Inca's Peruvian Cuisine (Photo by Addie Ibarra)

Best Things the Tucson Foodie Team Tasted in September 2023


October 1, 2023
By Tucson Foodie

Here’s a look back at what the Tucson Foodie team enjoyed the most in September. 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.

Addie Ibarra

Inca’s Peruvian Cuisine
6878 E. Sunrise Dr. #130

I really enjoy a place that feels like home and that’s what I felt at Inca’s. The service was out of this world. The portions were generous and it really did feel like I was back in Lima, Peru enjoying a leisurely lunch. I think I drank my body weight in chicha morada and pisco sours.

a plate of food on a table
Inca’s Peruvian Cuisine (Photo by Addie Ibarra)
Zio Peppe
6502 E. Tanque Verde Rd.

I haven’t met a meal I don’t like at Zio Peppe. Their pan-seared salmon with tamale cake was chef’s kiss.

a close up of a plate of food and a glass of wine
Pan-seared salmon at Zio Peppe (Photo by Addie Ibarra)
Vino Stache Winery
6 Lone Mesquite Ct., Elgin, AZ

Vino Stache is a new-ish winery in the Sonoita area. It’s definitely off the beaten path, but it’s absolutely worthwhile. This isn’t a photo of it, but their skin-contact rosé (not pictured) alone is worth the trip.

a person standing in front of a store
Vino Stache Winery (Photo by Addie Ibarra)

Chrissy Mance

The Parish
6453 N. Oracle Rd.

Happy hour at Parish cannot be beaten. My sister Jessie Mance and I ordered a “mini buffet” with one (or more!) of everything on their happy hour menu (bacon popcorn, hush puppies, fries, southern edamame, two cups of gumbo). We also ordered the Brussels sprouts and they’re crunchy, nutty, crispy, and delicious.

a bowl of food on a table
Happy Hour at The Parish (Photo by Chrissy Mance)
Dante’s Fire
2526 E. Grant Rd.

This Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding from Dante’s Fire was one of the best treats I’ve had in a long time! Moist and dense, topped with chantilly cream. The curved plate made it easy to soak up every drop of the strawberry Grand Marnier sauce.

a plate of food on a table
Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding from Dante’s Fire (Photo by Chrissy Mance)

Hannah Hernandez

Espressoul Cafe
Multiple Locations (it’s a food truck)

Run to Espressoul and order a creamy baklava iced coffee. It’ll come topped with a dreamy vegan cold foam and pistachio combo.

a plate of food on a table
Creamy baklava iced coffee at Espressoul Cafe (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)

Matt Sterner

Polish Cottage
4520 E. Broadway Blvd.

Did you know Polish Cottage has at least five Polish beers on the menu? This was my first time coming to the restaurant. I was wandering down Broadway Boulevard on foot, my throat was dry, I was craving a beer, and the Zywiec IPA hit the spot. I also had the Beef Stew & Fries appetizer (not pictured) and had enough energy to keep strollin’ down Broadway.

a close up of a bottle and a glass of beer on a table
Polish IPA at Polish Cottage (Photo by Matt Sterner)
Casa Marana
8225 N. Courtney Page Way #191

Dang, they weren’t kidding when they made this meat-lovin’ pizza pie. The Quattro Carne is loaded with San Marzano mozzarella, pepperoni, Italian sausage, salami, and prosciutto. I took my mom out on a hot date that day and she ordered the Pollo Pesto because tomato sauce makes her feel funky. Her pizza had a basil pesto sauce and olive oil instead of marinara, with the addition of mozzarella and chicken. Casa Marana is a great place to have a local craft beer, too!

a plate of food with a slice of pizza
Quattro Carne pizza at Casa Marana (Photo by Matt Sterner)

Max Wingert

Cafe Desta
758 S. Stone Ave.

“The Works” combo platter at Cafe Desta is top-notch — a colorful sampling of all the various meats and veggies served on one huge tray. Enough for five people and then some. Plus, you get to eat with your hands!

a plate of food on a table
“The Works” combo platter at Cafe Desta (Max Wingert)

Rita Connelly

Casa Santa Rosa
2615 S. Sixth Ave.

Casa Santa Rosa for breakfast. Red chili, green chili, refries, eggs sunny-side up, and of course, their heavenly popovers.

a plate of food
Casa Santa Rosa (Photos by Rita Connelly)

Shane Reiser

Agustin Kitchen
100 S. Avenida del Convento #150

The Salmon Rillette at Agustin Kitchen!

El Antojo Poblano
1108 W. St Marys Rd.

The Enmoladas de Pollo from El Antojo Pobalano. The mole is rich and sweet and the chicken falls off the bone — so good!

a close up of a plate of food on a table
Enmoladas de Pollo from El Antojo Pobalano (Photo by Shane Reiser)

Tucson Foodie is a locally owned and operated community. Thanks to our partners and members, we are able to offer paywall-free guides and articles. We value your support and invite you to become a Tucson Foodie Insider today.

Upcoming Events

View all events
Double-click this headline to edit the text.
This is a block of text. Double-click this text to edit it.
Double-click this headline to edit the text.
This is a block of text. Double-click this text to edit it.
Double-click this headline to edit the text.
This is a block of text. Double-click this text to edit it.

Related Stories