(Photo courtesy of 1989 Bake House)
1989 Bake House
The banana scone, but also the brownies.
Guide
Tucson Love Letter Founder Gloria Knott's Favorite Dishes in Tucson
I fell in love with refried beans and flour tortillas when I was in elementary school sitting at La Parrilla Suiza on Speedway. In middle school, I remember going to Rincon Market with my best friend, where I picked out a beautiful cupcake sprinkled with Oreo crumbles. In my twenties, I went on a Bumble date to Scented Leaf — and then we went back to Scented Leaf for our second date.
I’ve lived in Tucson my entire life, surrounded by the steak fingers from Lucky Wishbone and the giant plates of pasta from Mama Louisa’s. I love Tucson — and its food — so much that I made it my career.
If we haven’t met yet, hello. I’m Gloria! In October 2025, I founded Tucson Love Letter, which is a community-first publication that helps you explore the magic of Tucson. Through Tucson Love Letter, you’ll learn about things to do, mutual-aid groups, artists, restaurants and more of the things I love about Tucson.
I like to think I’m one of Tucson’s biggest fans and that absolutely includes the food. Here are some of my favorite meals.
17 spots
(Photo courtesy of Bai Thong)
Bai Thong
Pad see ew. Love at first sight (and also bite).
Baja Cafe
For years, my go-to order at Baja Cafe was their biscuits and gravy — and then it vanished from the menu. In a hurried decision to choose something else to order, I asked for the King Kong, which is a glorious mix of all the breakfast favorites topped with a delicious gouda sauce.
Pro tip: Ask for an extra side of the sauce.
Pro pro tip: Also get the snickerdoodle pancake to share with the table.
Bubbe's Fine Bagels
1101 N Wilmot Rd Ste 120Midtown
Let me say this: I am cream cheese’s biggest fan. It would be dangerous for me to live within walking distance of Bubbe’s. My go-to order: a plain bagel (or sometimes a garlic bagel) with plain cream cheese. It’s easy, it’s simple, it’s amazing.
D’Kutsilyo
The lumpia here reminds me of my grandma’s, which means it’s delicious. I also love the beef caldereta. If you go inside the store next door, pick up a bag of Oishi Pillows, which are ube-filled crackers. They’re my current favorite Filipino snack.
Frost Gelato
7131 North Oracle RoadNorthwest
Salted caramel gelato mixed with Lotus cookie or peanut butter crunch.
Go Dim Sum
I’m ashamed to say it, but the first time I ever had pork bao was at Disneyland and I loved it so much that I knew I needed to find it in Tucson. I love the bao at Go Dim Sum. They also have the best fried rice that I’ve tried (and also delicious popcorn chicken and delicious Portuguese egg tarts).
HeeMee Coffee + Bakery
I’ve long loved the spicy bulgogi here and a recent favorite of mine is the spicy fried chicken udon. If you go to the University location, get a scoop of ube gelato.
Houlden's Rise Above
Literally everything???
Indian Twist
I love anything with paneer. That’s all I have to say.
Jun Dynasty
2933 E Grant RdUniversity & 4th Ave
I want to eat at Jun Dynasty every single day. Everything is good, but their sweet and sour chicken is my favorite — it’s saucy but still crispy. Go at lunch — it’s $11 for an entree, rice, a cup of soup and an egg roll.
(Photo courtesy of Lumbre Pizza A La Leña)
Lumbre Pizza A La Leña
Sin ubicación fija
This is my favorite pizza in Tucson and I recommend it all the time. Get the Elotero, which is a white pie topped with roasted corn. Ask for an extra side of cilantro lime ranch for dipping. (If the owner Leo has it while you visit, also order the horchata. It’s my favorite in Tucson.)
They currently operate as a food truck; find them here.
Noodle tteokbokki and soy garlic chicken with rice at Oh My Chicken (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Oh My Chicken
I have tried all four sauce flavors at Oh My Chicken and they are truly all good. Recently my go-to has been the hot chili, but for a long time I was dunking my chicken tenders in the honey sauce. Their ranch is also to die for and their fries are 10/10.
I’m admittedly a big fan of artificial banana which I realize isn’t a common take — but if you agree with me, order the banana milk.
Photo Courtesy of Raspados El Paraiso
Raspados El Paraiso
Fresas con crema.
(Photo courtesy of The Scented Leaf)
Scented Leaf Tea House
308 East Congress StreetDowntown
Cloud tea, medium sweet.
Tacos Apson
Everything I’ve ever had at Tacos Apson has been incredible. I love the carne asada, I love the barbacoa. More than anything, though, I love the Taco Chino — which is literally just refried beans sandwiched inside a flour tortilla. I could eat a million of them. And they’re only $1!
Tea Leaf and Creamery interior (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Tea Leaf and Creamery
Egg waffle with custard filling, ube ice cream, condensed milk, gummy bears and Oreo crumbles.
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