If you love authentic Mexican food, particularly tacos, look no further than Backyard Taco for some truly “Mexcellent” dishes! We live and breathe tacos, so it is no surprise that our love for food is focused on the taco – but we think you’ll find it evident as soon as you bite into any of our menu options. Still, with so many great meals to choose from, many of our amigos come to us looking for some recommendations.
Never fear – a few of our staff members have hand-picked their favorite menu items that we think you should try on your next visit to Backyard Taco. Alternatively, if you feel like trying out one of our staff’s recommended meals but don’t have time to stop by and eat with us, you can always order online.
Featured Menu Items Loved by the Backyard Taco Staff
Because our staff’s lives revolve around tacos (at least while they are at work), it should come as no surprise that they know the menu inside and out. Along with their love for making (and eating) tacos, they have a unique perspective as the people who dish up authentic Mexican food every day.
Working with the food and trying new items gives our staff the opportunity to discover hidden gems that may not otherwise be known to the public. It also gives them a chance to try creative ways to enjoy items on the menu, such as infusing two popular dishes or adding specialty toppings. Check out our favorites.
Birria Tacos
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One featured menu item that is well-loved by the Backyard Taco staff is the birria tacos. These tacos have it all and create a serious flavor explosion that’s a bit sweet and spicy, a lot savory and juicy, and, of course, super tasty. Our birria beef is slowly cooked to perfection, which makes it so tender that it almost melts in your mouth. We serve the consommé our meat is cooked in on the side for those who enjoy some extra flavoring, and it is perfect for dipping your tacos!
Birria has been around for a century or more in Mexico, and there’s a reason it continues to gain traction among taco enthusiasts (including our staff). This dish is rich in flavor and steeped in Mexican tradition and culture. Backyard Taco’s founders, Ruben and Marisela Alvarez, have been serving birria tacos as part of their menu since opening their doors in 2005, and these tacos are among their many specialties. Try some crispy birria tacos dipped in consommé today!
Carne Asada Papa Loca
This menu item is another staff favorite and was chosen by more than one of our employees. Carne asada baked potatoes are already a popular mashup of Mexican and American classics, but our Papas Locas (Crazy Potatoes) take this unique dish to a whole new level. They’re enormous, they’re packed with savory flavors and textures with plenty of room for add-ons and toppings… they truly are the best of both worlds.
Carne asada is a traditional Mexican dish consisting of perfectly marinated grilled meat, usually skirt steak or flank steak. The Spanish words carne asada translate to “meat that is grilled or roasted.” Technically, carne asada refers to how the meat is cooked rather than a specific dish, though at Backyard Taco, it’s marinated, grilled steak.
Carne asada can be served by itself, although it is traditionally served alongside rice and beans. It’s frequently used as the tender, flavorful meat inside tacos or burritos, too.
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In this staff favorite at Backyard Taco, it is placed on top of a perfectly seasoned baked potato (already slathered with butter and crema) and garnished with the toppings of your choice. We recommend refried beans, chopped cabbage, and any of our salsas
Our staff members love this meal mostly because of the perfect marriage of cultural icons, which elevates tasty baked potatoes and mouth watering carne asada to truly indulgent. Marinated meat is seasoned with traditional spices, which means it comes loaded with intense flavors. Our staff also loves carne asada Papas Locas because they are versatile – you can eat them as a main dish or as the perfect side to share with friends and family. Visit us at Backyard Taco to share a carne asada Papa Loca with your friends and loved ones (or keep it for yourself – we won’t tell!)
Carne Asada Quesadilla
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Another staff favorite that’s super versatile is the quesadilla. We offer several different quesadilla options here at Backyard Taco, and they can all be customized depending on your taste.
One of our staff’s favorite picks is the carne asada quesadilla. Unsurprisingly, carne asada is a wonderful addition to many of our dishes. This is why we offer it as an option for so many of our menu items. The carne asada quesadilla features delicious marinated steak paired with cheese and melted to perfection between two tortillas.
The steak (carne asada) quesadilla is yet another staff member’s go-to choice every time she is ready to take her lunch break. Almost every time she gets this meal, she adds a generous helping of guacamole salsa and a little tatemada, a traditional salsa made by charring the ingredients before combining them into this uniquely smoky sauce. She finishes her creation off with just a bit of pico de gallo.
After trying this meal, you may discover that this hidden gem could be your go-to menu item, too, whenever you visit us. Don’t take our word for it – try some carne asada in your next quesadilla!
Pollo Asado Tacos
These tacos are perfect for poultry lovers, as pollo means “chicken” in English. As you may suspect, the main ingredient is tasty, tender, marinated chicken, and then you can add the toppings of your choice. You can also use our salsa bar to make your tacos mild or as spicy as you like. One of our customers said they love noshing on our pollo asado burrito or tacos with extremely spicy salsa.
