Mexican food Archives - Guadalajara's Grill, Bar & Table-Side Salsa

The History of Enchiladas

Enchiladas are a traditional Mexican dish with a unique flavor and a very long history. Their delicious taste has made them a popular menu item at many Mexican restaurants. With the perfect combination of tortilla, meat, cheese, and sauce, enchiladas have become a symbol of a traditional Mexican meal. At Guads, you can enjoy this delicious dish while appreciating its rich and fascinating history.

Some facts about the history of enchiladas:

Origin of This Mexican Food

Enchiladas date back to the Mayans. Corn was a staple crop at the time and corn tortillas were common. These were originally called tlaxcalli. The Spanish conquistadors changed the name from tlaxcalli to tortilla upon their arrival to the Western Hemisphere. The conquistadors documented a feast in which participants served a type of enchilada. Later, the first Mexican cookbook, El Cocinero Mexicano, recorded accounts of this dish. Originally, the dish was an empty corn tortilla dipped in chili sauce. Over time, people stuffed the tortillas with various meats and cheeses and became the enchilada became the dish we know and love today.

Enchiladas Today

Versatile and nutritious, enchiladas are easily customizable to suit personal preferences. With such a wide variety of meats, cheeses, and toppings, they are a great choice for anyone seeking to get a taste of a traditional Mexican dish that has a long and rich history.

How Do You Make Enchiladas?

You can make an enchilada in a variety of ways, with many different ingredients. Traditionally the enchilada is a dish that features a tortilla wrapped around other food such as meat, cheese, or vegetables. In its original form as Mexican street food, it was a simple corn tortilla that street vendors would roll up and dip into a chili sauce. The modern stuffed version of this wrapped tortilla is often smothered in sauce and topped with cheese, then baked to perfection. Different recipes use either corn or flour tortillas.

At our local Tucson restaurants, we serve a variety of different enchiladas. Each dish comes with sides of beans and rice to ensure you’re left feeling full and satisfied. We also offer many choices for additional toppings, such as sour cream, fresh cilantro, green onions, green chilies, and many more. This lets you customize your meal to your personal tastes.

Enchiladas at Guads

At our restaurants, we use only the finest ingredients that are carefully prepared in the Mexican tradition. Whether you enjoy beef, chicken, pork, vegetables, or cheese, we have it all. We have dishes served with traditional red enchilada sauce, fantastic mole sauce, spicy chile verde sauce, or our creamy-rich white sauce. You will surely find a taste that suits you. Pair your dish with some of our famous salsa, made fresh at your table, or one of our refreshing margaritas. Guads is the best destination for fresh, authentic Mexican cuisine.

Visit either of our two Tucson locations to try our authentic Mexican food and delicious enchiladas.

What Are Molcajetes?

“Molcajete” is the Spanish word for mortar and pestle. The name itself comes from the Aztec words meaning “seasoning” and “bowl.” However, traditional molcajetes are slightly different than your average mortar and pestle. These tools are made out of volcanic rock. Their hard, rough surface makes blending and mixing easier and also ensures you get the strongest flavors out of spices.

This ancient cooking tool gives our dishes their best flavor by making them the traditional way. A molcajete can still be found in many Mexican households. It has been used to cook recipes passed down through the generations. Many people believe that salsa, guacamole, and other traditional Mexican foods taste better when prepared using this tool.

Our Molcajete Menu

We make some of our most popular and most delicious dishes with molcajetes. Although these tools have been used to create some of the most traditional recipes, we always add our own twist to make our Mexican food unique.

At Guads, we make our salsa tableside. You get to choose which ingredients you want and the level of heat you prefer. You also get the experience of watching your Salsera prepare salsa right in front of you using a molcajete.

In addition to our salsa, we have four different menu options classified as molcajetes. We serve all of these dishes piled high with delicious Mexican food. All of our options come with green peppers, onions, and mushrooms and are served with a side of rice and beans along with your choice of corn or flour tortillas.

Our molcajete options:

Molcajete Camarones

Camarones, the Spanish word for shrimp, are a staple on any mariscos menu. We have many different Mexican seafood options, including our Molcajete Camarones. This dish comes with a full half-pound of shrimp simmered in our delicious tomato sauce.

