The 11th Annual Salsa, Tequila & Taco Challenge, hosted by the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) and El Conquistador Tucson was a blast this past weekend.

On Saturday evening, SAACA announced its 2024 winners — showcasing some of the finest culinary talents in the region!

The event, which brought in more than 700 foodies, was a combo of food, live music, live lucha libre wrestling, live artist painting, and local culture, making it one of Southern Arizona’s most colorful summer food festivals.

The challenge provided local chefs and mixologists a platform to shine and gave attendees the opportunity to vote for their favorite entries in each category.

Here are the 2024 winners and what they created!

2024 Salsa, Tequila & Taco Challenge Winners

Best Agave Spirit

• Judges’ Choice: Gran Coramino Reposado 
• People’s Choice: Gran Coramino Reposado 

Best Ready-To Drink Cocktail

• Judges’ Choice: Ray Ray’s Sonoran Spirit Tea 
• People’s Choice: El Jimador 

Best Salsa

Judges’ Choice: 

• First Place – Dante’s Fire – Carrot Habanero Salsa 
• Second Place – Barnyard Crafthouse and Eatery – Salsa Chiltepin 
• Third Place (TIE) – Casa Asada Taquería – Salsa Negra 
• Third Place (TIE) – El Conquistador Tucson – Habanero Peach Salsa 

People’s Choice: 

• First Place – Isa Bey LLC – Isa Bey Mediterranean Salsa (Hot) 
• Second Place – The Garden Bistro at Tohono Chul – Fermented Fresno Chile-Fresh and Charred Tomato Salsa
• Third Place – Amelia’s Mexican Kitchen – Amelia’s Molcajete 

Best Tequila Cocktail

Judges’ Choice: 

• First Place – Saffron Indian Bistro – “No money? No honey!” 
• Second Place – Tap and Bottle North – Tres Loco Coco 
• Third Place – Redbird Scratch Kitchen + Bar – Redbird Margarita 

People’s Choice: 

• First Place – Fork & Fire Smokehouse + Taproom – Blue Agave Bonfire
• Second Place (TIE) – Barnyard Crafthouse and Eatery – South of the Barn Mai Tai 
• Second Place (TIE) – Dante’s Fire – Peach & Nopales Margarita 
• Third Place – Amelia’s Mexican Kitchen – Yecora Night 

Best Taco

Judges’ Choice: 

• First Place – Dante’s Fire – Nashville Hot Chicken Taco 
• Second Place – Barnyard Crafthouse and Eatery – Baja Fish Taco 
• Third Place (TIE) – Scratching the Plate – Duck Season-Rabbit Season 
• Third Place (TIE) – Casa Asada Taquería – Caramelo 

People’s Choice: 

• First Place – Barnyard Crafthouse and Eatery – Baja Fish Taco
• Second Place – Ranch House Grill and Brewery – Casa Rancho Brisket Taco
• Third Place – Redbird Scratch Kitchen + Bar – Quesabirria 

For more information about SAACA and the other events they host around Tucson, visit saaca.org.

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