Local Guides World
Urbane restaurant & lounge serving modern, upscale Latin cuisine & craft cocktails.
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Reviews — 8
Been wanting to try this place for awhile and finally got the chance to.
I got the prickly pear mocktail. It was good. Also got the table side guac. It was good but felt like it could be better. I got medium hot maybe next time I will get hot. Also got complimentary chips and salsa. It was delicious. Got the skirt steak tacos. They are tiny but so good. Also got the rice as a side. Thought it would be red/orange rice but it was white. Had an interesting taste.
The patio was nice and they had a heater and a fire place.
Service was good. The place inside looked nice too.
I got the prickly pear mocktail. It was good. Also got the table side guac. It was good but felt like it could be better. I got medium hot maybe next time I will get hot. Also got complimentary chips and salsa. It was delicious. Got the skirt steak tacos. They are tiny but so good. Also got the rice as a side. Thought it would be red/orange rice but it was white. Had an interesting taste.
The patio was nice and they had a heater and a fire place.
Service was good. The place inside looked nice too.
The Mission came highly recommended, and we’re so glad we gave it a try. The menu, with its Latin-inspired dishes, has something for everyone, and everything we ordered was delicious. Great service, food, and ambiance. We’d definitely recommend it now too!
We celebrated an anniversary here and from beginning to end it was top notch. Kennedy our server took the time to make our night special and the food, atmosphere and feeling they left you with was nothing short of fantastic. It was a vibe.
Our work group held a business lunch meeting here with a party of 10 and celebrated a retirement. The food was excellent, and the atmosphere was awesome. Several orders of tableside guacamole were shared by the group, and the entrees were delicious. A special dessert was presented with a sparkler for our boss! It was a truly special time!
As a seasoned culinary critic who explores the globe's diverse food scenes, I recently dined at Old Mission Town in Phoenix, AZ, a restaurant known for its fusion of Latin flavors with a contemporary twist. With high hopes for a unique dining experience, I sampled several of their signature dishes. However, the overall experience was somewhat uneven, starting from the moment we walked in.
Upon arrival, the hostess was less than welcoming, which set an unfortunate tone for the evening. We didn't have a reservation and we were seated outside. While the outdoor area was cozy, it lacked the vibrant ambiance of the main dining room. The real allure of Old Mission Town is the atmosphere of its main dining area, where the energy and décor significantly enhance the dining experience.
Mission Guacamole
Old Mission Town’s take on guacamole, the "Mission Guacamole," was a promising start that, unfortunately, fell short of expectations. While the chunky Haas avocado provided a pleasant base, the overall flavor profile seemed to lack cohesion. The fresh garlic, in particular, was overpowering, masking the natural creaminess and subtlety of the avocado and lime. The addition of chipotle puree and toasted pepitas was interesting but didn’t quite elevate the dish beyond the ordinary. Sometimes, simplicity speaks volumes, and in this case, a more restrained approach might have allowed the freshness of the ingredients to shine.
Creekstone Beef Anticuchos
Moving on to the Creekstone Beef Anticuchos, this dish brought more to the table with its smoky Oaxacan pasilla glaze and chimichurri. The beef was tender and well-seasoned, with a lovely balance between the sesame and soy flavors. However, it could have benefited from a more generous portion of the mole to enhance the complexity of the dish. The mole’s richness was present but not pronounced enough to leave a lasting impression.
Pollo a la Brasa
On a brighter note, the Pollo a la Brasa was a standout. Perfectly cooked, the chicken was juicy and well-seasoned, with a delightful kick from the ají rocoto. The white bean puree added a creamy, earthy balance to the plate, while the oregano and lime gave a refreshing lift. The combination of textures and flavors here was spot on, creating a dish that felt thoughtfully composed and deeply satisfying. It’s a dish I would happily return for, capturing the essence of comfort and innovation.
Tecate Battered Mahi Mahi
Next came the Tecate Battered Mahi Mahi, a dish that unfortunately missed the mark. While the concept was intriguing, the execution was flawed. The batter lacked the light, crispy texture one would expect from a well-done beer batter; instead, it was somewhat dense and uneven. When I inquired with the server, I was told, “That’s just how we make them.” However, it is clear that this preparation does not align with the traditional style, where a delicate, airy crunch should be the highlight. The citrus escabeche and green olive aioli were pleasant accompaniments, but they couldn’t quite save the dish from its overly heavy coating. The server mentioned he would relay my feedback to the chef, but he never returned to update us, leaving us with a sense of unresolved disappointment. Eventually, we decided to leave without further follow-up. This dish not represent a Mexican Baja Fish taco.
Old Mission Town offers a mixed experience. While some dishes show promise and a flair for creativity, others could benefit from a more refined approach and a stronger understanding of traditional techniques. The inconsistent service, from the unwelcoming hostess to the server’s lack of follow-through, further detracted from the evening. While there are certainly high points worth exploring, a more consistent execution across the board, both in the kitchen and in guest service, would elevate the dining experience to the level one might expect from a restaurant with such ambition. For those visiting, I’d recommend aiming for a table inside to truly capture the essence of what this restaurant can offer.
