Here’s a look back at what the Tucson Foodie team enjoyed during November!
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.
NEW WINE BAR alert. Be still my heart. Tinajas has a fabulous selection of wine and beer. Oh, and the space is gorgeous!
Something about a HUGE slice of ‘za and a bottle of wine from Time Market checks all the boxes for a nice night out.
This 10-layer lasagna at Penelope is my favorite lasagna. The lemon ricotta is so dreamy and I could eat a tub of it
Imagine your favorite seafood boil with all those spices, butter, seasoning, potatoes, corn on the cob, and andouille sausage, but instead of seafood, you add chicken wings. Voila! You have a new twist on chicken wings. Jeremiah (owner of Pacaws) came up with the idea, for people who have shellfish allergies but wanted to partake in all the flavors of a boil. He makes a traditional boil then when it’s time for the chicken he fries up the wings fresh so that they are still crispy — making this the best thing I ate in November.
The falafel pita sandwich from Instanbul.
After scanning the menu, though, I had to try the Torta de El Chavo, which is inspired by the beloved character from the 1970s Mexican sitcom “El Chavo del Ocho.” El Chavo loves ham tortas. Surrounded by bolillo bread, the sandwich is buttered and then toasted for a smooth, crispy texture. Inside, this masterpiece is layered with mayo, lettuce, tomato, avocado, ham, and cheese.
Spicy Tofu at Viva Tokyo! Read all about the new restaurant here.
Gingerbread loaf at Sawmill Run! Chef Shea is always coming up with beautiful new vegan options.
Rocco’s Spicy Hot Sticks are absolute perfection.
The Walker Texas Wiener from Odd Dogs! This thing is a meaty double-whammy because it’s loaded with pulled pork as well. I enjoyed this hot dog at Casa Video & Film Bar.
I’m a sucker for Country Fried Steak and I found this beauty at Just Breakfast — a neat little diner in Marana.
The new burger was pretty good at Charro Vida! The patty is a beef and mushroom combo and I opted for a vegan cheese (dairy makes my tummy toss and turn). Oh, and the yuca fries are perfect as a side.
Crooked Tooth’s new Punk Rock Landlord English mild beer! It’s only 3.5% so you can drink about 20 of them in one sitting without falling into a fire pit.
This dessert was first served decades ago and served at Bistro Zin (where Zin Burger is located now.) It is truly zinfully good, Different flavors and textures of chocolate come together all in one bite. There is nothing like it in Tucson, maybe not anywhere in the world!
I love nachos and have been known to devour both ballpark-style versions and tricked-out homestyle versions with extra fine ingredients like short ribs, roasted chiles, and homemade nacho cheese sauce. So, I was ecstatic to find the crispy, zingy, Happy Hour nachos at Ermanos. My happy hour buddy was also a nacho enthusiast and there was enough on the plate that we both had plenty of toppings with each bite. It was the perfect size for two or three people to enjoy as a first course. The chips are a standout — very crunchy and airy yet held up to the sauces and toppings without wilting. The poblano cream sauce was delish. I ordered a hard cider to accompany the dish and it was a refreshing match.
It’s not the first time that someone from the Tucson Foodie team has posted about Cafe Desta and it definitely won’t be the last. If Vegan is your game, lunch on a Wednesday at Cafe Desta is where you should play. A particular favorite of mine is Kik (yellow split peas cooked with onion, turmeric, herbs, and ginger). It’s warming and balanced on the palate. I recommend the Teff Injera, which is a substitute that you have to request. Injera is the pancake-style bread that is served with your dishes. You use it with your hands to scoop up the deliciousness before you. Teff Injera has a nutty flavor similar to buckwheat and is more typical of the Injera served in Ethiopia and Eritrea. Don’t forget to indulge in one of the many coffee drinks available. Ethiopian coffee beans are the top! I recommend the mocha.
Shane’s Specialty Cocktail at Scordato’s Pizzeria.
Getting into the season with a roasted chicken from Lilly Valley Farm covered with the Sonoran Desert Spice Rub from Gary Nabhan — stuffed with onion, carrot, garlic, and peppers delivered to my house from Pivot Produce. Everything is local!
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