Are there foodies in Tucson? Recent vists to Harvest & Miguels leave questions…
As a self-proclaimed foodie, I was dismayed at my latest restaurant visits to two old standbys here in the Tucson area: Harvest Restaurant and Miguels.
Let’s start with Harvest. Harvest is literally moments away from my front door and we visit frequently. Although it used to be a winner, the last few visits have been disappointing. Especially the last visit: We ordered two carry-out hamburgers on a Saturday night and the order took nearly 1.5 hours to be ready plus the burgers were burned and the fries ice cold. Say what? I’m scared to try it again after this last horrible showing. They usually have great, fresh fare, but lately things are uneven. I’ll stay tuned, but right now I’m a little gun-shy. And a note, in case anyone from there cares: Please put some good salads on the dinner menu! They’ve all disappeared (Farmers Salad, for instance).
Miguels: Miguels was one of those places where you just knew you’d have a great meal and a killer margarita. Although more Latin than technically Mexican food, they still have good, salty chips and a nice guacamole. Unfortunately, they were nearly out of the organic tequila we like, so the ‘ritas were a bit light in flavor. But of bigger disappointment were the dinners: I ordered the bacon-wrapped prawns and my hubby got the chicken enchildas. Two of our former favorites–you know, the kind where you look forward all day to eating them?
The prawns were cooked fine, but unfortunately the yummy, complex sweet-yet-spicey barbeque sauce they usually serve with it was missing. This tasted like they dumped a pump of KC Masterpice on the plate and put everything on top. Truly a disappointment. Where did that amazing sauce go?
My husband said the same of his dish–the complex flavors that we had come to know and love with Miguels were gone. In their place were ordinary bland food. While edible, it sure isn’t the Miguels we have visited so many times and enjoyed. Either their chef was off (on a Saturday night at prime-time season in March?) or they’ve gone the way of so many formerly good restaurants and tightened their belt so far as to squeeze out all of the flavor.
As a great town, Tucson has its own charm and its own restaurant flavors. We have lots of great food here (no, not just Mexican) and it makes me sad when those I know and trust start favoring saving money over delivering quality. Either the chefs or managers were not on their toes for these recent visits and unfortunately, most won’t give you a second chance. Especially during the key season of March here in southern Arizona. Buck up! Get your acts together and re-join the special few we’ve all come to savor.
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Let’s start with Harvest. Harvest is literally moments away from my front door and we visit frequently. Although it used to be a winner, the last few visits have been disappointing. Especially the last visit: We ordered two carry-out hamburgers on a Saturday night and the order took nearly 1.5 hours to be ready plus the burgers were burned and the fries ice cold. Say what? I’m scared to try it again after this last horrible showing. They usually have great, fresh fare, but lately things are uneven. I’ll stay tuned, but right now I’m a little gun-shy. And a note, in case anyone from there cares: Please put some good salads on the dinner menu! They’ve all disappeared (Farmers Salad, for instance).
Miguels: Miguels was one of those places where you just knew you’d have a great meal and a killer margarita. Although more Latin than technically Mexican food, they still have good, salty chips and a nice guacamole. Unfortunately, they were nearly out of the organic tequila we like, so the ‘ritas were a bit light in flavor. But of bigger disappointment were the dinners: I ordered the bacon-wrapped prawns and my hubby got the chicken enchildas. Two of our former favorites–you know, the kind where you look forward all day to eating them?
The prawns were cooked fine, but unfortunately the yummy, complex sweet-yet-spicey barbeque sauce they usually serve with it was missing. This tasted like they dumped a pump of KC Masterpice on the plate and put everything on top. Truly a disappointment. Where did that amazing sauce go?
My husband said the same of his dish–the complex flavors that we had come to know and love with Miguels were gone. In their place were ordinary bland food. While edible, it sure isn’t the Miguels we have visited so many times and enjoyed. Either their chef was off (on a Saturday night at prime-time season in March?) or they’ve gone the way of so many formerly good restaurants and tightened their belt so far as to squeeze out all of the flavor.
As a great town, Tucson has its own charm and its own restaurant flavors. We have lots of great food here (no, not just Mexican) and it makes me sad when those I know and trust start favoring saving money over delivering quality. Either the chefs or managers were not on their toes for these recent visits and unfortunately, most won’t give you a second chance. Especially during the key season of March here in southern Arizona. Buck up! Get your acts together and re-join the special few we’ve all come to savor.
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