The inaugural Tucson 23 Mexican Food Festival will bring together some of Tucson’s most authentic Mexican restaurants, engaging attendees through a shared experience of local Mexican cuisine.

The event, which will take place on June 18th at 6 p.m. at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort, will celebrate and explore Tucson’s rich heritage and highlight the relationship between food, culture and tradition.

Visit Tucson, in collaboration with the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA), announced the restaurants and libation providers who will be participating in the first year of The Tucson 23 Mexican Food Festival.

The event will bring together the restaurants from across the “Best 23 Miles of Mexican Food in America”, offering a unique opportunity for guests to sip, savor, mix and mingle all in one place.

The festival will feature restaurants including:

  • Blanco Tacos & Tequila
  • Boca Tacos y Tequila
  • Calle Tepa
  • Crossroads Restaurant
  • Dish for Dosha
  • El Charro Café
  • El Cisne
  • Fermented Tea Company
  • Gringo Grill + Cantina
  • La Estrella Bakery
  • La Indita
  • La Fresita
  • La Parrilla Suiza
  • Mariscos Chihuahua
  • Molinas Midway Restarurant
  • Pasco Kitchen and Lounge
  • Penca
  • Pure Love Juice
  • Reforma Cocina Y Cantina
  • Rigo’s Restaurant
  • Seis Kitchen and Catering
  • Sonoran Sno-Cones
  • Taco Giro Mexican Grill

Menu highlights include Blanco Tacos & Tequila presenting machaca tacos and Mexican street corn, El Charro Café featuring five chile pork carnitas, and Penca’s achoite braised pork with grilled pineapple. Attendees looking to satisfy a sweet tooth can check out La Estrella Bakery featuring epanadas, cochitos, pan de huevo, fruit filled chimichangas, and the always popular churros.

In addition to the culinary experiences, top notch beer and spirit providers will be on hand to present their collections in place alongside the regional cuisine Bohemia, Dos Equis Amber, Dos Equis Lager, Roger Clyne’s Mexican Moonshine, Tecate Michelado Diablo, and Tito’s Handmade Vodka. To round out the family friendly event, non-alchololic beverages including tea, horchata, fruit raspados and aguas frescas will also be offered.

The evening will flourish with lively celebration of food and libations delivering memorable experiences for the whole family. The Tucson 23 will feature traditional music and dance performances from Ballet Folklorica La Paloma, Mariachi Mizteca, and Reno Del Mar. Attendees will also have the opportunity to discover regional artwork from local artists, have their face painted in the style of Dia de los Muertos, and experience an explosion of brilliantly colored costumes and time-honored cultural traditions. Raffle tickets will be available at the event, featuring prizes including hotel getaway packages, tequila, restaurant gift certificates, and product and samples from Tucson 23 participants.

Tickets to The Tucson 23 include unlimited food and libation samplings from all participants. Beer, tequila and cocktail sampling, and live entertainment. Tickets are available at www.SAACA.org or by calling (520) 797-3959 x 7.