by saying that the food was not the problem. The food was good, not great, but good enough to eat again. My problem was with the service. My family went there with a table of 12, which was reserved in advance so they knew we were coming. We were seated and did not even see our waitress for 15 minutes, then we ordered our drink and didn't get them for another 20 minutes or so. Our appetizers did not take too long to arrive, however the entrees are another story. 8 of the 12 people received their entrees after about 45 minutes (at this point we had been there for almost 2 hours) and 4 of my family members did not receive their entrees at all. After the 8 people who had received their entrees had finished their food, the other 4 entrees were still not at the table. Also, in the 2+ hours we were there, we saw the waitress 3 times. We had 8 people with empty drinks for the last 40 minutes we were there. There were 3 tables of 2 people around us that arrived way after us and left way before us. Next time I want Mexican food, it may just be faster to drive to Mexico and back. I would not recommend going here unless you have a small party because they obviously do not handle large parties very well.
(1)
Logan W.
Best Mexican food! My favorite is the carnitas quesadilla w/ a side of baja sauce. The baja sauce is amazing! It is a cream cheese/jalapeno sauce. Your taste buds will thank you for trying this. I actually used to work here years ago but I still go here to eat all of the time! I am telling you all that I used to work here b/c when you work at a restaurant you see everything that goes on behind the scenes. While I worked here I never saw anything bad. Everyone washed their hands, everyone had great personal hygiene and everyone helped each other out. We were like a family; I loved working there. I gained about 10 pounds while I worked here because the food was just fantastic so I always ate there. No matter what your diet is they have something for you. From salads & calorie watchers, to vegetarian, to meat lovers, to I don't care how fattening it is I'll eat it! There are Macayo's all over the valley so go find one & enjoy their wonderful food. OH and they have amazing drinks too! Their margaritas are delicious.
(5)
Jeff G.
Macayo's is ok , most dishes are well done, but very typical - nothing memorable. One of the few Mexican places that serve chips out of a bag, salsa is below avg. also. Wait staff is almost always amateurish. Also- why is there always a wait when a third of the tables are open?
(3)
Karen S.
Hmmm... I should probably leave the review there, but there is just too much to say. 1. Is a margarita up an uncommon term? I use it all of the time at home and everyone seems to know what it means. Tonight the waitress looked at me as if I had 2 heads when I said it. 2. Do not serve me chips in a metal kitchen bowl. They were cold and oily and just not good. 3. I like cilantro just as much as the next person, but when the only thing I taste is cilantro... again, not good. 4. Mom ordered the baja chicken salad, which has to be the nastiest salad I have ever tasted. Too spicy and too much cilantro. The good news is, that I do not live in Scottsdale and NEVER have to eat here again. Next time, I will go to Del Taco.
(2)
christy w.
Had a great server and warm chips and tasty fresh salsa. I had really good chicken enchilada with green chili sauce and Boyfriend had a good carnitas pork enchiladas. Good Mex-American place w/strong drinks. Try for quick lunch or weekday dinner.
(4)
Sean M.
This place is one giant meh, especially so when put up against all the actual *good* Mexican places in the valley. This place is to Mexican food what Olive Garden is to Italian food.
(2)
Vanessa S.
Poor service and very poor food. Chicken in the fajitas tasted expired. Would never eat here again.
(1)
Charlie D.
If this place is average it's only because you've lived in Arizona your whole life and have been spoiled by great Mexican food. They have the best salsa HANDS DOWN! The bean burro enchilada style is awesome and so is the green burro. It's old school though and not a hipster place. If you want solid Mexican food at a good price this is your place.
(4)
David L.
I was supposed to meet friends for margaritas at Macayo's about a year ago... but we couldn't find parking on a Friday night. Tonight, when my roomie said she was up for Mexican, I couldn't even remember what the place was called, just where it was located and that I had been meaning to try it for quite some time. The decor of Macayo's is bright and colorful. With all the porcelain looking animals, including a large number of birds and frogs it felt almost Caribbean. While it didn't feel upscale, this is far from a hole in the wall place. Macayo's is relatively large, which explains why I had a parking problem a year ago. This time around (about 8 p.m. on a Wednesday) parking was no problem. The restaurant wasn't completely dead, just relatively quiet. When dining at a Mexican restaurant for the first time, I stick to the basics. For starters, I wasn't impressed by the salsa and chips. The salsa, although seeming homemade, was fairly standard restaurant style... and heavy on the cilantro. It wasn't watery or chunky. It wasn't particularly spicy or bland. The chips weren't warm and sorta tasted like they came out of a bag. We also ordered the bean dip for an appetizer. While the bean dip was better than the salsa, it still wasn't very impressive. The "creamy" refried beans bordered on watery and most of the dip tasted bland until you hit a jalapeo or cilantro leaf. For the main course, I ordered the Sonoran Enchilada Sampler, which includes a beef enchilada with green chile sauce, a chicken enchilada with Baja sauce and a cheese enchilada in red sauce with black beans and rice. This was the highlight of the meal. The rice was excellent. The cheese enchilada had a little bit of zing to it which was a nice surprise after the salsa and bean dip. The chicken enchilada, in addition to the green chile sauce was covered in a spicy jack cheese that complimented the chicken. The beef enchilada... is sitting in my fridge, as the portions are rather large (standard for most Mexican resturants in the area). I found picking a star rating for Macayo's difficult. I usually reserve three stars for restaurants to which, while I would return, didn't have many other redeeming qualities. On the other hand, I usually reserve four stars for restaurants that, while they have great food, still have flaws. In other words, I'd give Macayo's a 3.5 stars if it were an option. There are definitely other things on the menu that caught my eye... and due to the location, I'll probably eventually end up back at Macayo's meeting people for margaritas.
(3)
Zizi B.
I'm from Vegas, and growing up we used to visit MacAyo ALL of the time. It was amazingly good mexican food. On a trip to Scottsdale over the summer, my mom insisted we give it a whirl. I thought it was very basic, quick, chain mexican food. Not horrible, Not great. It was decent, especially considering it's pretty cheap. The manager said the one in Vegas is a lot different than the one in Scottsdale. Next time, I will definitely go somewhere else, somewhere more authentic.
(2)
Candice S.
As far as Mexican chain restaurants go, Macayo's is alright. The chips and salsa are decent. The food is just okay, if you ask me. I wouldn't come here if it's real, authenic mexican food that you're looking for. And seeing that Mexican restaurants in Arizona are like Starbucks in San Francisco (every corner), I would hold out on the real stuff ;).
(2)
Jacob W.
As a self professed "foodie" I have had and know what it takes to prepare authentic and delicious mexican food. Of all the genre's of cuisine, it is by far the easiest to execute well, so when I go out for mexican I expect a certain level of quality to the food. Needless to say I wasn't impressed by anything at Macayo's. The chips and salsa were mediocre at best, and the main courses sadly followed suit. I am oblivious as to how places like this have more than one location. If you are truly looking for a great experience check out Gallo Blanco over in phoenix. Definitely worth the extra drive.
(2)
L K.
I really like this place. I am not from Mexico, so it may not be authentic at all. But hey, it works for me!! The margaritas are great. My husband got me one of those big senorita cups & now we can get those lip smacking margaritas for $3! Can't complain :) The chips & salsa are great too. Always helps when you are super hungry & want something for a quick fix before the dinner arrives.
(5)
Jay C.
Have not gone to Macayo's in a long time so thought I would try it out on Valentines day. It was one of the only places I could make a reservation and get seated early in the night. The reasons I had stopped going here all the time still seem to be apparent. The server was nice but not very personable at all. Just going through the motions. Was never offered more chips and fresh salsa..or another beer. ordered a salad to share. Not even halfway through our salad the main courses showed up. Not very happy with that. The food is very bland tasting. I used to think Arribas was mediocre, this was a step down from that. The brava sauce and the salsa with the chips was very watery and bland. No flavor. I think something was wrong with the sour cream on the side we shared because we both had unsettled stomachs later in the night. Everyone working their seemed to be in a state of mind of rather being somewhere else. Over heard personal conversations, the hostess stand was a gossip station. I still tipped the waitress well because it is not necessarily her fault she was trained to just go through the motions. And when you ask someone if they would like their burrito enchilada style, pls mention there is a charge for that. Our waitress made it sound more like an offer. Sticking with Manuel's from now on
(2)
Purvi R.
My last night in AZ I thought it'd be good to attempt to get good Mexican food again. While this was definitely a step up from the last place Los Sombreros or whatever, it was pretty standard (definitely better than many E. Coast options, though). We started off with some chips and salsa - what better way to whet an appetite while filling yourself up before you get your food so you realize you ordered too much after it's too late? (always the case w/Mexican!) The salsa was pretty tasty, so a plus there. Dad and I went ala carte; he got a cheese enchilada and I got a tamale with 'lite' white sauce. FYI 'lite' still means 'brick of fat melted on your tamale'. It was good, but I felt like I was eating...a brick of fat. We also got a large order of guac which was a mistake, we were way too full by the time everything came out! The margaritas were ok. I thought mine was pretty sour, and my dad got this kind with a lot of juice in it so it kind of tasted weird. They were also retardedly huge. Unnecessary to waste that much liquid!! We could only finish half. Our bill was fine although it was doubled by the cost of the drinks, booo. Would come back to a place like this if I needed a hangover fix, but otherwise....meh.
(3)
Lenore B.
So I dont live in Phoenix but I have family out here so I visit when I can and when I do I ALWAYS make sure I stop at Macayo's it is soooooo DELICIOUS! I love their Baja sauce - its like a cream cheese jalapeno juice concotion of blissfull deliciousness and this time I got the "California" burro which being from CA I thought would have Carne Asada and Fries but did not instead it was fillled with beans and guacamole sour cream cheese and pico on the side with an opt in of Chicken for a dollar more and it was so very good I would reccomend it highly! Any time you are in the Phoenix area please make a stop to Macayo's it will certainly be worth it!!!
(5)
OC L.
The Najaf sauce was excellent, We loved the enchiladas and the nachos. It was so gooood. Love the margarita mugs, too. Definitely will go back.
(5)
David C.
This was one of my early favorites when I first started living here two years ago. I love their chips and hot sauce. Some of the best in Phoenix. Last two visits really missed the boat. This last time the service was so bad that I had to chase my waiter down just to get my order delivered correctly. Food is pretty good. Love the Baja Burro. But, two less than great service experiences--I won't be back.
(2)
Allyson U.
I've been to Macayo's once before a couple years ago, and it used to be a lot better. I went on a saturday night at around 8 o'clock, and there was no one there, kind of odd. We all had margaritas, which were pretty good. The food was over-priced for what you got, since it was pretty mediocre. I ordered the same thing I did last time I came and I remember it being way better before, I think they changed the recipe, bad decision. Overall, I probably would not come back here again, unless they lowered their prices.
(3)
Jennifer P.
3 minutes to 9pm on a Tuesday night, starving after a movie, what's open? Driving down Scottsdale Rd and needing to have something we have not had yet (needing more to review, of course), what the heck, we can check out Macayo's. Sadly, staving off a low blood sugar headache, we just did not have time to consult Yelp. We were seated right away with only 4 other parties in the restaurant and not a soul in the bar. Chips, watery salsa and water came right away. Is this really salsa? Seems more like tomato soup. The chips, very thin and cold. I like them thin, but warm would be nice. We scoured the menu and went with veggie fajitas and a green enchilada from the light menu. The food arrived. The veggie fajitas sizzling away. A good selection of broccoli, squash, peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and carrots. Fairly fresh seeming sauteed veggies. A separate plate with some guac, refried beans and sour cream. A new approach to the tortillas, 2 large ones. Not what we expected, but the fixins do not fall out that way. The enchilada was tiny. I found the little tortilla. One small corn tortilla with some chicken in it. Some good spiced black beans. And some sauteed veggies. Ok, more shrooms. Overall, just nothing to write home about. Just another mexican place. Our waiter was very nice and very attentive to my water (I went through 4 glasses). But, it just seemed like this chain is trying unsuccessfully to be like Chevy's. It did it's job to get us some food.
(3)
Alexandra D.
I've been coming here since I was a kid. I always loved the decor, but more importantly, the salsa and refried beans. It's tried and true. When my husband and I don't feel like going on a dining adventure (we love trying new places) this is where we come -- with our Bob and Cha Cha margarita glasses in tow! Their chimi is awesome and big enough to share. I'm not loving their recent "modernization" and menu change. But we'll be back.
