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Author Profile

Jackie Tran

Jackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer and photographer. 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.

Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments and petting pets.

If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.

Work by Jackie

IOU Sushi III closed after 10 years on North Oracle Road
Article

IOU Sushi III closed after 10 years on North Oracle Road

IOU Sushi III, the all-you-can-eat sushi spot on North Oracle Road, has closed after about 10 years. Owners thanked customers in a Facebook post.

Oct 12, 20261 min read
Phoenix bakery Proof Bread hosting pop-up at former Cafe Francais locations
Article

Phoenix bakery Proof Bread hosting pop-up at former Cafe Francais locations

Proof Bread, Phoenix’s stone-milling sourdough bakery, pops up in Tucson at two former Cafe Francais locations starting Oct. 9. Open 7 a.m.-2 p.m. through October.

Oct 7, 20263 min read
Pueblo Vida Brewing to move next door with new restaurant from Anello's Scott Girod
Article

Pueblo Vida Brewing to move next door with new restaurant from Anello's Scott Girod

After 12 years, Pueblo Vida Brewing is moving into an expanded space with food, wine and coffee next door.

Oct 1, 20262 min read
Agustín Kitchen closes after 13 years, Il Santo to take over space
Article

Agustín Kitchen closes after 13 years, Il Santo to take over space

Agustín Kitchen has permanently closed after 13 years at Mercado San Agustín. An all-day Italian osteria is expected to take over the space at 100 S. Avenida del Convento.

Sep 30, 20264 min read
Frida American Brasserie plans late Oct. opening at La Encantada
Article

Frida American Brasserie plans late Oct. opening at La Encantada

Frida American Brasserie now targets a late October opening at La Encantada, and the team previews its menu, wine list, and cocktails.

Sep 29, 20262 min read
Basqueria debuts new menu & lunch tapas (PHOTOS)
Article

Basqueria debuts new menu & lunch tapas (PHOTOS)

Basqueria's new menu adds by-the-piece lunch tapas, bocadillos, family-style paella, and weekend brunch in downtown Tucson.

Sep 17, 20263 min read
BRAVA at Borderlands Sam Hughes opens Sept. 19 with handmade masa
Article

BRAVA at Borderlands Sam Hughes opens Sept. 19 with handmade masa

BRAVA at Borderlands opens Sept. 19 at 2500 E. Sixth St. in Tucson's Sam Hughes with handmade masa, central Mexican cooking, and mezcal cocktails by Arnoldo Celaya.

Sep 17, 20264 min read
Cafe Francais closing permanently after seven years in Tucson
Article

Cafe Francais closing permanently after seven years in Tucson

Cafe Francais is closing permanently after seven years in Tucson. Catch the French bakery's last pastries this weekend before it shuts down.

Sep 16, 20262 min read
Talega Cafe becomes Velvet Cowboy bar after dark on Church Avenue
Article

Talega Cafe becomes Velvet Cowboy bar after dark on Church Avenue

Talega Cafe at 177 N. Church Ave. transforms into Velvet Cowboy at 4 p.m. daily. The grand opening is Oct. 16, with drag brunch and vinyl DJs coming soon.

Sep 10, 20264 min read
Tucson's 100 Boil Pot & Grill blends hot pot with pan-fried buns
Article

Tucson's 100 Boil Pot & Grill blends hot pot with pan-fried buns

100 Boil Pot & Grill opened August 1 in the former Tasty Pot space on Wetmore Road, bringing Taiwanese hot pot and pan-fried buns to Tucson.

Sep 8, 20264 min read
Salvadoran eatery Asaditos Zulmyta celebrates one year with food truck grand opening
Article

Salvadoran eatery Asaditos Zulmyta celebrates one year with food truck grand opening

Asaditos Zulmyta marks its first anniversary and launches its new food truck September 12 in Tucson, alongside Central American Independence Day.

Aug 27, 20265 min read
James Beard-nominated chefs bring Tortillas Chiwas to Tucson
Article

James Beard-nominated chefs bring Tortillas Chiwas to Tucson

Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguin, founders of Tacos Chiwas, are opening Tortillas Chiwas at 914 N. Grande Ave. in Tucson's Barrio Hollywood.

Aug 26, 20262 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