Mexican Restaurants in Tucson

For very many years I have had a weakness for Mexican food.  There are some good places in San Jose.  I know of a good one up in Mesa.  There was one in El Paso I was at many years ago that was good.  Not that I'm biased or anything, but I think Tucson has some really excellent places, and after a great meal that we had two nights ago, I figured I would do a blog entry about what we have here.  And all that I mention are recommended.

The Mexican cuisine here is heavily influenced by our neighboring Mexican state of Sonora.  If you know where to go here you can get Mexico City style or New Mexico style.  In no particular order, here are the places we like to eat.

In South Tucson, we have had a lot of fine meals at Guillermo's Double L.  This place features Sonoran cuisine, with the #1 combo meal on the menu being my go-to.  My most recent visit was with two friends who were co-workers when we worked at Paragon Space Development.  

Over in Catalina, north of Tucson on state highway 77, is Carlota's.  I've met the same two friends up there as well.  I was introduced to it on my first day on the job when I was with Tucson Embedded Systems.  Their lunch combinations are all good.  They have since moved to the western side of the highway and have expanded their menu.  Folks, they have some selections that I haven't seen anywhere else.   You can't go wrong here.  And it's Sonora style.

On the east side here in Tucson, is Poco & Mom's.  This place features New Mexico style.  As far as I've been able to determine, it's the real deal.  I have eaten New Mexico style in Deming and Silver City.  This style has some more zing to it than Sonoran style, which means "mild" is zing and "hot" is rocket fuel.  The breakfast sopapillas are a favority.

Also on the east side is the family-run Los Nopales at Golf Links & Harrison.  My way home from work took me by this place, and I noticed that their parking lot was always full, even on a weekday.  A full parking lot is usually a barometer of how great the food is, and when Sheila and I tried it we learned why the parking lot is almost always packed.  It's Sonoran style, generous portions, and family-run.  They close on occasion for vacation, during Holy Week, Fourth of July week, and of course Christmas.  We were there two nights ago.  

Over in midtown, there is La Parilla Suiza.  This is Mexico City style, with some selections you're not going to see elsewhere.  Sheila and I had our first date there.  There are other La Parilla Suiza locations and I've heard that one or two of the others are not as good as this one on Speedway, but I haven't verified that.

While we're still on the Mexico City style, this can also be had at any of the Guadalajara Grill locations.  This was founded by a husband and wife team, and they added a second, and maybe a third location, before they divorced.  Two of the locations mysteriously burned down to the ground when the divorce proceedings started.  That was some fifteen years ago.  Anyway, they are back in commission.  I've always enjoyed the food here, but I happen to like the others you just read about somewhat better.

One other Eastside Tucson gem is El Sur on 22nd.  This is a family run restaurant, somewhat hole-in-the-wall, and excellent honest Sonoran cuisine.  The drawback is the parking is a bit challenging.  And the inside is almost always packed too.

Finally, one local chain here is La Herredura.  We are partial to the one on Tanque Verde near Bear Canyon.  Their menu selection includes some seafood dishes that I don't see elsewhere.  One seafood dish pictured in the menu, I'm guessing it's filete ajo or something like that, is a favorite.  Their #7, red chile and green chile combination, is another excellent selection.  I need to get back there in the near future.

With that, it's a wrap, and a bit different type of article than the others I've written here.