Carniceria Wild West

We like this local-gem of a restaurant for its flavorful food, its super-generous portions, prices that are very fair, and for their pleasant and helpful employees. We consider ourselves lucky to have found this place about 2 years ago, and since then, I estimate that we have used Carniceria Wild West as our food source for 3 (maybe 4) for the parties that we occasionally host at our summer home (*and we used them for one wedding reception). In addition, I have stopped here for their breakfast burrito (It's huge!)... (at least that's what she said)... (and yes, I need to grow up). ( I probably should also point out that our summer home is also our winter, fall, and spring home--I was just trying to sound extra-sophisticated, but ultimately the truth is most-important, so I won't let you go on believing that I have homes for each season). I highly recommend it for their catering packages as there are lots to choose from, depending on how many mouths need filling and what proteins they are in the mood for. But...Bang for your buck--this place is hard to beat. Wild West also has some of the best tasting tortillas around. We usually choose the flour option, but their corn ones are also a treat. I don't think they make the tortillas on-site, but the packaged options offered are really good. Incidentally, when we fly back East to visit my wife's kin-folk, before we board, her family members often "puppy-dog eye" us-- in hopes that we will bring a few packs of these Tortillas. Of course, we oblige. So any-how, as it turns out, Today, as we drove home from the U of A area, my wife shared that she was, "starving". And so, when the, Wild West sign showed up on our horizon as we headed north on First Ave, she excitedly asked if we could stop and grab a bite to eat. I flipped a "U-ee" at River Rd, and as we circled back, we both could smell the grilled meats calling us. I was not hungry at all, so decided to just take joy in watching her enjoy her meal. My beloved decided to try the 3 beef birria taco deal. I hoped that I would be given a nibble--you know...just to get a taste. "Yum", is a good way to describe my thoughts as she gave me the penultimate bite of the "first batter up" in her 3 taco line up. It was just more evidence to support the claim that Wild West "knocks it out the park" in flavor and mouth textures! I can only think of one place in Tucson that win's out, by an edge, for my favorite birria spot. For some folks, going to a carniceria might feel like a bit of an adventure, as one will, upon pulling open the establishment's front door, have their olfactory senses stimulated by a surge of smells and aromas that arise from the cooking meats, marinating sauces and spices, and from the multitude of products that can be found in markets south of the border. For others, who are more on the adventurous side of culinary pursuits, it's gonna be "just a typical Tuesday" experience. My point, is that if you are going to call yourself any sort of a "Dirty T" local. you need to start stopping by locations like this. Wild West is a great place to open yourself up the Mexican butcher shop experience. And, if you already are into adventuring into carnicierias...well, then you already know of the treats that await you...I just hope you are not mad at me for letting this secret out).

Great Mexican meat market on the North side! Meat, tortillas, Mexican candies, michelada mixes, a few fresh veggies, hot sauces and so much more! We had lunch here and sat outside to enjoy it - they had Mexican music playing on the patio, and the grill was going with meat, jalapenos, corn for corn cocktails! It felt like a party! My carne tacos were delicious and my husbands nachos must have had at least a pound of meat on them! They were loaded! The box was completely full of nachos, beans, meat, guac, salsa and cheese! You can just smell the grilling meat when you walk in and it immediately makes you hungry! Great place!

The best carne asada burrito full of that Mexican grilled beef. Their fresh salsas are bomb. I also bought their Pozole if you know you know.

Been trying to get over here for a while now, so glad I stopped in today. The store is very clean the staff friendly and informative and they had just what I was looking for. I've been wanting to try the Beria bomb and so glad that I grabbed it looking forward to trying it out to see if it's everything that I've been hearing about it..Not only do they serve up delicious plates of hot food. You can also purchase meat Mexican candies tortillas they seem to have everything you need from food to seasonings to candy. They definitely have a new customer going forward in fact I'll be back tomorrow for a lunch plate.

