Did you know Tucson, Arizona was the first recognized UNESCO City of Gastronomy … part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network? I did not.

Tucson, Arizona (UNESCO designation in 2015) and San Antonio, Texas (UNESCO designation in 2017) are the only two American cities that have been designated Cities of Gastronomy. Both are multicultural communities with culinary creativeness and deep agricultural heritage. Search the topic and you’ll see an updated list with many other cities around the world with this designation!

We enjoy Indigenous and Mexican foods here at Tucson restaurants, thus I understand its UNESCO designation. The heritage crops of the past 4,000 year we’d taste: squash, chilies, tepary beans and white Sonoran wheat. Plus there are festivals such as the Agave Heritage Festival. Let’s not forget Sonoran hotdog food trucks … a must here at parking lots or some farmer’s markets. 

So if you visit Tucson, zero in on restaurants featuring the foods that have long been here and enjoy! Start your meal with tortilla chips and salsa or guacamole!! At least that’s how I start my meals😀