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Often referred to as Little Italy on the west side, Los Olivos is a treasure and somewhat of a hidden gem in Tucson’s Italian restaurant scene.
In 2013, owner and chef Quetzakoatl Lora opened the restaurant at 937 W. Congress St. — near the corner of Congress Street and Grande Avenue, which is just a few steps away from La Chaiteria and Sonoran Delights Raspados.
Lora began as a dishwasher at the age of 16 in Clearwater, Florida, and eventually moved to Tucson where he served as Le Rendevous restaurant’s Executive Chef from 2000 to 2010. French and Italian are what he enjoys cooking the most so he opened his very own spot a little over a decade ago.
If you’re a fan of olives, you’re in for a treat because they’re incorporated into most of the menu (Olivos meaning “olive trees” in Spanish). Besides pizza, the restaurant offers other reasonably priced Italian dishes including pasta, sandwiches, and salads.
Recenly, a buddy of mine ordered the Seafood Cioppino and confidently said it was easily the best pasta dish he had ever eaten. Coming from someone who loves pasta and is in a band that tours the world, I’m taking his word for it. He loved all of it: the sauteed mussels, clams, scallops, shrimp, fish, crushed peppers, garlic, tomatoes, and white wine mixed in with the sauce.
Another dish worth your time is the Shrimp al Olivo. That same sauteed shrimp found in the Seafood Cioppino is in this dish but with green olives, basil, and a white wine sauce.
On your way out, grab a housemade cannoli for dessert!
Los Olivos is open from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Monday and 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Tuesday – Saturday.
Los Olivos is located at 937 W. Congress St. Keep up with Los Olivos on Facebook and visit orderlosolivos.com for more informaiton.
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