Taco Tuesday | Food, Art & Culture

I love tacos. I especially love Taco Tuesdays! It has become such a big concept and everyone who serves up tacos puts out great deals for this day. Backyard Taco is a popular spot here in the Valley that serves up tacos al carbon. “al carbon” means to cook over charcoal and are very popular in Mexico. I was introduced to this place when I ate here with my foodie group a few years back. Backyard Taco was started by Ruben and Maricela from Mazatlan. Their business was birth from cooking tacos in their backyard for friends and neighbors. So hospitality and making customers feel at home is a big part of their business. They use fresh simple ingredients along with their amazing selection of meats to create the authentic taste of Tacos al Carbon. I love it when you walk into the lobby and get a glimpse (and smell) of the meat grilling on their mesquite grill. I came by for lunch and sampled a few of my favorite tacos – Carne Asada, Pollo and Al Pastor. Of course I grabbed a horchata to wash it all down. They also do quesadillas, burritos, tostadas, gorditas and a crazy potato. My favorite thing about Backyard Taco is the condiment bar which has a variety of salsas, onions, limes and jalapeños for toppings. Lunch was delicious and affordable as always and made for another fun Taco Tuesday.

Carne Asada, Pollo & Al Pastor Tacos

Steak/Carne Asada Quesadilla

Hi Foodies, tonight we travel south of the border to a local taco “stand” that is a favorite of many in the community. It started out as a true taco stand in the backyard of a home and as it grew in popularity with the neighbors and locals and finally outgrew its backyard roots. After searching for a new “official” restaurant site, and gaining an investor this once small taco stand has grown into a full restaurant.

It doesn’t get more authentic than this. My Tuesday night foodie group chose Backyard Taco as our evening food destination. One of the things I love about AZ is the great Mexican food we have here. You can smell the Tacos al Carbon grilling as you walk up. They serve up fresh ingredients and have a great salsa bar. Eating the tacos here make me wish I was in Mexico chilling on the beach eating some yummy street food. Taco Tuesdays are $1.25 tacos during happy hour times. Great find!