Casa Del Rio: An Unexpected Tiki Oasis on Tucson’s East Side

When I moved to the east side, I thought I was relegated to having to make the drive elsewhere for hand-crafted tiki cocktails. That surprisingly turned out not to be the case.

Casa Del Rio, the unassuming Mexican restaurant on Pantano Road near 22nd Street, also celebrating its 45th anniversary this month, is shaking things up with a brand-new, surprisingly ambitious tiki bar program.

Owner Kevin Templin, a Casa Del Rio veteran who’s worked every position imaginable, is crafting a tiki experience unlike anything else in Tucson. He reminds me of a reverse Norm from Cheers — everyone knows his name, and he’s always ready to share his passion for, well, pretty much anything.

This is especially so when it comes to his meticulously researched cocktails.

Tacos + Painkillers = love

Templin’s dedication to authenticity shines through in the new cocktail menu.

Classics like the Mai Tai and Painkiller share space with lesser-known gems like the 1740’s – Admiral Vernon and the Pancho Villa, all made with top-shelf rums, fresh juices, and house-made ingredients, including a housemade delicious strawberry liqueur.

familiar tiki favorites such as:

• Mai Tai
• Jungle Bird
• Painkiller
• Hurricane
• Shaken Pina Colada

B-side, hidden-gem tiki offerings:

• Eastside Punch
• Blue Hawaii
• Pancho Villa
• Tradewinds
• Captain’s Grog

This is just a peek into the new tiki menu being served, and there is still an entire other half of a cocktail menu dedicated to non-tiki classics. Casa del Rio is a haven for all cocktail enthusiasts.

Casa del Rio is open for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. every day (aside from Sunday when they close at 8 p.m.) making it the perfect spot to decompress with a post-work glass of island escapism and a couple of fish tacos or a great starting point for a night on the town.

45 Years of Casa Del Rio

But the tiki bar is just the latest chapter in Casa Del Rio’s long history.

This Eastside institution has been serving up authentic Sonoran-style Mexican food since 1979. From their legendary enchiladas and shrimp fajitas to their comforting tamales, every dish is made fresh daily with a commitment to quality and value.

To celebrate its 45th anniversary on Tuesday, November 19, Templin and the team at Casa Del Rio are offering specials all weekend long, plus fun giveaways like coffee mugs and bottle openers.

It’s the perfect excuse to experience this Tucson gem for yourself.

Casa Del Rio is located at 1060 S. Pantano Rd. For more information, visit cdrtucson.com.

Foodie Club members

Casa Del Rio is also a Restaurant Partner, meaning that Foodie Club members can score $10 off their purchase every 90 days.

For $20 a month, Foodie Club members get a stack of cash vouchers to local restaurants worth over $5,000, free tasting events at local restaurants every month, access to members-only monthly dinner series with local chefs, discounts on events, and monthly mixers with other members. Learn more and join!