Stop getting cold cuts from the grocery store around the corner.
Tucson has a diverse cultural selection of Italian, kosher, Greek, and modern American delis. Each brings unique style and offerings to the table.
Make them the go-to for cured meats, sausages, pickled vegetables, dips, bread, and more.
So whether you find yourself craving charcuterie, or a meaty sandwich, here are Tucson delis that will satisfy your appetite.
The family-owned shop is an incredible find for stocking your fridge with hand-butchered meats.
The all-natural deli offers smoked, cured, and grilled meat, including a unique chipotle-bourbon salami that owner Kent Koecheler makes by soaking peppers in bourbon before adding them to the meat.
The delectable sandwiches, several named after regular customers, are also worth trying. One is The Coach with grilled brisket, bacon, BBQ beef, pepper jack cheese, and spicy bourbon-barbecue sauce.
Keep up with Sausage Shop on Facebook.
Customers love this old-fashioned butcher shop because it’s honest and reliable. You’ll find plenty of difficult-to-find meats like the Ugly Steak, a type of lower sirloin that’s tender and great for grilling and frying.
Choose from the rib roasts, breakfast sausage, and pork chops, or for more exotic tastes, pick up some duck breast or camel. The butchers will even cut the meat how you like.
Keep up with Dickman’s Meat & Deli on Facebook.
Hot dogs… Get your hot dogs!
4th Avenue Deli offers a dozen hot dogs, including the popular Dirty White Boy with hot dog chili, bacon, shredded cheddar, onion, and mayo. Or try the Chicago Dog with tomato, pickle spear, relish, onion, sport peppers, yellow mustard, and celery salt.
The deli is also known for its wide selection of Boar’s Head deli meat and cheeses, used in sandwiches with baked bread from local Viro’s Bakery.
Keep up with 4th Avenue Delicatessen on Facebook.
Owners Olga and Alex opened European Market & Deli after moving to Tucson from Ukraine in 1989. And their Ukrainian heritage shows in their shop’s decoration of imported gifts and folk art.
But most impressive is their delicatessen selection including cabbage rolls, Russian borsch, and Greek gyros. Stock up on imported frozen offerings such as a potato and dill dumplings, or pork and beef dumplings.
They also sell a variety of global cheeses from Greece, Russia, and Poland.
For more information, visit europeanmarketandeli.com.
Discover Italian foods you didn’t even know existed (like fennel seed taralli) at Roma Imports. Or keep tabs on the ones you love, like chicken cacciatore. The roasted garlic, which is sweet and chewy and perfect on bread, is worth a trip alone.
Tables feature red and white checkered tablecloths, Italian artwork covers the walls, and a “Roma Taverna” street sign hangs in the back of the dining area—all details that will transport you to Italy.
For more information, visit romaimports.com.
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Walking in, the aroma of marinara will greet you; it has a way of preparing your taste buds for their juicy Spaghetti with meatballs.
This New York-style deli offers house-made salads, imported pasta, and an assortment of house-made baked goods. They have affordable dinners such as Eggplant Parmigiana served with tossed salad, bread, and butter.
For more information, visit fortunatosdeli.com.
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Tony’s Italian Deli is the place to go if you’re looking for enormous sandwiches. Try out the hot chicken parmesan sandwich or cold Italian special sandwich.
The menu also features colorful salads, spaghetti, pizza, and cannolis. They’ve been serving Italian dishes for more than 40 years and continue to bring the heat with their made-from-scratch homestyle recipes.
For more information, visit tonysitaliandelitucson.com.
The beloved Time Market, nestled between University Boulevard and Fourth Avenue, serves freshly baked bread daily, wood-fired pizza, fresh salads and more.
Regulars appreciate the quality coffee and chocolate options from different parts of the world. Stay tuned for its exciting pastry program that launches this season.
For more information, visit timemarket.xyz.
Since changing ownership, Rincon Market has expanded its grocery and welcomed a new chef who makes a selection of delicious sides like couscous salad and tortellini salad.
Not only are they a grocery and restaurant, but there’s a butcher, cheese man, and bakery on-site.
Sandwich favorites from the restaurant include the Lox & Beets with a jalapeno smear, cucumber, dill, capers, and onion on an everything bagel.
Check out the market’s selection of scratch-made baked goods like the chocolate orange ricotta tartlet or the sweet potato tea cake.
With the addition of cheese man Duffy Calhoun, their cheese program has expanded to include a range of must-try local and domestic products.
For more information, visit rinconmarket.com.
Johnny Gibson’s full-service market has been a downtown staple since opening its doors in 2015.
Along with the fresh produce, meats, and seafood, you can order house favorites like the Cubano sandwich from their kitchen. The Johnny Cubano combines ham and shredded pork shoulder with pickles, roasted jalapeños, spicy dijonnaise, and Swiss cheese for a slightly spicy sandwich that’s melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
For more information, visit gibsonsmarket.com.
[This article was originally written on August 18, 2018, and most recently updated on May 6, 2019]
