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Foodie 15: Best Birria in Tucson

Guide

Foodie 15: Best Birria in Tucson

by Sam JumpFeb 27, 2024Updated Aug 4, 20263 min read
In Tucson, birria has become a beloved local favorite with its tender, flavorful meat, and rich, aromatic consommé, offering a mouthwatering twist on traditional taco fare. This Guide is part of a series that honors Tucson as the home of America’s Best Mexican Food. 
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14 of 15 spots

Amelia's Mexican Kitchen

5851 North Oracle RoadNorthwest

BeerMexican
When it comes to tacos, Amelia’s has a few to choose from; however, the Quesabirria Tacos — equipped with onions and cilantro in a white corn tortilla — hold a special place in our bellies. You just can’t go wrong with their dip. Be sure to get it with the caldo.
Website ↗Instagram ↗
Also featured inWhere I Eat in Tucson (and What I Order)Where to Eat Tacos in TucsonYour Guide to Sonoran Restaurant Week 2023

Carnitas La Yoca

3530 South 6th AvenueSouth Side

This place is all about the vibes and the tacos. They keep the menu streamlined and simple, though the flavors are anything but. As far as tacos go, they have them all, and that definitely includes birria. Don’t forget to sample the homemade salsas if you like your birria served with a kick.
Website ↗Instagram ↗
Also featured inWhere I Eat in Tucson (and What I Order)Where to Eat Tacos in TucsonWhat I Order and Eat in Tucson as Editor

El Chivo de Oro

457 West Irvington RoadSouth Side

While birria, the Jalisco specialty, is traditionally made with goat or mutton, most Tucson restaurants use beef instead. At El Chivo de Oro, which translates to the Goat of Gold, they stick to tradition and use goat in addition to beef — braised tender, featuring a hint of gaminess, and balanced by the mild chiles and spices.
Website ↗
Also featured inWhere to Eat Tacos in TucsonGuide to Tucson Mexican Restaurants with House-Made TortillasFood Truck Friday: El Chivo de Oro

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Ensenada Street Food

831 East 17th StreetDowntown

Ensenada has a menu for its vegan friends featuring Al Pastor tacos, burritos, birria ramen, crispy fish tacos, and other mouthwatering items. The colorful tables and string lights add to the overall charm of the outdoor space.
“Their vegan hibiscus birria has the perfect texture and such a rich flavor!”
— Hannah Hernandez’s favorite
Website ↗Instagram ↗
Also featured inWhere to Eat Tacos in TucsonThe Best Vegan Food in TucsonGuide to Tucson Mexican Restaurants with House-Made Tortillas

Birria tacos (Photo courtesy of La Chingada)

La Chingada Cocina Mexicana

110 East Pennington StreetDowntown

The refined recipes are celebrated in bold flavors, satisfying textures, vibrant colors, and crave-inducing smells at La Chingada.
“La Chingada is the best birria I have had. It’s insanely good.”
— Daniel Clarke’s favorite
Website ↗Instagram ↗
Also featured inWhere I Eat in Tucson (and What I Order)Where to Eat & Drink in Downtown TucsonWhere to Eat & Drink Near the Día de los Muertos Concert Downtown

La Yaquesita Mexican Cuisine

500 North 4th AvenueDowntown

Plan ahead and order the Yaqueburro — birria, cheese, cabbage, cilantro, and onions are all wrapped in a flour tortilla and served with birria juice. It may not get any better than that.
"If you're having trouble deciding whether to get the birria tacos or the birria ramen, don't stress! The birria ramen comes with a birria taco, too. Double whammy!"
— Matt Sterner’s favorite
Website ↗Instagram ↗
Also featured inWhere to Eat Tacos in TucsonThe Essential Guide to Fourth Avenue Restaurants & BarsBest Burritos in Tucson

Plato de Birria at Los Chipilones (Photo by Juan M. on Yelp)

Los Chipilones

1122 South 6th AvenueDowntown

The name Chipilon refers to the style of hot dog that the Maciel brothers popularized here in Tucson, but this taco stand is known for serving up birria that’s a true taste of tradition. If you’re looking for something to warm your belly, order the Plato de Birria.
Website ↗

