PicturedEnchiladas Banderas, one of the signature dishes at Nana's Kitchen

CreditDiane Gallardo

PicturedA plate of homemade fajitas at Nana's Kitchen in Marana, Arizona

CreditNatalie Moe/HappilyPink.com

Sonoran Mexican Food in Marana

What makes Sonoran-style Mexican food unique, and where are the best places to find it in Marana?

Situated in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, Marana’s culinary history is showcased at a variety of restaurants across this vibrant desert community.

How does Sonoran food differ from other regions for Mexican food?

The key to modern Sonoran-style cuisine is simplicity. The agricultural roots of this area differ from other regions of Mexico. Throughout most of Mexico, corn is a staple of many dishes. Sonoran-style Mexican Food is set apart by its primary use of wheat and flour-based tortillas, rather than corn or masa-based tortillas. Wheat was brought to the Sonoran Desert by Spanish missionaries in the 1700s, and grew well in the desert environment.

The oldest sophisticated agricultural irrigation canal system found in the United States is the 4,000-year-old Las Capas canal system in Marana, that irrigated fields of Zea mays (maize/corn). Corn was a dietary and cultural staple for thousands of years, but here in present-day Arizona, regular customers of Mexican restaurants will get the inevitable question: corn or flour tortillas? In Texas, New Mexico, or California, that answer might be corn, but here, be sure to try the super fresh and unique flour tortillas while you're here (you can still answer however you'd like and you would not be disappointed).

What are Some Traditional Sonoran Ingredients?

What, then, will you put into your tortilla? In keeping with the vaqueros and rancheros who have defined this region’s history, you can’t go wrong with beef offerings like carne asada. Top that with a green sauce made from fresh tomatillos or a spicy red sauce of jalapenos and tomatoes, and you’ve got yourself a meal. Other staples of Sonoran Mexican cuisine include nopales (pads of prickly pear cacti) mesquite, beans, squash, corn, and a wide variety of chilis, including the Chiltepin pepper native to the Sonoran Desert.

What are some specialty dishes that have emerged from Sonoran cuisine?

A few specialty dishes have emerged that capitalize on these basic ingredients. The Sonoran hot dog originated in Hermosillo, but has quickly spread to Southern Arizona, and is the signature street food of the region. A bacon-wrapped hot dog is topped with onions, tomatoes, pinto beans, mayo, and mustard, all in a bollilo roll. Other toppings can include jalapeño sauce, cojita cheese, and pico de gallo instead of just diced tomatoes, but these are all points of contention, and set dogueros (Sonoran Hot Dog stands and restaurants) apart.

Tucson is also the original home of the chimichanga, though accounts differ as to its actual inventor. No matter who invented it, a huge number of restaurants in this area are now making their own delicious versions every day. This variation of the timeless combination of tortilla, meat, cheese, and veggies is wrapped and deep-fried into a crispy indulgence.

So where can you find all these Sonoran classics? Thanks to our guide, that answer is at your fork tips.

Sit-Down Restaurants

La Olla Mexican Café

La Olla Mexican Café is a traditional Sonoran eatery, right down to the colorful plates and festive décor on their tables and walls. For the complete Sonoran Desert experience, order the Carne Seca. This house-dried and seasoned beef is slow cooked with tomato, chile, calabacitas, and a variety of other veggies.

For an appetizer, get the queso fundido, a fondue of chopped Anaheim chiles and melted Monterey jack, served with salsa fresca and warm flour tortillas. They also serve excellent chiles rellenos, Anaheim chile peppers stuffed with cheese and deep-fried!

PicturedA selection of authentic southwest favorites from La Olla Mexican Café

CreditDiane Gallardo

Nana's Kitchen

Nana’s Kitchen is offering exactly what their name suggestions: delicious Sonoran specialties cooked with all the love of a Mexican grandmother. For a special treat, try their Carne con Papas en Chile Colorado, complete with beef chunks and potatoes in Nana’s special red chile sauce.

Their margaritas are also world-class - and it's not just us saying that! Their Mango Tamarindo, Sonoran Passion, and Marco's Secret Margaritas won first overall in the People's Choice categories at the 2022, 2023, and 2024 World Margarita Championships, respectively. They also won first overall in the Judge's Choice category in 2022 and 2023, and second overall in 2024. Nana's Kitchen is also known for their extensive selection of hard-to-find spirits, plus excellent service that makes you feel like family.

Check out the feature on the origins of Nana's Kitchen, written by local blogger and influencer Natalie Moe!

PicturedTacos, enchiladas and local brews are among the specialties at Nana's Kitchen.

CreditNatalie Moe/HappilyPink.com

La Parilla Suiza

As its name suggests, La Parrilla Suiza (literally, The Swiss Grill), this longtime local favorite incorporates a number of different influences ranging from Sonoran, Tex-Mex, and Pan-Mexican (chimichangas, cheese crisps, handmade corn tortillas, fajitas, chilaquiles), as well as alambres and chiles rellenos, true Mexico City-style dishes.

