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Food Truck Finds: Hot Trucks & Roundups June 20 – 26

Food Truck Finds: Hot Trucks & Roundups June 20 – 26

Jun 20, 20164 min read

If you’re looking to expand your palate, this week’s picks will do that and more. Find out about Cajun, Mexican-American and a favorite snack food reinvented in this week’s Tucson Food Truck Finds.

Cool Cajun Cafe

Fried Catfish Po-Boy Sammie by Cool Cajun Cafe (Photo credit: Kim M. Bayne)
Fried Catfish Po-Boy Sammie by Cool Cajun Cafe (Photo credit: Kim M. Bayne)

Been to Louisiana? You get this. It’s all about the food. Cajun is one of those spectacular cuisines that fuses global with local cooking: French, Canadian, Native American, and African flavors influence the dishes. This New Orleans-inspired food truck packs a lot of authentic flavor into its menu items.

  • Best Seller: Fried Catfish Po-Boy. Domestic-raised catfish is dredged in cornmeal and secret spices then golden fried right there in that little red trailer. It’s served on a toasted French roll, dressed with housemade creole tartar sauce, then garnished with shredded lettuce and fresh, ripe tomatoes. Hot and tasty. Mmm, boy.
  • Recommended: Southern Fried Okra. These edible green seed pods are sliced daily, seasoned with secret spices, then dredged in light cornmeal. A side of spicy house-made dipping sauce is included.
  • Where to Find: This Wednesday night from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m., find Cool Cajun at Marriott’s TownePlace Suites on South Williams Boulevard. Starting in July, the trailer sets up on select days and times at the Quik Mart Convenience Store at North La Cholla Boulevard and West Orange Grove Road.

For more information, visit Cool Cajun Cafe on Facebook.

BurgerRito

BurgerRito Grab-N-Go (Photo credit: BurgerRito)
BurgerRito Grab-N-Go (Photo credit: BurgerRito)

BurgerRito’s tongue-in-cheek slogan is “Home of the Original Mexican Hamburger.” Picture this: if a burrito and a cheeseburger got married… ahem. A recently updated and expanded menu plus a variety of kids’ choices satisfies everyone in the family.

  • Best Seller: BurgerRito. Order the signature item lovingly smothered in New Mexico Hatch Pork Green Chili or, if you’re daring, get it “angry.” The BurgerRito goes great with a cold one, if you happen to catch this food truck pub-side.
  • Recommended: The Joker (Deep-Fried Corn on the Cob). Take your first bite and you might never go back to those rotating racks of roasted corn again.
  • Where to Find: The BurgerRito Food Truck shows up all over the place, like when you’re driving past the Speedway Antique Mall or visiting St Mark’s United Methodist for the 2nd Fridays Food Truck Café. This Saturday, stop by the Tucson Hop Shop at 3230 N Dodge Blvd from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.

For more information, visit BurgerRito on Facebook.

Popped Artisan Popcorn

Bags of Freshly Made Popcorn by Popped Artisan (Photo credit: Popped Artisan)
Bags of Freshly Made Popcorn by Popped Artisan (Photo credit: Popped Artisan)

Popped Artisan offers popcorn with no preservatives or artificial flavors. Its non-GMO popcorn that is also gluten, nut, and dairy-free. That’s just how they roll…er…pop.

  • Best Seller: Sea Salt Caramel. Sure, these days, this flavor profile is in everything from cupcakes to ice cream, but who cares? You can never get enough. It’s savory. It’s sweet. It’s salty. It’s perfectly balanced. You might not want to share your bag with anyone else.
  • Recommended: Sweet Chili Lime Popcorn. Cue the mouth watering. As artisan popcorn flavors go, this is truly amazing and addicting.
  • Where to Find: Popped Artisan sets up at local pubs, like Green Feet Brewing, and camps out early weekend mornings at select Farmers Markets. If your outdoor activities are limited this summer–and whose aren’t–don’t worry. Order online or grab a bag at one of several retail locations, like Food Conspiracy Co-Op, Maynards Market & Kitchen, and Casa Video.

