It’s safe to say the Tucson restaurant industry has been booming and bustling now that we’re halfway through 2023. From restaurants making their first appearance in town to those opening second or even third locations throughout the city, it’s without question that the scene has seen its fair share of growth.
“Some of the team’s favorites are things such as our Churro Cold Brew, Cha-Mango Slushee, Strawberry Cheesecake Snow, Longan Green Tea, Blueberry Coco-Lime Italian Soda, Cucumber Lemonade, and Toasted Black Sesame Seed Milk Tea,” said Nikki Zazueta of Better Bevs. “And our Hawaiian Shaved Ice has many flavors for everyone’s unique combinations.”
Disclaimer: The restaurant is currently closed due to a fire.
The space actually used to be a fine clothing store in the early 1900s by the same name. Fast forward 100 years, Blue Front is ready and roaring to open its doors in its current iteration as an American dining restaurant.
Borderlands Brewing Company has been a mainstay of Tucson beer culture since it opened its downtown Toole Avenue location in 2011. The brewery was a pioneer in bringing delicious, locally brewed beer to the craft beer lovers of Tucson at a time when there weren’t many quality options. In January, Borderlands Brewing Company debuted its brand-new satellite location in the Sam Hughes neighborhood, equipped with a great patio, plenty of indoor seating, and a food menu.
Brillé Mead Company is the first meadery in Tucson and only the fifth commercial meadery in all of Arizona. The meadery is a labor of love project for David Woods and his business partner Andrias Asnakew, who have been busy brewing up batches of their Ethiopian-inspired honey wine in anticipation of the big opening day.
Charro Chico is designed to be a “fun, fast, fresh, and timely classic” at 3699 N. Campbell Ave. and is still determining its official grand opening. Company president Ray Flores tells us that the idea for the Charro Chico concept has been bouncing around for a while. After a successful first year of their latest concept The Monica, the Si Charro! team wanted to share a little more of the home cooking recipes inspired by Tia Monica and created by chef Carlotta Flores (Monica’s grandniece and Si Charro! Executive Chef).
Before moving to Tucson, Hill has had a lot of fun experiences in the kitchen. He was on the very first season of “Top Chef,” he’s appeared on other reality TV shows like “Master Chef” and “Beat Bobby Flay,” and he was once the private chef for celebrities Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, and Eddie Murphy.
“We are thrilled to bring Chick-In Waffle to Arizona,” said Dennis Alazzeh, founder and CEO of Chick-In Waffle. “We’ve always had a goal of spreading waffly good chicken across the country, and this is a great opportunity to do just that.”
To date, this is Cold Beer & Cheeseburger’s 16th location and the new spot spans 5,000 square feet indoors, with a 3,000-square-foot patio big enough to hold 150 people — overlooking the Santa Catalina Mountains, too. If you’ve been to any of the other locations in Arizona, you’ll find familiarities at the new location. On the inside, Cold Beer & Cheeseburgers has a string of leather booths, 55 TVs, a boomin’ sound system, and an indoor bar that’s accessible from the outside, too. If you’re fancying an outdoor experience, they have an outdoor turf area with yard games such as foosball, cornhole, giant Jenga, and more.
“The addition of Comida Park will be the perfect complement to the already lively evening vibes at Tanque Verde,” said Rob Sieban, President, CEO, and co-owner of United Flea Markets. “Guests can shop, then grab some of their favorite food and beverages from the food trucks, enjoy some music and connect with the community all in one location.”
CORBETT’S restaurant menu includes elevated sandwiches, burgers, tacos, salads, and more. Open for lunch and dinner all week, CORBETT’S will also host brunch on the weekend. Highlighting Arizona’s incredible food and beverage producers was one of the kitchen’s goals when crafting the diverse menu. Beef for burgers, prime rib, and more was sourced from Arizona Grass Raised Beef Co. which produces high-quality, grass-fed, and grass-finished beef, while English muffin burger buns were created especially for CORBETT’S by Tucson’s August Rhodes Bakery.
With the rise of pickleball’s popularity, CORBETT’S is excited to house a total of five pickleball courts, three of which are located outside near the beer garden and two located inside the renovated and climate-controlled Corbett Building.
