For a second year in a row, the Old Pueblo has landed on the “Best Food Cities in the U.S.” list by Travel + Leisure.
There are only 14 cities on this year’s list, showcasing large cities like New York City, New Orleans, and Chicago. Tucson is second on the list for its “Native American and Mexican culinary roots” and for being the “first UNESCO City of Gastronomy.”
“In big cities like New York and San Francisco and unexpected spots like Greenville, South Carolina, and Tucson, Arizona, are hidden gems, lauded hotspots, and everything in between.”
The article shares the following about Tucson:
“The destination continues to wow culinary connoisseurs with its distinct Native American and Mexican offerings dating back thousands of years,” said Lauren Dana Ellman. “The best Tucson restaurants incorporate locally sourced ingredients into their drinks and dishes. With this in mind, prickly pear margaritas are a staple here, as are nopales (edible cacti).”
“Tucson’s vibrant downtown district has 85-plus bars and restaurants, including bata (which offers a largely veggie-focused menu — 90 percent of which is sourced within 400 miles of the restaurant) and taqueria BOCA. Helmed by James Beard finalist Maria Mazon, BOCA is famous for its flavorful tacos and salsa flights.”
Best Food Cities in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure
- New York City, New York
- Tucson, Arizona
- Portland, Maine
- Detroit, Michigan
- Houston, Texas
- Chicago, Illinois
- New Orleans, Louisiana
- San Francisco, California
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Louisville, Kentucky
- Greenville, South Carolina
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Los Angeles, California
- Honolulu, Hawaii
You can check out the full article at travelandleisure.com.
Stay in the Tucson Foodie Loop
Weekly digest of new openings, events, and guides. No spam.
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.