Taco Rico (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Taco Rico

4499 West Ina RoadMarana

A local favorite taco truck located off the beaten path in Southern Marana, with excellent authentic creations made from family recipes! Enjoy tacos, burritos, and quesadillas; and on the weekend, Birria tacos, Quesabirrias, and Birria Bowls! Taco Rico is unique among other places in Marana for serving Birria.
Website ↗Instagram ↗
Also featured inWhere to Eat Tacos in TucsonYelp's Top 25 Places to Eat in Tucson (2023)Taco Rico – Dreams Soar in Marana for a Michoacán-inspired Taco Truck
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An evening of food, plants, and connection returns under the desert sky.🌵✨ In partnership with @salus.healers, join us THIS SATURDAY, August 29, at @tohonochul for Desert Magic, a one-night celebration of the edible and medicinal beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Stroll the gardens, drink in hand, and discover chef and wellness stations along the way. 🌿SWIPE TO SEE OUR WELLNESS PRACTITIONERS offering sound healing, massage, somatic therapy, readings, reiki, plant walks, workshops & more: @awakenedwombs | @curavidabodywork | @dharmawellness.center | @drkorigiudici | Ease Bodywork | @itsme.emmav | @healingspiritsoaks | @marie.heartnectar | @innerblissenergetics | @jessi.kyte.bodywork | Medicine Within | @monsoonmystics | @morosomedicalcenter | @intuitive_readings_by_zev | @sugarmelovetucson | @tantricheart_coaching | @gathering_point_ | @thehealinghubaz | The Somatic Sound 🔥FOOD: @el_chef_padilla (@copperashculinary) | @landofmilknhoney (@tohonochulgardenbistro) | @chefdevonsanner (@sandpcreative) | Chef Gracie Soto (@anita_st_market) | @chefjosetucson (@ameliastucson) | @kenneth.foy | Obie Hindman & @tuckerhartford (@tucsoncityofgastronomy & @solpuebloprovisions) | @archimagirus_cultro (@scratchingtheplate) 🥣 SOUNDS @tucsonmodernjazzquartet | DJ Sets by Rosa Dragona & LaDev Ticket includes wellness stations, herb walks, workshops, sound healing, & botanical drinks. Tap the link in bio to grab yours! 🎟️✨ #tucsonfoodie #tucsoneventAn evening of food, plants, and connection returns under the desert sky.🌵✨ In partnership with @salus.healers, join us THIS SATURDAY, August 29, at @tohonochul for Desert Magic, a one-night celebration of the edible and medicinal beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Stroll the gardens, drink in hand, and discover chef and wellness stations along the way. 🌿SWIPE TO SEE OUR WELLNESS PRACTITIONERS offering sound healing, massage, somatic therapy, readings, reiki, plant walks, workshops & more: @awakenedwombs | @curavidabodywork | @dharmawellness.center | @drkorigiudici | Ease Bodywork | @itsme.emmav | @healingspiritsoaks | @marie.heartnectar | @innerblissenergetics | @jessi.kyte.bodywork | Medicine Within | @monsoonmystics | @morosomedicalcenter | @intuitive_readings_by_zev | @sugarmelovetucson | @tantricheart_coaching | @gathering_point_ | @thehealinghubaz | The Somatic Sound 🔥FOOD: @el_chef_padilla (@copperashculinary) | @landofmilknhoney (@tohonochulgardenbistro) | @chefdevonsanner (@sandpcreative) | Chef Gracie Soto (@anita_st_market) | @chefjosetucson (@ameliastucson) | @kenneth.foy | Obie Hindman & @tuckerhartford (@tucsoncityofgastronomy & @solpuebloprovisions) | @archimagirus_cultro (@scratchingtheplate) 🥣 SOUNDS @tucsonmodernjazzquartet | DJ Sets by Rosa Dragona & LaDev Ticket includes wellness stations, herb walks, workshops, sound healing, & botanical drinks. Tap the link in bio to grab yours! 🎟️✨ #tucsonfoodie #tucsonevent
@vegantucsonnightmarket returns September 5th from 6–10pm with over 60 vendors! Come support our amazing local makers, small businesses, and restaurants while eating an absolutely ridiculous amount of vegan food. 🐖 FREE ENTRY | FREE PARKING | DOG-FRIENDLY 📍RILLITO PARK • 4502 N 1ST AVE, TUCSON, AZ Check out the vendor list in our bio✨ Thank you to our sponsors: @semperfi_heatingandcooling, @tucsonprimeleaf and @trulieveaz_ Photos by @astra1wanderer #tucsonevents #vegantucson #tucsonsmallbusiness #tucsonlocal@vegantucsonnightmarket returns September 5th from 6–10pm with over 60 vendors! Come support our amazing local makers, small businesses, and restaurants while eating an absolutely ridiculous amount of vegan food. 🐖 FREE ENTRY | FREE PARKING | DOG-FRIENDLY 📍RILLITO PARK • 4502 N 1ST AVE, TUCSON, AZ Check out the vendor list in our bio✨ Thank you to our sponsors: @semperfi_heatingandcooling, @tucsonprimeleaf and @trulieveaz_ Photos by @astra1wanderer #tucsonevents #vegantucson #tucsonsmallbusiness #tucsonlocal
“Indian food represents many different regions and cooking styles, featuring far more than the curries that it is popularly known for — though those are certainly found in abundance at Tucson’s Indian restaurants. For religious reasons, beef and pork are not common in the Indian diet, but carnivores can enjoy plenty of chicken, lamb, and seafood dishes. Most Indian restaurants have large sections of their menus devoted to vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes, too. Kitchens are almost always accommodating about adjusting spice levels but as a rule of thumb, the hottest dishes are the vindaloos, while the mildest are the kormas and biriyanis.” — @ediebjarolim Find @ediebjarolim’s guide on Tucsonfoodie.com“Indian food represents many different regions and cooking styles, featuring far more than the curries that it is popularly known for — though those are certainly found in abundance at Tucson’s Indian restaurants. For religious reasons, beef and pork are not common in the Indian diet, but carnivores can enjoy plenty of chicken, lamb, and seafood dishes. Most Indian restaurants have large sections of their menus devoted to vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes, too. Kitchens are almost always accommodating about adjusting spice levels but as a rule of thumb, the hottest dishes are the vindaloos, while the mildest are the kormas and biriyanis.” — @ediebjarolim Find @ediebjarolim’s guide on Tucsonfoodie.com
@Berrygreensacai is closing its original downtown Tucson location at 245 E. Congress St. after seven years. The University Boulevard location near the University of Arizona will remain open, with the team shifting its full focus there. Berry Greens says it will announce a reopening date for the University location soon. “After much thought and consideration, we have decided to close down our downtown Congress St location after 7 amazing years. We want to sincerely thank each and every one of you for your support, loyalty and for allowing us to be a part of your community for so long.” Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com #downtowntucson #uofa@Berrygreensacai is closing its original downtown Tucson location at 245 E. Congress St. after seven years. The University Boulevard location near the University of Arizona will remain open, with the team shifting its full focus there. Berry Greens says it will announce a reopening date for the University location soon. “After much thought and consideration, we have decided to close down our downtown Congress St location after 7 amazing years. We want to sincerely thank each and every one of you for your support, loyalty and for allowing us to be a part of your community for so long.” Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com #downtowntucson #uofa