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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Vegan Chinese Chorizo Empanadillas de Roseta 🌹 

Available Oct 30th & 31st at @thekingfishertucson as a collaboration with the @chinesechorizoproject. 

Pipian Verde | Agave-Miso Glazed Broccolini, Mushrooms & Heirloom Carrots | Pepita Garlic Chili Crisp

I got to try this special dish, and it’s incredible! I was rushing between appointments and planned to save most of it for later, but it was so good I ended up staying to eat more.🥰 — @deathfreefoodie 

Make your reservations now before it’s too late. 

2564 E. Grant Rd., Tucson, AZVegan Chinese Chorizo Empanadillas de Roseta 🌹 Available Oct 30th & 31st at @thekingfishertucson as a collaboration with the @chinesechorizoproject. Pipian Verde | Agave-Miso Glazed Broccolini, Mushrooms & Heirloom Carrots | Pepita Garlic Chili Crisp I got to try this special dish, and it’s incredible! I was rushing between appointments and planned to save most of it for later, but it was so good I ended up staying to eat more.🥰 — @deathfreefoodie Make your reservations now before it’s too late. 2564 E. Grant Rd., Tucson, AZ
@Dedicatedgf is for sale, but it’s not closing. The Midtown bakery at 4500 E. Speedway Blvd. will continue normal operations into 2027 and is accepting holiday orders.

Owner Jennifer Kinkade announced the listing on Instagram, explaining that rising operating costs and accumulated debt have made it difficult to sustain the business, despite steadily increasing year-over-year sales since 2020. The sale includes the business, recipes, lease and equipment. Kinkade is also open to a partnership or angel investor. The buyer would not assume the bakery’s existing debt.

Dedicated offers an entirely gluten-free facility with vegan and dairy-free options, including pastries, bread, cookies, pies and custom cakes.

Interested buyers can email jen@dedicatedgf.com. Customers can continue placing holiday orders as usual. 

Read the story on Tucsonfoodie.com@Dedicatedgf is for sale, but it’s not closing. The Midtown bakery at 4500 E. Speedway Blvd. will continue normal operations into 2027 and is accepting holiday orders. Owner Jennifer Kinkade announced the listing on Instagram, explaining that rising operating costs and accumulated debt have made it difficult to sustain the business, despite steadily increasing year-over-year sales since 2020. The sale includes the business, recipes, lease and equipment. Kinkade is also open to a partnership or angel investor. The buyer would not assume the bakery’s existing debt. Dedicated offers an entirely gluten-free facility with vegan and dairy-free options, including pastries, bread, cookies, pies and custom cakes. Interested buyers can email jen@dedicatedgf.com. Customers can continue placing holiday orders as usual. Read the story on Tucsonfoodie.com
@Prepandpastry is known for brunch, but have you tried their lunch menu? 

Here’s what we tried on our visit, from the Shaved Steak Sandwich and Commoner’s Burger to brunch options like the vegan Chickpea Scramble and Sweet Potato Hash. Breakfast and brunch favorites, mimosas, and Prep’s Bloody Mary are also available throughout the day.

🚨Prep & Pastry is a Tucson Foodie restaurant partner! Tucson Foodie members receive a $20 voucher every six months.

📍 2660 N Campbell Ave 
📍 6450 E Grant Rd@Prepandpastry is known for brunch, but have you tried their lunch menu? Here’s what we tried on our visit, from the Shaved Steak Sandwich and Commoner’s Burger to brunch options like the vegan Chickpea Scramble and Sweet Potato Hash. Breakfast and brunch favorites, mimosas, and Prep’s Bloody Mary are also available throughout the day. 🚨Prep & Pastry is a Tucson Foodie restaurant partner! Tucson Foodie members receive a $20 voucher every six months. 📍 2660 N Campbell Ave 📍 6450 E Grant Rd
C I Chu’s Mongolian BBQ has permanently closed its doors at 4540 E. Broadway Blvd., ending a run of more than 25 years at the same midtown Tucson address. A handwritten sign posted on the restaurant’s exterior confirmed the closure and noted that owner Calvin Chu can be reached at 520-370-7144 by anyone interested in reopening the business.

“We are sad to say C.I. Chu’s Mongolian BBQ is closed for good,” the sign reads.

Full story on Tucsonfoodie.comC I Chu’s Mongolian BBQ has permanently closed its doors at 4540 E. Broadway Blvd., ending a run of more than 25 years at the same midtown Tucson address. A handwritten sign posted on the restaurant’s exterior confirmed the closure and noted that owner Calvin Chu can be reached at 520-370-7144 by anyone interested in reopening the business. “We are sad to say C.I. Chu’s Mongolian BBQ is closed for good,” the sign reads. Full story on Tucsonfoodie.com