Discover Handmade Tacos and Art at Taco Chelo in Downtown Phoenix!
Located at 501 E. Roosevelt Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004, Taco Chelo is a Mexican taqueria in the Roosevelt Row Arts District. Its menu is built around tacos, fresh masa, Mexican-inspired dishes, and beverages served in an informal setting surrounded by the neighborhood’s distinctive creative energy.
Founded in 2018, Taco Chelo brings together the work of chef Suny Santana, artist Gennaro Garcia, and restaurateur Aaron Chamberlin. Visitors can stop by for tacos and drinks, or include the restaurant in an afternoon exploring Downtown Phoenix’s art galleries, murals, and independent businesses.
What Makes Taco Chelo Special:
- Hand-Pressed Tortillas: Taco Chelo emphasizes masa prepared from heirloom corn using on-site nixtamalization, a traditional corn-preparation process.
- Mexican Culinary Heritage: Chef Suny Santana grew up in Monterrey, Mexico, cooking with his mother, Consuelo, whose nickname “Chelo” inspired the restaurant’s name.
- Artistic Identity: Co-founder Gennaro Garcia contributes the restaurant’s colorful visual identity, reflecting its place in Roosevelt Row.
- Focused Taco Menu: Guests can choose from beef, pork, chicken, seafood, and vegetable fillings, along with appetizers and side dishes.
- Drinks and Specials: Margaritas, mezcal cocktails, beer, aguas frescas, and published Happy Hour specials complement the food.
- Roosevelt Row Location: Its address on Roosevelt Street makes it a natural stop when exploring the Downtown arts district.
The Story Behind Taco Chelo:
Taco Chelo is the collaboration of Chef Suny Santana, artist Gennaro Garcia, and restaurateur Aaron Chamberlin. Santana’s cooking is influenced by the Mexican staples and techniques he learned while growing up alongside his mother in Monterrey. The restaurant is named for Consuelo, affectionately called “Chelo.”
Garcia brings a background in the visual arts, while Chamberlin contributes decades of restaurant experience. Their partnership gives Taco Chelo its blend of traditional Mexican cooking and contemporary Phoenix character. Read more about the founders on Taco Chelo’s official website.
Menu Highlights:
The official January 2026 Phoenix menu features tacos, botanas, salads, tortas, burritos, sides, desserts, and drinks. The restaurant’s handmade-tortilla program is central to the menu, though some dishes specifically use flour tortillas.
- Carne Asada Taco: Beef with avocado salsa, onion, and cilantro.
- Fish Taco: Beer-battered fish, cabbage, morita crema, pico de gallo, and pickled onion.
- Costra: Carne asada, caramelized cheese, and caramelized onion on a flour tortilla.
- Taco Gobernador: Smoked marlin, shrimp, cheese, cabbage, avocado, pickled onion, and salsa negra.
- Vegetable Taco: Roasted sweet potato, romesco sauce, feta cheese, toasted pepitas, and green onion.
- Al Pastor: Pork with onion, cilantro, and pineapple, listed as a Wednesday-only special on the published menu.
- Botanas: Choices include chicharrones, shrimp ceviche, chips with salsa and guacamole, and the Flamingo, a crispy rolled flour-tortilla dish filled with cheese and Anaheim pepper.
- Desserts: Coconut tres leches and Mexican chocolate pot de crème appear on the published menu.
Menus and seasonal dishes can change. Check the current published Phoenix menu before choosing your meal, or see online ordering options.
Margaritas, Mezcal and Aguas Frescas:
The drinks menu includes house and frozen margaritas, mezcal-based cocktails, beer, micheladas, and non-alcoholic aguas frescas. Published examples include the Prickly Pear Margarita, Mezcal Paloma, Oaxaca Mule, horchata, jamaica, and piña.
The January 2026 Phoenix menu lists Happy Hour daily from 4 PM to 6 PM and Taco Tuesday specials. Check with the restaurant to confirm current offers and eligibility before visiting.
Why Visit Taco Chelo?
- Traditional Corn Preparation: The restaurant’s heirloom-corn and masa program adds a distinctive element to the taco experience.
