At Backyard Taco, the salsa bar is not just where you grab a little something on the side. It is where your taco becomes your taco.
Sure, the mesquite-grilled meats, fresh tortillas, grilled onions, and made-to-order meals are already doing the heavy lifting. But the salsa bar? That is where the magic gets personal. A little pico here. A squeeze of lime there. Maybe some guacamole salsa if you like it cool and creamy, or something with more heat if you are feeling brave today.
The best part is that there is no wrong way to build your perfect bite. Some people keep it classic. Some people stack every topping like they are building a tiny edible masterpiece. Around here, we respect both.
So, whether you are ordering carne asada tacos, birria, a Bueno Bowl, a burrito, a Papa Loca, or enough food for the whole familia, here is how to build the perfect salsa combo at Backyard Taco.
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First, Know Your Backyard Taco Salsa Bar Lineup
Before you start building the perfect salsa combo, you need to know what you’re working with.
The Backyard Taco salsa bar is loaded with fresh salsas, toppings, and extras that can completely change the flavor of your meal in the best way.
Some bring the heat. Some cool things down. Some add crunch, tang, smoke, or that perfect squeeze of lime that makes you say, “Okay, yes, this is the bite.”
Here’s a quick guide to what you’ll find at the salsa bar and how to use each one like a taco pro.
Pico De Gallo
Pico de gallo is one of the most classic salsa bar staples, and for good reason. It is fresh, colorful, bright, and easy to love. It adds a crisp, refreshing flavor to tacos, burritos, bowls, and pretty much anything coming off the mesquite grill.
At Backyard Taco, our pico de gallo is made a little differently than what you might find at other Mexican restaurants. We still use freshly chopped tomatoes, jalapeños, cilantro, and spices, but we do not add onion to our pico.
Why? Because chopped onion is already included on many of our menu items, and we do not want to overwhelm your perfect bite with too much onion.
Pico is a great choice if you want flavor without too much heat. It is also a good starting point for anyone building their salsa combo for the first time.
- Best with: carne asada tacos, pollo asado tacos, burritos, Bueno Bowls, quesadillas, and tostadas.
- Try this combo: pico de gallo + guacamole salsa + fresh lime.
Tatenada Salsa
If you love smoky flavor, tatemada salsa needs to be part of your order. Tatemada means “charred” in Spanish, and that is exactly what gives this salsa its bold, roasted flavor.
At Backyard Taco, you may even see tomatoes grilling on our mesquite grill behind the counter. Those charred tomatoes are blended with roasted serranos and fresh garlic to create one of the most flavorful salsas at our salsa bar.
Tatemada salsa brings a medium-style heat, depending on your spice tolerance, but the real star is the smoky depth. It pairs perfectly with our mesquite-grilled meats because it builds on that grilled, fire-kissed flavor Backyard Taco is known for.
- Best with: carne asada tacos, pollo asado, gorditas, vampiros, quesadillas, burritos, and bowls.
- Try this combo: tatemada salsa + grilled onions + fresh lime.
Birria Salsa
Birria salsa is for the people who like it hot. Like, really hot.
This rich red salsa is the hottest salsa offered at the Backyard Taco salsa bar. It is not the same thing as our slow-roasted birria meat or consommé, but it was made to complement those deep, savory birria flavors.
Our birria salsa combines roasted árbol and jalapeño chiles with garlic to create a bold, fiery salsa with serious flavor.
This is not usually the salsa you scoop up by the chipful unless you know exactly what you are getting into. For most people, a little goes a long way.
Use it as a finishing touch on your tacos, mix a small amount into your bowl, or add it to birria when you want to turn up the heat.
Best with: birria tacos, quesabirria, carne asada tacos, burritos, and Bueno Bowls.
- Try this combo: birria salsa + fresh lime + pickled red onions.
- Pro tip: If the heat sneaks up on you, a cold horchata, Mexican soda, shake, or ice cream cone might be your new best friend.
Jalapeno Salsa
Our jalapeño salsa brings heat, but it also brings flavor. This green salsa is made with both serrano and jalapeño chiles, boiled with spices and a few secret ingredients before being blended and strained.
And yes, there is a little tomato flavor in there too. We cannot give away all the secrets, familia.
This salsa is a favorite for anyone who likes a spicy kick without going all the way to birria salsa level.
It is especially good with menu items that are cheesy, hearty, or loaded because the heat helps cut through the richness.
- Best with: Papa Locas, quesadillas, burritos, tacos, bowls, and anything that needs a little extra “wake up.”
- Try this combo: jalapeño salsa + guacamole salsa + pickled red onions.
Our Famous Guacamole Salsa
Our guacamole salsa is not the spiciest item at the salsa bar, but it might be one of the most loved. It is cool, creamy, fresh, and easy to add to almost anything.
At Backyard Taco, we keep our guacamole salsa simple and delicious. It is made with lots of avocados, a few spices, and a mixture of ice and water before being blended together and kept chilled for guests at the salsa bar.
Guacamole salsa is also the perfect balance for the hotter salsas. If you went a little too bold with birria salsa or jalapeño salsa, guacamole salsa can help cool things down while still adding flavor.
- Best with: carne asada tacos, pollo asado tacos, birria, bean and cheese burritos, Papa Locas, quesadillas, Bueno Bowls, and honestly, almost everything.