On Friday, February 24, the creative minds behind Ceres and Noodies officially opened their latest concept at 200 N. Court Ave., Dandelion Cafe & Bakery. However, the new spot, which is within walking distance of Ceres and LaCo, isn’t serving up noodles. It’s a full-on bakery that’s now serving sweet treats and bread, sandwiches, salads, coffee, and espresso options.
Dave’s Hot Chicken is known for its Hot Chicken Sliders and Tenders, which are served in seven spices that range in intensity levels. Folks can choose from No Spice to Reaper, which requires a signed waiver. Menu items also come paired with their classic sides like mac n’ cheese, fries, kale-slaw, and other small bites.
Whether you grew up in Tucson or have only lived here for a few months, you oughta be aware of the abundance of sweet, sour, and spicy candy found all around town. Even better, it’s likely you’re familiar with the local sweet, sour, and spicy candy supplier Dirty T Tamarindo since it’s now available in more than 70 shops in Tucson — gas stations, ice cream shops, local markets, etc. With inspiration from Solís’ traditional family recipes, Dirty T Tamarindo takes pride in its authentic recipes dating back to the 1980s out of Hermosillo, Sonora.
With an unexpected but tasty focus on specialty, housemade pizzas, and juicy chicken, Doughbird offers unique flavor combinations that capture guests’ taste buds and invite them back to discover more. In addition to pizzas, expect mouth-watering tenders and wings cooked low and slow.
If you haven’t had a chance to stop by the food cart prior to the grand opening of the brick-and-mortar restaurant, the Cemita is a must-try along with the Chalupas Poblanas, Gorditas Rellanas, and the Tacos Ahogados.
On the coffee side of things, you can walk in and order anything from the menu and shop around the gift shop. They have a couple of comfy couches if you want to stick around, too. Next door, there’s a three-story cat lounge if you’d like to sip on your coffee with four-legged friends.
Now, this doesn’t mean the truck will no longer be making its rounds. While owner Rafael De La Cuesta is super pumped about the opportunity inside American Eat Co., he also assured that the truck will remain poundin’ the pavement around town. “The truck is going to stay operating throughout Tucson,” said De La Cuesta. “It’ll just be more toned down to around one to two days a week.”
Since the brewery’s debut nearly 10 years ago as Sentinel Peak Brewing Company, FireTruck Brewing Company has expanded and opened up two other taproom locations — one serving the east side and the other pouring beers in Oro Valley. Now, the brewery is slicing and dicing into the pizza business.
“Opening a restaurant is a show of love for the city and for the people who will eat there,” said Sam Fox. “Bringing Flower Child to Tucson — to all my friends, family, and the incredible community who has supported us since the beginning – is immensely special. I‘m looking forward to serving our Tucson friends Flower Child.”
The coffee, which is an Italian roast, is made and served out of a former Baskin-Robbins trailer located right next to the bike shop. With its bright red paint, a refurbished interior, and a nifty Gear Shifters logo on the side, you’d never know the espresso truck was a former ice cream truck. Aside from coffee, Gear Shifters sells used bikes and has a consignment showroom. Plus, there’s even a tattoo shop on site if you’re in the market for some fresh ink.
Mark Kadow of Geeky Grinds, Tucson Games and Gadgets, and The Short Rest Tavern, is currently gathering possible coffee roasting prospects for the coffee shop — providing more than one option is what they’re setting their sights on. “We will hopefully be serving up some local coffee from Yellow Brick Coffee as well as Italian Coffee from Lavazza,” said Kadow. “And, of course, Dungeons and Dragons-themed coffee from Geek Grind Coffee.
What’s important to note about this opening is that it’s Gryo Shack’s very first out-of-state location since opening in Boise, Idaho back in 2010. Seth Brink, President of Arete Food Group, LLC, is overseeing the development of the new Tucson location, which is expected to be exactly like its Idaho restaurants.
They’ve been working hard to renovate the former Poco & Mom’s and Sonoran Brunch Co. spot near 22nd Street, and now it’s in prime position to be your go-to Cold Roast hangout. Cold Roast, which is not to be confused with cold brew, is something Logan Power and Eric Haberman are proud to serve in this desert climate.
