If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Tue Jun 11, 2019 12:37 pm

I went to Charrovida on Sunday and enjoyed it. It wasn't the nest I've ever had, but solid and enjoyable for a newer restaurant.

ByJoveByJingle · Post by **ByJoveByJingle** » Tue Jun 11, 2019 6:21 pm

Longhorned wrote:Best burger I've had in Tucson is the Welcome Burger at Welcome Diner. It's the closest I've found to a Fatburger.

Had a decent vegetarian burger at Beaut Burger. Not an Impossible Burger, just the old fashioned vegetarian burger but perfected, and with all the trimmings on a great homemade bun. Normally I hate those kinds of patties but this one is good. Still, as with all veggie burgers, it starts to wear on me before the burger is done with.

Went to Welcome just now and had a No Way Jose Burger. Then cruised over to Roma Imports and also ignored board wisdom and picked up some frozen Thai Curry and Moroccan Beef Tagine. This inability to follow basic instructions should tell you all you need to know about my life. Hopefully these left field choices are tasty, too. Oh, and some mini cannoli. Even I couldn’t screw up that opportunity.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Tue Jun 11, 2019 6:45 pm

I’m at Chef Wang right now and it’s one of the great Chinese restaurants of my life and I’m not even kidding.

ASUHATER! · Post by **ASUHATER!** » Tue Jun 11, 2019 6:47 pm

Longhorned wrote:I’m at Chef Wang right now and it’s one of the great Chinese restaurants of my life and I’m not even kidding.

Is that the new place on Grant?

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Tue Jun 11, 2019 7:17 pm

ASUHATER! wrote:
Longhorned wrote:I’m at Chef Wang right now and it’s one of the great Chinese restaurants of my life and I’m not even kidding.
Is that the new place on Grant?

Yeah, it’s serious, too. Northern Chinese. Stuff I’ve never heard of. Beautiful in execution and appearance. So good.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Tue Jun 11, 2019 7:20 pm

ByJoveByJingle wrote:
Longhorned wrote:Best burger I've had in Tucson is the Welcome Burger at Welcome Diner. It's the closest I've found to a Fatburger.

Had a decent vegetarian burger at Beaut Burger. Not an Impossible Burger, just the old fashioned vegetarian burger but perfected, and with all the trimmings on a great homemade bun. Normally I hate those kinds of patties but this one is good. Still, as with all veggie burgers, it starts to wear on me before the burger is done with.
Went to Welcome just now and had a No Way Jose Burger. Then cruised over to Roma Imports and also ignored board wisdom and picked up some frozen Thai Curry and Moroccan Beef Tagine. This inability to follow basic instructions should tell you all you need to know about my life. Hopefully these left field choices are tasty, too. Oh, and some mini cannoli. Even I couldn’t screw up that opportunity.

I’ll try the No Way. I was thinking it’s too hot to turn on my oven, so looking forward to Roma in November.

Jefe · Post by **Jefe** » Fri Jun 14, 2019 1:49 pm

Was getting a haircut on 4th Ave and noticed a Tumerico sign at the corner of 4th/4th. Thought they were moving but they're opening a 2nd location 2 miles away from Tucson blvd. Still haven't been

https://tucsonfoodie.com/2019/05/21/tum ... -location/" target="_blank

scumdevils86 · Post by **scumdevils86** » Wed Jun 19, 2019 7:39 pm

JPS Seafood. Simple, small, everything you want from seafood (Mexican style). If anyone hasn't ventured there yet and you live in Tucson, shame on you (awful that it took me so long).

scumdevils86 · Post by **scumdevils86** » Thu Jun 20, 2019 11:01 am

Anyone been to 4th Ave Deli?

ASUCatFan · Post by **ASUCatFan** » Thu Jun 20, 2019 11:41 am

scumdevils86 wrote:Anyone been to 4th Ave Deli?

It's owned by a guy I went to high school with. I've always enjoyed the food.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Thu Jun 20, 2019 3:02 pm

ASUCatFan wrote:
scumdevils86 wrote:Anyone been to 4th Ave Deli?
It's owned by a guy I went to high school with. I've always enjoyed the food.

Good to know. I've been curious.

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Mon Jun 24, 2019 1:37 pm

Seis Kitchen on River added 3 hot sauces on tables, 2 of which I really, really liked.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Mon Jun 24, 2019 1:53 pm

Spaceman Spiff wrote:Seis Kitchen on River added 3 hot sauces on tables, 2 of which I really, really liked.

