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Tucson Love Letter Founder Gloria Knott's Favorite Dishes in Tucson

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Tucson Love Letter Founder Gloria Knott's Favorite Dishes in Tucson

by Tucson FoodieMay 14, 2026Updated Aug 4, 20263 min read
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.
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16 spots

Baja Cafe

7002 East Broadway BoulevardEastside

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.
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Also featured inThe Best Pancakes in TucsonYelp’s Top 25 Places to Eat in Tucson (2024)Yelp's Top 25 Places to Eat in Tucson (2023)

Bubbe's Fine Bagels

1101 North Wilmot RoadMidtown

BreakfastVegetarian
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.
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Also featured inWhere I Eat in Tucson (and What I Order)Andrew Weil’s Favorite Restaurants in TucsonPassport for Tucson Foodie Insiders [Map]

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Go Dim Sum

3504 East Grant RoadMidtown

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). 
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Also featured inWhere I Eat in Tucson (and What I Order)Guide to Dumplings in TucsonBest Chinese Restaurants in Tucson

Jun Dynasty

2933 East Grant RoadUniversity & 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. 
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Also featured inBest Chinese Restaurants in TucsonPreguntas que hacer al buscar un plato vegano en TucsonQuestions to ask when seeking a vegan-friendly dish in Tucson

(Photo courtesy of Lumbre Pizza A La Leña)

Lumbre Pizza A La Leña

Sin ubicaciĂłn fija

Pizza
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.
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Also featured inWhere to Eat Along the Sun Link Streetcar RouteLumbre Pizza A La Leña to Host a Grand Opening Pizza PartyLumbre Pizza A La Leña to Open Soon in Downtown Tucson

Noodle tteokbokki and soy garlic chicken with rice at Oh My Chicken (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Oh My Chicken

2745 North Campbell AvenueMidtown

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.
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@Casaveratucson opens Aug. 12 at 7265 N. La Cholla Blvd., bringing regional Mexican cuisine to the former Tamarind space. The 7,000-square-foot restaurant seats 200 guests with a large patio, and the design draws inspiration from a warm, old-world hacienda. The family behind Casa Vera is also known locally for Guadalajara Original Grill. Casa Vera will be open daily from 3-9 p.m. Reservations are available through @opentable or by emailing reservations@casaveratucson.com. More in @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com Photo courtesy of @casaveratucson #tucsonfoodie #tucsonnews #tucson@Casaveratucson opens Aug. 12 at 7265 N. La Cholla Blvd., bringing regional Mexican cuisine to the former Tamarind space. The 7,000-square-foot restaurant seats 200 guests with a large patio, and the design draws inspiration from a warm, old-world hacienda. The family behind Casa Vera is also known locally for Guadalajara Original Grill. Casa Vera will be open daily from 3-9 p.m. Reservations are available through @opentable or by emailing reservations@casaveratucson.com. More in @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com Photo courtesy of @casaveratucson #tucsonfoodie #tucsonnews #tucson
NEW: @tokyosushitucson opens this Saturday🎉🍣 Tokyo Sushi has taken over the former Izumi space on Speedway, serving up an all-you-can-eat experience with an extensive selection of classic and specialty sushi rolls. The restaurant also features a build-your-own ramen bar, fresh salad bar, dessert bar, and ice cream station. 3655 E Speedway Blvd. Grand opening: Saturday, August 8 at 11 a.m. #tucsonazNEW: @tokyosushitucson opens this Saturday🎉🍣 Tokyo Sushi has taken over the former Izumi space on Speedway, serving up an all-you-can-eat experience with an extensive selection of classic and specialty sushi rolls. The restaurant also features a build-your-own ramen bar, fresh salad bar, dessert bar, and ice cream station. 3655 E Speedway Blvd. Grand opening: Saturday, August 8 at 11 a.m. #tucsonaz
Sonoran Restaurant Week is back for its 8th year!🎉 From September 4 to 13, local restaurants across Southern Arizona will come together for 10 days of incredible fixed-price menus, giving diners the perfect excuse to explore Tucson’s amazing food scene. ‌❀Restaurant owners: Applications are now open and close August 14. There is no cost to participate, and you’ll be included in Tucson Foodie’s biggest marketing campaign of the year, featuring print, online, social, radio, TV, menu previews, chef interviews, and more. You don’t need your Restaurant Week menu ready to apply. Just submit one application per restaurant brand, even if you have multiple locations. Apply at the link in our bio or visit tucsonfoodie.com/srw/apply. #sonoranrestaurantweek #srw2026 #tucsonfoodie #tucsonarizonaSonoran Restaurant Week is back for its 8th year!🎉 From September 4 to 13, local restaurants across Southern Arizona will come together for 10 days of incredible fixed-price menus, giving diners the perfect excuse to explore Tucson’s amazing food scene. ‌❀Restaurant owners: Applications are now open and close August 14. There is no cost to participate, and you’ll be included in Tucson Foodie’s biggest marketing campaign of the year, featuring print, online, social, radio, TV, menu previews, chef interviews, and more. You don’t need your Restaurant Week menu ready to apply. Just submit one application per restaurant brand, even if you have multiple locations. Apply at the link in our bio or visit tucsonfoodie.com/srw/apply. #sonoranrestaurantweek #srw2026 #tucsonfoodie #tucsonarizona