Yesterday my co-worker was craving an authentic Asada burrito, and coincidently enough, so was I (full transparency, I'm always craving an Asada burrito). Thank god she knew about Anita’s Street Market @anita_st_market & their homemade flour tortillas, made daily in the back of the market.
I had read about Anita’s in all the 'top burritos in Tucson articles' but had never made my way over there. It's tucked away in the beautiful and historic Barrio Anita neighborhood southwest of downtown.
I was fortunate to meet the owner, Gracie Soto, and hear some of the history of the building, how its first 46 years was a neighborhood Chinese market until her Nana and Tata took it over 40 years ago. And how it almost closed for good due to Covid and how they rallied to stay open.
The more I heard about their story, the more I loved them. Then I tasted the food.
It started with the fresh, warm tortillas I purchased. I simply did not want to stop eating them! By the time we got our food back to the office, I only had a few tortillas left in the baggie - they are sooo good-- even plain! Light, flakey, and just hefty enough to hold the massive amount of asada in my burrito.
The meat in the burrito was so flavorful, juicy, and greasy in the finger-licking good ways. The salsa was a bit spicy for a gringa like me, but the flavor was excellent.
I loved hearing Ms. Soto talk about how much she loves her customers. For example, she just named a special after a long-time customer Big Tony, who is a frequent purveyor of the breakfast burrito (what I will definitely get next time I'm there!) And I loved hearing her talk about her community. Her love for her neighborhood is so evident. She's not only a restauranteur and a small business owner, but also a community advocate and organizer, fighting for representation, against gentrification and other community injustices.
As I ate the burrito, it felt like I could taste the history, the love, and the fight to stay open for so many decades.
In my opinion, these are the most essential and important restaurants in Tucson. These are the backbone of our city -- the glue that has kept everything together for so long.
So do yourself a favor and punch '849 N Anita Ave, Tucson', into your GPS and get over to Anita's. Not just for outstanding, authentic Mexican food that tops practically every list in the state, but also to honor the history, the determination, and the resiliency that made Tucson what it is today.
We need Anita Street to stay open for another 40+ years and for Ms Soto's son to take it over someday.
Go see them. You won't regret it.