You're still not experiencing things like them not making the food you ordered, or serving your food inexplicably dissolving in a plate of water?

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Mon Jun 24, 2019 2:22 pm

Longhorned wrote:
Spaceman Spiff wrote:Seis Kitchen on River added 3 hot sauces on tables, 2 of which I really, really liked.
You're still not experiencing things like them not making the food you ordered, or serving your food inexplicably dissolving in a plate of water?

No, I've seen you complain about that, but have not experienced that there. Some of the tacos get more watery, especially with added salsa, but that's sort of par for the course with tacos, especially with corn tortillas.

One reason I liked the hot sauces is that I used them instead of salsa on my tacos. It had less overflow, although they were pretty jammed with steak and guac.

ASUHATER! · Post by **ASUHATER!** » Mon Jun 24, 2019 3:59 pm

Speaking of which, the more I've lived and eaten I've decided that corn tortillas are the worst. They're only good for making into tortilla chips. For tacos and burritos they suck.

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Mon Jun 24, 2019 5:21 pm

ASUHATER! wrote:Speaking of which, the more I've lived and eaten I've decided that corn tortillas are the worst. They're only good for making into tortilla chips. For tacos and burritos they suck.

I know it's heretical, but I prefer flour tortillas. Flour tortillas have so much more structural integrity and the taste difference is negligible.

TucsonClip · Post by **TucsonClip** » Mon Jun 24, 2019 6:03 pm

ASUHATER! wrote:Speaking of which, the more I've lived and eaten I've decided that corn tortillas are the worst. They're only good for making into tortilla chips. For tacos and burritos they suck.

TJ style, two corn tortillas. Only way to eat tacos, IMO. The bigger the taco on corn, the worse it is, so I do agree there.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Mon Jun 24, 2019 7:43 pm

Spaceman Spiff wrote:
ASUHATER! wrote:Speaking of which, the more I've lived and eaten I've decided that corn tortillas are the worst. They're only good for making into tortilla chips. For tacos and burritos they suck.
I know it's heretical, but I prefer flour tortillas. Flour tortillas have so much more structural integrity and the taste difference is negligible.

There's nothing more legit than flour tortillas in Tucson, or anywhere in the Sonoran desert. Or those fluffy flour tortillas in New Mexico.

The only time flour tortillas are heretical is everywhere else.

But for tacos specifically, they've got to be corn tortillas hot off the griddle from fresh masa.

And as a native Arizonan, I'll add that I love a crisply fried taco, too. Can't take that away from me.

ASUHATER! · Post by **ASUHATER!** » Mon Jun 24, 2019 8:14 pm

Longhorned wrote:
Spaceman Spiff wrote:
ASUHATER! wrote:Speaking of which, the more I've lived and eaten I've decided that corn tortillas are the worst. They're only good for making into tortilla chips. For tacos and burritos they suck.
I know it's heretical, but I prefer flour tortillas. Flour tortillas have so much more structural integrity and the taste difference is negligible.
There's nothing more legit than flour tortillas in Tucson, or anywhere in the Sonoran desert. Or those fluffy flour tortillas in New Mexico.

The only time flour tortillas are heretical is everywhere else.

But for tacos specifically, they've got to be corn tortillas hot off the griddle from fresh masa.

And as a native Arizonan, I'll add that I love a crisply fried taco, too. Can't take that away from me.

Crispy fried flour tortilla tacos are the only truly real tacos to me.

pc in NM · Post by **pc in NM** » Mon Jun 24, 2019 8:27 pm

ASUHATER! wrote:
Longhorned wrote:
Spaceman Spiff wrote:
ASUHATER! wrote:Speaking of which, the more I've lived and eaten I've decided that corn tortillas are the worst. They're only good for making into tortilla chips. For tacos and burritos they suck.
I know it's heretical, but I prefer flour tortillas. Flour tortillas have so much more structural integrity and the taste difference is negligible.
There's nothing more legit than flour tortillas in Tucson, or anywhere in the Sonoran desert. Or those fluffy flour tortillas in New Mexico.

The only time flour tortillas are heretical is everywhere else.

But for tacos specifically, they've got to be corn tortillas hot off the griddle from fresh masa.

And as a native Arizonan, I'll add that I love a crisply fried taco, too. Can't take that away from me.
Crispy fried flour tortilla tacos are the only truly real tacos to me.

