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Nina Boutsikaris

Nina is a Creative Nonfiction MFA candidate at the University of Arizona, a food writer and a recipe addict.

Work by Nina

Downtown Kitchen Celebrates Diverse Peruvian Cuisine
Article

Downtown Kitchen Celebrates Diverse Peruvian Cuisine

Beginning September 2nd and running through October 6th, DOWNTOWN Kitchen + Cocktails makes its last stop on this summer’s Around the Globe Summer Tour with a final hurrah in Lima, Peru. […]

Sep 3, 20141 min read
Heirloom Farmers Market, Edible Baja Arizona, Zona 78 Team Up for RIPE
Article

Heirloom Farmers Market, Edible Baja Arizona, Zona 78 Team Up for RIPE

The beginning of fall in Tucson offers an abundance of popular native foods, including mesquite flour, prickly pear syrups and jams, cactus pads, cholla buds, chiles and more. To kick off the season, […]

Sep 2, 20143 min read
End of Summer Wine Events at Callaghan Vineyards
Article

End of Summer Wine Events at Callaghan Vineyards

Early fall is one of the best times to travel south to Sonoita and sample the delicious wines produced right in Tucson’s backyard. Check out the upcoming events featuring Callaghan Vineyards, one of […]

Aug 29, 20142 min read
Downtown Lecture Series Focuses on Food
Article

Downtown Lecture Series Focuses on Food

The free Downtown Lecture Series kicks off on October 15th this year, with a focus on food and its connections to culture, health and environment. It’s a whole season of fascinating […]

Aug 28, 20141 min read
El Charro Named Among Nation’s Best Mexican Food
Article

El Charro Named Among Nation’s Best Mexican Food

That’s right, Tucson’s oldest Mexican restaurant, El Charro, has placed among Thrillist’s list of Best Mexican Restaurants in the Country. “They’re known for their carne seca (dried beef), which is […]

Aug 26, 20141 min read
ALS Fundraiser “Bite Nite” Set for September 6th in Tucson
Article

ALS Fundraiser “Bite Nite” Set for September 6th in Tucson

UPDATE: This event has sold out. If you are even remotely tuned into social media you’re probably aware of the Ice Bucket Challenge that has been raising money for ALS, also known as Lou […]

Aug 25, 20141 min read
3rd Annual Great Crush Festival at Hops  & Vines
Article

3rd Annual Great Crush Festival at Hops & Vines

Can the Arizona Hops and Vines crew be my best friends, please? These people know how to party and make delicious wine–what’s not to love? On the tails of Bad Decisions […]

Aug 25, 20141 min read
Zinburger Shakes Things Up with New Menu Items
Article

Zinburger Shakes Things Up with New Menu Items

You probably haven’t tried all the burgers and shakes at Zinburger Wine and Burger Bar, right? No matter–they’ve just added several brand new burgers, salads, and shakes for you to gobble up. Feast […]

Aug 24, 20141 min read
Wholesome Labor Day Picnic Program from Urban Fresh
Article

Wholesome Labor Day Picnic Program from Urban Fresh

It’s that time of year again–the last long weekend before summer officially ends. If you’re planning a picnic or party for Labor Day, Urban Fresh has you covered. Or smothered, […]

Aug 22, 20141 min read
Arizona Restaurant Week Hits Tucson Sept 19
Article

Arizona Restaurant Week Hits Tucson Sept 19

Waiting for a special occasion to try a new local restaurant? Arizona Restaurant Week is your foodie dream come true. From September 19-28, a number of participating Southern Arizona restaurants will offer […]

Aug 21, 20141 min read
New Whole Foods Oracle Reopens August 27
Article

New Whole Foods Oracle Reopens August 27

It’s taken more than a year to expand the Whole Foods Market at Casas Adobes Plaza, a renovation that doubled the size of the store while still maintaining one of the […]

Aug 20, 20142 min read
NORTH Italia Wraps Up Community Dinner Series
Article

NORTH Italia Wraps Up Community Dinner Series

Chef Carlos Calderon will host the last summer Community Dinner at NORTH Italia on Wednesday, August 20. If you haven’t had enough of La Encantada (hopefully you checked out SAACA’s 2014 Salsa and Tequila […]

Aug 18, 20141 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