Jamie Donnelly
I hate to admit it, but I'm a bit of a gatekeeper.
There's nothing like being the first to discover a cool, indie band or finding the perfect shade of lip gloss everyone seems to be overlooking at Target.
Everything is sunshine and rainbows, but then a dark cloud rolls in: your secret band is blowing up on TikTok and an influencer has exposed how good your favorite lip gloss is. Now, the band has a million fake fans and the lip gloss is constantly sold out.
When you love something so much, you can't help but want to keep it to yourself. I mean, no one can appreciate it as much as you do!
But at my wise age of 25, I've come to learn that sometimes it's better to let others in on your little secret. It feels 10 times more amazing to see your favorite band sell out stadiums or see a local maker grow and thrive in their business.
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On the corner of Grant and Country Club roads sits one of my favorite underground finds. Each bite of juicy chicken sandwiched up in a toasted wrap and topped with garlic sauce makes me smile, wondering how and why this place isn't constantly packed with hungry customers.
It's about time Tucson stops sleeping on Aspasia. They deserve their flowers.
Middle Eastern spot Aspasia, located 2310 N. Country Club Road, opened in midtown last year, serving up delicious dishes like gyros, wraps and kebabs that look like works of art.
When you first step into the spacious building, you'll see cases filled with homemade baklava and other Middle Eastern treats. As you're seated and skimming through the menu, you'll soon realize how it's almost impossible to choose just one dish to enjoy.
Aspasia has classic appetizers like hummus, dolma, falafel, samosas and cheese rolls. For the main course, you have a variety of wraps and plates to choose from. Chicken kebabs, vegan platters, falafel wraps and lamb gyros are just a few of the dishes on the menu.
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The first time I stepped into Aspasia was earlier this year. As I scrolled through their Instagram and looked at pictures of giant plates featuring bite-sized wraps and kebabs sitting on fluffy rice, I pretty much ran to my car and drove straight there.
I ordered the Arabic beef shawarma wraps and instantly fell in love. Flavorful slices of beef are stuffed inside toasted wraps, topped with a creamy garlic sauce and a side of crispy, golden fries. As I devoured my meal, I knew I had just found one of my new favorite spots.
There's something about Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food that livens up a room. The flavors, spices and tanginess of the dishes come together in a way that can only be described as bright and colorful. One bite of the fresh ingredients mixed with the tender chicken or lamb feels like fireworks have gone off in your mouth.
That's the feeling I got when I came back to try their chicken shawarma. I was about to order my tried-and-true Arabic beef when the waiter recommended their chicken.
As soon as the plate was placed in front of me, I knew I found my new favorite meal. Slices of chicken are bundled inside a perfectly toasted wrap. The best part: spears of pickles are also wrapped inside. On the side came the usual garlic sauce and French fries.
The marinade used on the chicken is what elevates this dish, making it like nothing I've tasted before. The juicy chicken is mixed with different spices, so garlic, pepper, paprika and more dance around in your mouth, then you're hit with a bright citrus flavor thanks to the lemon. The wrap absorbs all the flavors of the marinade, which makes is even more irresistible.
Then you get a crunch of the dill pickle, bringing a tangy element to the wraps. Top it all off with the garlic sauce and you'll be finishing your meal in record time.
It seems like whatever Aspasia does, it always has a delicious result. When I'm craving Middle Eastern food, the first thing that comes to mind is their out-of-this-world wraps. Before you know it, I'm bracing the Grant Road construction just to get a taste of their bright flavors.
Aspasia has been one of my best-kept secrets, but it's time to stop gatekeeping and show the city what they are missing.
Jamie Donnelly is the food writer for #ThisIsTucson. Contact her via e-mail at [email protected]
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