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Mark Whittaker

Contributor at Tucson Foodie.

Work by Mark

Davison Meats: A Chef-Driven Meat Market on the Northwest Side
Article

Davison Meats: A Chef-Driven Meat Market on the Northwest Side

Davison Meats was embraced for offering not just fresh cuts of beef, but also carrying veal, lamb, chicken, and homemade sausages and brats.

Jul 12, 20234 min read
Fentonelli’s Pizzeria & Bar: Italian Cuisine on Tucson’s North Side
Article

Fentonelli’s Pizzeria & Bar: Italian Cuisine on Tucson’s North Side

Named after chef Fenton’s Italian grandmother, Fentonelli’s is the most casual concept to date while still keeping some of Reilly’s favorites.

Jul 6, 20234 min read
Obon’s Hot New Cocktail Menu Will Keep You Cool This Summer
Article

Obon’s Hot New Cocktail Menu Will Keep You Cool This Summer

Downtown’s own Obon Sushi + Bar + Ramen has always been that outlet we all need when the days and nights are nearly too torrid to handle.

Jul 5, 20234 min read
Snake & Barrel’s New Summer Cocktail Menu Has Some Serious Bite
Article

Snake & Barrel’s New Summer Cocktail Menu Has Some Serious Bite

There are plenty of dimly-lit pubs dotting our landscape but Batch’s lair, Snake & Barrel, takes it to a whole other level — underground.

Jun 30, 20235 min read
Summer Treats & New Dining Hours at Gallery of Food Bodega
Article

Summer Treats & New Dining Hours at Gallery of Food Bodega

Located on the corner of Fort Lowell Road and Tucson Boulevard, next to Seven Cups Fine Chinese Teas, it’s often referred to as the “Bodega.”

Jun 16, 20235 min read
Simon Hazel Cellars Ages Like a Fine Wine & Celebrates 1 Year
Article

Simon Hazel Cellars Ages Like a Fine Wine & Celebrates 1 Year

Simon Hazel Cellars is the Southern Arizona destination for all things refined, delightful, elegant, resourceful, and headily ambrosial.

Jun 14, 20234 min read
Che Cafe: Empanadas, Pizza & More Made With Pure Love
Article

Che Cafe: Empanadas, Pizza & More Made With Pure Love

Once they settled in, they fell in love with our funky town and almost immediately got to work on setting up Che Cafe.

Jun 12, 20235 min read
Blue Willow: 45 Years of Deliciousness with a Fresh Twist
Article

Blue Willow: 45 Years of Deliciousness with a Fresh Twist

The beloved restaurant on Campbell Avenue opened its doors in June of 1978 and has been a breakfast and brunch staple ever since

Jun 7, 20235 min read
South Side Treasures: Sushi Kito & La Cenaduria De La 12
Article

South Side Treasures: Sushi Kito & La Cenaduria De La 12

With Sushi Kito and La Cenaduria De La 12 being a part of his legacy, Carlos Chavez is a big part of Tucson’s culinary scene

May 30, 20236 min read
Pizza, Pasta Nights & Community at Penelope Wood Fired Pizza
Article

Pizza, Pasta Nights & Community at Penelope Wood Fired Pizza

Penelope Wood Fired Pizza resides within downtown’s Cartel Roasting Co. on Broadway and is the beautiful brainchild of Jared Schwartz.

May 19, 20236 min read
Banhdicted: Banh mi, tea & more inside the ‘mobile unit of greatness’
Article

Banhdicted: Banh mi, tea & more inside the ‘mobile unit of greatness’

The Vongtheungs are keeping it in the family — a story they are telling through flavor, tradition, fun, and above all, perseverance.

