Backyard Taco drive-thru order with tacos, salsa, drinks, and fresh toppings

Backyard Taco Drive-Thru Tips: How to Get the Best To-Go Experience

This entry was posted in From La Cocina and tagged on by .

What You’ll Learn

  • Which Backyard Taco locations have a drive-thru
  • Why your food is always made fresh to order
  • What to ask for before you drive away
  • How to customize your meal at home
  • When ordering online for pickup makes sense
  • When to dine in for the full Backyard Taco experience

Whether you’re grabbing lunch between meetings, picking up dinner for the family, or satisfying a taco craving on the go, Backyard Taco makes it easy to enjoy fresh Mexican food without slowing down your day.

Six of our seven Arizona locations offer convenient drive-thru service, but just because you’re taking your meal home doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the full Backyard Taco experience.

Looking for something fresher than the usual drive-thru meal? Backyard Taco gives you the convenience of a drive-thru with authentic Mexican food made fresh to order over a mesquite grill.

Here are a few simple tips to help you make the most of your next drive-thru visit.

Six of Our Seven Locations Have a Drive-Thru

Backyard Taco started with one small location on University, and that original Mesa restaurant is still an important part of our story. Because of the building and space, it does not have a drive-thru.

But as Backyard Taco grew, convenience became part of the plan.

Our newer locations were designed to make it easier for guests to grab fresh Mexican food on the go. Today, six of our seven Arizona locations offer drive-thru service, so you can pick up tacos, burritos, bowls, Familia Paks, drinks, and more without turning lunch or dinner into a whole production.

We’ve even written before about how drive-thru restaurants changed the way people order food, but for us, the goal is simple: give guests the convenience of a drive-thru without giving up fresh, made-to-order Mexican food.

That means you can swing by after work, grab food after practice, pick up dinner for the familia, or get something fresh when you just do not feel like cooking.

Not sure which location is closest to you? Find your nearest Backyard Taco and check the available options before you go.

Fresh Doesn’t Stop at the Drive-Thru

Mesquite-grilled meat for fresh Backyard Taco drive-thru orders

Drive-thru food does not have to mean boring food.

At Backyard Taco, your meal is made fresh when you order it. Nothing is frozen in our cocina, and our mesquite grill is a big part of what makes our food taste different.

That means when you order tacos al carbon, carne asada, pollo, al pastor, burritos, bowls, vampiros, or your favorite Backyard Taco meal, you’re getting the same fresh, flavorful food we serve inside the restaurant.

The drive-thru just makes it more convenient.

Our meats are cooked over mesquite for that smoky, fresh-off-the-grill flavor. Our toppings bring the freshness. Our salsas bring the heat, brightness, and personality. Put it all together, and you get a drive-thru meal that feels like an actual meal.

No sad burger. No mystery nuggets. No “I guess this is dinner” energy.

Just fresh Mexican food, made to order, ready to go.

Before You Drive Away, Don’t Forget the Extras

Backyard Taco salsa, lime, cucumbers, radishes, grilled onions, and jalapeños

This is where a good drive-thru order becomes a great one.

If you love the full Backyard Taco experience, do not forget to ask for the extras that make every bite better.

Before you drive away, ask for:

  • Your favorite salsas
  • Fresh lime wedges
  • Cucumbers
  • Radishes
  • Grilled onions
  • Jalapeños

These small add-ons help bring the Backyard Taco salsa bar experience home with you. A squeeze of lime, a few cucumbers on the side, the right salsa, and some grilled onions can make your takeout meal feel much more complete.

If you know what salsa you love, ask for it. If you’re not sure, try a couple and see what works best with your order.

Red salsa with carne asada? Always a good idea.

Green salsa with pollo? Yes, amigo.

A little lime on tacos al carbon? Now we’re talking.

How to Customize Your Backyard Taco Order at Home

One of the best things about Backyard Taco is that every guest can build their meal their way.

That does not stop when you go through the drive-thru.

Once you get home, set everything out and customize your plate with the extras you asked for. Add salsa to your tacos, squeeze lime over your burrito, use cucumbers and radishes as a fresh side, or add grilled onions and jalapeños for more flavor.

If you’re feeding the family, this is especially helpful. Everyone can make their own plate the way they like it.

Some people want extra salsa. Some want lime on everything. Some want no heat at all. Someone will probably claim they only want “one taco” and then go back for more. We’ve seen this before.

Drive-thru does not have to mean one-size-fits-all. Ask for the extras, bring them home, and let everyone build their perfect bite.

Ordering Online? You’ve Got Options

If you already know what you want, ordering online can make your pickup even easier.

