“Chef-owner Silvana Salcido Esparza “works magic”.”

- Zagat -

 

“At Barrio Cafe you will find some real-deal Mexican food. Guy loved the almond sauce in the Chiles en Nogada, or chicken-stuffed chiles. The tilapia wrapped in banana leaves was a "package deal," and the Cochinita Pibil and Yucatan pulled pork were bursting with flavor"

- Food Network -

 

"Since it opened, folks have been heading to Calle 16 in central Phoenix to sample James Beard Award-nominated chef Silvana Salcido Esparza's personal and creative spin on Mexican regional dishes. Abandoned are bland burritos and tacos in favor of lush, richly layered flavors”

- USA Today -

 

"Top 10 Mexican restaurants, #1. Barrio Cafe - James Beard Award nominee Silvana Salcido Esparza turns Mexican food into Mexican cuisine. Among her regional specialties are a luscious chile soup with goat cheese and Mexican cream, black mole chicken and duck breast in tamarind-chipotle sauce"

- AZ Central -

​