[Editor’s note: Mike’s Food Co. hosted the Tucson Foodie team to taste a few of the menu favorites; photos from this article were taken during that visit, where the items were cut in half for easy sharing.]
MotoSonora Brewing Co. recently welcomed one of their rotating food trucks, Mike’s Food Co., as a full-time fixture at their beer garden.
Mike’s owner and chef Mike Gradowski spent over 20 years cooking across the country before moving to Tucson and teaching culinary arts at Catalina High School. He now channels that experience into Mike’s Food Co., where former students often work with him for hands-on experience.
“Whatever I’m doing, whether working as a private chef or this truck, it’s been great to be able to continue fostering new talent,” he said.
Global Flavors With Local Roots
Popular items include the Classic Burger (think a classic cheeseburger plus remoulade) and the Rio Chama Burger, which includes New Mexico green chiles.
The Ducati Burger adds Havarti and caramelized onions, while the bartender-favorite Blueberry Burnout Burger uses peanut butter and blueberry remoulade, made using a reduction of a MotoSonora blueberry beer.
Additionally, the menu features gyro, chicken shawarma, falafel burgers, and a mezze plate.
“Tucson has been my home for over a decade and I just want to make yummy food inspired by my travels for the community,” he said. “I’d like to think there’s a little something on the menu for everyone”
Mike’s Food Co. Parked outside in the beergarden at MotoSonora Brewing Co., 1015 S. Park Ave. For more information, visit mikesfood.co. Keep up with Mike’s Food Co. on Instagram.
Article written by:
Jackie Tran
More about JackieJackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the now-closed food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.
An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to sloppily devouring green chili patty melts in his car afterhours. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.
Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.
If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.
