Tucson FoodieCelebrating local food, drink, and community.
Anchor Bar Opens First Tucson Location Oct. 29

(Photo courtesy of Anchor Bar)

Anchor Bar Opens First Tucson Location Oct. 29

Oct 29, 20252 min read

Anchor Bar, home of the original Buffalo wing, officially opened its first Tucson location at 7080 E. 22nd St., Suite 104 on Wednesday morning. The restaurant occupies the former Brushfire BBQ Co. space and features a colorful mural by local artist Mauriel Morejon.

The new spot invites diners to experience a piece of American food history. In March 4 1964, Dominic Bellissimo tended bar at the original Anchor Bar Restaurant in Buffalo, New York. His mother, Teressa Bellissimo, created the world’s first Buffalo wings by combining deep-fried wings and her own secret sauce to serve Dominic’s friends, according to Anchor Bar.

Award-Winning Heritage

Anchor Bar’s reputation extends beyond its wings. The restaurant earned a America’s Classics Award from the James Beard Foundation Award in 2003 for its timeless appeal and quality.

Since then, Anchor Bar has collected multiple honors, including “Best of Buffalo” titles and recognition at the National Buffalo Wing Festival. Even The Simpsons paid tribute to the brand in a 2019 episode that celebrated Western New York icons.

Menu Highlights

The Tucson location serves many of the same dishes that made the brand famous.

Appetizers

  • Cauliflower Wing Bites
  • Anchor Bar Dip
  • Buffalo Chicken Nachos
  • Pizza Logs
  • Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
  • Mozzarella Stix
  • Quesadilla
  • Loaded Tots and Fries
  • Pretzel Bites
  • Fried Pickles

Salads

  • Buffalo Chicken Salad
  • Strawberry Pecan Salad
  • Caesar Salad
  • Spinach Salad
  • Garden Salad

Entrees and Pasta

  • Your Mac & Cheese (add crispy or grilled chicken, bacon, and/or jalapeños)
  • Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese
  • Chicken Parmesan
  • Spaghetti
  • Fish Fry

Pizza

  • Cup & Char Pepperoni Pizza
  • Buffalo Chicken Wing Pizza
  • All Meat Pizza
  • Supreme Pizza
  • White Pizza
  • Cheese Pizza

Anchor Bar’s World-Famous Wings

  • Traditional Wings (fresh, never frozen)
  • Boneless Wings
  • Jumbo Shrimp
  • Meatless Wings

Sauce Options

  • Extreme Heat
  • Jalapeño Hatch Chile
  • Hotter
  • Spicy BBQ
  • Spicy Garlic Parmesan
  • Mango Habanero
  • Medium (Original)
  • Buffalo Lemon Pepper
  • Mild
  • Chipotle BBQ
  • Honey Bourbon BBQ
  • Garlic Parmesan
  • Honey Garlic

Dry Rubs

  • Habanero Ranch
  • Jalapeño garlic
  • Buffalo
  • Buffalo Ranch
  • Lemon Pepper

A Taste of Buffalo in the Desert

Guests can dine from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday until 11 p.m., and 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday.

Anchor Bar Tucson invites locals to try the wings that started it all. “Please be patient with any wait times or lines,” the restaurant shared on Instagram. “Our team is still learning during this soft opening period.”

Anchor Bar is located at 7080 E. 22nd St., Suite 104. For more information, visit anchorbar.com.

Learn more about other Tucson wing favorites in our February 2025 article Tucson Wing Expert’s Top Wings in Tucson.

Article written by:

Jackie Tran

Jackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer and photographer. 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.

Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments and petting pets.

If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.

Get our free Tucson Foodie weekly newsletter

New openings, events, dish recommendations, and guides — every Wednesday. No spam.

Take us with you.

Discover the best local spots, browse the dish database, build and share your to-visit lists, support local, and join the Foodie Club when you're ready.

Advertisement

Follow @TucsonFoodie136.1K followers
IOU Sushi III has closed. The all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant on North Oracle Road announced the news on Facebook after about 10 years in Tucson. “This is the hardest post I’ve had to write,” the owners said. The post continued, “we have met some great friends who have become family to us.” Tucson Foodie first visited the restaurant in 2017, when it operated as IOU Sushi IV. 