Molcajete Mariscos

If you are craving a larger variety of seafood ingredients, this dish is sure to satisfy. It features grilled scallops, shrimp, and fish. All of these are combined in our tomato and cheese sauce with bell peppers and onions. We also add some freshly squeezed lemon to intensify the flavor. This option brings all the tastes of the ocean to Tucson.

Grilled Chicken or Steak

If you prefer a more traditional option, we offer a bowl of sliced grilled steak or chicken marinated in our mild chili sauce with tomatoes and cheese. The flavors of these meats pair with the grilled vegetables to create an unforgettable combination. As always, we use only the freshest ingredients for this dish.

Molcajete Ultimo

Our Molcajete Ultimo is the perfect mix of all the flavors of land and sea. It features piping hot shrimp, grilled chicken, and steak slices mixed with peppers and onions and topped with our delicious tomato and cheese sauce. This is the perfect menu item for when you simply can’t choose between all of our delicious offerings.

Try Our Delicious Molcajetes

Guadalajara’s Grill & Tequila Bar is your best choice for authentic Mexican food as well as new, innovative dishes. We have something to fit every craving.

Visit either of our Tucson Mexican restaurants to experience our flavorful molcajetes for yourself.

Different Types of Chimichangas

Chimichangas are a classic dish at Mexican restaurants. Their brown and crispy shells paired with delicious meat and veggies make them a Mexican food favorite. This dish is even thought to have originated right here in Tucson, so our city has a special connection to these deep-fried burritos.

Here at Guadalajara’s Grill & Tequila Bar, we offer a variety of different chimichangas for you to enjoy.

Mini-Chimis

Our menu has so many options that you may have a hard time deciding which one to choose. Our appetizer Mini-Chimis let you enjoy delicious chimichangas as an opening to your meal, so you can still choose a different entree as your main course. If you visit us during our happy hour, you even get $5 off any order of these delectable minis.

An order of our classic Mini-Chimis comes with five miniature-size chimichangas. You can choose from braised beef, chicken tinga, or you can choose a mix of the two if you can’t decide. If you are looking for something a little different, you can try our Fajita Mini-Chimis. These feature golden brown fried flour tortillas stuffed with steak or grilled chicken and topped with fresh grilled peppers and onions. Either order comes with a side of guacamole and sour cream for dipping.

Lunch Chimichangas

When you visit us from 10 am to 3 pm on Monday through Friday, you can enjoy our tasty lunch specials. If you are craving chimichangas, then we have a selection of lunch chimis that you are sure to love. All of these options are smothered in our delicious enchilada sauce and served with refried beans, Mexican rice, sour cream, and guacamole.

For your meat, you can choose from the following: shredded beef, chicken, carnitas, chile verde, or chile Colorado. For an extra charge, we also offer grilled chicken or carne asada steak. Fajita veggies are also available for your lunch chimichanga order (for an additional cost).

Dinner Options

Our dinner chimichangas are bigger, so you get to enjoy more of this delicious entree. Just like our lunch options, these come with a side of Mexican rice and cheesy refried beans. Our dinner chimichangas are covered with red enchilada sauce and topped with jack cheese.

We recommend trying our Chimi Chile Verde. This unique chimichanga allows you to experience the flavors of pork chile verde rolled in a fresh flour tortilla and fried. We also have a Chimi Colorado which features tender beef cutlets in red chile sauce. If you’re craving carne asada, our Chimichanga Asada includes the highest-quality steak. Carnitas, chicken, ground beef, and shredded beef are other potential fillings for our dinner chimichangas.

Visit Guadalajara’s Grill and Tequila Bar

Try Our Delicious Chimichangas

We offer both classic and unique chimichangas that are sure to satisfy your cravings. As with all of our dishes, we use only the highest-quality ingredients and source locally whenever possible. Whether you choose an appetizer, lunch, or dinner chimichanga, you will get the best in quality and flavor.

Visit our Mexican restaurant at either of our two Tucson locations and experience our chimichangas for yourself.

