Great Mexican food can be found on pretty much every corner of town, but great Mexican food with great atmosphere can be a little harder to find. I mean, taco shops and cantinas aren’t always known for their ambiance, but at Ladera Mexican Food & Cantina you will find excellent food in beautiful setting – the patio is to die for…and the interior is lovely too.
And the food at Ladera speaks for itself, authentic Mexican made with quality ingredients. I loved the Trio de Salsas, a spicy showcase of Salsa Roja, a traditional red salsa with mild heat; Salsa Verde, a vibrant green salsa made with tangy tomatillo; and Chile de Arbol, smoky with a spicy kick!
Ladera’s guacamole is a MUST! Creamy, yet chunky and dressed up with charred onion, juicy orange segments, pepitas, and cotija cheese. The sweet tangy oranges cut through the natural richness of the avocado while the pepitas added great texture and the cheese finished it off with a salty bite. Excellent!
Don’t miss out on Ladera’s tacos! I truly believe tacos are the perfect food – a good taco offers it all, protein, veggies, texture and taste and they are so versatile! The tacos here do not disappoint. I suggest ordering a platter for the table to share.
Excellent food should always be accompanied by really good cocktails. I love margaritas but I love Palomas even more. The Pinche Paloma is fabulously refreshing and I found myself ordering a second and coveting a third. It was smooth with just the right amount of sweet and tart from the grapefruit.
The Mezcalada is a fun take on a Pina Colada but the smoky addition of mezcal. The mezcal was a great compliment to the sweet pineapple and coconut and the drink was perfectly balanced. Delightful.
Ladera offers brunch on the weekend and daily happy hour too. If you have never been I suggest you round up the family or a group of friends and drop in. The atmosphere is inviting, the food is top notch, the cocktails satisfy and everything is served with warmth and a smile.
Ladera Mexican Food and Cantina is a true gem in the heart of our desert city.
They are located at 8729 N Central Ave. Phoenix 85020
Disclaimer: I enjoyed a meal at Ladera free of charge to help facilitate this post. As usual, all opinions are entirely my own.
