JOSHUA SILLS/Arizona Summer Wildcat Photo of Wildcat staff writers Kevin Smith and Orli Ben-Dor

The fajitas sizzle at El Minuto; salsa class proves to be a bit spicy

El Minuto Cafˇ
345 South Main Ave.
Tucson, AZ

Smith: If you're ever in search of great Mexican food on a Sunday night then we've found the place for you. El Minuto was in the right place and open at the right time for a review. When we walked in we were immediately greeted by an attentive maitre'd. We asked to sit on their patio.

Ben-Dor: We left behind the half-packed interior, a diverse crowd,and went to our own private patio. With each visit by either the server or busser, the patio became lighter and more festive rather than dark and lonely as it was when we first sat there. With the switch of a few lights, we were tinted under colored bulbs strung around a small patio and surrounded by lush flowers and vines.

Smith: We ordered drinks and perused the menu. I requested a Coke, but was told by the waiter that they only had RC Cola. That was a first for me. Our drinks were served with chips and salsa. I thought the salsa tasted like a watered-down, spicy ketchup but I guess it was more hot sauce than the salsa I'm used to.

Ben-Dor: Now equipped with snacks and beverages, we started to really examine the menu. The menu is organized by categories: soups, tacos, tostadas, chimichangas, enchiladas, burros, combo platters and dessert, to name a few. Nothing on the menu was over $13 and if you wanted to be frugal, you could enjoy a tostada or cup of soup for under $5. They also feature lunch specials, available Monday through Friday from 11a.m.-3 p.m. for $5.50. The lunch specials include rolled chicken or ground beef tacos with rice and beans, any soup and a quesadilla, and two-cheese enchiladas with rice and beans.

Smith: El Minuto boasted that they served the "finest Mexican food since 1930." So, they at least have time on their side. We encountered a small language barrier with the waiter, but it was nothing too uncomfortable and it is expected at a Mexican restaurant. It actually gave the restaurant a more authentic feel. Overall he was accommodating and ready to recommend many entrees and appetizers on the menu.

Orli ordered Caldo de Queso soup for an appetizer ($3.00) and beef fajitas for an entrˇe ($12.95). Upon suggestion from our server, I had the El Minuto Special, which was a chicken taco, beef tamale, cheese enchilada, and chile con carne for $10.95.

Ben-Dor: My soup came after only a few minutes. Though the soups were all in Spanish on the menu, the server explained each one (including menudo and tortilla) patiently and clearly. We decided I should try the Caldo de Queso. With onions, tomatoes and a big piece of potato, the best part of the soup was the abundance of cheese at the bottom. The soup came with hot flour tortillas.

Smith: After the appetizer was finished, our entrees were revealed. The food was served on very hot dishes. With a quick glance at my combo platter, I ran into trouble deciphering which piece of food was which because they were immersed in sauce. The sauce was not too watery and not too spicy. The only thing that was identifiable was the chicken taco, which was rolled like a taquito and didn't really look like a traditional taco. It was nice and zesty and it covered the whole dish. Highlights of my meal were the bite-size, juicy, pieces of beef in the chili con carne and the beef tamale. The tamale's breading wasn't too thick and you could taste the beef in equal amounts as the breading.

Ben-Dor: Though the fajitas didn't arrive on a sizzling platter like Chile's restaurants trained us to expect, they were enjoyable nonetheless. The plate was segmented clearly: beans, rice and the fajita mix. Placed in the middle was shredded lettuce and a not-too-generous portion of guacamole. Tender pieces of beef were tossed in with sautˇed red and green bell peppers and onions. It was full of flavor; I couldn't help but eat all the beef on my plate!

Smith: We finished with a dessert order of sopapillas ($3.50). They came flaky and covered in powdered sugar that reminded me of square-sized fried dough, only not as sweet. The dessert came with packets of honey that could cover each sopapilla and when used, gave them just the right touch of subtle sweetness given their fragile, crumbly texture.

