Tucson's Wild West Carniceria is throwing a birria party

You can’t help but feel a little giddy when a plate of birria tacos gets placed in front of you.

The sight of three corn tortillas covered in heaps of shredded beef swimming in a hypnotizing dark red broth is enough to bring tears to your eyes.

You take a bite, and you’re instantly hit with the warm flavors of chile de arbol, cinnamon and cloves as the tender beef melts in your mouth. The juice seeps onto your hand as you devour the rest of the taco, but you don’t care about the mess it made, you’re already about to order three more.

Birria is an art form here in Tucson, and nobody understands that better than Wild West Carniceria.

Yami Martinez and her family have been crafting delectable, juicy birria at their carniceria for years now. It comes sandwiched between gooey cheese and a toasted tortilla, placed on top of pizza, rolled up inside tamales, and transformed into bombs you can toss in your crockpot, adding that iconic taste to whatever dish it’s in.

They love birria as much as anyone in this town, so why not celebrate everything amazing about birria?

On Nov. 15, Wild West Carniceria is throwing its first-ever Birria Madness Festival, where those attending will get to try all kinds of birria-centered dishes and vote for their favorite.

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Each of the vendors who entered the competition has to do something creative with the birria.

Wild West Carniceria is making its quesabirria tacos, dipped into the broth and put back on the pan to cook, giving it a nice outer crisp with a juicy, cheesy inside.

Seis Kitchen is bringing its birria costra taco to the festival. A costra taco has a golden-brown cheese crust that’s sandwiched between the tortilla and the beef, kind of like a cheese crisp and taco fusion.

Other competitors include Tabu, making birria empanadas; J&M Catering Services, bringing birria tacos ahogados; and Nick’s Sari-Sari Store, bringing birria lumpia.

There will be a few judges who will give their expertise, but those attending also get a say in who wins. You’ll be able to help crown the best birria in Tucson.

The Birria Madness Festival will also feature local vendors, live music, a mechanical bull, raffles, games and more. Plus, you’re encouraged to dress up in your best space cowboy costume.

The Birria Madness Festival is on Nov. 15 from 5-11 p.m. at Wild West’s east side location, 2023 S. Craycroft Road. The festival is a fundraiser for the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation, and tickets are $12.51.