Los Dos Molinos
Phoenix, AZ 85042 (602) 243-9113
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol: Full Bar
39 Reviews for Los Dos Molinos
We LOVE the outdoor seating while waiting for your table and the hot, hot food. This is a NEW Mexican restaurant, so you don't judge this as Tex-Mex or Mexican.
It is hot, so be aware. There are warnings. The wait is long, so plan on people watching on the patio of Tom Mix's former home.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
If you enjoy Salt and Lousy Service then this is the spot for you.
Honestly, I'm not sure why people are so hype about this place. Yes the Salsa is spicy but really has no taste to it. it's like Spicy water. Everybody in our party of 7 did not even eat a quarter of their meal.
The Machaca that i had must have been Marinated, Aged and Cooked in Salt using a Rock Salt Oven and to make matters worse the servers were no where to be found to refill our refreshments as our mouth dried like Cured Hides.
This place should have been called Los "Sal" Molinos and should have stayed a Funeral Home and use the large amount of Salt they use for Embalmment.
Currently competing with Morton for the #1 spot as Salt distributor in the South West Region.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (4)
Cool (2)
Love Love Love Los Dos. Love the atmosphere, Love the decor, Love the crap on the walls, Love the sign that says, Please control your kids (and friends). Love the food. Love the shrimp entrees, Love the veggie burro (enchilado style, of course - deep fried and drenched in cheese), Love the margaritas that are bigger than my head and Love Love Love the oh so soft and chewy sopapillas (with honey, of course).
The service, on the other hand, is a little more... complex.
One time when we were waiting for a table, when the guy called my name he called, "Last chance for Mark D". Last chance? So we jumped up and ran inside just before he gave our table away to someone else. I said WTF? He said, I called your name three times (He did so NOT call my name three times - we were sitting right in front of the door the entire time - there's no way). So I told him that. And we argued about it, went back and forth like.. did TOO, did NOT, did TOO, did NOT), until I spotted the other guy - the nice guy - standing behind him shaking his head (they've kind of got this good cop / bad cop thing going over there), and the nice guy was just shaking his head, as if to say, "Ah, don't worry about him, he's just in a bad mood." So we didn't, we sat down, ate some fabulous food, downed some rocking 'ritas and had a great time as always.
Here's the thing I want you to take away from that story: Even though it does seem like there's always at least one employee "in a bad mood", and the service may not be exactly friendly, it is attentive. I've never had to wait very long for anything, or not gotten what I wanted, I just maybe didn't get it with a smile. And for me, for this place, that's fine. That's just the way it is there. I think it helps knowing that going in. In my opinion, the food and atmosphere more than make up for it. Hell, I keep going back and back and back and back...
People thought this was:
Useful (8)
Funny (5)
Cool (7)
I frequently travel all the way from Gilbert just to eat here. 35 miles of driving which has always been well worth it. I've tried the one in Mesa but I don't find it to be as good as the original. They have amazing New Mexican style cuisine. I do love it spicy though, and they're the spiciest mexican food I've ever had. They do have a lot of non spicy stuff too. Out of town guests I've taken, who aren't into anything spicy, have found it to be very good. I think the milder part of the menu have been just as appetizing, sometimes moreso because you're not sweating bullets and downing 5 glasses of water just to make the burn go away.
You can wait a long time for a table, so be prepared to wait, but if you go during off times, like after the lunch crowd or right before the dinner crowd you shouldn't have a wait. The margaritas will kick your ass too. Get a pitcher and make it a day drinking, hotter than hell Mexican extravaganza.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
First of all. This is not traditional Mexican fare. It is New Mexico cuisine and makes extensive use of the famous Hatch Chile that is cultivated only in the Hatch valley of New Mexico.
With that said, this restaurant has become part of my weekly dining experience (for over 15 years now). You will never find a more flavorful or rewarding "Mexican" meal as long as you live, I've tried throughout the country.
