Best Cheap Margaritas 2024 | Mi Patio | La Vida | Phoenix
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Best Cheap Margaritas

Mi Patio

Meagan Simmons

Time seems to have left Mi Patio alone. And when it comes to the fun, kitschy decor and margarita prices, that's just fine by us. Located on the corner of Seventh Avenue and Thomas Road, this old-school Mexican restaurant hasn't changed a whole lot since it opened in 1984. Wooden parrots hang from the ceiling, there seem to be Christmas decorations up all year long, and the booths and counter stools are always filled with regulars. The margaritas, as the banner hung outside proudly advertises, are $4.19. These cheap sips pair perfectly with a giant pile of nachos or a cheesy enchilada plate with rice, beans and all the fixings.

Best Mexican Grocery Store

Los Altos Ranch Market

Timur Guseynov

A Los Altos Ranch Market is like a little world unto itself. Within its walls, you can get your Mexican and American grocery staples, then wander over to the other side of the building for baked goods, fresh salsa and tortillas or a burrito lunch. Need a piñata for a birthday party, or a molcajete to make your own guacamole? Los Altos Ranch Market has those, too. The seven Valley locations feel like town squares more than traditional grocery stores, and we like it that way. We get the affordable prices and great selection of a supermarket, with all the color and character of an open-air market. What's not to love?

Best Marketplace

Mercado De Los Cielos (inside Desert Sky Mall)

Lauren Cusimano

Mercado De Los Cielos is so cool. The marketplace within a mall is a place of constant discovery, where narrow walkways reveal a maze of storefronts. Here's a just a few things you can do there: Shop for sparkly boots. Buy a bird. Eat a burrito. Get your nails done. Pick up hi-vis vests and other items necessary for construction jobs. Get a new battery put in your watch. Look at Virgin of Guadalupe wall art. Get a confirmation dress for your little cousin. Recharge with a cold raspado. There are actually more than 200 shops and eateries in the mercado, so there's truly something for everyone there. If you've never been, make it a point to go — it's a can't-miss shopping experience.

Best Bilingual Bookstore

Palabras Bilingual Bookstore

Rosaura "Chawa" Magaña started Palabras in 2015 with the goal of creating a space for BIPOC voices across intersections. Nine years later, Palabras is a beloved shop and community hub with a clientele eager to show support. And the voices being highlighted are not only those on paper. Palabras invites the bilingual community to events like their BIPOC open mic every second Saturday of the month. The space is vibrant — with local art adorning the walls, card games and piñatas warming up the atmosphere. Enjoy treats at the cafe portion of the store while you browse the vast selections of both English and Spanish books.

Best Spanish-Language Radio Station

La Onda (KNUV 1190 AM)

Spanish-language talk radio station La Onda translates to "The Wave" and has covered the Maricopa County area for over 18 years across news, sports and entertainment. The station focuses on local independent talent, and often brings on guests to discuss topics that affect the Hispanic community, featuring sections on finance, insurance law, prominent women and more. Set the dial to 1190 AM, or listen online to get connected to Phoenix's Latino community.

Best Place to Buy a Quinceañera Dress

Quinceañera Divaine Boutique

A momentous occasion like a quinceañera requires the perfect dress, a head-turning gown a young woman will remember wearing for years to come. Quinceañera Divaine Boutique in central Phoenix works with families to ensure that every girl looks and feels her best on her special day. Inside the elegant and spacious showroom, sales associates are patient and helpful during the selection process. But it's not just teens who benefit from the store's many options and friendly service. Quinceañera Divaine Boutique also sells prom dresses, wedding dresses, mother of the bride dresses and gowns for all occasions, ensuring that satisfied customers return to the store again and again for their formalwear needs.

Best Mexican Imports Store

Mexican Arts Imports

Maybe some people can walk into Mexican Arts Imports, buy something quickly and walk out, but not us. Any visit to the store means a minimum of 30 minutes wandering the aisle of the store, checking out the merch. Mexican Arts Imports, a family-owned business for three generations and more than 50 years, sells a staggering array of colorful items, from kitchenware and clothing to wall art and holiday items. We go there for housewarming gifts, exquisite leather handbags, party decorations and brightly colored pots for the patio. The prices at Mexican Arts Imports aren't cheap, but they're fair, and we've never been dissatisfied with a purchase. New items come in all the time, so we recommend frequent visits to keep up with what the store has to offer.

Best Dia de Los Muertos Goods

Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center

Decorating for Día de Los Muertos? We recommend heading down to the Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center and checking out the gift shop. The selection is small but excellent, and the merch is made by local artisans or comes straight from Mexico. We love to browse the representations of La Catrina and the handpainted skulls. There are also plenty of holiday-themed paintings. But the best part of taking home something from ALAC's gift shop is that we're helping support the nonprofit organization's mission to celebrate and promote the Latino presence in Arizona through arts, education and advocacy. We never need a reason to visit, but that's a pretty good one.

Best Place to See Latino Art

Xico Inc.

Amid the hustle and bustle of the First Friday artwalk, we always make it a point to stop in at Xico Inc. Founded in 1975, Xico promotes Latino and Indigenous culture through art and community engagement. The space holds a number of exhibitions each year, but it's more than a gallery; Xico Inc. hosts classes on techniques such as printmaking and 3-D printing for artists of all skill levels. Besides the art for sale on the walls and on the website, Xico Inc. also has a small on-site market. We love to shop for handmade jewelry and tiny paintings made by local artisans.

Best Place to See Lucha Libre

Por Promotions

Unfamiliar with lucha libre in the Valley? Allow us to unmask the mystery. This Mexican-born wrestling style, renowned for its colorfully masked competitors and high-flying matches, has been an iconic and integral part of Latino culture since the 1930s. In Arizona, lucha libre has entertained generations of fans and continues to thrive. Some of the best lucha action in Phoenix is found at events put on by Por Promotions. Launched in 2011, the company is one of Arizona's longest-running lucha promoters, showcasing the sport's traditions, including larger-than-life luchadores, fast-paced action and breathtaking aerial maneuvers. What makes Por Promotions the reigning champion of the local lucha circuit is its inclusive atmosphere and appreciation for its fanbase, as well as its occasional big-name bookings. Fans of all ages flock to monthly events at west-side pool hall Bull Shooters to cheer the technicos (heroes), boo the rudos (villains) and enjoy the action-packed fun. And the luchadores, who have occasionally included such legendary guests as Negro Casas and Psicosis, reciprocate by interacting with fans, signing autographs and posing for photos between matches. Por Promotions even works with rival local wrestling companies, such as an event in October when it will go head to head with Lucha Libre Voz. Better choose a side, fans.

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