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Best Things the Tucson Foodie Team Tasted in November 2023

Locale (Photo by Chrissy Mance)

Best Things the Tucson Foodie Team Tasted in November 2023

Dec 4, 20235 min read

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

El Torero
231 E. 26th St.

These little pillows of joy were a special at El Torero when we went. Custard on the bottom and a meringue on top. I still think about this Almendrado.

a person sitting at a table with a plate of food
Dessert at El Torero (Photo by Addie Ibarra)
Cafe Sonoita
3280 AZ-82, Sonoita, AZ

The Chef’s Pairing at Cafe Sonoita! We tried the Sweet and Savory Flight at Cafe Sonoita. The Savory Flight included:

  • Firecracker Chicken Slider with Omphalos Eudaimonia
  • Buttery Mushroom Swiss Slider with Vino Stache The Boss
  • Grilled Lime Shrimp with Ancho Chile with Sonoita Vineyards Arizona Sunset
  • Thick Sweet Potato Fries with Spiced Fall Dip with Omphalos Malbec

20/10 recommend checking out this restaurant on your next trip to Sonoita.

a cat sitting in front of a brick building
Cafe Sonoita (Photo by Addie Ibarra)
PY Steakhouse
5655 W. Valencia Rd.

The experience, quality, and creativity of the food in the Chef’s Trust Me Menu at PY Steakhouse absolutely blew me away. Tucson is so lucky to have Chef Roderick.

Chrissy Mance

Bailey’s Artisan Pizza
Multiple Locations (Food Truck)

The Bianca Pizza from Bailey’s Artisan Pizza is so yummy and worth the wait. Whole roasted garlic and perfectly chewy crust. So darn good!

a close up of a slice of pizza
Bailey’s Artisan Pizza (Photo by Chrissy Mance)
Locale
60 N. Alvernon Way

The tomato sandwich at Locale is quite possibly my favorite thing stuffed between bread. I get it with the truffle fries and they’re just as delicious!

a plate of food on a table
Locale (Photo by Chrissy Mance)

Hannah Hernandez

Goodness
2502 N. Campbell Ave.

The Cucumber Salad at Goodness is a real treat: crunchy cucumbers, tangy white onion, semi-spicy peppers, and fragrant cilantro, with a miso soy dressing that combines all the flavors nicely. It’s the perfect snack! 

a bowl of food on a plate
Cucumber Salad at Goodness (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)

Matt Sterner

You Sly Dog
Multiple Locations (Food Truck)

You Sly Dog provided me with a Wiener Wednesday on a Tuesday! The Chicago Dog hit the spot and the peppers are actually pretty spicy!

a plate with a hot dog sitting on a table
Chicago Dog at You Sly Dog (Photo by Matt Sterner)
Baggin’s Gourmet Sandwiches
5420 E. Broadway Blvd. #260

The cream cheese brownie from Baggin’s sealed the deal and completed my evening which involved watching a cheesy ’80s slasher film.

a piece of cake sitting on top of a plastic container
Cream cheese brownie from Baggin’s (Photo by Matt Sterner)

Rita Connelly

Doughbird
2960 N. Campbell Ave. #160

I  love eating at the bar. It’s sexy, fun, and convivial. If you’ve got a great bartender the whole experience is enhanced. Here are the Cast iron Shishito Peppers at Doughbird with house umami sauce. Not sure what’s in the sauce, but it’s the perfect foil for the heat and char. Our bartender, Courtney, was an ace. The wine was fine. The salmon — sublime. We’ll be back.

a plate of food on a table
Shishito Peppers at Doughbird (Photo by Rita Connelly)

Sam Jump

Cafe Passe
415 N. Fourth Ave.

The Migas from Cafe Passe’s brand-spankin’ new menu did not disappoint. The textures found in the mix of scrambled eggs and sautéed corn tortillas were just what I didn’t know I needed when it came to breakfast options. The house-made refried beans and salsa made it easy and tasty to curate a different experience with each bite, and the subtle, natural sweetness of the dish was perfect between sips of espresso. Jenny’s culinary passion and experience were tasted in this dish. 

a plate of food and a cup of coffee
The Migas from Cafe Passe (Photo by Sam Jump)
Time Market
444 E. University Blvd.

The messiness and simplicity — on top of flavor and combination of textures stacked into each bite — make the breakfast sandwich at Time Market my favorite in town. I get mine with avocado and no cheese. A winner every…Time.

a close up of a sandwich on a plate
Breakfast sandwich at Time Market (Photo by Sam Jump)
Raging Sage
2458 N. Campbell Ave.