One word of advise, once you've tried Los Dos you will never be satisfied with another "Mexican" restaurant. It has ruined an entire category of dining for me. I am so disappointed with all others that I can not enjoy them. I must return to Los Dos on a weekly basis to get my fix. There was even a period of two years in which I moved out of the Phoenix area and went to the extreme of scheduling flight layovers on my business trips destine for other parts of the country in order to dine here.
I frequent the finest restaurants in the Phoenix area and place Los Dos in the top ten of this city's best.
The wait can be extensive, especial on the weekends and the serve is often lacking to one degree or another, but it simply adds to the atmosphere and the overall experience within the walls of Tom Mix's old homestead (those of more advanced years may appreciate this knowledge).
Enjoy!
Oh Yeah! You better love it HOT!
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
The salsa is so hot that you'll be hating life the next day with a burning chocolate starfish. Waiters are jerky and the food is way to salty.. I think they want you to buy more of their over priced drinks!
They lost the Mr.'s Amex on the last visit and got really bitchy with him because he was upset. Ended up calling Amex and reporting the card stolen and didn't pay for dinner. With that we will never return. However up to that point we had always had a good time there even though its mediocre at best.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (4)
Cool (1)
I love it hot and at Los Dos it is almost hot enough for me, and for the average person the food is hot as shit. In comparison to other places the margs are strong, some say the price is high but the comparison is not from my neighbordhood, and at least they have booze in them. I dig the wait while I sit on the patio with a marg or two, you have to learn how to make good us of your time. Good food and drink with a very diverse crowd that I always find entertaining.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
5 stars for food + 1 star for margaritas / 2 = 3 stars for Los Dos Molinos. I loved my blue corn enchiladas, my husband loved his carnitas, but I'm sorry - limeade + tequila does not equal a good margarita. We were shocked when we took our first sip, and the fact that our mouths were already burning from the delicious salsa made the ridiculously sweet and limey margarita even more disappointing. To the owners - please at least "upgrade" to Jose Cuervo margarita mix. If we could least get a standard mixed margarita (and have to sacrifice fresh citrus and tequila combined together to make a perfect one), we would probably be in your establishment 2-3 times a week. Thank you.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (3)
Los Dos Molinas has been THE dining destination of choice for cyclists headed to South Mountain. We would ride our bikes there in the morning on Sunday.... they would let us put our bikes safely inside in the back, and we would proceed to chow down on a magnificent fiery hot, carb filled, stick to your ribs meal that would fuel us for the long (and much slower) ride back. I had my first taste of Huevos Rancheros at Los Dos Molinas..... and my first horchata. Everything I have EVER eaten there has been wonderful. It is truly an amazing place.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
Los Dos is not for the weak. If you can't take heat go to taco bell. If you want real authentic delicious mexican this is the spot.
The Adobado ribs are so good I want to rub them all over my body before eating them. The shrimp (probably the least spicy thing on the menu) is served in garlc butter and the portions are generous. The rellenos are delicious and the green sauce to die for. There can be quite a wait (up to 2 hours at some points) but grab a drink and have some chips on the patio, it is worth the wait. The sangria tastes like they murdered an entire hibiscus bush to make it, but is strangely very good. I would however stay away from the margaritas, they are pretty watery. They have a sign inside that says "Please control your kids". AWESOME! the last thing I want is a bunch of screaming brats running around while I am trying to enjoy a meal.
Now for the complaints - the staff is incredibly rude and pretentious, the wait sucks, the place is noisy, the tables are too close together, the decor is gaudy and the food will burn a hole in your mouth going in and going out... well enough said.
Even though the service is poor the experience and food are a must try for any Arizonian.
Last time we were in Phoenix we ate at the Mesa location (the Phoenix restaurant was closed) and loved it-- friendly people, fiery New Mexico style food, general good times. We vowed to visit the mothership on our next visit. Before heading out, I checked the yelp and got a little concerned; based on the reviews I worried our Phoenix Los Dos outing was going to involve one or more of the following:
-rude staff
-loud rooms
-bad crowds
-overpriced, gimmicky food that was supposed to be "tex-mex"
Still, our first Los Dos experience was so good (and the place came recommended by none other than R.W. Apple of the damned NYT) that we forged ahead.
