Spotted Donkey Cantina, el Pedregal: A Flavorful Dive into Authentic Mexican Cuisine

Spotted Donkey has a great Mexican menu with a lot of choices that are reasonably priced. The atmosphere is warm and inviting. The chips and salsa are a nice starter. We wer there on a pretty busy Friday night, and the food came out quite fast. The location is a bit out there and a little hard to find in the dark. It is conveniently by the Boulders spa for anyone staying there though.

Such a great place. Cool vibe, tremendous food and friendly, efficient service. What's not to love. Well.... it's the sadness of parking and walking into an otherwise abandoned El Pedregal. The complex is dark and not being well maintained. Yet somehow, in this dead mall, is this oasis of good food. I hope they remain in place because it's a great spot (and El Pedregal could be as well; what a beautiful structure) BTW....the Baja tacos with Mahi Mahi are as good as they get. Trust me. Nice wine selection and great outdoor patio with views.

We were unable to get room service so ended up at the Spotted Donkey. The food was good and the atmosphere was quiet and not to busy on a Monday night. Service could have been more on point considering they were not busy. We shared the steak and sausage fajitas. And had Blue Moon for a beverage. The food was good. We would return to eat here.

We love to start our vacation at the Boulders Resort with dinner at the Spotted Donkey Cantina. The food is delicious and the atmosphere is so pleasant with comfy seating and the donkey paintings. The margaritas are delish (try the prickly pear). They also have a great happy hour. You can get a shuttle from your casita or villa at the Boulders to the Donkey so that’s an added plus.

Wonderful spot for tacos, protein bowls, chips and salsa and a huge piece of chocolate cake to top it off. I wasn’t expecting one of my favorite meals I’ve had all year when I googled chips and salsa near me. John was such a great server giving us top tier service and making us feel like family. 10/10 would recommend this delicious dining experience.

I'm calling BS on some of the negative reviews for this restaurant. One, everyone from the hostess to waitresses to bartender are super friendly. Secondly. The food and the amount of food is great. One review said their were two tablespoons of meat in the beef enchilada. I got the enchiladas, one cheese and one shredded beef and they were HUGE. Also, they have a great happy hour with Incredible prices for both drinks and appetizers. I highly recommend the queso fundido and guacamole. Plenty of parking and not packed like so many Scottsdale restaurants.

The Spotted Donkey is a delightful dining experience that I highly recommend! The food was delicious—each dish bursting with flavor and beautifully presented. Whether you’re in the mood for something savory or sweet, there’s something to satisfy every palate. We were here two nights in a row, because we could not find parking in down Town Scottsdale on a Saturday. But that was to our benefit. Why bother being in a place where everyone is trying so hard to be someone, when you can kick back and just be yourself at the Spotted Donkey. Don't get me wrong, there are wonderful places in downtown Scottsdale, but it comes with baggage. Sitting at the bar, chatting with other patrons and the bartender, we once again ordered the the nachos. They are unbelievably delicious and serve two if you are also having an entree, of which all offerings are equally delicious. There is a wide selection of Tequila and locally brewed craft beers. What more could you ask for? With seating at the bar (preferred), inside tucked away in banquettes for two or a four-top as well as outside under the stars, this place is both comfortable and a find. They will also cater to larger groups. The service was equally impressive. The staff was friendly and attentive, making sure our needs were met without being intrusive. They clearly take pride in providing a welcoming atmosphere, which made our meal even more enjoyable. If you're staying at the Boulders Resort & Spa, The Spotted Donkey is incredibly convenient (just charge to your room). It’s just a short distance away, making it an ideal spot to unwind after a day of activities. Overall, it’s a must-visit for anyone in the area!

Huge portions. Delicious!! Avocado tacos. Pork loin bacon Mac and cheese was phenomenal. 4 taco dinner - one of each kind - super yummy. Friendly staff. Catered to a vegan and to someone with food allergies without making us feel like we were imposing. Highly recommend. Went a second time. Not as good. The waiter acted like we were an imposition. We couldn't even get his attention to pay. The poblano Chile was just ok. The Chili was good but not great. Tacos were still great. If this were our visit, we wouldn't be back.