Looking for Southwest Tucson restaurants, bars, and cafes?
Here’s our map with Star Pass Boulevard as the northern border and the I-19 as the eastern border.
If you are experiencing issues with the map above, click here to visit the map directly.
We’re not featuring every restaurant from the map above (…yet), but here are some of the notable Southwest Tucson restaurants that we’ve already featured in the past.
Tohono O’odham Swap Meet
521 S. Westover Ave.
Without a doubt, the Tohono O’odham Swap Meet is one of the best food destinations in Tucson with its variety of vendors. The catch is, it’s only open Saturday and Sunday mornings, plus most places only accept cash. However, it’s worth it for some of the most unique, tasty, and affordable tacos (among other things). Al pastor on a vertical spit, roasted lamb soup, whole grilled chicken, smoked beef ribs, crunchy pork belly, ceviche tepache, champurrado, churros… the list goes on.
Read our September 2019 article The Tohono O’odham Swap Meet is Tucson’s secret taco heaven.
Casino Del Sol
655 W. Valencia Rd.
While Tucson’s isn’t Vegas when it comes to casinos, we’re lucky to have Casino Del Sol—mostly because of the food. Its flagship restaurant PY Steakhouse is a foodie’s delight. With exceptional local ingredients and immensely talented chefs, every dinner there is a special treat.
Additionally, Casino Del Sol features a variety of other restaurants ranging from the Festa International Buffet to doughnut and gelato shop SweetScape Desserts.
Read our April 2019 article Truffled, Salt Crusted & Baked: We tried all $50 worth of PY’s potato sides.
For more information, visit casinodelsol.com.
Karichimaka
5252 S. Mission Rd.
Even though Karichimaka is over 70 years old and serves stellar Mexican food, it has somehow avoided mainstream popularity.
The restaurant focuses on the classics and does them well. Traditionally heavy foods won’t bog you down here; they use a propriety oil blend that somehow doesn’t feel heavy in your stomach. (I ate this whole plate pictured above and was amazed at how good I still felt afterwards; I only learned about the oil after the fact.)
Read our August 2019 article Karichimaka, iconic southwest Tucson restaurant still wows after 70 years.
For more information, visit karichimaka.com.
Tiny’s Saloon & Steakhouse
4900 W. Ajo Hwy
Tiny’s looks like exactly like a bar you’d expect to be surrounded by dirt and mountains in the Southwest. Those types of places are usually a gem or a bust; thankfully, Tiny’s is a gem with its beloved burgers and fat, crispy wings.
Read our August 2019 article Tiny’s Saloon & Steakhouse: Big burgers, bottomless fries & cold beer.
Keep up with Tiny’s Saloon & Steakhouse on Facebook.
Hotel McCoy
720 W. Silverlake Rd.
You don’t need a room to enjoy yourself at the mid-century modern art-heavy Hotel McCoy. Sit at their bar, enjoy local beer and wine, and soak in all the good vibes.
Read our October 2018 article 7 Foodie Reasons to Stay at the New Hotel McCoy.
For more information, visit hotelmccoy.com.
El Perro Loco
Multiple locations
In America’s capital of Sonoran hot dogs, El Perro Loco shines as one of the kings. They toast their buns with a little garlic powder and it makes all the difference.
One southwestern location is at 1285 W. Ajo Way, while the other is near the intersection of Valencia and Cardinal.
Read our December 2018 article Guide to 8 Outstanding Sonoran Hot Dogs In Tucson.
Keep up with El Perro Loco Hot Dogs on Facebook.
View the map for our extensive Southwest Tucson restaurants list! Did we miss one of your favorites? Let us know in the comments.
If you’re into area-specific guides for restaurants, bars, and cafes, you might want to check these out (more maps are in the works):
Article written by:
Jackie Tran
More about JackieJackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the now-closed food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.
An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to sloppily devouring green chili patty melts in his car afterhours. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.
Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.
If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.
