Saguaros, Sonoran Surprises and other Desert Delights

pnwchef
 
Thanks
You are correct, that is green chili inside the tamale. Everyplace I went to in Phoenix was a home run, but if there is one I can truly recommend it's La Tolteca for its uniqueness as a bakery, market and restaurant all rolled into one

WJ-
La Tolteca is the place you mentioned yesterday, right?  If we have a meal in Phoenix, we will make sure that is our stop.

buffetbuster


WJ-
La Tolteca is the place you mentioned yesterday, right?  If we have a meal in Phoenix, we will make sure that is our stop.

Buffetbuster
 
Correct, La Tolteca is the place
Here's their reviews on Yelp
http://www.yelp.com/biz/la-tolteca-mexican-foods-phoenix
 
4 out of 5 stars- it appears someone recently gave it a 2 star review because they didn't have any Bay Area Burritos?
 

WJ-
Isn't that ridiculous?  My all-time favorite is the person who gave Stroud's a poor review because they didn't like their salad!
 
We will do our best to get there and thanks for the recommendation!

Nice write-up, Great pics.and lovely food.  Even though I'm not a big fan of Mexican, some of it looked scrumptious.  It's too bad you missed the zoo in Tucson, but you got the great ride up into the mountain country.  Also, the plane museums are worth a specual trip.  So, hurry back!

Bravo, Dale!  XLNT!!!
 
I loved all your choices.  Did you say no cilantro on your  tacos asada?  They looked perfect to me.
 
Your choice of dishes was perfect with a little taste of everything.
 
Machaca isn't always what you ordered.  I love both kind... the shredded meat with peppers and tomatoes... and what should really be called Machaca con huevos which of course is machaca scrambled dry  with eggs.   I learned to ask which if not described.
 
Had I known you were going to be in Scottsdale, I would have had you take a picture or the proprietor's license plate at the Middle Eastern restaurant in Old Town Scottsdale.  I didn't think of it when there.  It read...  FALAFEL
 
Would have been perfect for my food related license plate thread.
 
I loved this journey with you because I love the area, the food and your way of reporting.  Thanks!

Mar52,
Machaca is so versatile and can be prepared many different ways. Machaca Beef is the dish I use to Judge a Mexican restaurant. If they have good Machaca, usually everything else is OK too.

Thanks FriedClamFanatic
I wish I had more than just two days in Tucson. There was definitely so much to see and do. I was also hoping that the temps would have been more seasonally appropriate - being close to 20 degrees above normal didn't help matters when trying to enjoy  the outdoors
Mar
 
There could have been cilanto in those Carne Asada tacos- I didn't turn it down if there was. I've never had a problem with cilantro.
 
Unfortunately with the limited time to travel I have compared to some folks, I sometimes have to do the "abbreviated version". Although I'm going to start to cover less ground instead of trying to cover a large area like I have in the past- like my breadbasket trip in 2010 and my rocky mountain trip west trip in 2009

Epilogue and Footnotes
 
This will be copied to both trip reports..
 
Non Roadfood Highlights:
 
-No Rain!
-Chase Field with the Roof open
-San Xavier Mission
-Tucson Mountain Park
-Sabino Canyon
-Fiesta Week in San Antonio
-Getting together with Foodbme and Bushie
 
Non Roadfood Disappointments:
-transportation issues at the beginning (long long rental car lines) and end of the trip (flight home delayed 3 hours)
-temps averaging 15-20 degees above average during the entire trip
-only 2 floors open at the LBJ Library due to renovations
 
Roadfood Highlights
 
Sonoran Dog at El Guero Canelo - Tucson
Carne Asada Tacos at Pico De Gallo - Tucson
Chips and Salsa at Rosita's Place Phoenix
Horchata at Rosita's Place Phoenix
Green Corn Tamales at La Tolteca Restaurant and Market- Phoenix
Bean Burger at Chris Madrid's- San Antonio
Beef Barbacoa Puffy Tacos at Taqueria La Huasteca-  San Antonio
Beef Rib at J Mueller's - Austin
Chicken Fried Steak at Hoover's Cooking - Austin
BBQ at Smitty's Market- Lockhart TX
Best Ice Cream at Sands of Time Ice Cream- Austin TX
Best Pie- Elvis Pie at Texas Cafe- Hutto TX
Best Coffee at Crave- Tucson AZ
 Runner Up at  Halycon- Austin TX
Best Beer- Kilt Lifter at Four Peaks Brewery- Tempe AZ
 Runner Up- Black Lager (Rahr and Sons in Ft Worth TX)- at a bar - Hutto TX
 
 
Roadfood Disappointment
 
-Travelin Manned at the Tamale Store in Phoenix AZ
-Corn in a Cup at Taqueria La Huasteca in San Antonio TX
-Chipotle Cole Slaw at J Mueller's in Austin TX
-Coconut Cream Pie at City Cafe- Elgin TX
-Missing out on trying King Ranch Casserole at Monument Cafe- Georgetown TX
-Being too full to check out the BBQ at City Market- Luling TX
 
 
 
 

Great job with both reports, WJ!  The scenery and food descriptions and photos were outstanding!