Best Mexican restaurants in Tucson (Pima, Maricopa: inspections, safety, food)

[IheartWA]

Went to Mi Nidito yesterday. Had the President’s plate. Dang, Bill Clinton sure could eat!
I got through about half of it. Any more and I would have been in a coma!

[dirtydan57]

The wife and I are currently in San Antonio working our way to Tucson for the winter. We visited Fredericksburg, a small town north of here, where I got into a conversation with a shop owner about how good Mexican food is in SA. He starts telling me about a place in Tucson where the food was so good but couldn't remember the name. But he said they had ladies who would come to your table and make fresh salsa on the spot. Of course he was talking about one of our favorite places in Tucson - Guadalajara Original Grill on Prince Rd.

[tumamoc]

Both times I've been to El Gorrion on S 12th Ave, I've been very satisfied with their green and red chile burrito plates. It's a little hole in the wall, but those are sometimes the best kept secrets.

[eddie gein]

El Torero in south Tucson is but the food is great and the atmosphere is extremely festive. It is a dump, but it's a lot more like eating in a Mexican border town than anywhere else in Tucson. Real popular with the old time Tucson natives because it's been there for 60 years. Same location.

[Colt AZ]

Originally Posted by tumamoc

Both times I've been to El Gorrion on S 12th Ave, I've been very satisfied with their green and red chile burrito plates. It's a little hole in the wall, but those are sometimes the best kept secrets.

Originally Posted by eddie gein

El Torero in south Tucson is but the food is great and the atmosphere is extremely festive. It is a dump, but it's a lot more like eating in a Mexican border town than anywhere else in Tucson. Real popular with the old time Tucson natives because it's been there for 60 years. Same location.

I've wondered how health department personnel react and what they actually do as they periodically arrive to inspect these little eateries, which people continually refer to lovingly as "dumps" and so-called "hole-in-the-walls"?

Surely they don't give them a pass, just because they meet peoples' expectations regarding the normally dismal accommodations -- as long as the food is "acceptable"?

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by Colt AZ

I've wondered how health department personnel react and what they actually do as they periodically arrive to inspect these little eateries, which people continually refer to lovingly as "dumps" and so-called "hole-in-the-walls"?

Surely they don't give them a pass, just because they meet peoples' expectations regarding the normally dismal accommodations -- as long as the food is "acceptable"?

Have you actually been in El Gorreon? I have been there a dozen times and the place has been very clean.

[JGMotorsport64]

Originally Posted by Colt AZ

I've wondered how health department personnel react and what they actually do as they periodically arrive to inspect these little eateries, which people continually refer to lovingly as "dumps" and so-called "hole-in-the-walls"?

Surely they don't give them a pass, just because they meet peoples' expectations regarding the normally dismal accommodations -- as long as the food is "acceptable"?

I was in the cooking business in Tucson. The health department takes a sort of “relaxed” approach especially compared to Maricopa County. Usually the owner will schmooze and talk to the inspector the entire time he’s there and they all seem to know each other.

When I restaurant failing in Tucson I immediately know they were doing an objectively bad job, not just little things.

[dirtydan57]

The one time we ate at El Gorreon the food was good and the place ok, but they tacked an additional $2 onto our debit card. It wasn't worth going back to dispute, but still.

[tumamoc]

Originally Posted by dirtydan57

The one time we ate at El Gorreon the food was good and the place ok, but they tacked an additional $2 onto our debit card. It wasn't worth going back to dispute, but still.

I've seen similar tactics used at south side Viva Burrito restaurants (which I do not recommend). They tack on a $0.25 charge here or there for a side of sour cream or something else you didn't order. Unscrupulous.

[Colt AZ]

Originally Posted by jlawrence01

Have you actually been in El Gorreon? I have been there a dozen times and the place has been very clean.

Good to know. Thanks!