(4)
Mya T.
They have have renovated the restaurant and updated the menu, and I don't know that is for the better. We were told we could get almost everything off the old menu, which is what I did (Baja chimi), hubs had the new grilled fish tacos and the kid had mac n cheese. To start, the salsa was VERY runny when compared to the old. Cutting my chimi was very difficult. For the restaurant that claims it invented the chimi, I find this disappointing. The flavor of the chicken was the same, but the tortilla tasted old and like they left it in the fryer too long. And the Baja sauce is $2 extra. No thanks, I'll get frozen chimi's and deal. It will be a LONG time before I ever want another one, though. Hubs liked his tacos but the portion size is too small. Barely any fish, tons of cabbage. And his side of beans was a child's portion. And the part that makes me upset. My kid always orders mac n cheese and I know it is Easy Mac. Well they made it pretty poorly. She wouldn't eat it. How do you screw up microwaved mac n cheese? I mean, really? The staff was nice, but that was my only good thing to say. Lunch on a Sunday and there was almost no one there. That speaks volumes. I should have listened to my gut. Now my gut is screaming at me from how unhappy it is. Lesson learned and I won't go back.
(1)
Suhas M.
It was our first time to this place & we were seated immediately. We choose to sit at the bar.Since we are vegetarians we order veg. fajitas & veg. tacos. They were awesome & exceed our expectation. We will visit again. Good job!!
(5)
Teri C.
We've been coming here for years. Pretty decent overall. Rubbery fish tacos tonight. Not so good. But my hubby had the rolled tacos and loved them! Their calabacitas are the best!
(4)
Karen H.
First time to this location. Had a great server named Chelsea, she was friendly and patient with our group. Enjoyed the new menu and feel of the restaurant. Food is always good and consistent from location to location.
(4)
Katie T.
I grew up going to this place and I've always loved it. I purchased the Bob and Cha Cha margarita glasses that allow me to get discounted margaritas every time I go. Their chips and salsa is the main reason I go--I think it's the best in the valley! They also just added these rolled tacos to their menu which I plan on getting every time now-they are so good! Additionally, I have never had trouble getting a parking spot.
(5)
Art B.
As my daughter would say, "It's all about the Baja sauce!" To be honest, I've never been a huge fan of Macayo's, surprising since I've eaten there so many times through the years. My reasons for coming back? It's comfortable. It's convenient. It works well for multi-generational family gatherings. It's a great place for a birthday (free dessert and server serenade). Chips and salsa are prompt and plentiful. And it's not bad. Just ask for a side of Baja sauce with anything you order and you'll be fine. The Scottsdale location is very nice, nicer than most Macayo's. The structure was specifically built for Macayo's and it shows. There's a patio, bar area and inside seating. It use to be much cuter, with a colorful menagerie of animals placed up in the rafters, but it remains attractive. Still, our family still misses the animals. Speaking of families, the $4.69 kid's meals were a big hit in our most recent visit. Actually one meal, a mini combo platter, that a four and a five year old shared. They've also enjoyed constructing chicken tacos in the past. A meal that's also an activity! Once again, one kid's meal served two young children nicely. We also have a habit of ordering appetizers as entrees. On this particular night, two of the six in our party ordered the mini chimis as their meal. With Baja sauce on the side (of course) instead of sour cream. Both also opted for a mix of both chicken and beef chimis. The Baja (of course) pizza appetizer is also a good choice. One suggestion if you are a first timer: Ask for hot sauce when your chips are delivered. It won't be offered, but it is happily served. This sauce is a nice contrast to Macayo's normal mild salsa. The hot sauce is tasty and is sold in many local grocery stores, even Costco on occasion, so you know it has some merit.. With kids sharing meals and adults ordering appetizers, our dinner tab was very reasonable. It could easily balloon, of course, if you ordered more and added Margaritas... Given its Scottsdale location, the cost could be much worse. Perhaps not a destination in and of itself, but Macayo's is a good place to enjoy friends and family.
(4)
Jeff S.
Wasn't very busy got seated by hostess. Really excited for the food. Waited 15 mins no one even acknowledged us no water, no chips and salsa not even a hello so we left.
(1)
Trisha W.
What a wonderful evening we had at Macayo's... where do I begin. I get a little bit of a daze when I think about Macayo's mostly because I felt so warm and welcomed when I was there. Everyone working there is so friendly and cool. I love the creative interior and the restaurant itself feels like an modern adobe. We were celebrating pre wedding, and it was a full house.. friends family, the whole shebang was out. Everyone was hungry and happy. Macayo's had a beautiful and plentiful array of salsas, fresh tortilla chips, and guacamole for everyone to enjoy. Once the buffet was unleashed it was just utopia. Must try: THE TAMALES.... holy guacamole, I don't know if I want to know what's in this because it tastes so good it has to be bad for you. One of the best tamales I've ever had in my life. Who would've known. There are a few to choose from and all of them are winners. They had other basic Mexican food staples: beans, rice, asadas, poillo and those were all deliciously divine too, but I HIGHLY recommend the TAMALES. Tips: The parking lot can get a little tight, so Uber is a great alternative. Also using uber is smart to prevent poor choices when under the influence. Check out Fate Brewing near by and Ernie's. Both are within 1 mile from Macayo's.
(4)
Brad W.
Another disaster on the start of my evening. I rarely ever have issues with service or bother to complain on Yelp, but this waiter with glasses and a touch of gray hair was ignorant. He muffed one of the orders even after we had told him multiple times what we wanted. The dish came out way wrong as predicted. He also didn't answer my standard white meat chicken question, instead choosing to tell us how even if the meat is mixed, it is usually good at other places. Uhh WTF? The chips were stale and my tamale I ordered was inedible. After a short chat with the waiter, he agree to send manager over, but manager was too lazy to visit table. On the good side, the manager did tell us to leave without paying for our drinks ($16), so we got the best deal out of a bizarre dining experience. Avoid that waiter.
(1)
Tracy M.
For those of you that are not aware Macayo's has a new 'concept.' It stinks!! The menu is different, the chairs and tables are different, the signage and paint on the exterior is different however the carpet is the same the old tile is the same and the restrooms are the same. A very half assed attempt. When we asked to speak to a manager about the changes we were met with aggression and zero empathy. As a result, we paid for our cocktails, refused the food and left the restaurant. Even though my family and I have been going to Macayo's for as long as I can remember we will never return. My family tradition has been ruined!
(1)
Darielle M.
We have eaten at this location with our family for at least the last 20 years. They have remodeled, cleaned up the dining area and completely overhauled the menu deleating many favorite items. The service was horrible, we waited nearly an hour for our food which arrived in a smaller portion and lacked any flavor of Macayo's. Very disappointing and hopefully the chain does not implement this new menu through all the restaraunts.
(1)
Paula E.
Once my plane landed in sunny Arizona my friend knew without question where I wanted to go for drinks and food. The food is always great and I love that they bring out warm chips and salsa made two ways- mild and spicy. We ordered appetizers as well and it was all great. In the two times I visited I would say during this visit that the service was on the slow side, but a problem with my meal was addressed by management efficiently. I would not hesitate to go again and I hope this won't be my last visit.
(4)
Menzer B.
The restaurant has been refurbished and it looks great !!!! They must have spent the entire budget on the re-make and left nothing to the service and the food !! The chips were lacking salt.... The queso average at best .... The service very slow (it took more than 60 min to make a burrito) .... And when it arrived it was very bland and really not better than a frozen meal from costco.....There s a Chipotle opening up next door .... They should outsource the kitchen to them and they would do much better !!! We will not come back for a while .....
(1)
Preston C.
I like the charm of this particular Macayos It is dated but I'm pretty sure all the Macayos are... It's part of their own history and adds a lot to their uniqueness This restaurant is huge, inside and outside I was really surprised at how big it was haha On our dinner stop the restaurant was pretty empty which was great because we were starving and had already drove all the way up from Tempe The hostess seated us upon walking in and our server was very prompt as well She was nice and very knowledgable of the menu After looking at the menu I got the enchiladas and refried beans Well That was after I devoured the chips & salsa We put our order in And Our food came out in about 10 minutes Maybe even quicker And then I finished my food in maybe 5 minutes haha I was so hungry One of the managers brought our food out and she was very, very nice Overall it was a nice meal and nice ambience I kept looking at the bar and thinking "how drab" but I'm sure their happy hour prices make up for it :)
(4)
Vijay R.
I came to Macayo for restaurant week, and I was very happy with one of their dishes that had chicken inside a grilled pepper. It had a fajita tasting type of feeling but the combination of the pepper gave it a nice kick. The dessert we got was a fried ice cream and it reminded me the taste of Cinnamon Toast crunch. It gave me childhood memories.
(4)
Ellen H.
Good service, a bit weird tasting food. I'm from So Cal where most Mexican food tastes similar. This tastes very different and less than tasty.
(3)
Prescott P.
New menu is improvement but still so-so food and service. With four people, two orders were not correct. While restaurant made the correct items which took 10-15 min, no comp offer of any kind during meal or with the bill. Food is bland with side sauces used for flavor, a shortcut. Too bad as the atmosphere is nice.
(2)
Chris K.
This restaurant was one of the first I visited after moving to Scottsdale from Southern California. The food wasn't horrendous and the service wasn't atrocious, but there were definitely things that could have been better. The sauces were a little bland and so that in turn made the food not too memorable. It lacked that authenticity that I had grown to love at home and seemed more like a more expensive Del Taco experience. The service wasn't terrible but there were not that many people there and it seemed that neither was the staff. This, I never hold against the waiters themselves as I have no clue what has been going on throughout the day. So, all in all, it isn't a terrible place to go, but I will keep my eye out for a more authentic Mexican experience.
(3)
Sydney S.
Our server, Lindsay was UNBELIEVABLY disrespectful and rude. She messed up our order and when we asked her to fix it, she rolled her eyes at us. She slammed our meals down on our table. I don't think we'll be returning.
(1)
Julie S.
I used to love Macayo's, but the menu has been redesigned and it's a disaster. Favorites like the green chile burro are no longer available, and the food that is available is in tiny (although nicely-presented) portions that are greasy and not as flavorful as the previous dishes. I understand the desire to freshen things up, and the new decor looks okay, but the food is the reason I used to go and the reason I won't return. From the fact that the restaurant was nearly empty today all through what should have been the lunch rush, and their super-slow servers still had nothing to do, I'm not the only one who feels this way.
(2)
Alberto T.
Just to tell you guys, that I went with my family a couple of weeks ago, and it took 65minutes to bring our orders on the table!! People that came after us, was already gone!! Nobody showed up, neither the waiter or the manger. I left the restaurant without having dinner that night. After my family was done with the food, my wife told me that she didn't have to pay for my own order, and she got a 20% discount on the dinner. I don't want the discount, I want my frigging food! Too bad that there's not the chance of giving zero star. If not I'd really! Alberto.
(1)
John N.
I've always liked Macayos. My folks and I used to go to the one in Tucson. Good times and food as always!
(4)
Charles S.
Mexican food is Mexican food. I bring my kids here and they like it. Large enough that the wait is usually short. not a bad place to grab a bite to eat.
(3)
Twyla P.
We have been to Macayo's for many years. We go for the chips and salsa and their wonderful frozen margaritas. We were dismayed to see the completely remodeled restaurant which has left the place without a personality. The revised menu has removed many of our favorites. The chips served to us were stale. The margaritas were without the amount of alcohol that we have had in the past - we could hardly tell that there was any alcohol at all. They were not frozen but very watery. The order for the drinks came out wrong and so did my main dish... sloppy service at best. We ordered fried ice cream and were very surprised to see that the strawberries have been replaced by a strawberry flavored sauce. Cost cutting measures have cheapened the entire experience. We spent our 16th anniversary with this restaurant - it was not the Macayo's we have grown to love.
(2)
Julie D.
My family and I have always loved Macayos. This location is always clean and friendly. Most of the time we are seated immediately or within 5 minutes. The food is always great too.
(5)
Morgan T.
Excellent food for the price. The patio is a great spot for eating at an outdoor resturant. Happy hours with an appetizer an drinks are inexpensive. Overall a great experience
(5)
Alyse H.
