08/30/2010 - Gluten Free and Fantastic at Papagayos

Friday night was our (Southern Arizona Celiac Support Group) monthly dining out get together and this month we enjoyed an evening at Papagayo's Mexican Restaurant and Cantina on the NE corner of Swan & Sunrise. After relaxing and socializing in the Cantina, and enjoying some $3.00 house margarita's, we were ready for our Gluten Free Mexican Dinner. We started off with some Mini Quesadillas de Championes. They were made with corn tortillas, lightly buttered, stuffed with cheese and mushrooms, then sautéed with garlic, onions, Serrano and cilantro. They were delicious and what a treat. We (Gluten Free Diners) are rarely able to enjoy any quesadillas because they are always made with flour tortillas. But these were delightful. Slightly crispy tortillas stuffed full of sautéed vegetables and melted cheese. There wasn't a bite to be had.

Brian and Maria gave us four outstanding selections to choose from. You should know, that all but one of Maria's entire dinner menu is or could be made Gluten Free if you ask for the corn tortillas. And always as a precaution, let your server know that you do need everything prepared gluten-free so they can use clean utensils, pans, preparation areas and fresh gloves.  Our choices were Ensalada Verde with Grilled Chicken, shrimp or steak, Enchiladas de Camaron (shrimp enchiladas), Del Asador (skirt steak, shrimp, grilled onions and chorizo) or Pollo En Salsa de Chile Morron (spiced chicken with a red pepper cream sauce and oven roasted vegetables.

June & I both came solo and decided to split the Enchiladas de Camaron and the Del Asador. The first thing that struck us when they brought out our meals was that we were never going to finish everything.  The portions were very generous and everything looked fabulous. The skirt steak was perfectly prepared, seared on the outside, nice and pink in the middle, lightly seasoned and very tasty with the grilled onions. June only wanted about a quarter of the steak but new very quickly that she was going to want more after she tasted it. The Chorizo was just right for me, not too spicy, not too hot, just very well seasoned and the shrimp was fabulous.

Then to the part I really enjoyed the most, the Enchiladas de Camaron. At the risk of repeating myself, I will mention again what a special treat it was to have an enchilalda.  Using no wheat or gluten in the enchilada sauce and prepared with corn tortillas, they were out of sight. The first thing that hit me was the sauce.  The sauce they prepared for us was a tomato and Chile ancho sauce. They didn't smother the enchilad in the sauce so that you completely loose the taste of the enchilada, but instead they were just lightly covered with the sauce that was prepared from all fresh vegetables. The sauce was not overpowering, slightly sweet, which I like, with just enough flavor that you can  still taste the tortillas and the shrimp.  We each had one enchilada and June took the third one home. We could not finish our meal as delicious as it was.

I wasn't able to try any of the salad, but Louis ordered one at our table with the steak and it looked incredible. It must have been, because there was nothing left when he finished. I'm sorry I can't report on the chicken. I didn't have a chance to visit with anyone who had it before we all left.  But when we left, we were all quite full and extremely satisfied. Not only was it just a great Gluten Free meal, but it was an outstanding meal and one we will remember for a long time, or until our next trip to Papagayo's. Our thanks go out to Bryan and Maria for making this such a special evening for all of us.

Next month if you would like to join us we hope to be going to Feast on Speedway. Feast is moving into a new building on the corner of Speedway and Alvernon and if they are ready for us, that's where we are headed.  If you would like to join our mailing list, just click here to be added so you will know when all of our upcoming dinners, lunch bunch and other events will take place.

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08/09/2010 - Welcome Cilantro's Colombian Grill

TNO is excited to welcome Cilantro's Colombian Grill to our Dining Guide. That's right!!! A restaurant in Tucson that offers Colombian cuisine. Owner Ruby Tenorio has been working hard to establish her restaurant their new location at 4525 S Park Ave just South of Ajo. Try any of their fabulous Chicken, Fish or Beef Specialties and discover the delicious difference of Colombian food.  Most dinners are around $10 (fish is a little more).

You have to try their lunch buffet on Monday or Tuesday for only $8.95. Every day it's a little different. Ruby is always preparing something new and delicious for the buffet.