You can place your order ahead of time, choose your location, and pick up your food when it’s ready. Depending on the location and what’s easiest for you, you may be able to use the drive-thru for pickup or walk inside to grab your order.

Ordering online is especially helpful when:

  • You’re feeding more than one person
  • You’re ordering for the family
  • You want to avoid deciding at the speaker
  • You’re picking up food on the way home from work
  • You want dinner ready before everyone gets too hungry
  • You’re ordering Familia Paks or a larger meal

Basically, if your order has more than one moving part, ordering ahead can save time and keep the line moving.

That’s a win for you, the team, and everyone behind you who is also thinking about tacos.

Want the Full Backyard Taco Experience?

We love the drive-thru, but if you have a little extra time, dining in is still the best way to get the full Backyard Taco experience.

When you dine in, you can enjoy:

  • The fresh salsa bar
  • Homemade aguas frescas
  • Hand-spun shakes
  • Soft serve ice cream
  • Paletas
  • The full restaurant atmosphere
  • Patio seating at select locations

The salsa bar is a big part of the experience because you can customize every bite right there. Add your favorite salsa, grab lime, cucumbers, radishes, grilled onions, and jalapeños, and make your plate exactly how you like it.

And if you’re craving something cold, our homemade aguas frescas, hand-spun shakes, soft serve, and paletas are perfect add-ons. Please note that hand-spun shakes, ice cream floats, and soft serve are available at all locations except University.

Whether you dine in or drive through, your meal is made fresh when you order.

So if you’re in a hurry, use the drive-thru. If you have time to stay, come inside, hit the salsa bar, and enjoy the full Mexcellence.

Best Drive-Thru Orders for Different Kinds of Days

Not sure what to grab? Here are a few easy ways to think about your order.

Quick Lunch

If you need something fast between meetings, errands, or school pickup, keep it simple with tacos, a burrito, or a Bueno Bowl.

Add your favorite salsa and a drink, and you’re good to go.

Family Dinner

Familia Paks

If you’re picking up dinner for the family, consider Familia Paks, burritos, bowls, rice, beans, chips, salsa, and drinks.

Familia Paks are especially helpful because everyone can build their tacos their way once you get home.

After-Practice or Weeknight Dinner

Busy weeknight? We get it.

Grab something filling, ask for the extras, and skip the dishes. Tacos, burritos, and rice and beans make dinner easy without making it feel like fast food.

Taco Craving

Sometimes you just want tacos. No explanation needed.

Order tacos al carbon, ask for lime and salsa, and enjoy.

FAQs About Backyard Taco Drive-Thru

Does Backyard Taco have a drive-thru?

Yes. Six of Backyard Taco’s seven Arizona locations have a drive-thru. The original Mesa University location does not have a drive-thru because of the building and space.

Which Backyard Taco location does not have a drive-thru?
The original Mesa location on University does not have a drive-thru. All newer locations were built with convenience in mind, and six locations currently offer drive-thru service.
Is Backyard Taco food made fresh in the drive-thru?
Yes. Backyard Taco food is made fresh when you order it, whether you dine in, order online, or use the drive-thru.
What should I ask for at the Backyard Taco drive-thru?
Before you drive away, ask for your favorite salsas, lime wedges, cucumbers, radishes, grilled onions, and jalapeños. These extras help recreate the salsa bar experience at home.
Can I order Backyard Taco online and pick it up?
Yes. You can order Backyard Taco online and pick up your food at your selected location. Depending on the location and pickup process, you may be able to use the drive-thru or walk inside for pickup.
What is a good Backyard Taco drive-thru order for a family?
Familia Paks are a great choice for families because everyone can build their own tacos at home. You can also add rice, beans, chips, salsa, drinks, and other favorites.
Can I still get aguas frescas or shakes through the drive-thru?
Yes, drinks are available through the drive-thru. Backyard Taco offers homemade aguas frescas, fountain drinks, Mexican sodas, bottled water, and hand-spun shakes. Shakes are available at all locations except University.

Stop by the Backyard Taco Drive-Thru

Backyard Taco drive-thru pickup with fresh Mexican food made to order

Fresh Mexican food does not have to slow down your day.

Whether you’re picking up lunch, feeding the family, or grabbing dinner on the way home, the Backyard Taco drive-thru makes it easy to enjoy tacos al carbon, burritos, bowls, Familia Paks, drinks, and salsa your way.

Find your nearest location, order online, or drive through for fresh food made when you order.

Skip the ordinary drive-thru. Bring home Mexcellence.