Flour tacos are gringo tacos. Praising them as superior is white supremacy....

ASUHATER! · Post by **ASUHATER!** » Mon Jun 24, 2019 8:40 pm

pc in NM wrote:
ASUHATER! wrote:
Longhorned wrote:
Spaceman Spiff wrote:
ASUHATER! wrote:Speaking of which, the more I've lived and eaten I've decided that corn tortillas are the worst. They're only good for making into tortilla chips. For tacos and burritos they suck.
I know it's heretical, but I prefer flour tortillas. Flour tortillas have so much more structural integrity and the taste difference is negligible.
There's nothing more legit than flour tortillas in Tucson, or anywhere in the Sonoran desert. Or those fluffy flour tortillas in New Mexico.

The only time flour tortillas are heretical is everywhere else.

But for tacos specifically, they've got to be corn tortillas hot off the griddle from fresh masa.

And as a native Arizonan, I'll add that I love a crisply fried taco, too. Can't take that away from me.
Crispy fried flour tortilla tacos are the only truly real tacos to me.
Flour tacos are gringo tacos. Praising them as superior is white supremacy....

Tell that to all the Mexican people in Tucson and Sonora. Corn tortillas are for tostitos chips and Rubio's fast food tacos. Flour tortillas are the only real ones.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Mon Jun 24, 2019 8:47 pm

And one point of origin was the flour that very non-white, pre-conquest natives of the Sonoran desert ground from mesquite beans.

dovecanyoncat · Post by **dovecanyoncat** » Mon Jun 24, 2019 8:58 pm

Longhorned wrote:And one point of origin was the flour that very non-white, pre-conquest natives of the Sonoran desert ground from mesquite beans.

^This. And I hear tell of their very low glycemic load. As to today's flour tortilla, beyond their functional superiority I have no use for them.

ASUHATER! · Post by **ASUHATER!** » Mon Jun 24, 2019 9:05 pm

dovecanyoncat wrote:
Longhorned wrote:And one point of origin was the flour that very non-white, pre-conquest natives of the Sonoran desert ground from mesquite beans.
^This. And I hear tell of their very low glycemic load. As to today's flour tortilla, beyond their functional superiority I have no use for them.

They are functionally and taste wise far superior though...

ByJoveByJingle · Post by **ByJoveByJingle** » Mon Jun 24, 2019 9:11 pm

pc in NM wrote:
ASUHATER! wrote:
Longhorned wrote:
Spaceman Spiff wrote:
ASUHATER! wrote:Speaking of which, the more I've lived and eaten I've decided that corn tortillas are the worst. They're only good for making into tortilla chips. For tacos and burritos they suck.
I know it's heretical, but I prefer flour tortillas. Flour tortillas have so much more structural integrity and the taste difference is negligible.
There's nothing more legit than flour tortillas in Tucson, or anywhere in the Sonoran desert. Or those fluffy flour tortillas in New Mexico.

The only time flour tortillas are heretical is everywhere else.

But for tacos specifically, they've got to be corn tortillas hot off the griddle from fresh masa.

And as a native Arizonan, I'll add that I love a crisply fried taco, too. Can't take that away from me.
Crispy fried flour tortilla tacos are the only truly real tacos to me.
Flour tacos are gringo tacos. Praising them as superior is white supremacy....

Fresh hot flour tortillas from Frontier Restaurant in Abq were often the only thing keeping me alive during grad school. And yes, I’m unabashedly gringo.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Mon Jun 24, 2019 9:18 pm

And I am a real suburbanite.

pc in NM · Post by **pc in NM** » Tue Jun 25, 2019 6:18 am

ByJoveByJingle wrote:
pc in NM wrote: Flour tacos are gringo tacos. Praising them as superior is white supremacy....
Fresh hot flour tortillas from Frontier Restaurant in Abq were often the only thing keeping me alive during grad school. And yes, I’m unabashedly gringo.

I'm a big fan of flour tortillas (especially those in Tucson, even more than NM-style); and burros, burritos, chimichangas, etc. are regulars on my favorites menu. Also a side of steamed flour tortillas is a true enhancement for sopping up sauces, beans, etc. But, IMNSHO, tacos are meant to be on soft corn tortillas hot off the griddle, and, BTW, not too full of ingredients (another fat gringo debasement)....

When I lived in Silver City, NM, I learned the term "Gringo Green", which was a derisive putdown for any green chile stew or sauce made with the crap out of a can of cream of mushroom or chicken soup....