Our staff members love the pollo asado tacos because of the delicious smoky flavor. The chicken is marinated in plenty of traditional herbs and spices before being grilled, pulled, and placed on corn tortillas. As mentioned, the people-pleasing chicken base makes this quite a versatile taco, and there are many toppings to choose from – we suggest a tangy version with onions, cilantro, and lime juice.
You can also select salsa, guacamole, chopped cabbage, cheese, and more. Then, as with all of our dishes, you will have your pick of salsas, including pico de gallo, guacamole, mild tatemada, medium jalapeno, and hot birria.
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Pollo asado tacos are not only tasty but Instagram-worthy. That’s why so many of our staff love posting about pollo asado tacos, burritos, quesadillas, Bueno Bowls, and more for lunch. Bring your chicken-loving friends to Backyard Taco, and make your next meal Instagram-famous!
Horchata
Horchata is made by soaking nuts, grains, or seeds in water for about twelve hours. After the nuts, grains, or seeds have been soaked thoroughly, they are drained, and sugar and other spices are added. Here at Backyard Taco, you’ll find a traditional horchata made with rice, cinnamon, and other spices.
Horchata is a simply fantastic addition to any meal on our menu. It’s one of the staff’s favorite beverage choices year-round, as it is perfectly sweet and refreshing, but not overly summery. In fact, horchata has become one of our most popular drinks among our staff. Both employees and diners alike have noted how its creamy texture is light enough to be thirst-quenching while also complementing the textures and flavors of Mexican cuisine.
Our staff says that this sweet and flavorful drink is a wonderful combination with any meal. Or if you want to indulge yourself on a hot day with a sweet treat, horchata is also great on its own.
3 Taco Plate
One of our general managers, Andrea, loves our 3 Taco Plate because of the combination of flavors available for customization. This dish starts off out of the gate with some flavor choices – you’ll need to choose from either steak or carne asada, shredded beef or birria, pollo or pork, or the al pastor taco. Then, add toppings of your choice to complete the dish.
In this Instagram reel, Andrea shows us how she prefers to top off her tacos:
Here, she’s picked a birria taco, a chicken taco, and an al pastor taco before placing a hearty amount of guacamole over all three tacos. She then adds tatemada to each, and to add some spice, she places a little bit of jalapeno salsa. Finally, she squeezes lime juice over the entire plate for the finishing touch, saying, “You need limes on your tacos!”
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We can’t argue with that! The 3 Taco Plate is a great option for anyone looking to try a new dish with many favorite Backyard Taco flavors.
How to Find More Favorites
All the El Menu items selected as staff picks are must-tries for those who haven’t yet explored our menu. To stay on top of new staff picks or popular items that have our guests coming back for more, check out Backyard Taco on all our social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube. We love sharing with you and keeping you up to date on all the latest happenings at Backyard Taco!
For more recommendations, follow us on Instagram, where we encourage our customers to share their favorite menu items with us and our other followers. You may find a great new way to enjoy your favorite Backyard Taco go-to meal. Additionally, when you follow us on social media, you’ll have access to all of the fun that goes on behind the scenes at several of our restaurant locations.
Finally, be sure to check out our blog to learn more about Mexican culture and food, as well as plenty of background info about Ruben and Marisela. We love sharing how two people turned a backyard mesquite grill into one of the most popular neighborhood taco spots in the Valley area.
Our Picks Recap
On your next visit to see us, try some of our staff’s featured favorites listed here. Remember, the birria tacos offer juicy and tender meat along with a flavorful consommé perfect for dipping, while the carne asada fries and carne asada quesadillas give you two different ways to enjoy this indulgent meat. Whichever you choose, top it generously with custom choices like guacamole and tatemada.
The pollo asada tacos are perfect for anyone who loves chicken, as they contain smoky-flavored meat with your choice of a variety of toppings. For a sampling of several different kinds of tacos with delicious salsa toppings that we offer, try the 3 Taco Plate. If you’re feeling a little crazy, try the Papa Loca for a simple yet flavorful meal.
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Visit Us at Backyard Taco
If you are looking for authentic homestyle Mexican food, look no further than Backyard Taco. You can taste our love for tacos – and other authentic dishes from Mazatlan – in every bite. When you come to see us, be sure to ask staff for their personal recommendations – you may find an unexpected treasure! Visit us at Backyard Taco today or order online to discover your new favorites.
Psst! Did someone say, “Free Tacos?’ Learn all about our rewards program and how to earn free tacos at Backyard Taco. Start earning points with your next order!
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.