- Try this combo: guacamole salsa + pico de gallo + fresh lime.
Y Más: Limes, Cucumbers, Radishes, and Pickled Red Onions
The salsa bar is not just about salsa. The extras matter too.
Fresh-cut limes are a must because a squeeze of lime can wake up the whole meal. It adds brightness, balances richness, and makes grilled meats taste even better. Basically, lime is small but mighty.
Cucumbers and radishes bring crunch, freshness, and a cool bite between tacos. They are especially nice when you are enjoying spicier salsas or want something crisp on the side.
Pickled red onions add tang, color, and crunch. They are great with richer items like birria, quesadillas, tostadas, Papa Locas, and bowls because they help balance heavier flavors.
- Best with: tacos, bowls, birria, quesadillas, tostadas, Papa Locas, and any spicy salsa combo.
- Try this combo: lime + pickled red onions + cucumbers or radishes on the side.
Dining In, Driving Through, or Taking It To-Go? Don’t Forget the Salsa
The salsa bar is part of the Backyard Taco experience, but your salsa strategy may look a little different depending on how you order.
If you are dining in, stop by the salsa bar before you dig in. Grab your favorites, try something new, and do not forget the extras like lime, cucumbers, radishes, and pickled red onions.
If you are ordering through the drive-thru or picking up food to-go, be sure to ask for the salsas and toppings you want with your order. Want pico with your carne asada tacos? Need guacamole salsa for your burrito? Feeling brave enough for birria salsa? Just ask.
And if you are ordering for the whole familia, do yourself a favor and get a variety. A little mild, a little smoky, a little spicy, and something cool and creamy gives everyone a way to build their perfect bite.
Not sure what to ask for? Start with pico de gallo, guacamole salsa, and lime. Then add tatemada or jalapeño salsa if you want more heat. For the bold ones, birria salsa is there waiting for you.
Don’t Miss the Chips and Salsa
One more important salsa note: if you order chips and salsa at Backyard Taco, you get a special salsa made just for that order.
This is different from the self-serve salsa bar options, which makes it a must-try if you are the kind of person who believes chips and salsa are not a side item, they are a lifestyle.
Our chips and salsa are made with fresh ingredients and bold Backyard Taco flavor, giving you a perfect snack, starter, or add-on for the table.
It is also a great choice when you are ordering for a group, picking up food to-go, or adding something extra to your catering spread.
So yes, build your salsa bar combo. Load up your tacos. Ask for your favorites at the drive-thru. But if you want the special chips and salsa experience, make sure to order the chips and salsa too.
Read More: The Best Chips and Salsa in Arizona
Build Your Perfect Salsa Combo
Now that you know the lineup, it is time to build your perfect Backyard Taco salsa combo. There is no one right way to do this, but if you need a little inspiration, start here.
The Classic
Carne asada taco + pico de gallo + guacamole salsa + lime.
This is fresh, balanced, and hard to mess up. If you are new to the salsa bar, start here.
The Smoky One
Carne asada or pollo asado + tatemada salsa + grilled onions + lime.
This combo brings out the mesquite-grilled flavor and adds just enough smoky heat.
The Heat Seeker
Birria taco + birria salsa + jalapeño salsa + lime.
This one is for the brave. Add guacamole salsa if you need a little backup.
The Fresh One
Pollo asado + pico de gallo + cucumbers + pickled red onions + lime.
Fresh, crisp, and bright. Perfect when you want flavor without going too heavy on the heat.
The Loaded Papa
Papa Loca + jalapeño salsa + guacamole salsa + pickled red onions.
Creamy, spicy, tangy, and loaded. Exactly how a Papa Loca should be.
The No Shame Extra Salsa Combo
Any taco + every salsa you can responsibly fit in those little cups.
We are not judging. We respect the commitment.
Show Us Your Salsa Combo
Everyone has their own salsa bar strategy. Some people keep it classic. Some go straight for the heat. Some build a combo so specific it deserves its own menu name.
Next time you visit Backyard Taco, build your perfect salsa combo, snap a photo, and tag us on social media. We want to see what you’re working with!
Because at Backyard Taco, the salsa bar is not just a side stop. It is part of the whole Mexcellence experience.
*Editor’s Note: This article was originally published July 8, 2025 and has been updated June 4, 2026.
Dr. Tyler loves tacos! He is one of the owners of Backyard Taco, and can sometimes be found moonlighting there at night or on the weekends.
Dr. Tyler Robison is an alum of Mesa’s Mountain View High School. He graduted from Brigham Young University before being accepted to the “Top Ten-nationally ranked” University of Louisville in Kentucky, where he earned his Doctorate in Dental Medicine and a Master’s Degree in Oral Biology. He graduated with honors in the top ten percent of his class. Dr. Robison continued at the University of the Pacific in San Francisco, where he received a second master’s degree in dental science and his orthodontic certification.
Dr. Tyler enjoys serving in his community. He is a provider for the Smile Back Foundation, which offers scholarships for free dental treatment to underprivileged East Valley students. He is also a Major in the U.S. Army Reserve and served during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2008.
Dr. Tyler Robison’s favorite pastimes include spending time with his family on the lake, at the beach, or on the slopes. He is an avid and crazy snowboarder! He has three incredible sons and one sweet daughter: Caden, Jace, Crew, and Bliss.