Gabriel’s roots are deeply intertwined with Tucson’s culinary world, and his family’s involvement in the food industry dates back to his grandfather, Jaime Moreno. He ran a string of local restaurants, one of these being Jaime’s Bar & Grill on Fourth Avenue from the early 1990s until 2000. Within its welcoming confines, Gabriel’s father was a bartender, his uncle was in the kitchen, and one of his aunts contributed her creative touch to the menu’s design. With all of that experience, it was time the Moreno family opened their own pizza joint. Now, with a new space and a brand-new dining room, Jaime’s Pizza Kitchen is thriving, serving 10-inch and 16-inch pizzas, calzones, garlic knots, and hot wings to hungry downtown eaters.
In 2010, Jo Schneider took over La Cocina in downtown Tucson. Just a couple of years ago, the name changed to LaCo. Fast forward to this very moment and Jo has retired, leaving the business to her family. Now, the restaurant is named after Jo, a loving tribute to their mother: JoJo’s Restaurant. “We’re keeping some of the standards and the top sellers on the menu,” said Ben Schneider of JoJo’s. “With a name like La Cocina, we were thought of as a Mexican restaurant, so we thought ‘Let’s just wipe the slate clean.’ At the same time, we’re keeping my mom in the back of our minds — always — and wanting this to be a place she’d be proud of like. We’re always thinking about her.”
If you’ve yet to try kava, the roots are ground into a pulp and added to cold water. This then results in a thick brew. Over time, it’s been compared to the social equivalent of having glasses of wine in France.
The food truck officially completed its transition into its first brick-and-mortar location at 5256 S. Nogales Highway— rebranding to Las Originales Carnitas El Michoacano. Tacos and an array of salsas — the familiar and beloved menu is all there with the addition of an air-conditioned dining room. They’ve also kept the menu simple: Tacos de Carnitas, Tacos de Chicharron, Tacos de Birria, and Tacos de Cabeza.
Tucson’s latest dim sum destination is Lucky Panda, a venture by Danyan “Dawn” Lew, the beloved owner of Guilin Chinese Restaurant in midtown. Dawn’s dream of bringing authentic dim sum to Tucson has come true with Lucky Panda. The restaurant features a convenient walk-up counter and offers a delightful Cantonese-inspired dim sum experience. From tender chicken feet to mouthwatering BBQ pork buns and shu mai, Lucky Panda’s menu boasts a variety of traditional dim sum dishes alongside popular Americanized Chinese items, making it a must-visit culinary gem in the city.
Much like Round1 at the Park Place Mall and its parent company Dave & Busters, Main Event will be serving up pizza, nachos, burgers, greasy sandwiches, chicken wings, and more.
Maynards underwent a summer refresh and reopened on Thursday, June 15. Located at 400 N. Toole Ave. next to the historic train depot in Downtown Tucson, the restaurant and recently reopened market are now under the expert guidance of native Tucsonan, chef Nick Creamer and his talented culinary team.
The team behind Miss Dessert has enjoyed their time so far in the complex that also houses restaurants like China Szechwan, Taqueria El Pueblito, and Dolce Vita Italian Bistro. Other Arizona locations include Mesa, Gilbert, and Phoenix.
Monsoon Chocolate Café + Market may have just relocated to the Copenhagen Design Center in June, but from the looks of things, the new kid on the block is fitting right in on the corner of Fort Lowell Road and Dodge Boulevard. The new space is large, airy, and inviting with outstanding views of the Catalinas. Several high-top tables for two line the floor-to-ceiling front window. A bar with more high tops sits across the space. Four-top tables are in the back. Large, cottony, clouds, some of which flash with “lightning,” hang from the ceiling.
The former Dusty Monk and Tallboys bar on the east side of the property that faces the mural of animals riding bicycles is now the Monsoon Room. The new bar, which is described as having a “jungle vibe” with dark green painted walls and vintage lamps, is open from 4 – 10 p.m. on Thursday and until 11 p.m. on Friday – Saturday. They have a small bites menu available in the Monsoon Room with a plethora of drinks (both non-alcoholic and spiked) to keep you company.