I have been to this location one time before and the experience was not memorable, so we decided to try it again. We walked into the bar and at least half the stools were empty, but there were still checks and dirty plates scattered all over. It took about 10 minutes for that to be cleaned up. When I received the chicken taco I ordered, the meat wasn't even lukewarm. I asked for a new taco and got beef instead because I was worried that the chicken was being held at the wrong temperature and I didn't want to chance getting sick. My hubby's dish was barely hot as well. The cheese enchilada was also lukewarm. The server delivering our plates told us to be careful because the plates were hot, but when we touched them, the plates weren't really hot at all. Eating at this Macayo's was a so-so experience at best.
(2)
John D.
Growing up, this was a restaurant that our family avoided. Now we're older and our tastes have changed. Macayo hasn't. It's bland, boring Mexican food with watery, flavorless salsa that my now elderly parents can't get enough of and I go along for the ride. If you have snowbirds to entertain, this will surely do the trick. Nobody will get something too spicy. Otherwise, there are better choices in town. But if you enjoy the culinary time warp and your stomach can handle heavy, bland Mex, have a seat, as these recipes haven't changed since 1948.
(1)
Sarah A.
Food mediocre, took three times to get our order right and they were out of sopapillas. No compensation for all the issues.
(3)
Margeaux K.
We ordered take out tonight and got home. First bite into the Baja chicken burro there were 2 chicken bones. Although that is absolutely disgusting when I called them they offered to replace them and give me a credit in which they did. I did have to drive back and go pick them up which sucked. But great customer service, just a surprise with having chicken bones.
(3)
Nicole S.
The food here is your average American-Mexican food. There are always Chips and salsa. If you're lucky enough to get a fresh batch they are wonderful. I love that they don't cake them with salt. The food is consistent and spicy. Their carne asada is my favorite. But the reason we continue to visit is a certain waiter named Kevin. He is exceptional. Upbeat, enthused and never ever let's a cup run dry. He makes you feel special and continues to provide excellent service. He deserves a raise.
(4)
Judy H.
The food is okay, but Americanized. Even Señor Taco is much better and a whole lot cheaper. Kind of disappointed.
(3)
Sandi S. L.
Mark, the Manager took my order over the phone... It was for 2 separate doctors offices. He made sure the order was complete and packed separately. Order & food was perfect & delish... And, I did not have to pay for extra chips and salsa, like some places make you do!
(5)
Kate G.
I hadn't been to this restaurant for the past 12 years but it's where my parents would always take us when we were in town. So I have good memories of my mom and I bringing our Bob and Cha Cha refillable margarita glasses here back then. We decided to take the kids there tonight to share the memories... Sometimes memories need to stay just memories. I don't think there has been one single upgrade to this place since before we used to come here. My chair was broken, the table needed refinishing and let's just say I didn't feel comfortable setting my purse on that carpet. Long story short, the margarita mix was bottled, the food was bad and the server was, let's just say quirky. Even my 9 year old daughter said her kids menu cheeseburger wasn't good... Honestly the only reason I'm giving it 2 stars is because the chips were good and the salsa didn't suck.
(2)
Mike H.
Meal was great...desert sucked!!! Whatever you do don't get the fried ice cream. It's not fried ice cream. They take a ball of ice cream and coat it in corn flakes. GROSS!!!! Not sure how they can call this fried ice cream when it's clearly not
(2)
That Girl You Know ..
We ordered from this place through Delicious Deliveries and it was great! My husband and I loved the tacos and the black beans were delish :) Will definitely be going back soon.
(4)
Sarah B.
Oh this is a tired place! The food is blah, the decor is straight from Party City, and the service is average.
(1)
Jason B.
My wife and I went here for dinner last night. It was a Thursday night at about 7:30 and the place was pretty dead which was nice. Somehow I've never been to this location before and it is pretty run down and old but you still get the good ole Macayo's charm. There are signs all over the place saying they are going to remodel the place this month so that will be nice. The food was pretty good and exactly what you'd expect. Not the best, not the worst. You get some decent Mexican food at a decent price. The best part is that I scored a Local Dines gift certificate ( bit.ly/dfR4eQ ) and my meal was basically free. Our waiter was very good, fast, and friendly. He kept my diet cokes coming like clockwork which was awesome.
(4)
Michelle H.
I was very excited to see Macayo's at ESPN Fan Fest in Scottsdale yesterday until I was charged over $28 for 2 drinks.Even in Scottsdale, that's the most I've ever had to pay for drinks. If this is what I have to look forward to at the restaurants, I'll go elsewhere.
(3)
Jackie C.
I was in this place for lunch today and had the chicken fajitas. They were great. But what really impressed me was my server, Fernando. He was did an excellent job on all levels. Greeted me warmly and promptly, served me promptly, used my name and told me about the lunch card and brought it to the table. (Which I hadn't known about) after 5 lunches the 6th is free. I would definitely return!!
(4)
Jodie L.
OMG I Love this place! It's been my cousin and my go to fav place for sooooo long! The food is soooo good! The chips and salsa are so freekin fresh! I CRAVE them! And the service has always been on point!
(5)
Betsy B.
I have lived in Phoenix/ Scottsdale for 33 years. This used to be avoid restaurant but the last two visits have been disappointing. This week not only did the 2 of us wait over an hour to get our food, but the food is only marginal. Very basic, bland flavor on the chimichanga, but soggy, how can you ruin a quesadilla ? This one was over cooked and the cheese was hard. I guess this is my last visit. I know that Nando's is out in the East valley and a drive but their food is so superior. I noticed that this has become a snowbird hang out. I guess they do not know good Mexican food. The chips and salsa...pass on that, stale chips and no flavor salsa.
(2)
Naomi G.
Meh. There's a lot of great Mexican restaurants in Arizona. This one falls into the Mexi-American category which isn't a bad thing unless you love authentic Mexican food. Even the guacamole here left something to be desired. Still, the servers are always friendly and it's a fun environment. I love the interior booths and the wall decorations.
(3)
Louis C.
I had steak tacos and the only thing that had taste was the lime I squeezed on them. Veggies were decent and black beans dry. I never thought anybody could make dry beans, but I stand corrected. Margaritas are decent. Absolutely the worst salsa I ever tasted. Tasted like ketchup with spices. Chips were old.
(1)
Richard T.
Go way backwith the Macayo experience to El Nino (sp?) on McDowell Street in Phoenix in the 1940s.... now live in Chicago...winter in Scottsdale...Macayos on Scottsdale Road is my local favorite for dinner about three times a week. Love the food, love the burrios enchilada style, love the shedded beef tacos and enchiladas. Great quick service. Take out is also convenient. Love this place. Counting the days until the next stay in Scottsdale and many many dinners at Macayos.
(5)
Lizzy R.
Macayo's is OK. It's not the best Mexican food I've ever had but certainly not the worst. My sister and her boyfriend are really into this place so I come here from time to time and it's always just OK. You know how those places are? Like someone says "Hey, let's go to Macayo's!" and you're all "I don't hate it there and I'll go there if you have your heart set on it." It's literally one of those restaurants that if I never went again, I'd probably never even realize. The salsa with the free chips and salsa is pretty bland, I do like the fundido sauce or whatever that deliciousness is on their chicken burrito. The mini chimi's were decent and the meat on the nacho's is pretty good. The service is not that great. It's never been horrible but you get the sense that the server is counting down the hours until they get to go home. Which, I get it, being a server isn't the funnest of jobs but at the same time, it takes very minimal effort to give the impression that you care and are happy. Anyway, that's my two cents!
chicken pablano and baja sauce are the bomb. I've been to Macayo's well over 100 times and NEVER had a bad meal. Fairly priced, good food and good service.
(5)
Nicole G.
My boyfriend and I visited Macayo's for dinner and we both where impressed by our waiter. (I wish I remembered his name) He was on top of everything despite it being a very busy friday night rush. He brought us waters right away and was very attentive throughout our meal. The food was delicious, I had the chimichanga and my boyfriend had a shrimp burrito. The shrimp burrito is not on the menu but our waiter said he would make it happen. We where very satisfied with our experience and will for sure be back!
(5)
Bill F.
As being a fan of Macayo's for 43 years this is the worst experience I had. Ordered a Carne Asada Burro and there was very little steak. In fact, not much of anything in the center. Very disappointed in the quality of this product. Will not go back to this store again.
(1)
Terry B.
With so many mexican cuisine choices...don't ask me why we chose to eat at Macayos. The food was bland and the service was so so. No reason to rush here for dinner or lunch.
(1)
Leigh A.
Wanted some mexican that wasn't taco bell. The hotel recommend this place. The restaurant smelled like the inside of a tomato sauce can. I was turned off almost immediately. I decided to sit on the patio and try it out anyway. I ordered the Chipotle BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad with a light cilantro lime dressing. It was okay. The chips and salsa were okay too, nothing to brag about. The salsa tasted like it came from a can. I'm happy I ordered a salad. The redeeming factors were the Arizona Sunset Margarita and the good service. I think once restaurants turn into chains, they seem to lose their original character.
(3)
Marlo R.
Love this place bring my Macayo's mug for cheaper drinks Spinach con queso dip and Chimis YUM The manager is great it's so nice to be remembered & recognized when you are a regular customer
(5)
Hugh C.
I've been coming here for years. Unfortunately it has been progressively going downhill. Last night was probably the final time I will go there. It was a bit slow and I came in with a party of 6 around 845pm. The staff was very detached, we had to beg for everything from water to cocktails. It was so bad that I went hunting for help and wound up in the bar to ask for the manager. Both the bartender and hostess (who were watching tv) told me the manager would come to our table.... He never showed up. So sad to see a place go downhill because of a loose staff and management. It's also been feeling dirty in there too. Didn't seem like they care anymore. Food was still good though, but with all the other issues I don't trust that they are handling it well.
(2)
John B.
Well, they got my order wrong, but were very good about making amends and serving me a piping hot new (correct) plate. It was delicious. And the margarita's were excellent as well.
(4)
Linda v.
First visit - last visit. I spent the last 40 years in NM and find the AZ version of Mexican food to be very bland. The salsa is very watery, the food is dry, the chips were blah. But what will keep us from going back is the $6.25 charge for a tiny glass of what they called 'sangria'. It was white wine with ice and diced fruit in a small wine glass. Could not have contained more than 2 ounces of wine. We were never offered a drink menu so we were ordering blind. My husband and I were astonished. I mentioned the problem to the hostess as we were leaving and she said.....nothing. Not one word. We had a better meal last week at Rubios at about 1/2 the cost - including a great glass of sangria.
(2)
Robert G.
I should have gone to the Central Ave location.
(2)
Vivacious M.
The good: Great service, nice decor in the seating area, very colorful n peppy place, okay food. The average: I won't call anything bad here but certainly average. I found the food not too flavorful and more saucy than I have had at other mexican places. They serve nice hot chips and salsa complimentary but again the salsa was bit less spicy for my liking. The fajita had big thick slices of veggies like squash n zuchinni - too thick to wrap in tortillas, not grilled well n not seasoned enough. All in all, good place to catch a few drinks and appetizers but not so much for a tasty hearty meal.
(2)
Lindsey D.
I'm deeming this an oldie but goodie. If you've been a frequenter of Phoenix for over 15+ years, you've most likely paid at least one of Macayo's locations a visit. The food is run of the mill yet decent Mexican food. The portions are hearty and the food is cheap. The margaritas are above average and if you invest of one of their margarita glasses, you can get margarita refills moving forward for just $3. Not a bad deal as long as you remember the glass! Macayo's is a solid choice if you're hungry and want to get in and out in a relatively decent amount of time, if you have children who are a little loud and yet you want to take them out to dinner, or if you just feel like a good margarita after a long day at work. That's it!
(4)
Arthur Z.
Fajitas enough for two to share, and really good
(4)
Diego S.
