SOUTHERN ARIZONA
salsa, tequila &
taco challenge
OVER 70 COMPETING RECIPES | SALSA | TEQUILA | TACOS | LIVE MUSIC | CULTURE
2022 DATES COMING SOONAfter close review with our venue and culinary partners and the current Public Health crisis, SAACA has decided to postpone the Southern Arizona Salsa, Tequila & Taco Challenge in partnership with the Community Food Bank in Summer 2020 & 2021. We plan on bringing the event back as soon as it is safe to do so.
Cocktail craft and culinary creativity are taken to a new level at the 10th Annual Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance’s Salsa, Tequila & Taco Challenge. Tequila infused popsicles, sno-cones, and mixed drinks will surprise attendees with refreshing colors, while kimchi, blueberry-jalapeno and “Smokeless Fire” salsas will spice up their palettes.
More than 1,000 attendees support the community while attending this fun event to sample and vote for the best salsa, tequila and tacos in the region from participating mixologists and chefs. Attendees will experience culture at its finest; combining the culinary arts, live music, and entertainment that highlights the strength and diversity in our community. Join us for one of the most colorful summer “foodie” events in Southern Arizona. The event will distribute awards from professional judges as well as People's Choice Awards in over 15 categories to participating restaurants and exhibitors. Many chefs and mixologists came to the table to win culinary supremacy, but they are also there to support important charitable causes in the community. This creative collaboration combines resources to help raise monies for SAACA community arts outreach programs and local programming outreach by the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona.
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V.I.P. Admission includes 1 hour early entry into the event at 6 PM, Valet Parking, Tequila Toast and commemorative shot glass plus all General Admission access. Only 300 tickets will be sold. General Admission tickets include libation, and menu samplings from over 40 local professional and emerging restaurants and chefs, with custom salsa and tequila cocktails in over 15 categories. Includes access to live entertainment all night. 21 AND OVER EVENT |
EVENT PARTNERS
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LOCATION
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La Encantada Shopping Center
2905 E Skyline Dr, Tucson, AZ 85718 La Encantada is an upscale, outdoor shopping center located in Tucson, Arizona at the Northwest corner of Skyline and Campbell Ave. The event is located in the upstairs and downstairs walkways throughout the shopping center. |
GET INVOLVED
Stay tuned on how to get involved in the 2022 event.
2019 ENTERTAINMENT
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Ballet Folkorico La Paloma is a non-profit organization dedicated to perpetuating the native folk dances of Mexico. By doing so, we hope to arouse pride and heritage in the Mexican- American community. We also educate the general public through our colorful and entertaining performances. Ballet Folklorico La Paloma has responded to the need of positive and responsive programs for young people in our community since 1982. Through the reinvestment of time, funds, and energy we have been able to help develop positive, and committed young people who will make a better future for generations to come.
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Santa Pachita is a Tucson band that has been playing together since 2012. Guitarist, Miguel Reyes, and bass player, Victor Cruz, started the band after working together on other musical projects. They brought in talented musicians that have a variety of different musical backgrounds. The result is a danceable fusion of ska, cumbia, and rumba-salsa. The congas, flute, and trumpet add depth to the energetic music that is influenced by bands like Manu Chao.
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Troy Gray Duo, Flamenco Guitarist, has been playing guitar for 30 years and has performed quite often in Arizona and Colorado. One of the most in demand flamenco guitarists, he performs weekly in resorts, clubs, theaters and festivals throughout Southern Arizona. He performs solo as well as with other wonderful, accomplished musicians such as Native American Music Awards "Artist Of The Year" classical guitarist Gabriel Ayala and six-time Grammy Nominee percussionist Will Clipman.
Learn more about this group at www.troygrayguitar.com |
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Donovan White, Live Painter, has a healthy fondness for 80’s and 90's pop art. A popular tattoo, skateboard, and visual artist, you are just as likely to see Donovan painting on pots and pans or an antique kitchen knife as a canvas. Donovan likes to incorporate humor into his work and takes inspiration from many culinary and southwestern themes.
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2019 PARTICIPANTS
Each restaurant is serving a combination of salsas, tequila cocktails, tacos and more!
