Here’s a look back at what the Tucson Foodie team enjoyed the most in July. Also, not only are these reminders of the dishes we ate, but they can also be a guide for your own decisions on what to eat here in Tucson.
Ahí Wonton Nachos at Hacienda del Sol’s Tiki Tuesday. I’ve had the Sunday brunch here, too, and it’s a can’t-miss. It’s all good, plus the views are solid.
Everything is good at Zio Peppe. We got the Figgy Stardust — incredible. But you know what really impressed me? That even the Pasta Alfredo, which in my opinion, always gets the least amount of love, made me want to lick the plate clean. We finished strong with the Chocoflan — it tasted incredibly authentic.
These cocktails at Dandelion Lounge were easily some of the best cocktails I had in the entire month of July.
The Chai Latte with oat milk at Hillhouse has become my new favorite way to treat myself, and, boy, do I like treating myself.
First time visit to the Vietnamese Phở Ngân in the Crossroads complex — definitely not the last. First time taste of bánh xèo — definitely not the last. Listed on the menu as a Vietnamese rice crepe, it’s more akin to a taco, with the outer shell folded over and crispy. Inside are bean sprouts, shrimp, and slices of beef — insertion of basil leaves is optional. Portions are huge; my friend and I split an order, and, along with the delicate spring rolls, had more than enough for lunch.
Scratch that sloppy diner food itch with the Triple B Veggie Burger at Bisbee Breakfast Club! The black bean burger is buried in sautéed onions and mushroom, cheese, and some decadent drippy sauce. I recommend licking your fingers because a napkin won’t cut it!
The new Dry Fried Eggplant dish on the 5 Points menu is probably one of the best dishes I’ve ever had in Tucson! It is almost like a crunchy eggplant french fry with lots of umami: featuring a caramelized cabbage purée, chiltepin guajillo oil, kimchi relish, and herbs. Chef Miles Bartlett knows how to pack a flavor punch filled with a combo of pleasing textures to amuse any bouche!
While you’re at it get the incredible rotating desserts at 5 Points — a peach cardamom cobbler pie during the height of the peach season, thank you, Chef Chandler Donald. And dessert doesn’t count unless you get double. The new vegan offerings of Houlden’s Rise Above at 5 Points is genius. The most moist rich chocolate cake layers set between prickly pear is an exercise in pure bliss.
The Pear Cinnamon Coffee Cake at Blue Willow is vegan, gluten-free, and so fluffy.
Nightjar’s newest cocktail menu additions tickle my fancy with ingredients such as matcha honey. This cocktail pictured was one of their specials, subtly sweet with roasted carrot.
Death Free Foodie’s vegan ramen special at OBON showcased a variety of textures and a creamy-but-not-heavy broth.
I still occasionally treat myself to Houlden’s Rise Above and their superb laminated dough pastries. They let me try the fizzy prickly pear tea they were experimenting with, and was just the refreshment I needed that summer morning.
I also indulged in a variety of cocktails from the new menu at Owls Club. My favorite was the Vagabond, a combination of tequila, aquavit, honey, orange, lime, and sage.
An eight-person charcuterie board made by Bride + Brie that I took up a mountain and ate by myself.
It’s like super crazy hot right now. Breaking records. Still, I’m a glutton for punishment and Blue Willow has one of the best patios in town. Now that they’ve installed high-powered fans with misters back there, the patio is far less H-E-double-hockey-sticks hot during the afternoon hours. One thing that I had to help break the torridity was ordering their Lavender Blueberry Lemonade. It’s so refreshing — made with fresh lemonade, lavender syrup, and seasonal blueberries. It’s easily one of the sweetest and tastiest drinks I have tipped back in quite a while, and I tip back a good amount of drinks.
Okay, maybe it’s because I’ve caught a bit of the Barbie fever that’s been going around but I have been feeling the pink. First, it was the Lavender Blueberry Lemonade and now it’s the Limoncello Pistachio Cake from Holy Focaccia. The cake itself isn’t pink but the box that it comes in sure is. The cake was so moist, delicious, delicate, and so very addictive. The best part is that the cakes from Holy Focaccia aren’t full-on “cake” sized. They’re actually handhelds that can be gobbled up in a few bites.
The thing is, I wasn’t planning on ordering anything from the La Chaiteria truck when it was parked at the farmers market. But when I ran into owner and chef Wendy Garcia, whom you may know for being the force behind Tumerico, I just had to get something. Luckily, she steered me in the direction of the Vegan Huevos Rancheros and all I can say is mucho gracias! Everything was seasoned to an unbelievable level of wow. I don’t normally have salad before noon but the one that came replete on this dish was a most welcome addition. The thing was heavy, too. A lot of food and a lot going on. Great, now I’m hooked on yet another dish that Wendy has created. It’s vegan so that’s okay right? Right?
The Shawarma Fries from the food truck Friesy were mighty fine. The fries were topped with chicken, garlic sauce, and diced pickles. You can also get it as a sandwich but I stuck with the fries because I wanted to make a mess all over the bar at Casa Video.
The Ginzo Cowboy at Mama Louisa’s (which is on the Guido-Q menu) is one of the best sandwiches I’ve tasted in a very long time. It’s well worth the disaster it left on my beard.
There’s nothin’ like a coffee, a Dragoon IPA, and the Chilaquiles from Café à La C’Art to get your Saturday morning off on the right foot. It was so good I took a three-hour nap afterward.
The Calabrian Gnocchi from Mama Louisa’s was incredible. A perfect, rich blend of sweet, spice, and savory flavors surrounding soft pasta and crunchy bites of veggies and meats.
For a full guide of classic Italian Restaurants in Tucson like Mama Louisa’s, check out our new guide.
The French Toast from Oralia Coffee + Kitchen’s newly-launched breakfast menu won me over at first bite. The tanginess of their house-made berry compote paired with the sweetness of the fluffy brioche was a match made in brunchy heaven alongside my cup o’ Decibel coffee. I highly recommend the potato hash, too! A commonly under-seasoned side item, Oralia nailed it by layering their cubed spuds with garlic and onion. Fun fact, if you’ve got an aversion or allergy to garlic or onion, they can still potato you up accordingly.
The Turkish tea at Istanbul.
The Shroom Burger at Goodness.
The PCH Shandy at MotosSonora!
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