By Michelle Talsma Everson
Photos Courtesy of Mesquite Fresh Street Mex
When you walk into Mesquite Fresh Street Mex, you’re greeted by friendly faces, bold colors, welcoming décor, and of course, the sizzle and delicious smell of the grill. Lucky for North Phoenix residents, the Happy Valley location of Mesquite Fresh Street Mex is celebrating its first anniversary this month—and according to its owners, it’s been an amazing ride so far.
“The first year has been awesome! We’ve had a lot of support from the local community,” says Ahmad Alatrash, co-founder and owner alongside his brother Naser Alatrash. He adds that over the course of the last 12 months, Mesquite Fresh Street Mex has become a neighborhood favorite with many North Phoenix residents becoming regular customers.
“While we’re celebrating our first anniversary of being open, this location has actually been a long time in the making,” Ahmad explains. “We had the space where the restaurant is for five years and took four years to officially build on it and open due to the changing real estate market. We’ve wanted to be in this area for a long time.”
The North Phoenix location of Mesquite Fresh Street Mex (1730 W. Happy Valley Road) has become so popular that Ahmad shares that a second location in the area is in the works. “We want to do what’s best for the community, and there’s been so much support that adding another location in North Phoenix makes sense,” he says.
Delicious Food and Continued Growth
Known for its fresh takes on Mexican street food and smoky, flavorful meats made on a custom-built mesquite charcoal grill, Mesquite Fresh Street Mex has nine locations across the Valley and five in the works. The North Phoenix location boasts a spacious dining room with ample seating and its signature custom-built mesquite grill that uses real mesquite wood chips to cook its delicious Mexican fare. Everything is made from scratch and is completely customizable. The cuisine is focused on incorporating the highest quality ingredients prepared fresh daily into every dish.
“What stands out about our food is the mesquite grill concept itself,” Ahmad says. “The food is made fresh daily and there are no freezers at any of our locations.”
Mesquite Fresh Street Mex has made many fans across the state after opening the doors of its first location in 2015. Launched in Old Town Scottsdale, Ahmad shares that he and his brother wanted to make great-tasting and affordable Mexican street food. “When there were lines out the door of our original location, we knew that we were on to something,” he says.
While there are multiple locations across the Valley, Ahmad shares that each one is unique to the neighborhood it serves—including the North Phoenix locale.
“What stands out about our restaurants is the friendly staff and the personal connection they make to the customers,” he says. “We strive to make it a fun place to work with a welcoming culture. At each location, the staff often get to know customers by name and remember the regulars’ orders. It’s a fun vibe for staff and patrons.”
Ahmad adds that Mesquite Fresh Street Mex is the first of its kind Mexican eatery in the North Phoenix area. “To see it [the North Phoenix location] have such success is overwhelming, exciting, stressful, all of the above,” he says. “To see the brand get so popular is also fun and exciting—and we are overwhelmingly grateful.”
With a second North Phoenix location in the works, Ahmad shares that the brand just continues to grow in the North Valley and beyond. “Our inbox is full of Valley residents asking us to bring Mesquite Fresh Street Mex to their neighborhoods. We’re working as fast as we can to do so!”
Community Matters
As a family-owned business, Mesquite Fresh Street Mex’s owners and staff place an emphasis on honoring the community that has helped them to grow. “We want people to know that we’re more than just a restaurant, we’re all about supporting local charities and showing our gratitude by giving back,” Ahmad says.
For example, last year, Mesquite Fresh Street Mex’s restaurants—including the North Phoenix location—gave away thousands of free tacos to organizations across the Valley.
“The Free Taco Tour was launched to support neighboring organizations at a few of our Mesquite locations,” says Ahmad. “As we expand our brand in Arizona, we look forward to connecting with residents and sharing our authentic meets modern Mexican concept with the neighborhood. The Free Taco Tour allowed us to give back to the community in a fun way and bring our famous street tacos to people who live and work in the areas where our restaurants are located.”
As of press time, celebrations to honor the North Phoenix location’s first anniversary were still in the planning stages. “Whatever we do to celebrate, we will of course have special discounts, free cake, and other surprises,” Ahmad says. “We want to support the North Phoenix community and thank them for all of their support over the last year and in the future.”
To find out exact celebration details and keep up on all of Mesquite Fresh Street Mex’s latest news and menu items, follow the brand on Facebook and Instagram @eatmesquite. Information can also be found at eatmesquite.com or by calling 623-248-0187. The North Phoenix Mesquite Fresh Street Mex is located at 1730 W. Happy Valley Road and is open from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily.
This content is sponsored by Mesquite Fresh Street Mex.
