Taco Trail tours great way to get taste of Yuma
"Progressive dinner" tours set for January, February and March
YUMA, ARIZONA - If your New Year's resolutions include eating more fresh, local fare, the new "Taco Trail" tours being offered by the Yuma Visitors Bureau are a great way to kick off that effort in 2012.
Designed to showcase Yuma's authentic border fare and "fresh from the field" produce, fruits and other vegetables, Taco Trail tours are essentially progressive dinners with "designated driver" transportation via deluxe motor coach that include stops at three different Yuma restaurants and specialty "adult beverages" for participants 21 or older.
The first trip down the Taco Trail tour is set for 6 to 9 p.m. Friday (Jan. 6), and departs from the Radisson Yuma parking lot, with stops at Las Palapas, Tina's Cocina at the St. Paul Cultural Center and the Ironwood Steakhouse at The Quechan Casino Resort.
On the inaugural outing, Las Palapas will be offering a taste of Baja California, with authentic recipes for tacos, beans and rice, Tina's Cocina will serve a "Yuma Vegetable Capital of the World" salad, and the Ironwood Steakhouse will feature bacon-wrapped shrimp and other gourmet treats.
Drink coupons can be used at any of the three locations, with Las Palapas featuring margaritas and 15 different beers, Tina's Cocina offering fresh mango margaritas and beer, and the Ironwood serving up "call drinks" of the participant's choice. Desert is even on the menu, with fresh date cookies served on the ride back to the Radisson.
"This is something new for that we think is a perfect opportunity for all kinds of folks, from visitors to longtime residents," said Kristan Sheppeard, YVB's director of agritourism and marketing. "Not only do you get a chance to meet new people and dine in a fun, social setting, it's a chance to sample several Yuma favorites in one evening and learn about their history and their chefs' specialties - plus you get to sample local veggies and produce, fruits and Medjool dates in delicious new recipes."
"We hope this will become a new Yuma tradition for a fun night out, especially since you can sample specialty cocktails like prickly pear margaritas while leaving the driving to us," Sheppeard added, noting that different locations will be spotlighted for each of the tours, including Carla Renee's, the Hilton's Great American Grill, Julieanna's Patio Café, La Fonda, the Market Wine Bistro at the Radisson, River City Grill, Yuma Landing and Yuma's Main Squeeze, along with the initial three restaurants.
Taco Trail tours are scheduled for Jan. 6 and 20, February 3 and 17, and March 2 and 16. The cost of $50 per person includes transportation, food and two coupons for "adult beverages." Tickets are on sale now at the YVB Visitor Information Center at the Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park, 201 N. 4th Avenue, call 800-293-0071 or 928-783-0071 for more information. The VIC is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. seven days a week.
Ann Walker, 928-376-0100 (office), 928-210-9044 (cell), ann@visityuma.com
Visitor Information Center: 1-800-293-0071
www.visityuma.com
Yuma Visitors Bureau markets the Yuma area within the travel and tourism industry and to the general public. Direct travel spending in Yuma County totaled more than $566 million in 2010, supported nearly 5,800 jobs and generated $36.3 million in state and local tax revenues.
A longtime favorite with sun-seeking snowbirds, Yuma's population nearly doubles in the winter months, thanks to more than 23,000 spots in RV parks and resorts. The community also offers nearly 4,000 hotel rooms, conference and meeting facilities, and three casinos. For more details about Yuma's year-round attractions, special events - and the rarely "cloudy with a chance of tacos" forecast* - visit www.visityuma.com or call 800-293-0071.
* Yuma hotel guests will eat free every day the sun doesn't shine from Aug. 1, 2011 until July 31, 2012! For more information on our Centennial "free board" promotion, call us.
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