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Best Things the Tucson Foodie Team Tasted in September 2024

Sweet potato fries from Beaut Burger, cocktail from Westbound (Photo by Addie Ibarra)

Best Things the Tucson Foodie Team Tasted in September 2024

Oct 2, 20245 min read

Here’s a look back at what the Tucson Foodie team enjoyed during September!

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

REVEL
416 E. Ninth St.

Just a shout-out to my favorite wine bar in town. I love being able to walk into a wine bar and know I’m going to be served a funk-a-licious glass of wine.

Wine at REVEL (Photo by Addie Ibarra)
Chez Peachy
501 N. Sixth Ave. (Grand Opening is Saturday, October 5)

The strawberry matcha bliss from Chez Peachy was refreshing and cute. Can’t wait until the brick-and-mortar space opens!

Chez Peachy (Photo by Addie Ibarra)
Desert Shark (formerly LemonShark)
2501 E. Grant Rd.

I forget how much I enjoy a good poke bowl. Lemon Shark has some great options for everyone. The kiddo and I split a signature bowl, spicy tuna crispy rice, and spring rolls. They are rebranding to Desert Shark this month. Read all about it.

Desert Shark (Photo by Addie Ibarra)
Casa Del Rio
1060 S. Pantano Rd.

Casa Del Rio owner, Kevin Templin, has been working hard to revamp their cocktail program, and news flash: it’s awesome. I haven’t made my way through their entire menu quite yet, but boy, I’m trying.

Tiki cocktail at Casa Del Rio (Photo by Addie Ibarra)
Beaut Burger & Westbound
267 S. Avenida del Convento (MSA Annex)
Sweet potato fries from Beaut Burger, cocktail from Westbound (Photo by Addie Ibarra)

The sweet potato fries at Beaut Burger are perfectly complimentary to anything from Beaut’s menu. I ordered the B6 with caramelized green peppers, onions, chipotle mayo, and tomato. And then I enjoyed a $6 drink at Westbound because it was a Monday and they have cool specials.

Chris Koch

Sawmill Run Restaurant
12976 N. Sabino Canyon Park

The wing presentation was incredible. I ordered a seasonal watermelon barbecue sauce. On the plate: microgreens, homemade pickles, pickled watermelon slices, and the meaty wings glistening in that mountain sun. These smoked-then-fried wings had a great crisp, while still being juicy and tender. The watermelon barbecue sauce was one of the best and most unique sauces I have ever had. 

Check out more of Chris’ favorites in his latest “Wing Wednesday.”

Chrissy Mance

El Rey Raspado
Food Truck

Mango Raspado by El Rey Raspado hits the mark! Creamy, refreshing, spicy goodness with a kick. The strawberry is delicious, too!

Mango Raspado by El Rey Raspado (Photo by Chrissy Mance)

Elian Macias Parada

3 Margaritas Kitchen
1540 E. Broadway Blvd.

The taco plate is a favorite, with options like carne asada, birria, adobada, and more. I went with the adobada and added pineapple — giving it an extra kick! With avocado sauce, salsa, and a squeeze of lime juice, the tacos were a work of art.

3 Margaritas Kitchen (Photo by Elian Macias Parada)

Hannah Hernandez

Lovin’ Spoonfuls
2990 N. Campbell Ave. #120

The DFF special at Lovin’ Spoonfuls: soft biscuits with mushroom gravy, crispy tenders, tofu scramble, and seasoned home fries.

1220 Bakery
Online Orders

Vegan Chocolate Snickers Cake from 1220 Bakery — 100% tastes like a Snickers bar.

Vegan Chocolate Snickers Cake from 1220 Bakery (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)
Sawmill Run Restaurant
12976 N. Sabino Canyon Park

Lion’s Mane steak with a coconut pumpkin purée and a chipotle maple vinaigrette sauce. Sawmill Run’s vegan dishes are always impressive.

Sawmill Run (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)

Matt Sterner

Anello
222 E. Sixth St.

Bianca pizza (fresh mozzarella, ricotta, garlic, olive oil, basil, chiltepin) with the addition of pepperoni! I paired it with the new mushroom beer at Crooked Tooth.

