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Tucson is named one of Food & Wine magazine’s ‘Next Great Food Cities’

Anita Street Market Sonoran dog, red chile burro, and pan dulce (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Tucson is named one of Food & Wine magazine’s ‘Next Great Food Cities’

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We know what you’re thinking. Tucson is already a great food city, but it’s still wonderful to see the Old Pueblo get the recognition it deserves from national publications.

Food & Wine’s special May travel issue, which is hitting newsstands in physical form on Friday, April 22, will feature why the group feels Tucson’s culinary scene is a tough act to follow, so to speak.

Sonoran hot dog, red chile burro, and pan dulce from Anita Street Market in front of the Greetings from Tucson Mural (Credit: Jackie Tran)
Sonoran hot dog, red chile burro, and pan dulce from Anita Street Market in front of the Greetings from Tucson Mural (Credit: Jackie Tran)

In total, the latest edition showcases 11 “standout under-the-radar culinary destinations worth visiting.” Food & Wine’s Editor in Chief, Hunter Lewis, chimed in, expressing that they’re eager to share the selected cities with fellow food lovers and travelers.

“Each met the criteria with their creativity, innovation, diversity, and deliciousness,” said Lewis. “It’s an exciting time for food in our country, with places like Cincinnati, where a constellation of food entrepreneurs is spurring a renaissance (who knew you could get both Lebanese-inspired chocolate-and-tahini cookies and Japanese-style coconut mochi doughnuts there).”

Cake at 5 Points Market & Restaurant
Cake at 5 Points Market & Restaurant (Credit: Jackie Tran)

From the noodles at Noodleholics to the baked goods at 5 Points Market & Restaurant, there’s a nice chunk of the city’s food culture admired in the magazine. Of course, Sonoran Hot Dogs were mentioned in the article, too (El Güero Canelo, BK Tacos, and Ruiz Hot Dogs Los Chipilones), stating that they make Chicago dogs look extremely boring.

“And Tucson, where I recently ate my weight in tacos and filled a carry-on bag with Monsoon Chocolate bars, pizza flour from Barrio Bread, and flour tortillas from Anita’s Street Market to take home,” said Lewis.

Sonoran Dogs at Ruiz Hot Dogs (Credit: Melissa Stihl)
Sonoran Dogs at Ruiz Hot Dogs (Credit: Melissa Stihl)

FOOD & WINE’s Next Great Food Cities 2022 include:

  • Boise, Idaho
  • Charlotte, North Carolina
  • Cincinnati, Ohio
  • Indianapolis, Indiana
  • Jersey City, New Jersey
  • Omaha, Nebraska
  • Tucson, Arizona

Small Cities with Impressive Food Scenes Worth Checking Out

  • Biddeford, Maine
  • Bozeman, Montana
  • Charlottesville, Virginia
  • Greenville, South Carolina

To read the full article, visit foodandwine.com.

Article written by:

Matt Sterner

Matt Sterner

More about Matt

At a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.

He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.

If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.

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Experience the warmth and hospitality of Greece right here in Tucson! Head downtown to Jácome Plaza for delicious Greek food, lively music, folk dancing, shopping, and plenty of cultural celebrations. 

Take the “How Greek are you?” quiz: tucsonfoodie.com/opa 

Gyros, baklava, saganaki, and so much more. 

@Tucsongreekfestival🎉

Jácome Plaza | 101 N. Stone Ave. 
Final day: Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026Experience the warmth and hospitality of Greece right here in Tucson! Head downtown to Jácome Plaza for delicious Greek food, lively music, folk dancing, shopping, and plenty of cultural celebrations. Take the “How Greek are you?” quiz: tucsonfoodie.com/opa Gyros, baklava, saganaki, and so much more. @Tucsongreekfestival🎉 Jácome Plaza | 101 N. Stone Ave. Final day: Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026
@Proofbread is staying in Tucson!

After an October pop-up, the Phoenix-based sourdough bakery and stone flour mill has decided to keep both former @Cafefrancaistucson locations open.

The decision follows a warm response from the Tucson community, with new customers discovering the bakery and returning week after week.

Both locations are open Wednesday through Sunday, 7 am to 2 pm. 

📍 7831 E. Wrightstown Road, Suite 113
📍 3855 E. Broadway Blvd.

More details on Tucsonfoodie.com@Proofbread is staying in Tucson! After an October pop-up, the Phoenix-based sourdough bakery and stone flour mill has decided to keep both former @Cafefrancaistucson locations open. The decision follows a warm response from the Tucson community, with new customers discovering the bakery and returning week after week. Both locations are open Wednesday through Sunday, 7 am to 2 pm. 📍 7831 E. Wrightstown Road, Suite 113 📍 3855 E. Broadway Blvd. More details on Tucsonfoodie.com
Stephen and Toby are BACK

Both former @penelope.woodfired bartenders are making their return for a special tiki pop-up next Tuesday from 7–10 pm. 

Here’s what’s on the menu:

DRINKS
- Longboi Island
- Tai’d Up
- Sfumungle Bird
- Mammoth Tusk
- Banana Bastard
- The Witch of November
- Miami Vice Jello Shots
- Rusted Root Bombs

FOOD
- Seared mortadella and pineapple skewers brushed with Japanese BBQ sauce
- Hawaiian mac salad with house-made pasta and charred scallion cream sauce

Penelope is typically closed on Tuesdays, so come out for this special one-night pop-up🏖️

Photo by @addiewankenobiStephen and Toby are BACK Both former @penelope.woodfired bartenders are making their return for a special tiki pop-up next Tuesday from 7–10 pm. Here’s what’s on the menu: DRINKS - Longboi Island - Tai’d Up - Sfumungle Bird - Mammoth Tusk - Banana Bastard - The Witch of November - Miami Vice Jello Shots - Rusted Root Bombs FOOD - Seared mortadella and pineapple skewers brushed with Japanese BBQ sauce - Hawaiian mac salad with house-made pasta and charred scallion cream sauce Penelope is typically closed on Tuesdays, so come out for this special one-night pop-up🏖️ Photo by @addiewankenobi
Tucson’s Greek dining scene offers spanakopita, slow-roasted lamb, and fresh-baked baklava across the city. This guide focuses on kitchens that cook Greek food as their core identity rather than Mediterranean restaurants with Greek dishes.

Whether you want a quick lunch near campus or a long dinner with friends, this guide points you to Greek cooking. 

Make sure to stop by the @Tucsongreekfestival at Jácome Plaza this Friday, Nov. 6 – Saturday, Nov. 7! 

More details on Tucsonfoodie.comTucson’s Greek dining scene offers spanakopita, slow-roasted lamb, and fresh-baked baklava across the city. This guide focuses on kitchens that cook Greek food as their core identity rather than Mediterranean restaurants with Greek dishes. Whether you want a quick lunch near campus or a long dinner with friends, this guide points you to Greek cooking. Make sure to stop by the @Tucsongreekfestival at Jácome Plaza this Friday, Nov. 6 – Saturday, Nov. 7! More details on Tucsonfoodie.com