Each week, we want to highlight one of our favorite restaurants in Tucson!
Since the mid-2000s, La Olla Mexican Cafe has been a Marana favorite, known for its made-from-scratch dishes and welcoming hospitality at 8553 N. Silverbell Rd.
This family-owned restaurant, run by Ken and Diane Gallardo, has been in the food and beverage industry for nearly 40 years. You’ll often find them both in the kitchen, sharing their passion for cooking.
On the menu, you’ll find classics like ground beef tacos made the old-fashioned way (beef patty that’s deep fried in a tortilla, just like your abuela makes ’em) and rolled chicken tacos. Specialty tacos come in different variations like garlic shrimp, chipotle chicken, and beer-battered fish.
“We don’t like to do the Mexican dishes where they just throw a blob of lettuce over everything,” Ken added. “We try to add a little more finesse and do it a little more upscale.”
There’s a slew of appetizers, too, like the Diablos Chicos — yellow peppers stuffed with shrimp, green onion, and cheese that are then wrapped in bacon, grilled on the stove, and garnished with corn salsa and Anaheim chile crema.
The Queso Fundido is always belly-warming, the almighty Cheese Crisp is easily shareable, and the Nachos De La Olla are shareable as well. However, I usually have a hard time sharing any of the tortilla chips loaded with chile con queso, chorizo black beans, cheese, and smoked poblano crema.
La Olla has different specials every Friday and Saturday evening and a daily Happy Hour from 3 – 6 p.m. which features margaritas, mojitos, wine, and beer.
The “munchies” during Happy Hour include Chorizo Fundido, the Diablo Chico, and ground beef nachos.
The restaurant is open 11:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Monday – Saturday and closed on Sunday.
La Olla Mexican Cafe is located at 8553 N. Silverbell Rd. For more information, visit laollamexicancafe.com and follow La Olla on Instagram and Facebook.
Check out our Interactive Guide to discover more Marana restaurants.
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