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Foodie Events from September 1 – 7: HOCO Fest, Neighborhood DWTN & Mezcal

Foodie Events from September 1 – 7: HOCO Fest, Neighborhood DWTN & Mezcal

Sep 1, 20223 min read

Mercury must be in lemonade or something because we finally have a quiet week of events. Not to fret, if you’re still in town for the long Labor Day weekend there’ll still be plenty to do.

Don’t forget, you can check out our Events Directory for a full list of Foodie events happening this week and other upcoming things to do.

HOCO FEST HAPPY HOUR

Thursday, September 1 – Sunday, September 4
311 E. Congress St.

Image provided by Hotel Congress

HOCO Fest is all weekend long and so is their happy hour! From 5 – 7 p.m. each day, enjoy drink specials and complimentary samples from their sponsors. The festival itself includes musical performances, DJ sets, panels and discussions, experimental after parties, daytime pool parties, regional vendors, art installations, food and beverage tastings, and of course, Sonoran Desert culture.

STORYBOOK MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS DINNER WITH JERRY SEPS

Thursday, September 1
3719 E. Speedway Blvd.

Image provided by Feast

Feast is excited to be serving a wine dinner featuring Zinfandel, all Zinfandel, and nothing but Zinfandel with Jerry Seps, owner/winemaker of Storybook Mountain Vineyards.

The menu will include savory items such as chicory and onion rubbed confit of duck thighs, white pepper-crusted short ribs, and koji-cured pork tenderloin — all served with Storybook Mountain Vineyards zinfandels.

Cost: $100 plus tax and gratuity. There are only 40 seats available and they’re going fast. Call (520) 326-9363 to make your reservation.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD DWTN OFFICIAL GRAND OPENING

Saturday, September 3 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
61 E. Congress St.

The Neighborhood DWTN
Photo courtesy of The Neighborhood DWTN on Instagram

The Neighborhood’s newest location has taken over the former H2O Discotec spot at 61 E. Congress St., and after weeks of hosting soft openings, the crew is ready for its official Grand Opening. They’ll be celebrating their grand opening this weekend by giving away free burgers to each person that comes in from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

To learn more about their new downtown spot, check out our recent article.

APPLE ANNIE’S APPLE HARVEST CELEBRATION

Saturday – Monday, September 3 – 5 from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
2081 W. Hardy Rd.

Image provided by Apple Annie’s.

If you’re looking to get out of town, go apple picking. Apple Annie’s is continuing their Apple Harvest Celebration.

Start your day off with a visit to the Orchard Grill where you will find Apple Annie’s famous Pancake Breakfast from 8 – 10:30 a.m. Enjoy freshly made pancakes with hot apple topping or cider syrup. Enjoy a stroll to the orchards where you can take your pick of the best tree-ripened apples in Arizona. After making memories in the orchard taking pictures and picking apples, enjoy a freshly baked slice of our famous, homemade apple pie or apple crumb pie in the beautiful orchards.

MADRE MEZCAL TASTING AT WESTBOUND!

Saturday, September 3rd from 5 – 7 p.m.
267 S. Avenida del Convento

Image provided by Westbound.

Swing by Westbound this Saturday 5 – 7 p.m. for a complementary mezcal tasting with Madre Mezcal — an artisanal mezcal made by hand in Oaxaca, Mexico. Looking for a little more? Join a workshop with our neighbors at Bloom Maven that begins with a tasting of Madre Mezcal at Westbound and includes a workshop on Cactus Potting at Bloom Maven.

TUCSON KNIFE FIGHT – semi-final round

Monday, September 5 at 8 p.m.
402 E. 9th St.

Image provided by Tucson Knife Fight

The Knife Fight semi-finals are going down! Join the ruckus at The Coronet this Monday, 9/5 as the chefs and bartenders fight it out.

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Article written by:

Addie Ibarra

Addie Ibarra

More about Addie

Addie Ibarra, native Tucsonan, is a fierce lover of adventure, travels, and food. Addie has her Masters in Legal Studies and hopes to one day apply that towards helping people (and animals) around the globe, while traveling and tasting along the way. So far she’s hit 4 continents and counting!