Sometimes, the best way to feel good about your life is to see how bad off others have it. This is why I propose you take a trip to Mexico this weekend. More specifically, Rocky Point. Just a short four-hour drive from Phoenix, it's there you'll become acquainted with what a real shit-hole existence looks like...up close! Unfortunately, that's not the only perspective you'll gain from your travels. You'll also have the added pleasure of experiencing what real Mexican food tastes like, realizing how the watered-down, Americanized version of what you've been eating all these years is anything but Mexican. And that brings us to Macayo's. You'll like Macayo's. Do you know why? Because it's safe. Not too mild, not too spicy. Perfect for your white-bread, milk-toast, American tastes. See, Macayo's has been around for over 60 years. Unheard of in the restaurant business. And they didn't do it by frying your taste buds, or making you shit like a sick goose the next day. They did it with consistent menu items, like their red and green chile, or their chicken poblano...perhaps their most flavorful items. And their spectacular margaritas, chips, salsa, and chile con queso are also honorable mention. In short, while it may lack authenticity, it's certain to tantalize your taste buds, just enough to make you come back for more...next week, the week after, and the week after that. Added note: Economic times being what they are, a trip to Mexico may be out of the question for some. Even if you do have the money, there's always the prospect you'll never come back alive, dying in a hail of some drug overlord's wayward bullets. For this reason, I recommend South Phoenix as an alternative to Mexico, where I'm sure you'll find a place that'll give you Montezuma's revenge, burn your mouth and bum, get your car stolen, and leave you in the street sobbing like Mo'niique did in "Precious" after her mom beat her with a shoe.
(3)
Dennis S.
We were here for AZ Bike Week. We stopped by about 9 PM and there was still a good crowd here. We had an excellent server who made good menu suggestions. The Margaritas and the Fahitas were excellent. I am surprised this place does not get higher marks. It was our first time there, but I would certainly return when back in the area.
(4)
L. W.
Good chimis. Good beer. Good service. Jerry was attentive, and funny. Good lunch! Thanks macayos!
(4)
Kristen B.
Macayo's has been a family favorite for years! There staff is always prompt, friendly, and courteous. There food is nothing extroadinary, but is always consistent (you always know what you are going to get each and every time!). They are constantly bringing back chips and salsa, where as other mexican restuarants seem to slack off a bit in this area. Their margarita mugs are a good deal, you can bring em back each time for a $3.99 refill and then upon departure they will rinse out and bag up for you. Overall I reccomend this place. Side note: I attended a rehersal dinner here and they were great!
(4)
Andrea H.
I managed to fish the first bug out of my margarita, but when I saw the second one floating there, enjoying my much anticipated beverage, it had to go back. Don't get me wrong, I appreciated the fact that they added a free protein boost to my drink, but I like to enjoy my margaritas on my own, thank you very much. There's something that's just not right about this place. The service is very friendly, but my menu was wet and smelled like someone had tossed their cookies right on it. My friend's nachos just tasted...funky and the vegetables that came with my bean and cheese burro were so dry, they were cracked. Combine that with the fact that everything tasted oddly like cardboard and I was feeling like I was on an episode of Kitchen Nightmares. I'd say that maybe this place is great when you're hammered, but yeah, I really wouldn't want to be there then either.
(2)
Marty F.
We come here on an average once a week and always leave feeling wonderful. The food is great. I think one of my favorite things here is that along with the salsa they also bring out hot sauce for the chips. Sometimes they forget, but you can ask for it. It's the tastiest stuff. Cant get enough. My girlfriend and I usually do the baja chicken burro but have also recently got the mini chicken chimis. holy deliciousness batman!
(5)
T B.
Stopped at Scottsdale location for a chicken California burrito, tasty. Location is OK but once again another location needing to update its dining rooms.
(3)
Anne K.
Good food and service. Have a menu for gluten-free options which was great,
(4)
Fred S.
It seems the description that fits Macayo's is "average". I have been here on several occasions, but only for lunch and Happy Hour, and have only eaten in the bar. It always seems like it is a spur of the moment decision, when I am hungry or thirsty and passing by. The interior is dark, although they do have a nice patio looking over the parking lot. The staff is friendly and efficient, and if you have a specific request, they have always provided it. That said, the food is average, not great, but not bad. The prices are reasonable and the portions are large. The chips are above average, and the salsa (the hot one) is delicious. That seems to be why we eat in the bar - they are very free with the chips and salsa. This is not a destination restaurant for me - but if I am thirsty or am hungry for their chips and salsa, I will stop by for a few drinks.
(3)
Jenny H.
Great food and drinks! I highly recommend the desert pear and elderflower margarita. :)
(4)
paul R.
Salsa is key at a Mex restaurant - we got a soupy tomato mixture with some pieces of canned tomatoes in it. We ordered skinny margaritas, which are typically less sweet than regular ones. We got overly sweet margaritas and they were not at all generous with the tequila. The finale was my stacked enchiladas, which consisted of three tortillas SWIMMING in a gooey mixture. They were horrible and I sent them back. They did bring another order with sauce on the side but we'll never return.
(1)
Sam W.
One word, Nasty. I came here with a large group on October 4th. The service was pretty poor (he did not clear dirty plates and kept on bumping me when handing over plates, drinks, etc). He also left our table halfway through taking orders to get drink refills for other table. The worst part was the food, bland, odd textures and just overall yucky. My friend and I both had food poisening and others felt really sick. Yuck, yuck, yuck!
(1)
Jonny G.
Was excited when I moved here from Vegas to find a Macayos. Easily the best smooth salsa around. I will say while they get four stars for the salsa I prefer the food of the restaurants overall in Vegas. Menus are slightly different here in AZ.
(4)
Adrienne A.
I've eaten at this Macayo's three times, and each time I leave unimpressed. The service is ok, the food is ok. That's about it. The plates I've ordered were drowning in cheese - now I love cheese, but I almost need a spoon to eat these meals. I know some people have raved about Macayo's, but I'm not thrilled with it.
(2)
Michael C.
This is not my favorite Macayo's location in town, but it is a solid choice for a quick lunch in the area. Easy to get in, great lunch deals, good service, and a dark relaxing atmosphere. The chips and salsa are particularly good too.
(3)
Niki S.
We hadn't been to Macayo's for awhile and I remember them being better than last night. Both of our foods, bean burro and chimi, were completely tasteless. Probably the worst burro or burrito I've ever had. Although, our server was great and the tortilla soup was good. We usually have Mexican food 2-3 times a month and with how many mexican restaurants there are, we have many to choose from and Macayo's will not be one we return to.
(1)
Sue T.
I have been eating at Macayos for years, and I have always been pretty satisfied with the overall quality of the food. The indgredients are fresh, and the food has an appealing presentation. The chips and salsa are some of the best out of various Mexican restaurants that we frequent. The real issue with this location is that the staff is really inconsistent. Occasionally, we will get a competent, friendly server, but for the most part, the service leaves much to be desired. The servers tend to give the impression that they are annoyed to be serving you. Other than that, the restaurant is fine - we continue to return even with the spotty service.
(3)
marty b.
Another great meal today! The food is always good & you can count on that ever time! Great quality, consistent & great service. They know how to do it right!
(5)
TC S.
Happy Hour margs are perfect and all appetizers are half-price!
(5)
Jake D.
Good food, even better Margaritas. Invest in Senor Bob. Margaritas go down smoother when they are just over $3
(4)
Lali j.
I find they're gringo, faux -Mexican food, heartburn inducing and unimaginative. Why would anyone eat there when they're are far better and more authentic choices for Mexican food in the Phoenix area? Try Los Sombreros as an outstanding alternative to a huge disapointment.
(1)
C. S.
I am so dissapointed in this Macayo's! I want to love it because they have a great street taco special on Thursdays (and it is within walking distance from my house) but service in their bar area does NOT exist! We went there twice and waited for at least 10 minutes before even being greeted by a server. Staff looked at us and most tables around us had food and drinks but for some reason both times we had lousy service. One of my friends with us made two trips to the bar to get drinks before our waiter brought our first one we ordered! I won't return.
(2)
Bil Z.
Having spent quite a bit of time eating in Mexico, the menu at Macayo's is definitely Americanized... but that does not make it bad. The food is pretty good, and the margaritas are to die for... fun casual atmosphere... people do bring families, so it can get distracting with crying children in the next booth..
(4)
Jane T.
This is the best Mexican food ever. Really cheap too. Just go and get the Mini-Chimis, they are an appetizer, but all you need. Margaritas are excellent as well.
(5)
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Address :11107 N Scottsdale Rd
Scottsdale, AZ, 85254
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
King L.
It is possible to get really bad Mexican in the SouthWest. I rarely ever get burned with my food choices, but score one for Macayo's Mexican Restaurant. I was in Phoenix for five days and had three incredible mexican meals so just figured the odds of getting bad Mexican where similar to the odds of getting a bad slice in NYC. As a result, I let my guard down and went to Macayo's for no reason other than that it was close to my hotel. I'll never be that careless again. I knew I made a fatal mistake when I walked in the door: The place was huge and there were only people at five tables. The atomosphere was that tacky overdone carribean mexican feel with lot's of turqouise and other clashing colors combined with busy carpet. The gringo that took the order was another sign that this place was about as authentic as a made in china sticker. The salsa quite frankly was the worst I ever tasted. I would have begged them to bring out a bottle of Pace if I thought they had it. The chips were equally bad. The menu was completely unimaginative. I ordered a pork burro which came with absolutely nothing in it but bland laying in the pan pork. I paid $2 more for enchilada style which was supposed to come with sauce and melted cheese over it. In places where that kind of things worked the sauce is usually a deep red, here it was a depressing rust color that lacked any flavor. If there was melted cheese over it, there was so little it dissolved in the rusty sauce. My girlfriends Chile Relleno, which I didn't taste, was the worst she ever had. In a place where incredible mexican is the rule, I would venture to guess the over/under for this place staying in business is hours, and if it's not it deserves to be. AVOID!!!
(1)Jessica P.
4 stars for the chips and salsa... and then we can tack on the green corn tamale in baja sauce to the list of yummies. Yes... a chain. But it's pretty darn good for a mexican fix. Have never had problems at this location. I saw the patio... they have a nice fire pit to keep the peeps warm.
(4)Shawn And Katrina P.
Macayo's is yet another Mexican place in the valley which is just right there on the line with what I consider "average" Mexican food. There's nothing wrong with being average; it just isn't something I'd want to be known for. It's the type of place where, if you live close by it'll probably work in a pinch if you're in the mood for Mexican... you just won't leave wowed. There's nothing wrong with the food, it's alright... just not unique or fresh enough to really cause you take notice. Comparatively there are places like 'Rosas' in Mesa which have flavorful dishes that actually stand out and make you want to go back. This location has been pretty consistent, and the wait staff are fine; I just can't justify going here more than once in a blue moon when there are quite a few other Mexican places that have much healthier and flavorful options for about the same price.
(3)Jenny H.
I used to come here literally once a week. My staples were the cheese crisp, chips and salsa, Red Corn Chicken Taquitos, Cheese Enchiladas, Chicken Maxamillian and I have tried just about everything on their menu. I was here opening day at this location. I used to LOVE and adore Macayos. Until about one year ago. They hired a new manager. It started with a lot of great waiters who knew me by name dropping off like flies. Still, there were a few left and I perservered through crappy service to get the food. NOW every SINGLE time I go the soda is flat, the cheese crisp is not cooked correctly, and the service is aweful. It has steadily been becoming worse and worse since Anne, the manager started. I'm not trying to attack her personally but clearly she is not doing it right. My chips are always cold and I have even walked out because it was so crappy. This is coming from someone who has gone to Macayos since BIRTH. For 23 years I have been 'frequent' and since age 18 I went literally every or every other week. I LOVED Macayos, it was my FAVOURITE in the world, and now I cant stand to go. It used to be a friendly, happy family atmosphere, with good food, awesome service and bubbly fizzy soda. No longer. Not since. I have tried and tried again to relive the glory days, but I think it has seen and passed them. I went to Macayos in Tucson and it reminded me of when this location was great. Sad times. I have literally spent THOUSANDS here. But now I wont spend a penny, unless I hear management has changed.
(1)Gary C.
Dirty place with horrible food. Two steps below frozen ... Went on a Saturday night and you just look around and you see the slop everywhere. The floors are dirty, the restrooms are dirty and the tables are dirty. The food is terrible. I called over our ditzy server and asked her to take my wife's meal off the bill. The margerita was served in a plastic cup that looked like something you would find at a roadside eatery in the 1970's ... Just very poor in every respect ... Try Manual's over by the 101 in Scottsdale for really nice Mexican food.
(1)Vegegirly K.
