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GIO TACO, the unsuspecting face of the Weekly’s “Keep Tucson Shitty” debate from a while back, has finally announced its opening date. It will be open to the public 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21.

“When we were first inspired by the idea of doing tacos in Tucson a little differently, we knew they had to be done in a totally unexpected fashion,” stated Brian Metzger of Metzger Family Restaurants

Boy, did he live up to the hype in conception of the menu:

• Gio, with a home-made corn tortilla shell, house-smoked and coffee and chipotle-rubbed pork belly, seared butternut squash and pumpkin seed salsa;

• Fishy Pig, with a home-made corn tortilla shell, bacon-wrapped albacore tuna, street vendor corn, fresh avocado and pickled onions;

• Chipper Fish, with a home-made corn tortilla shell, beer-battered and fried Atlantic cod, malted cabbage, lemon and herbs, crispy pickles and plantain chips;

• M’s Veggie, with a raw shaved beet shell, chayoti squash “steak,” heirloom baby kale slaw and street vendor corn;

• Grilled Steak, with a home-made corn tortilla shell, pickled chayoti squash, street vendor corn salsa and Rogue smokey blue cheese;

• Citrus Chicken, with a home-made corn tortilla shell, citrus-marinated and grilled chicken breast, house-smoked Fresno chili, fresh epazote herbs and Sonoma Dry jack cheese;

• Duck Mole, with a home-made corn tortilla shell, cherry and chocolate mole, fresh cilantro, lime crema and fresh orange segments

I’m all for Tucson nostalgia. Hell, I would take two, standard carne asada tacos, out of a cart, right now! But with fresh, innovative and promising dishes like the ones above, how can you be mad?

This article appears in Dec 5-11, 2013.

11 replies on “Gio Taco Announces Its Opening Date and Menu”

  2. In reading the examples – it doesn’t appear to be “another mexican place”

  4. Menu looks great! Graphics look awful, who did the design? Someone who’s main gig is MMA flyers and havasu beach party posters?

  7. There’s very little Mexican about this. Tortillas make it Mexican? It’s upscale foody-food. There’s a chance it might actually be good, at least some of what they have. It won’t be cheap.

  8. Metzger makes some phenomenal food. Can’t wait to try them all!! Location is right next to World of Beer on Congress.

  9. Downtown had to grow up sometime but unfortunately, it took those with deep pockets to make this happen. Perhaps the 4th ave underpass is becoming a dividing line. Funky 4th and Congress street too good for us plebes.

  11. I think that the artwork is great, the concept is great, and the location is great! Can’t wait to try it! I’m sure it will do very well

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