If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the Valley! Along with our soaring temperatures, the Valley of the Sun also has scorching food so spicy it’ll melt your face… if that’s what you’re into. If you’re a glutton for culinary punishment like us, these Valley dishes will bring your spice radar from “tingly” to “nuclear meltdown.”
BOMBERO BURRITO
Los Taquitos Mexican Grill
It’s the bomb! Los Taquitos’ bombero burrito is a spice blast, but that doesn’t mean the Phoenix-based mom and pop shop skimps on flavor. It’s super spicy, but not just for the sake of burning your mouth. Get it con pollo for a meaty, spicy, cheesy and absolutely enormous Mexican treat. Featured on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” this burrito is the stuff of local legend.
Los Taquitos Mexican Grill, 4747 E. Elliot Road, Phoenix, 480.753.4361; 7000 N. 16th Street, Phoenix, 602.371.0111, ltgrill.com
ALL DISHES
The Dhaba
There’s spicy and then there’s Punjabi Indian food spicy. The Dhaba is undoubtedly the best Punjabi Indian food in the Valley, and all of their dishes can be customized to how hot you desire. A “5” is pretty hot, so tread lightly when you throw caution to the wind ordering an “8” or “9.” Want chicken tikka masala that will burn a hole in your tongue? They can do that. Just make sure you’re up to the challenge.
The Dhaba, 1872 E. Apache Boulevard, Tempe, 480.557.8800, the-dhaba.com
POLLO AL DIABLO
Arriba Mexican Grill
Lovingly adorned with three chili peppers to the side of its name on the menu, the pollo al diablo at Arriba Mexican Grill doesn’t mess around. At the restaurant’s highest spice rating, the dish is smothered in hatch chili, pepper jack cheese and pico de gallo. It’s served with rice and beans, so you can snack on those if you decide to chicken out.
Arriba Mexican Grill, multiple locations throughout the Valley, arribamexicangrill.com
ADOVADA RIBS
Los Dos Molinos
Los Dos Molinos is home to the self-proclaimed “hottest food in Phoenix,” so you know you’re going to get spicy when you arrive, but just how spicy needs to be tasted to be believed. While many of their dishes are too hot to handle, our vote goes to the adovada ribs. The New Mexican favorite is smothered in red chili and served with rice, chili beans and tortillas. Think you can handle it?
Los Dos Molinos, multiple locations throughout the Valley, losdosmolinos.com
GHOST BURGER
Rehab Burger Therapy
The spiciest chili pepper in the world, which continues to haunt the digestive systems of dumb YouTubers everywhere, is toned down in this burger. Rather than plopping the sinfully spicy pepper directly on the burger, Rehab’s ghost burger features ghost pepper cheese. It’s still incredibly spicy, but the flavor is toned down by creamy, melty cheese and fresh guacamole. It might be a ghost pepper burger, but it gets zero boos from us.
Rehab Burger Therapy, 7210 E. Second Street, Scottsdale, 480.621.5358, rehabburgertherapy.com
ALL DISHES
Thailicious
You’ve ordered your dish “Thai hot” at your local Thai restaurant and regretted it. Now imagine this: Thailicious in Chandler lets you order your food up to triple Thai hot. Imagine your yellow curry or pad Thai drenched in spice. If that sounds good to you, more power to you, but we’re here to let you know that there’s no shame in just ordering just double Thai hot.
Thailicious, 5865 W. Ray Road, Chandler, 480.306.6792, thailiciousaz.com
