I wanted to include an ahi tuna taco on this list. I was not expecting it to be at Saguaro National Park.
But way out at the base of the Rincon Mountains where Golf Links Road hits a fork, a historic restaurant is turning out plates of gourmet cheese curds and quinoa kale salad. Former downtown restaurateur Kade Mislinksi took over the old Saguaro Corners in December, revamping the menu with hip comfort foods a'la Hub and Playground.
A lot of times when you get tuna around here, it's gummy and flavorless. This was a different story. Supple little plumps of sashimi-grade tuna, glistening and fat with their juices, were marinated in a soy-based ponzu sauce with a hit of sweet ginger. They get tucked into crispy fried wonton wraps, with hunks of avocado and a little white sesame.
I was honestly kinda surprised these tacos were so good, until they brought out the chef Kevin Gorski, a seasoned kinda guy who told me he'd also worked at Anthony's in the Catalinas.
Weird fact: The dining room, which dates back to the '50s, is dominated by large windows that look out onto surrounding desert. Manager David Musso told me that back in the day, the tables by the windows were always full because they fed javelinas right outside.
Location: 3750 S. Old Spanish Trail
Phone: 520-886-2020
Hours: 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Fridays, 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sundays
Payment: accepts debit and credit cards
