Sampling the many tastes of Tubac
By M. Scot Skinner
skinner@azstarnet.com
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 04.02.2009
Tubac, the scenic little community between here and Nogales, is known by most of us for its art and its history. Studios, galleries and gift shops dot the winding streets, and Tubac Presidio State Historic Park is a tangible reminder of the town's beginning in 1752 as a Spanish fort. But Tubac is also slowly sneaking up on us as a dining destination.
On Page 30, you'll see a list of the restaurants taking part in Saturday night's Taste of Tubac, an annual fundraiser for the Rotary Club.
Who knew there were so many places to grab a bite in Tubac and the nearby hamlets of Tumacácori, Amado and Rio Rico?
The eateries range from down-home joints to chic bistros, along with sandwich shops and high-end spots for special occasions.
Wisdom's Cafe, a 65-year-old family-style diner in Tumacácori, will once again make and serve fruit burros at the seventh annual Taste of Tubac.
"Basically, it's a flour tortilla filled with fruit, deep fried, and then we roll it in sugar and serve it with vanilla ice cream," explained Celeste Wisdom, who owns the cafe with her husband, Cliff.
The apple, blueberry, cherry and peach burros are a longtime specialty at Wisdom's Cafe, established in 1944 by Cliff's grandparents. The sweet burros are almost as well-known in these parts as the two big fiberglass roosters in front of the cafe.
All of the restaurants donate their time and their food for Taste of Tubac, which explains why the Rotary Club sells no more than 450 tickets. As of Tuesday afternoon, there were still a limited number of tickets available.
Proceeds from the event benefit the community in a variety of ways, from scholarships to health-care assistance, says Charles Dean Miller, the Rotarian who got Taste of Tubac off the ground in 2003.
Miller, 79, moved to Tubac from Sedona 11 years ago. A retired marketing executive, he helped organize the first Taste of Sedona, and the event is still going strong.
Celeste Wisdom describes Miller as a cheerful, tireless neighbor whose mission in life is helping others.
"He's just one of those people who give to the community and I just adore him," she said. "It's hard to say no to him, that's for sure."
The Wisdoms jumped onboard Taste of Tubac at the inception, she said.
"The area restaurants, we just come in and everybody has samples of what they serve at their restaurants," she said. "It's just lots of good food, from salads to meats to desserts and sandwiches."
In addition to all the morsels available for munching, ticketholders can sample a variety of wines that are donated to the cause.
It's no wonder that Taste of Tubac has sold out in recent years, Wisdom said.
Business is surprisingly brisk at her cafe these days, given the rotten economy, she said.
"I think it's because of our prices. We're one of those places where you get a lot on your plate."
The fact that Wisdom's Cafe is a longtime gathering place for the community doesn't hurt, she said.
"Our customers are like family to us," she said.
2 Comments on this story