All I can say is, I don't know where the heck all y'all folks have been eating, 'cause in my experience Los Dos has:
-a bitchin' patio with lots of random seats/tables/furnishing/stuff
-fun other patrons who are happy to be there and fun to be around
-perfectly nice staff who are friendly, efficient, and considerate
-excellent New Mexico style food, which we should note is NOT Mexican and NOT Tex-Mex. Nor is it supposed to be.
We enjoyed the cheese crisp, adovado ribs, shrimp veracruz, some margs and the massively hot salsa(w/chips). Everything was quite good-- the crisp was airy and flavorful, the shrimp well cooked (not over or under done) and tasty, and the salsa painful but also delightful. The star of the meal, however, was the order of ribs which were tender and infused with red chili flavor.
It's true that the food at Los Dos is hot as hell-- we were sweating a few bites in to our meal, and both of our appetites shut down sooner than they do under "normal" circumstances. I suppose this could get in the way of a particularly sensitive person enjoying the other flavors of the meal. That being said, the folks at Los Dos can cook, and if you can hang through the heat a visit to Los Dos is well worth the pain.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Cool (3)
Thanks to yelp we found this authentic Mexican restaurant... We were weary about the wait but it wasn't that bad. The food came pretty quick - service from the wait staff was great, the hostess not so much.
So first you get some super spicy salsa with chips and already, there is a party in your mouth. I ordered the Adovado ribs and it was ultra spicy and ultra good, literally melts in your mouth and my buddy ordered the tacos (just okay)... and I got a yummie Margarita - it was a night club in mouth and with the noise, seriously could not concentrate...
Very good - will return if we ever go back for Cubs Spring Training...
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (1)
Cool (3)
Some like it HOT!!! If you can't take it spicy, this is truly the wrong place for you kid! The food is great and best of all, authentic. Well worth the long wait!
Goce!
Good God, I hate this place. Its one thing to dork out about your product, but to go over-the-top with it is just unnecessary. What I mean is, they make their food so fucking spicy, I want to punch myself in the balls in an attempt to disperse the pain throughout my entire body rather than letting it linger in the locus of angry hornets that have nested in my mouth.
And yes, I love spicy Mexican food. I grew up in a border town for Christo's sake.
This IS NOT Mexican food. Its a gimmick. Genuine Mexican food is supposed to be subtle in heat and grow throughout the dish. One should be able to taste the layered spices and complex ingredients. Mexican food takes a lot of effort and time to make and should be complimented by a thorough savoriness by the consumer.
Their food must suck, but you'd never know it because it is so fully disguised by the Dos Molinos people, who drop a nuclear bomb on your head and ask you if you want to order another Dos XX.
My only compliment is the patio and the fact that they serve Mexican beer, which we all know is the cure for radioactive exposure.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (8)
Cool (1)
Los Dos rocks. Even if you have to wait for two hours, it is still worth it. Prepare to wait. Hang out on the patio and drink some beers and soak up the great company you hopefully came with. If you are getting attitude from the people that work there, it is probably because you are being rude, acting idiotic, or are just plain clueless.
The food at Los Dos is like nothing else. I generally prefer the specials (posted on the plastic surfboard), because I think they are super fresh, unique, and almost always amazing. My favorite dishes from the menu are the garlic shrimp, the adovada ribs, and the Victoria's chili chicken plate-green. However, the all-time greatest dish at Los Dos is the Angela's Special. Yes, you read that correctly. The Angela's Special is a chicken breast that is slowly cooked in a chili, topped with jalapeno-tomatillo sauce and cheese, and served over plain rice, with beans and tortillas on the side. It is the most delicious thing ever...spicy yet flavorful, moist and flaky at the same time, and just wonderful. If you are lucky enough to experience the Angela's Special, your life will improve...it is that good.
