Toca Madera in Scottsdale is a Mexican-inspired steakhouse with a fire performance, live DJ, and a menu that will make your wallet nervous. Here is everything we ordered and whether it is worth it.
We had heard a lot about Toca Madera before going, mostly that the food is excellent and the bill is not cheap. It is located on the Scottsdale restaurant row near Ocean 44 and Nobu, which tells you exactly what kind of neighborhood this is. We went in curious but cautious, and we left with a very clear opinion on what to order and what to skip.
The Menu
The dinner menu leans toward premium cuts and Mexican-inspired small plates. Appetizers average around $30, cocktails around $20 each. We spotted a members menu at the table, which turned out to be available to anyone. Members just get discounted pricing. A full membership runs $2,000 a year, so we passed on that and ordered from the regular menu.
We started with the A5 Wagyu tacos, then went with the boneless ribeye and branzino as our mains, Mexican street corn as a side, and one Ghost Rider margarita plus a Carajillo for drinks. Complimentary chips and salsa arrived at the table first.
Cocktails
Ghost Rider Margarita β $23
I do not usually like margaritas. They tend to be too sharp and sour for me. The Ghost Rider did not have that problem. It is smooth, not too tart, and the presentation is genuinely fun: they serve it with fire at the table. The price makes more sense once you see it arrive.
Carajillo β $18
The Carajillo is espresso and Licor 43, my favorite drink and the one I always look for when we go out. Every Carajillo I try tastes a little different and this one is no exception. Not too strong on the coffee bitters, very lightly sweetened, and a little watery. But the flavor is all there. Very good.
A5 Wagyu Tacos
A5 Wagyu Tacos β 2 pieces, $37
I went in skeptical. Two tiny tacos for $37 at a place that already feels like it is charging for the atmosphere. But these are genuinely one of the best bites of the meal. The wagyu is smoky, the layering of vegetables on top adds texture and freshness, and there is a subtle heat that creeps in at the end. The size is small, that is not a rumor, but the flavor is there. Worth ordering.
The Mains
Boneless Ribeye
Boneless Ribeye β 18 oz, $155
This is the star of the meal. The outside has a deep char from the wood fire and the inside is juicy when you cut in. The flavor comes out immediately on the first bite: smoky, well-seasoned, and much better than we expected for a steakhouse that doubles as a nightlife venue. They serve shishito peppers on the side, which are lightly sweet and pair well with the richness of the beef. If you are coming to Toca Madera, this is what you order.
Branzino
Branzino β $63
The branzino is fine. The fish is fully deboned with no head, which makes it easy to eat, and it has a light spice to it. But next to a $155 ribeye that delivers on every level, the branzino does not have much to compete with. It is not a bad dish, it just does not belong on your priority list here. Next visit we are skipping it and putting that money toward more steak.
Mexican Street Corn
Mexican Street Corn β $15
Order this. The corn is sweet, the cheese powder is savory, and there is a kick of spice underneath that ties it all together. The layering of flavors is something we did not expect from a side dish at a steakhouse. It is genuinely one of the best things on the table that night and it is on the cheaper end of the menu. Do not skip it.
The Fire Show
The fire performance is part of what you are paying for here. They perform at two locations inside the restaurant: one near the entrance and one by the DJ booth at the back. You have to walk to the back to watch the DJ booth performance; they do not bring it to the tables, for obvious fire safety reasons.
Performances start at 7:00 PM and run every hour through the night. If you want to catch it, plan to be seated and finished with your first course before 7. The show is worth watching. It is a real performance, not a gimmick.
Seating tip: If you want a quieter dinner, sit near the front by the entrance. The back is louder: the DJ booth is back there and so is the bar. The music is full club energy, which is great if that is your vibe and a lot if it is not.
The Restrooms
A small detail worth mentioning: the restrooms have attendant service. Someone is there with paper towels and a tray of mints. There is no pressure to tip but the option is there. It is a nice touch and very consistent with the overall experience they are trying to create.
The Dress Code
They enforce it and they will text you a reminder before your reservation. No shorts, no flip flops, no athletic wear. Business casual is the standard. Plan your outfit before you go; you do not want to be turned away at the door.
The Service
Okay, not perfect. We called multiple times before our reservation to ask about the fire show schedule and kept getting sent to voicemail. That is frustrating when you are trying to plan a special night. The in-restaurant experience was warmer, but water refills were basically nonexistent throughout dinner, which is a miss at this price point. When they packed our leftover steak, it came out in a plain box with no bag. Small thing, but when a restaurant is charging $155 for a steak and positioning itself as a luxury experience, the little details matter.
The Bill
Our total came to $336 before tip. We used inKind to save on the bill. I had a $30 off offer after spending $100, and I had purchased an inKind gift card at Costco for additional savings on top of that. Not sponsored; this is just how we fund nice dinners without paying full price every time.
How to Save Money Here: inKind
Toca Madera is on inKind. The app gives you credits and offers at participating restaurants across Arizona and beyond. I also recommend buying inKind gift cards at Costco when they are available; there is an additional discount built in. Sign up with my referral link below and watch my full inKind savings video to see how I use it.
We also booked through OpenTable, which stacks points toward a $16 dining credit or $10 Amazon gift card. If you are a regular at restaurants that use OpenTable, it adds up fast.
Claim $25 Off Your Next Meal
Use my InKind referral link and get $25 off your next $50+ meal. Plus earn up to 20% cashback every time you dine at Toca Madera.
Practical Notes
- Reservations: Book in advance. Prime time slots fill up quickly.
- Dress code: Enforced. They will text you a reminder before your reservation. Plan accordingly.
- Fire show: Starts at 7:00 PM, every hour after that.
- Seating: Front of restaurant is quieter. Back is near the DJ and bar, louder and more energetic.
- Phone: Do not expect a fast response if you call ahead. Go in knowing your plan.
- Membership: There is a members menu available to all guests. Members get discounted pricing. Membership is $2,000 per year.
Verdict
Toca Madera is worth it if you go in with the right expectations. This is not a quiet dinner spot. It is a high-energy Mexican steakhouse with a DJ, fire performances, and cocktails that cost as much as a nice lunch somewhere else. The ribeye is excellent, the wagyu tacos surprised us, and the street corn is a must-order. The branzino is skippable. Service has room to improve at this price point.
Next visit: one appetizer, one ribeye, two sides, one drink each. That is the move.