Sorry, no liquor yet, but they are working on it and I'll let you know as soon as they do. Watch the video to learn even more, then take a little trip to Colombia, it's just south of Ajo on Park.

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07/30/2010 - Joe Mama's is new on the NW

I just had lunch at Joe Mama's Grill. They were referred to me by some friends who came here and were able to get a Gluten Free breakfast, so I thought I would try them for lunch.  I ordered the pulled pork BBQ sandwich with Gouda Cheese, but with corn tortillas instead of a bun. The BBQ had a really good flavor, but I wasn't in love with the way they prepare it.  To warm up the BBQ they use the flat griddle. It's effective, but gets a little burnt on the bottom which takes a way from the really good taste of the BBQ. The sandwich is served with cole slaw and would have liked that with mine (my bad, I should have asked for it) and I"m ot sure why I didn't get it. It comes with a choice of Parmasan Herb Fries, Coleslaw, Red Potato Salad or Fruit Kabob.  I was hungry for fries, so it went for the fries. They were just lightly sprinkled with spices and Parmesan cheese, but it was enough to make a difference. Light and crispy on the outside.
Then I had to top it all off with a piece of their White Chocolate, Cranberry, Almond fudge. It was way too much and way more sugar than I needed, but I enjoyed every bite. They make all their fudge and baked goods from family recipes every day.
The breakfast menu is appealing and I'm anxious to try it sometime soon. There a are plenty of items to choose from for breakfast or lunch. One of the sauces they have for their hamburger is a Wasabi Mayonnaise or a Pesto Hollandaise. Although they have plenty of traditional items, they also have plenty of twists.
There are lots of things I think they have done right; a clean fresh look, order at the counter and pay up front, then they'll bring your meal out to you, locally owned, friendly staff, outdoor seating when it's not so bloody hot outside, a long counter and stools along the window for single eaters like me, and just a good overall feel I get in a place like this.
Try Joe Mama's next time you are in the Tucson Mall area instead of some of those chain restaurants like Cheesecake Factory. Your tummy will be happy you did (and your wallet).
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05/28/2010 - Welcome to Diablo's Sports Bar & Grill

TucsonNightOut is pleased to announce Diablo's Sports Bar & Grill has joined the TucsonNightOut family.  Diablo's is located on the NE corner of Craycroft and Golf Links. A family friendly sports bar with daily drink specials and a lunch special everyday as well.  Still working on a regular schedule for the lunches, but will have something soon.  Check it out, it's a great place to watch your favorite game.

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05/28/2010 - Cheba Hut Rocks

So I decided it would be a great chance to eat at Cheba Hut today since the students are gone, I thought it might be a little quiet. Wrong, this place is rockin along with the music.  There's been a constant line since I walked in the door, but it only took a couple of minutes before I was ordering and just a few more minutes before my salad was ready. Yes I said salad :(

This is one of those times I really wish I could eat bread.  Their freshly baked bread that they make their toasted subs on looked soooo good, but it is what it is. (If you don't know, I have Celiac Disease, so I can't eat any wheat) So I opted for the Southwest Chicken Salad. It's chicken salad on greens and vegetables.  Usually I would expect a big pile of greens and a scoop of chicken salad on top, but I would be wrong. There was a huge amount of their chicken salad on the salad, which they make with huge chunks of all white meat chicken, mayo and salsa, a nice twist and a delicious one too. It really made for a unique tasting chicken salad. Then there were the greens, not just basic lettuce, but mixed greens, and lots of chopped green peppers, onions and celery.  I love all the crunch veggies. So as much as I missed having a sub, the salad was awesome.  And the best thing, it's only $6.00.

Now what else could make this experience better? It's just something I like that you don't see most places, it's Koolaid.  That's right, they have 2 or three flavors of Koolaid in addition tot he usual sodas and ice tea. They always have my favorite, Tropical Punch plus another flavor or two.

And then there's the owner Steve. A real nice guy who looks like he used to drive the VW bus parked outside.  That's how you can find Cheba Hut, they are just West of Campbell on Sixth St. right across from the new U of A football practice fields. You can't see if from Sixth, but there is a lot of parking in the back.

Don't pass up this chance to get down to the campus area this summer and visit Cheba Hut, you'll be glad you did.

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