The sushi/Mexican restaurant’s menu is a cornucopia of variety including Mexican-style sushi rolls, jumbo burros, tacos (both surf and turf selections), tostadas, hamburgers with melted manchego cheese, drinks like micheladas and cocktails, shrimp cocktails — you name it.
Beginning at 7 a.m., the daily menu features mochas, lattes, cappuccinos, and a simple drip coffee that’ll all have you lifting off the sidewalk with a heel-click jump. Also, they’re serving other options like a new organic, ceremonial-grade matcha consisting of antioxidants, l-theanine, and light caffeine. Try the Honey Vanilla Matcha out if you’re in the mood for a coffee alternative.
Pasta La Vista is a fairly direct spot. There’s a large cooking area, comfortable booths, straightforward tables and chairs, and with walls adorned by posters of classic rock bands such as Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Zeppelin, and even ABBA. Tony states that this is the work of his wife but I totally dig that late ‘70s high school bedroom vibe aesthetic.
The 7,800-square-foot restaurant is massive in size compared to your typical fast-food joint and is equipped with a double drive-thru lane. The first Arizona location opened up in Scottsdale back in 2012 and has since expanded to three others in the Phoenix area. The menu includes beef and sausage sandwiches, burgers, Chicago-style hot dogs, milkshakes, crinkle fries, and even salads.
Stacks Book Club is an independent bookstore and coffee bar with more than 2,000 new books on-hand. When it comes to the cafe, they’ll have coffee provided by Yellow Brick Coffee, espresso, tea, plant-based energy drinks, pastries from Cal’s Bakeshop, and other grab-and-go food items like bagels from Bubbe’s Bagels.
If you’ve been to any of the other three locations, you can expect the same menu of tacos, burritos, and beverages. Plus, as mentioned earlier, they’re opening on Tuesday/Taco Tuesday so maybe that’ll make your decision-making much easier. The new location is destined to be the perfect pit stop, too, if you’re heading up to Mount Lemmon for the day or taking a hike in the area.
Conveniently located off of I-10, Old Times Kafe has been serving its breakfast and lunch since 1986. Now, they’ve got some company in the 1940s ranch house-turned-restaurant that’s offering authentic Turkish cuisine.
TiTi Boba Corner is a local and women-owned new business offering an unforgettable boba tea experience. Cherish Nguyen, an enthusiastic entrepreneur, brings her passion for boba to life in this establishment — step inside the inviting space to relax, study, or work. Ask Cherish about her inspiration, and you’ll witness her eyes light up with excitement. “Being a big fan of boba and a lover of cooking,” she shared. “I simply had to create my own boba for myself and others to enjoy.”
Tucson native and renowned medical doctor Dr. Andrew Weil, developed the True Food Kitchen with the mission to inspire people to eat better, feel better, and live better. The menu emphasizes wholesome ingredients with natural health benefits and flavors and features a wide array of dishes from burgers and seasonal pizzas to salads, bowls and pastas. Or enjoy fresh-pressed juices, organic teas, and natural refreshers.
Vitality Bowls offers a variety of tasty options, such as the Dragon Bowl (featuring pitaya, pineapple, coconut milk, goji berries, and bee pollen), Green Bowl (with Graviola, strawberries, kale, dates, spirulina, and hemp seeds), and their signature Vitality Bowl (with organic açaí, strawberries, banana, organic granola, and honey).
The brewing site at 330 S. Toole Ave. #200, which is a combination of Borderlands Brewing Company and FireTruck Brewing Company, shared the news on Instagram. They even included a beer special to get folks amped up about the reopening. The taproom also offers other local craft beers on tap.
One of the most unique features about the setup inside the new cafe is that they’re using a Modbar system that makes it easier for you to interact with baristas. “The Modbar is essentially an under-counter espresso machine that creates a very limited obstruction. There’s basically no obstruction between you and the barista, and therefore, you’re involved and immersed in the experience if you want to be,” said David Perreira.
Indian Twist chef and owner Jimmy Aujla is no newcomer to Downtown Tucson’s food scene. With a former residency as the original Indian Twist at The Boxyard Tucson, Aujla delighted metropolitan residents and visitors with his culinary creations and vibrant hospitality as a pop-up stand.