Bianca pizza with pepperoni by Anello (Photo by Matt Sterner)
You Sly Dog
Food Truck

I usually order the Chicago Dog as-is from You Sly Dog but that would be a no-no at the Vegan Night Market! I ordered it full-on vegan and I actually liked it even more.

You Sly Dog (Photo by Matt Sterner)
Penca
50 E. Broadway Blvd.

Tacos at Penca! We took my mom to eat there before the “Experience Jimi Hendrix” show at the Fox Theatre. These are some of my favorite corn tortillas in town.

Tacos at Penca (Photo by Matt Sterner)

Rita Connelly

Hammbone’s
2027 S. Craycroft Rd.

The meat and three at Hammbone’s, in this case — pot roast, mac and cheese, collard greens, squash casserole, and cornbread. Can’t wait to go back and mix it up.

Hammbone’s (Photo by Rita Connelly)

Shane Reiser

Flora’s Market Run
2513 E. Sixth St.

The Woodfire Tofu Bowl at Flora’s Market Run (brown rice, quinoa, cucumber, roasted cauliflower and shitake, broccolini, dates, arugula, tofu).

Woodfire Tofu Bowl at Flora’s Market Run (Photo by Shane Reiser)
Locale Neighborhood Italian
60 N. Alvernon Way

The Agnolotti at Locale.

JoJo’s
76 W. Washington St.

This salad from JoJo’s with a freshly made local prickly pear vinaigrette.

JoJo’s (Photo by Shane Reiser)
Dream Dinners
3682 W. Orange Grove Rd. #132

Sirloin and Sausage Tortellini from Dream Dinners.

Sirloin and Sausage Tortellini from Dream Dinners (Photo by Shane Reiser)
Bellissimo Ristorante Italiano at Casino Del Sol
5655 W. Valencia Rd. #9714

Chicken Piccata from Bellissimo.

Chicken Piccata from Bellissimo (Photo by Shane Reiser)
Hacienda del Sol
5501 N. Hacienda del Sol Rd.

The peach melba semifreddo from Hacienda del Sol.

Peach melba semifreddo from Hacienda del Sol (Photo by Shane Reiser)
Chill Wine
Coming soon…

A bottle of Chill Wine.

Chill Wine (Photo by Shane Reiser)
The Cup Café
311 E. Congress St.

Huevos Rancheros from The Cup Café.

Huevos Rancheros at The Cup Cafe (Photo by Shane Reiser)
The Coronet
2456 N. Silver Mosaic Dr.

The Sonora Restaurant Week dinner at The Coronet was the best prix fixe vegan dinner I’ve ever had.

Sonoran Restaurant Week dish at The Coronet (Photo by Shane Reiser)
PARMA
Food Truck

The Parmesan meatball sub from PARMA at the Vegan Night Market.

PARMA at Vegan Night Market (Photo by Shane Reiser)

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🌵✨ 2 TICKETS FOR $120 — THIS WEEKEND ONLY ✨🌵

Planning to come with a friend? We’re dropping a special 2-Pack Flash Sale now through Sunday at 11:59PM! Grab yours before Tier 3 pricing kicks in Monday.

An evening of food, plants, and connection returns under the desert sky. In partnership with @salus.healers, we’re gathering Tucson’s top chefs and wellness practitioners to celebrate the edible and medicinal beauty of the Sonoran Desert.

Join us Sat, Aug 29 at @tohonochul for Desert Magic—a one-night experience to stroll the gardens, drink in hand, and explore chef & wellness stations along the way.

🍽️ FOOD (a-z) @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)

🌿 WELLNESS PRACTITIONERS @alicen.grey | @awakenedwombs | @readingsbybethw | @curavidabodywork | @dharmawellness.center | @drkorigiudici | Ease Bodywork | @itsme.emmav | @healingspiritsoaks | @marie.heartnectar | @innerblissenergetics | @jessi.kyte.bodywork | Medicine Within | @monsoonmystics | @morosomedicalcenter | @intuitive_readings_by_zev | @sonoranrosieherbal | @sugarmelovetucson | @tantricheart_coaching | @gathering_point_ | @thehealinghubaz | The Somatic Sound | @frank.ramos1
(Offering sound healing, massage, somatic therapy, readings, reiki, plant walks, workshops & more!)

