Best Things the Tucson Foodie Team Tasted in October 2024

Here’s a look back at what the Tucson Foodie team enjoyed during October!

Not only are these reminders of the dishes we ate, but they can also be a guide for your own decisions on what to eat here in Tucson.

Addie Ibarra

Copal

5340 E. Broadway Blvd. #100

The margarita flight at Copal is the only foreseeable flight in my future and I’m okay with that. You can mix and match the flavors like I did. The classic OG margarita is a favorite. Learn more.

Tirrito Farm

6150 S. Kansas Settlement Rd.

The Barbera Rose from Tirrito Farm is easily crushable. Learn more.

Penelope Pizza

416 E. Ninth St.

The Panna Cotta at Penelope Pizza is the best way to end a meal there. The pizzas are excellent but the Panna Cotta really stole the show for me. Perfectly airy and flavorful. Great, now I’m hungry for pizza and Panna Cotta. Learn more.

La Frida Mexican Grill & Seafood

7230 E. 22nd St.

The salmon with molé at La Frida Mexican Grill & Seafood blew me out of the water. I like both things separately and I like both things together. It was quite tasty! Learn more.

Postino

2500 E. Grant Rd. #112

The new Chicken Paillard with almonds and lemon caper butter at Postino was really good and a nice change of pace from the typical breadboards. I actually enjoyed all their new dinner menu items. Learn more.

Slow Body Beer Co.

831 E. 17th St.

I LOVE Slowbody. I can’t get over how dreamy the space is. There’s usually a food truck in the evenings and on the nights you don’t want a beer, you can order a shrub. These are available in NA as well. This prickly pear shrub is my favorite thing and I could drink it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Learn more.

Chrissy Mance

Falora

3000 E. Broadway Blvd.

The Piastra with cold zucchini noodles and house-made pesto from Falora — one of my favorite salads in Tucson. Learn more.

Elian Macias Parada

Los Plebes Taqueria

4762 S. 12th Ave.

Dipping each slice into the birria broth is what made Los Plebes’ Pizza Birria shine. It was also incredibly cheesy — seeing it stretch as I pulled away a slice is one of my favorite experiences. Learn more.

Hannah Hernandez

National

98 E. Congress St.

The dirty chai at National was beautiful and so nicely balanced. Learn more.

Epazote Kitchen & Cocktails

10000 N. Oracle Rd. (El Conquistador)

Maple Chai Torte at Epazote. Learn more.

Fatboy Sandos

5870 E. Broadway Blvd.

Negi Miso Onigiri at Fatboy Sando’s. Learn more.

Maynards

400 N. Toole Ave.

Pomegranate Granita at Maynards! Learn more.

Matt Sterner

Transplant Pizza

4603 E. Speedway Blvd.

I usually go for the deep-dish Detroit-style pizza at Transplant but I was feelin’ saucy and ordered a “Bar” pizza instead, which is not as deep, not rectangular, and round like common pizzas. The Chicken Bacon Pesto was awesome — easily some of my favorite pizza dough in town, too. Learn more.

Ciao Down & Tucson Hop Shop

3230 N. Dodge Blvd.

Pizza again! This time, I piled in the Mother Clucker from Ciao Down while drinking a beer I can’t remember from Tucson Hop Shop (things got a little fuzzy). Learn more.

Copal

5340 E. Broadway Blvd. #100

The Cheesecake de Flor is something I’d order alone — no other nutritional meal needed to inhale this dessert. Plus, it’s partially made with goat cheese (it’s easier on the ol’ tummy), and make sure you mop up the hibiscus reduction. Learn more.

Rita Connelly

Perche’ No

46 W. Congress St.

Perche’ No has been on my radar for ages. Thanks to a birthday celebration for Edie Jarolim, I finally got there. The food did not disappoint. Starters were bruschetta and polenta in a Gorgonzola sauce was perfect. The gnocchi alla Zafferano was so packed with lobster that I had enough left over for breakfast the next day (and a bite for lunch.) I will definitely return. Learn more.

Monsoon Chocolate Cafe + Market

3630 E. Ft. Lowell Rd.

Monsoon Chocolate’s chocolate phosphate and a Parmesan fennel scone. Perfection. Learn more.

Sariya Jarasviroj

Casa Madre

119 E. 18th St.

Bananas Foster Sundae Special. I was so lucky to swipe the last sundae to share with a dear friend during our mutual birthday celebration at Casa Madre. The banana ice cream was excellently balanced by the caramelized praline. Gold leaf adorning the top made it extra special! We swashbuckled with our forks over the last bite. Chef Doma was so excited about this dessert that she peeked through the kitchen window to see how we enjoyed it. Learn more.

Shane Reiser

National

98 E. Congress St.

The Ricotta at National. Learn more.

El Torero

231 E. 26th St.

The wings at El Torero. Learn more.

CowPig

Food Truck

Buff Fries at CowPig. Learn more.

Coronet Cafe

353 S. Meyer Ave.

Bún Chay at Coronet Cafe. Learn more.

Nook

1 E. Congress St.

The Nourish Bowl at Nook. Learn more.

Sausage Deli

754 E. Grant Rd.

The tuna salad sandwich at Sausage Deli! It was my first time visiting Sausage Deli, even though I’ve driven past it 100 times. I went in thinking I’d get a full-on Italian grinder or a spicy sausage sandwich, but the thought occurred to me that if they could nail their tuna salad sandwich and nailed it they did. This isn’t anything fancy, but it’s exactly like mama made it. Quite the perfect tuna salad sandwich. Fresh wheat bread. Cold tuna salad. Fresh, crispy lettuce, but not too much of it. If you’re like me and you like pickles, maybe don’t buy the giant dill pickle on the side because they give you four dill pickle slices with the sandwich on the side already. But definitely spring for some barbecue chips and definitely shove them in your face as you’re eating the tuna salad sandwich and thinking about your childhood. Learn more.

Ghini’s French Caffe

1803 E. Prince Rd.

The Salade Niçoise at Ghini’s French Caffe. Learn more.