The ONLY Mexican chain I like. It seems like Macayos has been around forever. Sort of a Phoenix area landmark. The salsa is okay. A bit mild and tomatoey for my taste. The "hot" salsa is a joke. It is not even close to spicy. To me authentic salsa ALWAYS has a bite. Most of the food here is mediocre. What stands out to me and allows me to give it 4 stars are the tamales with the baja sauce. This baja sauce is amazing. Creamy and spicy, the perfect match for their slightly sweet corn tamale. The margaritas are pretty good too. I like my margaritas strong and was at first disappointed that I couldn't taste the tequila. Halfway through the drink it hit me like a freight train. It must not have been mixed properly. Macayos is a good place to take out of towners. They will get a kick out of the kitschy, slightly tacky decor. And the food is suitable for gringo tastes.
(4)Butterfly W.
If you've been here and didn't like it, go again and try anything with their BAJA SAUCE. It is one thing that is AMAZING. (Shredded Beef Burro with Baja sauce or Green Corn Tamales with Baja sauce are top pics.) Tried Baja sauce at other places in the valley, and nothing compares. The place has Bright Mexican decor. It's not fine dining, but it's not meant to be. Comfortable and casual. Salsa is ok - but ask for the hot and it's even better. Service may be spotty, but the $3 margaritas (when you bring in your Macayo's glass) are a deal... Oh and the stuffed animal grabber machine at the front door is a rip off - no grip - just eats your money so avoid it!
(4)Christina G.
When I moved to Scottsdale from SoCal, one of my BIGGEST fears was that I wouldn't be able to find the kind of Mexican food that I like (seriously). People are always super opinionated (myself included) about where to go for the best Mexican food and in the past I have been disappointed in most of the recommendations I have received. While I have yet to venture out and find a taqueria worthy of replacing Taqueria de Anda (Santa Ana, CA), I have found a good substitute for my beloved La Capilla (Huntington Beach, CA). When you walk in, you are greeted with kitschy "mexican" decor. Their hostesses are efficient and we've always been seated quickly. The food is great. One of my biggest pet peeves is when restaraunts lack consistency. When I go to Macayos I know exactly what I am going to get... every time. Everything that I have tried (so far) has been great. My favorites: Grande Chimichanga de Macayo with chicken or carnitas, tortilla soup and their green chili corn tamale... mmm They also make great drinks and have a great happy hour, all their apps are 1/2 price. My fave is their green chili corn tamale bites, served with a side of baja sauce. Have you tried the baja sauce people? It's (jalapeno cream cheese I think?) soo bad but soo good. I know a lot of people probably have mixed feelings about this place because it's a "chain" restaurant... but to me it just doesn't feel like it. It's nowhere near what I would consider "chain" Mexican food to be: El Torito... They aren't in the same category. All I have to say is don't knock it til' you try it. My only complaint would be the wait staff (the bartenders are great)... Don't get me wrong, the service has (almost) always been WAY better than average. However, most aren't too friendly and a few are just downright odd. But, I won't hold that against them or the restaurant.
(4)Melinda Q.
While visiting Arizona we were told we must try Macayo's. The margaritas (fruit flavored and blended) were a bit on the sweet side- to the extent that I was worried I might get a tooth ache. The prices here are very reasonable. I had the fajita quesadilla, delicious- I cant stop thinking about it. The service was friendly and somewhat efficient. This isn't a place you go for decor and ambiance- but they do have outside seating, always a plus in my book.
(5)Jenn E.
Yes I know Macayo's is a chain....but I like it...so sue me! They do a good job with the classics and it is fairly consistent. I go there for happy hour once a month with a group of people, and we always get great service. The salsa is addicting and the half price appetizers at happy hour are a great deal! The mini chimis, the spinach con queso and the cheese crisp are my favs. I usually just end up getting a cheese crisp with a side of beans...and it comes out to like $6! I also really like the Baja Shredded Beef Chimi....the meat is really tender and flavorful, and then it is covered in the creamy baja sauce...heaven! I like to go for lunch during the week too because they have great lunch specials....I am a fan of the Tostada Grande...which is basically a tostada the size of a dinner plate! So if I am in the mood for a classic standard...Macayo's fits the bill.
(4)Doug T.
Mini chicken chimmies with extra guacamole and sour cream plus a frozen canyon three tequila margarita with salt. Muy Bueno on the patio in the late afternoon on a relatively cool day without the misters to soak you. In the morning I felt I had to go back to oatmeal and berries (red, black and blue) to counter the dairy products and alcohol from the day before. Works for me...
(4)Gerry G.
Let me start by saying that the food was not the problem. The food was good, not great, but good enough to eat again. My problem was with the service. My family went there with a table of 12, which was reserved in advance so they knew we were coming. We were seated and did not even see our waitress for 15 minutes, then we ordered our drink and didn't get them for another 20 minutes or so. Our appetizers did not take too long to arrive, however the entrees are another story. 8 of the 12 people received their entrees after about 45 minutes (at this point we had been there for almost 2 hours) and 4 of my family members did not receive their entrees at all. After the 8 people who had received their entrees had finished their food, the other 4 entrees were still not at the table. Also, in the 2+ hours we were there, we saw the waitress 3 times. We had 8 people with empty drinks for the last 40 minutes we were there. There were 3 tables of 2 people around us that arrived way after us and left way before us. Next time I want Mexican food, it may just be faster to drive to Mexico and back. I would not recommend going here unless you have a small party because they obviously do not handle large parties very well.
(1)Logan W.
Best Mexican food! My favorite is the carnitas quesadilla w/ a side of baja sauce. The baja sauce is amazing! It is a cream cheese/jalapeno sauce. Your taste buds will thank you for trying this. I actually used to work here years ago but I still go here to eat all of the time! I am telling you all that I used to work here b/c when you work at a restaurant you see everything that goes on behind the scenes. While I worked here I never saw anything bad. Everyone washed their hands, everyone had great personal hygiene and everyone helped each other out. We were like a family; I loved working there. I gained about 10 pounds while I worked here because the food was just fantastic so I always ate there. No matter what your diet is they have something for you. From salads & calorie watchers, to vegetarian, to meat lovers, to I don't care how fattening it is I'll eat it! There are Macayo's all over the valley so go find one & enjoy their wonderful food. OH and they have amazing drinks too! Their margaritas are delicious.
(5)Jeff G.
Macayo's is ok , most dishes are well done, but very typical - nothing memorable. One of the few Mexican places that serve chips out of a bag, salsa is below avg. also. Wait staff is almost always amateurish. Also- why is there always a wait when a third of the tables are open?
(3)Karen S.
Hmmm... I should probably leave the review there, but there is just too much to say. 1. Is a margarita up an uncommon term? I use it all of the time at home and everyone seems to know what it means. Tonight the waitress looked at me as if I had 2 heads when I said it. 2. Do not serve me chips in a metal kitchen bowl. They were cold and oily and just not good. 3. I like cilantro just as much as the next person, but when the only thing I taste is cilantro... again, not good. 4. Mom ordered the baja chicken salad, which has to be the nastiest salad I have ever tasted. Too spicy and too much cilantro. The good news is, that I do not live in Scottsdale and NEVER have to eat here again. Next time, I will go to Del Taco.
(2)christy w.
Had a great server and warm chips and tasty fresh salsa. I had really good chicken enchilada with green chili sauce and Boyfriend had a good carnitas pork enchiladas. Good Mex-American place w/strong drinks. Try for quick lunch or weekday dinner.
(4)Sean M.
This place is one giant meh, especially so when put up against all the actual *good* Mexican places in the valley. This place is to Mexican food what Olive Garden is to Italian food.
(2)Vanessa S.
Poor service and very poor food. Chicken in the fajitas tasted expired. Would never eat here again.
(1)Charlie D.
If this place is average it's only because you've lived in Arizona your whole life and have been spoiled by great Mexican food. They have the best salsa HANDS DOWN! The bean burro enchilada style is awesome and so is the green burro. It's old school though and not a hipster place. If you want solid Mexican food at a good price this is your place.
(4)David L.
I was supposed to meet friends for margaritas at Macayo's about a year ago... but we couldn't find parking on a Friday night. Tonight, when my roomie said she was up for Mexican, I couldn't even remember what the place was called, just where it was located and that I had been meaning to try it for quite some time. The decor of Macayo's is bright and colorful. With all the porcelain looking animals, including a large number of birds and frogs it felt almost Caribbean. While it didn't feel upscale, this is far from a hole in the wall place. Macayo's is relatively large, which explains why I had a parking problem a year ago. This time around (about 8 p.m. on a Wednesday) parking was no problem. The restaurant wasn't completely dead, just relatively quiet. When dining at a Mexican restaurant for the first time, I stick to the basics. For starters, I wasn't impressed by the salsa and chips. The salsa, although seeming homemade, was fairly standard restaurant style... and heavy on the cilantro. It wasn't watery or chunky. It wasn't particularly spicy or bland. The chips weren't warm and sorta tasted like they came out of a bag. We also ordered the bean dip for an appetizer. While the bean dip was better than the salsa, it still wasn't very impressive. The "creamy" refried beans bordered on watery and most of the dip tasted bland until you hit a jalapeo or cilantro leaf. For the main course, I ordered the Sonoran Enchilada Sampler, which includes a beef enchilada with green chile sauce, a chicken enchilada with Baja sauce and a cheese enchilada in red sauce with black beans and rice. This was the highlight of the meal. The rice was excellent. The cheese enchilada had a little bit of zing to it which was a nice surprise after the salsa and bean dip. The chicken enchilada, in addition to the green chile sauce was covered in a spicy jack cheese that complimented the chicken. The beef enchilada... is sitting in my fridge, as the portions are rather large (standard for most Mexican resturants in the area). I found picking a star rating for Macayo's difficult. I usually reserve three stars for restaurants to which, while I would return, didn't have many other redeeming qualities. On the other hand, I usually reserve four stars for restaurants that, while they have great food, still have flaws. In other words, I'd give Macayo's a 3.5 stars if it were an option. There are definitely other things on the menu that caught my eye... and due to the location, I'll probably eventually end up back at Macayo's meeting people for margaritas.
(3)Zizi B.
I'm from Vegas, and growing up we used to visit MacAyo ALL of the time. It was amazingly good mexican food. On a trip to Scottsdale over the summer, my mom insisted we give it a whirl. I thought it was very basic, quick, chain mexican food. Not horrible, Not great. It was decent, especially considering it's pretty cheap. The manager said the one in Vegas is a lot different than the one in Scottsdale. Next time, I will definitely go somewhere else, somewhere more authentic.
(2)Candice S.
As far as Mexican chain restaurants go, Macayo's is alright. The chips and salsa are decent. The food is just okay, if you ask me. I wouldn't come here if it's real, authenic mexican food that you're looking for. And seeing that Mexican restaurants in Arizona are like Starbucks in San Francisco (every corner), I would hold out on the real stuff ;).
(2)Jacob W.
As a self professed "foodie" I have had and know what it takes to prepare authentic and delicious mexican food. Of all the genre's of cuisine, it is by far the easiest to execute well, so when I go out for mexican I expect a certain level of quality to the food. Needless to say I wasn't impressed by anything at Macayo's. The chips and salsa were mediocre at best, and the main courses sadly followed suit. I am oblivious as to how places like this have more than one location. If you are truly looking for a great experience check out Gallo Blanco over in phoenix. Definitely worth the extra drive.
(2)L K.
I really like this place. I am not from Mexico, so it may not be authentic at all. But hey, it works for me!! The margaritas are great. My husband got me one of those big senorita cups & now we can get those lip smacking margaritas for $3! Can't complain :) The chips & salsa are great too. Always helps when you are super hungry & want something for a quick fix before the dinner arrives.
(5)Jay C.
Have not gone to Macayo's in a long time so thought I would try it out on Valentines day. It was one of the only places I could make a reservation and get seated early in the night. The reasons I had stopped going here all the time still seem to be apparent. The server was nice but not very personable at all. Just going through the motions. Was never offered more chips and fresh salsa..or another beer. ordered a salad to share. Not even halfway through our salad the main courses showed up. Not very happy with that. The food is very bland tasting. I used to think Arribas was mediocre, this was a step down from that. The brava sauce and the salsa with the chips was very watery and bland. No flavor. I think something was wrong with the sour cream on the side we shared because we both had unsettled stomachs later in the night. Everyone working their seemed to be in a state of mind of rather being somewhere else. Over heard personal conversations, the hostess stand was a gossip station. I still tipped the waitress well because it is not necessarily her fault she was trained to just go through the motions. And when you ask someone if they would like their burrito enchilada style, pls mention there is a charge for that. Our waitress made it sound more like an offer. Sticking with Manuel's from now on
(2)Purvi R.
