La Chingada Cocina Mexicana, located at 110 E. Pennington Street, now spotlights its growing taco menu during their take Taco Tuesday. The restaurant invited me to treat me to their Taco Vaquero, which won first place for the judges’ choice award at the 2025 Salsa, Tequila & Taco Challenge.
The Taco Vaquero features a handmade heirloom blue corn tortilla filled with Vera Earl Premium Beef, melted queso asadero crust, and nopal salsa. The combination highlights both tradition and innovation, making it a standout addition to the menu.
After their win, the team knew the Taco Vaquero belonged on the permanent menu.
“We ended up completely loving the final product said Cynthia Cordova of La Chingada. “We’re adding it to our menu and at the same time, launching Taco Tuesdays at La Chingada to showcase our tacos.”
More Tacos on Deck
La Chingada’s Taco Tuesday menu offers variety beyond the Vaquero. Diners can choose from tacos like rib-eye steak with cheese crust, beer-battered shrimp, and tender birria wrapped in yellow corn tortillas. Vegetarian options include avocado chickpea with tomato, onion, and jalapeño.
During my visit, I stuck with the Taco Vaquero. Upon eating the tacos, two main qualities stood out: freshness and flavor intensity. Even though I ate three of the tacos, it didn’t feel heavy. The tartness of the nopal and avocado salsas along with the pickled onion contrasted the rich crispy queso asadero crust. I washed it all down with a refreshing cucumber lime agua fresca.
Plan Your Visit
Taco Tuesday runs weekly at La Chingada Cocina Mexicana. With creative tacos and a recent competition win, the restaurant invites Tucsonans to celebrate local flavor.
For more on award-winning tacos, see winners from the 2025 Salsa, Tequila & Taco Challenge.
Keep up with La Chingada Cocina Mexicana on Instagram.
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Article written by:
Jackie Tran
More about JackieJackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the now-closed food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.
An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to sloppily devouring green chili patty melts in his car afterhours. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.
Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.
If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.
