Mr. Mesquite Taqueria opens 1st East Valley location in Tempe

Mr. Mesquite Taqueria, a small locally owned chain of street taco shops, has opened its first East Valley location on the southeast corner of Mill and Fifth Street in downtown Tempe.

It takes over the space most recently occupied by Earl of Sandwich, which closed in late 2017, between the former Gringo Star Street Bar (reopening Aug. 24 as Rodeo Ranch) and the Harkins Valley Art theater.

Mr. Mesquite Taqueria offers a menu of mesquite-grilled carne asada or chicken in tacos ($2.79), burritos ($6.99), quesadillas ($7.99) and bowls ($6.99). Side options are rice ($1.99) and beans ($1.99).

Tacos are $2 on Taco Tuesdays.

Beverages include fountain drinks, horchata, and aguas fresca. No alcohol is served.

Brothers Naser and Ahmad Alatrash opened their first Mr. Mesquite Taqueria — just a small kitchen with a walk-up counter — in Old Town Scottsdale in 2016.

By the end of that year, they launched a second location — a fast-casual restaurant with seating — in north Scottsdale.

They’ve since added a location in east Phoenix, and another is under construction in north Phoenix.