Weekly Recap #1: Taco Fest, New Restaurants & Work Events

October 14 – October 20

As someone who works in media, the last quarter is always a busy season—it’s when most marketing and PR budgets need to be wrapped up before year-end. This week was no exception, with events piling up! On Tuesday, I had the chance to check out True Food Market, a new concept from True Food Kitchen. Being a fan of their food, I jumped at the invitation. One of my all-time favorites from True Food Kitchen is their vegan pizza, made with their house-made vegan ricotta, which is nothing short of phenomenal. So, I had high hopes! True Food Market offers a more casual vibe with a grab-and-go setup, featuring a counter for orders and plenty of ready-made options. I went with the Mediterranean Couscous Chop’d Salad, topped with their True Crisp’d Air-Fried Chicken Tender—and WOW, these were some of the juiciest chicken tenders I’ve ever tasted! I’d return just for those. The salad was perfectly balanced; the fresh greens and couscous added a great texture to the bowl. I also picked up their Hangover RX juice, which was like a refined, elevated version of orange juice. I took everything to go and enjoyed it while catching up on The Real Housewives of NYC.

On Wednesday morning, I woke up bright and early to attend the Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) press conference in Old Town Scottsdale. The event featured stunning, larger-than-life sculptures imported from Guadalajara, Mexico, along with life-sized paper mache figures that really brought the celebration to life. I had the opportunity to hear from Scottsdale’s mayor, the founder of Scottsdale’s Dia de Los Muertos event, and the Consul General of Mexico in Phoenix. They spoke about the history and traditions behind Dia de Los Muertos, emphasizing the importance of understanding the true meaning of this vibrant celebration within the community. It’s always exciting to attend official press events and see the top news stations set up to capture the moment.

Thursday evening brought another restaurant invite, this time to Sandfish Sushi and Whiskey. I got to try some of their new menu items before they are released to the public. One of my favorites that evening was the Beef Carpaccio, topped with a Caesar-inspired dressing, which added a unique twist that was absolutely delicious!

Saturday started early for me, which is rare, but I had good reason! I met up with a friend to explore the Gilbert farmers market, followed by my first-ever hot yoga class. Despite the rainy weather, we didn’t hesitate to go—umbrella in hand (my favorite pink Glossier one, which I’d made my dad carry across Europe!), we headed out. There was something uniquely calming about strolling through the market with the sound of rain around us. I ended up buying a mango mustard hot sauce, vegan pesto, and a cucumber salad. After the market, we went over to Yoga6, a hot yoga studio my friend loves. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I ended up enjoying it way more than regular yoga; I felt like I could really stretch and loosen up (which is rare for me, lol). I can’t deny the class was hot, but after enduring an Arizona summer, the 105° room felt manageable.

Afterward, I headed home to freshen up before my next stop: Taco Fest at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, another work event I was covering. All I had to do was grab videos and photos for the publication’s Instagram, so it was a fun, low-pressure assignment. My dad came along, and we ventured into some unique flavors—like tripe and beef cheek tacos. The tripe wasn’t my favorite (it tasted like extra-fatty bacon), but the beef cheek was tender and delicious. I also tried classics like chorizo and a standout cherry-glazed steak taco with crispy poblano peppers. To cap off the fest, I couldn’t resist a churro and a margarita—it was the perfect finish to a day of new experiences and flavors.