07/17/09

Our place for Mexican in Scottsdale

by kevinpa2215

Yes, it's kind of an old town Scottsdale touristy destination, but it's good Mexican home cooking, decent value, nice atmosphere, service good. If we're in the mood for Mexican this is where we go. My wife likes the marinated beef, I like the chicken crema, we both like the fajitas. And this is for only the old town restaurant, the other Los Olivos off 101 the service, food and atmosphere was way off, though it's nearer we wouldn't go back.

• Pros: Good spicy salsa, home cooking
• Cons: Could use a few more fish and poultry items

04/04/09

Delicious homemade salsa!

by grunge_girl

I was recently visiting Scottsdale for pleasure and I had heard good things about the "authentic" taste of this restaurant. The waitress was older and sassy, complete with a great sense of humor. Chips & salsa were tasty, and the margaritas had a decent amount of tequila in them! The beef tacos were delicious, and the guacamole was super-green (thus, super-fresh!). I'll definitely go back again the next time I'm in the Southwest.

• Pros: Funky decor, yummy food
• Cons: Entrance is hard to find!

08/22/07

So Sad Olivos

by paandka

So Sad Olivos

By Left-Hungry on 8/22/2007

I have lived in Phoenix for over 20 years and have had some really great times at Mexican food places. I had heard of Los Olivos and decided to try it with some friends. Oh My, they had us standing around in the middle of the resturant waiting to have two tables moved together. No kidding this took forever and never did happen. One of the waitresses asked us to sit at the corner table so finally we sat down. A waitor asked us why we sat here and told us to move to the table he already had ready, we asked if it would be OK to not move again, so he proceeded to set our table as if he were throwing cards at us. When we gave back the dirty plates, he returned with more dirty plates. We were hungry, but not hungry enough to eat off of dirty plates! On the way out my husband asked to speak to the manager. He was told there was no manager there that day. WOW, I want a job like that, with no one to answer to!!!

• Pros: The Blue Room was pretty!
• Cons: Rude Help!

12/29/06

Best Mexican Food in the Universe!!!

by jessi_barry

This is the best Mexican food I have ever had. The service, food, and decor are all fantastic!! I highly recommend this to anyone that loves mexican food.

08/03/06

A Classic That Still Has It!

by criticdujour

I was born in Scottsdale close to 40 years ago, and some of my favorite memories are of dancing to bands in the back room of Los Olivos. Cheese crisps were my favorite food then, and when I go back today, even living thousands of miles away, the food always lives up to my memories. Cheers for 40 years (and more) of consistency and excellence!

• Pros: Love the Donkey, Cheese Crisps, and the room with all of the stained glass
• Cons: parking can be tough when there are events at the civic center

07/17/06

Best Mexican Restruant

by willymo2

This is the best Mexican Restaurant I have ever been to. I used to live in Texas and this is better than any of the Mexican Restaurants there.

• Pros: This is the Best Mexican Food I have ever had
• Cons: Parking is limited in back but there is a parking garage right next to it though

Historic Scottsdale restaurant serves classic Sonoran-style dishes.

by Contributor

In Short
When the Scottsdale Civic Center was being built, some lunatic suggested tearing down Los Olivos--Scottsdale's oldest Mexican food restaurant--to create a parking lot for the new mall. Gracias a Dios, Barry Goldwater himself put the kibash on that misguided notion, and it's still a Scottsdale favorite for the kind of good old Sonoran-style Mexican food many of Arizonans grew up on. Carne asada and steak picado (served with homemade flour tortillas hot off the griddle) are a must, but for a simple taste of nostalgia, go for the chile rellenos and green corn tamales.

04/30/06

BEWARE! DONT GET SWINDLED! Mediocre Food!

by the_secret_shopper

We arrive at 8:15 on a Friday night, the doorman promptly stopped us gestapo-style to inform us that we must pay a cover to go in the bar and buy a drink. The waiter then advised us that music would not begin until 10:00, we promptly left. On the way out, I questioned the doorman about the lack of entertainment and he said "Do you want your money back" to which I agreed. He reached into his pocket & pulled out the $10 bill we had paid with. He was low-classed, haughty and didnt bother to apologize, needless to say we wont be returning. This was Los Olivos' 3rd & final chance to redeem themselves, on prior visits we had food that was mediocre at best & service that was worse. FYI to the chef: when you feature a dish with huge prawns the customer shouldnt have to peel them!

• Pros: good parking, near better restauran
• Cons: unprofessional/rude, food not up to par

01/03/04

Good Food, Good Value

by pvfoodie

Los Olivos continues to survive city encroachment by offering good food at reasonable prices. Food consistencyvaries from time to time but one can always count on a fine, fun atmosphere, cheerful hosts, good service and good Sonoran food.

• Pros: Reliable, Consistent, Reasonable
• Cons: , Long wait in winter, parking

09/15/03

Native

by phoenixhandyman

I've been eating at Los Olivos for over 40 years. It's still the best authentic Southwest style Mexican food. My only complaint is that I can't still eat dinner for less than $1.