Macayo Mania

Though I've heard that Macayo's Mexican restaurant is not "authentic" Mexican fare, it has been one of my favorite restaurants in town since I moved here in 1999. Along with El Charro, Macayo's is the place I take all of my out-of-town guests who crave Mexican food (all of them). The Spanish word "macayo" means "macaw" in English (like the bird). Macayo's began as a family run business in 1952 when Woody and Victoria Johnson opened up the first Macayo's on Central Avenue in Phoenix. The first Tucson location opened in 1982 on Oracle Road and Magee Road. This is the location I frequent most frequently. The staff has always been extremely welcoming and this week it was no different.

I hate to admit it but I rarely stray from my Chicken Chimichanga de Macayo. Why fix it if it isn't broken? Plus it's so good, I'm always craving it. It's chunks of chicken wrapped in a flour tortilla and deep fried (what's better than deep fried anything?) and then smothered in their relleno sauce. They top it with sour cream, lettuce and tomatoes and it comes with a side of refried beans or rice. Yes, I usually ask for both rice and beans because I can never choose!

And then there's the salsa! It's very distinct--in a good way. You can definitely taste the cilantro in it which I love and it has the perfect ratio of solids/liquid. Of course it's a never-ending bowl of chips and I rarely eat less than two.