944 HAS SOME TASTY TACOS
The Dish
Picture this: It’s about August 15. Our column for 944′s September Fashion Issue is due. We’ve got nothin’. Snappy-dressed restaurateurs? Hottest hostesses? Fashionable cocktails? All been done. We joke about it, but are tacos really the hottest food category in the nation right now? We checked with the Magic 8 and it said “My Sources Say Yes,” so we stretched a story together about how Tacos are Fashionable. Editor dug it. Story done.
Although the issue is on newsstands now, you can check out our latest column for 944 by clicking the PDF above or reading some of the highlight below to our Most Fashionable Taco Picks. Enjoy!
Salmon Tacos at Macayo’s
Some call it corporate, we call it delicious. The Macayo’s menu is like a greatest hits of Mexican food—which also means that everything imaginable is on it. But one of the biggest surprises is a sneaky fish taco that isn’t filled with the usual white fish. These are the real pink tacos, done up with salmon and shredded cabbage in street-style corn tortillas. They’re served with black beans, pico de gallo, spicy salsa, and lime wedges for about $11.
Pork Shoulder Tacos for Two at The Mission (above)
One of the hottest restaurants on the scene right now, The Mission is packed nightly thanks to owner Brian Raab who’s working the floor pushing some of the best tequila in AZ, and Chef Matt Carter (also of Zinc Bistro) who’s created a bevy of mouthwatering dishes by fusing various Latin recipes with French techniques. The star of the show is Mission’s Pork Shoulder Tacos for two. A giant piece of pork slow roasts with pineapple for over 12 hours and is served up fork tender. Then you can make your own tacos with their handmade tortillas served on a warm salt block. Add your own cilantro and red onions and you’ve got street tacos like you’ve never had before, guaranteed.
Carne Asada at America’s Taco Shop
When the sign says “Best Carne Asada in the Valley,” you’ve got to take the place seriously (or at least try the tacos). We’ve got to admit, for a quick, inexpensive, street taco that’s served fast and by a fun staff—it really does win. Another attraction: America’s knocks the price down of their beloved Tacos al Pastor on most Tuesdays for a promo called Taco Tuesdays. These pork beauties are cooked the traditional way—slowly on a vertical rotisserie with other ingredients packed and marinating within. The meat is shaved off and placed in small tortillas. So although America’s is a quick stop for most, it’s a big luxury to anyone ordering al Pastor or the best Carne Asada in the Valley.
Mix & Match at Gallo Blanco
At $2 to $3 a pop for tacos, and with one of the coolest vibes in town, you really can’t beat Gallo Blanco. Located inside the Clarendon Hotel in downtown Phoenix, the space is funky and modern, with a design that nods to the building’s urban location (exposed ducts, concrete floors, exposed walls). Tacos are served in a metal zig-zag tray that’s perfect for your mix-and-match order. Do one pork taco, a fish (whatever is freshly caught), and veggie. Or two carne asada and a shrimp. Whatever combo you put together, you’re guaranteed to walk away feeling like you scored a fine dining experience for a quarter of the price.
Hard Shell Ground Beef at Papi Chulo’s
Unless you’re watching your calories and wussing out with veggie tacos in a lettuce wrap, you’ve got to go all out. Do it in the new Papi Chulo’s. Located right off Scottsdale and Camelback, Papi Chulo’s deep fries hard shell tacos packed with anything from ground beef to pork cooked in adobo sauce. You can also have the soft shell tacos fried, but we’re partial to hard shell when we can get ‘em. All tacos come simply with lettuce, pico de gallo, cotija cheese. You’ll surely be tempted to add other items to your taco order (May we suggest the Wings El Caliente in chipotle sauce?), and since calories are no matter to you, it’s okay to go ahead and add something else.
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