Business Details
33 Years
experience
Authentic Mexican Cuisine in Tucson
Little Mexico Restaurants have been serving authentic Mexican cuisine to Tucson residents since 1993. Founded by the Palomarez/Estrada families, our establishments preserve generations of culinary traditions through family recipes passed down for decades. We specialize in preparing fresh tamales weekly, offering daily-made menudo, and crafting signature dishes like birria, albondigas, and chile rellenos using techniques perfected over generations. Our commitment to quality extends to catering services for events of all sizes, providing both buffet-style and customized menu options. With two locations operated by family members and staffed by trusted team members, we maintain consistent standards across all our offerings. Our breakfast service featuring Mexican and American selections has made us a local favorite for morning dining.The steakhouse location adds mesquite-grilled meats to our traditional menu while maintaining the same dedication to authenticity. We prioritize fresh, locally-sourced ingredients to ensure every dish reflects the vibrant flavors of genuine Mexican cuisine. Our full-service bar complements meals with signature margaritas and traditional beverages. Through decades of operation, we've maintained the same core values of quality, authenticity, and family service that defined our founding. Whether guests choose dine-in, takeout, or catering, they experience the same commitment to culinary excellence that has sustained our reputation for over 30 years.
Services
Catering Services
Takeout Orders
Breakfast Menu
Dinner Service
Margarita Bar
Event Catering
Tamales Preparation
Buffet Options
Steakhouse Menu
Family Recipes
Details
- Year established: 1993
Highlights and features
- Family-owned since 1993 with generations of culinary expertise
- Daily preparation of fresh tamales and traditional recipes
- Specialized catering for events with authentic Mexican buffet options
- Breakfast service combining Mexican and American favorites
- Two locations maintaining consistent quality and authenticity
Services
Catering Services
We provide authentic Mexican catering for events of all sizes, offering buffet-style service with diverse entrees, side dishes, and desserts. Our experienced team prepares traditional dishes like tamales, birria, and albondigas fresh for each event. Clients can choose from complete catering packages or customize menus to suit their specific needs while maintaining the same quality standards as our restaurant offerings.
Takeout Orders
Our takeout service delivers the same authentic Mexican flavors directly to customers. Available daily except Tuesdays, this service allows patrons to enjoy freshly prepared meals at home or work. We maintain strict quality control for all takeout orders to ensure food arrives at optimal temperature and presentation, mirroring the restaurant dining experience through proper packaging and preparation techniques.
Breakfast Menu
We serve breakfast daily featuring both traditional Mexican and American favorites. The menu includes daily-prepared menudo, tamales, and other authentic dishes alongside standard breakfast items. This service operates from early morning hours at both locations, providing fresh meal options for start-of-day patrons seeking quality Mexican cuisine in a casual dining environment.
People
Yolanda Palomarez
Founder & Recipe Developer
Yolanda Palomarez co-founded Little Mexico with her family, bringing traditional recipes passed down through generations. She personally oversees tamale preparation and maintains culinary standards across both locations. Her commitment to authenticity shapes the restaurant's menu and daily operations.
Socorro Estrada
Family Chef
Socorro Estrada contributes family recipes and culinary expertise to Little Mexico's offerings. She specializes in creating signature dishes like birria and green corn tamales. Her cooking techniques and flavor combinations remain central to the restaurant's authentic Mexican cuisine.
Carlos Estrada Palomarez
Steakhouse Manager
Carlos Estrada Palomarez manages Little Mexico Steakhouse location, overseeing operations since its 2004 opening. He combines family traditions with modern service standards while maintaining the restaurant's commitment to authentic Mexican flavors and quality dining experiences.
Questions
What makes Little Mexico's Mexican cuisine authentic?
Our recipes originate from family traditions spanning generations, with dishes prepared using traditional methods and ingredients. Both locations maintain this authenticity through daily preparation of fresh tamales, menudo, and other signature items.
Do you offer catering services for special events?
Yes, we provide full-service catering for events of all sizes with customized menus featuring authentic Mexican dishes. Orders require 24-hour advance notice and can be arranged through our dedicated catering contact.
What are your restaurant hours?
Both locations are closed on Tuesdays. The Irvington location operates 6:00 AM-9:00 PM daily except Tuesday. The Valencia location opens 7:00 AM-9:00 PM daily except Tuesday.
Are takeout orders available?
Yes, takeout service is available at both locations during regular operating hours. Customers can order favorite menu items for pickup, with food prepared fresh to maintain quality standards.
Reviews (6)
Caribooty
Jan 28, 2022
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Excellent service, very attentive and patient with all of our questions.Shout out to Rene, our server. We had the chicken enchiladas and sour cream chicken enchiladas. They were tasty. Gluten free options.
Mark Mixedbreezy Johnson
Jan 23, 2022
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Drinks, appetizers (Nacho's) and main course was delicious. I believe I had the chicken chimichanga with rice and beans in a green Chile sauce. It is a reasonably priced mom and pop authentic Mexican restaurants in town. Would definitely recommend if you're on the Southside.
Laura D.
Dec 30, 2021
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Let me just start off by saying I read this restaurant was a 4.2 in quality of food and service. The service was great! Our server was very attentive and constantly asked if we needed anything further. However, beware and run for the Hills. This is not Mexican food. This isn't even Tex Mex Food. Maybe the best in comparison is a microwavable frozen food from the grocery store. The rice tasted oily, like old oil from a drive-thru restaurant. Imagine a bunch of oily foods fried in the same oil all day, and the oil hadn't been changed. My ground beef taco came with a burger meat patty folded. That
Cecelia Romero
Dec 26, 2021
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Delicious authentic Mexican food. Mix drinks, beer, wine. Good size portions and the staff are very attentive. It can get pretty busy during lunch and dinner time so I would definitely arrive before the lunch and dinner rush. You won't be disappointed.
Abigail Lopez
Oct 14, 2021
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Disgusting! Where's my enchiladas? It tastes like a flavorless, salty, soggy hard tortilla. It's not even chicken! Don't eat here! The sauce taste watery, chef needs to go! Worse service for bad taste. They didn't even care they just tossed microwave food with alot of lettuce
Victoria Anne
Jul 16, 2021
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Been here many times and food is always great, today was no exception. I had the birria chimi and it was delicious, the meat was so flavorful and moist! Sister got the Little Mexico nachos and they were awesome! Mom had the 3 enchilada plate and she said they were all great. Even got a cherry chimi for dessert (for my birthday!). I always recommend Little Mexico to people asking, and will continue to do so!
