Once Wine Week wraps, Vegan Week will take the fork and run with it.
Running June 1 through 7, Vegan Week puts Tucson’s plant-based dining scene in the spotlight, with restaurants across the city offering specials, new dishes, and creative takes on vegan cooking. Whether you eat vegan every day or simply want to explore what the city’s kitchens can do without animal products, this week gives you plenty of reasons to try something new.
Vegan Week culminates with the Vegan Tucson Night Market on Saturday, June 6, from 6-10 p.m. at the Heirloom Farmers Market Pavilions at Rillito Park, 4502 N. 1st Ave. The event, sponsored by Trulieve and Semper Fi Heating and Cooling, brings together vendors, food, and the broader Tucson vegan community for an evening market under the summer sky. Get directions and more details at vnm.tucsonfoodie.com.
As with every week in the 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer campaign, diners can upload receipts at summer.tucsonfoodie.com for a chance to win weekly prizes and roll entries into the grand prize drawing at the end of the summer.
This week’s prize lineup includes a $25 gift cards to Noodleholics, $100 Visa gift cards, and tickets to America’s Best Mexican Food Festival.
Who’s participating in Vegan Week
Cup Cafe at Hotel Congress kicks off the week with 10% off its Country Fried Tofu sandwich, a standout for plant-based diners. The kitchen also highlights several other vegan options on the menu, including Vegan Sopes, Lettuce Wraps, and Matcha Bread Pudding. Most vegetarian options can also be made vegan with substitutions, so ask your server for details. Find the full menu and make reservations through Hotel Congress.
Polish Cottage adds a new dimension to its menu with vegan pierogi made with buckwheat and mushrooms. The restaurant may also roll out special happy hour options during the week, so keep an eye on its social channels for updates.
Noodleholics will keep their dish from Asian Week on for Vegan Week. The Málà Peanut features wheat noodles tossed in a rich, creamy peanut sauce with a bold málà kick. Inspired by Sichuan cuisine, the dish delivers the iconic numbing and spicy combination that defines málà-style cooking.
Renee’s offers a Vegan Take-out Box with Vegan Penne Pesto, Spaghetti, Vegan Crush Pizza, and Garlic Knots with Marinara for $32.
The bigger picture
Vegan Week marks the third of 12 themed weeks running through Aug. 9. Participants snap a photo of any qualifying receipt, upload it at summer.tucsonfoodie.com, and enter to win weekly and grand prizes.
After Vegan Week wraps on June 7, Coffee & Tea Shop Week runs June 8 through 14, followed by Happy Hour Week, Frozen Dessert Week, Burger Week, New-to-Me Week, Italian Week, Breakfast & Brunch Week, Steak & Carne Asada Week, and Sonoran Week.
Article written by:
Jackie Tran
More about JackieJackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the now-closed food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.
An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to sloppily devouring green chili patty melts in his car afterhours. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.
Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.
If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.
