Tacos Apson is a restaurant in South Tucson, Tucson.
Why locals love it: South 12th Avenue mesquite-grilled taqueria run by the Apson family since 2006, with hand-pressed tortillas and the city's best carne asada off the line.
Tip: Order the carne asada tacos, chicharron and the salsa de chiltepin. Cash speeds up the line.
Address: 3501 S 12th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85713
Why locals love it: Tucson family-run Mexican kitchen since 1952, off South 4th Avenue away from the downtown circuit, where Bill Clinton dined in 1999.
Tip: Show up before 17:30 on a weekday or expect a wait. Order the President's Platter (chile relleno, tamale, enchilada, taco).
Why locals love it: 1986 Jalisco-style panaderia hidden inside the South 12th Avenue Mexican grocery corridor, the city's best pan dulce since 1986.
Tip: Visit early on Sundays for the freshest conchas and empanadas de pina. Cash or card both work fine.
Why locals love it: Sam Hughes corner store that doubles as a wood-fired pizzeria, deli, espresso bar and grocer since 1920, the neighborhood's quiet anchor.
Tip: Order the deli sandwich on house bread, the wood-fired pizza and a Time Market espresso to go. Bike-friendly.
Why locals love it: Tucson family-run Mexican kitchen since 1952, off South 4th Avenue away from the downtown circuit, where Bill Clinton dined in 1999.
Tip: Show up before 17:30 on a weekday or expect a wait. Order the President's Platter (chile relleno, tamale, enchilada, taco).
Why locals love it: Tarascan kitchen blending Mexican and Native American food, founded by Maria Garcia in 1983 and on Stone Avenue since 2021 after 38 years on 4th Avenue.
Tip: Order the Indian taco on fry bread and the chicken mole. Garcia still cooks tamales in the kitchen twice a week.
Why locals love it: 1961 walk-up chili dog stand on West Niagara, no signage and no website, but the canonical Tucson chili dog still draws lines daily.
Tip: Cash is faster than card. Order the chili dog with onions and the fries with a vanilla shake.
Why locals love it: 1986 Jalisco-style panaderia hidden inside the South 12th Avenue Mexican grocery corridor, the city's best pan dulce since 1986.
Tip: Visit early on Sundays for the freshest conchas and empanadas de pina. Cash or card both work fine.
Why locals love it: The midtown Campbell Avenue vegan kitchen running plant-based comfort food since 2005, family-owned and a Tucson institution for non-meat eaters.
Tip: Order the mock-meat sandwiches and the weekend brunch. Reservations recommended on weekends after 11:00.
