🌱 Vegan Night Market — this Saturday at Rillito Park, free entrySee all 67 vendors
Tucson FoodieCelebrating local food, drink, and community.

Jax Kitchen & The Abbey Host Fundraising Dinner to Help Restaurateur’s Twin Brother Recover from Paralyzing Disorder

Oct 13, 20121 min read

For more than four years, local restaurateur Brian Metzger has put smiles on the faces of Tucson’s foodies, through his award-winning eateries Jax Kitchen and The Abbey. Today, Metzger is asking for the community’s help in sharing those smiles with his twin brother, Jay, who is battling a rare and paralyzing neurological disorder.

On October 22, at 6:30 pm, Metzger will host special Jay Day Dinners at both Jax Kitchen and The Abbey to raise money for his twin, who was recently diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, leaving him unable to move, speak, and even breathe on his own. While he has begun to shows signs of recovery, the financial burden he faces is acute, as the disorder has rendered his family unable to pay medical and other bills.

The dinners, which will be hosted simultaneously at both restaurants, will include a cocktail party (featuring the special ‘Jay-bird cocktail’), a delicious 3-course dinner and special wine selections. All of the food has been donated by U.S. Foods, and each restaurant staff member, from the front of the house to the back, will be volunteering their time that evening. This way, Metzger says, 100 percent of the money raised will be donated to Jay and his family. Metzger will be traveling between each restaurant to introduce Jay via video, and to share stories about him and his beautiful wife and young daughter.

The all-inclusive dinner is $150 per person, and seating is limited. To make reservations to attend the dinner at Jax Kitchen, please call 219-1235. If guests wish to attend the dinner at The Abbey, please call 299-3132.

Article written by:

Adam Lehrman

Adam Lehrman

More about Adam
Adam Lehrman started Tucson Foodie in late 2008 as a way to track his search for the best food Tucson had to offer.

Advertisement

Weekly digest of new openings, events, and guides. No spam.

Take us with you.

Discover the best local spots, browse the dish database, build and share your to-visit lists, support local, and join the Foodie Club when you're ready.

Follow @TucsonFoodie134.9K followers
TOMORROW NIGHT at @Larosatucson!! 

SEOUL ELECTRIC💫 A K-pop + EDM dance party
featuring DJs, performances, vendors, karaoke, photo booth, and food + drink specials! Presented with
@tucsonasiannightmarket + @tucsonfoodie 

Friday, Sept 4th • La Rosa • Doors at 8 pm 

Don’t miss @Sisterstucson’s pizza special: Beef, kimchi purée, sesame oil, sesame seed, provolone, mozzarella, and ginger soy gochujang🔥 *vegan option available!

#tucsonfoodie #tucsoneventsTOMORROW NIGHT at @Larosatucson!! SEOUL ELECTRIC💫 A K-pop + EDM dance party featuring DJs, performances, vendors, karaoke, photo booth, and food + drink specials! Presented with @tucsonasiannightmarket + @tucsonfoodie Friday, Sept 4th • La Rosa • Doors at 8 pm Don’t miss @Sisterstucson’s pizza special: Beef, kimchi purée, sesame oil, sesame seed, provolone, mozzarella, and ginger soy gochujang🔥 *vegan option available! #tucsonfoodie #tucsonevents
Ten days. One hundred twenty-fivetables. 
@Sonoranrestaurantweek begins TOMORROW!🌵 

From September 4 to 13, local restaurants across Southern Arizona will come together for 10 days of incredible fixed-price menus at $15 to $55 — at least 20% off what they’re worth—giving diners the perfect excuse to explore Tucson’s amazing food scene. 

Link in bio❤️ 

#sonoranrestaurantweek #srw2026 
#tucsonfoodie #tucsonarizonaTen days. One hundred twenty-fivetables. @Sonoranrestaurantweek begins TOMORROW!🌵 From September 4 to 13, local restaurants across Southern Arizona will come together for 10 days of incredible fixed-price menus at $15 to $55 — at least 20% off what they’re worth—giving diners the perfect excuse to explore Tucson’s amazing food scene. Link in bio❤️ #sonoranrestaurantweek #srw2026 #tucsonfoodie #tucsonarizona
SPECIAL DINNERS DURING SONORAN RESTAURANT WEEK🌵

@Sonoranrestaurantweek is almost here! In addition to prix-fixe menus around Tucson, @sonoranrestaurantweek features a lineup of special dinners and one very special brunch. Here’s the schedule:

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 • 6 PM
Inca’s Peruvian Cuisine Special Dinner
📍 @incasperuviancuisine 
 
