2020 & 2021 EVENTS CANCELLEDAfter close review with our venue and culinary partners and the current Public Health crisis, SAACA has decided to cancel the Tucson 23 Mexican Food Festival for Summer 2020 & 2021. Check back often and look for updates on programming and events in 2022.
The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance partners with the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa for the fifth year to present a Mexican food festival celebrating Visit Tucson's Best 23 Miles of Mexican food in America campaign. The event will feature weekend stay-cation packages, food demos and education, live music and more.
Tucson is home to the most diverse Mexican food north of the border. The highest concentration of these restaurants is found within a 23-mile area that includes the City of South Tucson, downtown and lower midtown. At these terrific eateries, many of which are family-owned and decades old, the settings are casual, the ingredients are fresh and the experience is unforgettable. TASTE THE 23 Experience the culture and traditional foods directly in their establishments with these specials and incentives to visit the restaurants that are part of "The Best 23 Miles of Mexican Food in America" campaign. 
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EVENT PARTNER
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LOCATIONJW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass
3800 W Starr Pass Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85745 Surround yourself with natural beauty at our Tucson resort. Nestled against the saguaro-covered foothills of Tucson Mountain Park, JW Marriott Starr Pass Tucson Resort & Spa offers a tranquil yet animated mountaintop setting as natural as the surrounding desert itself. Our resort in Tucson, AZ merges surpassing luxury and personal service with family-friendly recreation, an incredible array of dining options and three nine-hole desert golf courses. |
GET INVOLVED
Opportunties to get involved in the event will be posted in 2022
2019 PARTICIPANTS
The event will highlight some of the most authentic and delicious Mexican food offered in the United States-- sampling familiar favorites like tacos, fajitas, and molé to some possibly less familiar classics such raspados, sopes, and elotes. Featured cocktails, beer and libations will complement the tasting experience.
RESTAURANTS & EATERIES
Mariscos Chihuahua
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LIBATIONS
2019 Exhibitors
2019 Entertainment
In addition to the culinary delights, The Tucson 23 Mexican Food Festival will feature traditional Latin music and beautiful dance performances as well as several hand-made murals, created by local artists, available for photo opportunities.
- Live Painting with Art By Eli
- Desert Designs Face Painting
- Sol Design Studio
- Consulate of Mexico in Tucson
- Green Screen Photography
- Mural Gallery featuring work by 12 Arizona muralists
- Ballet Folklorico La Paloma Dance Performance (5 PM - 7 PM)
- Live Mariachi Performance by Mariachi Valenzuela (5 PM - 6:30 PM)
- Live Music by Cool Breeze on Salud Patio (7:30 PM - 9:30 PM)
JW Marriott Starr Pass Weekend Activations
Celebrity Chef Dinner- SOLD OUT
6-course, prix fixe dinner
Friday, June 14, 2019, 6:30 PM
Located in Signature Grill
$55 per person
To make a reservation, call Signature Grill at (520) 791-6064. Limited seats available.
Featuring Chef Emily Dillport, Executive Chef at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain and 3 wine makers from Mexico including Jorge Maciel from Cava Maciel, Santiago Cosio Pando from Bodega Santo Tomas & Paolo Paolini from Villa Montefiori.
Educational Courses
Located in San Pedro and San Luis conference rooms on Saturday, June 15. Classes are complimentary for hotel guests and $5 for non-guests. No RSVP required. For wine and tequila classes, all attendees must be 21+; no children.
