Tucson FoodieCelebrating local food, drink, and community.
Thunder Bacon Burger & Cal’s Bakeshop Team up to Tackle Your Taste Buds

Thunder Bacon Burger (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)

Thunder Bacon Burger & Cal’s Bakeshop Team up to Tackle Your Taste Buds

Nov 5, 20232 min read

It’s been an excellent adventure for Lindon “Lindy” Reilly.

From Lindy’s on 4th to his newest concept Thunder Bacon Burger, it’s been fun watching Lindy stack his patties high and mighty. In January, Thunder Bacon Burger left Fourth Avenue and moved in with Donut Bar at 33 N. Sixth Ave.

Thunder Bacon Burger (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)

Donut Bar is now being rebranded as Thunder Bacon Donuts — this is where Caleb Orellana, the owner, baker, and mastermind behind Cal’s Bakeshop, steps in with his pastries. It’s a burger and doughnut match made in culinary heaven.

Beginning Tuesday, November 7, a new group of burger and doughnut combinations will be on deck.

“They’re still keeping the concept of the doughnuts and burgers because people love having doughnuts here, and they brought me in to take over that,” said Orellana. “I’m recreating the dough and all of the donuts — no filling. They’re going to make their own fillings.”

a close up of a doughnut
Cal’s Bakeshop/Thunder Bacon Donuts (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)

“I’m most excited about doing some really cool doughnuts and working with Cal,” said Lindy. “I’ve been kind of doing stuff behind the scenes for a long time and creating a couple of additions to the menu. We’re making so much in-house like our sauces. I’m excited to push forward burgers that I’ve been wanting to make for a long time. It’s gonna be great.”

It’s a wonderful time to be alive when you can have burgers for breakfast. Burgers with an egg oozing all over. Burgers that have been sandwiched between a concha. Forget Folgers — this is the best part of waking up.

Thunder Bacon Burger (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)

Thunder Bacon Burger Menu

text
(Photo courtesy of Thunder Bacon Burger)

“We’re downtown. We’re here,” said Lindy. “Grab some doughnuts! We’ll have lunch specials showing up soon, so you know it’s going to be a good time. Just looking forward to having fun.”

Hours of operation will be 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Tuesday – Wednesday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Thursday, 11 a.m. – midnight on Friday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Sunday, and closed on Monday.

a man wearing a hat
Thunder Bacon Burger (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)

Thunder Bacon Burger and Thunder Bacon Donuts are located at 33 N. Sixth Ave. For more information, visit thunderbaconburger.com and follow Thunder Bacon Burger on Instagram.

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.

Get our free Tucson Foodie weekly newsletter

New openings, events, dish recommendations, and guides — every Wednesday. No spam.

Take us with you.

Discover the best local spots, browse the dish database, build and share your to-visit lists, support local, and join the Foodie Club when you're ready.

Advertisement

Follow @TucsonFoodie136.1K followers
Scratch-made Japanese ramen goes far beyond instant noodles, with rich broths like tonkotsu, miso, and shoyu. Tucson has more specialty ramen shops than you might expect. Here’s where to find them around town.🍜

@ikkyu.tucson 
@jaramencurry 
@kiwamiramenbar 
@kukai___ 
@marujapanesenoodle 
@maruplusaz 
@obonsushi 
@raijinramen 
@theramenbartucson 
@tossfriedchickennramen 

More guides on Tucsonfoodie.comScratch-made Japanese ramen goes far beyond instant noodles, with rich broths like tonkotsu, miso, and shoyu. Tucson has more specialty ramen shops than you might expect. Here’s where to find them around town.🍜 @ikkyu.tucson @jaramencurry @kiwamiramenbar @kukai___ @marujapanesenoodle @maruplusaz @obonsushi @raijinramen @theramenbartucson @tossfriedchickennramen More guides on Tucsonfoodie.com
@Scentedleaf is opening a new location in the former Starbucks at Speedway and Country Club!!🥰

The locally owned tea shop celebrates its grand opening tomorrow, October 10, from 11 am to 9 pm, with 50% off all tea drinks and 25% off loose-leaf tea and merchandise.

📍3025 E. Speedway Blvd.@Scentedleaf is opening a new location in the former Starbucks at Speedway and Country Club!!🥰 The locally owned tea shop celebrates its grand opening tomorrow, October 10, from 11 am to 9 pm, with 50% off all tea drinks and 25% off loose-leaf tea and merchandise. 📍3025 E. Speedway Blvd.
The grand opening is TODAY, Oct. 8! 🎉

@istanbultucson is expanding with a second location, @istanbulmediterraneanexpress, at 5660 W. Cortaro Farms Rd. 

The fast-casual spot will feature about 75% of the original location’s menu, plus two exclusive dishes: build-your-own Turkish stuffed baked potatoes, known as Kumpir, and fresh-ground doner made in-house. The falafel plate and stuffed potatoes can also be made vegan. 

“The first restaurant taught us what our customers love most, so at Cortaro we’re focusing the menu around our most popular dishes while making the experience a little more casual and convenient. Most importantly, we’ve learned that no matter how much we grow, the quality of our food has to stay high every single day.” — Kamran Esar

Daily hours: 11am - 9pm

Read the article on Tucsonfoodie.comThe grand opening is TODAY, Oct. 8! 🎉 @istanbultucson is expanding with a second location, @istanbulmediterraneanexpress, at 5660 W. Cortaro Farms Rd. The fast-casual spot will feature about 75% of the original location’s menu, plus two exclusive dishes: build-your-own Turkish stuffed baked potatoes, known as Kumpir, and fresh-ground doner made in-house. The falafel plate and stuffed potatoes can also be made vegan. “The first restaurant taught us what our customers love most, so at Cortaro we’re focusing the menu around our most popular dishes while making the experience a little more casual and convenient. Most importantly, we’ve learned that no matter how much we grow, the quality of our food has to stay high every single day.” — Kamran Esar Daily hours: 11am - 9pm Read the article on Tucsonfoodie.com
Phoenix bakery @Proofbread is popping up in Tucson! 

Starting Friday, Oct. 9, the Phoenix-based sourdough bakery and stone flour mill will take over the two former @Cafefrancaisaz locations for a Tucson pop-up.

Expect naturally leavened country loaves, chocolate croissants with 81 layers of laminated dough, morning buns, ciabatta and more. 🥐🍞

📍 7831 E. Wrightstown Rd. 
📍 3855 E. Broadway Blvd. 

Both locations will be open 7 am-2 pm throughout October. If the pop-up is a success, Proof Bread says it could become a permanent Tucson operation. 

Read the article on Tucsonfoodie.comPhoenix bakery @Proofbread is popping up in Tucson! Starting Friday, Oct. 9, the Phoenix-based sourdough bakery and stone flour mill will take over the two former @Cafefrancaisaz locations for a Tucson pop-up. Expect naturally leavened country loaves, chocolate croissants with 81 layers of laminated dough, morning buns, ciabatta and more. 🥐🍞 📍 7831 E. Wrightstown Rd. 📍 3855 E. Broadway Blvd. Both locations will be open 7 am-2 pm throughout October. If the pop-up is a success, Proof Bread says it could become a permanent Tucson operation. Read the article on Tucsonfoodie.com