For more information, visit POPPED Artisan Popcorn on Facebook.

Food Truck Gatherings June 20 – 26

  • 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday, June 20
    • Southside Food Truck Week at 4107 S. 12th Ave, Tucson. Scheduled: Don Pedro’s Peruvian Bistro.
  • 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 21
    • Downtown Food Truck Rally at Joel D. Valdez Main Library (Pima County Public Library), 101 N. Stone Ave., Tucson. Scheduled: Meatball Madness.
  • 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 22
    • Food Truck at The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd., Tucson. Scheduled: Tucson Fat Noodle (Each Wednesday through July).
  • 5:30 – 8 p.m. Thursday, June 23
    • The Rolling Food Court at The Sunshine Mile, 2419 E. Broadway Blvd., Tucson. Scheduled: Dad’s Smokehouse BBQ, Gigi’s Mexican & Peruvian Fusion, Bella’s Gelato, Kettlelicious Kettle Corn Tucson.
  • 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 23
    • Outdoor Film Series (aka Cinema La Placita) at the Pima County Courthouse, 115 N. Church Ave., Tucson. Scheduled: Truck 54 (Each Thursday through June).

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Article written by:

Kim Miklofsky Bayne

Kim Miklofsky Bayne

More about Kim
Kim M. Bayne is a freelance writer/editor, social media producer, and former food truck correspondent for Food Network's Eat St. (TV Show) blog. Find Kim via her project Street Food Files on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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José Contreras, chef and owner of @Ameliastucson, is headed to New York City to cook alongside chef Alam Méndez of Washington, D.C.‘s Apapacho Taqueria for a collaborative dinner at the James Beard Foundation’s Platform at Pier 57.

The Aug. 11 dinner will celebrate the culinary traditions of Sonora and Oaxaca through a multi course menu centered on heirloom corn, traditional masa, and coastal flavors. Guests will also enjoy a cocktail reception, Mijenta Tequila pairings, and a Q&A with both chefs. The event begins at 6:30 pm at @Pier57.nyc. Tickets are $210 for dining table seats and $250 for the chef’s counter, and are available now at Jamesbeard.org.

Congratulations to @Chefjosetucson on another incredible milestone!🎉

Read @Jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com

#tucsonaz #tucsonnewsJosé Contreras, chef and owner of @Ameliastucson, is headed to New York City to cook alongside chef Alam Méndez of Washington, D.C.‘s Apapacho Taqueria for a collaborative dinner at the James Beard Foundation’s Platform at Pier 57. The Aug. 11 dinner will celebrate the culinary traditions of Sonora and Oaxaca through a multi course menu centered on heirloom corn, traditional masa, and coastal flavors. Guests will also enjoy a cocktail reception, Mijenta Tequila pairings, and a Q&A with both chefs. The event begins at 6:30 pm at @Pier57.nyc. Tickets are $210 for dining table seats and $250 for the chef’s counter, and are available now at Jamesbeard.org. Congratulations to @Chefjosetucson on another incredible milestone!🎉 Read @Jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com #tucsonaz #tucsonnewsItalian Week starts today, and we’re sharing this sweet video of @Spaghettioftucson doing what she did best: bringing smiles to everyone around her.

Our hearts are with her family today. We’ll love you and miss you forever, Spaghetti.❤️‍🩹🐶Italian Week starts today, and we’re sharing this sweet video of @Spaghettioftucson doing what she did best: bringing smiles to everyone around her. Our hearts are with her family today. We’ll love you and miss you forever, Spaghetti.❤️‍🩹🐶Italian Week starts today and runs through July 19 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer!🍝

Support Tucson’s classic and modern Italian restaurants, then upload your receipt at summer.tucsonfoodie.com for a chance to win weekly prizes and the grand prize at the end of August.