- Food and Art: Its blend of culinary and visual arts connects naturally to Roosevelt Row.
- Menu Variety: Tacos, salads, sides, desserts, and drinks suit different meal plans.
- Casual Dining: Taco Chelo is an option for an informal lunch, dinner, or drinks with friends.
- Neighborhood Exploration: Pair a meal with galleries, public murals, nearby events, or a Downtown concert. See the Phoenix Area Guide and Sports & Concert Venues Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Taco Chelo
1. Where is Taco Chelo in Phoenix?
The Downtown Phoenix restaurant is at 501 E. Roosevelt Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004, in the Roosevelt Row Arts District. Taco Chelo also has a Tempe location, so check that you select Phoenix when ordering. Get directions on Google Maps.
2. What is Taco Chelo best known for?
Taco Chelo is known for Mexican tacos, handmade tortillas, its heirloom-corn program, and a colorful atmosphere that reflects Roosevelt Row’s arts community. The concept combines cooking traditions with artwork and a casual taqueria experience.
3. Does Taco Chelo make its tortillas in-house?
Yes. Taco Chelo says its heirloom-corn program involves on-site nixtamalization and hand-pressed tortillas made from seasonal corn varieties. Some menu dishes use flour tortillas, so confirm your preferred tortilla when ordering.
4. Which tacos should I look for on the menu?
The published Phoenix menu lists carne asada, fish, costra, Taco Gobernador, vegetable, chicken, and other tacos. Al pastor is listed as a Wednesday-only option. View the official menu for current selections.
5. Are vegetarian or vegan options available?
Yes, vegetarian selections include the roasted sweet potato vegetable taco, salads, and selected sides. The vegetable taco contains feta cheese, so it is not vegan as listed. Guests seeking a vegan meal should ask staff about ingredients and substitutions.
6. Does Taco Chelo have gluten-free options?
The published menu labels several items as gluten-free, including selected tacos and sides. However, some tacos use flour tortillas, and preparation may involve shared equipment. People with celiac disease or allergies should confirm ingredients and cross-contact procedures directly with staff.
7. Does Taco Chelo offer Happy Hour?
The January 2026 Phoenix menu lists Happy Hour from 4 PM to 6 PM daily with selected beverage specials. Taco Tuesday promotions are also advertised. Confirm the latest schedule and specials before visiting.
8. Does Taco Chelo have outdoor seating?
The Downtown Phoenix location has been described with patio seating, but availability can vary by weather or restaurant operations. Contact Taco Chelo to confirm current outdoor seating arrangements before visiting.
9. Can I order Taco Chelo online?
Yes. Taco Chelo’s Phoenix location offers online ordering through Toast. Select the Downtown Phoenix restaurant when placing an order. Open the official Phoenix ordering page.
10. Does Taco Chelo accept reservations?
A current reservation policy for the Downtown Phoenix location could not be confirmed on the official website. For groups or busy event nights, call (602) 368-5316 to ask whether advance seating arrangements are possible.
11. What hours is Taco Chelo open?
The official Phoenix listing publishes Sunday–Thursday, 11 AM–10 PM and Friday–Saturday, 11 AM–midnight. Holiday and special-event hours may differ; check the official website before visiting.
12. Where can I park or explore nearby?
Taco Chelo is in Roosevelt Row near murals, galleries, and Downtown businesses. Parking availability and prices can vary during major events. Check the location on Google Maps and allow extra time on busy evenings.
Plan Your Visit to Taco Chelo
Address: 501 E. Roosevelt Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004.
Phone: (602) 368-5316.
Published Hours: Sunday–Thursday, 11 AM–10 PM; Friday–Saturday, 11 AM–midnight. Confirm before visiting.
Website: TacoChelo.com.
Menu: Official Phoenix menu.
Ordering: Order Taco Chelo Phoenix.
Directions: Google Maps.
For an informal Mexican meal surrounded by Roosevelt Row’s art and neighborhood character, Taco Chelo makes an interesting Downtown Phoenix stop. Explore more nearby attractions through the Phoenix Area Guide.