The Southern Arizona Arts & Culture Alliance hosted its ninth annual Salsa, Tequila & Taco Challenge on Sunday, September 1.
Guests tasted food and drink samples from 42 local restaurants, breweries, and distilleries.
Both guests and judges picked winners for salsas, tequilas, and tacos.
2019 Salsa, Tequila & Taco Winners
Salsa: Judges’ Choice
- 1st Place Traditional Salsa – Casino Del Sol – Salsa Molcajete
- 2nd Place Traditional Salsa – Peppersauce Kitchen – Roasted Pepper Salsa
- 1st Place Alternative Salsa – The Gallery Golf Club – Pepita Salsa
- 2nd Place Alternative Salsa – Café Botanica – Smoked Nopal Salsa w/Lemon
Salsa: People’s Choice
- 1st Place Salsa – Santiago Mexican – Salsa Santiago
- 2nd Place Salsa – Café á la Cárt – Roasted Salsa Negra
- 3rd Place Salsa – Americano Mexicano – House Chunky Red
Tequila: Judges’ Choice
- 1st Place Tequila Cocktail – Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort – Mojito Margarita
- 2nd Place Tequila Cocktail – Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain – The Copperhead
- Reserve Tequila – Roger Clyne Mexican Moonshine – Tequila Reposado
Tequila: People’s Choice
- 1st Place Tequila Cocktail – Benson City Grille – Cilantro Jalapeno Lime Margarita
- 2nd Place Tequila Cocktail – The Lodge at Ventana Canyon – Mango Tamarind Tequila
Taco: Judges’ Choice
- 1st Place Taco – Peppersauce Kitchen – Garlic Chicken and Arugula Taco
- 2nd Place Taco – Santiago’s Mexican – Seared Short Rib Taco
Taco: People’s Choice
- 1st Place Taco – Santiago’s Mexican – Seared Short Rib Taco
- 2nd Place Taco – Peppersauce Kitchen – Garlic Chicken and Arugula Taco
Peppersauce Kitchen is up north in Oracle, but we’ll make the trip out there to try more of their food. Stay tuned.
For more information, visit saaca.org.
Article written by:
Jackie Tran
More about JackieJackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the now-closed food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.
An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to sloppily devouring green chili patty melts in his car afterhours. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.
Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.
If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.