“Some of the team’s favorites are things such as our Churro Cold Brew, Cha-Mango Slushee, Strawberry Cheesecake Snow, Longan Green Tea, Blueberry Coco-Lime Italian Soda, Cucumber Lemonade, and Toasted Black Sesame Seed Milk Tea,” said Nikki Zazueta of Better Bevs. “And our Hawaiian Shaved Ice has many flavors for everyone’s unique combinations.”
Disclaimer: The restaurant is currently closed due to a fire.
The space actually used to be a fine clothing store in the early 1900s by the same name. Fast forward 100 years, Blue Front is ready and roaring to open its doors in its current iteration as an American dining restaurant.
Borderlands Brewing Company has been a mainstay of Tucson beer culture since it opened its downtown Toole Avenue location in 2011. The brewery was a pioneer in bringing delicious, locally brewed beer to the craft beer lovers of Tucson at a time when there weren’t many quality options. In January, Borderlands Brewing Company debuted its brand-new satellite location in the Sam Hughes neighborhood, equipped with a great patio, plenty of indoor seating, and a food menu.
Brillé Mead Company is the first meadery in Tucson and only the fifth commercial meadery in all of Arizona. The meadery is a labor of love project for David Woods and his business partner Andrias Asnakew, who have been busy brewing up batches of their Ethiopian-inspired honey wine in anticipation of the big opening day.
Charro Chico is designed to be a “fun, fast, fresh, and timely classic” at 3699 N. Campbell Ave. and is still determining its official grand opening. Company president Ray Flores tells us that the idea for the Charro Chico concept has been bouncing around for a while. After a successful first year of their latest concept The Monica, the Si Charro! team wanted to share a little more of the home cooking recipes inspired by Tia Monica and created by chef Carlotta Flores (Monica’s grandniece and Si Charro! Executive Chef).
Before moving to Tucson, Hill has had a lot of fun experiences in the kitchen. He was on the very first season of “Top Chef,” he’s appeared on other reality TV shows like “Master Chef” and “Beat Bobby Flay,” and he was once the private chef for celebrities Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, and Eddie Murphy.
“We are thrilled to bring Chick-In Waffle to Arizona,” said Dennis Alazzeh, founder and CEO of Chick-In Waffle. “We’ve always had a goal of spreading waffly good chicken across the country, and this is a great opportunity to do just that.”
To date, this is Cold Beer & Cheeseburger’s 16th location and the new spot spans 5,000 square feet indoors, with a 3,000-square-foot patio big enough to hold 150 people — overlooking the Santa Catalina Mountains, too. If you’ve been to any of the other locations in Arizona, you’ll find familiarities at the new location. On the inside, Cold Beer & Cheeseburgers has a string of leather booths, 55 TVs, a boomin’ sound system, and an indoor bar that’s accessible from the outside, too. If you’re fancying an outdoor experience, they have an outdoor turf area with yard games such as foosball, cornhole, giant Jenga, and more.
“The addition of Comida Park will be the perfect complement to the already lively evening vibes at Tanque Verde,” said Rob Sieban, President, CEO, and co-owner of United Flea Markets. “Guests can shop, then grab some of their favorite food and beverages from the food trucks, enjoy some music and connect with the community all in one location.”
CORBETT’S restaurant menu includes elevated sandwiches, burgers, tacos, salads, and more. Open for lunch and dinner all week, CORBETT’S will also host brunch on the weekend. Highlighting Arizona’s incredible food and beverage producers was one of the kitchen’s goals when crafting the diverse menu. Beef for burgers, prime rib, and more was sourced from Arizona Grass Raised Beef Co. which produces high-quality, grass-fed, and grass-finished beef, while English muffin burger buns were created especially for CORBETT’S by Tucson’s August Rhodes Bakery.
With the rise of pickleball’s popularity, CORBETT’S is excited to house a total of five pickleball courts, three of which are located outside near the beer garden and two located inside the renovated and climate-controlled Corbett Building.
