Your neighbor’s hound dogs just barreled into your kitchen — breaking the back screen door in the process — and now they’ve eaten the cherished ham you were planning to feed your family this Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
Okay, the circumstances don’t have to be that severe, but if you’d simply rather take the family out for dinner this year or bring a new meal home, many Tucson restaurants have got you covered. Also, keep in mind, some of these dinners and deals are on Christmas Eve, rather than Christmas day.
P.S. Bring some stretchy pants because some of these meals are massive.
Blue Willow
2616 N. Campbell Ave.
Chocolate “Birthday” Cake at Blue Willow (Photo by Jackie Tran)
The restaurant is offering a Christmas dinner to-go this year. The menu features items such as Beef Bourgiugnon with Brown Rice, Spiral Cut Honey Baked Ham, Lasagna Bolognese, Spinach Lasagna, Clam Chowder in Homemade Bread Bowl, and more.
East African Lamb Tenderloin at the Coronet (Credit: Jackie Tran)
If you’re looking for an outstanding Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas day brunch, or a meal to enjoy at home, this is the place to get it. The meal to-go can feed just one person or up to 10 people.
Christmas Meal to-go
Herb and Pepita Stuffed Porchetta – roasted pee wee potatoes, turnips, heirloom carrots, red onion jam, winter spiced apple sauce
Aside from the regular menu being available all day, they’re serving a Christmas Eve meal starting at 4 p.m. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (520) 798-1618 or online.
Christmas Eve Specials
Red wine braised short rib, cheesy polenta, smoked carrots, pickled green beans ($28)
Roasted leg of lamb, sweet potato puree, turnips, mole negro, lime ($30)
Peppermint red velvet cake ($9)
On Christmas day, they want to help you out in the kitchen with a to-go meal. It’s $275 and feeds up to six people.
Christmas Day Dinner To-Go
Family platter choice of Brown sugar-cured ham or Red wine braised beef short ribs
Grilled Jalapeño Poppers at Dante’s Fire (Credit: Jackie Tran)
They’re serving up a Christmas dinner you can bring home for the whole family. If you’d like to order the feast, which features Prime Rib Roast, Sausage and Spinach Stuffed Mushrooms, and Pumpkin Bread Pudding, call (520) 382-9255.
Pre-made dishes, organic spices, jams and jellies, cookbooks, chocolates, and more. Prices start at $75 for their holiday roasts and whole duck, and then Holiday Gift Boxes are also available.
Sonoran Gift Box
Includes a signed copy of “Mesquite: An Arboreal Love Affair” by Gary Paul Nabhan, Tucson’s food historian, local beans, assorted dried chiles prickly pear cactus syrup, and more ($85)
Sweet Treats Gift Box
Includes the Square Glass Candy Vase Bag of Bittersweet Chocolate Orange-Scented Truffle, house-made crisps and biscotti, local chocolate, and more ($95)
Gift Box For Serious Chocolate Lovers Only
Includes the Square Glass Candy Vase Dried Cranberry Chocolate Biscotti Trio of Chocovivo Stone Ground Chocolate bars, house-made flourless ultra-chocolate cake, and more ($85)
Farm to Table Charcuterie Gift Box for Two
Includes sliced meats, cheese, crackers, local citrus, assorted condiments, sweets, and more ($85)
Farm To Table Large Meat Lovers Gift Box
Includes Sky Island Brand 47 Ranch: Ground Beef, Ground Lamb, Beef Sirloin Steaks, Lamb Shoulder Chops, Green Chile Cheese Beef Bratwurst, Beef Stew Meat, E&R Ranch: Ground Pork, Italian Breakfast Sausage, Pepper Bacon, Red Bird: Boneless Chicken Breasts, House-made dry rub, and assorted condiments ($165)
Facade at Govinda’s Natural Foods Buffet (Credit: Jackie Tran)
They’re celebrating with an all-vegan feast this Christmas. The holiday meal is $16.95 for adults, $9.95 for kids 5 – 12 years old, and anyone younger than that can eat for free.
Chilaquiles, Encacahuatadas, and Molletes at Penca Restaurante (Credit: Jenalyn Lazana)
The restaurant will be open for dine-in and takeout on Christmas Eve from 4 – 9 p.m. Also, since it’s the season of giving, all menu items will be available for takeout.
El Charro Cafe • Charro Vida • Charro Steak & Del Rey
Bandera Enchiladas at Charro Vida (Credit: Jackie Tran)
Holiday offerings abound at all Si Charro concepts.
El Charro Cafe
Their holiday entrees will be available until Friday, January 1.
Flores Family Plate – Fiesta Tamal with Holiday Sauce Trio Roasted Turkey Mole Enchilada, Calabacitas, and Chile con Queso Mashed Potatoes
Nana’s Holiday Tamale Plate – Two Handmade Corn Tamales with Red and Green Peppers Mixta, Queso Picante, and Finished with Avocado and the Holiday Sauce Trio. Served with Arroz Sonora and Frijoles Refritos
The 2021 Plate – Carne Seca Enchilada in Red Sauce, Carnitas Sope with Green Sauce, and Chile con Queso Mashed Potatoes with Raja Crema
Chef Carlotta’s Tamales for Tomorrow – Dozen Flavors of Delicious Handmade Tamales by the six or 12-pack
Sweet Tamale Temptation – Sweet Dessert Tamales with Sauce and Whipped Cream
Dulce de Pecan Tres Leches – Tres Leches Cake Topped with Caramelized Arizona Pecans and Dulce de Leche Syrup
Raspberry Fried Ice Cream – Vanilla Bean Ice Fried Ice Cream with Raspberries, Whipped Cream, and Fresh Mint
Charro Steak & Del Rey
The downtown spot is offering a Prime Rib and Tamale Dinner available now until Friday, January 1. It’s $49.95 per person and features a Grass-Fed 22-day aged Charra Cut. If you’d rather eat at home in front of the fireplace or electric heater, they’re offering a to-go meal for $249.95, too.
Take-Home Holiday Dinner
Half-sized Prime Rib Roasts
Del Rey Caesar Salad
Slow Roasted Prime Rib
Chef Carlotta’s Holiday Tamales
Skin On Mashed Potatoes and Chef Gary’s Ancho Chile Gravy
Charro’s Holiday Brussels with Queso Cotija, Dried Cranberry, and Roasted Corn
Barrio Charro Pan De Casa
Charro Vida
The restaurant that’s killing it in the plant-based game will be open on Christmas Eve and not Christmas day.
Holiday Entree Menu
Flores Family Plate – Fiesta Tamal with Holiday Sauce Trio, Roasted Turkey Mole Enchilada, Calabacitas, and Chile con Queso Mashed Potatoes
Nana’s Holiday Tamale Plate – Two Handmade Corn Tamales with Red and Green Peppers Mixta, Queso Picante, and Finished with Avocado and Holiday Sauce Trio. Served with Arroz Sonora and Frijoles Refritos
The 2021 Plate – Carne Seca Enchilada in Red Sauce, Carnitas Sope with Green Sauce, and Chile con Queso Mashed Potatoes with Raja Crema
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