My last night in AZ I thought it'd be good to attempt to get good Mexican food again. While this was definitely a step up from the last place Los Sombreros or whatever, it was pretty standard (definitely better than many E. Coast options, though). We started off with some chips and salsa - what better way to whet an appetite while filling yourself up before you get your food so you realize you ordered too much after it's too late? (always the case w/Mexican!) The salsa was pretty tasty, so a plus there. Dad and I went ala carte; he got a cheese enchilada and I got a tamale with 'lite' white sauce. FYI 'lite' still means 'brick of fat melted on your tamale'. It was good, but I felt like I was eating...a brick of fat. We also got a large order of guac which was a mistake, we were way too full by the time everything came out! The margaritas were ok. I thought mine was pretty sour, and my dad got this kind with a lot of juice in it so it kind of tasted weird. They were also retardedly huge. Unnecessary to waste that much liquid!! We could only finish half. Our bill was fine although it was doubled by the cost of the drinks, booo. Would come back to a place like this if I needed a hangover fix, but otherwise....meh.
(3)Lenore B.
So I dont live in Phoenix but I have family out here so I visit when I can and when I do I ALWAYS make sure I stop at Macayo's it is soooooo DELICIOUS! I love their Baja sauce - its like a cream cheese jalapeno juice concotion of blissfull deliciousness and this time I got the "California" burro which being from CA I thought would have Carne Asada and Fries but did not instead it was fillled with beans and guacamole sour cream cheese and pico on the side with an opt in of Chicken for a dollar more and it was so very good I would reccomend it highly! Any time you are in the Phoenix area please make a stop to Macayo's it will certainly be worth it!!!
(5)OC L.
The Najaf sauce was excellent, We loved the enchiladas and the nachos. It was so gooood. Love the margarita mugs, too. Definitely will go back.
(5)David C.
This was one of my early favorites when I first started living here two years ago. I love their chips and hot sauce. Some of the best in Phoenix. Last two visits really missed the boat. This last time the service was so bad that I had to chase my waiter down just to get my order delivered correctly. Food is pretty good. Love the Baja Burro. But, two less than great service experiences--I won't be back.
(2)Allyson U.
I've been to Macayo's once before a couple years ago, and it used to be a lot better. I went on a saturday night at around 8 o'clock, and there was no one there, kind of odd. We all had margaritas, which were pretty good. The food was over-priced for what you got, since it was pretty mediocre. I ordered the same thing I did last time I came and I remember it being way better before, I think they changed the recipe, bad decision. Overall, I probably would not come back here again, unless they lowered their prices.
(3)Jennifer P.
3 minutes to 9pm on a Tuesday night, starving after a movie, what's open? Driving down Scottsdale Rd and needing to have something we have not had yet (needing more to review, of course), what the heck, we can check out Macayo's. Sadly, staving off a low blood sugar headache, we just did not have time to consult Yelp. We were seated right away with only 4 other parties in the restaurant and not a soul in the bar. Chips, watery salsa and water came right away. Is this really salsa? Seems more like tomato soup. The chips, very thin and cold. I like them thin, but warm would be nice. We scoured the menu and went with veggie fajitas and a green enchilada from the light menu. The food arrived. The veggie fajitas sizzling away. A good selection of broccoli, squash, peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and carrots. Fairly fresh seeming sauteed veggies. A separate plate with some guac, refried beans and sour cream. A new approach to the tortillas, 2 large ones. Not what we expected, but the fixins do not fall out that way. The enchilada was tiny. I found the little tortilla. One small corn tortilla with some chicken in it. Some good spiced black beans. And some sauteed veggies. Ok, more shrooms. Overall, just nothing to write home about. Just another mexican place. Our waiter was very nice and very attentive to my water (I went through 4 glasses). But, it just seemed like this chain is trying unsuccessfully to be like Chevy's. It did it's job to get us some food.
(3)Alexandra D.
I've been coming here since I was a kid. I always loved the decor, but more importantly, the salsa and refried beans. It's tried and true. When my husband and I don't feel like going on a dining adventure (we love trying new places) this is where we come -- with our Bob and Cha Cha margarita glasses in tow! Their chimi is awesome and big enough to share. I'm not loving their recent "modernization" and menu change. But we'll be back.
(4)Mya T.
They have have renovated the restaurant and updated the menu, and I don't know that is for the better. We were told we could get almost everything off the old menu, which is what I did (Baja chimi), hubs had the new grilled fish tacos and the kid had mac n cheese. To start, the salsa was VERY runny when compared to the old. Cutting my chimi was very difficult. For the restaurant that claims it invented the chimi, I find this disappointing. The flavor of the chicken was the same, but the tortilla tasted old and like they left it in the fryer too long. And the Baja sauce is $2 extra. No thanks, I'll get frozen chimi's and deal. It will be a LONG time before I ever want another one, though. Hubs liked his tacos but the portion size is too small. Barely any fish, tons of cabbage. And his side of beans was a child's portion. And the part that makes me upset. My kid always orders mac n cheese and I know it is Easy Mac. Well they made it pretty poorly. She wouldn't eat it. How do you screw up microwaved mac n cheese? I mean, really? The staff was nice, but that was my only good thing to say. Lunch on a Sunday and there was almost no one there. That speaks volumes. I should have listened to my gut. Now my gut is screaming at me from how unhappy it is. Lesson learned and I won't go back.
(1)Suhas M.
It was our first time to this place & we were seated immediately. We choose to sit at the bar.Since we are vegetarians we order veg. fajitas & veg. tacos. They were awesome & exceed our expectation. We will visit again. Good job!!
(5)Teri C.
We've been coming here for years. Pretty decent overall. Rubbery fish tacos tonight. Not so good. But my hubby had the rolled tacos and loved them! Their calabacitas are the best!
(4)Karen H.
First time to this location. Had a great server named Chelsea, she was friendly and patient with our group. Enjoyed the new menu and feel of the restaurant. Food is always good and consistent from location to location.
(4)Katie T.
I grew up going to this place and I've always loved it. I purchased the Bob and Cha Cha margarita glasses that allow me to get discounted margaritas every time I go. Their chips and salsa is the main reason I go--I think it's the best in the valley! They also just added these rolled tacos to their menu which I plan on getting every time now-they are so good! Additionally, I have never had trouble getting a parking spot.
(5)Art B.
As my daughter would say, "It's all about the Baja sauce!" To be honest, I've never been a huge fan of Macayo's, surprising since I've eaten there so many times through the years. My reasons for coming back? It's comfortable. It's convenient. It works well for multi-generational family gatherings. It's a great place for a birthday (free dessert and server serenade). Chips and salsa are prompt and plentiful. And it's not bad. Just ask for a side of Baja sauce with anything you order and you'll be fine. The Scottsdale location is very nice, nicer than most Macayo's. The structure was specifically built for Macayo's and it shows. There's a patio, bar area and inside seating. It use to be much cuter, with a colorful menagerie of animals placed up in the rafters, but it remains attractive. Still, our family still misses the animals. Speaking of families, the $4.69 kid's meals were a big hit in our most recent visit. Actually one meal, a mini combo platter, that a four and a five year old shared. They've also enjoyed constructing chicken tacos in the past. A meal that's also an activity! Once again, one kid's meal served two young children nicely. We also have a habit of ordering appetizers as entrees. On this particular night, two of the six in our party ordered the mini chimis as their meal. With Baja sauce on the side (of course) instead of sour cream. Both also opted for a mix of both chicken and beef chimis. The Baja (of course) pizza appetizer is also a good choice. One suggestion if you are a first timer: Ask for hot sauce when your chips are delivered. It won't be offered, but it is happily served. This sauce is a nice contrast to Macayo's normal mild salsa. The hot sauce is tasty and is sold in many local grocery stores, even Costco on occasion, so you know it has some merit.. With kids sharing meals and adults ordering appetizers, our dinner tab was very reasonable. It could easily balloon, of course, if you ordered more and added Margaritas... Given its Scottsdale location, the cost could be much worse. Perhaps not a destination in and of itself, but Macayo's is a good place to enjoy friends and family.
(4)Jeff S.
Wasn't very busy got seated by hostess. Really excited for the food. Waited 15 mins no one even acknowledged us no water, no chips and salsa not even a hello so we left.
(1)Trisha W.
What a wonderful evening we had at Macayo's... where do I begin. I get a little bit of a daze when I think about Macayo's mostly because I felt so warm and welcomed when I was there. Everyone working there is so friendly and cool. I love the creative interior and the restaurant itself feels like an modern adobe. We were celebrating pre wedding, and it was a full house.. friends family, the whole shebang was out. Everyone was hungry and happy. Macayo's had a beautiful and plentiful array of salsas, fresh tortilla chips, and guacamole for everyone to enjoy. Once the buffet was unleashed it was just utopia. Must try: THE TAMALES.... holy guacamole, I don't know if I want to know what's in this because it tastes so good it has to be bad for you. One of the best tamales I've ever had in my life. Who would've known. There are a few to choose from and all of them are winners. They had other basic Mexican food staples: beans, rice, asadas, poillo and those were all deliciously divine too, but I HIGHLY recommend the TAMALES. Tips: The parking lot can get a little tight, so Uber is a great alternative. Also using uber is smart to prevent poor choices when under the influence. Check out Fate Brewing near by and Ernie's. Both are within 1 mile from Macayo's.
(4)Brad W.
Another disaster on the start of my evening. I rarely ever have issues with service or bother to complain on Yelp, but this waiter with glasses and a touch of gray hair was ignorant. He muffed one of the orders even after we had told him multiple times what we wanted. The dish came out way wrong as predicted. He also didn't answer my standard white meat chicken question, instead choosing to tell us how even if the meat is mixed, it is usually good at other places. Uhh WTF? The chips were stale and my tamale I ordered was inedible. After a short chat with the waiter, he agree to send manager over, but manager was too lazy to visit table. On the good side, the manager did tell us to leave without paying for our drinks ($16), so we got the best deal out of a bizarre dining experience. Avoid that waiter.
(1)Tracy M.
For those of you that are not aware Macayo's has a new 'concept.' It stinks!! The menu is different, the chairs and tables are different, the signage and paint on the exterior is different however the carpet is the same the old tile is the same and the restrooms are the same. A very half assed attempt. When we asked to speak to a manager about the changes we were met with aggression and zero empathy. As a result, we paid for our cocktails, refused the food and left the restaurant. Even though my family and I have been going to Macayo's for as long as I can remember we will never return. My family tradition has been ruined!
(1)Darielle M.
We have eaten at this location with our family for at least the last 20 years. They have remodeled, cleaned up the dining area and completely overhauled the menu deleating many favorite items. The service was horrible, we waited nearly an hour for our food which arrived in a smaller portion and lacked any flavor of Macayo's. Very disappointing and hopefully the chain does not implement this new menu through all the restaraunts.
(1)Paula E.
Once my plane landed in sunny Arizona my friend knew without question where I wanted to go for drinks and food. The food is always great and I love that they bring out warm chips and salsa made two ways- mild and spicy. We ordered appetizers as well and it was all great. In the two times I visited I would say during this visit that the service was on the slow side, but a problem with my meal was addressed by management efficiently. I would not hesitate to go again and I hope this won't be my last visit.
(4)Menzer B.
The restaurant has been refurbished and it looks great !!!! They must have spent the entire budget on the re-make and left nothing to the service and the food !! The chips were lacking salt.... The queso average at best .... The service very slow (it took more than 60 min to make a burrito) .... And when it arrived it was very bland and really not better than a frozen meal from costco.....There s a Chipotle opening up next door .... They should outsource the kitchen to them and they would do much better !!! We will not come back for a while .....
(1)Preston C.
I like the charm of this particular Macayos It is dated but I'm pretty sure all the Macayos are... It's part of their own history and adds a lot to their uniqueness This restaurant is huge, inside and outside I was really surprised at how big it was haha On our dinner stop the restaurant was pretty empty which was great because we were starving and had already drove all the way up from Tempe The hostess seated us upon walking in and our server was very prompt as well She was nice and very knowledgable of the menu After looking at the menu I got the enchiladas and refried beans Well That was after I devoured the chips & salsa We put our order in And Our food came out in about 10 minutes Maybe even quicker And then I finished my food in maybe 5 minutes haha I was so hungry One of the managers brought our food out and she was very, very nice Overall it was a nice meal and nice ambience I kept looking at the bar and thinking "how drab" but I'm sure their happy hour prices make up for it :)
(4)Vijay R.
