At La Bomba, order it with shrimp ceviche. Tostilocos, essentially a Tostitos-nachos-free-for-all, is offered at all snack bars. Salsa bar at La Bomba del Sabor at the Tanque Verde Swap Meet (Credit: Jackie Tran) The braised meats are succulent all day, but a pit of mesquite charcoal is ready to grill piles of carne asada as well. The ultra-authentic, rustic flour tortillas made on site are a treat, but the real star is the salsa bar, which includes chunky guacamole. On top of that, La Bomba is a hidden gem of a taco stand. They offer the standard tamarindo and horchata, but rarer variations such as ciruela (plum) and pepina (cucumber) are also available. While you won't find $8 lemonades, you'll find a variety of aguas frescas at La Bomba del Sabor. ![]() "La Bomba del Sabor is a hidden gem of a taco stand." This means a wider selection than what's typically found at a county fair. Thankfully, recent facility upgrades resulted in some food items that wouldn't have been possible previously due to strict health codes. Kathia Dulceria at the Tanque Verde Swap Meet (Credit: Jackie Tran)Īlthough food vendors have been a constant presence, individual vendors change often. Some vendors sell fruit from the back of their truck, while some travel from Mexico during the day to sell their wares at the swap meet during the evening. Its 800 vendor spaces provides space for a wide range of goods ranging from airbrushed T-shirts to Donald Trump piñatas. Since the swap meet's relocation, it's blossomed into an iconic marketplace in southern Tucson. Palo Verde Rd., where it still resides today. However, Chapin kept "Tanque Verde" in the swap meet name and risked it all by maxing out his debt to relocate to 4100 S. In 1987, the swap meet lost its lease due to business development plans at the intersection. ![]() After a few months in sweltering outdoor summer heat, Chapin invested in Christmas lights to stay open during cooler hours at night, which ultimately proved to be the magic touch needed for success. He gathered other vendors to officially form the Tanque Verde Swap Meet. The swap meet started at the corner of Grant and Tanque Verde in 1975 with founder Richard Chapin selling handmade tables. It's a mecca of Mexican street food and carnival favorites without the inflated carnival pricing. The Tanque Verde Swap Meet has the variety of a food court, but that title doesn't do it justice. ![]() This isn't a food court where you have to dodge people rushing the guy handing out free samples of teriyaki chicken. Once you succumb to the intoxicating aromas and eat everything, it's still impossible to resist some fry bread dusted with sugar and drizzled with honey or a cone of red velvet soft-serve ice cream. With a little luck, you'll also smell the post-monsoon creosote. Follow the smell of smoke around the corn to find a flaming rotisserie with ears of corn just asking to be covered in lime, hot sauce, and cotija cheese. Walk a little further to catch a waft of bacon-wrapped hot dogs and guero peppers sizzling on a flat griddle. Imagine the sweet, buttery aroma of kettle corn popping. Let's go on a culinary adventure at the Tanque Verde Swap Meet.
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