Alieberman · Post by **Alieberman** » Tue Jun 25, 2019 7:02 am

I think we need to end the tortilla debate.

These are the kind of arguments that can tear a community apart.

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Tue Jun 25, 2019 7:37 am

Alieberman wrote:I think we need to end the tortilla debate.

These are the kind of arguments that can tear a community apart.

There are good tortillas on both sides.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Tue Jun 25, 2019 8:24 am

pc in NM wrote:
ByJoveByJingle wrote:
pc in NM wrote: Flour tacos are gringo tacos. Praising them as superior is white supremacy....
Fresh hot flour tortillas from Frontier Restaurant in Abq were often the only thing keeping me alive during grad school. And yes, I’m unabashedly gringo.
I'm a big fan of flour tortillas (especially those in Tucson, even more than NM-style); and burros, burritos, chimichangas, etc. are regulars on my favorites menu. Also a side of steamed flour tortillas is a true enhancement for sopping up sauces, beans, etc. But, IMNSHO, tacos are meant to be on soft corn tortillas hot off the griddle, and, BTW, not too full of ingredients (another fat gringo debasement)....

When I lived in Silver City, NM, I learned the term "Gringo Green", which was a derisive putdown for any green chile stew or sauce made with the crap out of a can of cream of mushroom or chicken soup....

If you're going to bring New Mexico into this, which coming from you is a surprise big enough to hurl my body into a dry river, I have something else I need to say:

New Mexico green chile is delicious, but it's only one kind of delicious green chile among others. There's nothing wrong with a green chile made with tomatillos. It's a brighter and smoother sauce, made by people who actually know what they're doing. They aren't idiots trying to get away with never having been to northern New Mexico, and ruining the lives children of their neighborhoods by doing it differently. Some people prefer a green sauce made in Tucson, or in Mexico City, and it's okay.

pc in NM · Post by **pc in NM** » Tue Jun 25, 2019 8:52 am

Longhorned wrote:
pc in NM wrote:
ByJoveByJingle wrote:
pc in NM wrote: Flour tacos are gringo tacos. Praising them as superior is white supremacy....
Fresh hot flour tortillas from Frontier Restaurant in Abq were often the only thing keeping me alive during grad school. And yes, I’m unabashedly gringo.
I'm a big fan of flour tortillas (especially those in Tucson, even more than NM-style); and burros, burritos, chimichangas, etc. are regulars on my favorites menu. Also a side of steamed flour tortillas is a true enhancement for sopping up sauces, beans, etc. But, IMNSHO, tacos are meant to be on soft corn tortillas hot off the griddle, and, BTW, not too full of ingredients (another fat gringo debasement)....

When I lived in Silver City, NM, I learned the term "Gringo Green", which was a derisive putdown for any green chile stew or sauce made with the crap out of a can of cream of mushroom or chicken soup....
If you're going to bring New Mexico into this, which coming from you is a surprise big enough to hurl my body into a dry river, I have something else I need to say:

New Mexico green chile is delicious, but it's only one kind of delicious green chile among others. There's nothing wrong with a green chile made with tomatillos. It's a brighter and smoother sauce, made by people who actually know what they're doing. They aren't idiots trying to get away with never having been to northern New Mexico, and ruining the lives children of their neighborhoods by doing it differently. Some people prefer a green sauce made in Tucson, or in Mexico City, and it's okay.

Not sure what you're responding to - I never said anything for or against using tomatillos (in fact, I love green chile using tomatillos!!), nor did I compare green chile from NM to anywhere else....

I will mention, though, That when I moved to Silver City in 1986, most Mexican restaurants across the state were serving "New Mexican Style" green chile dishes, and few, if any in Tucson even had green chile on the menu. The sole exception were green chile tamales at Christmas-time. Just a fact.

I've always liked the different regional styles of "Mexican Food" (much of it actually Native American in origin), and Tucson's "Sonoron-style" was my favorite before I explored New Mexico after moving here. My first addiction to "Mexican Food" was a Chihuahuan-style made by a local chef in my hometown in Ohio (used a beef-based brown gravy on enchiladas - yummy)!!! I liked Tex-Mex-style, early on, also....

Since then green chiles have become almost synonymous with "Mexican Cuisine", and many, many chefs around the country have used them in novel, exciting and delicious ways....

scumdevils86 · Post by **scumdevils86** » Tue Jun 25, 2019 10:48 am

The absence of Mexican food will leave the biggest gaping hole in my heart when I'm in Wisconsin.