CreditLa Parilla Suiza

Tio Ben's Mexican Grill

Tio Ben's Mexican Grill serves up a wide variety of Mexican dishes, both Sonoran-style and other styles from around Mexico. Try one of their authentic house specialties, combination plates, hot and cold molcajetes, tacos, burros, chimichangas, and more. Finish off your meal with a cocktail or an authentic Mexican dessert!

CreditTio Ben's Mexican Grill

Taco Giro

Taco Giro is best known for their wide selection of seafood, Mexican- and American-style breakfasts, and many other authentic Sonoran- and Tampico-style Mexican dishes. Sip on one of their famous micheladas, or a variety of other cocktails and Mexican beers while you enjoy your meal.

CreditTaco Giro

El Molinito

El Molinito is a highly popular local chain, with a location in Southern Marana and a few around the Tucson area. If you’ve got a big appetite, it’s hard to find a better destination than El Molinito. Order the Molinito Asada Special, and you’ll enjoy grilled strips of tender lean beef with a generous serving of chilaquiles served on a hot skillet with grilled green onions, frijoles refritos, Spanish rice, salsa ranchera, and a tortilla.

CreditEl Molinito

Mariscos Chihuahua

The state of Sonora is bordered to the west by the Gulf of California, or as it's known in Mexico, the Sea of Cortez. Therefore, Sonoran cuisine is not complete without seafood. Mariscos Chihuahua started as a roadside stand in Nogales, Arizona, sourcing its seafood from the Sea of Cortez. It added “Chihuahua” to its name because it was located next to a popular fruit stand called “Fruteria Chihuahua”.

Despite having the name of a neighboring state, Mariscos Chihuahua is purely Sonoran, proudly serving up fresh seafood such as oysters served on the shell over crushed ice, fresh calamari, octopus, shrimp and sea snail, ceviche, several kinds of cocktails (shrimp, octopus, oyster), many cooked shrimp and octopus dishes, fish tacos, soups, and chicken dishes.

CreditMariscos Chihuahua

Taquerias & Taco Trucks

Taqueria Plaza's

Taqueria Plaza's is a taco truck, immensely popular among locals in Northwest Marana. Stop by for tacos with carne asada, fish (on Wednesdays), cabeza, lengua, chicken, carnitas, and more, huge burritos, tortas, Sonoran Hot Dogs, and other Mexican street food classics.

They are located near the Marana Rd. & I-10 interchange in the parking lot of the Main Street Grocery near Downtown Marana. They even have indoor seating, or you can take your meal to-go.

PicturedTaqueria Plazas

CreditNatalie Moe

Tacos Apson

Tacos Apson is one of the most-reviewed and raved about taquerias in all of Tucson, with two locations, including the one in southern Marana. They have a wide selection of meats, toppings, and sauces making up unique taco recipes. The owners bring the tastes of Agua Prieta, Sonora (their hometown) to Marana and Tucson in their delicious tacos.

CreditJackie Alpers

La Carreta del Rorro

If you're looking for a great Sonoran Hot Dog, look no further than La Carreta del Rorro! Their Sonoran Hot Dog won "Best Overall" in the 2017 Sonoran Hot Dog Challenge! They serve a number of other variations on the classic Sonoran Hot Dog, plus tacos, burros, tortas, and more. The location is great, too. Relax on their shaded dining patio, and check out all of the license plates from around the US, Mexico, and even further beyond all over the walls.

Tip: Their operating hours vary, so make sure to check their Facebook page to make sure they're open.

El Bebo's Street Tacos & Hot Dogs

El Bebo's is a taco truck with locations all over Arizona, and has just arrived in Marana! They have all of your favorite Mexican street food classics - tacos, quesabirrias, burros, and of course, Sonoran Hot Dogs. They're typically parked in the lot of the Family Dollar at Sandario Rd. & Grier Rd. in Downtown Marana. They're right across from Taqueria Plaza's, so you'll have to try both and decide which one is your favorite!

Pictured3 tacos from El Bebo's Street Tacos & Hot Dogs

Taco Rico

Taco Rico is a local favorite taco truck located near the Ina Rd. & I-10 interchange in Southern Marana, and a particular favorite among Town of Marana employees. Stop by for excellent Mexican street food staples made from family recipes, including tacos (the suadero and al pastor varieties are excellent), burritos, quesadillas, and on the weekends, delicious quesabirrias and birria bowls.

CreditTaco Rico

Angela's Mexican Food

Angela's Mexican Food is an especially-popular place among the locals. Located right in the middle of the Continental Ranch neighborhood, their menu is packed with Sonoran-style classics, from their tacos, burros, tortas, tostadas, chimichangas, and more. Try them with carne asada, red or green chile beef, chicharron, and several other options!

Now that you’re practically an expert on Sonoran Mexican food, be sure to check out some of the other types of regional cuisine found in Marana during your stay here!