Taco Tour Recap

The tour is about 10 miles long. Typically the tour will cover the following:

• Los Chipalones - While slang for “needy child”, every needy adult should try their birria taco. While it’s true that corn tortillas are the original, flour tortillas have some serious history in the Sonoran region too. The Spanish introduced wheat to the region in the 1700s and it’s been considered a local mainstay ever since. Traditionally served on holidays in Jalisco, barria is a marinated, slow-cooked meat in a broth. In the old days it was goat cooked underground. Today it is usually beef and, while not cooked underground, is still tender as can be. Finally, you gotta love a taco place that has an on-site car wash.

• Ruiz - Our Sonoran hot dog stop. Ruiz, in my opinion, has the best in town. Sonoran hotdogs are loaded with beans, cheese, mayo, chili peppers, mustard . . . there is a hot dog down there somewhere. It is the mexican bolillo bread that really makes it different. Ruiz toasts their bread, which is a difference maker. Across the street is Santa Cruz church, which the biggest adobe building in Arizona.

• Ride past American Eat Co, a new-ish food hall. St. Charles Tavern nearby, a really cool place owned operated by women.

• Ride past Mi Nidito. A Tucson restaurant classic. Made famous by President Bill Clinton, who loved the food so much, that he over-ate. Carnerceria Don Juan is nearby, where customers go into the store, pick their meats and fixings, then head outside and have them grill it up for no additional charge.

• Pico de Gallo - Pico de Gallo makes their corn tortillas from scratch. They are amazing. It’s a completely different flavor and texture than the other tacos, so for variety sake alone it is a must.

• Los Tacos Apson - Along with flour tortillas, another feature of Sonoran food vs other Mexican regions is beef. Beef is the go-to meat. Apson is famous for costillas, beef ribs. Either go flintstone style with the whole rib or have them shave it off in rasurado style. It’s hard to go wrong with their Pastor taco, tasty spit grilled pork. Apson’s is tough to beat.

• Loop Bike Path - The ride home is on short part of the 130 mile long bike path system called the loop. It’s a great way to get around . . . and burn off some tacos. The views of the Catalinas on the ride back makes me smile every time.

• El Minuto - One of the oldest restaurants in Tucson. They have carne seca even, which means dried meat. Before refrigeration, it was how beef was preserved. While historically interesting, I find it . . . rather dry.

• El Tiradito - A historic shrine in the heart of Barrio Viejo. In memory of a ranch hand who was killed due to romantic involvement with his mother in law! Still a functioning shrine where many people write messages and burn candles to ask for a wish.

• While it’s a taco tour, there are plenty of breweries where the ride ended. Favorites include: Crooked Tooth, Pueblo Vida, Iron John’s, and Borderlands. While they don’t brew, Tap & Bottle is also nearby and has the best overall selection in town.