🎉 Week 5 Winners
• Libby: $50 North Italia gift card
• Keely: America’s Best Mexican Food Festival tickets
• arts_primacy_2c: 4 Cool Summer Nights passes
• Donita3000: $20 Ghini’s French Caffe gift card
• Nancy & Gabriella: $100 Visa gift cards

Italian Week Deal: @reneestucson is offering buy one, get one 50% off (equal or lesser value) for dine-in or takeout. Just mention you’re a Tucson Foodie fan. Exclusions apply.

🏆 This Week’s Prizes
• $50 @fentonellispizzeria gift card
• $100 Visa gift card
• $75 @carusositalian gift card
• $20 @ghinisfrenchcaffe gift card
• $50 @miramontetucson gift card
• $50 @localetucson gift card
• @desertmuseum passes 

More details in bio!Italian Week starts today and runs through July 19 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer!🍝 Support Tucson’s classic and modern Italian restaurants, then upload your receipt at summer.tucsonfoodie.com for a chance to win weekly prizes and the grand prize at the end of August. 🎉 Week 5 Winners • Libby: $50 North Italia gift card • Keely: America’s Best Mexican Food Festival tickets • arts_primacy_2c: 4 Cool Summer Nights passes • Donita3000: $20 Ghini’s French Caffe gift card • Nancy & Gabriella: $100 Visa gift cards Italian Week Deal: @reneestucson is offering buy one, get one 50% off (equal or lesser value) for dine-in or takeout. Just mention you’re a Tucson Foodie fan. Exclusions apply. 🏆 This Week’s Prizes • $50 @fentonellispizzeria gift card • $100 Visa gift card • $75 @carusositalian gift card • $20 @ghinisfrenchcaffe gift card • $50 @miramontetucson gift card • $50 @localetucson gift card • @desertmuseum passes More details in bio!The Mercado District is one of Tucson’s best places to eat, drink, shop, and stroll, all in one stop.🐶❤️

Home to Mercado San Agustín, the MSA Annex, The Monier, and the upcoming Bautista development, there’s always something new to explore. Grab a bite, browse local shops, enjoy the open-air courtyards (they’re dog-friendly!), or hop on the free Sun Link streetcar, which stops right at the Mercado. 

MERCADO SAN AGUSTÍN:
@agustinkitchen 
@seiskitchen 
@prestacoffee 
@laestrella_tucson 
@dolcepastellocakes 
@zumitosjuicebar 
@santacruzriverfm 

MSA ANNEX:
@decibelcoffeeworks 
@kukai___ 
@bosburger__ 
@hidden_hearth 
@rolliestucson 
@westbound_tapandbottle 

THE MONIER:
@wholeslvcepizza 
@81barbersofficial 

Share your favorite stops with us!
More details on Tucsonfoodie.com 

#tucson #tucsonfoodieThe Mercado District is one of Tucson’s best places to eat, drink, shop, and stroll, all in one stop.🐶❤️ Home to Mercado San Agustín, the MSA Annex, The Monier, and the upcoming Bautista development, there’s always something new to explore. Grab a bite, browse local shops, enjoy the open-air courtyards (they’re dog-friendly!), or hop on the free Sun Link streetcar, which stops right at the Mercado. MERCADO SAN AGUSTÍN: @agustinkitchen @seiskitchen @prestacoffee @laestrella_tucson @dolcepastellocakes @zumitosjuicebar @santacruzriverfm MSA ANNEX: @decibelcoffeeworks @kukai___ @bosburger__ @hidden_hearth @rolliestucson @westbound_tapandbottle THE MONIER: @wholeslvcepizza @81barbersofficial Share your favorite stops with us! More details on Tucsonfoodie.com #tucson #tucsonfoodieTwo days at @Hiltonelcon felt like the ultimate staycation. Between the pools, hot spring and cold plunge, water slide, yoga, live music, complimentary bike rentals, and their nostalgic “Summer Rewind” experience, there was always something to do. We never left the resort. 