So... breaking news. We're staying in Tucson. My love of Sonoran Mexican food is intact. I will eat too much now in celebration.

Alieberman · Post by **Alieberman** » Tue Jun 25, 2019 11:15 am

scumdevils86 wrote:The absence of Mexican food will leave the biggest gaping hole in my heart when I'm in Wisconsin.

Good luck asking for hot sauce or salsa when dining out.

Hope you like ketchup and mayo on everything

scumdevils86 · Post by **scumdevils86** » Tue Jun 25, 2019 11:29 am

Alieberman wrote:
scumdevils86 wrote:The absence of Mexican food will leave the biggest gaping hole in my heart when I'm in Wisconsin.
Good luck asking for hot sauce or salsa when dining out.

Hope you like ketchup and mayo on everything

I'll start carrying it with me and have it shipped from AZ. 100%

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Tue Jun 25, 2019 11:44 am

scumdevils86 wrote:The absence of Mexican food will leave the biggest gaping hole in my heart when I'm in Wisconsin.

I just checked and there are plenty of Taco Be;;s in Wisconsin.

https://locations.tacobell.com/wi.html" target="_blank

You're welcome.

ASUHATER! · Post by **ASUHATER!** » Tue Jun 25, 2019 11:51 am

azgreg wrote:
scumdevils86 wrote:The absence of Mexican food will leave the biggest gaping hole in my heart when I'm in Wisconsin.
I just checked and there are plenty of Taco Be;;s in Wisconsin.

https://locations.tacobell.com/wi.html" target="_blank

You're welcome.

Taco John's is almost more popular.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Tue Jun 25, 2019 12:26 pm

pc in NM wrote:
Longhorned wrote:
pc in NM wrote:
ByJoveByJingle wrote:
pc in NM wrote: Flour tacos are gringo tacos. Praising them as superior is white supremacy....
Fresh hot flour tortillas from Frontier Restaurant in Abq were often the only thing keeping me alive during grad school. And yes, I’m unabashedly gringo.
I'm a big fan of flour tortillas (especially those in Tucson, even more than NM-style); and burros, burritos, chimichangas, etc. are regulars on my favorites menu. Also a side of steamed flour tortillas is a true enhancement for sopping up sauces, beans, etc. But, IMNSHO, tacos are meant to be on soft corn tortillas hot off the griddle, and, BTW, not too full of ingredients (another fat gringo debasement)....

When I lived in Silver City, NM, I learned the term "Gringo Green", which was a derisive putdown for any green chile stew or sauce made with the crap out of a can of cream of mushroom or chicken soup....
If you're going to bring New Mexico into this, which coming from you is a surprise big enough to hurl my body into a dry river, I have something else I need to say:

New Mexico green chile is delicious, but it's only one kind of delicious green chile among others. There's nothing wrong with a green chile made with tomatillos. It's a brighter and smoother sauce, made by people who actually know what they're doing. They aren't idiots trying to get away with never having been to northern New Mexico, and ruining the lives children of their neighborhoods by doing it differently. Some people prefer a green sauce made in Tucson, or in Mexico City, and it's okay.
Not sure what you're responding to - I never said anything for or against using tomatillos (in fact, I love green chile using tomatillos!!), nor did I compare green chile from NM to anywhere else....

I will mention, though, That when I moved to Silver City in 1986, most Mexican restaurants across the state were serving "New Mexican Style" green chile dishes, and few, if any in Tucson even had green chile on the menu. The sole exception were green chile tamales at Christmas-time. Just a fact.

I've always liked the different regional styles of "Mexican Food" (much of it actually Native American in origin), and Tucson's "Sonoron-style" was my favorite before I explored New Mexico after moving here. My first addiction to "Mexican Food" was a Chihuahuan-style made by a local chef in my hometown in Ohio (used a beef-based brown gravy on enchiladas - yummy)!!! I liked Tex-Mex-style, early on, also....

Since then green chiles have become almost synonymous with "Mexican Cuisine", and many, many chefs around the country have used them in novel, exciting and delicious ways....

I'm responding to New Mexicans generally, and specifically those in my family. But that's interesting that you haven't run into that New Mexican snobbery about "other people's green chile."

As you know, green chile in Sonoran food usually refers to a kind of beef pot roast with green chile. Or you find, "enchilada style - green" with the green chile sauce poured over whatever, which is common all over Mexico.