Do I even have to talk about how fantastic the salsas are, or how great the Herradura margarita can be? No, try it for yourself.
I will say, however, that the snacks and margaritas are not as fresh on the patio as they are inside (which is why I suggest beer on the patio), so if you can wait until you get inside, you will be rewarded.
Now, I have heard that there have been some changes going on with who is running each Los Dos, and all I can say is that if Cheryl is around, everything will be that much better...
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (1)
Cool (2)
The Adobado ribs make me shit fire for three days, but I keep going back. Granted, the staff is a little pretentious, the margaritas are grossly overpriced, the wait sucks, the place is noisy, and there's only one spice level (hot as holy shit), but it's a true cultural experience, which is more than I can say for the rest of Phoenix, homogeneous craphole that it has become...
Also, this is NOT Tex-Mex, so quit saying that. Tex-Mex is from Texas, and it usually refers to beef enchiladas covered in chili and Velveeta, not insanely spicy New Mexico cuisine, which is how you would describe Los Dos Molinos.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (3)
Cool (1)
I title this "5-stars, even though I have thrown up my dinner while still at the restaurant twice". It is the experience. I think of it as Mexi-Disneyland for adults and realize that this construct is based primarily on the excessive use of seafoam green paint and the beer shack where you can get drinks while you wait for a table.
The reasons: I've been there many more than two times, I probably had too many coronitas while I was waiting, too much of my margarita, and too much hot salsa, and I ordered the shrimp both times -- I never really eat shrimp (but how many times can a girl eat a chile relleno when the buttery garlicness looks so so good)... but those are just hypothetical reasons that may explain the throwing up.
The reasons I like it: My bff (best food friend) is "famous" there. She can call and order a particular dish 24 hours in advance and it goes on the menu as the "Angela" special. I think the story goes that she was the only person to order it the first time it was offered and she loved it and Cheryl (or Sheryl... I don't know how she spells it) loved her. I've heard the food is a little better if you go with my bff than if you go without her.... but why would I ever go without her? She's my best food friend and she's famous there!
There aren't a lot of vegetarian options...in fact, my bff recently told me she thinks there might be beef stock in the salsa... which leads me back to the beginning and my hypotheses about why I've thrown up in their restroom twice now. I think we're going back next week.... so I'll write with an update....
People thought this was:
Useful (5)
Funny (6)
Cool (5)
I used to work right around the corner from here, and all of us "office girls" would go to lunch every month to "Los Dos."
The machaca is excellent! I love my food a bit spicy. Hey, if it doesn't make you cry while you eat it, what's the point?
Service is super-friendly and so are the other customers.
The place used to be a morgue or something. I love the outdoor area to sit while waiting.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
Arrived at 9:20 and were told they were closing at 10:00. Okay? Seat us in an unfortunate spot, asked to be reseated and told they were cleaning the other areas! An employee started cleaning the table next to us 5 minutes after we were seated. Took a friend from Colorado and she was appalled, as the rest of us Phoenicians were. Do Not Go There! Go to Carolinas or for a great margarita, Ztejas
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
If you like your food spicy like me, this is definitely a great place. I loved my carne avado relleno! We got a picher of house Margaritas for $21 bucks, they tasted great and we got a great buzz. I hate paying for Margaritas with no alochol in them, not the case here!
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
I was worried when I walked in because of the cheesy decor you might find in a chain.
This place is pretty good- I am a spicy addict. However, with so many other great Mexican choices in the area, It may be a while before I go back.
I am going to catch some heat (pun intended) on this one as LDM is considered a sacred cow in this town. I just think it is average and I don't like the location and I am not that impressed with the service. Being a native New Mexican, who knows a tremendous amount about Rio Grande - Nuevo Mexican cuisine and even more about New Mexico chiles (Hatch, Dixon, Espaola, Chimayo, Mesilla Valley, Socorro, Pecos Valley, etc), as well as, the heirloom chile's of the Pueblos and truck farms. You name it, I have been eating them for 42 years by the bushel.
