The octopus taco ($3.55) at BOCA Tacos y Tequila is an approachable introduction to an ingredient with a tough reputation.
Tender octopus is grilled and quickly sautéed with onion, garlic, lemon butter, and house seasoning.
The onions are deeply browned on the edges but not quite burnt, adding a mild bitter complexity that pairs with the chipotle pepper’s bitterness and heat. The lemon butter balances it with acidity and adds richness to the lean octopus.
Solo tacos are no fun, so make sure to order the chips and salsa ($4.75). The bag of chips are fried to order and come with a variety of chef Maria Mazon’s fun, rotating salsas.
Additional seafood tacos also make perfect sense. The beer battered camaron ($3.55) and pescado ($2.95) are satisfyingly crunchy, while the salmon ($3.55) is a satisfyingly healthy option.
Seafood generally goes best with corn tortillas, but follow your heart. Maria’s not judging.
Spicy salsas pair well with hops, and thankfully, two kegs of the limited release State Bird DIPA are on their way.
BOCA Tacos y Tequila is located at 828 E. Speedway Blvd. For more information, call (520) 777-8134 or visit bocatacos.com.
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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.
