Best Things the Tucson Foodie Team Tasted in August 2026

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

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

The Breakfast Board at Sonoran House Sam Hughes is a perfect compromise for those who want pastries, or savory, or something in between. I shared this with my family as an appetizer and it was a hit! We had a 4-year old with us who was happy she could pick at things. Those waffles were a delight too! Perfect blend of sweet with the crispy outer crust and fluffy inside

REVEL is always a good time. It was the perfect spot to catch up with some of my besties from out of town. The staff is very knowledgeable about wines and can recommend other bottles based on preferences and past selections.

The bone marrow at Sawmill Run Restaurant is the best in town. It's 1000000% worth the drive.

A surefire way to kidnap me would be to tell me we're going to Flying V. The aguachile, hamachi, and tuna are some of my favorite dishes from their menu

Hannah Hernandez

Coffee Times Drive-Thru got a toaster! Their bagels are from Bubbe’s, and they have a vegan cream cheese option that’s so good. The everything bagels are always generously covered in all the good stuff.

I’m so happy for Okashi Ice Cream & Confections and their new space! I love their mochi so much and am so grateful they always have vegan options.

Shane Reiser

The fries at Shish Kebab House of Tucson are different. They're owner Reina's home recipe and completely made in-house. She cuts the potatoes into thin strips, almost like potato wedges, lightly batters and fries them, and tops them with cilantro, lime juice, and crumbled feta.

I've been searching Tucson for a truly delicious Nashville-style Hot Chicken Sandwich. Redbird Scratch Kitchen + Bar's version is tasty but not enough for me (I say this in hopes that they will read this and double the seasoning in their rub). On this visit, I tried their Redbird Grilled Chicken sandwich! It's covered in mojo marinade, Oaxaca cheese, garlic-guajillo mayo, and ranch drizzle, topped with avocado, dill pickles, lettuce, and tomato, and it's the best thing I've had at Redbird so far! This place is always busy for a reason.

Also at Redbird - the birria nachos are massive and delicious. They have a sweetness to them - maybe they put honey n the birria. Not sure. I was splitting it with two other people and got dangerously close to eating more than my share before I realized it. I also failed to listen to the person talking to me for the first 4 or 5 bites. Sorry Jacob.

I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed a salad as much as the Hacienda Summer Salad at The Grill at Hacienda Del Sol. The lone exception might be the Caesar salad at The Pasta House in St. Louis, where I grew up — though, for the record, it’s gone downhill, so don’t go seeking it out on my recommendation.

Anyway, this delightful summer salad brings together little gem greens, a strawberry-ricotta schmear, glazed pepitas, orange supremes, grilled melon, and a grain mustard-tarragon vinaigrette. It’s bright, fresh, a little unexpected, and an excellent reminder that a salad can be one of the most memorable things on the table.

Jackie Tran

Even though it was a soft opening, Tortillas Chiwas knocked it out of the park. While the house-made namesake tortillas shined in the enmoladas, I devoured both of their oyster offerings. The jamaica mignonette provided a simple crisp tartness for the raw oysters, while the grilled beef fat butter version went the opposite direction successfully, focusing on the savory side instead.

Their elote was also my favorite version I've had so far in Tucson; the corn was shucked cleanly without any silk and tender to the bite. I didn't feel the need to floss afterwards, which I can't say about most of my other corn on the cob experiences.

I also ordered the fresh bigeye tuna tiradito and camarones entree for one of my most memorable meals of the year.

The Sunshine Wine steak features a savory brininess from koji with added spice complexity from Thai curry. An unusual but satisfying combination of flavors.

While I've been visiting CERES for years, this was my first ever visit to Noodies. I'm not sure why more places in Tucson don't offer vodka sauce as an option; Noodies balances the rich creaminess with a light lingering heat.

Just look at those juicy claws. And a martini is always a good call at Kingfisher Bar & Grill.

Guest picks

Chrissy Mance

Anyone who hasn't been to ANELLO is sleeping on some of the best food in town. The Bianca pizza will always have my heart, it's a perfect, simple pizza with plops of cheese and the perfect char.

The cinnamon roll at 1989 Bake House is not for rookies. The mega roll is not only gigantic but perfectly swirled and don't get me started on the icing. The thing is a beast and I enjoyed mine with a hot mocha.

The summer rolls at Karuna's Thai Plate are always my go-to appetizer there. The fresh coolness of the roll is refreshing before devouring their vegan green curry.