Foodie Events from Oct. 13-19: Chorizo, chili & chillin’ with wine

Something about the month of October really seems to bring out the best in Tucson. I hope your calendar is clear because there is a lot to do this weekend.

Get the antacids ready because the forecast calls for spice. Between the kick-off for the Tucson Chinese Chorizo Festival, various chili cook-offs, and the release of El Grito, Crooked Tooth’s newest pineapple and chiltepin sour, chances are you’ll need them.

Don’t forget, you can check out our Events Directory for a full list of Foodie events happening this week and other upcoming things to do.

Whiskey del Bac Small group tasting with Mark Vierthaler

Thursday, October 13 from 6 – 7:30 p.m.

2106 Forbes Blvd. #103

There are still seats left to enjoy a unique evening at the distillery with Whiskey Del Bac’s Head Distiller, Mark Vierthaler. Take a tour through the production floor, sample core American single malt whiskeys like Classic, Dorado, and Old Pueblo, and spend time with Mark as he shares his stories working with the D.R.A.M. team and handcrafting award-winning whiskeys in Arizona.

TUCSON CHINESE CHORIZO FESTIVAL

Friday, October 14 – Sunday, October 16

Multiple restaurants

New event alert! For the very first time, the Tucson Chinese Chorizo Festival is hosting its community-driven event throughout the next three weekends in October.

More than 15 local restaurants are participating as official destinations to celebrate the Chinese chorizo. Each weekend, seven to eight restaurants will receive two 15-pound donations of Chinese chorizo: one made with sustainably sourced meats, and one plant-based vegan. It’s up to the chefs how they prepare the dishes and it’s your decision on how many destinations you visit each Friday-Sunday.

For the full lineup and more information, check out our spicy article, Tucson Chinese Chorizo Festival.

“EL GRITO” RELEASE PARTY AT CROOKED TOOTH BREWING

Friday, October 14 from 5 – 8 p.m.

228 E. Sixth St.

Brewed in partnership with the Tucson International Mariachi Conference, Crooked Tooth has bewed up something really special as a new addition to their coveted Sonoran Sour Series: El Grito, a pineapple and chiltepin sour beer.

There will be live mariachi music, Muncheez Food Truck, and — best of all — access to tickets for this year’s 23 Miles of Best Mexican Food Fiesta.

To read more about this beer collaboration, check out our latest article, Crooked Tooth Brewing celebrates Mariachi with its latest beer collaboration. 

Brewin at the Chul

Friday and Saturday from 5 – 9 p.m. (now until Saturday, November 26)

7366 N. Paseo Del Norte

Come enjoy Tohono Chul’s first-ever autumn series, Brewin at the Chul, located at The Garden Bistro. Join them on Fridays and Saturdays from 5 – 9 p.m. for music, refreshing spirits, local brews, and a rotating menu of tasty bites.

Enjoy beers and brats, friends, and fun at the Garden Bistro Fridays and Saturday nights. Check out the menu here.

MEMBRILLO FEST AND OBSERVANCE OF HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

Saturday, October 15 from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

946 W. Mission Ln.

The Membrillo fruit is a very versatile fruit: you can cook it, bake it, and make preserves. This year’s Membrillo Fest aims to celebrate just that and the abundant harvest from the quince trees at Mission Garden.

This year’s event will also celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs until Saturday, October 15. The annual demonstration of how to make cajeta de membrillo, the traditional form of quince preserves in the Hispanic world, will be integrated with other presentations about Hispanic heritage.

CHILI COOK-OFFS

Saturday, October 15 at 10 a.m.

200 S. Sixth Ave. · 6320 E. Tanque Verde Rd.

There will be not one, but two opportunities to get your chili fix this weekend. If you start at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Chances are you can make both of them.

• The 25th annual Firefighters Chili Cook-Off is goin’ down. All proceeds go into funding their holiday season charities.

• At Jonathan’s Cork, you’ll taste chili samples from 10 local restaurants. There will be a raffle with great prizes to fundraise for Send a Kid to Camp.

WILLCOX WINE COUNTRY – FALL 2022

Saturday, October 15 – Sunday, October 16 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

157 N. Railroad Ave.

The Willcox Wine Country Festival is back! They’ll be featuring 16 of Arizona’s best wineries along with over 30 non-winery vendors including fine arts, artisan foods, vintage vendors, and non-stop entertainment along with two food trucks.

Cost: $30 per person pre-sale / $40 at the gate. Each ticket includes a commemorative wine glass and ten tasting tickets. Check out the participating wineries below.

SALT & LIME FIESTA

Saturday, October 15 from 3 – 9 p.m.

4502 N. First Ave.

With a south-of-the-border twist, the world-famous and tasty Salt & Lime Fiesta is a six-senses experience where you’ll be encouraged to taste, smell, see, hear, and touch. Join Salt & Lime Fiesta 2022 to celebrate everyone’s favorite hand-helds — tacos, tequila, and margaritas!

You can bet your asada it’s gonna be a good time. To learn more, check out our Salt & Lime Fiesta 2022 write-up.

ZIN, BLUES, & BBQ AT HACIENDA DEL SOL GUEST RANCH RESORT

Sunday, October 16 from 5 – 8 p.m.

5501 N. Hacienda Del Sol Rd.

Join Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort for Zin, Blues, & BBQ featuring a mouth-watering gourmet barbecue menu, live blues music from Paul Green & Midnight Blue, and over 24 varieties of Zinfandel wine from local distributors.

Cost: $85 per adult with alcohol (includes food and alcohol tastings) | $65 per adult without alcohol (includes food only).

SUNSET WINE WALK TICKET

Wednesday, October 19 from 6 – 8 p.m.

267 S. Avenida del Convento #12

Stroll through the MSA Annex while sipping on locally produced Arizona wine. Live instrumental music by Golden Boots.

Featured wineries include:

• Bodega Pierce
• Vino Stache
• Dos Cabezas
• Callaghan
• Page Springs Cellars
• Merkin Vineyards

Cost: $28 (inc. tax & tip) + 6 wine samples. Purchase your ticket here.