On Friday, February 24, the creative minds behind Ceres and Noodies officially opened their latest concept at 200 N. Court Ave., Dandelion Cafe & Bakery. However, the new spot, which is within walking distance of Ceres and LaCo, isn’t serving up noodles. It’s a full-on bakery that’s now serving sweet treats and bread, sandwiches, salads, coffee, and espresso options.
Dave’s Hot Chicken is known for its Hot Chicken Sliders and Tenders, which are served in seven spices that range in intensity levels. Folks can choose from No Spice to Reaper, which requires a signed waiver. Menu items also come paired with their classic sides like mac n’ cheese, fries, kale-slaw, and other small bites.
Whether you grew up in Tucson or have only lived here for a few months, you oughta be aware of the abundance of sweet, sour, and spicy candy found all around town. Even better, it’s likely you’re familiar with the local sweet, sour, and spicy candy supplier Dirty T Tamarindo since it’s now available in more than 70 shops in Tucson — gas stations, ice cream shops, local markets, etc. With inspiration from Solís’ traditional family recipes, Dirty T Tamarindo takes pride in its authentic recipes dating back to the 1980s out of Hermosillo, Sonora.
With an unexpected but tasty focus on specialty, housemade pizzas, and juicy chicken, Doughbird offers unique flavor combinations that capture guests’ taste buds and invite them back to discover more. In addition to pizzas, expect mouth-watering tenders and wings cooked low and slow.
If you haven’t had a chance to stop by the food cart prior to the grand opening of the brick-and-mortar restaurant, the Cemita is a must-try along with the Chalupas Poblanas, Gorditas Rellanas, and the Tacos Ahogados.
On the coffee side of things, you can walk in and order anything from the menu and shop around the gift shop. They have a couple of comfy couches if you want to stick around, too. Next door, there’s a three-story cat lounge if you’d like to sip on your coffee with four-legged friends.
Now, this doesn’t mean the truck will no longer be making its rounds. While owner Rafael De La Cuesta is super pumped about the opportunity inside American Eat Co., he also assured that the truck will remain poundin’ the pavement around town. “The truck is going to stay operating throughout Tucson,” said De La Cuesta. “It’ll just be more toned down to around one to two days a week.”
Since the brewery’s debut nearly 10 years ago as Sentinel Peak Brewing Company, FireTruck Brewing Company has expanded and opened up two other taproom locations — one serving the east side and the other pouring beers in Oro Valley. Now, the brewery is slicing and dicing into the pizza business.
“Opening a restaurant is a show of love for the city and for the people who will eat there,” said Sam Fox. “Bringing Flower Child to Tucson — to all my friends, family, and the incredible community who has supported us since the beginning – is immensely special. I‘m looking forward to serving our Tucson friends Flower Child.”
The coffee, which is an Italian roast, is made and served out of a former Baskin-Robbins trailer located right next to the bike shop. With its bright red paint, a refurbished interior, and a nifty Gear Shifters logo on the side, you’d never know the espresso truck was a former ice cream truck. Aside from coffee, Gear Shifters sells used bikes and has a consignment showroom. Plus, there’s even a tattoo shop on site if you’re in the market for some fresh ink.
Mark Kadow of Geeky Grinds, Tucson Games and Gadgets, and The Short Rest Tavern, is currently gathering possible coffee roasting prospects for the coffee shop — providing more than one option is what they’re setting their sights on. “We will hopefully be serving up some local coffee from Yellow Brick Coffee as well as Italian Coffee from Lavazza,” said Kadow. “And, of course, Dungeons and Dragons-themed coffee from Geek Grind Coffee.
What’s important to note about this opening is that it’s Gryo Shack’s very first out-of-state location since opening in Boise, Idaho back in 2010. Seth Brink, President of Arete Food Group, LLC, is overseeing the development of the new Tucson location, which is expected to be exactly like its Idaho restaurants.
They’ve been working hard to renovate the former Poco & Mom’s and Sonoran Brunch Co. spot near 22nd Street, and now it’s in prime position to be your go-to Cold Roast hangout. Cold Roast, which is not to be confused with cold brew, is something Logan Power and Eric Haberman are proud to serve in this desert climate.
