Tumacacori

If you’re going to visit Tubac, it’s only a short drive to Tumacacori, the “town” that’s too tough to pronounce. (Actually, it’s neither a town nor tough to pronounce if you do it slowly and phonetically – Too-mah-kah-core-ee.) It’s the site of a Franciscan mission built in 1795 that was regularly besieged by the Apache Indians. The ruins that are visible today include a chapel and graveyard. Visitors can also walk through an elaborate church built in 1822. The site has been converted into a National Historic Park with a visitor center where you can learn all about the mission. This is a very picturesque and tranquil spot with lots of mesquite trees and a half-mile trail. On weekends, there’s often a craft demonstration.

Across the street is the Santa Cruz Chili and Spice Company where you’ll find spices, herbs, salsas and cookbooks plus a Western museum. Since 1943 with the first harvest of the special and distinctive chilies that grow in this rich river valley, from which they take their name, they have produced unique chili products. The processing plant is right in the middle of one of the best chili growing areas in the world.

But it is the Santa Cruz Chili Paste for which they are deservedly most famous. Chili Paste was first invented by Gene England as he searched to capture the flavor of fresh chilies and create a versatile cooking ingredient for traditional Mexican recipes. It was an instant hit! Everyone from mothers to grandmothers to professional chefs proclaimed it the perfect beginning to great Mexican food.

If Greek sounds good, then you’ve got to try the Tumacacori Mission Restaurant, located across from the National Park. Just to the north of the park is the Wisdom Cafe, which offers Mexican fare. The Café is in the hands of a 3rd generation Wisdom, and now with the birth of a granddaughter, there are now 4 generations of Wisdoms in the business.

Enjoy a stay in this area for a weekend full of history, hiking along the river, bird watching and shopping.

For more information: Nogales-Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce, 520-287-3685.

Los Wisdoms

                In 1944 Howard and Petra (Gomez) Wisdom opened the doors to Wisdom’s Café alongside the old Nogales Highway never imagining that their little café was destined to become a dining tradition three generations strong. Because Petra’s Father was a property owner in Tumacacori and gifted parcels of his land to his children and their spouses, the café is in a lovely location with a view of the Tumacacori Mountains to the west and the Santa Rita’s to the east. It started out as an L-shaped little place that served breakfast and housed a rowdy bar. And since Howard was a natural born cowboy and athlete in that saddle he soon built a roping arena alongside the café where bulldogging and rodeo champions came from around the U.S. & Mexico to show off their skills. Eventually the building grew to its current size with, as Petra recalled, a little help from the workers building I-19. Howard and Petra provided a great breakfast & lunch & the guys helped Howard pour the Floor in the bar. Sadly the official opening of I-19 in 1979 forced many wonderful businesses to close their doors, including Wisdom’s Café, because the loss of traffic. Fortunately in 1980, the Wisdoms’ son Herb & his wife Irene (Pesqueira), agreed to return home from Long Beach, CA, where they lived for 20 years to help Howard & Petra give new life to the café. Herb and his sisters, Jennie Belle & Linda, & his brother Jesse, helped, too. It became a family affair using generations-old mouth watering recipes. Irene’s own mom, Ana, cooked & shredded & sliced & diced for years. Ana’s sisters, Helen & Mary, came from Nogales once-a-week to have lunch with the “girls” & drink Pacificos & wine. These folks turned the café into the place you see today. As for the fruit burrito, legend has it that one afternoon, quite by accident a tortilla spread with jam fell into the some hot cooking oil & thus the now world famous fruit burrito had its start. Both the yummy fruit burro & delicious chimichanga have helped make Wisdom’s a dining tradition for locals and travelers alike. And by making the café a completely non-smoking restaurant in 1982, way ahead of any laws, Herb and Irene encouraged the residents of the growing retirement town of Green Valley to patronize their place. By word-of-mouth the Wisdoms’ reputation for the friendly service and great food began to spread. Today the café is still run by Herb & Irene. Many customers, most of whom the Wisdom’s consider family, watched Herb and Irene’s sons, Richard & Cliff,  grow up to help their folks with the place & have warmly welcomed Cliff’s wife Celeste (Martin), who was born and raised in Nogales, AZ, into the fold. Both Cliff and Celeste, fresh from university with lots of energy and new ideas have added some of their own touch to Wisdom’s. Many of you were on hand when their daughter, Sasha, was born & have since enjoyed her company at your table. She’s the fifth generation to live on this land & was joined by her baby brother Griffin, in ’04! If you have a moment tale time to wander around the café & enjoy the antiques collected by Howard, Herb, & Cliff, many given to them by customers. You’ll see paintings by Aunt JeanJennie Belle, murals by Uncle Jesse, photos of family, friend and customers, trophies & medals won by Herb and Cliff & their fast ball team, Si Señor. Or play the piano that used to belong to Celeste’s grandparents, Frank & Katherine (Farrel) Carroon. Admire Native American pottery found in the Santa Cruz River, cowboy memorabilia and countless other treasures. And, of course, don’t forget the “artwork” in the powder room, ladies! Please make yourselves at home and see why Wisdom’s has been feature in numerous magazines & newspaper articles (including the NY Times) & Guides. We hope you will enjoy your visit with us! & Aunt