11 Spots To Hit for Taco De Mayo

If you haven’t heard, Tucson is in the midst of the first ever Taco de Mayo challenge. Visit any participating restaurant throughout May, order some tacos, Instagram a pic with hashtag #TacoDeMayo2015, and you’ll automatically be entered to win two seats on the fun-packed Tucson Foodie party bus.

Yes, it only takes one visit to enter, but come on now… you can do all 11, can’t you? 😉

To view all entries, simply visit the official Taco de Mayo 2015 page or do a hashtag search on Instagram using #TacoDeMayo2015.

Taco De Mayo is brought to you by Tucson Foodie along with media sponsors Edible Baja Arizona and Zocalo Magazine. Primary sponsors include Dos Equis and Modelo Especial.

Blanco Tacos + Tequila

2905 E. Skyline Drive #246

Known for their contemporary take on Mexican cuisine, Blanco boasts some award-winning taco options. No matter your flavor, you’re sure to find something to please the palate.

Taco highlights include:

• Slow Cooked Bar-B-Q Pork – Roasted corn and tomato slaw, pickled onions, creme fresca
• Crispy Shrimp – Pickled onion, fresno chili, guacamole
• Braised Green Chile Pork – Chopped cabbage, pico de gallo, crema fresca
• Roasted Chicken – Caramelized peppers, crema fresca

For more information, visit foxrc.com.

Boca Tacos y Tequila

828 E. Speedway Blvd.

Chef Maria Mazon’s menu of 24 taco varieties offer options for the mildest of eaters to the most adventurous of taco connoisseurs. The fresh and creative salsas, crafted in-house, truly make the experience.

Taco highlights include:

• Al Pastor Curry Beef – Specially rolled out for Taco De Mayo
• Discada – Mix of chopped beef chorizo and yellow peppers
• Poached Egg – Ribeye steak over grilled onions topped with a poached egg
• Octopus – Onions and garlic sautéed in lemon butter over grilled octopus
• Rajas – Fire roasted Anaheims, poblanos and corn simmered in a cream and cheese sauce

For more information, visit bocatacos.com.

El Charro

311 N. Court Ave.

El Charro may claim owning right’s for the chimichanga, but they also boast a menu of soft tacos served on flour or corn tortillas or lettuce, or crispy tacos.

If you’re looking for a taste of history, the “Charro Style” Beef Taco dates back to 1922. “When Tia Mónica started, there was only one way to make a taco: form a ground beef patty, fold it in a tortilla & fry it in a pan, garnish with peas, radishes & Mexican cheese,” states one of El Charro’s menu anecdotes.

Taco highlights include:

• Charro Shredded Beef Birria
• El Charro Carne Seca
• Cerveza Fish
• Carnitas Ranchero

For more information, visit elcharrocafe.com.

Fini’s Landing

5689 N. Swan Rd.

Fini’s offers Tucson’s widest selection of seafood tacos, ranging from fried or grilled Pacific cod to coconut battered shrimp. Each fish taco is named for a coastal Mexican town and comes with house slaw on fresh, local corn tortillas.

Fini’s also offers a number of “Mainland Tacos” with pulled pork, carnitas, carne asada, braised beef, and jerk chicken.

Taco highlights include:

• Sayulita – Blackened Pacific cod, pineapple-mango salsa, cilantro cream
• Dockside Ceviche – Key West-style bay scallop ceviche, avocado
• Carnitas – Beached-Ale braised pork, corn & roasted poblano salsa, Beached Ale sauce
• Jamaican Jerk Chicken – Spicy jerk pulled-chicken, avocado, coleslaw, pineapple-mango salsa, cilantro cream

For more information, visit finislanding.com.

Gringo Grill & Cantina

5900 N. Oracle Rd.

Gringo’s new chef, John Hohn, is a Tucson native and the winner of Iron Chef Tucson 2014. According to Gringo, his mission is to serve up classic Sonoran flavors with a twist.

Hohn’s personal recommendation of Gringo’s taco selection is the Duck Confit. All tacos are served with grilled avocado and marinated cabbage on flour or corn tortillas.

• Duck Confit
• Shredded Carnitas
• Pulled Chicken
• Fish of the Moment

For more information, visit gringogrilltucson.com.

Lerua’s Fine Mexican Food

2005 E. Broadway Blvd.

Though it may be difficult to believe, Lerua’s tacos are a competitive menu item next to their famous green corn tamales.

Taco highlights include:

• Tacos al Pastor
• Darados Carnitas
• Barbacoa
• Blackened Fish

For more information, visit leruasfinemexicanfoods.com.

Maico Restaurant

835 E. 22nd St.

If you’re looking for an authentic Sonoran food experience, Maico is your best bet. Don’t let the sliding order window and low prices fool you, the street-style tacos are worth every penny.

Taco highlights include:

• Cabeza
• Carne Asada
• Birria
• Adobada
• Lengua
• Carnitas

For more information, visit Maico on Facebook.

Reforma Cocina y Cantina

4310 N. Campbell Ave.

While Reforma may be the newest restaurant to join Tucson’s taco scene, they’ve already made a name for themselves with their Margarita Monday and Tequila Tuesday half-off specials. The  taco selection is worth recognition as well, with a healthy mix of authentic and traditional-with-a-twist flavors.

Taco highlights include:

• Pescado al Pastor – Daily fish, Ancho chili, pineapple, cilantro, cabbage, salsa Morita
• Cochinita Pibil – Slow roasted pork, sour orange, achiote, cotija, salsa Habanero
• Pato – Guajillo duck confit, raisins, cabbage and salsa Borracha
• Hongos y Rajas- Mushrooms, green chili, onions, salsa molcajete

For more information, visit reformatucson.com.

Seis Kitchen

130 South Avenida del Convento #100

Mercado San Agustin’s resident Mexican eatery got its name from the six culinary regions from which their cuisine originates. The award-winning street-style tacos are served on hand-made corn tortillas with authentic, fresh salsa.

Taco highlights include:

• Al Pastor – Chile marinated grilled pork, grilled pineapple, cilantro, red onion, queso fresco
• Poc Chuc – Achiote-marinated grilled chicken, cabbage, cilantro, red onion, queso fresco
• Chorizo con Papas – House made chorizo, crispy potatoes, caramelized onions, chipotle crema, Sriracha, cilantro, queso fresco, red onion, cilantro
• Crispy Avocado – Mexican Beer-battered avocado, cabbage, cilantro, shredded cheese, Seis-style chipotle crema

For more information, visit seiskitchen.com.

Sir Veza’s Taco Garage

4699 E. Speedway Blvd & 220 W. Wetmore Rd.

While Sir Veza’s is not recognized as the most authentic taco joint in terms of atmosphere or ambiance, they are owned by El Charro and offer some tasty tacos to prove it.

Taco highlights include:

• Fish – Casero, cilantro, pica salsa, baja sauce (grilled or Cerveza-style)
• Pulled Pork Carnitas – Citrus zest, onion, cilantro, casero
• Diablo Shrimp – Sriracha and agave-glazed shrimp, avocado, green onion, casero, toasted sesame
• The Jalopy – Ground beef and potato, cheddar, sour cream, tomato, crisp shell, iceberg, black olive

For more information, visit sirvezas.com.

Street Tacos + Beer

58 W. Congress St.

Street Tacos’ fast-casual set-up naturally garners comparisons to a Sonoran-style Chipotle. For many, what gives it a leg up is the full bar and “Buzz for Beer” button at each table.

Taco highlights include:

• Al Pastor
• Carnitas
• Fish
• Carne Asada

For more information, visit Street Tacos + Beer on Facebook.