You’ll likely find her on a patio sipping wine with her 4-legged best friend, Spaghetti.

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IT’S ITALIAN WEEK! Now through July 19, explore Tucson’s classic and modern Italian restaurants, then upload your receipt at summer.tucsonfoodie.com for a chance to win weekly prizes and the grand prize at the end of August.🍝

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#tucsonaz #tucsonfoodieIT’S ITALIAN WEEK! Now through July 19, explore Tucson’s classic and modern Italian restaurants, then upload your receipt at summer.tucsonfoodie.com for a chance to win weekly prizes and the grand prize at the end of August.🍝 THIS WEEK’S PRIZES👇❤️🏆🎉 • $50 @fentonellispizzeria gift card • (2) $100 Visa gift cards • $75 @carusositalian gift card • $20 @ghinisfrenchcaffe gift card • $50 gift card to @eatnorthitalia • $50 @miramontetucson gift card • $50 @localetucson gift card • 4-pack of passes to Cool Summer Nights at the @desertmuseum • Tickets to America’s Best Mexican Food Festival Let’s support local this summer💞 @anello_pizzeria @brooklynpizzaco @charredpie @ciaodownpizza @embersmobilewoodfiredpizza @empirepizzatucson @falorapizza @fentonellispizzeria @fiammepizza @frescotucson @tucsonjaimes @localetucson @penelope.woodfired @reillypizza @reneestucson @roccoslittlechicago @serial_grillers_az @timemarket @uglybuthonestpizzeria @veroamoretucson @wholeslvcepizza @zio_peppe_az #tucsonaz #tucsonfoodieNow open in downtown Tucson: @gibsonmarkettucson🙌

Coming soon: @pearlloungetucson 

11 S 6th Ave, Tucson, AZ

#tucsonaz #tucsonfoodie #downtowntucsonNow open in downtown Tucson: @gibsonmarkettucson🙌 Coming soon: @pearlloungetucson 11 S 6th Ave, Tucson, AZ #tucsonaz #tucsonfoodie #downtowntucsonFoodie Dinner at @Sonoranhouse_samhughes! 

Executive Chef @Culinarycowboy86d showcased delicious new dishes while guests enjoyed tastings and shared feedback. Thank you to Chef Gabby, @sonoranhouse_samhughes, and everyone who joined us!🥂

Want in on more foodie experiences? 
Here’s what Tucson Foodie Members get:

• $6,000+ in gift cards & perks
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#tucsonaz #tucsonfoodieFoodie Dinner at @Sonoranhouse_samhughes! Executive Chef @Culinarycowboy86d showcased delicious new dishes while guests enjoyed tastings and shared feedback. Thank you to Chef Gabby, @sonoranhouse_samhughes, and everyone who joined us!🥂 Want in on more foodie experiences? Here’s what Tucson Foodie Members get: • $6,000+ in gift cards & perks • Free monthly Foodie Hours • Exclusive R&D dinners • Festival discounts • Help keep Tucson Foodie free #tucsonaz #tucsonfoodieItalian Week runs now through July 19 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer!🍝🍕 

Support Tucson’s classic and modern Italian restaurants, then upload your receipt at summer.tucsonfoodie.com for a chance to win weekly prizes and the grand prize at the end of August.

🎉 Week 5 Winners
• Libby: $50 North Italia gift card
• Keely: America’s Best Mexican Food Festival tickets
• arts_primacy_2c: 4 Cool Summer Nights passes
• Donita3000: $20 Ghini’s French Caffe gift card
• Nancy & Gabriella: $100 Visa gift cards

Italian Week Deal: @reneestucson is offering buy one, get one 50% off (equal or lesser value) for dine-in or takeout. Just mention you’re a Tucson Foodie fan. Exclusions apply.