I enjoy the pungent flavor of the LDM chile relleno plate that I always have when I've dined there, but I believe the chiles are Mexican. Nothing wrong with Mexican chiles as I love them, BUT I think it is wrong to call the chiles "New Mexican" if they are not. I have had New Mexico chiles there in my dish, but I have had others as well. I can discern the difference and would not claim it if I could not definitively state so. It's like saying here is your glass of Burgundy when your serving a Pinot Noir from the Languedoc. Both are French Pinot Noirs, but they definitely don't taste the same. It is a matter of nuance, and one has a higher market value to consumers. I believe it would be logistically impossible for a restaurant like LGM to only feature New Mexico chiles year round in Phoenix. As well as, their sister restaurants in NYC, Mesa, and Springerville, AZ. The expense of the amount they would need would be astronomical based on the amount of covers they do. It would require the Franzoy's or Lyttle's entire chile crop to satisfy the demand.
Let's face it even if you froze a container of chiles for your restaurant to use, thawed chiles suck compared to savory fresh roasted!
My other complaint is owner - mangaer, Cheryl is flat out rude and obnoxious. Friendly and hospitable is the absolute manner in New Mexico (not Santa Fe faux wannabes) cafes and restaurants. She has snapped at me on one occasion and was curt and unresponsive on others. Most New Mexico style restaurateurs would not be taking shopping junkets to Paris and driving canary yellow Corvettes either. You see being wound up on fashion and MAC cosmetics are not typical attributes of New Mexico food...it is simply red or green or "Christmas" on fancy occasions. Comida Deluxe is all about the food. The other serious complaint I have is the terrible Margaritas...reading the other Yelpers go on and on about how great they are makes me scratch my head. Cheap mixto Tequila and bad triple sec makes bad Margarita. Period! Sure if my choice is between Arribas or Los Dos it is a no-brainer...do the Dos. However, both thrive on gimmick of fabled New Mexico food. If you want some simple New Mex, go to Si Senor on Alma School. Cheap, fast and friendly.
By the way, I am not attempting to get all Diane Kennedy on you but the food at LDM is not authentic Mexican cuisine! It is Border American at its' best. I am sure that the recipes are traditional to Chef Victoria's' family and authentic to their culture. The cuisine in New Mexico is not authentic Mexican cuisine either. Neither is Tex-Mex or California Mission examples of AUTHENTIC Mexican. Just like a German National would not recognize a Chicago hot dog as authentic German cuisine even though German immigrants created the Frankfurter. I did not see any Sicilians eating Spagetti and Meatballs last time I was in Vittoria on wine business.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (2)
Cool (2)
I see a lot of negative reviews here based on the bad customer experience. Maybe it's because I lived in Chicago, but this has never even crossed my mind, especially when confronted with the incredibleness that is the stacked enchiladas.
Take a step back, order a sangria, snack on some chips and prepare your mouth... no--your whole body for this. The first bite of these stacked enchiladas (always order them with green chile, might I add) will knock your socks off. Literally. (Side note: if you see one of my socks...)
The place has gotten a bit too busy, but it's still well worth the wait. Or, for those not content to drink sangria while waiting for a table, you can check out the Mesa one; I've never had to wait long there, but it just doesn't have the same character.
I look forward to visiting the suburban sprawl that is the Phoenix metro area each year, and this is in no small part because of this place. Los Dos makes a mean, spicy, enchilada.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (2)
Cool (3)
Probably one of the best mexican restaurants in the Phoenix area. I've taken out of town friends and they love it, as long as they like things just a bit spicy.
The building is kind of a hole in the wall place which adds to the experience. Apparently it used to be a barn or stable... but they did a great job decorating. I don't come here for great service so I don't mind the lack of service. My food has always come quick and my glass stays full of my favorite beverage so I'm a happy camper.
If you are visiting town for one night and want an experience, Los Dos Molinos is a great one!
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
I think that this is probably one of the more authentic Mexican food restaurants that I have been to and if you really want to add extra kick to your meal, try a prickly pear margarita. Boy - those things will definitely add some intrigue to your night or at the very least some good laughs.
