If you're in the mood to eat authentic Mexican food in a beautiful setting, head to El Encanto Mexican Patio in Cave Creek. It's conveniently located in the heart of town near other attractions, is open for lunch and dinner, and serves brunch on Sunday.
Patio Seating by the Lake / Source:https://elencantorestaurants.com
The menu features authentic, homemade specialties such as Seafood or Spinach Enchiladas, Fajitas, Carne Asada Relleno and Shrimp with Tequila Lime Salsa, all made from fresh ingredients. The guacamole is made each day with fresh avocados, tomatoes, peppers, onions and fresh herbs, and is served with corn tortilla chips fresh from the oven. All meals include a trio of homemade salsas - mild, hot and Verde along with fresh chips.
Authentic Mexican Food / Source:https://elencantorestaurants.com
The drink list includes a variety of Margaritas both frozen and on-the-rocks. The El Encanto House Margarita is made with a premium blend of liquors including Sauza Gold Tequila and was voted best in the Valley. You can make it your own by adding strawberry, raspberry, peach, mango, melon or Prickly Pear flavoring.
Domestic and Mexican beers are available by the bottle or on draft along with a large selection of wines from Spain, South America, Mexico and California. In the cantina, you can sample 40 different tequilas in flights and enjoy a large selection of tapas.
El Encanto is located in a romantic, old-fashioned hacienda that exudes Old-World charm. Stucco archways and walls feature beautiful inlaid Mexican tile work. The bar top is made of swirl stone, and the handmade wrought iron wine racks and furnishings were designed by local artists.
Interior Seating / Source:https://elencantorestaurants.com
Wrought iron gates frame a covered patio that surrounds an enchanting garden and a natural pond with a waterfall. If you're seated on the patio or near a window, you can enjoy your meal watching ducks and turtles glide by and may even see an owl or blue heron if you're lucky. If you want to feed the animals, cups of food are available at the hostess stand for $0.25.
El Encanto is a popular spot for weddings, corporate events and celebrations with family and friends. Large parties are held on a private patio and can be set up as an informal gathering with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, a buffet or a multi-course sit-down dinner.
Patio for Private Parties / Source:https://elencantorestaurants.com
There are two other locations - one in Desert Hills and the other in Fountain Hills. The Cave Creek location is referred to as El Encanto Uno, the Desert Hills location is El Encanto Dos and the one in Fountain Hills is called El Encanto De La Fuente.
The El Encanto Dos and De La Fuente locations are also designed as indoor/outdoor cantinas with an old Mexico atmosphere. El Encanto Dos offers outdoor seating on a patio with a rustic fireplace next to a running creek and a pond surrounded by flowers. The patio at El Encanto De La Fuente features outdoor fireplaces and a stunning waterfall in a garden setting.
All three locations offer the same menu although daily specials are usually different. Whichever location you choose, you'll enjoy great Mexican food in beautiful surroundings.
El Encanto Uno6248 E. Cave Creek Rd
Cave Creek, AZ 85331
(480) 488-1752
Open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 am to 9 pm
Map
El Encanto Dos
1112 E. Carefree Highway
Desert Hills, AZ 85085
(623) 780-5948
Open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 am to 9 pm
Map
El Encanto De La Fuente
11044 N Saguaro Blvd
Fountain Hills, AZ 85068
(480) 837-1070
Closed for the summer; reopening date TBD
Map
