Having spent four years in Tucson attending the University of Arizona, I assimilated to the culture. By that I mean Mexican food became one of my major food groups. There’s no shortage of Mexican food from South Tucson to the foothills of the Catalina Mountains, so if you love Mexican food, you’re in luck. Here are seven diverse Mexican restaurants that will be sure to get your taste buds buzzing in the Old Pueblo.
Café Poca Cosa
www.cafepocacosatucson.com
110 E. Pennington Street
Tucson, Ariz. 85701
(520) 622-6400
You never know just what you’re going to get at Café Poca Cosa. But with a menu that changes twice daily, you can expect fresh and innovative food. Located in downtown Tucson, Café Poca Cosa is sleeker and more modern than other Mexican restaurants.
El Charro Café
www.elcharrocafe.com
311 N. Court Ave.
Tucson, Ariz. 85701
(520) 622-1922
El Charro Café was established in 1922, but today there are three around Tucson, one in Oro Valley and one in Sahuarita. According to Bloomberg’s Businessweek Magazine, it’s the oldest Mexican restaurant in the United States. The best part of the downtown, Court Avenue location is the outdoor patio, perfect for dining on spicy food on a cool evening.
Guadalajara Grill
www.ggrill.com
1220 E. Prince Road
Tucson, Ariz. 85719
(520) 333-1022
Guadalajara Grill is always packed on Friday and Saturday nights. Most people may be waiting for the food, but those in the know are there for the La Bandera margarita. This margarita is 18 ounces of fun, with different flavors stacked three high to look like the Mexican flag. Learn how La Bandera is made.
La Fuente Restaurant
www.lafuenterestaurant.com
1749 N. Oracle Road
Tucson, Ariz. 85705
(520) 623-8659
During the day La Fuente can’t be missed – it’s bright pink. But at night La Fuente shouldn’t be missed because of the lively and loud atmosphere. At La Fuente, mariachis are the main attraction Thursday through Sunday. They even have their own stage in the middle of the restaurant.
Mi Nidito
www.minidito.net
1812 S. Fourth Ave.
Tucson, Ariz. 85713
(520) 622-5081
Located in South Tucson, Mi Nidito is Mexican food with a presidential past. When President Bill Clinton visited in February 1999, Mi Nidito commemorated the event by naming a dish “The Presidential Plate.” Other notable guests include former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, actor William Shatner and of course hometown favorite and former Wildcat basketball star Steve Kerr.
Sir Veza’s Taco Garage
www.sirvezas.com
4699 E. Speedway Blvd.
Tucson, Ariz. 85712
(520) 323-TACO (8226)
If you’re looking for Mexican food with a different spin, try Sir Veza’s Taco Garage. Chips and salsa are served in a hubcap and shammies serve as napkins at this unconventional restaurant. It’s not the most authentic Mexican food in town, but Sir Veza’s delivers with an extensive cerveza and cocktail menu and themed meal names.
The Taco Shop Co.
1350 E. Broadway Blvd.
Tucson, Ariz. 85719
(520) 622-1899
The Taco Shop Co. is great for cheap, fast and semi-greasy Mexican food. Don’t expect linen tablecloths and silverware, The Taco Shop Co. is open 24 hours and has a salsa buffet. But the combo platters, complete with a drink, rice and beans, rarely cost more than $8, and they’re filling.
Salud!