But red chile is the real Sonoran thing, in spite of the introduction of refrigeration that keeps chilies green all year long.

dovecanyoncat · Post by **dovecanyoncat** » Tue Jun 25, 2019 12:36 pm

azgreg wrote:
Alieberman wrote:I think we need to end the tortilla debate.

These are the kind of arguments that can tear a community apart.
There are good tortillas on both sides.

Yellow and white lives matter.

pc in NM · Post by **pc in NM** » Tue Jun 25, 2019 1:33 pm

Longhorned wrote:
pc in NM wrote:
Longhorned wrote:
pc in NM wrote: I'm a big fan of flour tortillas (especially those in Tucson, even more than NM-style); and burros, burritos, chimichangas, etc. are regulars on my favorites menu. Also a side of steamed flour tortillas is a true enhancement for sopping up sauces, beans, etc. But, IMNSHO, tacos are meant to be on soft corn tortillas hot off the griddle, and, BTW, not too full of ingredients (another fat gringo debasement)....

When I lived in Silver City, NM, I learned the term "Gringo Green", which was a derisive putdown for any green chile stew or sauce made with the crap out of a can of cream of mushroom or chicken soup....
If you're going to bring New Mexico into this, which coming from you is a surprise big enough to hurl my body into a dry river, I have something else I need to say:

New Mexico green chile is delicious, but it's only one kind of delicious green chile among others. There's nothing wrong with a green chile made with tomatillos. It's a brighter and smoother sauce, made by people who actually know what they're doing. They aren't idiots trying to get away with never having been to northern New Mexico, and ruining the lives children of their neighborhoods by doing it differently. Some people prefer a green sauce made in Tucson, or in Mexico City, and it's okay.
Not sure what you're responding to - I never said anything for or against using tomatillos (in fact, I love green chile using tomatillos!!), nor did I compare green chile from NM to anywhere else....

I will mention, though, That when I moved to Silver City in 1986, most Mexican restaurants across the state were serving "New Mexican Style" green chile dishes, and few, if any in Tucson even had green chile on the menu. The sole exception were green chile tamales at Christmas-time. Just a fact.

I've always liked the different regional styles of "Mexican Food" (much of it actually Native American in origin), and Tucson's "Sonoron-style" was my favorite before I explored New Mexico after moving here. My first addiction to "Mexican Food" was a Chihuahuan-style made by a local chef in my hometown in Ohio (used a beef-based brown gravy on enchiladas - yummy)!!! I liked Tex-Mex-style, early on, also....

Since then green chiles have become almost synonymous with "Mexican Cuisine", and many, many chefs around the country have used them in novel, exciting and delicious ways....
I'm responding to New Mexicans generally, and specifically those in my family. But that's interesting that you haven't run into that New Mexican snobbery about "other people's green chile."

As you know, green chile in Sonoran food usually refers to a kind of beef pot roast with green chile. Or you find, "enchilada style - green" with the green chile sauce poured over whatever, which is common all over Mexico.

But red chile is the real Sonoran thing, in spite of the introduction of refrigeration that keeps chilies green all year long.

I have no issues with the use of green chiles in novel recipes - I'm glad to explore, and, when deserved, dish out the compliments.

Many New Mexicans do have a gripe with Coloradoans who try to claim the be the "green chile capitol", but most of us don't engage much more than to mock them... Anaheim Green Chiles get some support as best quality, but, except for chile rellenos they're not up to the standards of many NM varieties.

Hatch Green Chile has had competition issues, and some of their farmers sold imported Mexican green chiles repackaged in Hatch-labeled burlap when everyone on earth claimed to be selling "Hatch Green Chile" - the givaway was the inconsistency in the heat of those mislabeled chile's. Probably 20x the amount actually grown in the hatch Valley was sold under that name for several years.... A new trademark now protects chiles really grown in Hatch Valley in New Mexico.

For years, Green Chiles ("Big Jim" variety) from the Pecos River valley near Roswell were as consistently good as Hatch's, but drought and changing markets have diverted the largest farmers to other crops. Back in the 80's, most chiles grown in the Pecos River valley were shipped to Louisiana, and constituted a significant proportion of the ingredients in Tobasco Sauce.

For years, until the early 2000's, every August/September I would ship bushels of fresh green chiles to friends around the country, until quality fresh chile (initially sold as "Hatch") became available in their locales....

