Mexican Inspired Eats at the Desert Botanical Gardens

By Isabel Byfield

The Desert Botanical Garden offers more than just stunning views of the saguaro landscapes – it also offers great food and family fun.

A new fall menu is available at Gertrude’s, featuring some Mexican comfort food classics that will keep you warm while the weather cools down. Gertrude’s has a very distinct concept, offering American classics while adding native ingredients that make the menu unique yet universal. You can either get a classic American burger, or order up some pork pozole. It’s a celebration of traditional and modern cuisine – a tribute to the Mexican influence in every aspect of Arizona’s culture.

We had the pleasure of visiting Gertrude’s and taste their fall menu. It’s a well-crafted menu overall – a perfect balance of American comfort food, with touches of Mexican food and creative use of Arizona native ingredients such as prickly pears and green chiles.

The pozole was meaty, perfectly seasoned and beautifully garnished; everything a pozole should be. It’ll make you feel warm and nourished – it’ll make you feel at home.

Pozole — Photo Credit: Isabel Byfield/AZLatinos.com

We also tried their top sirloin, a perfect piece of high quality meat paired with Mexican spices, dressed in a chipotle jus and accompanied by fried green chile macaroni.

Steak — Photo Credit: Isabel Byfield/AZLatinos.com

For dessert we tried their ricotta donuts. Fluffy bite size donuts with three dipping sauces; chocolate, salted caramel and prickly pear (which was my favorite).

Donuts — Photo Credit: Isabel Byfield/AZLatinos.com

The month of October and November at the Botanical Garden is filled with culinary and family events that you don’t want to miss. They will have a Procesión de Día de Los Muertos October 29-30 from 5 to 6 pm, and Chocolate and Chiles event November 11-13. So mark your calendar and include the Desert Botanical Garden as one of your fall activities for this season.