The pear & chai vegan scone at Decibel was on the level of Raging Sage’s scones, which means a heck of a lot in my scone-lovin’ book.

Espresso and scone at Raging Sage (Photo by Sam Jump)

Shane Reiser

Crisol Bar
196 W. Simpson St.

This bowl of food at Crisol Bar!

a bowl of food on a table
Crisol Bar (Photos by Shane Reiser)
Maru Japanese Noodle Shop
1370 N. Silverbell Rd. #180

This roll is off the menu at Maru Noodle Shop (on Silverbell). You can order it. It’s a really big veggie roll filled with avocado, tempura, tofu, bok choy, cucumber and some other stuff.

a box filled with sushi
Maru Japanese Noodle Shop (Photo by Shane Reiser)

Also, the Bakudan Onigiri from Maru!

The Curry Pot
Multiple Locations (Food Truck)

The vegan bowl at The Curry Pot.

Taqueria Pico de Gallo
2618 S. Sixth Ave.

I stopped by to check out their new dining room and was pleasantly reminded of just how delicious their housemade corn tortillas are.

a plate of food with a slice of pizza
Tacos at Taqueria Pico de Gallo (Photo by Shane Reiser)
Maya Tea Company
Online Orders

This Barbere Spice Vigrs savory tea is manufactured by Maya Tea with adaptogenic tulsi combined with Ethiopian-inspired spices.

Maya Tea (Photo by Shane Reiser)

Ate Kei’s

Multiple Locations (Pop-Up)

I put Ate Kei’s ube jam on Ate Kei’s ube cookies and called it a double ube slamma-jamma.

a plate of food on a table
Ate Kei’s (Photo by Shane Reiser)
Kung Foo Noodle
3122 N. Campbell Ave. # 100

Kung Fu Noodle is the best Chinese in Tucson. Get the Szechuan Cold Noodle, Fungi Salad, and the Spicy Salted Crispy Tofu.

a plate of food on a table
Kung Foo Noodle (Photo by Shane Reiser)

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An evening of food, plants, and connection returns under the desert sky.🌵✨

In partnership with @salus.healers, join us THIS SATURDAY, August 29, at @tohonochul for Desert Magic, a one-night celebration of the edible and medicinal beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Stroll the gardens, drink in hand, and discover chef and wellness stations along the way.

🌿SWIPE TO SEE OUR WELLNESS PRACTITIONERS offering sound healing, massage, somatic therapy, readings, reiki, plant walks, workshops & more: @awakenedwombs | @curavidabodywork | @dharmawellness.center | @drkorigiudici | Ease Bodywork | @itsme.emmav | @healingspiritsoaks | @marie.heartnectar | @innerblissenergetics | @jessi.kyte.bodywork | Medicine Within | @monsoonmystics | @morosomedicalcenter | @intuitive_readings_by_zev | @sugarmelovetucson | @tantricheart_coaching | @gathering_point_ | @thehealinghubaz | The Somatic Sound 

🔥FOOD: @el_chef_padilla (@copperashculinary) | @landofmilknhoney (@tohonochulgardenbistro) | @chefdevonsanner (@sandpcreative) | Chef Gracie Soto (@anita_st_market) | @chefjosetucson (@ameliastucson) | @kenneth.foy | Obie Hindman & @tuckerhartford (@tucsoncityofgastronomy & @solpuebloprovisions) | @archimagirus_cultro (@scratchingtheplate)

🥣 SOUNDS @tucsonmodernjazzquartet | DJ Sets by Rosa Dragona & LaDev

Ticket includes wellness stations, herb walks, workshops, sound healing, & botanical drinks.