Read the full story on tucsonfoodie.com.IOU Sushi III has closed. The all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant on North Oracle Road announced the news on Facebook after about 10 years in Tucson. “This is the hardest post I’ve had to write,” the owners said. The post continued, “we have met some great friends who have become family to us.” Tucson Foodie first visited the restaurant in 2017, when it operated as IOU Sushi IV. Read the full story on tucsonfoodie.com.
THE FALL SOUTHERN AZ HOME SHOW RETURNS OCT. 16-18 WITH TWO BIG CULINARY HEADLINERS🔥 

@Tcctucson welcomes award-winning pitmaster @Sloanrinaldi for an “All Things Brisket” demo at 2:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, followed by a meet-and-greet. 

Three-time Iron Chef Tucson champion @Chef_antbanks of @Obonsushi takes the Culinary Showcase Stage Saturday at noon. 

The show will also feature 200+ vendors, food trucks, pet-friendly attractions, adoptable animals, HGTV’s Matt Blashaw, the Kids Market, and more. 

WHEN: Oct. 16-18 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
WHERE: TCC 📍260 S. Church Ave.
TICKETS: $8 | $4 with discount coupon | Kids 12 & under free
 
SPECIAL ADMISSION: 
• Friday: Seniors 65+ free; half-price for military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers with ID 
• Saturday: Half-price for seniors and the same groups
• Sunday (Heroes Day): Seniors half-price; military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers free with ID

ALL DAYS: $2 admission from 3-5 p.m. Free parking in Convention Center Lot B.THE FALL SOUTHERN AZ HOME SHOW RETURNS OCT. 16-18 WITH TWO BIG CULINARY HEADLINERS🔥 @Tcctucson welcomes award-winning pitmaster @Sloanrinaldi for an “All Things Brisket” demo at 2:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, followed by a meet-and-greet. Three-time Iron Chef Tucson champion @Chef_antbanks of @Obonsushi takes the Culinary Showcase Stage Saturday at noon. The show will also feature 200+ vendors, food trucks, pet-friendly attractions, adoptable animals, HGTV’s Matt Blashaw, the Kids Market, and more. WHEN: Oct. 16-18 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. WHERE: TCC 📍260 S. Church Ave. TICKETS: $8 | $4 with discount coupon | Kids 12 & under free SPECIAL ADMISSION: • Friday: Seniors 65+ free; half-price for military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers with ID • Saturday: Half-price for seniors and the same groups • Sunday (Heroes Day): Seniors half-price; military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers free with ID ALL DAYS: $2 admission from 3-5 p.m. Free parking in Convention Center Lot B.
Anne Rysdale built @sheltercocktaillounge in 1961 with concrete walls, lava rock, and Cold War nerves. Today, owners Pam Santangelo and Kevin Breutzmann keep the Tucson bar exactly as regulars remember it. Inside, martinis share space with JFK memorabilia, a vintage atomic chandelier, and a suit of armor named Charlie. “Tucson is changing so much, but this has stayed the same. It’s a time capsule,” Santangelo said. 

Read @sea_lyon’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com 
Photos by @sea_lyonAnne Rysdale built @sheltercocktaillounge in 1961 with concrete walls, lava rock, and Cold War nerves. Today, owners Pam Santangelo and Kevin Breutzmann keep the Tucson bar exactly as regulars remember it. Inside, martinis share space with JFK memorabilia, a vintage atomic chandelier, and a suit of armor named Charlie. “Tucson is changing so much, but this has stayed the same. It’s a time capsule,” Santangelo said. Read @sea_lyon’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com Photos by @sea_lyon
Scratch-made Japanese ramen goes far beyond instant noodles, with rich broths like tonkotsu, miso, and shoyu. Tucson has more specialty ramen shops than you might expect. Here’s where to find them around town.🍜

@ikkyu.tucson 
@jaramencurry 
@kiwamiramenbar 
@kukai___ 
@marujapanesenoodle 
@maruplusaz 
@obonsushi 
@raijinramen 
@theramenbartucson 
@tossfriedchickennramen 

More guides on Tucsonfoodie.comScratch-made Japanese ramen goes far beyond instant noodles, with rich broths like tonkotsu, miso, and shoyu. Tucson has more specialty ramen shops than you might expect. Here’s where to find them around town.🍜 @ikkyu.tucson @jaramencurry @kiwamiramenbar @kukai___ @marujapanesenoodle @maruplusaz @obonsushi @raijinramen @theramenbartucson @tossfriedchickennramen More guides on Tucsonfoodie.com