Sonoran Restaurant Week returns September 10-19

August 10, 2021

The Visit Tucson sponsored event returns for a third year with an added entertainment component and new non-profit partner.

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.”

Churro Dreams at Charro Vida (Credit: Jackie Tran)

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.”