Tacos and margaritas, with Old Town as your map. You start and end at Western Spirit and work through four taco stops plus three margaritas, with a local guide steering the whole route. Along the way, you also get a little cultural stop at a museum and quick pauses around Old Town Scottsdale.

I love how the tour is built around a clear food plan: four tacos, chips and dips, plus dessert, so you’re always doing the next fun thing instead of waiting around. I also love that vegetarian and gluten-free options are available if you ask when you book. Add in the small group size, and the food service feels smooth.

The main tradeoff is that this is an alcohol-included experience with no substitutions, and it’s only for adults 21+. If you need strict diets beyond vegetarian or gluten-free, like dairy-free or vegan, you’ll want to look for a different option.

Key things I’d want you to notice before you book

• Four tacos plus chips, dips, and dessert so you’re not hungry by the end
• Three margaritas included as part of the drink rhythm at the stops
• Old Town Scottsdale route with a museum stop near Western Spirit
• Vegetarian and gluten-free options available with advance notice
• Max 15 people keeps the tour from feeling crowded
• Alcohol samples aren’t swappable, so it’s a true adult tasting format

Price and logistics: what $100 really buys you

At $100 per person for about 2 hours 45 minutes, this tour is priced like a “multiple stops, multiple courses” deal. The value is that you’re not just paying for guided walking—you’re paying for tastings across several restaurants, along with beverages and alcoholic beverages.

Here’s what that means in real terms for your planning:

• You get four tacos and three margaritas, not one big meal.
• You also get chips and dips plus dessert, which stretches the experience well past just a taco crawl.
• Since you’re scheduled across multiple places, you’re saving yourself the effort of deciding where to eat and then backtracking through Old Town.

The flip side is simple: you’ll want to be comfortable with a guided tasting format that includes alcohol. This isn’t designed for a soft-spoken, non-drinking food-only afternoon, because there are no substitutions for the alcohol samples.

Meeting at Western Spirit and getting the route right

Your meeting point is Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West (3830 N Marshall Way). The tour ends back at the same spot, which is great for your navigation. It also means you can treat this as a self-contained afternoon: meet, snack and sip, walk Old Town, then roll right back to the museum area.

There’s no hotel pickup or drop-off, so plan on getting to the start on your own. The tour is near public transportation, which helps if you’re not driving.

One more practical note: this works in all weather conditions, and the walking involves a moderate physical level. It’s not a marathon, but you’ll still be moving around Old Town streets for a chunk of time, including about 1 hour of walking.

What you actually eat and drink (the full tasting math)

This is a tasting tour, so the “right mindset” matters. You’re not supposed to arrive starving and treat each stop like an all-you-can-eat buffet. The food is portioned for sampling, and the whole point is to compare flavors and styles across different kitchens.

Here’s the core rundown:

• 4 taco tastings
• Chips and dips
• Dessert
• 3 margaritas
• Beverages included throughout

If you’re someone who likes variety, this format is a win. You’ll get multiple versions of the taco experience in different settings—classic Mexican patio vibes, casual Old Town energy, and a quick break at a roasters and wine bar.

If you’re trying to pace alcohol, do it early. The tour gives you three margaritas across stops, so you’ll likely feel the effects by the final stretch.

Stop-by-stop: Old Town Scottsdale tastings that make sense

The tour is built in short timed chapters—roughly 10 to 20 minutes per stop—so you get variety without losing too much time at any single place.

Stop 1: Los Olivos Mexican Patio (Old Town’s oldest family spot)

You’ll begin at Los Olivos Mexican Patio, described as the oldest restaurant in Oldtown Scottsdale and family owned and operated. This first stop is where the tour sets its baseline: you’ll sample a variety of food and have a margarita here, with about 20 minutes on the clock.

Why this works for you: the opening tasting helps you get oriented fast. You’ll learn what flavors and textures to pay attention to, so the later stops feel like comparisons instead of random bites.

Small practical tip: ask your guide what the best pairings are at this first place. You’ll get clearer choices for the next margarita phases.

Stop 2: Cien Agaves Tacos & Tequila (casual and right in the action)

Next is Cien Agaves Tacos & Tequila in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale. The tone here is casual, upbeat, and fun, and the stop runs about 20 minutes. This is another chance to sample tacos and lean into the tequila side of the experience.

What you’ll likely enjoy: the atmosphere is built for social energy. It’s the kind of place where you can ask questions and get quick answers from the staff without it feeling like a formal dinner.

The only caution: since the tour keeps moving, don’t over-order mentally. Save your full attention for the tasting moment, then carry what you liked forward to the next stop.

Stop 3: Loco Patron Scottsdale (taco, margarita, and elote corn dip)

Loco Patron Scottsdale is where the tour includes a specific trio: tasty taco, margarita, and elote corn dip. This stop is also around 20 minutes.

This is one of the most “complete” stops on the route because it includes a distinct side—elote-style corn dip—which gives you more than just tortilla and fillings to compare. If you like street-food flavors, this is the moment to pay attention to how the corn is seasoned and how the dip balances the taco.

If you’re gluten-free or vegetarian, this is also the stop where your dietary request matters most. Make sure you’ve told the team at booking and remind your guide again when you arrive.

