I fell in love with refried beans and flour tortillas when I was in elementary school sitting at La Parrilla Suiza on Speedway. In middle school, I remember going to Rincon Market with my best friend, where I picked out a beautiful cupcake sprinkled with Oreo crumbles. In my twenties, I went on a Bumble date to Scented Leaf — and then we went back to Scented Leaf for our second date.
I’ve lived in Tucson my entire life, surrounded by the steak fingers from Lucky Wishbone and the giant plates of pasta from Mama Louisa’s. I love Tucson — and its food — so much that I made it my career.
If we haven’t met yet, hello. I’m Gloria! In October 2025, I founded Tucson Love Letter, which is a community-first publication that helps you explore the magic of Tucson. Through Tucson Love Letter, you’ll learn about things to do, mutual-aid groups, artists, restaurants and more of the things I love about Tucson.
I like to think I’m one of Tucson’s biggest fans and that absolutely includes the food. Here are some of my favorite meals.
For years, my go-to order at Baja Cafe was their biscuits and gravy — and then it vanished from the menu. In a hurried decision to choose something else to order, I asked for the King Kong, which is a glorious mix of all the breakfast favorites topped with a delicious gouda sauce.
Pro tip: Ask for an extra side of the sauce.
Pro pro tip: Also get the snickerdoodle pancake to share with the table.
I’m ashamed to say it, but the first time I ever had pork bao was at Disneyland and I loved it so much that I knew I needed to find it in Tucson. I love the bao at Go Dim Sum. They also have the best fried rice that I’ve tried (and also delicious popcorn chicken and delicious Portuguese egg tarts).
This is my favorite pizza in Tucson and I recommend it all the time. Get the Elotero, which is a white pie topped with roasted corn. Ask for an extra side of cilantro lime ranch for dipping. (If the owner Leo has it while you visit, also order the horchata. It’s my favorite in Tucson.)
They currently operate as a food truck; find them here.
Everything I’ve ever had at Tacos Apson has been incredible. I love the carne asada, I love the barbacoa. More than anything, though, I love the Taco Chino — which is literally just refried beans sandwiched inside a flour tortilla. I could eat a million of them. And they’re only $1!
I have tried all four sauce flavors at Oh My Chicken and they are truly all good. Recently my go-to has been the hot chili, but for a long time I was dunking my chicken tenders in the honey sauce. Their ranch is also to die for and their fries are 10/10.
I’m admittedly a big fan of artificial banana which I realize isn’t a common take — but if you agree with me, order the banana milk.