I came to Macayo for restaurant week, and I was very happy with one of their dishes that had chicken inside a grilled pepper. It had a fajita tasting type of feeling but the combination of the pepper gave it a nice kick. The dessert we got was a fried ice cream and it reminded me the taste of Cinnamon Toast crunch. It gave me childhood memories.
(4)Ellen H.
Good service, a bit weird tasting food. I'm from So Cal where most Mexican food tastes similar. This tastes very different and less than tasty.
(3)Prescott P.
New menu is improvement but still so-so food and service. With four people, two orders were not correct. While restaurant made the correct items which took 10-15 min, no comp offer of any kind during meal or with the bill. Food is bland with side sauces used for flavor, a shortcut. Too bad as the atmosphere is nice.
(2)Chris K.
This restaurant was one of the first I visited after moving to Scottsdale from Southern California. The food wasn't horrendous and the service wasn't atrocious, but there were definitely things that could have been better. The sauces were a little bland and so that in turn made the food not too memorable. It lacked that authenticity that I had grown to love at home and seemed more like a more expensive Del Taco experience. The service wasn't terrible but there were not that many people there and it seemed that neither was the staff. This, I never hold against the waiters themselves as I have no clue what has been going on throughout the day. So, all in all, it isn't a terrible place to go, but I will keep my eye out for a more authentic Mexican experience.
(3)Sydney S.
Our server, Lindsay was UNBELIEVABLY disrespectful and rude. She messed up our order and when we asked her to fix it, she rolled her eyes at us. She slammed our meals down on our table. I don't think we'll be returning.
(1)Julie S.
I used to love Macayo's, but the menu has been redesigned and it's a disaster. Favorites like the green chile burro are no longer available, and the food that is available is in tiny (although nicely-presented) portions that are greasy and not as flavorful as the previous dishes. I understand the desire to freshen things up, and the new decor looks okay, but the food is the reason I used to go and the reason I won't return. From the fact that the restaurant was nearly empty today all through what should have been the lunch rush, and their super-slow servers still had nothing to do, I'm not the only one who feels this way.
(2)Alberto T.
Just to tell you guys, that I went with my family a couple of weeks ago, and it took 65minutes to bring our orders on the table!! People that came after us, was already gone!! Nobody showed up, neither the waiter or the manger. I left the restaurant without having dinner that night. After my family was done with the food, my wife told me that she didn't have to pay for my own order, and she got a 20% discount on the dinner. I don't want the discount, I want my frigging food! Too bad that there's not the chance of giving zero star. If not I'd really! Alberto.
(1)John N.
I've always liked Macayos. My folks and I used to go to the one in Tucson. Good times and food as always!
(4)Charles S.
Mexican food is Mexican food. I bring my kids here and they like it. Large enough that the wait is usually short. not a bad place to grab a bite to eat.
(3)Twyla P.
We have been to Macayo's for many years. We go for the chips and salsa and their wonderful frozen margaritas. We were dismayed to see the completely remodeled restaurant which has left the place without a personality. The revised menu has removed many of our favorites. The chips served to us were stale. The margaritas were without the amount of alcohol that we have had in the past - we could hardly tell that there was any alcohol at all. They were not frozen but very watery. The order for the drinks came out wrong and so did my main dish... sloppy service at best. We ordered fried ice cream and were very surprised to see that the strawberries have been replaced by a strawberry flavored sauce. Cost cutting measures have cheapened the entire experience. We spent our 16th anniversary with this restaurant - it was not the Macayo's we have grown to love.
(2)Julie D.
My family and I have always loved Macayos. This location is always clean and friendly. Most of the time we are seated immediately or within 5 minutes. The food is always great too.
(5)Morgan T.
Excellent food for the price. The patio is a great spot for eating at an outdoor resturant. Happy hours with an appetizer an drinks are inexpensive. Overall a great experience
(5)Alyse H.
I have been to this location one time before and the experience was not memorable, so we decided to try it again. We walked into the bar and at least half the stools were empty, but there were still checks and dirty plates scattered all over. It took about 10 minutes for that to be cleaned up. When I received the chicken taco I ordered, the meat wasn't even lukewarm. I asked for a new taco and got beef instead because I was worried that the chicken was being held at the wrong temperature and I didn't want to chance getting sick. My hubby's dish was barely hot as well. The cheese enchilada was also lukewarm. The server delivering our plates told us to be careful because the plates were hot, but when we touched them, the plates weren't really hot at all. Eating at this Macayo's was a so-so experience at best.
(2)John D.
Growing up, this was a restaurant that our family avoided. Now we're older and our tastes have changed. Macayo hasn't. It's bland, boring Mexican food with watery, flavorless salsa that my now elderly parents can't get enough of and I go along for the ride. If you have snowbirds to entertain, this will surely do the trick. Nobody will get something too spicy. Otherwise, there are better choices in town. But if you enjoy the culinary time warp and your stomach can handle heavy, bland Mex, have a seat, as these recipes haven't changed since 1948.
(1)Sarah A.
Food mediocre, took three times to get our order right and they were out of sopapillas. No compensation for all the issues.
(3)Margeaux K.
We ordered take out tonight and got home. First bite into the Baja chicken burro there were 2 chicken bones. Although that is absolutely disgusting when I called them they offered to replace them and give me a credit in which they did. I did have to drive back and go pick them up which sucked. But great customer service, just a surprise with having chicken bones.
(3)Nicole S.
The food here is your average American-Mexican food. There are always Chips and salsa. If you're lucky enough to get a fresh batch they are wonderful. I love that they don't cake them with salt. The food is consistent and spicy. Their carne asada is my favorite. But the reason we continue to visit is a certain waiter named Kevin. He is exceptional. Upbeat, enthused and never ever let's a cup run dry. He makes you feel special and continues to provide excellent service. He deserves a raise.
(4)Judy H.
The food is okay, but Americanized. Even Señor Taco is much better and a whole lot cheaper. Kind of disappointed.
(3)Sandi S. L.
Mark, the Manager took my order over the phone... It was for 2 separate doctors offices. He made sure the order was complete and packed separately. Order & food was perfect & delish... And, I did not have to pay for extra chips and salsa, like some places make you do!
(5)Kate G.
I hadn't been to this restaurant for the past 12 years but it's where my parents would always take us when we were in town. So I have good memories of my mom and I bringing our Bob and Cha Cha refillable margarita glasses here back then. We decided to take the kids there tonight to share the memories... Sometimes memories need to stay just memories. I don't think there has been one single upgrade to this place since before we used to come here. My chair was broken, the table needed refinishing and let's just say I didn't feel comfortable setting my purse on that carpet. Long story short, the margarita mix was bottled, the food was bad and the server was, let's just say quirky. Even my 9 year old daughter said her kids menu cheeseburger wasn't good... Honestly the only reason I'm giving it 2 stars is because the chips were good and the salsa didn't suck.
(2)Mike H.
Meal was great...desert sucked!!! Whatever you do don't get the fried ice cream. It's not fried ice cream. They take a ball of ice cream and coat it in corn flakes. GROSS!!!! Not sure how they can call this fried ice cream when it's clearly not
(2)That Girl You Know ..
We ordered from this place through Delicious Deliveries and it was great! My husband and I loved the tacos and the black beans were delish :) Will definitely be going back soon.
(4)Sarah B.
Oh this is a tired place! The food is blah, the decor is straight from Party City, and the service is average.
(1)Jason B.
My wife and I went here for dinner last night. It was a Thursday night at about 7:30 and the place was pretty dead which was nice. Somehow I've never been to this location before and it is pretty run down and old but you still get the good ole Macayo's charm. There are signs all over the place saying they are going to remodel the place this month so that will be nice. The food was pretty good and exactly what you'd expect. Not the best, not the worst. You get some decent Mexican food at a decent price. The best part is that I scored a Local Dines gift certificate ( bit.ly/dfR4eQ ) and my meal was basically free. Our waiter was very good, fast, and friendly. He kept my diet cokes coming like clockwork which was awesome.
(4)Michelle H.
I was very excited to see Macayo's at ESPN Fan Fest in Scottsdale yesterday until I was charged over $28 for 2 drinks.Even in Scottsdale, that's the most I've ever had to pay for drinks. If this is what I have to look forward to at the restaurants, I'll go elsewhere.
(3)Jackie C.
I was in this place for lunch today and had the chicken fajitas. They were great. But what really impressed me was my server, Fernando. He was did an excellent job on all levels. Greeted me warmly and promptly, served me promptly, used my name and told me about the lunch card and brought it to the table. (Which I hadn't known about) after 5 lunches the 6th is free. I would definitely return!!
(4)Jodie L.
OMG I Love this place! It's been my cousin and my go to fav place for sooooo long! The food is soooo good! The chips and salsa are so freekin fresh! I CRAVE them! And the service has always been on point!
(5)Betsy B.
I have lived in Phoenix/ Scottsdale for 33 years. This used to be avoid restaurant but the last two visits have been disappointing. This week not only did the 2 of us wait over an hour to get our food, but the food is only marginal. Very basic, bland flavor on the chimichanga, but soggy, how can you ruin a quesadilla ? This one was over cooked and the cheese was hard. I guess this is my last visit. I know that Nando's is out in the East valley and a drive but their food is so superior. I noticed that this has become a snowbird hang out. I guess they do not know good Mexican food. The chips and salsa...pass on that, stale chips and no flavor salsa.
(2)Naomi G.
Meh. There's a lot of great Mexican restaurants in Arizona. This one falls into the Mexi-American category which isn't a bad thing unless you love authentic Mexican food. Even the guacamole here left something to be desired. Still, the servers are always friendly and it's a fun environment. I love the interior booths and the wall decorations.
(3)Louis C.
I had steak tacos and the only thing that had taste was the lime I squeezed on them. Veggies were decent and black beans dry. I never thought anybody could make dry beans, but I stand corrected. Margaritas are decent. Absolutely the worst salsa I ever tasted. Tasted like ketchup with spices. Chips were old.
(1)Richard T.
Go way backwith the Macayo experience to El Nino (sp?) on McDowell Street in Phoenix in the 1940s.... now live in Chicago...winter in Scottsdale...Macayos on Scottsdale Road is my local favorite for dinner about three times a week. Love the food, love the burrios enchilada style, love the shedded beef tacos and enchiladas. Great quick service. Take out is also convenient. Love this place. Counting the days until the next stay in Scottsdale and many many dinners at Macayos.
(5)Lizzy R.
Macayo's is OK. It's not the best Mexican food I've ever had but certainly not the worst. My sister and her boyfriend are really into this place so I come here from time to time and it's always just OK. You know how those places are? Like someone says "Hey, let's go to Macayo's!" and you're all "I don't hate it there and I'll go there if you have your heart set on it." It's literally one of those restaurants that if I never went again, I'd probably never even realize. The salsa with the free chips and salsa is pretty bland, I do like the fundido sauce or whatever that deliciousness is on their chicken burrito. The mini chimi's were decent and the meat on the nacho's is pretty good. The service is not that great. It's never been horrible but you get the sense that the server is counting down the hours until they get to go home. Which, I get it, being a server isn't the funnest of jobs but at the same time, it takes very minimal effort to give the impression that you care and are happy. Anyway, that's my two cents!
(3)Josh G.
Very authentic. Large and decorative interior. My favorite was the porch where we decided to sit. The food was phenomenal, almost as though I were eating an actual fish taco made in Mexico. Fresh homemade salsa and chips beforehand were a nice way to welcome us and allow us to stay awhile. However, giving us all our own salsa dish made me not find it desirable to order an appetizer. I certainly don't mind though as they get plenty of service and guests. They seem to know where to get their money. The only improvement I can see is the decorations. While the environment is comfortable, the authentic food didn't seem to match the décor.
(4)Jerry N.
chicken pablano and baja sauce are the bomb. I've been to Macayo's well over 100 times and NEVER had a bad meal. Fairly priced, good food and good service.
(5)Nicole G.
My boyfriend and I visited Macayo's for dinner and we both where impressed by our waiter. (I wish I remembered his name) He was on top of everything despite it being a very busy friday night rush. He brought us waters right away and was very attentive throughout our meal. The food was delicious, I had the chimichanga and my boyfriend had a shrimp burrito. The shrimp burrito is not on the menu but our waiter said he would make it happen. We where very satisfied with our experience and will for sure be back!
