On South 12th Avenue sits Tacos Apson, a beloved Mexican restaurant that has been serving Tucson for more than two decades. Founded in 2001, the taquería has become a longtime staple for locals.
The restaurant exudes a vibrant, Mexican street-style vibe, complete with an ordering window and several partially enclosed tables that invite casual, friendly dining.
Los Apson History
The name Tacos Apson traces back to Agua Prieta, Sonora. Owner Francisco Durazo named the restaurant after Los Apson, a Mexican rock-and-roll band founded in 1957 by his father, also named Francisco Durazo, along with his uncle. Francisco Durazo Sr. was the band’s drummer.
Los Apson rose to fame in the 1960s as part of Mexico’s first wave of rock-and-roll. Known for lively Spanish-language adaptations of American hits and original songs including their most famous hit, “Fuiste a Acapulco.”
The family’s musical heritage later inspired a culinary path. Francisco Durazo Sr. opened a restaurant in Hermosillo called Apson Taco, carrying the same name and the same spirit of bringing people together. When Francisco Durazo Jr. opened his own taquería in Tucson in 2001, he chose the name Tacos Apson as a nod to both his father’s music and their family’s connection to food.
For Durazo, however, the restaurant also grew from a personal desire: a simple craving for better tacos.
“Now there are a lot of taco shops, but back then there was nothing,” Durazo said. “With that idea, I decided to open a taquería that would be different from the others, offering more tacos.”
Building a Following
The early days were far from easy. Durazo recalls the stress of trying to build a customer base and make the restaurant known.
“A lot of fighting, a lot of stress,” he said. “We were arguing about how we were going to attract people, how they were going to know about it. I remember that very well.”
That hard work ultimately paid off. Today, customers from across Tucson and beyond seek out Tacos Apson for its distinct Sonoran flavors.
Exploring the Menu
The menu offers a variety of tacos, including asada, pastor, and tripa, along with quesadillas, caramelos, and burritos. A salsa bar in the corner allows diners to customize their tacos with fresh toppings.
One of the restaurant’s most well-known offerings is its tacos rasurados, made with thin-shaved beef ribs cooked hot and fast on the griddle. The method creates tender meat with lightly crisp edges, a Sonoran classic that has become a defining style at Tacos Apson.
Another popular menu item is the barbacoa, made with beef that’s slow-cooked until tender and rich in flavor.
For newcomers, Durazo recommends the Apson taco. “Well, we have a taco called Apson,” Durazo said. “It has grilled meat and cheese, green chili, mushroom, bacon and onion. That is the house taco.”
Quality and freshness are central to how Durazo runs the kitchen.
“Everything has to be new, fresh meat,” he said. “Cook it over charcoal and chop it at the moment, making it as it’s sold. We don’t leave things stored day to day. Sauces are one thing, but grilled meat has to be fresh.”
They use mesquite charcoal, a traditional choice in Sonoran cooking that adds a deep, smoky flavor to the meats.
Drinks complement the food perfectly. Guests can enjoy fresh horchata, tangy jamaica, or classic Mexican sodas, providing a refreshing balance to the savory, smoky flavors of the tacos.
Connecting to Community
Beyond the food, Durazo says the restaurant’s connection to the community is what he values most. Tacos Apson is a family restaurant, and over the years he has watched customers grow up alongside it.
“We’ve had returning customers for many years,” he said. “People who were in school, who graduated, got married, and now bring their children. I really like that. I really like the community here in Tucson.”
The customer base has also evolved over time. What began as a mostly Mexican clientele has grown increasingly diverse.
“At first it was more Mexican,” Durazo said. “As time passed, more Americans came, and now many people from other countries come too. Sometimes we barely understand each other, but they eat here. They hear it’s one of the best taco places and come to try it.”
Despite the restaurant’s success, Durazo says the biggest challenge remains the work itself.
“With more competition, you have to keep changing,” he said. “You have to move, adjust, and keep giving people more.”
Plans for the Future
Durazo previously operated a second location on Thornydale Road but chose to close it in May due to rising rent and lower traffic.
“They raised the rent a lot, and there wasn’t enough business to justify such a big place,” he said. “I decided to let the contract end. Now I’m looking for something smaller, not so expensive where we can do what we do here.”
In addition to daily service, Tacos Apson also offers catering for weddings, quinceañeras, and other special events, continuing its role as a gathering place for the Tucson community it has served for more than 20 years.
Tacos Apson is located at 3501 S. 12th Ave. Keep up with Tacos Apson on Facebook.
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