If you’ve watched The Bear, you know one thing: earning a Michelin Star is brutal. It takes precision, discipline, and a little bit of magic. Which makes it even more exciting that the world’s first and only Michelin-starred taquería is popping up right here in Tucson.
El Califa de León, a Mexico City institution since 1968, will be serving its world-famous tacos at Main Gate Square this September. Through a temporary lease at 994 E University Blvd in Main Gate Square, brokered by Natalie Furrier and Greg Furrier, Retail Specialists at Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, Tucson gets the rare chance to host one of the world’s most celebrated taquerías right across from the University of Arizona campus.
Unlike most Michelin-star restaurants known for white linens and elaborate presentations, El Califa de León is celebrated for the opposite: minimalism. Here, it’s all about the essentials—homemade tortillas, quality ingredients, and time-honored tradition. After drawing crowds with pop-ups in Tempe, New York City, Washington D.C., Chicago, and Miami, their next stop is Tucson.
Founder Juan Hernández González once said, “Do you want to know the secret of the meat? There is no secret, only love and effort.” His son, Mario Hernández Alonso, continues that legacy today, serving classics like bistec (seared steak), chuleta (pork), costilla (thin sliced beef), and their famous gaonera (ribeye)—all wrapped in handmade corn tortillas with a squeeze of lime.
You’ll find El Califa de León at Main Gate Square during these dates:
SEPT 3: 3:00pm – Inauguration ribbon cutting ceremony with VIP invited guests, closes at 9pm (Wednesday)
SEPT 4: 3pm – 9pm (Thursday)
SEPT 5: 3pm – 9pm (Friday)
SEPT 6: 11am – 9pm (Saturday)
SEPT 7: 11am – 9pm (Sunday)
SEPT 8: 3pm – 9pm (Monday)
SEPT 9: 3pm – 9pm (Taco Tuesday)
SEPT 10: 3pm – 9pm (Wednesday)
SEPT 11: 3pm – 9pm (Thursday)
SEPT 12: 3pm – 9pm (Friday)
SEPT 13: 11am – 9pm (Saturday)
SEPT 14: 11am – 9pm (Sunday)
And if you can’t make it to the pop-up, don’t worry—El Califa de León will also feature a signature taco for a limited time at Agave House.
SOURCES:
https://www.worldclass.com/journal/michelin-starred-taco-te
*All photos and video content displayed are the property of El Califa de León, sourced from their official Instagram page. Used with credit for promotional purposes only.