May 10, 20235 min read
Pizza, meatballs & made-to-order lasagna at midtown’s ‘Pasta La Vista’
Article

Pizza, meatballs & made-to-order lasagna at midtown’s ‘Pasta La Vista’

Pasta La Vista is a fairly direct spot: a large cooking area, comfortable booths, straightforward tables and chairs, and with walls adorned by posters of classic rock bands such as Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Zeppelin, and

May 5, 20237 min read

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IOU Sushi III has closed. The all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant on North Oracle Road announced the news on Facebook after about 10 years in Tucson. “This is the hardest post I’ve had to write,” the owners said. The post continued, “we have met some great friends who have become family to us.” Tucson Foodie first visited the restaurant in 2017, when it operated as IOU Sushi IV. Read the full story on tucsonfoodie.com.IOU Sushi III has closed. The all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant on North Oracle Road announced the news on Facebook after about 10 years in Tucson. “This is the hardest post I’ve had to write,” the owners said. The post continued, “we have met some great friends who have become family to us.” Tucson Foodie first visited the restaurant in 2017, when it operated as IOU Sushi IV. Read the full story on tucsonfoodie.com.
THE FALL SOUTHERN AZ HOME SHOW RETURNS OCT. 16-18 WITH TWO BIG CULINARY HEADLINERS🔥 @Tcctucson welcomes award-winning pitmaster @Sloanrinaldi for an “All Things Brisket” demo at 2:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, followed by a meet-and-greet. Three-time Iron Chef Tucson champion @Chef_antbanks of @Obonsushi takes the Culinary Showcase Stage Saturday at noon. The show will also feature 200+ vendors, food trucks, pet-friendly attractions, adoptable animals, HGTV’s Matt Blashaw, the Kids Market, and more. WHEN: Oct. 16-18 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. WHERE: TCC 📍260 S. Church Ave. TICKETS: $8 | $4 with discount coupon | Kids 12 & under free SPECIAL ADMISSION: • Friday: Seniors 65+ free; half-price for military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers with ID • Saturday: Half-price for seniors and the same groups • Sunday (Heroes Day): Seniors half-price; military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers free with ID ALL DAYS: $2 admission from 3-5 p.m. Free parking in Convention Center Lot B.THE FALL SOUTHERN AZ HOME SHOW RETURNS OCT. 16-18 WITH TWO BIG CULINARY HEADLINERS🔥 @Tcctucson welcomes award-winning pitmaster @Sloanrinaldi for an “All Things Brisket” demo at 2:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, followed by a meet-and-greet. Three-time Iron Chef Tucson champion @Chef_antbanks of @Obonsushi takes the Culinary Showcase Stage Saturday at noon. The show will also feature 200+ vendors, food trucks, pet-friendly attractions, adoptable animals, HGTV’s Matt Blashaw, the Kids Market, and more. WHEN: Oct. 16-18 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. WHERE: TCC 📍260 S. Church Ave. TICKETS: $8 | $4 with discount coupon | Kids 12 & under free SPECIAL ADMISSION: • Friday: Seniors 65+ free; half-price for military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers with ID • Saturday: Half-price for seniors and the same groups • Sunday (Heroes Day): Seniors half-price; military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers free with ID ALL DAYS: $2 admission from 3-5 p.m. Free parking in Convention Center Lot B.
Anne Rysdale built @sheltercocktaillounge in 1961 with concrete walls, lava rock, and Cold War nerves. Today, owners Pam Santangelo and Kevin Breutzmann keep the Tucson bar exactly as regulars remember it. Inside, martinis share space with JFK memorabilia, a vintage atomic chandelier, and a suit of armor named Charlie. “Tucson is changing so much, but this has stayed the same. It’s a time capsule,” Santangelo said. Read @sea_lyon’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com Photos by @sea_lyonAnne Rysdale built @sheltercocktaillounge in 1961 with concrete walls, lava rock, and Cold War nerves. Today, owners Pam Santangelo and Kevin Breutzmann keep the Tucson bar exactly as regulars remember it. Inside, martinis share space with JFK memorabilia, a vintage atomic chandelier, and a suit of armor named Charlie. “Tucson is changing so much, but this has stayed the same. It’s a time capsule,” Santangelo said. Read @sea_lyon’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com Photos by @sea_lyon
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