Some of my favorite exports of Mexico: Tacos, Tamales, Tortas and Tequila! Thankfully, I now know where to get what should be the best in the valley.
Next week, the Valley’s own progressive restaurateur, Aaron May, will be offering his own rustic, but refined version of comidas corridas (running food) at Vitamin T, the colorful puesto (food stall) that he and partner Quinn Goldsberry will open in Cityscape.
Vitamin T may be tiny at less than 1,000 square feet, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in striking good looks and authenticity. Although a handful of tables and chairs are available for indoor dining (10 seats inside, an additional 25 on the patio), Vitamin T is geared toward takeout, featuring an open kitchen, a salsa bar and a drink station. The front of the counter that separates customers from cooks is covered in lit-from-behind perforated metal.
In the space, May pays homage to Luis Barragan, Mexico’s pre-eminent architect. Echoing Barragan’s famous color palette, the puesto’s three columns are tiled in burgundy, lime green and ecru, while the walls are painted baby pink, light yellow and blue.
The streamlined menu offers up basics such as caramelos (meat-stuffed quesadillas), tacos, tamales and tortas filled with carne asada, barbacoa, cochinita pibil, carnitas, pork al pastor and papas con rajas (potatoes with chiles). But May elevates what might otherwise be typical street fare by using free-range chicken, grass-fed beef and wood-roasted wild mushrooms.
The menu also boasts May’s own vesion of the highly touted Sonoran hot dog, tucking a bacon-wrapped dog into a soft bolillo roll and topping it with mustard, mayo, jalapeño sauce, grilled onion, raw onions and beans. (Is it Friday yet?!)
The food may be fast but not what you’re used to. There is nothing typical about goat cheese, queso fresco, Chihuahua cheese and Manchego, the latter served on a Caesar salad with pepitas. Find traditional beverages here including Mexican Coke, liquados (blended drinks akin to smoothies) and aguas frescas such as horchata and Jamaica. Much like you will find in Mexico, Vitamin T will offer one brand (but a range of styles and selections) of beer (Dos Equis), tequila (Don Julio) and mescal, as well as specialty margaritas.
And just so you know, tequila is often considered another essential T vitamin, which begs the question: have you had your Vitamin T today?
Hours: 11 am‐11 pm every day | eatmoretacos.com| Phone number not available yet.
1 East Washington Street, Suite 175, Phoenix 85004 | Twitter: @EatVitaminT