eating competitions to traditional Mexican
performances. If you think your recipe has
what it takes, enter the People’s Choice Salsa
Queen andTacoKing competitions. Or, if
cooking’s not for you, let the little ones enjoy
rides and games at the KidsZone while you
sample flights of complimentary tequila from
local purveyors.
Tunesandtacos.com
3
PUTAPEP INYOURSTEP
THECHILEPEPPER
Ask any local what their favoriteMexican spot
is, and you’ll likely hear them say eitherMr.
G’s or its sister location, TheChile Pepper,
which is understandable. Their take on the
classic bean-and cheese burrito— a rich and
gooeymasterpiece— is a staple for any true
Yuman. Open since 1956, the family-owned
restaurant is famous for its homemade salsa,
made with locally sourced ingredients, and
the thousands of corn and flour tortillas
made from scratch everymorning. They also
hand-roll 4,000 burritos and 7,000 tacos
(on busy days, this number can double).
Get there early. At both locations, you
can count on a line out the door by noon.
Bgfamilyltdpartnership.com
4
SETTHETABLE
FARMER’SWIFECOOKINGCLASS
Agrarian roots are strong amongYuma’s
families, and the farmers’ wives know better
than anyone how to put together ameal using
the freshwinter crops that are raised right
outside their doors. Hosted by the ladies
themselves at the 107-year-old St. Paul’s
Cultural Center inYuma’s HistoricDistrict,
each class shares the secrets of tried-and-true
recipes likeAuntMattie’s Chess Pie, Arizona
Mountain Soup andCarolyn’s Tamale Pie.
Be sure to save room for the prickly-pear
margaritas, as they are amuch-deserved
reward after a day in class.
Stpaulsculturalcenter.com/cocina.html
5
FORK ITOVER
FARMFRESHFORKS
AtMarketGrill, the chef will prepare and
present freshlypicked vegetables theway
sommeliers dowine.MarketGrill is oneof a
trioof restaurants inYuma’s FarmFreshForks
program, a seasonal samplingof the “crops of
theweek,”withproduce comingexclusively from
local farms. You’ll get a tasteof both the familiar
and theunpredictable, like a “lollipop” veggie
— abite-sizedhybridof red kale and aBrussels
sprout. All tastings are less than $10, and if you
receive agolden fork, your tasting is free.
6
GOOUTFORADATE
MARTHA’SGARDENS
In 1927, theworldnearly lost theMedjool date
palm todisease. Elevenhealthy shoots from
onepalmwere shipped fromMorocco toYuma,
oneof the few locationswith thenecessary
quantities of water and the 100days of
100-degreeheat they require.Descendants of
thoseoriginal 11 have topped8,000 atMartha’s
Gardens, which ships approximately 800,000
pounds of datesworldwideper year. Tour the
140-acre farmwith theowner’s son, who can
sharedetails about the revered fruit that’s still
harvestedby hand. Then, treat yourself to a
date shake, adatemacaroonor adate variety
basket.
Marthasgardens.com –
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