For the second consecutive year, the Salsa, Tequila & Taco Challenge is returning to El Conquistador in Oro Valley — featuring more than 30 participating restaurants from Tucson and the Southwest region.
The big event, hosted by the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA), is happening on Saturday, August 24 at 10000 N. Oracle Rd., which is one of the most stunning resorts here in Tucson.
“El Conquistador has been in the Tucson community for quite some time now,” said Jonathan Kupper of El Conquistador. “We are proud to say that we have been a AAA four-diamond resort for 40 consecutive years. We are extremely excited to host the Salsa, Tequila, and Taco Challenge for the second year in a row!”
This event combines culinary artistry, live music, captivating entertainment like live lucha libre wrestling, live artist painting, and rich local culture, making it one of Southern Arizona’s most colorful summer food festivals.
This year, SAACA is introducing a new judging category: “Ready to Drink Cocktails.” The category highlights “innovation and creativity in the cocktail scene.” Additionally, due to a record number of entries for mezcal compared to tequila, they are renaming the “Grand Reserve Category” to “Best Agave Spirit.”
General Admission tickets are $100 per person (VIP tickets are already sold out), which includes salsa, tequila, and taco samplings from participating restaurants and purveyors.
“Chef David Martinez of Epazote Kitchen & Cocktails at El Conquistador will be featuring a Smoked Lamb Barbacoa Taco and Grilled Peach Habanero & Hibiscus Salsa,” said Kupper.
“I’ve always loved the flavor of lamb and have a great affection for smoking foods, so I figured, why not both,” said Chef Martinez. “We’ll be using lamb legs for this dish which is seared, smoked, and braised to get the consistency we want. The flavors consist of various chiles and spices that you’ll absolutely fall in love with!”
“We’ll be pairing the barbacoa with pickled jicama and tangy pineapple pico,” Chef Martinez added. “This year’s salsa is a grilled peach habanero and hibiscus salsa that’ll be just as memorable as the tacos. All flavors should be an incredible experience we strive to capture here at El Conquistador!”
“And finally, our pastry team led by Chef Dawn Garcia-Webb, will be creating another sweet taco this year called the Chipotle Chocolate Taco,” Kupper added. “The bakeshop took home two trophies last year for their Dulce de Leche Taco, and hope for a repeat win this year as well! We are all excited to participate again and have Chef David add his creativity to the menu.”
And, the rest of the menus have been revealed for the ultimate culinary trifecta — the Salsa, Tequila & Taco Challenge. Keep scrolling to check them out!
If you’re visiting El Conquistador any other day of the year, they have multiple dining options on-site.
Epazote Kitchen & Cocktails is their main restaurant for dinner service and the Sundance Café serves breakfast and lunch. Both have patios that back up to the Catalina Mountains — extraordinary views galore. Also, there’s a restaurant and poolside bar named Desert Springs, and then The Colibri Lounge is another welcoming spot to grab a cocktail or local craft beer.
For grab-and-go, there’s an actual spot named Grab & Go. It’s open daily for all of your coffee needs made from local coffee roaster Decibel Coffee Works.
Salsa, Tequila, & Taco Challenge is taking place at El Conquistador, 10000 N. Oracle Rd. For more information and to purchase your tickets, visit saaca.org.
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