Chandler newcomer El Palacio Cantina took home a pair of first-place trophies at the 2nd annual Arizona Taco Festival on Saturday at the Scottsdale Waterfront.
Led by owner-chef Anthony Serrano and his father Angilbeto (pictured), El Palacio won for best salsa and best guacamole. The restaurant opened less than a year ago at Germann and Gilbert roads.
The Serrano family – no relation to the Chandler family that has seven Serrano’s Mexican restaurants in the East Valley – also has Mexican restaurants in Bullhead City, Kingman, Lake Havasu City and Mohave Valley.
Distrito, Iron Chef Jose Garces‘ new flagship restaurant at the Saguaro Hotel (formerly the Mondrian), was the festival’s grand champion.
La Hacienda at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort was reserve grand champion for the second straight year.
See the full list of winners here.
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