The Southern Arizona Arts & Culture Alliance hosted its ninth annual Salsa, Tequila & Taco Challenge on Sunday, September 1.

Guests tasted food and drink samples from 42 local restaurants, breweries, and distilleries.

Both guests and judges picked winners for salsas, tequilas, and tacos.

2019 Salsa, Tequila & Taco Winners

Salsa: Judges’ Choice

• 1st Place Traditional Salsa – Casino Del Sol – Salsa Molcajete
• 2nd Place Traditional Salsa – Peppersauce Kitchen – Roasted Pepper Salsa
• 1st Place Alternative Salsa – The Gallery Golf Club – Pepita Salsa
• 2nd Place Alternative Salsa – Café Botanica – Smoked Nopal Salsa w/Lemon

Salsa: People’s Choice

• 1st Place Salsa – Santiago Mexican – Salsa Santiago
• 2nd Place Salsa – Café á la Cárt – Roasted Salsa Negra
• 3rd Place Salsa – Americano Mexicano – House Chunky Red

Tequila: Judges’ Choice

• 1st Place Tequila Cocktail – Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort – Mojito Margarita
• 2nd Place Tequila Cocktail – Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain – The Copperhead
• Reserve Tequila – Roger Clyne Mexican Moonshine – Tequila Reposado

Tequila: People’s Choice

• 1st Place Tequila Cocktail – Benson City Grille – Cilantro Jalapeno Lime Margarita
• 2nd Place Tequila Cocktail – The Lodge at Ventana Canyon – Mango Tamarind Tequila

Taco: Judges’ Choice

• 1st Place Taco – Peppersauce Kitchen – Garlic Chicken and Arugula Taco
• 2nd Place Taco – Santiago’s Mexican – Seared Short Rib Taco

Taco: People’s Choice

• 1st Place Taco – Santiago’s Mexican – Seared Short Rib Taco
• 2nd Place Taco – Peppersauce Kitchen – Garlic Chicken and Arugula Taco

Peppersauce Kitchen is up north in Oracle, but we’ll make the trip out there to try more of their food. Stay tuned.

For more information, visit saaca.org.