Upon arrival, the hostess was less than welcoming, which set an unfortunate tone for the evening. We didn't have a reservation and we were seated outside. While the outdoor area was cozy, it lacked the vibrant ambiance of the main dining room. The real allure of Old Mission Town is the atmosphere of its main dining area, where the energy and décor significantly enhance the dining experience.
Mission Guacamole
Old Mission Town’s take on guacamole, the "Mission Guacamole," was a promising start that, unfortunately, fell short of expectations. While the chunky Haas avocado provided a pleasant base, the overall flavor profile seemed to lack cohesion. The fresh garlic, in particular, was overpowering, masking the natural creaminess and subtlety of the avocado and lime. The addition of chipotle puree and toasted pepitas was interesting but didn’t quite elevate the dish beyond the ordinary. Sometimes, simplicity speaks volumes, and in this case, a more restrained approach might have allowed the freshness of the ingredients to shine.
Creekstone Beef Anticuchos
Moving on to the Creekstone Beef Anticuchos, this dish brought more to the table with its smoky Oaxacan pasilla glaze and chimichurri. The beef was tender and well-seasoned, with a lovely balance between the sesame and soy flavors. However, it could have benefited from a more generous portion of the mole to enhance the complexity of the dish. The mole’s richness was present but not pronounced enough to leave a lasting impression.
Pollo a la Brasa
On a brighter note, the Pollo a la Brasa was a standout. Perfectly cooked, the chicken was juicy and well-seasoned, with a delightful kick from the ají rocoto. The white bean puree added a creamy, earthy balance to the plate, while the oregano and lime gave a refreshing lift. The combination of textures and flavors here was spot on, creating a dish that felt thoughtfully composed and deeply satisfying. It’s a dish I would happily return for, capturing the essence of comfort and innovation.
Tecate Battered Mahi Mahi
Next came the Tecate Battered Mahi Mahi, a dish that unfortunately missed the mark. While the concept was intriguing, the execution was flawed. The batter lacked the light, crispy texture one would expect from a well-done beer batter; instead, it was somewhat dense and uneven. When I inquired with the server, I was told, “That’s just how we make them.” However, it is clear that this preparation does not align with the traditional style, where a delicate, airy crunch should be the highlight. The citrus escabeche and green olive aioli were pleasant accompaniments, but they couldn’t quite save the dish from its overly heavy coating. The server mentioned he would relay my feedback to the chef, but he never returned to update us, leaving us with a sense of unresolved disappointment. Eventually, we decided to leave without further follow-up. This dish not represent a Mexican Baja Fish taco.
Old Mission Town offers a mixed experience. While some dishes show promise and a flair for creativity, others could benefit from a more refined approach and a stronger understanding of traditional techniques. The inconsistent service, from the unwelcoming hostess to the server’s lack of follow-through, further detracted from the evening. While there are certainly high points worth exploring, a more consistent execution across the board, both in the kitchen and in guest service, would elevate the dining experience to the level one might expect from a restaurant with such ambition. For those visiting, I’d recommend aiming for a table inside to truly capture the essence of what this restaurant can offer.
My husband and I enjoyed our "Monthaversary" dinner here with reservations. (You must have reservations.) From the moment we arrived, the hostesses, the seater, the server, we told "Happy Monthaversary!" The atmosphere is low light, candle lit, preset with wine glasses clothed tables, with a trendy continuous EDM-style mixed 80's-90's music vibe. Service was immediate and ongoing with continuous water refills and drink refreshing. I had the salmon and my husband had chorizo porchetta, which came with 6 - 3inch tortillas and we shared the brussels sprouts appetizer, which were served with our meals, all within a short time from ordering. I was impressed with how quickly we were served. If you want to linger, ask for the table side guacamole or appetizers prior to your main meal. A celebratory bread pudding with ice cream and a sparkler was delivered, complimentary, which was a nice touch with a fun presentation.
I really just can't say enough great things about this place. It's like a hybrid of a romantic hip fine dining experience that is unparalleled by any other. After entering, we were immediately greeted, seated, and treated. The ambience is dim with candle lit tables and a woody speak easy feel. We ordered the table side guacamole and chips and salsa to start. If you'd like your guacamole mild, I suggest leaving the jalapeños out. The salsa was definitely pretty spicy. For our meal we shared the steak tacos and street corn. Let me say, holy amazing. The street corn we asked to be sliced off the cob, in which they happily obliged. The steak tacos look small, but damn they had some tinder thick slices of meat and Avocado on them. Also it comes with three. Drinks were amazing. I highly recommend trying this spot as it's my new favorite Mexican joint in the valley.
