Aracely Gonzalez knows what authentic Mexican food means. Born in Caborca, Sonora, Mexico, she learned cooking from her mother and grandmother at an early age.
While living in Canada, she met her husband, Roberto, whose family owns Crossroads Restaurant, 2602 S. 4th Ave. She took over in the kitchen and now she, Roberto and their son, Roberto II, are the second generation to own and operate the family business.
What are some of the challenges you find in running your kitchen?
One of the challenges to running a business is the human factor. Different people have different ideas. You have to find a good team to work as one.
Do you have favorite dishes on the menu?
Some of my favorite plates are Chiles Crossroads, Chicken Fajitas, our Ceviche de Camaron and the Carne Asada Enchiladas.
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What is “authentic” Mexican food?
For me authentic means making your recipe from scratch. No can or jars and no powders. For example, our red chile sauce. We get the chili pods and clean, boil, blend and boil again before adding the spices. It is a lot of work, but in the end is worth it. I think everyone has his or her own special and authentic recipe from the states of Mexico where we came from. Our cuisine is 100 percent Sonoran style. Many of our ingredients are from local businesses, and we import some items from Mexico, including our tortillas.
What is the key to enjoying a good Mexican meal?
The tortillas and salsa. And don’t forget refried beans. We’ve been a three-time winner of the Best Salsa contest in Tucson.
What do you enjoy about the culinary life ?
One of the things I enjoy more are our customers. We have become part of their lives through our service. They share birthdays, weddings, quinceañeras … every important moment in their lives. I love it. They often tell us how they remember being in our restaurant as little kids, and now they bring their grandkids.
One of my favorite comments is when they compare our dishes with their grandma’s. For me, that’s the best compliment I can receive.
When you’re not cooking in the restaurant, what is your comfort food?
Besides my Mexican food, I love Italian food. I lived with an Italian family in Canada and I fell in love with their food.