🥣 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! 🎟️✨

Limited time only. Must buy 2 tickets for promo price (Max 1 pack/order; purchase separately for multiple pairs). Additional session add-ons at practitioner discretion.🌵✨ 2 TICKETS FOR $120 — THIS WEEKEND ONLY ✨🌵 Planning to come with a friend? We’re dropping a special 2-Pack Flash Sale now through Sunday at 11:59PM! Grab yours before Tier 3 pricing kicks in Monday. An evening of food, plants, and connection returns under the desert sky. In partnership with @salus.healers, we’re gathering Tucson’s top chefs and wellness practitioners to celebrate the edible and medicinal beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Join us Sat, Aug 29 at @tohonochul for Desert Magic—a one-night experience to stroll the gardens, drink in hand, and explore chef & wellness stations along the way. 🍽️ FOOD (a-z) @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) 🌿 WELLNESS PRACTITIONERS @alicen.grey | @awakenedwombs | @readingsbybethw | @curavidabodywork | @dharmawellness.center | @drkorigiudici | Ease Bodywork | @itsme.emmav | @healingspiritsoaks | @marie.heartnectar | @innerblissenergetics | @jessi.kyte.bodywork | Medicine Within | @monsoonmystics | @morosomedicalcenter | @intuitive_readings_by_zev | @sonoranrosieherbal | @sugarmelovetucson | @tantricheart_coaching | @gathering_point_ | @thehealinghubaz | The Somatic Sound | @frank.ramos1 (Offering sound healing, massage, somatic therapy, readings, reiki, plant walks, workshops & more!) 🥣 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! 🎟️✨ Limited time only. Must buy 2 tickets for promo price (Max 1 pack/order; purchase separately for multiple pairs). Additional session add-ons at practitioner discretion.
@Istanbultucson is expanding to MARANA!

The family-run Turkish restaurant is opening a second location, Istanbul Mediterranean Express, at 5660 W. Cortaro Farms Rd., Suite 100.

The fast-casual concept will feature about 75% of the original menu, plus two exclusive offerings: build-your-own Kumpir, a Turkish stuffed baked potato, and fresh in-house ground doner. The restaurant is currently working through permits and remodeling, with a grand opening date expected to be announced soon.

Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com 

Photo courtesy of Istanbul Mediterranean Express
#tucsonfoodie #tucsonnews@Istanbultucson is expanding to MARANA! The family-run Turkish restaurant is opening a second location, Istanbul Mediterranean Express, at 5660 W. Cortaro Farms Rd., Suite 100. The fast-casual concept will feature about 75% of the original menu, plus two exclusive offerings: build-your-own Kumpir, a Turkish stuffed baked potato, and fresh in-house ground doner. The restaurant is currently working through permits and remodeling, with a grand opening date expected to be announced soon. Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com Photo courtesy of Istanbul Mediterranean Express #tucsonfoodie #tucsonnews
Downtown Tucson’s culinary landscape is ever-evolving, offering a dynamic mix of traditional eateries and modern culinary hotspots. This guide is designed to provide you with up-to-date recommendations and insights into the best dining experiences Tucson’s Downtown has to offer.🌞

Are your favorites on the list?đź‘€

@5pointstucson 
@agustinkitchen 
@bagginsgourmet 
@barbatatucson 
@basqueriaaz 
@batatucson 
@blockatucson 
@eatbombole 
@bosburger__ 
@brickboxbrewery 
@cafe54_bistro 
@cafealacarttucson 
@barcrisoltucson 
@cafedesta 
@caffeluce 
@casamadretucson 
@cerestucson 
@charrosteak.delrey 
@chef_brian_hill_ 
@chelaslatincuisine 
@crudamariscos 
@hotelcongress 
@decibelcoffeeworks 
@elcharro.cafe 
@elmezquitetucson 
@elminutocafe 
@zumitosjuicebar 
@elliottsoncongress 
@emerald29tucson 
@empirepizzatucson 
@forbes_meat_company 
@gibsonmarkettucson 
@heemeebakery 
…and many more on Tucsonfoodie.com
❤️

