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Tucson Foodie’s Week in Review: What You Missed (April 12-18)

Tucson Foodie’s Week in Review: What You Missed (April 12-18)

Apr 18, 20254 min read

Welcome to this week’s roundup!

We’ve gathered the top stories, a standout social post, and other foodie highlights you shouldn’t miss. From the latest around Tucson’s dining scene to can’t-miss events and exclusive perks for our Foodie Club members, this is your go-to guide to staying in the loop.

Let’s dig in!

Top Stories & Articles

Monsoon Chocolate Cafe + Market Launches Savory Menu

Mortadella Panino and Gravlax Bagel at Monsoon Chocolate Cafe + Market (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Monsoon Chocolate Cafe + Market (Photo by Jackie Tran)

After almost two years open selling sweets, Monsoon Chocolate Cafe + Market recently launched a breakfast and lunch menu with savory items. They hosted us to try it out and take some photos.

Read the full article: Monsoon Chocolate Cafe + Market Launches Savory Menu.

Easter Dine-In and To-Go Options in Tucson

Easter Brunch (Photo courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton at Dove Mountain)
Easter Brunch (Photo courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton at Dove Mountain)

Whether you’re looking for a morning meal, an evening of elegance, or a quick bite with the family, there’s no need to hunt down the perfect event by yourself. We’re here to fill your Easter basket with options. With that being said, one of the following restaurants should do just the trick for Sunday, April 20.

Read the full article: Easter Dine-In and To-Go Options In Tucson.

Ciao Down’s New Dessert Shop ‘Treat’ is Now Open

Macarons and other pastries at Treat (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)

“One of the most magical parts of the process is that chef Bina bakes everything from bread to cookies in our pizza oven,” said Paul Reyes, owner of Treat and Ciao Down. “She’s in the studio before sunrise, and the smell of fresh-baked focaccia, cookies, and pastries fills the space (and the neighborhood) before most people have had their morning coffee.”

Read the full article: Ciao Down’s New Dessert Shop ‘Treat’ is Now Open.

Jazz Under the Stars at Tohono Chul Garden Bistro

As the sun dips behind the desert horizon, Tohono Chul’s Garden Bistro transforms into a dreamy open-air lounge, where jazz melodies float through the night air.

Read the full article: Jazz Under the Stars at Tohono Chul Garden Bistro.

New & Updated Foodie Guide

Where to Eat & Drink While Exploring Tucson’s Haiku Hike

Haiku Hike (JJ Snyder Photography for Downtown Tucson Partnership)

The annual Haiku Hike, presented by the Downtown Tucson Partnership (DTP) and the University of Arizona Poetry Center, is a literary competition showcasing 20 winning haiku poems printed on acrylic signage in planters located on Congress Street and Stone Avenue.

Read the guide: Where to Eat & Drink While Exploring Tucson’s Haiku Hike.

Best Vietnamese Restaurants in Tucson

Bun Bo Hue from Pho Can Tho (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Bun Bo Hue from Pho Can Tho (Photo by Jackie Tran)

When many people think of Vietnamese food, their mind goes straight to pho. While the famous noodle soup is beloved worldwide, don’t be afraid to venture into other soups. Fragrant lemongrass, bold heat, and deeply umami-rich await you.

Read the guide: Best Vietnamese Restaurants in Tucson.

Foodie Events

Enter to Win the Ultimate Foodie Experience with Chef Devon Sanner

Chef Devon Sanner (Photo by Isaac Stockton)
Chef Devon Sanner (Photo by Isaac Stockton)

Iron Chef Tucson finalist chef Devon Sanner will prepare a full dinner for six to 10 guests in your home. You’ll also receive four tickets to Intermountain’s food event/autism benefit, Stars Around Us: Foodie Edition, on Thursday, April 24.

Read the full article: Enter to Win the Ultimate Foodie Experience with Chef Devon Sanner.

Tucson’s New 420 Fest Blends Food, Music & Cannabis

Pollinator Festival (Photo courtesy of Community Gardens of Tucson)

What if you found a golden Easter egg — and it was filled with joints or worth $100 in dispensary gift cards?

That’s just one of the surprises waiting for you at the first-ever 420 Fest, presented by Earth’s Healing, a brand-new cannabis, food, and music experience created by Tucson Foodie, Tucson Doobie, and Earth’s Healing. This exciting event takes place on Saturday, April 19, from 2–8 p.m. at the Whistle Stop Depot, a unique venue that’s been revitalized to give Tucson a fresh and exciting space to gather.

Read the article: Tucson’s New 420 Fest Blends Food, Music & Cannabis.

