BRAVA at Borderlands Sam Hughes opens Sept. 19 with handmade masa

BRAVA at Borderlands opens Saturday, Sept. 19, at 2500 E. Sixth St. in Tucson's Sam Hughes neighborhood. The grand opening event runs 6-9 p.m. and requires an RSVP by Thursday, Sept. 17, via the restaurant's website or Instagram DM. Regular hours run 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, with bar and karaoke night taking over from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

The concept centers on handmade nixtamal masa, regional Mexican and Paraguayan-influenced cooking, craft beer, and a full cocktail program developed by general manager and mixologist Arnoldo Celaya. The kitchen runs under executive chef Fernando Luévanos, whose background spans Central Mexico, and Ceci Velázquez, whose hails from Asunción, Paraguay.

The team behind the kitchen

Chef Fernando Luévanos was born in Tepic, Nayarit, and raised between Tepic and Guadalajara, where he studied at Escuela Culinaria Internacional. He brings more than 20 years of culinary experience in Mexico and abroad, with years spent cooking in Sonora before settling in Tucson. His cooking draws on the flavors, techniques, and traditions of central and southern Mexican cuisine passed down through generations.

Chef Ceci Velázquez comes to BRAVA from Asunción, Paraguay, trained in culinary arts with a background in human nutrition. She brings her cultural heritage into the kitchen alongside an approach she describes as finding inspiration in new dishes, new places, and exploration. Together, Luévanos and Velázquez represent two culinary traditions at one table.

Arnoldo Celaya, born and raised in Tucson, manages both the floor and the bar. He built his career in the hospitality industry entirely through hands-on experience behind the bar. The cocktail features his original recipes, he said.

What's on the menu

Tacos run $5-$6 and cover a strong range of traditional preparations. Options include Tacos de Bistec with pan-seared steak and Mexican spices served with beans; Al Pastor marinated Mexico City-style; Cochinita Pibil, the Yucatán slow-roasted pork in achiote and citrus with xnipec; Chorizo de Soya con Papa for $5; Vegetales Mix al Pastor; and Calabacitas Mexicanas with sautéed zucchini, sweet corn, and Mexican spices.

The masa program is the kitchen's signature. Antojitos de Masa are made from handmade nixtamal corn masa and include:

• Quesadilla al Comal: corn masa quesadilla cooked on the comal ($13.50)

• Huaraches: Brava beans, crema, queso fresco, green salsa, and lime-marinated red onion ($15.50)

• Sopes: handmade corn masa gordita topped with beans, butter, cheese, tomato salsa, onion, and cilantro ($11.50)

• Quesadilla Frita: crispy fried corn masa quesadilla with green sauce, crema, cheese, and lime-marinated red onion ($7)

Shareables include:

• Nachos with handmade bean sauce, cheese, and crema ($13, add cochinita pibil, carne asada, or al pastor for $4 more)

• Papas Bravas in olive oil, lime, and guajillo with creamy sesame sauce ($11)

• Frijoles Brava with pork lard, chorizo, fish, and spicy salsa topped with melted cheese and served with chips ($11)

• Queso Fundido with queso asadero, mozzarella, and provolone ($14)

• Wings ($14)

• Chips & Salsa with chimichurri, salsa macha, salsa verde, and salsa roja ($14).

Specialties include:

• Alambre ($20), a Mexico City-style fajita dish with bistec or al pastor, bell peppers, bacon, pineapple, and cheese served with handmade tortillas

• Enfrijoladas with tortillas covered in creamy bean sauce with leeks, cheese, and crema ($17)

• To burgers, the Hamburguesa Clásica ($15) and Hamburguesa Brava with chimichurri and Papas Bravas ($18).

Desserts are the Flan con Cajeta y Nuez with cajeta and walnuts ($11) and the Tarta Vasca, a Basque cheesecake available plain or with Nutella ($12).

Beer, cocktails, and flights

BRAVA pours Borderlands Brewing drafts alongside guest taps. Borderlands selections include Cactus Bloom Hazy IPA ($9), Copper Sky Amber Ale ($8), Takes 2 to Mango Wheat ($8), El Rio Mexican Lager ($6), and Saguaro Shade Porter ($7).

Celaya's signature cocktail list includes the Desert Violet with Del Maguey Vida mezcal, Empress gin, fresh lime, and agave ($13); Sonoran Spice Mezcalrita with Nosotros mezcal, Ancho Reyes, jalapeño, and prickly pear ($13); Sonoran Smoke with Del Maguey Vida mezcal, cucumber, jalapeño, and agave ($14); Blue Sonora with Libélula blanco tequila and blue curaçao ($13); and La Frontera with Lalo tequila, Cointreau, fresh lime, and agave ($14).

Classic cocktails run $10-$12, including a Margarita, Mezcalita, Paloma, Borderlands Old Fashioned, Espresso Martini, Bloody Mary, Aperol Spritz, and house-made La Roja Sangria. Beer flights run $17 for four four-ounce pours. Tequila flights feature Libélula ($18 for three half-ounce pours) and mezcal flights feature Bahnez ($22 for three half-ounce pours).

Planning a visit

BRAVA at Borderlands is at 2500 E. Sixth St. in Tucson's Sam Hughes neighborhood. RSVP for the grand opening by Thursday, Sept. 17, at (520) 300-4334 or by DM at @bravaatborderlands on Instagram. Regular hours run 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, with bar karaoke 9 p.m.-1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. For more information, visit borderlandsmenu.com.