#downtowntucson 
#tucsonfoodieDowntown Tucson’s culinary landscape is ever-evolving, offering a dynamic mix of traditional eateries and modern culinary hotspots. This guide is designed to provide you with up-to-date recommendations and insights into the best dining experiences Tucson’s Downtown has to offer.🌞 Are your favorites on the list?👀 @5pointstucson @agustinkitchen @bagginsgourmet @barbatatucson @basqueriaaz @batatucson @blockatucson @eatbombole @bosburger__ @brickboxbrewery @cafe54_bistro @cafealacarttucson @barcrisoltucson @cafedesta @caffeluce @casamadretucson @cerestucson @charrosteak.delrey @chef_brian_hill_ @chelaslatincuisine @crudamariscos @hotelcongress @decibelcoffeeworks @elcharro.cafe @elmezquitetucson @elminutocafe @zumitosjuicebar @elliottsoncongress @emerald29tucson @empirepizzatucson @forbes_meat_company @gibsonmarkettucson @heemeebakery …and many more on Tucsonfoodie.com ❤️ #downtowntucson #tucsonfoodie
🌵✨ 2 TICKETS FOR $120 — THIS WEEKEND ONLY ✨🌵

Planning to come with a friend? We’re dropping a special 2-Pack Flash Sale now through Sunday at 11:59PM! Grab yours before Tier 3 pricing kicks in Monday.

An evening of food, plants, and connection returns under the desert sky. In partnership with @salus.healers, we’re gathering Tucson’s top chefs and wellness practitioners to celebrate the edible and medicinal beauty of the Sonoran Desert.

Join us Sat, Aug 29 at @tohonochul for Desert Magic—a one-night experience to stroll the gardens, drink in hand, and explore chef & wellness stations along the way.

🍽️ FOOD (a-z) @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)

🌿 WELLNESS PRACTITIONERS @alicen.grey | @awakenedwombs | @readingsbybethw | @curavidabodywork | @dharmawellness.center | @drkorigiudici | Ease Bodywork | @itsme.emmav | @healingspiritsoaks | @marie.heartnectar | @innerblissenergetics | @jessi.kyte.bodywork | Medicine Within | @monsoonmystics | @morosomedicalcenter | @intuitive_readings_by_zev | @sonoranrosieherbal | @sugarmelovetucson | @tantricheart_coaching | @gathering_point_ | @thehealinghubaz | The Somatic Sound | @frank.ramos1
(Offering sound healing, massage, somatic therapy, readings, reiki, plant walks, workshops & more!)

🥣 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! 🎟️✨

Limited time only. Must buy 2 tickets for promo price (Max 1 pack/order; purchase separately for multiple pairs). Additional session add-ons at practitioner discretion.🌵✨ 2 TICKETS FOR $120 — THIS WEEKEND ONLY ✨🌵 Planning to come with a friend? We’re dropping a special 2-Pack Flash Sale now through Sunday at 11:59PM! Grab yours before Tier 3 pricing kicks in Monday. An evening of food, plants, and connection returns under the desert sky. In partnership with @salus.healers, we’re gathering Tucson’s top chefs and wellness practitioners to celebrate the edible and medicinal beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Join us Sat, Aug 29 at @tohonochul for Desert Magic—a one-night experience to stroll the gardens, drink in hand, and explore chef & wellness stations along the way. 🍽️ FOOD (a-z) @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) 🌿 WELLNESS PRACTITIONERS @alicen.grey | @awakenedwombs | @readingsbybethw | @curavidabodywork | @dharmawellness.center | @drkorigiudici | Ease Bodywork | @itsme.emmav | @healingspiritsoaks | @marie.heartnectar | @innerblissenergetics | @jessi.kyte.bodywork | Medicine Within | @monsoonmystics | @morosomedicalcenter | @intuitive_readings_by_zev | @sonoranrosieherbal | @sugarmelovetucson | @tantricheart_coaching | @gathering_point_ | @thehealinghubaz | The Somatic Sound | @frank.ramos1 (Offering sound healing, massage, somatic therapy, readings, reiki, plant walks, workshops & more!) 🥣 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! 🎟️✨ Limited time only. Must buy 2 tickets for promo price (Max 1 pack/order; purchase separately for multiple pairs). Additional session add-ons at practitioner discretion.