🎟️ Desert Magic | Aug 29 — Get Tickets & View Featured Chefs →Get Tickets →
Tucson FoodieCelebrating local food, drink, and community.
Author Profile

Jackie Tran

Jackie 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.

Work by Jackie

Casa Vera opens Aug. 12 on La Cholla Boulevard with regional Mexican menu and hacienda design
Article

Casa Vera opens Aug. 12 on La Cholla Boulevard with regional Mexican menu and hacienda design

Casa Vera opens Aug. 12 at 7265 N. La Cholla Blvd. in Tucson, with a regional Mexican menu led by former PY Steakhouse chef Eliana Hernandez and hacienda-inspired design.

Aug 7, 20262 min read
Los Milics Vineyards launches weekend brunch at its downtown Tucson tasting room
Article

Los Milics Vineyards launches weekend brunch at its downtown Tucson tasting room

Los Milics Vineyards now serves weekend brunch at its downtown Tucson tasting room at 98 E. Congress St.

Aug 5, 20263 min read
Photo guide to OBON's new summer drinks & dishes
Article

Photo guide to OBON's new summer drinks & dishes

OBON Sushi Bar Ramen invited the Tucson Foodie team to capture their newest cocktails and dishes.

Jul 31, 20262 min read
Alchemy Foods: the Tucson meat alternative made for people who love to cook
Article

Alchemy Foods: the Tucson meat alternative made for people who love to cook

Tucson's Alchemy Foods makes a mushroom and pea protein-based meat alternative for home cooks and restaurants. Find it at Heirloom Farmers Market and Food Conspiracy Co-op.

Jul 24, 20265 min read
Gibson Food Hall & Market now open downtown
Article

Gibson Food Hall & Market now open downtown

Gibson Food Hall & Market opened July 10 at 11 S. Sixth Ave., bringing four food hall vendors, a revamped grocery, and the hidden Pearl Lounge speakeasy to downtown Tucson.

Jul 22, 20263 min read
Double Down on Fourth takes over Bawker Bawker space on Fourth Avenue
Article

Double Down on Fourth takes over Bawker Bawker space on Fourth Avenue

Double Down on Fourth soft opens July 19 at 400 N. Fourth Ave., bringing a Southwest saloon concept, 28 taps, and house-made dry cider to Historic Fourth Avenue.

Jul 21, 20262 min read
A look into OBON chef Anthony Dromgoole's Iron Chef Tucson three-peat
Article

A look into OBON chef Anthony Dromgoole's Iron Chef Tucson three-peat

Anthony Dromgoole joins Loews Ventana Canyon executive chef Ryan Clark as the only chefs to have won Iron Chef Tucson three years in a row.

Jul 20, 20262 min read
Tucson chef José Contreras to cook at James Beard Foundation Platform dinner Aug. 11
Article

Tucson chef José Contreras to cook at James Beard Foundation Platform dinner Aug. 11

Tucson’s José Contreras heads to the James Beard House for a masa and seafood dinner in New York José Contreras, chef and owner of Amelia’s Mexican Kitchen, will to New […]

Jul 13, 20263 min read
How Veratina Kitchens makes home cooking easy for Tucsonans
Article

How Veratina Kitchens makes home cooking easy for Tucsonans

Want to cook at home to maintain control of what you eat while spending less time shopping, prepping, and cleaning? This might be where Veratina Kitchens steps in for you. […]

Jul 7, 20266 min read
Where to eat & drink at the Mercado District in 2026
Article

Where to eat & drink at the Mercado District in 2026

The Mercado District sits at the westernmost stop of the Sun Link streetcar, about a mile from downtown. The district now spans four properties: the Spanish colonial-style Mercado San Agustín, […]

Jul 6, 20269 min read
Dante’s Fire to permanently close after 13 years on Grant Road
Article

Dante’s Fire to permanently close after 13 years on Grant Road

Dante’s Fire, the midtown Tucson restaurant and cocktail bar at 2526 E. Grant Rd., will permanently close after a final day of service on July 19, 2026. Partner-chef Kenneth Foy […]

Jul 6, 20263 min read
Tucson celebrates Independence Day 2026 with food, music & fireworks
Article

Tucson celebrates Independence Day 2026 with food, music & fireworks

Restaurants and bars across Tucson are ready to light up Independence Day 2026 with festive menus, live music and holiday weekend fun. July 4 falls on a Saturday this year, […]

Jul 1, 20264 min read

Get our free Tucson Foodie weekly newsletter

Join 25,000+ local subscribers

New openings, events, dish recommendations, and guides — every Wednesday. No spam.

Follow @TucsonFoodie133.8K followers
Chilaquiles bring together crispy tortilla chips, salsa, eggs, and cheese in one skillet. Tucson cooks have made the dish their own, and each restaurant adds a different twist. Some go heavy on red or green sauce, others split the two, and many top the plate with a fried or poached egg. From a downtown café to a Marana staple, here are the best spots in town to order chilaquiles.

More on Tucsonfoodie.com🔥Chilaquiles bring together crispy tortilla chips, salsa, eggs, and cheese in one skillet. Tucson cooks have made the dish their own, and each restaurant adds a different twist. Some go heavy on red or green sauce, others split the two, and many top the plate with a fried or poached egg. From a downtown café to a Marana staple, here are the best spots in town to order chilaquiles. More on Tucsonfoodie.com🔥
Weekend brunch at @losmilicsvineyards🌞

Los Milics Vineyards Tucson is now serving brunch Saturdays and Sundays from 11am-4pm at its downtown Tucson tasting room, with dinner continuing from 4-9pm. 

