La Olla Mexican Cafe at 8553 N. Silverbell Rd. in Southern Marana is the latest Taste of Marana STANDOUT Restaurant Award winner! The restaurant’s dedication to fresh ingredients, exceptional service, and strong community ties have earned it this coveted spot on the STANDOUT list.
Congrats, Ken and Diane Gallardo!
The husband-and-wife team takes pride in their unique take on Sonoran flavors, adding a distinctive twist that sets them apart. The restaurant received several nominations, with customers highlighting the restaurant’s fresh meals, outstanding customer service, and the way the owners make everyone feel like family when they dine there.
Each weekend, Chef Diane prepares a special menu featuring several inventive main dishes and a unique dessert, like her Turtle Churro Sundae.
Several nominators also mentioned Diane’s calabacitas as a “can’t-miss” menu item.
Check out our October 2023 article, “The History and Rich Flavors of La Olla.”
“We’re honored to win the STANDOUT award,” said Ken and Diane. “It means everything to us to be recognized by our local customers and community.”
The Gallardo’s met in the hospitality industry, gaining invaluable experience at the Westward Look, Janos Wilder’s restaurants, and the Oro Valley Country Club. They went into business for themselves in 2007 and have successfully navigated economic challenges, including the recession and the pandemic.
“We thank the Gallardo’s for their 17-year commitment to the town and community, said Curt Woody, Economic Development and Tourism Director for the Town of Marana. “We also appreciate residents who have put in Taste of Marana STANDOUT nominations, helping to shine a spotlight on local favorites!”
The Taste of Marana STANDOUT award presentation took place at the Marana Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting at The Highlands in Dove Mountain on Thursday, August 15.
“Nearly 200 business and community leaders gathered at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting & Member Appreciation Luncheon to celebrate and honor building a thriving community through connected business leadership,” said Amanda Wiggins, President and CEO of the Marana Chamber of Commerce. “It was wonderful to highlight Discover Marana’s Taste of Marana STANDOUT recipient, La Olla Mexican Cafe, at this annual event. This culinary champion in our community has been rooted here for nearly two decades and beloved by so many in the region.”
They’re open Monday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Tucson Foodie Insiders
La Olla is also a Restaurant Partner, meaning that Tucson Foodie Insiders can score $10 off their meal four times a year (every 90 days).
For $20 a month, Insiders get a stack of cash vouchers to local restaurants worth over $5,000, free tasting events at local restaurants every month, access to members-only monthly dinner series with local chefs, discounts on events, and monthly mixers with other members. Learn more and join!
La Olla Mexican Cafe is located at 8553 N. Silverbell Rd. For more information, visit laollamexicancafe.com and follow La Olla on Instagram and Facebook. Check out our Interactive Guide to discover more Marana restaurants.
About the Taste of Marana Standout Restaurant Award
The Taste of Marana STANDOUT Restaurant Award is part of Discover Marana’s initiative to promote the local dining scene and showcase the stories behind the restaurants. A strong dining scene is an important part of tourism and a thriving community, especially in light of the challenges that restaurateurs have faced in the last several years due to labor shortages, supply chain issues, and inflation.
Discover Marana invites the public to nominate their favorite local restaurants for the next award.
The nomination form can be found on discovermarana.com.
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Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
