Iconic Tucson Servers: Claire’s Cafe & Art Gallery’s Andy Sunell

Meet iconic server Andy Sunell of Claire’s Cafe and almost iconic server Bunkii Trobridge.

Sunell has served at this Catalina cafe for 27 years. With “awesome” regulars and a staff who treat her like family, Sunell loves what she does.

Claire’s Cafe has celebrated over 30 years in business and the restaurant boasts a devoted staff who have kept customers full and happy for those three decades.

Sunell has seen the town of Catalina grow and change over the years but knows the quality of the food and service at Claire’s has remained consistently high. Sunell says the restaurant owners want the best for their diners and constantly seek out the best ingredients.

In addition to Sunell’s longevity, Bunkii Trobridge has been working alongside Sunell at the cafe for 18 years.  Trobridge says that she “chose to be a server” and that her customers “give her the best while she gives them the best.”

Chef and owner Claire Johnson credits her restaurant’s success to creatively prepared food and genuine team members who truly care about their customers. They take the time to get to know the people they serve, whether they eat there once a year or once a day.

The team at Claire’s is also dedicated to the community, evident in their display of local art in the restaurant and the free Thanksgiving meal they serve every year.

For more information, visit clairescafe.net.

This feature is the third part of our look at some of Tucson’s iconic servers.

Any restaurant-goer knows that a great dining experience takes expert coordination between the kitchen and the front of the house. A good dish can be made great by the skills of a talented server. Attentive, but not overbearing service and a positive attitude can go a long way. Excellent service takes precision timing, people skills, multi-tasking, and a lot of time on your feet. It’s no secret that waiting tables is not a job for the faint of heart.

Some of Tucson’s iconic restaurants have the benefit of seasoned staff who have worked for their team for more than two decades. They are servers who are committed to their restaurant, their customers, and to doing an excellent job. Each of these individuals has their own unique story, but between them lies a common thread of deep appreciation for the people they serve and the pride they take in their work.