On day in late summer 2019, Neighbor Roy and I went to Inca Peruvian Cuisine on the East side of Tucson. We were looking forward to experiencing exotic spices from South America. Now, mind you, we knew nothing about Peruvian Food, but I had a discount coupon from the Arizona Daily Star’s Dining Club for a 2 for 1 entree, as long as we did not order seafood. So we went.
Inca is in a shopping center at Sunrise and Kolb. The interior is small, but attractive with carved wooden tables and chairs. Our server greeted us and served us Peruvian corn nuts in a small wooden bowl. They were crunchy and salty and stimulated our appetite as intended. Roy ordered hot tea and I a sauvignon blanc wine, as usual. it happened to be from Chile.
For lunch, Roy ordered Tallarín saltado Linguine pasta with tender slices of beef, chicken or shrimp seasoned with assorted Peruvian spices. Roy ordered the beef. ($15.99)
I ordered Lomo Saltado, Tender strips of beef marinated in Peruvian spices sautéed with onions, tomatoes and parsley over a bed of potatoes. Served with jasmine rice. (16.99).
Roy commented that his noodles were cooked to perfection, but agreed with me that the “tender slices of beef” were a bit chewy. As for the “Peruvian spices” they were nothing special, and were in fact disappointing. My “jasmine rice” it was just white rice, nothing unusual. My sauvignon blanc wine was just okay.
Ms. Karen’s Addendum: Upon reflection on this lunch, the boys missed what may have been the best of Inca’s dining experience. It was, unfortunately, not on the Dining Card package of allowed dishes.
I hear the Ceviche is very good. And from the sign above the front door, it touts Cuisine, Seafood and Pisco. What is Pisco you ask? Pisco is a high alcohol content brandy, made from fermented grapes. Typical Pisco drinks are the Pisco Sour; Pisco and Passion Fruit and Chilcano de Pisco; ginger ale, and sweet syrup.
It seems counterintuitive to participate in a Dining Card Program, and not show off all that you have to offer, especially your signature dishes. I suppose we will have to go back and pay full price for those.
Currently, we give Inca a 3.5-Saguaro rating.
We welcome your thoughts on this restaurant. Contact us here.
Inca Peruvian Cuisine
6878 E. Sunrise Dr. Tucson, AZ 85750 #130
520-299-1405