The Origin of Tequila

Tequila is one of the more popular types of liquor and makes a perfect pairing for Mexican food. Whether you drink straight shots with salt and lime or you enjoy a fruity frozen margarita, this type of mezcal has a distinct taste that you are sure to remember. Not many people know much about the history of this classic Mexican alcohol. Knowing more about the drink and its rich history may make you appreciate it even more.

Here are some fun facts about the origin of tequila:

Ancient Origins of Tequila

A drink similar to tequila likely originated around 1000 B.C. among the Olmec people in what is now Southeastern Mexico. This is known as pulque and is made from agave, the same plant that is used to distill as the liquor we know today. The process of fermenting agave results in a viscous, milky liquid with a sour taste and hints of yeast. The Olmecs and later the Aztecs used this drink in religious rituals.

It wasn’t until the Spanish invaded that the drink became more similar to what we know today. The Spanish distilled the agave plant with the same technique they used to distill wine into brandy. This created the first official mezcals, which is a category that includes any liquor distilled from the agave.

Birth of Major Brands

Whereas mezcal can be made from any type of agave, tequila is always made from the blue agave plant. This tradition started at the same time as the birth of the major tequila brands in the 1700s and 1800s. Specifically, the Sauza family first discovered that the blue agave plant was the best-suited for distillation.

There were two major families that were pioneers of tequila. The first was the Cuervo family, which started distilling in 1758. This then became the popular Jose Cuervo brand in 1795 and has been a leader in the industry ever since. The other family that produced the liquor was the Sauza family which started in 1873. An intense rivalry between the Cuervo family and the Sauza family produced many myths, legends, and tall tales that still color the history of this mezcal.

Copyrighting Tequila

You may have heard that champagne is only a valid term for sparkling wine produced in the Champagne region of France. Even if other sparkling wines taste the same, they are not technically champagne. Similarly, tequila only refers to mezcals made from blue agave in specific regions of Mexico. Mexico actually copyrighted the term “tequila” in 1974 and made it illegal for anyone outside of certain regions of Mexico to bottle and export the liquor.

There are other strict regulations for what can and cannot be referred to by this name. The Tequila Regulatory Council of Mexico (TRCM) makes these decisions. For example, up until 2004, it was illegal to label any flavored mezcal as tequila, even if it was made from blue agave. Another example of regulatory action surrounding the liquor was the creation of the añejo tequila category in 2006, which can only include distilled spirits from blue agave that have been aged for at least 3 years.

Enjoying this Alcohol Today

You do not have to know about the procedure to make tequila or the regulations surrounding it to enjoy a shot or your favorite tequila beverage. However, it does make your next night at a Mexican restaurant more interesting to know exactly how this drink became what is today.

Tequila at Guads

If you are craving this distinctly Mexican beverage, you can get it at our restaurants. We have over 100 of the finest tequilas, including: Patron Silver, Don Julio Añejo, and Cazadores Reposado.

Visit us at either of our two Tucson locations and explore our delicious food and extensive tequila menu.

Ingredients for the Perfect Guacamole

Guacamole is a great pairing for just about any type of Mexican food. Its creamy texture and delicious flavor complement the spice of many dishes. You can even enjoy it as an appetizer with warm and crispy tortilla chips.

We use only the freshest ingredients to make our delicious guacamole.

Ripe Avocados

Avocados are the base of guacamole, so the quality of the avocados makes a huge difference. At Guads, we choose only the freshest avocados at peak ripeness. We crush them right here in our restaurants twice a day. This means that no matter when you visit, you are getting the freshest possible guacamole with your entrees or for your appetizer.

Jalapeños

The best guacamole has a slight kick to it without being overpowered by spice. Achieving this balance can be tricky, but at Guadalajara’s Grill & Tequila Bar we are experts. We use crisp and delicious jalapeños, finely diced, and added in just the right amount. This creates a bold hint of chili flavor while still allowing our ripe avocados to stand out.

Garlic

Garlic is essential for most types of cuisine and Mexican food is no exception. Minced garlic helps bring out the flavor of the other ingredients. We make sure to add just the right amount. You will not notice an overwhelming flavor of garlic, but you will see how just a small amount makes a noticeable difference.