10:00 AM Celebration of Mexican Bread- Israel Diaz, Baker and Chris Johnson, Pastry Chef
11:00 AM The story of the Heirloom Tortilla in Southern Arizona- Chef Abel, 11-years old
12:00 PM Bodega Santo Thomas Wine
1:00 PM Villa Montefiori Wine
2:00 PM Cava Macial Wines
3:00 PM Tequila 101- Chris Santos, Tequila Master
Live Music
Live Classical and Latin Guitar by Dr. Eduardo Minozzi Costa for Salud Patio Brunch (Saturday, 9:30 AM - 12 PM)
Live Latin Percussion Music by Cool Breeze on Salud Patio (7:30 PM - 9:30 PM)
Taste the 23 Week
This year's event will expand Tucson 23 into a week-long celebration of Visit Tucson's Best 23 Miles of Mexican Food directly from the source: the restaurants. In the week following the main event at the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa, participating restaurants will provide specials with the theme of Taste the 23 Restaurant Week to celebrate the amazing culinary assets in Southern Arizona. Select restaurants will host additional arts & entertainment experiences as part of the Taste the 23 Week with $23-$2.30 in restaurant specials! Valid June 16-22, 2019
More info and details available at the link below
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Boca Tacos y Tequila
(520) 777-8134 533 N. 4th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85705 www.bocatacos.com $23 SPECIAL Chips + Salsa, 2 Tacos and 2 Beers for $23 Dine in only Churros El Rey (520) 282-8074 2565 E Commerce Center Pl, Tucson, AZ 85706 churroselreytucson@facebook.com $2.30 SPECIAL 1 filled churro for $2.30- choice of fillings include, Caramel, Condensed milk, Chocolate, Strawberry, Pineapple, Cream Cheese, and Vanilla. (Normal price is $3.25) Crossroads Restaurant (520) 624-0395 2602 S. 4th Ave, South Tucson, AZ 85713 $23 SPECIAL Dinner for 2 includes 2 beef tacos, 2 cheese enchiladas, rice & beans and 2 soft drinks for $23 El Antojo Poblano (520) 406-5905 1103 W Prince Rd, Tucson, AZ 85705 $23 SPECIAL & $2.30 SPECIAL Family pack: 2 Huaraches and 1 Cemita for $23 / 1 Gordita for $2.30 Elvira's Restaurant. Bar. Tequila (520) 499-2302 256 E. Congress St, Tucson, AZ 85701 www.elvirasrestaurant.com $23 SPECIAL Summer wine + dine for $23, Only Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during Taste the 23 Week Ensenada Street Food (520) 245-6496 1602 S. Park Ave, Tucson, AZ 85713 Facebook- Ensenada Street Food $23 SPECIAL Family combo includes pastor, asada y birria tacos for $23 Mariscos Baja Mar (520) 940-7784 3541 S 12th Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85713 $23 SPECIAL & 2 items for $3 SPECIAL 2 shrimp tacos for $3 / Seafood Sampler and 2 Soft Drinks for $23 Mariscos Chihuahua (520) 225-8736 1009 Grande Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85745 www.mariscoschihuhua.com $23 SPECIAL & $2.30 SPECIAL 2 Tacos Platters, 2 Tostadas and 2 drinks for $23/ 1 Tostada de Ceviche for $2.30 |
Oasis Fruit Cones
(220) 490-9888 4126 S. 12th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85714 Facebook- Oasis Fruit Cones $2.30 SPECIAL Small natural fruit raspado for $2.30 Ice cream and additional toppings are an extra $.75 each. There is no extra charge for fruit combinations. Penca Restaurante (520) 203-7681 50 W Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85701 www.pencarestaurante.com $23 SPECIAL Grilled marinated bistro tender, esquites, scallion corn cake, served with mole verde and queso fresco for $23 Rigo's Restaurant (520) 441-5237 5851 N. Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85704 www.rigosnorth.com $23 SPECIAL 2 Lunch Buffets for $23.00, soft drink included / 2 Dinner Buffets for $23.00, soft drink included (or 2 Draft Beers) for $23.00 Rollies Mexican Patio (520) 300.6289 4573 S. 12th Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85714 https://www.facebook.com/rolliestucson/ $2.30 SPECIAL 1 Flat Enchilada for $2.30- Deep fried corn masa patty topped w/homemade enchilada sauce, cabbage, cotija cheese, fine shredded cheddar cheese, sliced green olives and diced white onion. Dine in only Tacos Apson (520) 670-1248 3501 S. 12th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85713 www.tacosapson. Com $23 SPECIAL ¾ lb carne asada or combination of carne asada & pastor; two ribs, tortillas, salsas and veggies for $23. Only to go or eat on patio area Tanias 33 Mexican Food (520) 622-0685 614 North Grande Ave., Tucson, AZ 85745 www.tanias33.com $2.30 SPECIAL 8 oz soup and tortilla for $2.30- 13 Soups Daily, including beef, chicken, or vegan! |
Videos
The Art of Plating with Nadia Aidi - Video Series
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Gallery
Event Sponsors
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