Best Things the Tucson Foodie Team Tasted in May & June 2026

Here’s a look back at what the Tucson Foodie team enjoyed during May and June!

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

This value carne and pollo asada kit from Rancheros Carniceria is an easy way to feed a large group and not have to turn on your grill. I paired it with rice, beans, margaritas, and a pool.

Read our article Rancheros Carnicería Elevates the Butcher Experience in Central Tucson.

Oysters oysters oysters. These are from Charro Steak North. No mignonette, but great quality and I think they were on happy hour. Woo!

Read our article Charro Steak North at Casas Adobes now soft open [PHOTOS].

The Mt. Fuji Don from Kukai makes me happy. They’re worth the drive, always. I took mine to go and enjoyed it at Slowbody where I paired with a perfect lil pilsner.

Read our article Guide to Sushi In Tucson.

I really need to order more food from their regular menu, but the specials at El Torero always tug on my heart strings. The street noodles and poké were delicious with plentiful portions which meant that I could re-enjoy the next day.

Read our article El Torero back open with neighborhood charm & new gourmet delights.

La Carreta Carne Asada

2010 S. Park Ave.

I don’t have photos, but I’ve been wanting to try La Carreta Carne Asada since they opened. It was the real deal! They grill everything to your specifications, they have high quality beef, and the space just made me feel like I was at a friend’s house. I tried the arrachera aguachile and my friends enjoyed tacos – every single bite was excellent.

Article coming soon.

The happy hour menu at Penca is a really sweet deal, especially if you’re an oyster lover like me. You can select 3 things for $33, bocadillos like from-scratch quesadillas and oysters plus wine or cocktails.

Read our article Downtown Tucson’s Penca adds lunch service & 3 for $33 happy hour.

Scratching the Plate

Private chef, the Joshua Tree House Tucson

Anything Chef Pablo Valencia makes. This bacon and beef chorizo on a fire roasted carrot tortilla was caramelized to a delightful char and blew my mind a little bit.

Read our article Chef Pablo Valencia Brings Campfire Cuisine to the Forefront in Tucson.

Hacienda Del Sol

5501 N. Hacienda Del Sol Rd.

The new tiki drinks at Hacienda del Sol are well balanced, are served in the best mugs and hit all 3 spots for me: boozy, sour, and sweet. In particular I enjoyed their Señor Coco with gin, coconut, matcha, lime and more and their Rated Arr with brandy, pineapple, sherry, orgeat and lemon.

Read our article The Best Upscale Restaurants in Tucson.

I’m so grateful that Desert Drifter opened closer to my side of town. I get their Desert Bloom with oat milk and usually pair it with one of their bean and cheese burritos.

Read our article Desert Drifter Coffee Expands With Three New Tucson-Area Locations.

Locale Neighborhood Italian

60 N. Alvernon Way

I’m a huge fan of a patio with Locale ranking at the top of my list. They have a killer summer special every Thursday and my bestie and I enjoyed a bottle of wine, ahi tuna tartare, and spaghetti carbonara for $60

Read our article Locale Café to open its doors for breakfast & brunch (MENU).

Hannah Hernandez

Phở Chay at Phở Cần Thơ is vegan as-is with a 100% vegetable broth, tofu, fresh veggies, and rice noodles. A longtime favorite I always come back to.

Read our article “Pho Can Tho” Vietnamese Restaurant Now Open in Former “Pho 88”.

I think about Houlden’s “Marry Me” pasta danish OFTEN. Don’t ignore the savory options when you pick up your sweets.

Read our article Houlden’s Rise Above is bringing its vegan delights to Fifth & Rosemont.

The answer is always yes to the shishitos at Flying V. Smoky and citrusy. Ask for them to be made vegan.

Read our article Tucson’s Flying V Honors Ranch Heritage with Summer Menu.

Jackie Tran

I followed Addie’s suggestion and brought a few friends to share various plates. The staff, including the chefs, were all friendly in the laid back, backyard vibe space. I almost always love aguachile, and their Aguachile de Rib-Eye lived up to my high expectations. Plenty of eyes widening at the table with their first bite. The lot of the fat isn’t trimmed off the rib-eye, so go for the arrachera (skirt steak) if you want something not as rich, but still seriously beefy. I was fine with the fat since the limey house salsa cut through it… and I also love fat. Also worth noting: the salsa bar includes guac.

Article coming soon.

As much as I absolutely adore Sonoran style beef like at La Carreta Carne Asada (my entry above this one), I also love when chefs like David share their recipes from other regions of Mexico. Here, the ribs are braised in a tangy, smoky tomato-tomatillo salsa. I also like their well-seasoned white rice, a far cry from the usual (but also delicious) tomato-red and chopped veggie Mexican rice.