If you go, plan extra time to sit and wait for a table because chances are unless you are very lucky, you will have to wait quite awhile to be seated. But, I think that it is worth the wait.
Amendment, May 2008 - I have co-workers in town for a trade show.
A few nights ago, I suggested Los Dos for dinner. I warned them that the service was slow but the food is always good. We agreed to try it. We arrived at 7:15ish. Half of our party wasn't there - so in order to not be rude and take up a table, we ordered some drinks, chips & guacamole and took a table outside to wait. At around 8, we were still minus 2 guests and starving. So, I went in and got us a table. I'd say our other 2 finally showed up around 8:30. We did not get greeted by a waiter until 9pm - an hour after sitting. Had he come up to us in the beginning, I would have told him that we were going to just order as a partial party. But no one even asked. They sent over a nice guy that could only take our drinks and kept saying that he'd bring us a waiter. Right before the waiter finally appeared, I walked up the hostess stand and let them know that it really had been far too long to be waiting. There were 2 girls behind the stand and a busboy (not really sure what his position was considering most of the night he ogled these 2 girls and stood scratching his head at the hostess stand - maybe he was the third hostess?). They were pretty rude to me and continued to get ruder through out the night. Unfortunately, I had such a BAD experience that I will no longer be recommending this place to anyone. I'm rating it a one star - down from 4 stars. I was embarrassed that my co-workers had to see such a nasty side of my fellow Arizonans. I will not be returning to Los Dos Molinos. I have had a lot of poor service here - but I always took the bad with the good because the food is good. But, they just crossed the line too far this time and I won't support a place that treats me (the customer) badly. I work in the service industry from time to time at trade shows. I know that people have their bad days and I know that it can be hard to always meet every customers needs - but I also know that I do my very best to be kind and helpful to every customer no matter what mood I am in and I expect the same in return if I am spending money for a service.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
Fun place, decent food, great atmosphere. One of the few places where I don't mind waiting for a table. The courtyard and margaritas create a fun environment.
The food is good, but slightly overrated. For quasi-New Mexican cuisine, I'd venture to say that Richardson's/Dick's might be better.
The location is Manhattan is also fun and the food stands out there much more than it does here. Visiting Los Dos when I lived in NYC always helped stave off homesickness.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
I finally went there with someone who was willing to both eat amazingly hot food and wait as long as possible. And wouldn't it just figure that for the first time, there was no wait. I don't know what good Karma I had going, but we walked right into the place. Sure it was a Thursday, but come on!!
So, yea. It's hot. But you knew it would be hot. What I didn't hear so much about was how it manages to be really really good while not doing anything "special". Our plain Cheese Quesadilla was amazing - but it was just cheese and tortilla. But they managed to cover the ENTIRE thing with thick yummy cheese - and no big bubbles either - yet the tortilla was still 100% crisp. Everything was like that. Describing it might not sound exceptional, until you realize how rare those things are to find all in one place. And their mexican rice had the most amazing taste - neither of us could place which spices we were tasting that were so different.
Outside is a mess of tables and chairs that HAVE to be there when they are packed, but it looked a bit like Coney Island in the off season to go through there when no one else was there.
Personal tip? If you are worried about the spice of your dish - get it with the sauce on the side. That's where all the heat is. My companion did that with the Chimi and found it to be the perfect way to make sure she got all the flavor of the sauce, without being overwhelmed by it in every single bite.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
The first time I ate here a little over a decade ago I was with my girlfriend at the time and we were woefully unprepared for what we were about to experience. I had heard about the spicy food, potent margaritas and the fun atmosphere. I was not expecting to find myself waking up at 3:30 in the morning sprawled sideways on my bed, partially clothed with my dog licking my face. Once I came to some semblance of my senses I realized that all the lights were on, Bob Marley was blaring on the stereo and the front door was wide open with only the screen door providing any security. It was then that I realized I had been "Los Dosed". I also knew it was only the first of what would be many. The name means "the two grinders" and that's just what I felt like I had been through.
