Back in November 2022, Playground reopened its doors to downtown visitors with a new executive chef, new menu items, and revamped indoor and outdoor seating. Now, they’re diving back into the Brunch department on Sundays from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
One of the notable changes for Playground’s crew is that the kitchen doubled in size since it’s been open again. The new space has really opened up opportunities for new cocktails, dishes, and now Brunch.
Speaking of which, the Brunch menu is something many can enjoy, whether it be the early risers or those waking up from partying at Playground the evening before. They’ll have bottomless mimosas, drink specials, music from a live DJ, and the rooftop will be open.
Some of the standout dishes include Chicken and Waffle Cone (fried chicken strips, Sriracha honey, and a bacon-rimmed waffle cone) and the Sonoran AM Corndog, which comes with scrambled eggs, a bacon-wrapped beef hot dog in green chili batter, avocado cream, and chipotle cream.
Then there’s the Unicorn Pancake Skewer. This meal is for anyone but especially intriguing to those who may have spent hours playing Dungeons & Dragons the night before. This petite pancake stack is loaded with maple whipped cream and Fruity Pebbles — consider your sweet tooth satisfied.
Playground’s Brunch Menu
Food
Chicken and Waffle Cone – fried chicken strips, Sriracha honey, and bacon-rimmed waffle cone ($12)
Sonoran AM Corndog – with scrambled eggs, a bacon-wrapped beef hot dog in green chili batter, avocado cream, and chipotle cream ($11)
Cinnamon Toast Crunch French Toast Sticks – Cinnamon Toast Crunch crusted Texas Toast, local honey, maple whipped cream, and blueberry sauce ($11)
Unicorn Pancake Skewer – petite pancake stacks, maple whipped cream, and Fruity Pebbles ($10)
Hangover Sandwich – two eggs any style, sharp cheddar, charred onions, crispy potatoes, brown sugar peppered bacon, and onion Kaiser ($12)
Pan-Dog – pancake battered jumbo sausage and maple syrup ($9)
Breakfast Burrito – roasted peppers and onions, eggs, sharp cheddar, poblano cheese sauce, chorizo or soyrizo, and crispy hashbrowns ($12)
Peanut Butter and Jelly Parfait – peanut butter granola, fresh berries, maple whipped cream, and blackberry marmalade in a waffle cone ($11)
Basic Batches
Bottomless Mimosas – with rotating fresh juice and fruit bar ($45)
Tableside Mimosa Bottles – house sparkling wine ($30) or Chandon, Veuve, and Moet ($50)
Old School Bloody Mary – vodka and house bloody mary mix ($9)
Get Loaded Bloody Mary – bacon, pickled veggie skewer, Tajin chamoy rim ($15). Add a shrimp skewer ($21)
Gimme Michi – Clamato with a Tajin chamoy rim. Choice of Corona, XX Lager, or Modelo Especial ($9)
Aguacaliente – Bacanora, Ancho Reyes Verde, house bloody mary mix, chamoy, and aquachile ($14)
Boozy Batches
Rose Bomb – rose sparkling wine, gin, passion fruit, and a scoop of sorbet ($14)
Sunday Morning Samba – cachaca and a berry limeade blend ($13)
Derby Track Shoes – bourbon whiskey, mint, berries, and lemon soda ($14)
And again, the Brunch menu will only be available on Sundays from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The weekly hours of operation are 4 – 10 p.m. on Wednesday, 4 p.m. – 2 a.m. on Thursday – Saturday, brunch from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. and dinner from 4 – 10 p.m. on Sunday, and closed Monday and Tuesday.
Playground is located at 278 E. Congress St. For more information, call (520) 396-3691 or visit playgroundtucson.com. Playground is a part of the Tucson-based Loveblock Partners. Other Loveblock businesses include AC Hotel by Marriott Tucson Downtown, Good Oak Bar, HUB Ice Cream, HUB Restaurant & Ice Creamery, Little Love Burger, and more.
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.