Stop 4: Yellow Spruce Roasters & Wine Bar (a veteran-owned pivot)

Then you head to Yellow Spruce Roasters & Wine Bar, a veteran owned and operated stop with about 10 minutes. It’s a short break between taco-heavy moments and helps shift the flavor profile from classic Mexican tasting rhythm into something different.

Why I like this on a taco tour: it prevents your afternoon from becoming one long loop of the same tasting notes. Even a quick stop can reset your palate for the walking portion that follows.

The in-between moments: country-western bar, a landmark, and the Western Spirit museum vibe

After Yellow Spruce, the tour includes additional stops that aren’t just about food. You’ll pause at a country western bar, check out a famous landmark, and spend time at a museum featuring art/artists of the West—the Western Spirit museum ties directly to your meeting point.

These bits matter more than you might think. They give your brain a rest from eating every 10 to 20 minutes. Plus, Old Town Scottsdale is often easier to understand when you connect the architecture and regional themes, instead of just walking past them.

Stop 5: Old Town Scottsdale walking (about 1 hour)

The walking portion is about 1 hour through Old Town neighborhoods. This is where you slow down, take photos, and connect the stops into one easy storyline.

The practical upside: you’re not doing a huge marathon walk. The schedule is paced so you can enjoy the area, not just survive it between margaritas.

The practical downside: you should wear shoes you can stand in for a while. Old Town streets can be uneven in spots, and you don’t want sore feet cutting into your enjoyment.

Alcohol rules and your best strategy (21+ and no swaps)

This is the Alcohol Package Included version, so alcoholic beverages are part of the tasting plan. Minimum drinking age is 21.

Also, the tour says no substitutions made for alcohol samples. That’s important. If you don’t drink alcohol or you’re hoping to swap one drink for another, this tour won’t work like that.

My advice: treat the margaritas as part of the itinerary, not an optional add-on. Drink water between stops if you want to feel good during the walking portion, especially near the end of the tour.

The guide factor: why the experience feels smooth

The tour runs with a local guide, and that guide’s job is more than pointing places out. You’re being managed through timing, food pacing, and small-route navigation. That’s why the tour tends to feel organized even when it’s packed with tastings.

One name that’s come up for hosting and guiding on this tour format is Kyle, and the consistent theme from the experience is that the guide helps keep service moving and makes sure you know what you’re eating.

Here’s what you should do with that in mind:

• Ask your guide what to order at each stop, even if the tasting is pre-set. They can point out what people tend to like most.
• Use the guide for extra local tips beyond the tour, since they’ll know the areas around Old Town.

Vegetarian and gluten-free: what you should expect

Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available, but you need to ask at booking. If those are deal-breakers for you, make sure you confirm your request before arrival.

One limitation is clearly stated: dairy-free, vegan, and other restrictions aren’t accommodated. So if your diet is based on avoiding dairy and animal products entirely, you’ll likely be disappointed here.

If you’re vegetarian or need gluten-free only, this tour can still be a good fit. The key is managing expectations: you’ll get options, but not necessarily every possible substitution you might find in a custom menu.

Who this tour fits best

This tour is a strong match if you want:

• A guided way to sample Old Town Scottsdale without planning four separate meals
• A structured taco-and-margarita afternoon with tastings and dessert
• A small group setting (maximum 15 travelers)

It’s also a good fit if you like food variety and want to compare multiple styles of tacos and tequila culture in one outing.

It may not fit if:

• You need dairy-free or vegan meals
• You’re under 21
• You need stroller-friendly arrangements (no strollers, and children must be 11+)
• You prefer a long sit-down dinner pace rather than timed stops

What I’d pack (so your afternoon stays comfortable)

Even though this isn’t a hiking tour, the schedule includes walking and time outdoors. Bring what makes weather and comfort easy:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• A light layer if the evening air turns cool
• A refillable water bottle for between drinks

If you’re going in summer, sun protection matters. The tour runs in all weather conditions, so don’t assume you can just rely on shade.

Should you book Scottsdale’s Taco Tour with the Alcohol Package Included?

I’d book it if you want a single-ticket Old Town Scottsdale plan that delivers real food and drink variety—four tacos, three margaritas, chips and dips, plus dessert—with a guide and a tight route back to Western Spirit.

I’d think twice if you’re not comfortable with alcohol being part of the deal, or if your dietary needs go beyond vegetarian and gluten-free. The no-substitution rule is the biggest deciding factor, and it’s smart to respect that upfront.

If you like organized tasting tours and want to leave with a short list of places you’d happily return to, this one makes sense.

FAQ

How long is Scottsdale’s Taco Tour?

It lasts about 2 hours 45 minutes.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, 3830 N Marshall Way, and ends back at the same meeting point.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes a local guide, food tastings, beverages, and alcoholic beverages.

What food and drinks do you get?

You’ll have four tacos, three margaritas, chips and dips, and dessert.

Is this tour only for adults?

Yes. The minimum drinking age is 21, and alcoholic beverages are included.

Are vegetarian or gluten-free options available?

Yes. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available if you advise the provider at booking.

Can the tour accommodate vegan or dairy-free diets?

No. The tour cannot accommodate dairy-free, vegan, or other food restrictions beyond what’s stated for vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Do you get hotel pickup and drop-off?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How big is the group?

The maximum group size is 15 travelers.

Can kids join?

Children must be 11 years or older, and there are no strollers allowed.