Fresh Cilantro

Cilantro is very common in Mexican dishes. We use fresh cilantro and chop the leaves to mix in and garnish our guacamole. We know that this herb can be overpowering, so we add exactly the right amount to give a hint of flavor.

Sea Salt and Lime

Avocados and lime make the perfect pair. The earthiness of ripe avocados is brought out by the acidity of lime. The tangy flavor of lime juice is extraordinary and you will notice the difference between guacamole with lime and without. Salt also pairs with the lime and avocado to create an additional pop of flavor.

Pico de Gallo

We top our guacamole with a spoonful of pico de gallo. This features tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro. You can mix this into your guacamole to create additional flavors throughout the mix. If you prefer, you can also leave it on top as a garnish.

Queso Fresco

Queso fresco is a great topping for any type of Mexican dish, as it adds creamy flavor. We crumble this on our guacamole as a final finishing touch. Like our pico de gallo, you can mix it in and get hints of it throughout your appetizer or entree.

Guadalajara’s Grill & Tequila Bar

Experience the Perfect Guacamole

At our restaurants, you can order our guacamole as an appetizer with our fresh and crispy tortilla chips, or you can add it to the top or on the side of any of our entrees or appetizers. Either way, you will experience an outstanding flavor and will want to come back for more.

Visit us at either of our Tucson Mexican restaurants and taste it for yourself.

Most Popular Mariscos Dishes

Mariscos (the Spanish word for seafood/shellfish) is a classic type of Mexican food. Even in Tucson, you can experience the delicious flavors of the sea at Guadalajara’s Grill & Tequila Bar. We offer a wide selection of Mexican seafood to satisfy your cravings. Our dishes range from authentic to innovative, so you are sure to find something you love on our menu.

Here are some of the most popular types of mariscos dishes:

Fish

While the word mariscos includes shellfish and other seafood, it usually does not encompass fish. However, fish remains a prominent feature in Mexican cuisine and Guads offers a variety of fish dishes on our mariscos menu. Our Tilapia with Poblano Sauce, for example, includes a fresh cut of tilapia served with a creamy sauce with the flavors of poblano chilies. We also offer a traditional Ceviche Blanco which includes shrimp and fish marinated in lime and served over a tostada with tomato, onion, cucumber, and cilantro.

Fish tacos are another staple for Mexican restaurants. If you are craving seafood, you should try our Baja Fish or Shrimp Tacos. Choose between pan-fried fish or shrimp. These tacos come loaded with lettuce, grilled corn, shredded cheese, pico de gallo, and a hint of lemon juice.

Lobster

Lobsters are common in the Pacific Ocean along the coast of Northern Mexico. Mariscos made with lobster is savory and decadent. At Guads, we offer a wide selection of dishes that feature lobster. Some of these make lobster the star, whereas others use it to highlight our other fresh ingredients.

One of our most unique offerings is our Lobster Enchiladas. These enchiladas include moist and delicious lobster pan-fried with chopped onion and garlic and are topped with our Diabla Blanca chipotle cream sauce. We also recommend our Lobster-Stuffed Salmon which allows you to enjoy both our signature salmon filet and our lobster. We top this dish with a cheesy queso sauce.

Shrimp

No mariscos menu would be complete without shrimp. This seafood is incredibly versatile and can be included in many different types of dishes. One of the most classic is our Camarones Panzon. This appetizer includes 6 juicy jumbo shrimp wrapped in bacon and served with a chipotle cream dipping sauce.

You can also make shrimp the main feature of your entree. We offer a classic Arroz con Camarones which has sautéed shrimp over delicious Spanish rice with enchilada sauce, melted cheese, and tortillas. A more adventurous option is our Fiesta Camarones! which is a plate of large shrimp sautéed with chorizo, diced onion, tomatoes, cilantro, and Anaheim chilies. We top this with a creamy and rich sauce and serve it over thinly sliced corn tortillas.

Guadalajara’s Mexican Restaurant

Mariscos

This represents only a small portion of our selection of fresh and delicious Mexican seafood. If you can’t decide, you can even order our Plato Capitan and get a little bit of everything: salmon, scallops, and shrimp. We also offer delicious meals beyond mariscos and have something to fit every craving.