First time to try a carniceria place. I was kind of hesitant with the cleanliness of the place but went ahead to try it. We loved everything we ordered, birria, carne asada, beef steak. We also bought salsas and some pre made mix in the grocery area to try. The salsa's were fresh and good flavor.They also have party sizes which we would love to try one day when we have guests. We will be back definitely.

After a round of golf at Dove Mountain Golf Club I was starving and I wanted good Mexican food. Everyone knows Tucson has some of the best. I really wanted my favorite fry bread at one of the vendors located at Mission San Xavier del Bac, but I wasn't sure if they'd be open this late in the afternoon. So I went through my Yelp list for Tucson and I came across this Bookmarked place. This is a Mexican meat market/store/kitchen. They also grill their marinated meat outside, which you can order by the pound. I ended up ordering two carne asada tacos and an order of Sonoran Hot Dogs, which comes with two dogs per order, even though I only wanted one. There is a small condiment station where you can dress up your food order. Sadly the station wasn't kept up. Every container was almost empty. More sadly was my food order. My taco meat was so tough, chewy, and unflavorful! I dressed up my tacos with grilled onions and jalapeños, a couple of their salsas, squeezed lemon, but I could not get past the toughness of the meat. Was it beef chuck? Where were the Mexican spices or any type of seasoning? If you're going to use a tough cut of meat, at least tenderize it. I was chewing for days. I did not eat the second taco. My Sonoran Dog was better, but they forgot to add the beans. I was so disappointed with my meal, I didn't eat the second dog either. I think the high rating this place gets is from their meat and marinated meat selection. It actually looked pretty good. They also open-fire grill their marinated and un marinated meats outside, such as, flank and skirt steak, which is probably pretty good. I actually thought my carne asada was going to be prepared with outdoor grill meat, but no. So with that being said, my rating is only based on the food coming out of the kitchen. I was really looking to be treated to some awesome Mexican food; especially when I lived an hour and a half North where it's hard to find authentic Mexican food. But today was not the day!

I popped into Wild West to see what their tortilla selection was like. The place is really clean and presentable. They definitely have a solid selection of meats and other prepared foods, salsas, etc. in addition to traditional Mexican pastries (concha's, hebilla, etc), candies, dry goods and more. I did not purchase any meat or order from their food menu, but will definitely return to try it. Their tortilla selection came in short for me. I purchased some flour tortillas made in Hermosillo and they unfortunately tasted like Mission tortillas. What's a disappointment! Especially since they come from Mexico. Wild West also had tortillas packaged and labeled with their name in them but I am not sure they make them. I should have asked. I'll go back and try more. Wild West is a good option near home.

Summary: outstanding meats, friendly service, confusing eat-in ordering process with limited seating.Four of us came in for lunch the other day. At first we couldn't figure out where to place the order, then where/how to pay? Do they bring out our food? (yes)I asked the lady behind the counter what her favorite was, and she answered pork belly dipped in guacamole, so I ordered that. The pork belly was out of this world, and their guac ain't half bad either. My companions had an assortment of tacos, quesadillas and burritos, and the portions were huge and the flavors just excellent.It's going to take me a few visits to figure out what to order here and how to do it, but I am determined!If you are looking for some great carne asada to throw on your home grill, this is the place to get it. Or, have them grill it and declare victory!!

Cool little market. Found everything I needed, staff was helpful. Great selection of mexican products, meats and some veggies. Chorizo didn't taste authentic, but still good. Check it out.

Ran out for a quick lunch on a Saturday and was in need a a nacho fix! Ran across this little gem of a restaurant and market. The employees were all very friendly and ready to answer any questions we had about the menu and how it all works. Decided to grab the carne asada nachos and the birria ramen. The nachos were great, they were loaded with toppings and filled with cheese and meat. They really fulfilled the craving. The ramen was good, they use the birria juice to make it and piled it full of meat. It also came with 2 birria tacos, they did not disappoint! We ate out on the patio. I will be coming back to this place soon. Those tacos and nachos were legit!!