Tap the link in bio to grab yours! 🎟️✨ 

#tucsonfoodie #tucsoneventAn evening of food, plants, and connection returns under the desert sky.🌵✨ In partnership with @salus.healers, join us THIS SATURDAY, August 29, at @tohonochul for Desert Magic, a one-night celebration of the edible and medicinal beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Stroll the gardens, drink in hand, and discover chef and wellness stations along the way. 🌿SWIPE TO SEE OUR WELLNESS PRACTITIONERS offering sound healing, massage, somatic therapy, readings, reiki, plant walks, workshops & more: @awakenedwombs | @curavidabodywork | @dharmawellness.center | @drkorigiudici | Ease Bodywork | @itsme.emmav | @healingspiritsoaks | @marie.heartnectar | @innerblissenergetics | @jessi.kyte.bodywork | Medicine Within | @monsoonmystics | @morosomedicalcenter | @intuitive_readings_by_zev | @sugarmelovetucson | @tantricheart_coaching | @gathering_point_ | @thehealinghubaz | The Somatic Sound 🔥FOOD: @el_chef_padilla (@copperashculinary) | @landofmilknhoney (@tohonochulgardenbistro) | @chefdevonsanner (@sandpcreative) | Chef Gracie Soto (@anita_st_market) | @chefjosetucson (@ameliastucson) | @kenneth.foy | Obie Hindman & @tuckerhartford (@tucsoncityofgastronomy & @solpuebloprovisions) | @archimagirus_cultro (@scratchingtheplate) 🥣 SOUNDS @tucsonmodernjazzquartet | DJ Sets by Rosa Dragona & LaDev Ticket includes wellness stations, herb walks, workshops, sound healing, & botanical drinks. Tap the link in bio to grab yours! 🎟️✨ #tucsonfoodie #tucsonevent
@vegantucsonnightmarket returns September 5th from 6–10pm with over 60 vendors!

Come support our amazing local makers, small businesses, and restaurants while eating an absolutely ridiculous amount of vegan food. 

🐖 FREE ENTRY | FREE PARKING | DOG-FRIENDLY
📍RILLITO PARK • 4502 N 1ST AVE, TUCSON, AZ

Check out the vendor list in our bio✨

Thank you to our sponsors: @semperfi_heatingandcooling, @tucsonprimeleaf and @trulieveaz_ 

Photos by @astra1wanderer 
#tucsonevents #vegantucson 
#tucsonsmallbusiness #tucsonlocal@vegantucsonnightmarket returns September 5th from 6–10pm with over 60 vendors! Come support our amazing local makers, small businesses, and restaurants while eating an absolutely ridiculous amount of vegan food. 🐖 FREE ENTRY | FREE PARKING | DOG-FRIENDLY 📍RILLITO PARK • 4502 N 1ST AVE, TUCSON, AZ Check out the vendor list in our bio✨ Thank you to our sponsors: @semperfi_heatingandcooling, @tucsonprimeleaf and @trulieveaz_ Photos by @astra1wanderer #tucsonevents #vegantucson #tucsonsmallbusiness #tucsonlocal
“Indian food represents many different regions and cooking styles, featuring far more than the curries that it is popularly known for — though those are certainly found in abundance at Tucson’s Indian restaurants. For religious reasons, beef and pork are not common in the Indian diet, but carnivores can enjoy plenty of chicken, lamb, and seafood dishes. Most Indian restaurants have large sections of their menus devoted to vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes, too.

Kitchens are almost always accommodating about adjusting spice levels but as a rule of thumb, the hottest dishes are the vindaloos, while the mildest are the kormas and biriyanis.” — @ediebjarolim 

Find @ediebjarolim’s guide on Tucsonfoodie.com“Indian food represents many different regions and cooking styles, featuring far more than the curries that it is popularly known for — though those are certainly found in abundance at Tucson’s Indian restaurants. For religious reasons, beef and pork are not common in the Indian diet, but carnivores can enjoy plenty of chicken, lamb, and seafood dishes. Most Indian restaurants have large sections of their menus devoted to vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes, too. Kitchens are almost always accommodating about adjusting spice levels but as a rule of thumb, the hottest dishes are the vindaloos, while the mildest are the kormas and biriyanis.” — @ediebjarolim Find @ediebjarolim’s guide on Tucsonfoodie.com
@Berrygreensacai is closing its original downtown Tucson location at 245 E. Congress St. after seven years.

The University Boulevard location near the University of Arizona will remain open, with the team shifting its full focus there. Berry Greens says it will announce a reopening date for the University location soon.

“After much thought and consideration, we have decided to close down our downtown Congress St location after 7 amazing years. We want to sincerely thank each and every one of you for your support, loyalty and for allowing us to be a part of your community for so long.”

Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com 

#downtowntucson #uofa@Berrygreensacai is closing its original downtown Tucson location at 245 E. Congress St. after seven years. The University Boulevard location near the University of Arizona will remain open, with the team shifting its full focus there. Berry Greens says it will announce a reopening date for the University location soon. “After much thought and consideration, we have decided to close down our downtown Congress St location after 7 amazing years. We want to sincerely thank each and every one of you for your support, loyalty and for allowing us to be a part of your community for so long.” Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com #downtowntucson #uofa