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Best Restaurants to Break Up with Someone in Tucson

Mozzarella sticks (Photo courtesy of Shannon Christine Photo for Fentonelli’s Pizzeria & Bar)

Best Restaurants to Break Up with Someone in Tucson

Apr 1, 20253 min read

Breaking up is hard to do, but does it have to be? Tailoring it to a specific person makes it an art, so keep that in mind while choosing from the restaurants listed below.

Grab your courage, car keys, and “we need to talk” face. Here’s where to make the heartbreak a little more bearable (for both of you).

Casual, but Crushing

Maybe you dated someone who hit you with “I love you” within the first month, and you’re just not ready for that. Don’t get stuck with a, “check, please,” followed by the awkward silence that feels like years. Go fast-casual and pay before you eat. For your sake and theirs, don’t draw it out with a long dinner.

Seis Kitchen (Mercado San Agustín)

130 South Avenida del Convento #100
Surf and Turf Fajitas at Seis Kitchen (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Outdoor seating, fast service, and a getaway-friendly plaza. The excitement of margaritas and sizzling fajitas helps distract from the heartache. You can end things and browse raw selvedge denim and handmade jewelry nearby within five minutes.

For more information, visit seiskitchen.com.

Kimchi Time

2900 E. Broadway Blvd.
Banchan, deokbokki, dolsot bibimbap, cheese corn, and kimbop at Kimchi Time (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Banchan, deokbokki, dolsot bibimbap, cheese corn, and kimbop at Kimchi Time (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Sharing a bottle of soju might ease the pain. Order the deokbokki extra spicy to further distract from the sting of your words. Come during peak weekend hours so the sound of the karaoke can drown out their crying.

Keep up with Kimchi Time on Instagram.

Fentonelli’s Pizzeria and Bar

7262 N. Oracle Rd.
Mozzarella sticks (Photo courtesy of Shannon Christine Photo for Fentonelli's Pizzeria & Bar)
Mozzarella sticks (Photo courtesy of Shannon Christine Photo for Fentonelli’s Pizzeria & Bar)

Your soon-to-be ex can savor the pizza with you, since it will be the last thing you’ll share together. While you’re at it, order some of their stellar mozzarella sticks for the cutie at the bar.

For more information, visit fentonellispizzeria.com.

“Let’s be adults about this.”

Maybe you’ve dated for years, maybe you even have children together. But you gotta do what you gotta do. It will be emotional, but being in a refined environment will make yelling feel extremely out of place, and they hopefully have enough shame to avoid that. When a civil, graceful goodbye is in order, these are our picks.

Contigo Latin Kitchen

3770 E. Sunrise Dr.
A person with light-medium skin tone, wearing a turquoise ring, uses a dark-colored spoon to lift a portion of a seafood paella from a black, shallow, round pan. The paella consists of yellow rice, mussels, clams, shrimp, and a lemon wedge. Steam rises from the dish. The pan sits on a white plate, which is on a wooden table.  A partially visible white plate is in the lower left corner. The background is blurred but shows a portion of a wooden table and a dark-colored chair.  The lighting is warm and highlights the food.
Paella Valencia at Contigo Latin Kitchen (Photo credit: Jackie Tran)

If your “it’s not you, it’s me” lands a little too hard, your soon-to-be-ex can just gaze out at the landscape and pretend to care about saguaro silhouettes over the Catalina Foothills instead of the fact that you’re dumping them over paella.

For more information, visit eatatcontigo.com.

Vivace

6440 N. Campbell Ave.
A white tablecloth covers a round table set for a meal. A white plate holds a portion of rice pilaf with mixed vegetables (zucchini, carrots, and possibly green beans) in a creamy sauce. Next to the rice is a piece of breaded and pan-fried chicken breast, also covered in the same creamy sauce. Garnished with fresh herbs. A glass of white wine sits to the right of the plate. To the left, there is a small white ramekin containing a dark green sauce, a folded white napkin, and a piece of bread on a small side plate. A glass of ice water is partially visible behind the plate. More bread is visible in a wire bread basket in the background. The background is blurred but shows a dark interior with hints of wood tones. The lighting is soft and warm, focusing on the food.
Vivace (Photo by Taylor Noel Photography)

Upscale Italian and beautiful ambiance. It’s the kind of place where you can pretend you’re in a romantic movie, even if you’re ending the plot.

For more information, visit vivacetucson.com.

This article was written as satire for April Fools’ Day, but hey, it might still be useful for you.

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.

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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