If you’ve been reading my blog, you’ll remember that I was born in Tucson, AZ. In my opinion, Tucson is also home to some of the best Mexican food in the country. For a long time it was hard to find all the ingredients needed to make certain Mexican dishes unless you ventured to several different supermarkets. Then a few years ago, the Carniceria hit the streets of Tucson. Loosely translated it means Butcher Shop. However, these shops have become much more than a place where you can buy meat. Many of Tucson’s Carnicerias now boast an array of Mexican goods ranging from candy to hot sauce. Others contain bakeries and in house restaurants. In short and lucky for us, they’ve become a one stop shop for all your Mexican cooking supplies! One of my favorites is El Novillo, located at 7885 Golf Links Road. I happened upon them years ago and was struck by the family atmosphere and their excitement and commitment over their new venture. From their humble beginnings, they have created a place that is consistent in their product and loved by loyal customers of all races.
One of the many things I enjoy is their marinated meats. Sometimes it’s nice to buy chicken that’s all ready for the grill, or beef for fajitas. On the weekends, they make it even easier by having a mesquite grill outside where they will grill your meats for free! Don’t forget to tip your cook! Their homemade chorizo (spicy Mexican sausage) comes in spicy or mild, beef or pork. They sell old school jerky, that’s basically dried strips of steak with salt and pepper or chilis. For those more adventurous souls, you can also purchase tripe and other various parts. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention their bacon, perfectly smoked with what seems like mesquite wood, to me. At the end of the deli counter is another favorite item, cheese! They sell Mexican white cheese (Queso Blanco, Queso Fresco and Oaxacan).These are relatively light flavored cheeses that go well with the spices of Mexican food. Oaxca cheese melts very easily and is great to make quesadillas with. Colby Longhorn, is an American cheese that is sort of like a Cheddar cheese only better. It is made slightly different than Cheddar and contains more moisture with a stretchy texture when melted, making it perfect for Mexican food. All of these cheeses are considered fresh cheese, so it’s best to consume them soon after purchasing.
The fresh produce section is filled with various types of chilis, avocados, onions, lemons, limes and cilantro. Here you can also find their in house made salsas, refried beans and guacamole. They also sell ceviche and homemade tamales. I think their refried beans with chorizo are some of the best around. The guacamole is ok, but I prefer to make my own. The salsas range from mild to extra hot, so there’s something for everyone. They also sell a huge array of hot sauces, both local and imported from Mexico. My favorite hot sauce is Old Pueblo Poblano , they have a long history in Tucson and I could almost write an entire post on the ups and downs and transformation of the company. Try their green or ranchera sauce. Here’s a link to their website.
Mexican candy has a place on the shelves at El Novillo. Most Mexican candy is very different than what we’re use to in the states. Tamarind is the main base, it’s a tangy sweet and to some, pungent fruit. The candy is sweet, salty and spicy. For those who’ve never had it, it’s a hard taste to acquire. They do make a goat’s milk caramel that comes in lollipops or thin disks, that are more to American’s liking. Luckily you can buy the candy by the piece so you can try different ones before gettin a whole bag. Along those lines you’re also able to buy Mexican Coke a Cola, which is made using real cane sugar and not the high fructose corn syrup like we get here. It’s amazing how much better it tastes, at least to me!
Now, to another of my favorite things they make, the corn chips. These are made in small batches from homemade corn tortillas. Addicting? Yes! I will state it right now, these are without a doubt, the best corn chips I have ever eaten in my life, from anywhere in the country. I know most of you might be thinking, a corn chip is a corn chip, but these are next level. The corn flavor is pronounced and the salty crunch will keep you coming back for more. These also hold up really well when making nachos. The only thing I’m concerned with at the moment is, I think someone new is making them and this person is cooking them just a little to long. So when I go I look for the lightest color chips I can find. They sell many different types of flour tortillas, from local shops to imported ones from just across the border in Nogalas, about 70 miles away. The sizes vary too from two inches in diameter to about two feet in diameter. The thing I look for in a good flour tortilla is less ingredients and hopefully one of them is lard. Lard makes the best tortillas, and as recent research has found, it’s not as bad for you as we’ve been told.
Moving on, I have to talk a little bit about their takeout restaurant. You can buy a single taco or burrito or have an event catered. The have daily specials that come with rice and beans and a drink. You can also get their delicious soups like Menudo, Posole or Albondigas in large quantities up to a gallon. I enjoy their Birria, which is a spicy shredded beef. It’s nice to buy it by the pound so you can take it home and make whatever your imagination comes up with. I haven’t had a lot of things from their menu but what I’ve ordered has been very good, except for the chili rellenos burrito. It’s a green chili thats stuffed with cheese and fried in an egg batter, covered in enchilada sauce then rolled up in a burrito. Personally I found that all a little too much. I love chili rellenos by themselves on a plate, so that’s how I’ll be eating them from now on. They are also known for their Sonoran hotdogs. These are hotdogs wrapped in mesquite smoked bacon and served in a Mexican roll called a bolillo. It’s topped with pinto beans, onions and a variety of sauces including my favorite, a cilantro, jalapeño mayo. Their refried bean and cheese burrito also warrants honorable mention!
I’m going to close now because it’s lunch time and all this talk of Mexican food is getting me hungry. If you live in Tucson or visiting I highly recommend a trip to El Novillo, you’ll be glad you did. If you live in Tucson and have a favorite Carniceria please let us know in the comments below. If you have any questions or comments, please send them and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Until next time, Boone Appétit!
