Guide to Food Along Tucson's Chuck Huckleberry Loop (Foodie 15)

Coronet Cafe sits in the heart of Barrio Viejo as a counter-service cafe focused on fresh local produce and sustainable proteins. The compact space pairs a warmly appointed interior with a shaded outdoor patio, giving it a quiet, unhurried atmosphere. It shares a property with the Coronet Restaurant and the Nightjar cocktail bar, and a small market sells house-made goods, local beer and wine, Caffe Luce coffee, and curated gifts.

In the morning, go for the Çilbir Turkish egg breakfast. After 2 p.m., check out the evening menu for the Coronet Burger with prime black Angus, Welsh cheddar, red onion jam, dijonnaise, and pickles with fries and ají amarillo aioli. At any of their hours, snack on Barrio Bread with gourmet tinned seafood.

Their Empanadas are so good. Listen to this description: “…stuffed with cilantro-basil pesto, shrimp, sweet corn, green chili, and manchego cheese, atop chipotle cream sauce, garnished with cabbage slaw, corn salsa, and Anaheim crema.”

Pinnacle Peak Steakhouse immerses diners in a lively Old West atmosphere, complete with rustic wooden beams, cowboy memorabilia, and a ceiling adorned with thousands of neckties as a nod to the restaurant's "No Ties Allowed" policy. Located in Trail Dust Town, the restaurant's interior features cowboy paintings, antlers, and other Western-themed décor, creating a frontier-town feel.

The steakhouse takes pride in its Cowboy Steaks, cut from the short loin and cooked over mesquite wood.

Rancho Rustico specializes in molcajete – a traditional Mexican dish in which sizzling hot meat and vegetables are served inside a stone bowl. The menu also offers Tucson classics like chimichangas and plenty of seafood.

Reforma Modern Mexican, located in St. Philip’s Plaza, offers a vibrant and contemporary dining atmosphere. The interior features urban design with rustic accents, complemented by an extensive bar showcasing one of Arizona’s largest selection of mezcal and tequila.

They offer Mexican cuisine built around street tacos, enchiladas, tamales, and burritos, with proteins including carne asada, pork belly, carnitas, and pescado. Brunch runs daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features chilaquiles, eggs Benedict, and a pozole soup. Happy hour runs seven days a week from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., and the restaurant generally opens at 11 a.m.

Seis Kitchen at Mercado San Agustín offers a vibrant open-air atmosphere. The setting combines rustic charm with modern touches in a shaded courtyard. Currently, only this location has breakfast and brunch. While Tucson has an abundance of breakfast burritos around town, Seis is one of the few to also offer breakfast tacos.

The restaurant’s menu draws from six culinary regions of Mexico, with standout favorites like the breakfast Chilaquiles: two fried eggs over red chile-soaked tortillas, roasted green chile, pico de gallo, and crema. Crispy Avocado Tacos, with breaded avocado slices and chipotle crema, are another must-try.

Zio Peppe on East Tanque Verde Road in Tucson offers a modern, welcoming atmosphere with a blend of rustic and contemporary design elements. The interior features warm wood tones, an open pizza kitchen with a stone hearth oven, and comfortable seating that creates a casual yet refined dining experience. Known for its fusion of Italian-American and Sonoran flavors, Zio Peppe provides a unique Tucson culinary experience.

Signature dishes include the El Rustico Birria Pizza, topped with beef birria, mozzarella, onion, and cilantro, served with a side of consommé for dipping. The Fettuccine Alfredorado combines creamy Alfredo sauce with red chile purée and slow-fried garlic, offering a spicy twist on a classic favorite. For dessert, get the Taconnoli, a cannoli-inspired taco filled with ricotta, mascarpone, pistachios, and orange zest