Talkin' Tacos - Food Review
When it comes to the South-western United States, nothing screams American food like tacos. No, really!
Historically speaking this little bundle of food joy originated from Mexico, but its charm and good looks helped it to quickly jump the border, and was enthusiastically adopted by Americans. Now in its new home, the taco has been reinvented. Traditional toppings were changed, discarded, or updated, and things like shrimp tacos and choco-tacos were born. In fact, the taco is so widely venerated by Americans that it has its own unofficial weekly holiday—Taco Tuesday. (A wondrous day where many cantinas offer spectacular deals like $1 tacos!) Few cities take their tacos more seriously than in my hometown of Phoenix, Arizona. Our annual two day Taco Festival is a smorgasbord of the best and most creative tacos in the region. This year boasted 45 different food and drink vendors! Needless to say, it was a challenge even for this taco connoisseur to try everything. But here is a list of just a few of the best tacos, in my humble opinion, that are worth trying if you’re in town: Dos Gringos With the motto, “It’s not just a taco joint, it’s a lifestyle,” Dos Gringos dishes out the kind of greasy delight you crave after a night out! (Uni students will know what I’m talking about!) Taco 1: Pork Green Chile
Taco 2: Pull Chicken with Chorizo
Taco Pirates Run by Chef Karsten Hartig and team, they swept the competition last year like Captain Jack Sparrow. No one expected this private chef team to be so amazing! This year they already took home the title of Grand Champion on the first day of the festival! Taco 1: Grilled Chicken with Mandarin Oranges, salsa, and cabbage
Taco 2: Pulled Pork with Red Salsa and Onions
Milagro Grill Reigning 2012 champions, Milagros came back with a vengeance this year! This family owned and operated restaurant has over 60 years experience of serving up mouth-watering Mexican cuisine in the Phoenix Valley Taco 1: Grilled Beef with Cabbage and Jalapeños and mystery sauce
Taco 2: Grilled Pork with Jalapeños and Cabbage
The Herb Box A restaurant and superb catering joint, the Herb Box supplied the best vegetarian taco I’ve ever had—hands down! They are on my list of must visit restaurants—and you should try them too! Taco 1: Sweet potato taco
Of course there were many, many more, but not all made my list of best tacos. But I would hands down recommend The Herb Box’s sweet potato taco, and Milagro Grill’s beef taco with mole-secret-sauce. Be sure to try both these places for tacos like no other! Arizona is a place like no other when it comes to tacos! See the other delicious contestants here. |
Originally published on TigrisIgnis October 20, 2014