My true love gave to me, 12 Tucson Christmas foods!

Eaten on the enclosed patio at Birrieria Guadalajara with a paper boat of salty corn chips. The rich stew clings to the side of the bowl, leaving red stains of gleaming oil. ($5.95) 304 E. 22nd St. 624-8020.

Or head over to Michoacán Taqueria Raspados, for a bowl of heaven ($6.99) with a rich red broth, big chunks of tender pork and fat hominy. 3235 N. Flowing Wells Road, 888-0421, on Facebook. 

One dozen from St. Mary’s Mexican Food, 1030 W. St. Mary’s Road, 884-1629 ($3.75 for large), the other from Anita Street Market, ($3.89 large), 849 N. Anita Ave., 882-5280. Each makes the flour tortillas paper thin, fresh daily and sublime. They keep us coming back for more and more.

Tucked into a fluffy white bun slathered with mustard and mayo, the hot dogs are wrapped in bacon and topped with sweet tomatoes, grilled onions, and spicy jalapeño. El Güero Canelo does no wrong in this ($2.78). 5201 S. 12th Ave., 295-9005; 2480 N. Oracle Road, 882-8977; and 5802 E. 22nd Street, 790-6000. elguerocanelo.com

Cooler weather means warming up with this hearty chile relleno at El Saguarito, only $6.95 during lunch with a side of silken refried beans. 1763 E. Prince Road, 520-297-1264, elsaguarito.com

Or you can head down to Little Café Poca Cosa, where the crispy coating protects lots of melted cheese and a not-too-spicy Anaheim chile. Cloud light and just plain divine. 151 N. Stone Ave. No phone or website, and you’ve got to catch it before 2:30 p.m. weekdays.

Okay this one is more Hanukkah than Christmas, but who's counting? Give your potato pancakes some Southwestern kitsch by shaping them with cookie cutters right before they hit the fryer. Get the recipe here: s.tucson.com/1oh

Cheesy, creamy, corn flecked, and with a hint of heat, the tamale pie at Cafe Poca Cosa is one of those things you wake up in the middle of the night longing ($20). 110 E Pennington St., 622-6400, cafepocacosatucson.com

Guadalajara Original Grill makes it tableside to your specifications. Watch the staff crush the garlic, throw in the roasted tomatoes, sprinkle in the cilantro, spoon in the smoked chile. That salsa comes shortly after you sit down and is included in the cost of the meal. It’s good enough to fight the long lines waiting to get into the restaurant. 1220 E. Prince Road, 323-1022, guadalajaraoriginalgrill.com

This is from one of those food stands outside Mission San Xavier del Bac, 1950 W. San Xavier Road. You watch it turn golden brown in the boiling oil, and the cinnamon and powdered sugar sprinkled on top melts right into the big round disc of deliciousness.

This creamy heat buster, a liquid blend of rice, almonds and sesame seeds, smacks of goodness. Especially as it is made at Taqueria Pico de Gallo — and it is homemade there ($2.50 for a large). That’s not as common as it used to be. 2618 S. Sixth Ave., 520-623-8775.

You can also pick some up while you're shopping for your Christmas tamales at Food City, 2950 S. 6th Ave., 520-879-7760, myfoodcity.com

The crispy pastry is savory or sweet and each bite offers a surge of textures and flavors. Especially the cream-filled ones from La Estrella Bakery (60 cents each). 5266 S. 12th Ave., 741-0656, and 100 S. Avenida Del Convento, 393-3320, laestrellabakeryincaz.com

Tucson Tamale is popular and tasty with unique combinations, but we admit to a weakness for the green corn tamales from Lerua’s ($3.25). Not-too-sweet masa protecting melted cheese and a long, sometimes spicy, strip of roasted chile as its been enjoyed for generations. 2005 E. Broadway, 624-0322, leruasfinemexicanfoods.com

Rid this fabulous brew of its bad name by trying the real deal at Obon Sushi + Bar + Ramen. Bartenders make it all from scratch by beating fresh cream with eggs, aged rum and Amontillado sherry. On the new winter menu ...