What You'll Get
After scientists revealed UFOs were actually full-grown tortillas, people everywhere filled swimming pools with guac and beans to catch and dissect the floury creatures. Nab a tender, baby disc with today's Groupon: for $15, you get $30 worth of traditional Mexican fare and drinks at Papagayo Mexican Restaurant & Cantina. The family-owned and family-operated eatery has been serving up traditional Sonoran fare to Tucsonians in the Catalina Foothills for more than 35 years.
Papagayo's dinner menu and pared-down lunch menu offer traditional south-of-the-border treats and elegant chef-created entrees. Pass around a plate of the chimichiquitas (a combination of mini chimichangas, $10.25) to your hungry synchronized hurdling team before leaping simultaneously into the main course. Tamale traditionalists will take heart in Papagayo's wide selection of familiar house specialties, such as the fresh, green chiles rellenos ($13.95) or cabbage-topped shrimp tacos ($15.95). The culinarily curious will want to explore Executive Chef Maria Mazon’s creative creations: Milanesas de puerco ($16) boasts a plate of boneless, breaded pork chops lightly fried and served alongside an eggroll stuffed with chipotle mashed spuds, and the pollo en salsa de chile morron ($16) features a spice-rubbed chicken breast grilled and cozily blanketed in a decadent red-pepper cream sauce.
Like the restaurant’s avian namesake (Papagayo means “parrot” in Spanish), the eatery’s interior is clothed in an arresting mélange of vivid colors and has learned to say basic English phrases. The inviting atmosphere makes it a well-chosen spot to linger over a plate of rich caramel flan ($4.95) while flirtatiously arguing over the correct pronunciation of Foucault. So stop into Papagayo for authentic Mexican fare when a long-planned trip to Torreon falls victim to a wrong turn at Albuquerque with today's Groupon.
Reviews
Papagayo Mexican Restaurant & Cantina was ranked #8 Best Mexican Restaurant in Tucson by 10Best. Tucson Weekly gave it a favorable review. Ten TripAdvisors give Papagayo 3.5 owl eyes, three Citysearchers give it 3 stars, and 74% of 50 Urbanspooners recommend the restaurant.
- Sweetness may lie in the mouth of the beholder but quality, longevity and earnest service remains universal at Papagayo. – Karyn Zoldan, Tucson Weekly
- Very polite staff and very good service in a relaxed and easy going atmosphere. – VNeil, TripAdvisor
The Fine Print
Promotional value expires Dec 4, 2010. Amount paid never expires. Limit 1 per person, may buy multiple as gifts. Limit 1 per table. Must redeem in 1 visit, no cash back. Not valid with other offers. Tax & gratuity not included. Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised goods and services.