In the fifth and final part of our Tucson Taco Tour series, we’re featuring taco joints around central Tucson.
To view previous segments, read ‘Tour de Taco’ Part I: South 12th Avenue, Tucson Tour de Taco Part II: West 22nd Street & South Sixth Avenue, Taco Tour Part III: West Tucson, and Taco Tour Part IV: Downtown Tucson.
The Quesadillas
2418 N. Craycroft Rd.
With a name as generic as The Quesadillas, limited parking, and a tiny strip mall location, don’t make the mistake of dismissing this joint. The mesquite-grilled carne asada is easily among the best in town. Everything else from the tortillas to the salsas is also fantastic as well.
Be aware, they operate fairly early with hours from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. everyday but Sunday.
For more information, visit queso520.com.
Karamelo King
3752 E. Grant Rd.
While Karamelo King naturally makes fantastic caramelos (quesadillas with meat), they could also be a carne king with their excellent mesquite-grilled carne asada. Try it a la Hass with chile verde and cheese, or Dorado as an open, toasty taco.
The piñata and candy shop of the same name where they park at isn’t open the last time we checked, but don’t worry, the taco stand come out at night. They open 6 p.m. everyday except Sunday.
La Botana Tacos + Patio + Amigos
3200 N. 1st Ave.
While chicharrones at the grocery store are the puffy fried pork rinds, the chicharrones at La Botana are fried bits of pork — think miniature pork belly cubes. The meat is pleasantly chewy, while the fat melts in your mouth with a smokiness more akin to char-grilled meat rather than bacon. Balance the richness with lime and salsa verde for taco nirvana.
For more information, visit labotanagrill.com. Have you enjoyed one or more of the Tucson Taco Tour series? Let us know below…
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.