The highlight at their on-site restaurant, Epazote Kitchen & Cocktails, was the Pollo Con Rajas - perfectly cooked chicken over a rich creamed poblano, onion, and corn mestizaje. And if you’re at their Sundance Café for breakfast, get the pozole. It’s made from a family recipe that became such a guest favorite it earned a permanent spot on the menu. 

Although El Conquistador licenses the Hilton brand, it’s owned and operated by a local company. The culinary team sources much of its meat and produce from Arizona. 

Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or just looking for an incredible dinner with Catalina Mountain views, this spot is worth adding to your list. 🌵🌞 

#tucsonaz #tucsonfoodieTwo days at @Hiltonelcon felt like the ultimate staycation. Between the pools, hot spring and cold plunge, water slide, yoga, live music, complimentary bike rentals, and their nostalgic “Summer Rewind” experience, there was always something to do. We never left the resort. The highlight at their on-site restaurant, Epazote Kitchen & Cocktails, was the Pollo Con Rajas - perfectly cooked chicken over a rich creamed poblano, onion, and corn mestizaje. And if you’re at their Sundance Café for breakfast, get the pozole. It’s made from a family recipe that became such a guest favorite it earned a permanent spot on the menu. Although El Conquistador licenses the Hilton brand, it’s owned and operated by a local company. The culinary team sources much of its meat and produce from Arizona. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or just looking for an incredible dinner with Catalina Mountain views, this spot is worth adding to your list. 🌵🌞 #tucsonaz #tucsonfoodieHow many receipts have you sent in for NEW-TO-ME week?💛

From July 6 through July 12, upload your receipt from ANY local business at summer.tucsonfoodie.com for a chance to win weekly prizes and earn entries toward the 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer grand prize drawing at the end of August. 🔗 in bio. 

ANY LOCAL SPOT COUNTS. 

WEEK 6 WINNERS
Here are the winners from Happy Hour Week:
* Libby wins a $50 gift card to North Italia
* Keely wins a ticket to America’s Best Mexican Food Festival
* arts_primacy_2c wins a four-pack of passes to Cool Summer Nights at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
* donita3000 wins a $20 gift card to Ghini’s French Caffe
* Nancy wins a $100 Visa gift card
* Gabriella wins a $100 Visa gift card 

PRIZES
This week’s prize pool includes:
* Salsa, Taco, and Tequila Challenge tickets
* $100 Visa gift card
* @eljefecatcafe pass
* $20 @ghinisfrenchcaffe 
* @desertmuseum passes

Presenting sponsor: @visittucson
Presented by: @bbb_so_az • @510southtucson • @azwinecollectiveHow many receipts have you sent in for NEW-TO-ME week?💛 From July 6 through July 12, upload your receipt from ANY local business at summer.tucsonfoodie.com for a chance to win weekly prizes and earn entries toward the 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer grand prize drawing at the end of August. 🔗 in bio. ANY LOCAL SPOT COUNTS. WEEK 6 WINNERS Here are the winners from Happy Hour Week: * Libby wins a $50 gift card to North Italia * Keely wins a ticket to America’s Best Mexican Food Festival * arts_primacy_2c wins a four-pack of passes to Cool Summer Nights at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum * donita3000 wins a $20 gift card to Ghini’s French Caffe * Nancy wins a $100 Visa gift card * Gabriella wins a $100 Visa gift card PRIZES This week’s prize pool includes: * Salsa, Taco, and Tequila Challenge tickets * $100 Visa gift card * @eljefecatcafe pass * $20 @ghinisfrenchcaffe * @desertmuseum passes Presenting sponsor: @visittucson Presented by: @bbb_so_az • @510southtucson • @azwinecollective

Tag us @TUCSONFOODIE in your food adventures!