As the calendars turn and the weather gets warmer, Arizonans are beginning to prepare for the spring and summer months in the desert. While it may look different in our state compared to most, there is still one thing we can all agree on this time of year… sunshine and margaritas are a match made in heaven. SOL Mexican Cocina has you covered in that department, as the Baja-inspired restaurant sets the tone for the months ahead.
Sinking into the vibe
From the moment you step foot in the door, you’ll notice a warm, cozy vibe with wood features and soft tones. The entire establishment features an open concept design, with large sliding doors separating the indoor and outdoor dining areas. The kitchen shares the same open concept, as you’re able to watch your food get prepared right in front of your eyes.
READ ALSO: Ranking Arizona: Top 10 Mexican restaurants for 2021
Immerse yourself in the complete experience with live music in the front of the restaurant or indulge your cravings in a more relaxed atmosphere towards the back. On this particular Taco Tuesday, SOL Mexican Cocina blessed us with the musical talents of Jeff Ocheltree, a local musician who took requests and covered multiple genres with a level of grace and joie de vivre. Ok, that might be a bit too fancy for Taco Tuesday. Let’s just say, he garnered plenty of applause for his performance.
Diving into the food
As a Baja-inspired restaurant with an upscale Southwest vibe, you start off with a delicious assortment of lime, house made hot sauce and salt to pair with your complimentary basket of tortilla chips. Add in a little black bean dip and spicy salsa, and you got yourself plenty to start the night off right.
While it might be easy to fill up on those starters, you should consider ordering one of SOL’s many delicious appetizers – such as the warmed goat cheese dip covered in salted peanuts and sitting perfectly atop a sweet and spicy chipotle syrup with cilantro sprigs. Armed with seasoned tortilla chips, be careful when you launch an attack on this amazing dish, because it will undoubtedly be gone before you know it. I suggest pairing these wonderful starters with a frozen margarita that is blended to absolute perfection.
Perusing the menu
SOL Cocina offers a robust menu of entrée items, but do not worry if you’re unable to decide on what you want. Our wonderful server, Nick, was knowledgeable and friendly. He offered explanations and recommendations, as we explored the eclectic menu of organic, seasonal dishes.
The goat cheese enchiladas paired perfectly with pork carnitas, while the quinoa side salad provided a delightfully refreshing compliment. The street tacos are served a la carte and offer many different options for patrons who want to try a little bit of everything. The taco vampiro features serrano chiles, scallions, carne asada, guacamole, pico de gallo, chipotle sauce and cotija served on top of a double tortilla stuffed with melted cheese. It will make your taste buds swarm with flavor.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning the concerted effort that SOL Mexican Cocina has made to benefit our community and the environment. Tables remain socially-distanced, while servers maintain a self-imposed mask mandate within the establishment. Furthermore, it’s important to note that SOL’s to-go boxes can be microwaved and are 100% recyclable. I don’t know about you, but that level of convenience and environmental responsibility is hard to come by.
Ultimately, with affordable prices and an incredible atmosphere, SOL Mexican Cocina is definitely a destination spot for people in the Valley looking to slow down and smell the margaritas. After all, that tequila smell is much more desirable when it’s not coming from your hand sanitizer. Am I right?
