At
Amelia’s Mexican Kitchen
, owner and chef Jose Contreras is dedicated to preserving his grandmother's culinary legacy by sharing cherished family recipes with the Tucson community.
Contreras, who established the restaurant two years ago, pays homage to his late grandmother, who passed away in 2005. Having grown up observing her in the kitchen, he aims to recreate the authentic taste she imparted to him through her homemade dishes.
Blending traditional recipes with modern culinary techniques, Contreras introduces a unique culinary experience that sets apart from the more traditional Sonoran flavors commonly found in Tucson.
Expressing his deep connection to his grandmother's cooking, Contreras mentioned, "I lived with her all my life, and I just always watched her cook. She was like my mom, so it’s been important for me to bring Tucson something different, like plates from scratch, and to feel the taste of grandma’s house." Despite the challenges of utilizing contemporary kitchen tools rather than the mesquite wood favored by his grandmother, Contreras remains committed to maintaining authenticity. He explained, "Honestly, I just want to apply everything, but it’s hard. Like, she cooked with mesquite wood outside the house, and I want to be as close to her flavor as possible. It’s hard because it’s not the same thing in Mexico. They have a lot of tools, but what I do is try to cook everything from scratch." Confident that his grandmother would approve of his dedication to preserving and sharing her recipes, Contreras plans to feature specials on his menu in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrating both her and his cultural heritage.