Perks of Being a Foodie Club member

For $20 a month, Foodie Club members get a stack of cash vouchers to local restaurants worth over $6,000, 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!

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Scratch-made Japanese ramen goes far beyond instant noodles, with rich broths like tonkotsu, miso, and shoyu. Tucson has more specialty ramen shops than you might expect. Here’s where to find them around town.🍜

@ikkyu.tucson 
@jaramencurry 
@kiwamiramenbar 
@kukai___ 
@marujapanesenoodle 
@maruplusaz 
@obonsushi 
@raijinramen 
@theramenbartucson 
@tossfriedchickennramen 

More guides on Tucsonfoodie.comScratch-made Japanese ramen goes far beyond instant noodles, with rich broths like tonkotsu, miso, and shoyu. Tucson has more specialty ramen shops than you might expect. Here’s where to find them around town.🍜 @ikkyu.tucson @jaramencurry @kiwamiramenbar @kukai___ @marujapanesenoodle @maruplusaz @obonsushi @raijinramen @theramenbartucson @tossfriedchickennramen More guides on Tucsonfoodie.com
@Scentedleaf is opening a new location in the former Starbucks at Speedway and Country Club!!🥰

The locally owned tea shop celebrates its grand opening tomorrow, October 10, from 11 am to 9 pm, with 50% off all tea drinks and 25% off loose-leaf tea and merchandise.

📍3025 E. Speedway Blvd.@Scentedleaf is opening a new location in the former Starbucks at Speedway and Country Club!!🥰 The locally owned tea shop celebrates its grand opening tomorrow, October 10, from 11 am to 9 pm, with 50% off all tea drinks and 25% off loose-leaf tea and merchandise. 📍3025 E. Speedway Blvd.
The grand opening is TODAY, Oct. 8! 🎉

@istanbultucson is expanding with a second location, @istanbulmediterraneanexpress, at 5660 W. Cortaro Farms Rd. 

The fast-casual spot will feature about 75% of the original location’s menu, plus two exclusive dishes: build-your-own Turkish stuffed baked potatoes, known as Kumpir, and fresh-ground doner made in-house. The falafel plate and stuffed potatoes can also be made vegan. 

“The first restaurant taught us what our customers love most, so at Cortaro we’re focusing the menu around our most popular dishes while making the experience a little more casual and convenient. Most importantly, we’ve learned that no matter how much we grow, the quality of our food has to stay high every single day.” — Kamran Esar

Daily hours: 11am - 9pm

Read the article on Tucsonfoodie.comThe grand opening is TODAY, Oct. 8! 🎉 @istanbultucson is expanding with a second location, @istanbulmediterraneanexpress, at 5660 W. Cortaro Farms Rd. The fast-casual spot will feature about 75% of the original location’s menu, plus two exclusive dishes: build-your-own Turkish stuffed baked potatoes, known as Kumpir, and fresh-ground doner made in-house. The falafel plate and stuffed potatoes can also be made vegan. “The first restaurant taught us what our customers love most, so at Cortaro we’re focusing the menu around our most popular dishes while making the experience a little more casual and convenient. Most importantly, we’ve learned that no matter how much we grow, the quality of our food has to stay high every single day.” — Kamran Esar Daily hours: 11am - 9pm Read the article on Tucsonfoodie.com
Phoenix bakery @Proofbread is popping up in Tucson! 

Starting Friday, Oct. 9, the Phoenix-based sourdough bakery and stone flour mill will take over the two former @Cafefrancaisaz locations for a Tucson pop-up.

Expect naturally leavened country loaves, chocolate croissants with 81 layers of laminated dough, morning buns, ciabatta and more. 🥐🍞

📍 7831 E. Wrightstown Rd. 
📍 3855 E. Broadway Blvd. 

Both locations will be open 7 am-2 pm throughout October. If the pop-up is a success, Proof Bread says it could become a permanent Tucson operation. 

Read the article on Tucsonfoodie.comPhoenix bakery @Proofbread is popping up in Tucson! Starting Friday, Oct. 9, the Phoenix-based sourdough bakery and stone flour mill will take over the two former @Cafefrancaisaz locations for a Tucson pop-up. Expect naturally leavened country loaves, chocolate croissants with 81 layers of laminated dough, morning buns, ciabatta and more. 🥐🍞 📍 7831 E. Wrightstown Rd. 📍 3855 E. Broadway Blvd. Both locations will be open 7 am-2 pm throughout October. If the pop-up is a success, Proof Bread says it could become a permanent Tucson operation. Read the article on Tucsonfoodie.com