(5)Bill F.
As being a fan of Macayo's for 43 years this is the worst experience I had. Ordered a Carne Asada Burro and there was very little steak. In fact, not much of anything in the center. Very disappointed in the quality of this product. Will not go back to this store again.
(1)Terry B.
With so many mexican cuisine choices...don't ask me why we chose to eat at Macayos. The food was bland and the service was so so. No reason to rush here for dinner or lunch.
(1)Leigh A.
Wanted some mexican that wasn't taco bell. The hotel recommend this place. The restaurant smelled like the inside of a tomato sauce can. I was turned off almost immediately. I decided to sit on the patio and try it out anyway. I ordered the Chipotle BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad with a light cilantro lime dressing. It was okay. The chips and salsa were okay too, nothing to brag about. The salsa tasted like it came from a can. I'm happy I ordered a salad. The redeeming factors were the Arizona Sunset Margarita and the good service. I think once restaurants turn into chains, they seem to lose their original character.
(3)Marlo R.
Love this place bring my Macayo's mug for cheaper drinks Spinach con queso dip and Chimis YUM The manager is great it's so nice to be remembered & recognized when you are a regular customer
(5)Hugh C.
I've been coming here for years. Unfortunately it has been progressively going downhill. Last night was probably the final time I will go there. It was a bit slow and I came in with a party of 6 around 845pm. The staff was very detached, we had to beg for everything from water to cocktails. It was so bad that I went hunting for help and wound up in the bar to ask for the manager. Both the bartender and hostess (who were watching tv) told me the manager would come to our table.... He never showed up. So sad to see a place go downhill because of a loose staff and management. It's also been feeling dirty in there too. Didn't seem like they care anymore. Food was still good though, but with all the other issues I don't trust that they are handling it well.
(2)John B.
Well, they got my order wrong, but were very good about making amends and serving me a piping hot new (correct) plate. It was delicious. And the margarita's were excellent as well.
(4)Linda v.
First visit - last visit. I spent the last 40 years in NM and find the AZ version of Mexican food to be very bland. The salsa is very watery, the food is dry, the chips were blah. But what will keep us from going back is the $6.25 charge for a tiny glass of what they called 'sangria'. It was white wine with ice and diced fruit in a small wine glass. Could not have contained more than 2 ounces of wine. We were never offered a drink menu so we were ordering blind. My husband and I were astonished. I mentioned the problem to the hostess as we were leaving and she said.....nothing. Not one word. We had a better meal last week at Rubios at about 1/2 the cost - including a great glass of sangria.
(2)Robert G.
I should have gone to the Central Ave location.
(2)Vivacious M.
The good: Great service, nice decor in the seating area, very colorful n peppy place, okay food. The average: I won't call anything bad here but certainly average. I found the food not too flavorful and more saucy than I have had at other mexican places. They serve nice hot chips and salsa complimentary but again the salsa was bit less spicy for my liking. The fajita had big thick slices of veggies like squash n zuchinni - too thick to wrap in tortillas, not grilled well n not seasoned enough. All in all, good place to catch a few drinks and appetizers but not so much for a tasty hearty meal.
(2)Lindsey D.
I'm deeming this an oldie but goodie. If you've been a frequenter of Phoenix for over 15+ years, you've most likely paid at least one of Macayo's locations a visit. The food is run of the mill yet decent Mexican food. The portions are hearty and the food is cheap. The margaritas are above average and if you invest of one of their margarita glasses, you can get margarita refills moving forward for just $3. Not a bad deal as long as you remember the glass! Macayo's is a solid choice if you're hungry and want to get in and out in a relatively decent amount of time, if you have children who are a little loud and yet you want to take them out to dinner, or if you just feel like a good margarita after a long day at work. That's it!
(4)Arthur Z.
Fajitas enough for two to share, and really good
(4)Diego S.
Sometimes, the best way to feel good about your life is to see how bad off others have it. This is why I propose you take a trip to Mexico this weekend. More specifically, Rocky Point. Just a short four-hour drive from Phoenix, it's there you'll become acquainted with what a real shit-hole existence looks like...up close! Unfortunately, that's not the only perspective you'll gain from your travels. You'll also have the added pleasure of experiencing what real Mexican food tastes like, realizing how the watered-down, Americanized version of what you've been eating all these years is anything but Mexican. And that brings us to Macayo's. You'll like Macayo's. Do you know why? Because it's safe. Not too mild, not too spicy. Perfect for your white-bread, milk-toast, American tastes. See, Macayo's has been around for over 60 years. Unheard of in the restaurant business. And they didn't do it by frying your taste buds, or making you shit like a sick goose the next day. They did it with consistent menu items, like their red and green chile, or their chicken poblano...perhaps their most flavorful items. And their spectacular margaritas, chips, salsa, and chile con queso are also honorable mention. In short, while it may lack authenticity, it's certain to tantalize your taste buds, just enough to make you come back for more...next week, the week after, and the week after that. Added note: Economic times being what they are, a trip to Mexico may be out of the question for some. Even if you do have the money, there's always the prospect you'll never come back alive, dying in a hail of some drug overlord's wayward bullets. For this reason, I recommend South Phoenix as an alternative to Mexico, where I'm sure you'll find a place that'll give you Montezuma's revenge, burn your mouth and bum, get your car stolen, and leave you in the street sobbing like Mo'niique did in "Precious" after her mom beat her with a shoe.
(3)Dennis S.
We were here for AZ Bike Week. We stopped by about 9 PM and there was still a good crowd here. We had an excellent server who made good menu suggestions. The Margaritas and the Fahitas were excellent. I am surprised this place does not get higher marks. It was our first time there, but I would certainly return when back in the area.
(4)L. W.
Good chimis. Good beer. Good service. Jerry was attentive, and funny. Good lunch! Thanks macayos!
(4)Kristen B.
Macayo's has been a family favorite for years! There staff is always prompt, friendly, and courteous. There food is nothing extroadinary, but is always consistent (you always know what you are going to get each and every time!). They are constantly bringing back chips and salsa, where as other mexican restuarants seem to slack off a bit in this area. Their margarita mugs are a good deal, you can bring em back each time for a $3.99 refill and then upon departure they will rinse out and bag up for you. Overall I reccomend this place. Side note: I attended a rehersal dinner here and they were great!
(4)Andrea H.
I managed to fish the first bug out of my margarita, but when I saw the second one floating there, enjoying my much anticipated beverage, it had to go back. Don't get me wrong, I appreciated the fact that they added a free protein boost to my drink, but I like to enjoy my margaritas on my own, thank you very much. There's something that's just not right about this place. The service is very friendly, but my menu was wet and smelled like someone had tossed their cookies right on it. My friend's nachos just tasted...funky and the vegetables that came with my bean and cheese burro were so dry, they were cracked. Combine that with the fact that everything tasted oddly like cardboard and I was feeling like I was on an episode of Kitchen Nightmares. I'd say that maybe this place is great when you're hammered, but yeah, I really wouldn't want to be there then either.
(2)Marty F.
We come here on an average once a week and always leave feeling wonderful. The food is great. I think one of my favorite things here is that along with the salsa they also bring out hot sauce for the chips. Sometimes they forget, but you can ask for it. It's the tastiest stuff. Cant get enough. My girlfriend and I usually do the baja chicken burro but have also recently got the mini chicken chimis. holy deliciousness batman!
(5)T B.
Stopped at Scottsdale location for a chicken California burrito, tasty. Location is OK but once again another location needing to update its dining rooms.
(3)Anne K.
Good food and service. Have a menu for gluten-free options which was great,
(4)Fred S.
It seems the description that fits Macayo's is "average". I have been here on several occasions, but only for lunch and Happy Hour, and have only eaten in the bar. It always seems like it is a spur of the moment decision, when I am hungry or thirsty and passing by. The interior is dark, although they do have a nice patio looking over the parking lot. The staff is friendly and efficient, and if you have a specific request, they have always provided it. That said, the food is average, not great, but not bad. The prices are reasonable and the portions are large. The chips are above average, and the salsa (the hot one) is delicious. That seems to be why we eat in the bar - they are very free with the chips and salsa. This is not a destination restaurant for me - but if I am thirsty or am hungry for their chips and salsa, I will stop by for a few drinks.
(3)Jenny H.
Great food and drinks! I highly recommend the desert pear and elderflower margarita. :)
(4)paul R.
Salsa is key at a Mex restaurant - we got a soupy tomato mixture with some pieces of canned tomatoes in it. We ordered skinny margaritas, which are typically less sweet than regular ones. We got overly sweet margaritas and they were not at all generous with the tequila. The finale was my stacked enchiladas, which consisted of three tortillas SWIMMING in a gooey mixture. They were horrible and I sent them back. They did bring another order with sauce on the side but we'll never return.
(1)Sam W.
One word, Nasty. I came here with a large group on October 4th. The service was pretty poor (he did not clear dirty plates and kept on bumping me when handing over plates, drinks, etc). He also left our table halfway through taking orders to get drink refills for other table. The worst part was the food, bland, odd textures and just overall yucky. My friend and I both had food poisening and others felt really sick. Yuck, yuck, yuck!
(1)Jonny G.
Was excited when I moved here from Vegas to find a Macayos. Easily the best smooth salsa around. I will say while they get four stars for the salsa I prefer the food of the restaurants overall in Vegas. Menus are slightly different here in AZ.
(4)Adrienne A.
I've eaten at this Macayo's three times, and each time I leave unimpressed. The service is ok, the food is ok. That's about it. The plates I've ordered were drowning in cheese - now I love cheese, but I almost need a spoon to eat these meals. I know some people have raved about Macayo's, but I'm not thrilled with it.
(2)Michael C.
This is not my favorite Macayo's location in town, but it is a solid choice for a quick lunch in the area. Easy to get in, great lunch deals, good service, and a dark relaxing atmosphere. The chips and salsa are particularly good too.
(3)Niki S.
We hadn't been to Macayo's for awhile and I remember them being better than last night. Both of our foods, bean burro and chimi, were completely tasteless. Probably the worst burro or burrito I've ever had. Although, our server was great and the tortilla soup was good. We usually have Mexican food 2-3 times a month and with how many mexican restaurants there are, we have many to choose from and Macayo's will not be one we return to.
(1)Sue T.
I have been eating at Macayos for years, and I have always been pretty satisfied with the overall quality of the food. The indgredients are fresh, and the food has an appealing presentation. The chips and salsa are some of the best out of various Mexican restaurants that we frequent. The real issue with this location is that the staff is really inconsistent. Occasionally, we will get a competent, friendly server, but for the most part, the service leaves much to be desired. The servers tend to give the impression that they are annoyed to be serving you. Other than that, the restaurant is fine - we continue to return even with the spotty service.
(3)marty b.
Another great meal today! The food is always good & you can count on that ever time! Great quality, consistent & great service. They know how to do it right!
(5)TC S.
Happy Hour margs are perfect and all appetizers are half-price!
(5)Jake D.
Good food, even better Margaritas. Invest in Senor Bob. Margaritas go down smoother when they are just over $3
(4)Lali j.
I find they're gringo, faux -Mexican food, heartburn inducing and unimaginative. Why would anyone eat there when they're are far better and more authentic choices for Mexican food in the Phoenix area? Try Los Sombreros as an outstanding alternative to a huge disapointment.
(1)C. S.
I am so dissapointed in this Macayo's! I want to love it because they have a great street taco special on Thursdays (and it is within walking distance from my house) but service in their bar area does NOT exist! We went there twice and waited for at least 10 minutes before even being greeted by a server. Staff looked at us and most tables around us had food and drinks but for some reason both times we had lousy service. One of my friends with us made two trips to the bar to get drinks before our waiter brought our first one we ordered! I won't return.
(2)Bil Z.
Having spent quite a bit of time eating in Mexico, the menu at Macayo's is definitely Americanized... but that does not make it bad. The food is pretty good, and the margaritas are to die for... fun casual atmosphere... people do bring families, so it can get distracting with crying children in the next booth..
(4)Jane T.
This is the best Mexican food ever. Really cheap too. Just go and get the Mini-Chimis, they are an appetizer, but all you need. Margaritas are excellent as well.
(5)