Grammy Award-winning singer Linda Ronstadt, possibly the most celebrated personality hailing from Tucson, recently shared her favorite local spots in the city during an interview with the New York Times. Of course, her list includes where she enjoys eating in Tucson.
When it comes to Don Guerra of Barrio Bread, he’s one of the first people she sees.
“I always go there straight from the airport,” Ronstadt told the New York Times. She used to bake her bread years ago and the loaf pictured on the back of the “Feels Like Home” album is one of her own.
When it comes to what Guerra’s doing at Barrio Bread at 18 S. Eastbourne Ave., she admires the heritage grains he uses. Her go-to order is the Cubano with sesame seeds.
A couple of years ago, Guerra received the James Beard Award for Outstanding Baker. Read all about it in our 2022 article.
Since her grandfather’s arrival from Mexico in 1882, the Ronstadts have played a significant role in shaping the Tucson music scene, contributing to the founding of the Club Filarmónico Tucsonense civic band. The Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, formerly known as the Tucson Music Hall, stands as a symbol of the family’s rich cultural legacy, officially renamed in May 2022.
Another spot Ronstadt loves to visit is the Arizona Inn on 2200 E. Elm St. — she said that it’s her “favorite hotel in the world.”In the interview, she shared that she has been going to celebrations there since she was a kid and her favorite things about the Arizona Inn are the fireplace, the native landscaping, and the Audubon Bar & Patio.
The family-owned establishment first opened its doors in 1930. Check out our 2022 article to learn more.
Mission Garden is a must-visit for Ronstadt, too, over at 946 W. Mission Ln. If you’ve yet to visit the Garden, it’s known as a vibrant agricultural museum, showcasing heritage fruit trees adapted to the Sonoran Desert, alongside traditional local heirloom crops and edible native plants. In the past, Mission Garden has held events like 2023’s LUNATION and Garlic Festivals where Don Guerra made 50 loaves of garlic bread.
“I love going over there to get a mouthful of something fresh,” Ronstadt told the New York Times.
Read the full article at nytimes.com.
Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
