So apparently it is OK to have a margarita with your scrambled eggs.
Bisbee Breakfast Club, the purveyor of all things bacon-and-eggs at its five Tucson locations, won the 17th annual World Margarita Championship on June 14, beating out a handful of Mexican restaurants whose forté leans more tequila and salt-rimmed glasses.
The judges gave the family-owned BBC first place for its “Desert Refresher” cucumber and lemonade margarita, ranking Marana Mexican restaurant Nana’s Kitchen second for its “Marco’s Secret” agua fresca margarita.
Nana's Kitchen chefs Javier and Marco Teran won the People's Choice Award for best margarita for "Marco's Secret." The Marana restaurant placed second with the judges.
Italian-fusion restaurant Zio Peppe on East Tanque Verde Road came in third place with its “Sandia & Chill.”
Zio Peppe (chef-owners Devon Sanner, center, and Mat Cable, to the right of him) won third place from the judge's for their "Sandia & Chill" margarita.
But if the people attending the event at Westward Look Resort that Friday night had their say, Marco’s Secret was the top draw, winning first place in the People’s Choice vote. Oro Valley’s Saffron Indian Bistro‘s “Blue Skies Over Mumbai” margarita got the second most people’s choice votes, followed by “El Carrizal” from Amelia’s Mexican Kitchen on East Grant Road.
The annual World Margarita Championship, of course, is not technically a worldwide competition, but it is one of Tucson’s most popular foodie events and a big fundraiser for its organizer, Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance.
SAACA uses the funds to support its arts and health care programs as well as its arts education and local artists and chefs.
In addition to showcasing their margarita prowess, the 25 participants also presented small bites to complement their cocktails. This being a competition, those bites also were judged.
Bisbee Breakfast Club’s sister restaurant Bashful Bandit Barbecue, in the old Bashful Bandit bar on East Speedway, won the judge’s choice award for its chicken salad and house-made barbecue chips, while two restaurants tied for the people’s choice nod: Palm at Westward Look (ancho barbecue pulled pork taco) and Dante’s Fire on East Grant Road (miso-glazed pork belly).
The ancho barbecue pulled pork taco from Palm Restaurant at Westward Look tied in the People's Choice award for best menu sample at the June 14 World Margarita Championship.
Miguel Kaiser and Zulma Nataren’s T-Loc’s represents the flavors and spirit of Tucson, but don’t tell the Texans. They think T-Loc’s means Texas Locals.
