It wouldn't be the holidays in the Old Pueblo without a proper Posada (a Mexican holiday tradition)! And there is no better place to celebrate than at the cities oldest and longest family run establishment– El Charro. Add the Flores clan to the mix and our last elite event of the year was nothing short of a fabulous fiesta!
The unusually cold temps didn't keep Elites and their guests from celebrating in true Yelp style. The colorful patio and bar was exclusively ours for the evening. Luckily we were surrounded by heaters and a fireplace to keep us warm. But let's be real, you know it's going to be a good party when you're greeted at the door with a margarita! The constant flow of sangria, margaritas and Dragoon IPA kept us warm and fuzzy all night long.
El Charro pulled out all the stops for our last Elite event of 2013. Yelpers were treated to an endless parade of traditional treats. Trays of quesadillas and mini-chimis circulated in abundance while yelpers treated themselves to the chips and salsa bar. But that was just the beginning! Yelpers were also treated to a colorful Christmas buffet of red and green tamales, chilaquiles and Posole (a traditional pork and red chile stew).
Mark S sums it up just right:
"Red beef and green corn tamales– muy sabroso.
Chilaquiles– what's better than fried corn tortillas covered with enchilada sauce and cheese and laced with olives? I'll tell you what. Almost nothing except…
Posole–fall-apart-tender chunks of pork with hominy and beans in a spicy broth. Tasty, tasty, tasty.. and PERFECT for a cold winter night."
A churro station with chocolate and carmel dipping sauces was the perfect way to top things off.
And what would an Elite event be without making new friends? Elites and their guests bonded over cookie decorating and a friendly game of "Don't say: Christmas Tree, Santa, Gifts." Yelpers kept their eye on the $50 GC prize, but Nali M stole the show and took home the goods. But most importantly, 2013 was a year for new friendships in our blossoming Yelp community!
"This being my first year as a Yelp Elite, I couldn't help but be thankful for the new friends that I have made and the great events that I was able to attend. This is truly a special community and I can't believe it took me so long to make this part of my life," Trevor C.
"I could not be more thankful and happy to bring my year to an end meeting such great and amazing people," Roger T.
Each guest went home with their very own jar of house made El Charro salsa and a 2014 calendar. And Elites were treated to a special holiday gift– Yelp Elite socks!
A special thanks to El Charro and the Flores Family for such a generous feast, the phenomenal staff that went above and beyond all evening, and to the gracious Pat of Dragoon Brewing for pouring your flagship IPA and schooling yelpers on everything Craft Beer! We felt right at home! We'd also like to congratulate the Flores Family on their newest venture: Hecho En Vegas! Read more about the story here.
Another huge and heartfelt thank you to all the Yelpers who came with donations for our holiday toy drive benefiting the Ronald McDonald House of Southern Arizona.
Peep the rest of the Posada pics on Flickr, courtesy of Pedro Romano. Read the Reviews and if you were there share 'em here.
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- And if you're interested in joining the 2014 Tucson Yelp Elite Squad, you'll find the info here.
Happy Holidays and Feliz Navidad!
Bella J
Yelp Tucson Community Manager
