Editor's note: This story was originally published in March 2024. We're republishing it in June 2024 because Raspaderia El Sahuaro is now open with a menu that includes raspados in eight flavors, sandwiches, birria pizza and other snacks. The shop is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. Friday-Saturday.
In a couple of months, the sun will be beating down on Congress Street, bringing along triple-degree heat. The only thing that makes the hotter weather bearable is a cool treat.
While there are a couple ice cream shops downtown that can help you brave the spring and summer months, nothing quite hits the spot like a raspado. Just imagine enjoying mango-flavored fluffy shaved iced packed into a cup, drizzled with chamoy and rimmed with Tajín.
Doesn’t that make you feel refreshed just thinking about it?
Raspados aren’t anywhere downtown. Miguel Angel is changing that.
In two weeks, Angel, the man behind local quesabirria eatery La Yaquesita, will take over the building that was once home to Hub Ice Cream at 245 E. Congress St. He's transforming the space into Raspaderia El Sahuaro, a new raspado shop that also includes some of the tasty dishes found at his restaurant.
Before starting La Yaquesita, Angel already had years of experience being a chef, previously working at various hotel kitchens. Eventually, he opened the La Yaquesita food truck near Casino Del Sol where he served up juicy birria, carne asada and cabeza tacos.
After running the food truck for years, a spot opened on Fourth Avenue and Angel took the opportunity. About two years ago, La Yaquesita expanded to the historic avenue, moving into the building that once housed The Chocolate Iguana at 500 N. Fourth Ave.
Raspaderia El Sahuaro will be taking over the old HUB Ice Cream building.
Since then, Angel and the rest of the La Yaquesita gang have made Fourth Avenue their home. Their restaurant is covered in University of Arizona décor while their menu is filled with Mexican staples like cheesy quesabirria tacos, churros drizzled in strawberry and chocolate sauce and Sonoran dogs jam-packed with bacon, pinto beans, tomatoes and jalapeño sauce.
Despite how well everything is going on Fourth Avenue, Angel had always dreamed of having a spot down the street.
“It was kind of a dream to come downtown,” Angel said.
When the Hub Ice Cream building became available after the ice creamery moved into their flagship restaurant across the street, Angel jumped at the chance to expand La Yaquesita. Since the building does not have a full kitchen, he decided to switch things up and go in a totally different direction: raspados.
With the new building and a theme established, Angel had to come up with a name for his new venture. Inspired by his love of saguaros, he wanted to pay homage to the cacti in the name, deciding on Raspaderia El Sahuaro.
The logo even includes a saguaro wearing sunglasses, holding onto a taco and ice cream cone — perfectly capturing both of Angel’s specialties.
At Raspaderia El Sahuaro, Angel is hoping to have 10 different raspado flavors for customers to choose from. Right now, he is trying to work on an horchata flavor.
Consomme, a Philadelphia dog, two quesabirra tacos and garnish from La Yaquesita.
If raspados aren’t your thing, the shop will also have ice cream if you're craving a creamier treat.
Even though the shop’s main focus is raspados, there will be a few savory dishes available, too. Angel said birria pizza will be on the menu, along with other classics like elote, nachos, hot dogs and sandwiches.
Raspaderia El Sahuaro will make its grand debut downtown in two weeks. That means you have around 14 days left until your can enjoy an horchata raspado while taking in the Arizona heat.