If you like to be adventurous and experiment with different restaurants "Los Dos" can be more of a holistic experience than simply just going out to eat. The food is everything it is rumored to be, amazing and hot as hell! For some reason it does not matter you will gladly keep eating even though your mouth is on fire, your eyes are watering and your scalp is sweating. The margaritas are good but frankly not the tastiest I've ever had but they are a perfect compliment to the aforementioned spicy food. I once brought a friend who I had been talking up the margaritas to and after he had a couple he did not understand what the big deal was. That is until he got up to go to the bathroom, by the time he came back he was convinced they must be adding a "special" ingredient to them (lets just say he knew a thing or two about that sort of thing). In case you have not picked up on what I'm implying you should be prepared to either have a DD or plan on taking a cab home.
In the early years they used to have an amazing crooner/guitarist serenading the room with a perfect blend of traditional Mexican tunes mixed with a few popular hits like Brown Eyed Girl and of course Margaritaville. There would be moments where I would look around the room and see almost every body singing along gleefully unfazed by any pretenses. They still have musicians come in every now and then that do a great job and you are sure to have a great time either way.
This is a family run business with a few restaurants in Arizona and one in Manhattan, NY. My favorite is the one in south Phoenix that looks like an old mission. The building is kind of by itself with not a lot around it and with a single band of neon going around the roofline it kind of reminds me of the bar in Tarantino's Dusk Till Dawn. There is a lot of space to hang out on the patio while you wait to be called in to a relatively small dining room. On the weekends especially you can expect to wait a couple hours to be seated but don't fret you can hang out with friends and have chips and salsa with a beverage of your choice while you wait.
I have often tried to explain the experience at Los Dos Molinos as an entertaining assault on the senses and if you catch the right night that's just what it is. If you happen to have a really good night it can seem like you were abducted by aliens, sadistically fun aliens but aliens none the less. Salud
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (1)
Cool (3)
I used to eat at Los Dos Molinos regularly for almost ten years. But lately I've gotten fed up and I no longer go. There are far better Mexican restaurants in the Valley.
I think the success of this restaurant has led to arrogance on their part. I noticed a few incidents of rude behavior during my last few visits, which is what prompted me to stop going. One day I showed up with 4 friends (mixed crowd of well-dressed males and females, some lawyers and an engineer) on a very hot day around 5 pm. When I made the mistake of admitting that there were 5 in my party, the host told us he wouldn't seat us until the 5th arrived EVEN THOUGH there were empty tables. Then he told us to wait outside rather than in the restaurant. It was over 100 degrees outside so I asked him if we could be seated given that it was so hot, and he said it was their "policy" to wait until the full party arrived. I glared at him and said in a civil tone: "That's not a very nice way to treat your guests." He just looked at me and shrugged his shoulders.
That's how they rewarded almost ten years of my loyalty as a customer.
A friend of mine who has kids was also turned off by a sign in the restaurant that says, "Please control your kids". I don't have kids and I agree that parents should control their kids, but it's the "we don't really care if we seem rude to you" attitude that I choose not to deal with anymore.
By the way I read another review suggesting you call ahead to make reservations due to wait times. It's the "policy" of Los Dos Molinos not to take reservations over the phone. You have to show up and wait. Wait times on Friday and Saturday can be 1-2 hours at the South Phoenix location. On weekend nights they open up a second part of their patio where you can have beer, and chips and salsa for a charge. But it's cash only and there are no ATMs.
I've never had any attitude problems at the Mesa restaurant, but the Mesa one has a lot less character than South Phoenix. I've also been to the one in Springerville (northern Arizona) and it was great.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Cool (1)
I think I hyped this place up in my head but the food was rather mushy and of the whole entire menu, only two things were not spicy. You can't choose what level of spicyness to get: it's either SUPER CRAZY SPICY or not spicy at all.
