If you like chimichangas, I mean if you really like chimichangas, come to Gordo’s 2.0 at Heirloom Farmers Markets.
Tucsonans that have lived here since before the year 2000 might remember the Gordo’s Mexicateria commercials with Al Valenzuela. Although the restaurant closed in 2002, the recipes live on with Valenzuela’s widow Julie. Her family’s recipes were the foundation of the menu at Gordo’s.
Due to popular demand, Valenzuela’s daughter Marguerite Brown partnered up with gourmet retail food industry entrepreneur Mark Callahan to bring back Gordo’s chimichangas.
“I have an unparalleled passion for food and bringing well-loved items to the market,” Callahan said in a press release. “It’s been really exciting taking these wonderful family recipes and updating them for today’s consumer.”
While Gordo’s Mexicateria isn’t reopening as a restaurant, the duo launched Gordo’s 2.0, a farmers market stand with freshly-fried chimichangas and “take home and heat” casseroles.
“This is something I have dreamed of doing for so long,” Brown said in a press release. “All the right elements just dropped into place and we are up and running. It has been so rewarding to meet people at the markets who still remember the original Gordo’s and my dad.”
Gordo’s 2.0 is located at the Oro Valley Farmers Market on Saturdays and Rillito Park Farmers Market on Sundays.
Local catering is also available. To place large orders ahead of time, call Brown directly at (520) 488-7728.
Depending on the success of the stand, Gordo’s 2.0 may begin distributing nationally as a frozen product.
No website or social media is available yet. To place large orders ahead of time, call Marguerite Brown directly at (520) 488-7728. Visit Gordo’s 2.0 at the Oro Valley Farmers Market on Saturdays and Rillito Park Farmers Market on Sundays.
Jackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon...