They also offer chapulines, if you want cross that off your bucket list.

Read our article Chef David Matias Brings Oaxaca Roots to Victoria Cocina Mexicana.

While Kiwami expanded with a few locations on the other side of the country, the first location opened here in Tucson. I haven’t visited in several years at this point, but it was tastier than I remembered. Roasty black garlic oil and a deeply umami rich broth that isn’t too salty; I cleaned my bowl to the last drop. Also, shout-out to the highly accommodating server and friendly staff.

Read our article “Kiwami Ramen” is now open on Speedway & Swan.

The Omni invited us out to try some upcoming dishes from an upcoming menu launch from chef Jonathan Welch. We also tried a few classics at Legends, and the Crispy Cauliflower caught me off guard with how much I immediately wanted more. Asian-inspired apricot glazes are underrated.

Article coming soon.

I don’t have a sweet tooth, but will always fork up a fresh churro or donut hot out of the fryer with ice cream. St. Cruz might have one of my favorite straightforward dessert menus in town.

See our visit here.

While I am a taco and burrito loyalist, I will make exceptions for tortas with fresh bread. Especially when it is house-made, like at Penca. Their milanesa also showcases rib-eye, more tender than usual tougher cuts used in tortas. Simple in concept, splendid in execution.

Read our article Downtown Tucson’s Penca adds lunch service & 3 for $33 happy hour.

I think every pizzeria in Tucson should have a take on the elote pizza. I remember having some for the first time at Empire Pizza nine years ago…

At the hip newish SISTERS, their take includes corn and roasted poblano in cream sauce, topped with chile crema, queso fresco, and bright cilantro. I need to come back to try more of the menu.

View our previous team visit here.

Shane Reiser

The Spice Tea at Baggin’s isn’t for everybody. The first sip tastes like somebody tossed some Christmas and potpourri into a blender. The only thing stronger than the cinnamon flavor is the amount of caffeine in this baby. I’m wired right now!!!

Read our article Where to Eat & Drink in Downtown Tucson.

I haven’t fully explored Tucson’s phô scene yet, but my favorite right now is Phô Ngân. Flip the menu to its back and customize your phô or just ask for the large combination. What struck me about Phô Ngân is the freshness and speed. Food was on the table in a few minutes, all vegetables and herbs were super fresh, and the broth was yummy and healing.

Read our article Best Vietnamese Restaurants in Tucson.

This is the first savory dish from 5 Points’ new chef Savanah Sandate. Chef Sandate was formerly the pastry chef at BATA. It’s a seasonal stone fruit salad with princess peaches, shaved fennel, pickled red onion, jalapeño, and fresh herbs (mint + basil) in a ginger + Urfa chile vinaigrette. It’s the first bite that tasted like summer this year. It’s also gluten-free and vegan.

Read our article 5 Points Reemerges with All-Day Menu, Elevated Bakery & Market.

This is the best biscuit I’ve found in Tucson and it’s from….drum roll please….Bisbee Breakfast Club! It tastes exactly like the biscuits from one of the roadside old-house diners in rural Missouri where I’m from (a little town called Defiance). It put me right back into my childhood. Total Ratatouille moment. Fluffy and and buttery pulled out of the oven just a few seconds early on purpose.

Read our article Nine On The Line: Bisbee Breakfast Club’s Terry Kyte.

You gotta try the ice cream sandwiches at Forbes Company. Pure joy. This one is peanut butter and jelly. Wasn’t my first choice, but my daughter wanted to try it and it was by far the best one.

Read our article Q&A with Forbes Meat Company Executive Chef Mataya Phillips.

Graze Premium Burgers & Fresh Cut Fries

Multiple Locations

The grass-fed single with cheese from Graze is currently my favorite burger in Tucson. Paying the extra couple bucks for grass that is worth it for both health and flavor. They really nailed the flavor profile with this little guy. The fries here are excellent as well.

Read our article The Best Burgers in Tucson.

The Classic Sausage pizza at Penelope is the best I’ve found in Tucson.

Read our article Penelope Pizza to take over former Maynards space downtown.

There’s a lot to love at Los Milics, but their bread service was my favorite. We ordered it twice, Super fluffy and served with a delicious boat of butter and olive oil.

Read our article Beat the heat with a casita stay at Los Milics Vineyards.

Their 3 for $33 happy hour is a great deal, so I’m trying everything at Penca. So far my favorite is their Ensalada Mixto. It’s super fresh, with  butter lettuce, green and white onion, red cabbage, nopales, cilantro corn, avocado crema, and lime.

Read our article Downtown Tucson’s Penca adds lunch service & 3 for $33 happy hour.