Amelia’s Mexican Kitchen, opens new location and is worth the trip!
VIA SBINSIDER FOOD CRITIC GLORIA WOLF| February 4th, 2024.
4 stars **** of 5 for food, moderate pricing
Gloria Wolf, foodie
Newly opened, the second installation of Amelia’s Mexican Kitchen is now within 30 minutes of SaddleBrooke. The award winner of the best Quesabirria taco and best salsa of 2023 has a menu full of your favorites, including street tacos, minichimis, chimichangas, burritos, chile relleno, tamales, wings, and ceviche. This is a great spot for happy hour and snacks or a delicious meal, and it is open for breakfast.
We arrived early and there was only one other table seated in the house. We had excellent service that started with chips and salsa to get us going. The tomatillo based salsa was lively and the flavor concentrated with lime.
While you are here, you want to try something with the Birria. It can be a chimichanga, nachos, or their well known quesabirrias. Birria is a slow-cooked beef that has the texture of pulled pork. The quesabirria tacos are dipped in the Birria juice making this “taco” a savory treat.
We ordered the carne asada burrito and the mini chimis. The six Birria chimis were delivered with guacamole, sour cream and pico de gallo. This is a great appetizer to share and the Birria is just as described, tender and flavorful. The carne asada burrito was filled with refried beans, sour cream, guacamole and other good things. We can’t wait to go back and try their other combinations.
Breakfast opens at 7 AM most days (8 AM on Sunday) is served until noon, unless you are ordering a breakfast burrito, which you can get any time. The restaurant has a lengthy happy hour from 2 PM to 5 PM. They do provide take-away food, but I recommend you eat in, as the food will be hot. As we left, the smartly decorated restaurant was getting busy. Enjoy a trip to Amelia’s Mexican Kitchen. Check the web site for up-to-date information on hours and specials.
Is there anyplace that serves excellent fish tacos?
A kind reader pointed out that the web site link above does not have the address for the new Amelia’s Mexican Kichen on Oracle Road. There are pictures of the restaurant, but not the address. Here is the address on Oracle Road: 5851 North Oracle Road. This may be a better link. Authentic Mexican Restaurant | Amelias Mexican Kitchen (ameliastucson.com)
My two favorite nearby places for fish tacos are Rubios, 10509 North Oracle Road and Seis, 9740 North Oracle Road. Rubios has more seafood variety in the menu and they have great sauces. At Seis you get a larger portion of fish and you get the fish of the day. Neither are the South Beach Bar and Grille in San Diego, right on the water, but they are within an easy driving distance. Anyone else have favorites for fish tacos?