RESTAURANTS
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Salsa de Lazo
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LIBATIONS
2019 Hotel Partner
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Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort & Spa
It’s tranquil, yet mesmerizing. Private, yet wide open. A distinctive luxury hotel in Tucson where historic charm and modern luxury unite. Built in the early 1900s, our 80-acre, certified green resort is flawlessly set at the base of the striking Santa Catalina Mountains. A favorite Tucson luxury resort and vacation destination, Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort & Spa offers visitors of all ages the joy of getting close to nature with on-site hiking, biking and horseback riding trails. Learn more at
https://www.westwardlook.com/ A shuttle between La Encantada and Westward Look will be available all evening for hotel guests.
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Photo Gallery
Event Winners
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2019 Challenge Winners
People's Choice 1st Place Salsa
Santiago's Mexican Salsa Santiago People's Choice 2nd Place Salsa Cafe a la C'Art Roasted Salsa Negra People's Choice 3rd Place Salsa Americano Mexicano House Chunky Red Salsa Judge's Choice, 1st Place Traditional Salsa Casino Del Sol Salsa Molcajete Judge's Choice, 2nd Place Traditional Salsa Peppersauce Kitchen Roasted Pepper Salsa Judge's Choice, 1st Place Alternative Salsa The Gallery Golf Club Pepita Salsa Judge's Choice, 2nd Place Alternative Salsa Cafe Botanica Smoked Nopal Salsa with Lemon People's Choice 1st Place Tequila Cocktail Benson City Grille Cilantro Jalapeno Lime Margarita People's Choice 2nd Place Tequila Cocktail The Lodge at Ventana Canyon Mango Tamarind Tequila Cocktail Judge's Choice 1st Place Tequila Cocktail Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort & Spa Mojito Margarita Judge's Choice 2nd Place Tequila Cocktail Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain The Copperhead People's Choice 1st Place Taco Santiago's Mexican Seared Short Rib Taco People's Choice 2nd Place Taco Peppersauce Kitchen Garlic Chicken and Arugula Taco Judge's Choice 1st Place Taco Peppersauce Kitchen Garlic Chicken and Arugula Taco Judge's Choice 2nd Place Taco Santiago's Mexican Seared Short Rib Taco Grand Reserve Tequila Tasting 1st Place Roger Clyne's Mexican Moonshine Tequila Reposado Most Creative Display Santiago's Mexican |
2018 Challenge Winners
People's Choice 1st Place Salsa Angie's Kick Ass Salsa Hot Salsa People's Choice 2nd Place Salsa Ritz Carlton at Dove Mountain Sweet Mango Chile Salsa People's Choice 3rd Place Salsa Angie's Gourmet to Go Fire Roasted Tomato Mango Habanero Salsa Judge's Choice, Best Traditional Salsa Crossroads Restaurant Tomatillo Salsa Judge's Choice, 2nd Place Traditional Salsa The Grill at Quail Creek Brasas Salsa Judge's Choice, Best Alternative Salsa Ritz Carlton at Dove Mountain Sweet Mango Chile Salsa Judge's Choice, 2nd Place Alternative Salsa The Tequila Factory Fruit Pico De Gallo Salsa People's Choice 1st Place Tequila Sip The Lodge at Ventana Canyon Berry White People's Choice 2nd Place Tequila Sip 3 Amigo's Tequila 8 Year Extra Anejo Judge's Choice 1st Place Tequila Sip Cruz Del Sol Tequila Cruz Reposado Tequila Judge's Choice 2nd Place Tequila Sip 3 Amigo's Tequila 8 Year Extra Tequila People's Choice 1st Place Taco El Coronado Birria Taco People's Choice 2nd Place Taco The Grill at Quail Creek Pork Belly Taco Judge's Choice 1st Place Taco Tequila Factory Tecate Traveling Taco Judge's Choice 2nd Place The Living Room Chilaquiles Most Creative Display Rigo's Restaurant |
Safe Ride Partner
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To help ensure all attendees make it to and from the event safely we have partnered with Lyft to encourage everyone attending the festival to plan ahead and keep the community safe.
First Time User: Redeem up to $20 in Free Lyft Credit using code: SAACA Existing User: 10% off your ride to and from the Salsa, Tequila & Taco Challenge using code: SAACA19 |
Special Thanks To Our Event Sponsors
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