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 • 6 PM
Penca Special Dinner
📍 @pencarestaurante 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 • 11 AM–2 PM
Sonoran Restaurant Week Brunch Takeover
📍 Flying V @loewsventana 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 • 6:30 PM
Whole Hog BBQ Dinner
📍 @bashfulbanditbbq 

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 • 6 PM
Sunshine Wine Special Dinner
📍 @sunshine_wine_tucson with @queenofcupswines 

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 • 6 PM
BOCA by Chef Maria Mazon Special Dinner
📍 @bocatucson 

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 • 6 PM
Bacio Italiano Special Dinner with @vertigo.wines 
📍 @bacio.italianoaz 

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 • 6 PM
Cielos Special Dinner
📍 @cielostucson 

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 • 6 PM 
Nana’s Kitchen Special Dinner with @rombauervineyards 
📍 @nanas_kitchen_2008 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 • 6 PM
Wild Garlic Grill Special Dinner
📍 @wildgarlicgrillofficial 

Several events have limited seating and require tickets or reservations, so plan ahead!

Sonoran Restaurant Week runs September 4–13. Tap the link in our bio for menus, tickets, reservations, and more.❤️

#SRW2026 #sonoranrestaurantweek
#tucsonfoodie #tucsonfoodieeventsSPECIAL DINNERS DURING SONORAN RESTAURANT WEEK🌵 @Sonoranrestaurantweek is almost here! In addition to prix-fixe menus around Tucson, @sonoranrestaurantweek features a lineup of special dinners and one very special brunch. Here’s the schedule: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 • 6 PM Inca’s Peruvian Cuisine Special Dinner 📍 @incasperuviancuisine SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 • 6 PM Penca Special Dinner 📍 @pencarestaurante SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 • 11 AM–2 PM Sonoran Restaurant Week Brunch Takeover 📍 Flying V @loewsventana SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 • 6:30 PM Whole Hog BBQ Dinner 📍 @bashfulbanditbbq TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 • 6 PM Sunshine Wine Special Dinner 📍 @sunshine_wine_tucson with @queenofcupswines WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 • 6 PM BOCA by Chef Maria Mazon Special Dinner 📍 @bocatucson THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 • 6 PM Bacio Italiano Special Dinner with @vertigo.wines 📍 @bacio.italianoaz FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 • 6 PM Cielos Special Dinner 📍 @cielostucson SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 • 6 PM Nana’s Kitchen Special Dinner with @rombauervineyards 📍 @nanas_kitchen_2008 SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 • 6 PM Wild Garlic Grill Special Dinner 📍 @wildgarlicgrillofficial Several events have limited seating and require tickets or reservations, so plan ahead! Sonoran Restaurant Week runs September 4–13. Tap the link in our bio for menus, tickets, reservations, and more.❤️ #SRW2026 #sonoranrestaurantweek #tucsonfoodie #tucsonfoodieevents
Here’s a look back at what the Tucson Foodie team enjoyed during August!

Not only are these reminders of the dishes we ate, but they can also be a guide for your own decisions on what to eat here in Tucson.❤️ 

🍷@Addiewankenobi- Breakfast Board @sonoranhouse_samhughes, @revel_tucson, Bone Marrow @sawmillrun, Aguachile, hamachi, and tuna at Flying V @loewsventana 

🥯@Deathfreefoodie- Bagel @coffeetimestucson, Mochi @okashi_ice_cream_confections 

🥙@Shanereiser- Fries @shishkebabhouse, Elote Nachos with Birria @redbird_scratchkitchen, Hacienda Summer Salad The Grill @haciendadelsolaz

🦪@Jackie_tran_- Oysters @tortillaschiwas, Steak @sunshine_wine_tucson, Vodka pasta @noodiestucson, Lobster Roll @thekingfishertucson 

More on Tucsonfoodie.com 

#tucsonfoodie #tucsonfoodHere’s a look back at what the Tucson Foodie team enjoyed during August! Not only are these reminders of the dishes we ate, but they can also be a guide for your own decisions on what to eat here in Tucson.❤️ 🍷@Addiewankenobi- Breakfast Board @sonoranhouse_samhughes, @revel_tucson, Bone Marrow @sawmillrun, Aguachile, hamachi, and tuna at Flying V @loewsventana 🥯@Deathfreefoodie- Bagel @coffeetimestucson, Mochi @okashi_ice_cream_confections 🥙@Shanereiser- Fries @shishkebabhouse, Elote Nachos with Birria @redbird_scratchkitchen, Hacienda Summer Salad The Grill @haciendadelsolaz 🦪@Jackie_tran_- Oysters @tortillaschiwas, Steak @sunshine_wine_tucson, Vodka pasta @noodiestucson, Lobster Roll @thekingfishertucson More on Tucsonfoodie.com #tucsonfoodie #tucsonfood