We'll be in Tucson in June and this hungry Indiana family is dying for some good authentic Mexican food. What are your favorite Mexican Restaurants?

Thanks,
Kathryn

Hi,

My favorites are:

Mama Rosa's (inexpensive and good)

El Charro (great ambiance, great food, but so-so service at the downtown location...the east side location has better service IMHO)

La Indita (hole-in-the-wall Mexican on 4th Avenue--very tasty)

Cafe Poca Cosa (eclectic dishes with a Mexican flavor, fancier and expensive)

Have fun!

Hi Kathryn,

Gotta agree with Abby on two of her choices here; La Indita (long time Tucson fave.) and El Charro. Also, La Parilla Suiza on Oracle has some great dishes, a bit less "authentic" but really good. Gosh, there is one more I really, really liked when I was there last, but for the life of me I cannot recall the name... aarrgghh... it is on 6th avenue (a high Latino population in the area of S. 6th Ave. between Oracle and Ajo Way. You could just stop by any business in that area and ask the "locals," that is always the best way to find the best restaurants. Yum - I'm getting hungry!! Enjoy!
Adios.

Cafe Poca Cosa - hands down winner. It's adjacent to the Clarion Hotel. The area is nothing to get excited about but the food is wonderful.

Thanks for all the good tips. On a personal note, 25 years ago I went to U of Arizona and worked at Ports O'Call restaurant owned by Dean Short. Is it still there? What a kick it would be to see it with the hubby and kids!

Kathryn

Oh my gosh, Kathryn, I have memories of that restaurant too!! We used to go to the Ports O'Call about once a month, usually on Sundays, for "family dinner" night! My dad just loved that restaurant, he would take my mom there for special occasions too. At the time, it was one of the "better" restaurants in Tucson, huh? You will be sorry to learn it is no longer in business, I think it has been gone for a long time. You will have fun coming back to Tucson though, lots has changed for sure!! Wait til you see Speedway! Enjoy yourself, and I hope you find that "authentic meal" you are looking for, but I have to say, I think Cafe Poca Cosa is not on the authentic Mexican food list, as Abby said, but it seems she and Christine both recommend it, so it might be worth checking out.

Oh Kathryn, you will enjoy Tucson. We just returned 2 days ago from Tucson over easter break. I want to move there. We have been there 6 times and our favorite mexican restaurants are: Mi Nidito on S. 4th, El Charro (very cute decor and a gift shop next door), and one that was not mentioned yet is El Minuto Cafe. We have been there on each of our visits and are never disappointed. It is probably the least expensive of the three, also. I wish I could go back already. Have a great trip.