MJP –
Tacos from five restaurants in Arizona are featured in the updated edition of “American Tacos: A History and Guide,” a book written by Jose Ralat, a two-time James Beard Award winner. The book was launched this month.
A culmination of ten years of study that spanned the United States, Mexico, and Canada, according to Ralat, the book.
The book is organized into nine parts, ranging from “Breakfast Tacos” to “Golden and Crunchy,” “K-Mex,” and even “Pandemic Tacos.” An appendix provides a snapshot of taco holders’ history. Each chapter concludes with Ralat’s list of the eateries covered.
“No other food in America brings people together like tacos,” said he. “Nothing is fully itself until it nestles in a tortilla — and everything ends up in a tortilla.” Take a peek at these Arizona eateries from “American Tacos.”
Modern, “chef-driven,” and crujiente tacos in Phoenix’s Crujiente Tacos Chapter: El Taco Moderno
Tacos on blue and white tortillas are the creation of Richard Hinojosa, who draws on his experience in fine dining to produce Crujiente Tacos. His menu has artistically presented crunchy tacos as well as street tacos. As of the book’s publication, Hinojosa’s specials had not been repeated.
Check out for more information: 3961 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix.
Moodie Blacks in Tempe Chapter: Pandemic Tacos: COVID, birria, and beyond
The transsexual owner of an Afro-Mexican American taqueria, Moodie Blacks, got her start in the kitchen during the pandemic when her band Moodie Black had to cancel a tour.
SEE MORE –
Rising Costs Force Rubio’s Coastal Grill to Close 48 Restaurants in California
She began selling carnitas and chicken tacos out of her home. She now runs the Tex-Mex menu at Tempe’s Yucca Tap Room.
Location: 25 W. Southern Ave., Tempe.
The greatest tacos in Phoenix are made by this Baja-style Mexican food cart, according to locals.
Chapter: El Taco Moderno: Contemporary, “chef-driven,” and new immigrant tacos at Boca Tacos y Tequila in Tucson
Maria J. Mazon, a chef, describes tacos as “refined eats presented in a tortilla.” Tacos are her specialty, and she makes her tortillas from scratch. A variation on the Sonoran Hot Dog, her Taco Dog, was mentioned.
Information: 533 N. Fourth Ave., Tucson.
Located in Tucson, Arizona, Rollies Mexican Patio offers a variety of golden and crunchy tacos, taquitos, flautas, fry bread tacos, tacos dorados, and puffy tacos San Antonio style.
Tacos ahogados, which are fried and rolled, are the inspiration for this dish at Rollies Mexican Patio. It comes with a choice of cheddar or red salsa, cabbage, and crema.
Owner Mateo Otero drew inspiration for Nana’s Tacos from the tacos that Mexican grandmothers would make for hungry children.
