How Local Eateries Anchor Maryvale’s Food Scene
Like any community, Maryvale has experienced several life cycles. Maryvale is a 37 square-mile area of southwest Phoenix that sprouted out of agricultural fields decades ago due to the vision of John F. Long, an up-and-coming developer, at the time. Maryvale has since become the most populated of the city’s 13 villages.
Over the years, it has transformed from a primarily young, white community and those who worked at the nearby military base to one that is increasingly diverse with a dominant Hispanic influence. From a food perspective, Maryvale used to be surrounded by farmland but has now transformed into a bustling community with family owned restaurants and local businesses tailored for the residents who call Maryvale home.
From Farms to Front Yards
Before John F. Long dreamed of developing one of the country’s first master-planned communities, complete with parks and schools and community spaces, Maryvale’s acreage was home to agricultural fields spread across 70 farms, stretching from Grand Avenue to 99th Avenue and Camelback to McDowell Road.
The west side of Phoenix was once known for corn, cotton, and cows and only became known for housing in the 1950s when Long purchased the land and began implementing his vision for affordable housing —just as the market was ripe with eager buyers and friendly loan terms.
Priced well below the national average for housing, homes in Maryvale, named after Long’s wife, sold for just $7,600 each and often included swimming pools. Long sold about 125 homes per week, building Maryvale out by offering homeownership opportunities primarily to military personnel and their young families.
In the mid 1970s and 80s, the demographics of the area dramatically shifted—ushering in an ethnically diverse population that remains to this day.
Displaced Barrio Puts Down Roots
The Maryvale of today embraces the Hispanic culture of a second generation of residents who found refuge in this community. The biggest influx of its new residents came as Phoenix expanded Sky Harbor Airport, razing several thousand homes and displacing what was known as the Golden Gate Barrio in the process. Just as original homeowners were leaving Maryvale for other suburbs, Golden Gate Barrio residents of Hispanic and Latino descent replanted their roots in Maryvale.
Some Maryvale Local Food Hot Spots
These new roots grew into a vibrant local food scene. At major intersections, you might find a carniceria, a busy taco stand, Chinese take out, a noodle shop, and a variety of family-owned restaurants that dish up regional family recipes and showcase the diverse palates of its residents. Here are some Maryvale spots that are local favorites:
Tacos Mi Ranchito offers traditional Mexican dishes that taste like a home-made meal.
Unos Tacos Y Birria is the place to go for birria tacos, mulitas, caramelos, vampiros, AND birria ramen!
LINS Grand Buffet is an all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet complete with a sushi bar and Mongolian BBQ.
Pho 43 is an unassuming Vietnamese restaurant that has been dishing up some of the best Phở and bánh xéo (a Vietnamese savory crepe) since 1992. This lunchtime spot gets packed quickly so be prepared to wait in line!
Nuevo Burrito is a hidden gem that offers simple and fresh Mexican food fare with a steady flow of regulars.
La Poblanita and the Mexican Corral is known for its modern interpretation of classic Mexican dishes - be sure to check out their mole, poblano, and cemita offerings.
Garcia’s las Avenidas harkens back to the original Garcia’s that started off as a taco stand and expanded across Phoenix. This location is still family-owned and serves up the original recipes that made the Garcia’s name what it is today.
Ta’Carbon is the place to go for street tacos—the best carne asada and salsa bar in town.
El Pueblo Mexican Restaurant offers Mexican entrees with fiery salsas complete with a dash of karaoke and mariachi on certain days.
La Botana Phoenix Looking for Mexican seafood on the west side? Here’s the place to go.
Garrafa Leoncitos serves a great variety of flavors of homemade Mexican ice cream.
El Sabroso Hot Dogs is a local favorite that has been cooking up Sonoran hot dogs since 1997
Great Wall Cuisine is a Phoenix classic! This Cantonese restaurant offers Dim Sum until 3:00 PM daily and authentic Chinese food all day.