Gabriel’s roots are deeply intertwined with Tucson’s culinary world, and his family’s involvement in the food industry dates back to his grandfather, Jaime Moreno. He ran a string of local restaurants, one of these being Jaime’s Bar & Grill on Fourth Avenue from the early 1990s until 2000. Within its welcoming confines, Gabriel’s father was a bartender, his uncle was in the kitchen, and one of his aunts contributed her creative touch to the menu’s design. With all of that experience, it was time the Moreno family opened their own pizza joint. Now, with a new space and a brand-new dining room, Jaime’s Pizza Kitchen is thriving, serving 10-inch and 16-inch pizzas, calzones, garlic knots, and hot wings to hungry downtown eaters.
In 2010, Jo Schneider took over La Cocina in downtown Tucson. Just a couple of years ago, the name changed to LaCo. Fast forward to this very moment and Jo has retired, leaving the business to her family. Now, the restaurant is named after Jo, a loving tribute to their mother: JoJo’s Restaurant. “We’re keeping some of the standards and the top sellers on the menu,” said Ben Schneider of JoJo’s. “With a name like La Cocina, we were thought of as a Mexican restaurant, so we thought ‘Let’s just wipe the slate clean.’ At the same time, we’re keeping my mom in the back of our minds — always — and wanting this to be a place she’d be proud of like. We’re always thinking about her.”
If you’ve yet to try kava, the roots are ground into a pulp and added to cold water. This then results in a thick brew. Over time, it’s been compared to the social equivalent of having glasses of wine in France.
The food truck officially completed its transition into its first brick-and-mortar location at 5256 S. Nogales Highway— rebranding to Las Originales Carnitas El Michoacano. Tacos and an array of salsas — the familiar and beloved menu is all there with the addition of an air-conditioned dining room. They’ve also kept the menu simple: Tacos de Carnitas, Tacos de Chicharron, Tacos de Birria, and Tacos de Cabeza.
Tucson’s latest dim sum destination is Lucky Panda, a venture by Danyan “Dawn” Lew, the beloved owner of Guilin Chinese Restaurant in midtown. Dawn’s dream of bringing authentic dim sum to Tucson has come true with Lucky Panda. The restaurant features a convenient walk-up counter and offers a delightful Cantonese-inspired dim sum experience. From tender chicken feet to mouthwatering BBQ pork buns and shu mai, Lucky Panda’s menu boasts a variety of traditional dim sum dishes alongside popular Americanized Chinese items, making it a must-visit culinary gem in the city.
Much like Round1 at the Park Place Mall and its parent company Dave & Busters, Main Event will be serving up pizza, nachos, burgers, greasy sandwiches, chicken wings, and more.
Maynards underwent a summer refresh and reopened on Thursday, June 15. Located at 400 N. Toole Ave. next to the historic train depot in Downtown Tucson, the restaurant and recently reopened market are now under the expert guidance of native Tucsonan, chef Nick Creamer and his talented culinary team.
The team behind Miss Dessert has enjoyed their time so far in the complex that also houses restaurants like China Szechwan, Taqueria El Pueblito, and Dolce Vita Italian Bistro. Other Arizona locations include Mesa, Gilbert, and Phoenix.
Monsoon Chocolate Café + Market may have just relocated to the Copenhagen Design Center in June, but from the looks of things, the new kid on the block is fitting right in on the corner of Fort Lowell Road and Dodge Boulevard. The new space is large, airy, and inviting with outstanding views of the Catalinas. Several high-top tables for two line the floor-to-ceiling front window. A bar with more high tops sits across the space. Four-top tables are in the back. Large, cottony, clouds, some of which flash with “lightning,” hang from the ceiling.
The former Dusty Monk and Tallboys bar on the east side of the property that faces the mural of animals riding bicycles is now the Monsoon Room. The new bar, which is described as having a “jungle vibe” with dark green painted walls and vintage lamps, is open from 4 – 10 p.m. on Thursday and until 11 p.m. on Friday – Saturday. They have a small bites menu available in the Monsoon Room with a plethora of drinks (both non-alcoholic and spiked) to keep you company.
