All year round, the historic Fourth Avenue flourishes with local art, great food, tasty drinks, and interesting characters. But twice a year it’s flooded with even more.
The biannual Winter Street Fair is taking over Fourth Avenue with its family-friendly traditions from Friday, December 7 – Sunday, December 10.
Each year, more than 500,000 shoppers fill the avenue, and if they’re not shopping for gifts they’re shopping for something delicious to calm their appetite.
Luckily, the street fair brings several food options to keep you going as you shop around.
This year, more than 30 food vendors will set up on different corners of the avenue. Many have returned for another year, but check out some of the newcomers listed below.
AJ’s Fry Bread
Fry bread at the street fair is a crowd favorite and AJ’s Fry Bread is where you can get it. No relation to AJ’s Fine Foods.
BBQ 4 U
BBQ 4 U has been attending Tucson’s street fair since 1998. The food is a visitor favorite.
Blue Banjo BBQ
Known for barbecue, Blue Banjo prepares all dishes onsite over mesquite.
Look for tri-tip, roasted chicken, pulled pork, bratwurst, and hot wings.
Blue Ice Gelato
https://www.facebook.com/tucsonblueicegelato/photos/a.229961870809618/277404869398651/?type=3&theater
Blue Ice Gelato is the only gelato establishment in Arizona certified by the state to pasteurize its gelato and sorbetto.
Chans Concessions
Also found at the Pima County Fair, Chans Concessions offers chicken on a stick, egg rolls, and shrimp fried rice.
Corn Roasters
(flickr/visionnewmedia)
According to Yelp, The Corn Roasters sells ears of roasted corn with a selection of spices, sauces, and salts.
Hot Pops
https://www.facebook.com/216004025267473/photos/a.970696266464908/970696253131576/?type=3&theater
Kettle corn is a street fair classic. Salty and sweet, this snack will have you coming back for more.
Indonesian Satay
If you’re into Indonesian food, and more specifically satay, this is the booth for you.
Jake’s Donuts
Who says doughnuts are limited to breakfast? No one. Find them all day at this booth.
JPZ Concessions
Nothing says street fair like Giant Texas Corn Dogs. Grab one at JPZ Concessions, or try their Green Chile Cheese Fries.
JJ & Sons Piggly Wiggly
Piggly Wiggly has become a fair favorite over the years. JJ’s offers burgers, barbecue, and giant turkey legs.
Kountry Kettle Kitchen Kettle Korn
Nothing says “street fair” like the smell of kettle corn and sticky fingers.
Mutts Hot Dogs & Sausage
You wouldn’t know by their name, but Mutts also offers breakfast items, soups, and salads.
The Orange Place
Classic American food, such as burgers, fries, and hot dogs.
S&B First Cook
Another crowd favorite is making a comeback at the street fair.
S&B serves barbecued meat on a stick, along with egg rolls, chow mein, and shrimp tempura.
There are a few new additions to the Winter Street Fair this year, and you’ll definitely want to explore Fourth Avenue to check them out. The complete map of where you can find them is at fourthavenue.org.
The street fair will take over Fourth Avenue on Friday, December 7 – Sunday, December 10. For more information on the vendors, a map of the fair, and more, visit fourthavenue.org.
Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
