What To Eat in Arizona
Long before Arizona became a state, Tucson was a capital of Sonoran-style Mexican fare. That tradition continues, from street food (try the crazy Sonoran hot dog!) to traditional green corn tamales and artisan tacos to chefs’ high-end interpretations (at Café Poca Cosa). South of Tucson along the border are culinary gems that reflect not only Mexico but also the quirky, colorful personality of settlers who came to find their fortune or get away from the rest of the world. Phoenix is a newer city and its eateries tend to be more stylish (although here, too, the Mexican food can be extraordinary); and to the north, around old Route 66, is a legacy of diners, cafes, and casual restaurants where travelers are made to feel at home.
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Tucson's favorite street food is a dizzying package. An all-beef frank, wrapped in bacon and grilled, gets garnished with pinto beans, chopped tomatoes, onions, mustard, hot jalapeno sauce, and a squiggle of mayonnaise, then planted in a big soft bun and sided by a mercilessly hot roasted pepper.
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Fresh corn on the cob is essential for green corn tamales because when the kernels are scraped off, enough juice comes with them to make a moist, full-flavored tamale filling. Roasted chilies are laced into it (often with cheese), and the combo is tightly rolled inside a green (not dried) corn husk that is steamed until the taste of earth and fire within are exuberantly married.
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In the rest of America, pico de gallo – "nip of the rooster" – refers to the sort of chunky salsa cruda that ignites tacos and is such a good dip for chips. In the city of South Tucson it has another meaning altogether. In this case, the nip of the rooster is a gorgeous bouquet of giant chunks of watermelon, coconut, pineapple, mango, and jicama that get spritzed with lime juice and liberally sprinkled with a red-hot chili-powder mix. The spice delivers a lip-tingling punch and does wonders to elicit all the sweetness from the fruit it seasons. It adds up to a heady culinary collusion that marshals taste buds to attention.
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BK Carne Asada & Hot Dogs
One of Tucson, Arizona's premier sources of the Sonoran hot dog, BK's also has a menu of superior tacos, tortas, caramelos, burros and quesadillas.
Tucson Tamale Company
Hail the tamale! Tuscon Tamale makes some of the Southwest's very best, countless varieites: meaty, spicy, vegan, vegetarian. An Arizona must.
La Fiesta Cafe
A top Mexican restaurant in the border town of Douglas, Arizona, La Fiesta Cafe is a friendly, family-run operation with especially good enchiladas.
Casa Sedona
Elegant breakfast in a secluded spot by the regal red rocks of Sedona. Ricotta pancakes are great, as is Arizona bagels and lox – sopaipillas and smoked salmon.
B Line
A culinary highlight of Tucson's 4th Avenue, The B Line's eclectic menu includes southwestern, Italian & vegetarian fare plus world-class desserts.
Anita Street Market
Anita Street Market is a neighborhood grocery that sells Sonoran Mexican faves such as burros, enchiladas & tamales. House-made tortillas are fantastic.
Beyond Bread
Beyond impeccably fresh loaves of bread, this Tucson favorite offers sandwiches, pastries, mac & cheese, salads, soups, omelets, and coffee drinks.
Bisbee Breakfast Club
After free-form wally cakes (pancakes with walnuts) at Bisbee Breakfast Club or a chicken-fried steak topped with crazy-spiced gravy, have a lofty wedge of pie.
Tumerico
Inventive vegan Mexican food has made Tumerico a popular Tucson beacon of enlightened eating. It's all from scratch. The menu changes daily.