The sushi/Mexican restaurant’s menu is a cornucopia of variety including Mexican-style sushi rolls, jumbo burros, tacos (both surf and turf selections), tostadas, hamburgers with melted manchego cheese, drinks like micheladas and cocktails, shrimp cocktails — you name it.
Beginning at 7 a.m., the daily menu features mochas, lattes, cappuccinos, and a simple drip coffee that’ll all have you lifting off the sidewalk with a heel-click jump. Also, they’re serving other options like a new organic, ceremonial-grade matcha consisting of antioxidants, l-theanine, and light caffeine. Try the Honey Vanilla Matcha out if you’re in the mood for a coffee alternative.
Pasta La Vista is a fairly direct spot. There’s a large cooking area, comfortable booths, straightforward tables and chairs, and with walls adorned by posters of classic rock bands such as Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Zeppelin, and even ABBA. Tony states that this is the work of his wife but I totally dig that late ‘70s high school bedroom vibe aesthetic.
The 7,800-square-foot restaurant is massive in size compared to your typical fast-food joint and is equipped with a double drive-thru lane. The first Arizona location opened up in Scottsdale back in 2012 and has since expanded to three others in the Phoenix area. The menu includes beef and sausage sandwiches, burgers, Chicago-style hot dogs, milkshakes, crinkle fries, and even salads.
Stacks Book Club is an independent bookstore and coffee bar with more than 2,000 new books on-hand. When it comes to the cafe, they’ll have coffee provided by Yellow Brick Coffee, espresso, tea, plant-based energy drinks, pastries from Cal’s Bakeshop, and other grab-and-go food items like bagels from Bubbe’s Bagels.
If you’ve been to any of the other three locations, you can expect the same menu of tacos, burritos, and beverages. Plus, as mentioned earlier, they’re opening on Tuesday/Taco Tuesday so maybe that’ll make your decision-making much easier. The new location is destined to be the perfect pit stop, too, if you’re heading up to Mount Lemmon for the day or taking a hike in the area.
Conveniently located off of I-10, Old Times Kafe has been serving its breakfast and lunch since 1986. Now, they’ve got some company in the 1940s ranch house-turned-restaurant that’s offering authentic Turkish cuisine.
TiTi Boba Corner is a local and women-owned new business offering an unforgettable boba tea experience. Cherish Nguyen, an enthusiastic entrepreneur, brings her passion for boba to life in this establishment — step inside the inviting space to relax, study, or work. Ask Cherish about her inspiration, and you’ll witness her eyes light up with excitement. “Being a big fan of boba and a lover of cooking,” she shared. “I simply had to create my own boba for myself and others to enjoy.”
Tucson native and renowned medical doctor Dr. Andrew Weil, developed the True Food Kitchen with the mission to inspire people to eat better, feel better, and live better. The menu emphasizes wholesome ingredients with natural health benefits and flavors and features a wide array of dishes from burgers and seasonal pizzas to salads, bowls and pastas. Or enjoy fresh-pressed juices, organic teas, and natural refreshers.
Vitality Bowls offers a variety of tasty options, such as the Dragon Bowl (featuring pitaya, pineapple, coconut milk, goji berries, and bee pollen), Green Bowl (with Graviola, strawberries, kale, dates, spirulina, and hemp seeds), and their signature Vitality Bowl (with organic açaí, strawberries, banana, organic granola, and honey).
The brewing site at 330 S. Toole Ave. #200, which is a combination of Borderlands Brewing Company and FireTruck Brewing Company, shared the news on Instagram. They even included a beer special to get folks amped up about the reopening. The taproom also offers other local craft beers on tap.
One of the most unique features about the setup inside the new cafe is that they’re using a Modbar system that makes it easier for you to interact with baristas. “The Modbar is essentially an under-counter espresso machine that creates a very limited obstruction. There’s basically no obstruction between you and the barista, and therefore, you’re involved and immersed in the experience if you want to be,” said David Perreira.
Indian Twist chef and owner Jimmy Aujla is no newcomer to Downtown Tucson’s food scene. With a former residency as the original Indian Twist at The Boxyard Tucson, Aujla delighted metropolitan residents and visitors with his culinary creations and vibrant hospitality as a pop-up stand.
