The town of Marana has been on a tear as of late when it comes to shining a light on its culinary scene. Discover Marana recently announced the inaugural winner of the Taste of Marana Standout Restaurant Award — an award that recognizes local restaurants that offer “exceptional food, service, and community involvement.”
For 15 years, the family-owned and operated Nana’s Kitchen has served authentic Mexican cuisine with fresh ingredients, homemade tortillas, and some binge-worthy tacos (check out our “Best Tacos” guide). Nana’s Kitchen just won Discover Marana’s “Taste of Marana” award and will celebrate its anniversary and award win on Saturday, August 26.
The award was presented to Nana’s Kitchen owners Javier Teran and Sandra Teran, along with Maria Hernandez, who is the inspiration behind the restaurant’s name and recipes. The award also honors Marco Teran, the creator of the signature drinks.
Javier was overjoyed by the award. “This morning’s event was overwhelming with emotions,” he said. “Thank you, this is truly an honor. Hope to continue and make Marana proud to have us here.”
The presentation took place at the Marana Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting on Thursday, August 17 at the Highlands at Dove Mountain with more than 160 attendees.
“The owners are kind, friendly, welcoming, and genuine,” said Brian Keeley, a frequent diner and supporter of Nana’s Kitchen who helped with the nomination. “They treat every customer like family and if you eat there you will notice how many repeat customers are greeted with a hug. The owners give back to the community and its customers by doing fundraisers for causes that they believe in. To sum it all up, Nana’s Restaurant is a small local business, that is owned and operated by genuinely good people who serve up delicious food and drinks.”
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 three 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 Discover Marana’s website. Discover Marana hopes to honor up to 10 local restaurant owners who stand out in their field by August of next year.
Nana’s Kitchen is located at 8225 N Courtney Page Way Suite 129. For more information, visit mexicanfoodtucson.com and follow Nana’s Kitchen on Facebook.
Explore Marana’s Local Restaurants
Whether you’re a local looking to explore new dining options, a food connoisseur seeking the next unforgettable meal, or a traveler hungry for authentic local flavors, our guide has something for you. We’ve done the legwork to highlight the best places to eat and drink in Marana, providing you with in-depth reviews, photos, and insider tips.
Below are a few interactive guides we’re excited to share. Happy eating!
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.