The brunch menu is built to pair with Los Milics’ estate-grown Sonoita wines, plus curated flights, cocktails, and local beer. Expect house-made focaccia, charcuterie, fried halloumi, salads, eggs in purgatory, breakfast burritos, a K4 Ranch burger, a Bourdain sandwich, a confit BLT, and plenty of sweet options.

There are also vegan choices, including avocado toast and focaccia French toast, plus dairy-free oat milk gelato.

📍 98 E. Congress St.
🍳 Brunch: Sat. & Sun., 11am-4pm 
🍷 Dinner: 4-9pm

Weekend reservations are recommended!
More in @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com 
Video clips by @addiewankenobi 
#tucsonfoodie #downtowntucsonWeekend brunch at @losmilicsvineyards🌞 Los Milics Vineyards Tucson is now serving brunch Saturdays and Sundays from 11am-4pm at its downtown Tucson tasting room, with dinner continuing from 4-9pm. The brunch menu is built to pair with Los Milics’ estate-grown Sonoita wines, plus curated flights, cocktails, and local beer. Expect house-made focaccia, charcuterie, fried halloumi, salads, eggs in purgatory, breakfast burritos, a K4 Ranch burger, a Bourdain sandwich, a confit BLT, and plenty of sweet options. There are also vegan choices, including avocado toast and focaccia French toast, plus dairy-free oat milk gelato. 📍 98 E. Congress St. 🍳 Brunch: Sat. & Sun., 11am-4pm 🍷 Dinner: 4-9pm Weekend reservations are recommended! More in @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com Video clips by @addiewankenobi #tucsonfoodie #downtowntucson
JUST 2 DAYS AWAY!🎉

@hubdowntown and @pueblovida are bringing together four thoughtfully crafted courses and four perfectly paired beers for an evening in HUB’s Library Lounge.

The four-course dinner includes an 8 oz pour of Pueblo Vida with each dish:

→ Wildcat (Sonoran Amber Lager) + Beef Carpaccio
→ Watermelon Lime Shortcut (Fruited Kettle Sour) + Ahi Tuna Crisp
→ Hef (Wheat Ale) + Roasted Chicken Thigh
→ Cereus (Hazy IPA) + Baja Fish & Chips

• Wednesday, August 12
• 6 PM
• HUB’s Library Lounge
• $55++ per person

Seats are limited! Get your tickets through the link in @hubdowntown’s bio🍻

Photos courtesy of @hubdowntown @pueblovida 
#tucsonfoodie #tucsoneventsJUST 2 DAYS AWAY!🎉 @hubdowntown and @pueblovida are bringing together four thoughtfully crafted courses and four perfectly paired beers for an evening in HUB’s Library Lounge. The four-course dinner includes an 8 oz pour of Pueblo Vida with each dish: → Wildcat (Sonoran Amber Lager) + Beef Carpaccio → Watermelon Lime Shortcut (Fruited Kettle Sour) + Ahi Tuna Crisp → Hef (Wheat Ale) + Roasted Chicken Thigh → Cereus (Hazy IPA) + Baja Fish & Chips • Wednesday, August 12 • 6 PM • HUB’s Library Lounge • $55++ per person Seats are limited! Get your tickets through the link in @hubdowntown’s bio🍻 Photos courtesy of @hubdowntown @pueblovida #tucsonfoodie #tucsonevents
SONORAN RESTAURANT WEEK KICKOFF PARTY🍸

Tucson’s biggest culinary week of the year starts with a celebration at @Thetreasury1929! Join Tucson Foodie on Monday, August 31, from 5–8 pm for the official @Sonoranrestaurantweek Kickoff Party.

Enjoy tasting stations from participating Sonoran Restaurant Week restaurants, plus a dedicated station from The Treasury’s culinary team. Sip on two signature cocktails featuring @donjuliotequila and @rombauervineyards, with beverage service by @breakthrubevaz. 

The night also includes live music from a DJ, photo booths, and access to all three floors of one of downtown Tucson’s most historic venues.

The Treasury 1929
Monday, August 31, 5–8 p.m.
$46 • 21+ with valid ID

Tickets are extremely limited to keep the tasting experience intimate. Grab yours while they last!

🎟️ LINK IN BIO 

Photos courtesy of @thetreasury1929 
#tucsonfoodie #tucsonnewsSONORAN RESTAURANT WEEK KICKOFF PARTY🍸 Tucson’s biggest culinary week of the year starts with a celebration at @Thetreasury1929! Join Tucson Foodie on Monday, August 31, from 5–8 pm for the official @Sonoranrestaurantweek Kickoff Party. Enjoy tasting stations from participating Sonoran Restaurant Week restaurants, plus a dedicated station from The Treasury’s culinary team. Sip on two signature cocktails featuring @donjuliotequila and @rombauervineyards, with beverage service by @breakthrubevaz. The night also includes live music from a DJ, photo booths, and access to all three floors of one of downtown Tucson’s most historic venues. The Treasury 1929 Monday, August 31, 5–8 p.m. $46 • 21+ with valid ID Tickets are extremely limited to keep the tasting experience intimate. Grab yours while they last! 🎟️ LINK IN BIO Photos courtesy of @thetreasury1929 #tucsonfoodie #tucsonnews