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Matt Russell

Contributor at Tucson Foodie.

Work by Matt

Grabbin’ a cold one with Rachel D’Acquisto of Ray Ray’s Sonoran Spirit Tea
Article

Grabbin’ a cold one with Rachel D’Acquisto of Ray Ray’s Sonoran Spirit Tea

What do a realtor, a wannabe psychologist, a certified sommelier, and a rollerblading server at Sonic Drive-In all have in common? Don’t expect a corny punchline. They actually represent distinct […]

Dec 14, 20227 min read
Comin’ in hot! Erik Buehler & the ‘Wall of Heat’ at Tucson Tamale
Article

Comin’ in hot! Erik Buehler & the ‘Wall of Heat’ at Tucson Tamale

Erik Buehler laughs off the suggestion that he’s a hot sauce sommelier, but few people in Southern Arizona can compete with his credentials in the environment of combustible condiments. Buehler […]

Oct 25, 20226 min read
What a catch! Ernie Soto, fishmonger & executive sushi chef of OBON
Article

What a catch! Ernie Soto, fishmonger & executive sushi chef of OBON

Ernie Soto’s first encounter with fish in the workplace was at the drive-thru window of his neighborhood McDonald’s where he worked as a teenager. It was his first day on […]

Oct 10, 20226 min read
Sonoran Restaurant Week: Smokin’ menus at Ken’s Hardwood Barbecue & Brother John’s Beer, Bourbon, & BBQ
Article

Sonoran Restaurant Week: Smokin’ menus at Ken’s Hardwood Barbecue & Brother John’s Beer, Bourbon, & BBQ

You might say that I have a little smoke in my soul. I recently returned from Sparks, Nevada where I served as a judge at the nation’s biggest barbecue rib […]

Sep 12, 20226 min read
Propelled by Pastries: Kianna Kilgore’s journey as a pastry chef
Article

Propelled by Pastries: Kianna Kilgore’s journey as a pastry chef

With five brothers and a sister all growing up under the same roof in Phoenix, Kianna Kilgore reportedly had to tap into her creative faculties to compete for her parents’ […]

Aug 22, 20226 min read
Chef Jason Flores brings his country boy flair to Loews Ventana Canyon Resort
Article

Chef Jason Flores brings his country boy flair to Loews Ventana Canyon Resort

He has cooked for the Dalai Lama, lectured on backwoods Oklahoma cuisine, ran the banquets program at the legendary Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego, and prepared fried squirrel at […]

Jul 18, 20225 min read
Chef Wendy Gauthier & Chef Ken Foy battle it out in this year’s Iron Chef Tucson
Article

Chef Wendy Gauthier & Chef Ken Foy battle it out in this year’s Iron Chef Tucson

It’s hard to say with certainty that the Wolverines of West Potomac High and the Eagles of Thomas Edison High are rivals in Alexandria, Virginia, but the real rivalry will […]

Jun 28, 20225 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