CatsbyAZ · Post by **CatsbyAZ** » Tue Jun 25, 2019 1:38 pm

Haven't contributed yet to this thread, nor am I making a case for Tucson's best, but whenever I'm in Tucson my two restaurant stops are always Oregano's and Sushi Garden. Usually the Oregano's on Orange Grove and usually the Sushi Garden at Foothills Mall.

Jefe · Post by **Jefe** » Tue Jun 25, 2019 3:32 pm

Went to La Botana at Grant/Craycroft for the first time and was pretty impressed for what I thought would be a glorified La Salsa. 9 meat options and you can order them with corn/flour tortillas, gringas style which is a flour quesadilla with onions/cheese or tostada style with beans, queso and pico. The chicharrones was delicious. Carnitas and barbacoa were alright. Gonna try fish, shrimp and carne next time. Grilled burritos, salads, apps and desserts as well as a full page michelada menu

They have lunch specials, happy hour, brunch and they have 2 for 1 Grande Margaritas all day every day. Looked like a 24oz Marg if not larger.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Mon Jul 01, 2019 6:48 am

I went to Caruso’s last night just to laugh at it and relive my college days. I wasn’t prepared for how popular it still is. Waited 45 minutes for a table.

Boy was I wrong about Caruso’s. You could plop it down anywhere in New Jersey and it would absolutely hold its own against any red sauce joint. It was amazing. I had the lasagna, chicken parm, and then spumoni and some of my daughter’s cannoli.

BearDown89 · Post by **BearDown89** » Mon Jul 01, 2019 9:09 am

Longhorned wrote:I went to Caruso’s last night just to laugh at it and relive my college days. I wasn’t prepared for how popular it still is. Waited 45 minutes for a table.

Boy was I wrong about Caruso’s. You could plop it down anywhere in New Jersey and it would absolutely hold its own against any red sauce joint. It was amazing. I had the lasagna, chicken parm, and then spumoni and some of my daughter’s cannoli.

This is so good to hear. Caruso's was a staple of my childhood.

dovecanyoncat · Post by **dovecanyoncat** » Thu Jul 04, 2019 8:37 pm

Caruso's is not a restaurant. It's a secret satellite branch facility of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. It prints currency six days a week.

dovecanyoncat · Post by **dovecanyoncat** » Thu Jul 04, 2019 8:43 pm

By the way, If Sal Zagona is still alive, he's over 100.

ASUHATER! · Post by **ASUHATER!** » Thu Jul 04, 2019 8:57 pm

I've always heard the worst things about Caruso's. Like it's the restaurant you bring your out of town grandparents to that are too scared to try actual good food but they want to do something different than Applebee's.

dovecanyoncat · Post by **dovecanyoncat** » Thu Jul 04, 2019 9:16 pm

ASUHATER! wrote:I've always heard the worst things about Caruso's. Like it's the restaurant you bring your out of town grandparents to that are too scared to try actual good food but they want to do something different than Applebee's.

I know what you mean. It was never a favorite place for me to eat. But I adore my Aunt and her 30 some-odd year tenure there. Sal is a dear family friend, an intelligent and ultra-liberal ex UofA professor, who is a great chef outside the restaurant.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Fri Jul 05, 2019 11:14 am

ASUHATER! wrote:I've always heard the worst things about Caruso's. Like it's the restaurant you bring your out of town grandparents to that are too scared to try actual good food but they want to do something different than Applebee's.

I thought it wasn't going to be good. My guess is that people look down on a restaurant that serves pre-1980s Italian American food on red-checkered tablecloths.

But it's really, really good, and the experience is top-notch. It's like time travel to the early 1960s in the best of ways. In the sense that in the 1960s, it would have already been "an old joint." There's a reason why the place is so beloved that you have to wait 45 minutes for a table.

ASUCatFan · Post by **ASUCatFan** » Fri Jul 05, 2019 12:23 pm

Also, they have the best salad dressing in town. I wouldn't go to Caruso's for authentic Italian food, but it's really good for what it is.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Fri Jul 05, 2019 1:36 pm

ASUCatFan wrote:Also, they have the best salad dressing in town. I wouldn't go to Caruso's for authentic Italian food, but it's really good for what it is.

It is authentic Italian American food. The people of any region of Italy would wonder about that salad dressing, what's with all the red sauce covering the food, and why the fuck is there garlic on the bread?

Login • Register