Sonoran Restaurant Week: A Celebration of Tucson City of Gastronomy returns for its third year on September 10-19, 2021. Sponsored by Visit Tucson and produced by Storyteller PR & Events, Sonoran Restaurant Week will feature restaurants that locals and visitors alike can savor over the 10-day event. More than 45 local restaurants, 16 of which are certified by the Tucson City of Gastronomy, will be participating in this year’s event with each restaurant creating a $25 or $35 prix fixe menu for diners to enjoy. Guests can visit their favorite restaurants or discover new places — all while supporting mostly small, local businesses.
“This year is all about celebrating what’s at the core of dining out — enjoying good food with the people you love,” says Sonoran Restaurant Week co-creator, Laura Reese. “As it becomes safer to regather, we have expanded the scope of Sonoran Restaurant Week to champion not just local restaurants but products and farms as well. Southern Arizona’s 4000-year-old food history exists because communities linked arms to farm, cook, and eat together. We want to support this history by not only highlighting delicious local food but also by supporting food security and advocacy in our community.”
With Southern Arizona’s food history in mind, Sonoran Restaurant Week selected San Xavier Co-Op Farm as its non-profit partner in 2021. Run by members of the Tohono O’odham Nation, this community farm nurtures traditional desert cultivars. The San Xavier Co-Op Farm is committed to healthy farming practices, growing traditional crops that support cultural and environmental values, and supporting economic development within the community. It utilizes aspects of Tohono O’odham Himdag — or Way of Life — to ensure that the farm’s decisions are consistent with the culture, highlighting: Respect for Land, Sacredness of Water, Respect for Elders, Respect for Animals, and Respect for Plants.
“Using food to cultivate and strengthen community has always been a priority for us,” says Katie Hilbert, Marketing and Sales Coordinator for San Xavier Co-Op Farm. “With the farm recovering from the effects of COVID and unprecedented drought, we look forward to partnering with Sonoran Restaurant Week to increase awareness of indigenous crops and the appreciation of native peoples’ essential role in Southern Arizona’s culinary heritage.”
Plans for this year’s event have grown beyond just the prix fixe menus at participating restaurants and will introduce entertainment and special events such as a special pop-up bar featuring regional beverages and a VIP Launch Party catered by and supporting San Xavier Co-Op Farm. Information about other events and entertainment for Sonoran Restaurant Week will be forthcoming. The growth of this year’s event is possible because of sponsors like Visit Tucson, Desert Diamond Casinos, Arizona Lotus Corp’s suite of local radio stations, and Tucson City of Gastronomy.
“Sonoran Restaurant Week has become a keystone event in the Visit Tucson calendar and highlights some of the best food that Tucson has to offer,” says Brent DeRaad, President and CEO at Visit Tucson. “Our hope is that it will continue to help solidify Tucson’s reputation as a food destination, bringing not only locals, but also out-of-town visitors to our restaurants and city.”
Sonoran Restaurant Week Participating Restaurants
Click on any name below to be taken to the restaurant’s website.
Barrio Brewing
800 E 16th St
Barrio Charro
3699 N Campbell Ave
Bellissimo Ristorante Italiano
5655 W Valencia Rd
Blue Willow
2616 N Campbell Ave
Blanco Tacos + Tequila
2905 E Skyline Dr
BOCA Tacos Y Tequila
533 N 4th Ave
Bottega Michelangelo
420 W Magee Rd
Charro Steak & Del Rey
188 E Broadway Blvd
Charro Vida
7109 N Oracle Rd
Commoner & Co
6960 E Sunrise Dr
Culinary Dropout
2543 E Grant Rd
Cup Cafe at Hotel Congress
311 E Congress
Diamond Café at Desert Diamond
7350 S Nogales Hwy
El Charro Cafe
311 N Court Ave
El Mezquite Grill & Taqueria
280 S Church Ave
Feast
3719 E Speedway Blvd
Flora’s Market Run
2513 E 6th St
Fresco Pizzeria & Pastaria
3011 E Speedway Blvd
Ghini’s French Caffe
1803 E Prince Rd
HUB Restaurant & Creamery
266 E Congress St
La Botana Tacos
3200 N 1st Ave
Mama Louisa’s Italian Restaurant
2041 S Craycroft Rd
Maynards Market & Kitchen
400 N Toole Ave
North Italia
2995 E Skyline Dr
Penca Restaurante
50 E Broadway Blvd
Prep & Pastry
2660 N Campbell Ave
Proof Artisanal Pizza & Pasta
4340 N Campbell Ave
PY Steakhouse at Casino Del Sol
5655 W Valencia Rd
Renee’s Tucson
7065 E Tanque Verde Rd
Rollies Mexican Patio
4573 S 12th Ave
Saguaro Corners
3750 S Old Spanish Trail
Tacos Apson
3501 S 12th Ave / 6741 N Thornydale Rd #121
Taco Fish
4841 S 12th Ave
Taste of Agave at Desert Diamond
1100 W Pima Mine Rd
Ten55 Brewing Company
110 E Congress St
The Barnyard Crafthouse & Eatery
11011 E Tanque Verde Rd
The Blacktop Grill
8300 N Thornydale Rd Suite 120
The Coronet
198 W Cushing St
The Dutch Eatery & Refuge
943 E University Blvd
The Little One
151 N Stone Ave
The Red Light Lounge at The Downtown Clifton
485 S Stone Ave
Tino’s Pizza
6610 E Tanque Verde Rd
Tito & Pep
4122 E Speedway Blvd
Tucson Tamale
7159 E Tanque Verde Rd / 7286 N Oracle Rd
Wildflower
7037 N Oracle Rd
Zinburger
1865 E River Rd / 6390 E Grant Rd
Zio Peppe
6502 E Tanque Verde Rd
Learn more about Sonoran Restaurant Week at sonoranrestaurantweek.com.
This content was created in conjunction with Sonoran Restaurant Week. Learn more about Tucson Foodie promotional opportunities.
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