🏆 This Week’s Prizes
• $50 @fentonellispizzeria gift card
• $100 Visa gift card
• $75 @carusositalian gift card
• $20 @ghinisfrenchcaffe gift card
• $50 @miramontetucson gift card
• $50 @localetucson gift card
• @desertmuseum passes 

More details in bioItalian Week runs now through July 19 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer!🍝🍕 Support Tucson’s classic and modern Italian restaurants, then upload your receipt at summer.tucsonfoodie.com for a chance to win weekly prizes and the grand prize at the end of August. 🎉 Week 5 Winners • Libby: $50 North Italia gift card • Keely: America’s Best Mexican Food Festival tickets • arts_primacy_2c: 4 Cool Summer Nights passes • Donita3000: $20 Ghini’s French Caffe gift card • Nancy & Gabriella: $100 Visa gift cards Italian Week Deal: @reneestucson is offering buy one, get one 50% off (equal or lesser value) for dine-in or takeout. Just mention you’re a Tucson Foodie fan. Exclusions apply. 🏆 This Week’s Prizes • $50 @fentonellispizzeria gift card • $100 Visa gift card • $75 @carusositalian gift card • $20 @ghinisfrenchcaffe gift card • $50 @miramontetucson gift card • $50 @localetucson gift card • @desertmuseum passes More details in bio@Theironcheftucson returns to Desert Diamond Casino Sahuarita this Saturday, July 18!

Two-time reigning champion @chef_antbanks of @obonsushi is back to defend his title against AJ Mortazavi of @barnyard_az, winner of the 2026 Meet the Chefs competition. Once the secret ingredient is revealed, both chefs will race against the clock to create dishes judged on taste, creativity, and presentation. 

The event begins with the Culinary Experience from 1 to 4 p.m., featuring three hours of food and drink sampling, cooking demos, and classes, followed by the live Iron Chef Competition from 5 to 8 p.m. This is a 21+ event. 

More details and tickets at Tucsonfoodie.com🏆🎉@Theironcheftucson returns to Desert Diamond Casino Sahuarita this Saturday, July 18! Two-time reigning champion @chef_antbanks of @obonsushi is back to defend his title against AJ Mortazavi of @barnyard_az, winner of the 2026 Meet the Chefs competition. Once the secret ingredient is revealed, both chefs will race against the clock to create dishes judged on taste, creativity, and presentation. The event begins with the Culinary Experience from 1 to 4 p.m., featuring three hours of food and drink sampling, cooking demos, and classes, followed by the live Iron Chef Competition from 5 to 8 p.m. This is a 21+ event. More details and tickets at Tucsonfoodie.com🏆🎉José Contreras, chef and owner of @Ameliastucson, is headed to New York City to cook alongside chef Alam Méndez of Washington, D.C.‘s Apapacho Taqueria for a collaborative dinner at the James Beard Foundation’s Platform at Pier 57.

The Aug. 11 dinner will celebrate the culinary traditions of Sonora and Oaxaca through a multi course menu centered on heirloom corn, traditional masa, and coastal flavors. Guests will also enjoy a cocktail reception, Mijenta Tequila pairings, and a Q&A with both chefs. The event begins at 6:30 pm at @Pier57.nyc. Tickets are $210 for dining table seats and $250 for the chef’s counter, and are available now at Jamesbeard.org.

Congratulations to @Chefjosetucson on another incredible milestone!🎉

Read @Jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com

#tucsonaz #tucsonnewsJosé Contreras, chef and owner of @Ameliastucson, is headed to New York City to cook alongside chef Alam Méndez of Washington, D.C.‘s Apapacho Taqueria for a collaborative dinner at the James Beard Foundation’s Platform at Pier 57. The Aug. 11 dinner will celebrate the culinary traditions of Sonora and Oaxaca through a multi course menu centered on heirloom corn, traditional masa, and coastal flavors. Guests will also enjoy a cocktail reception, Mijenta Tequila pairings, and a Q&A with both chefs. The event begins at 6:30 pm at @Pier57.nyc. Tickets are $210 for dining table seats and $250 for the chef’s counter, and are available now at Jamesbeard.org. Congratulations to @Chefjosetucson on another incredible milestone!🎉 Read @Jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com #tucsonaz #tucsonnews

Tag us @TUCSONFOODIE in your food adventures!