I figured we trekked all the way out here to try real tex-mex in its full spicy gloriousness...but regretted it afterwards. Perhaps my palatte is just really wimpy and I can't appreciate the food but I do not feel the need to ever return again. Also, the sangria was so-so although it was a generous tall glass.
The people who own this place, however, were really super nice and the decor....well...it's one of a kind. : )
All Hail Los Dos!
I love this place.... but don't come here if you are looking for service or to get in or out in a prompt manner. Come here for the food: The absolute best Mexican in Phoenix.
Their salsas are great, although the red was a bit salty for my liking.
Highest recommendation to the green chile smothered pork burrito which is a house special probably 3 days a week. Man it is good.
Most of the food is super super (super) uber spicy. The Garlic Shrimp over rice is one exception... even the tacos have some heat to them.
During the summer, it is a bit of a pain in the arse to come here... the restaurant is cramped, so you have to wait outside. Also, don't come here on Sundays, the place is closed.
We've eaten here with a newborn, and the staff treated us very well.... in fact he really enjoyed looking at all of the chili pepper lights on the ceiling.
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
Come here for New Mexico style Mexican cuisine. Think hot hot hot. Red or green. Pick your poison. The rellenos are great.
I have no idea what WM is talking about - as far as I know there is only one other Los Dos is the Phoenix area. And overpriced? Did we go to the same restaurant?
I was getting tired of all the chain restaurants that we were eating at and I asked around for a recommendation of Mexican food. This place was the highlight of my week in Phoenix. Great family owned business that delivers on authentic Mexican taste. The shredded beef taco, the creamy chicken plate, and the flan was all off the hook. The spot is off of Scottsdale blvd, but it is worth the drive where ever you are coming from. Only if they served carnitas....
Being from Texas, I am a fan of Tex-Mex which believe it or not, is hard to find in these parts. Although not Tex-Mex, I had high hopes for Los Dos because of the rave reviews of my husband's friends and family. Everyone was promising me this would be a break from the disappointing Mexican food I had tried in the valley. So, off we go...and what a let down. The food was okay, but definitely not all it was hyped up to be. I love mouth scorching spicy food but you get the impression that the dishes have no flavor because of the overwhelming spicy flavor is all you can taste. The service was virtually non-existant and we got the impression that we were a burden to the waitstaff by dining there. So, the search continues...
Good food. A bit too salty. Good margaritas. Wouldn't consider it too New Mexican, but then again it's not really Sonoran either. BTW, it's a chain, which is too bad, but also good as it's some of the best (overpriced) Mexican food available when you're in NYC.
From About.com:
Locations:
8646 S. Central, Phoenix, 602-243-9113
260 S. Alma School, Mesa, 480-969-7475
East Main Street, Springerville, 928-333-4846
119 East 18th Street, New York, 212-505-1574 (overpriced, but your best Mexican --sorry, *New Mexican* food bet for blocks and blocks.)
This restaurant is my favorite Mexican food in Phoenix...Excellent! The Shrimp Vera Cruz is so spicey and delicious everyone in my family orders it when we go. It's pretty spicey, so sour cream is great with it. The salsas are perfect and VERY hot! If you are a wimp, don't go to this place. You have to be able to handle the spice otherwise you will be miserable. I had an experience with my father once when we ate there and he almost had to go to the ER in the middle of the night because he had acid reflux so bad. If you are sensitive don't eat the salsa at all. The ribs are to die for!! You will not be disappointed in the food! Getting into this resaurant can be slow. I have waited 2 and 1/2 hours before for a table. The average wait time is 2 hours at the south mt location. You can usually get right in at the other locations, but they are not as much fun. The atmosphere is awesome at the south my location. You can enjoy the BEST margaritas in town (bring a driver!!)and chips and salsa while you wait for a table. The margaritas taste great and are very strong...careful they sneak up on you!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
If you can't stand the heat, get out of Los Dos Molinos. The food is great, but hot.
the one in mesa is friggen awesome! hot as all get out though, the food will make you sweat. awesome staff super friendly a little pricey but the portions are big, but its sooooo worth it.