JOSHUA SILLS/Arizona Summer Wildcat Fernando Rojo, cook at El Minuto Mexican restaurant, prepares a salad for a customer. El Minuto is located on 345 S. Main Ave.

Ben-Dor: Full and satisfied, we paid up front. It was so nice to find a quaint cafˇ that's also open on Sundays. I'd recommend this place for a group of friends or even a date. If privacy is what you want, it seems you should request the patio. Bon appetit!

Smith: Definitely a nice date place with good atmosphere and a reasonably priced menu. Be sure to check out their "Wall Of Fame" on the way out featuring employees posed with Renˇe Russo, Greg Kinnear, "Mr. Miyagi," and Sean Elliot.

Salsa Dancing by the Salsa Soulseros Instruction Team
Intermediate class: Monday 5:45-6:45
Beginners class: Tuesday 5:45-6:45.
$6 per person per class.
For more info call 573-7701 Muse
516 N. 5th Ave.

Ben-Dor: We arrived 10 minutes early for our salsa dancing adventure, but we were sternly told to wait outside. Contrary to our first impression, the salsa instructor, Summer Sando, taught enthusiastically and ran the class with a great sense of humor.

Smith: Yeah, she didn't take things too seriously and she made everyone feel very comfortable. Sando is part of the Tucson-based "Salsa Soulseros," which is a Latin-flavored instructional team that doesn't perform or compete. She's been dancing for two and a half years and teaching for two.

Before we danced we signed a waiver of liability. We basically signed a contract saying that we knew what we were doing and that we knew what we were getting ourselves into. Any injuries were our responsibility, left feet and all.

Ben-Dor: Salsa Soulseros's policy is that no previous training or partners are necessary. There isn't a dress code either. People were dressed anywhere from sweatpants or unitards (yes, unitards) to business casual. I suggest that you spice up your wardrobe (flowing skirts are fun to spin in) or come in sweats and dance for the exercise like regular Priscilla Bejar does. Like the outfits, the group was pretty diverse in age as well.

This fits Salsa Soulseros' "vision" statement: "To create an environment of respect and happiness for people of all ages who wish to increase their quality of life via the specific arts of Latin music and mind." Ole!

Smith: Soulsero's mission statement is, "To serve the community by facilitating the use of Latin music and dance as an educational and inspirational venue to empower them and their well-being of body, mind, and spirit."

Well, for my first swing at Latin dancing, I think I performed well below average. I don't know if I feel empowered in mind, body and spirit, but I had fun. Warning: This is definitely harder than it looks. But after warming up with some merengue steps and combinations, Orli and I started to loosen up and get into the rhythm.

Ben-Dor: After the 20-minute merengue session (a less complicated and slightly slower version of salsa), we moved into salsa itself. Quick-quick slow, 5-6-7. Add the arms, pump up the music and, well, Kevin and I weren't exactly the smoothest pair of the 10 or so pairs, but we never felt uncomfortable or awkward and we never really stopped smiling and twirling.

Smith: Sando took time to demonstrate the detailed salsa combinations by having everyone stand in a big circle to watch the instructors. Then we practiced the moves with a partner. She even took Orli and I aside, had us switch partners, and showed us the exact methods. She was very attentive and patient and never made anyone seem out of place no matter how stupid we felt or thought we looked at certain times. It was "all good" in there.

I would definitely recommend these courses for couples or anybody who wants to take up a new active hobby. Just keep an open mind. Guys: there are lots of girls there with no partners - lots. Read: this could be a great way to meet women!

The university and Soulseros also offer salsa dancing at the Student Recreation Center on Wednesday nights from 6:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.÷ but it costs more.

Ben-Dor: One hour later, we were a little sweatier, a little more coordinated and plenty relieved that we didn't brave it and take the intermediate class right off the bat. All you need to check it out for yourself is $6 and your dancing zapatos!