Nana's Special Tacos (Photo courtesy of Nanas Kitchen)

Nana’s Kitchen Wins the First ‘Taste of Marana’ Award


August 24, 2023
By Matt Sterner

The town of Marana has been on a tear as of late when it comes to shining a light on its culinary scene. Discover Marana recently announced the inaugural winner of the Taste of Marana Standout Restaurant Award — an award that recognizes local restaurants that offer “exceptional food, service, and community involvement.”

For 15 years, the family-owned and operated Nana’s Kitchen has served authentic Mexican cuisine with fresh ingredients, homemade tortillas, and some binge-worthy tacos (check out our “Best Tacos” guide). Nana’s Kitchen just won Discover Marana’s “Taste of Marana” award and will celebrate its anniversary and award win on Saturday, August 26

Nana’s Kitchen’s award (Photo courtesy of Discover Marana)

The award was presented to Nana’s Kitchen owners Javier Teran and Sandra Teran, along with Maria Hernandez, who is the inspiration behind the restaurant’s name and recipes. The award also honors Marco Teran, the creator of the signature drinks.

Javier was overjoyed by the award. “This morning’s event was overwhelming with emotions,” he said. “Thank you, this is truly an honor. Hope to continue and make Marana proud to have us here.”

a group of people standing in front of a crowd posing for the camera
Nana’s Kitchen’s award (Photo courtesy of Discover Marana)

The presentation took place at the Marana Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting on Thursday, August 17 at the Highlands at Dove Mountain with more than 160 attendees.

“The owners are kind, friendly, welcoming, and genuine,” said Brian Keeley, a frequent diner and supporter of Nana’s Kitchen who helped with the nomination. “They treat every customer like family and if you eat there you will notice how many repeat customers are greeted with a hug. The owners give back to the community and its customers by doing fundraisers for causes that they believe in. To sum it all up, Nana’s Restaurant is a small local business, that is owned and operated by genuinely good people who serve up delicious food and drinks.” 

About the Taste of Marana Standout Restaurant Award

The Taste of Marana Standout Restaurant Award is part of Discover Marana’s initiative to promote the local dining scene and showcase the stories behind the restaurants. A strong dining scene is an important part of tourism and a thriving community, especially in light of the challenges that restaurateurs have faced in the last three years due to labor shortages, supply chain issues, and inflation.

Discover Marana invites the public to nominate their favorite local restaurants for the next award. The nomination form can be found on Discover Marana’s website. Discover Marana hopes to honor up to 10 local restaurant owners who stand out in their field by August of next year.

Nana’s Kitchen is located at 8225 N Courtney Page Way Suite 129. For more information, visit mexicanfoodtucson.com and follow Nana’s Kitchen on Facebook.

Explore Marana’s Local Restaurants

Whether you’re a local looking to explore new dining options, a food connoisseur seeking the next unforgettable meal, or a traveler hungry for authentic local flavors, our guide has something for you. We’ve done the legwork to highlight the best places to eat and drink in Marana, providing you with in-depth reviews, photos, and insider tips.

Below are a few interactive guides we’re excited to share. Happy eating!

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