Bootleggers "Blacklisted" Taco Party
Al Pastor Tacos (all photos by Food & Lifestyles Photography)
Owner Rick Phillips of Bootleggers threw a media party and friendly taco competition as a lead-in for this weekend's festival. A humorous nod, it was a "blacklisted" party since he is also one of the founders of the Arizona Taco Festival so Bootleggers can’t compete. But because of this introduction, I have a new favorite taco place in town! The delicious tacos included a veggie taco (grilled corn, roasted poblanos, mushrooms, and avocado sauce), salmon, brisket, green chile pork, and al pastor. My personal favorite was the al pastor, cooked on a trompo so that the juicy slices of chile-marinated pork were infused with the flavors of pineapple and onion. However, I'm not surprised that the salmon taco was the winner by a landslide, with the perfectly cooked fish brightened by lime and pico de gallo (their grilled salmon entree is one of my favorite dishes). The al pastor will be a new addition, and the others are on the current menu.
1st place - grilled salmon taco
2nd place - al pastor
3rd place - brisket
Salmon tacos
Cocktails were shaken up by superstar duo Jason Asher and his wife Kailee. Jason's smoky cocktail with Ramazzotti amaro featured Sotol Por Siempre, a unique spirit distilled from wild sotol, the desert spoon plant of Chihuahua, Mexico. Kailee mixed up a refreshing beverage with Azunia tequila, Dolin blanc, and fresh cilantro and cucumber.
Such a fun night with old friends, and new!
