Salsa, Tequila, & Taco Challenge Returns to El Conquistador This August

Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) and El Conquistador are hosting the 2024 Salsa, Tequila, & Taco Challenge from 5 – 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 24

In past years, the event has drawn around 700 attendees, celebrating the community, and voting for the best salsa, tequila, and tacos crafted by acclaimed mixologists and chefs.

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! 

For the second year in a row, the Salsa, Tequila & Taco Challenge returns to El Conquistador, 10000 N. Oracle Rd. More than 30 participants from some of Tucson and the southwest region’s most notable restaurants are confirmed to compete for the title of best salsa, tequila, and tacos.

General Admission tickets are $100 per person and VIP tickets are $125 each, which includes salsa, tequila, and taco samplings from participating restaurants and purveyors. VIP ticket holders will be able to attend the event starting at 5 p.m. and General Admission ticketholders can come in at 6 p.m. V.I.P. ticketholders will also be given the opportunity to participate in an exclusive V.I.P Lounge and will receive a welcome Tequila Toast.  

Participating Restaurants & Purveyors

• Cancion Tequila
• Chef Jorge Deleon
• Corazon Azul
• Dante’s Fire
• Desert Forager
• Dirty T Tamarindo
• El Burrito Real
• El Conquistador
• Hibachi Heat
• Isabey Mediterranean Salsa
• Jeremiah’s Italian Ice
• La Botana Tacos
• [POPPED] Artisan Popcorn
• Redbird Scratch Kitchen + Bar
• Saffron Indian Bistro
• Scratching the Plate
• St. Joseph’s Hospital
• The Royal Room
• Tohono Chul Mobile Bistro
• VMC Beverages
• Westward Look
• More TBA soon…

Once again, the event will also feature extensive live entertainment programming, including several lucha libre matches held center-stage that are sure to elevate the evening. Live artist painting will also contribute to the event’s ambiance, further setting a spotlight on the local arts that SAACA emphasizes and enriches as a part of its mission.

Proceeds from the event help support the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance’s (SAACA) creative arts programs throughout Arizona. 

Plus, there’s going to be raffle baskets including thousands of dollars in prizes donated by community and event partners. 

SAACA is Still Recruiting Restaurants!

If your restaurant wants to participate, reach out to SAACA as soon as possible.

On-site restaurant participant benefits include paper goods for serving samples at the event, six-foot tables with linen, and a 10×10 exhibit space; six staff badges for on-site cooking and serving staff, and in-house print media for restaurants (posters, check inserts.

SAACA will also provide each restaurant with the necessary handwashing station and special event Health Department permit. 

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.