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Best Things the Tucson Foodie Team Tasted in April 2024

The fish tacos at La Bufadora (Photo by Shane Reiser)

Best Things the Tucson Foodie Team Tasted in April 2024

May 1, 20244 min read

Here’s a look back at what the Tucson Foodie team enjoyed during April!

Also, not only are these reminders of the dishes we ate, but they can also be a guide for your own decisions on what to eat here in Tucson.

Addie Ibarra

Cafe Francais
7831 E. Wrightstown Rd. #113

Literally any of the pastries at Cafe Francais are worth the drive. The croissants are perfectly laminated and the baguettes had a light and airy interior. Not pictured is the ham and Swiss croissant that I immediately devoured.

Cafe Francais (Photo by Addie Ibarra)
Guillermo’s Double L
1830 S. Fourth Ave.

The fried ice cream at Guillermo’s is absolutely where it’s at. I had the menudo and chicken flautas and finished string with this dessert. It’s the perfect way to end a meal.

Fried Ice Cream at Guillermo’s (Photo by Addie Ibarra)
Nate’s Italian Kitchen

My husband and I hosted a watch party for the Sopranos finale — yeah I know we’re about 15 years late. We ordered in from Nate’s Italian Kitchen and it was the best decision we made. We ordered the chicken parm and the ziti and included cannolis for good measure. Best value for money!

Nate’s Italian Kitchen (Photo by Addie Ibarra)

Chrissy Mance

Bottega Michelangelo
420 W. Magee Rd.

The Yellow Beet Salad at Bottega Michelangelo!  I like the addition of pistachios for a crunchy texture. Best enjoyed with their housemade bread and the delicious oil (olive, balsamic, garlic, and some spicy heat). 

Bottega Michelangelo (Photos by Chrissy Mance)
Ghini’s French Caffe
1803 E. Prince Rd.

Ghini’s French Caffe serves up a great brunch. I particularly enjoyed the Omelette du Soleil, a garlicky herby frittata-style egg dish.

Ghini’s French Caffe (Photo by Chrissy Mance)

Erika Howlett

Tacos Apson
3501 S. 12th Ave. • 6741 N. Thornydale Rd. #121

Barbacoa at Tacos Apson.

Tacos Apson (Photo by Erika Howlett)
Rocco’s Little Chicago
2707 E. Broadway Blvd.

Four-cheese deep-dish pizza at Rocco’s Little Chicago.

Rocco’s Little Chicago (Photo by Mark Whittaker)
Locale Neighborhood Italian
60 N. Alvernon Way

Fusilli at Locale.

Fusilli at Locale (Photo by Erika Howlett)
Reforma
4340 N. Campbell Ave. #101

Prickly Pear Margarita at Reforma.

Prickly Pear Margarita at Reforma (Photo by Erika Howlett)

Hannah Hernandez

Chez Peachy
They Have a New Food Truck!

Chez Peachy’s Matcha Strawberry Bliss and the cutest strawberry bento cake.

Chez Peachy’s Matcha Strawberry Bliss and the cutest strawberry bento cake (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)

Kevin Thomas

Baja Mar Seafood Market & Restaurant
3541 S. 12th Ave.

I had two carne asada tacos and an adobada taco at Baja Mar. I also got some toritos which I had never had before. Bacon-wrapped peppers stuffed with shrimp and cream cheese. So good!

Baja Mar Seafood Market & Restaurant (Photos by Kevin Thomas)
Maico Restaurant
835 E. 22nd St.

Carne Asada Burrito from Maico Restaurant!

a sign in front of a brick building
Exterior (Photo courtesy of Maico Restuarant on FB)

Matt Sterner

Ciao Down & Tucson Hop Shop
3230 N. Dodge Blvd.

Tres Amigos pizza from Ciao Down — enjoyed on Tucson Hop Shop’s beautiful patio.

Tres Amigos pizza from Ciao Down (Photo by Matt Sterner)
Whole Slvce Pizza
160 S. Avenida del Convento

One of my favorite slices in town! It’s called the 4. and is tomato sauce, salami, Calabrian chili, red onion, ricotta, parmesan.

4. (tomato sauce, salami, Calabrian chili, red onion, ricotta, parmesan) at Whole Slvce Pizza (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)

Rita Connelly

Redbird Scratch Kitchen + Bar
6444 N. Oracle Rd.

I’ve become addicted to the street corn at Redbird. And that Crispy Nashville-Arizona Chicken sandwich was outstanding. A huge piece of chicken breast fried to a fabulous crunch.

Redbird Scratch Kitchen + Bar (Photos by Rita Connelly)

Shane Reiser

Mama Louisa’s Italian Restaurant
2041 S. Craycroft Rd.

The hush puppy at Mama Louisa’s.

Hushpuppy at Mama Louisa’s (Photo by Shane Reiser)
The Red Light Lounge at the Downtown Clifton
485 S. Stone Ave.

Grapefruit Paloma at the Red Light Lounge.

Grapefruit Paloma at the Red Light Lounge (Photo by Shane Reiser)
Chela’s Latin Cuisine
256 E. Congress St.

Open-face roasted poblano at Chela’s.

Open-face roasted poblano at Chela’s (Photo by Shane Reiser)
El Antojo Poblano
1108 W. St Marys Rd.

Enmoladas de Pollo at El Antojo Poblano.

Enmoladas de Pollo at Antojo Poblano (Photo by Shane Reiser)
OBON
350 E. Congress St. #120

The Death Free Vegan Ramen at Obon.

The Death Free Vegan Ramen at Obon (Photo by Shane Reiser)
La Bufadora
4100 S. Palo Verde Rd.

The fish tacos at La Bufadora.

The fish tacos at La Bufadora (Photo by Shane Reiser)
Los Perches Urban Sonoran Grill
238 N. Fourth Ave.

The vegan wings at Los Perches.

Falora
3000 E. Broadway Blvd.

The regular bread service at Falora.

Mantis Gourmet Chinese Food
8295 N. Cortaro Rd. #125

Vegetable Lo Mein from Mantis Gourmet.

Vegetable Lo Mein from Mantis Gourmet (Photo by Shane Reiser)

Article written by:

Matt Sterner

Matt Sterner

More about Matt

At 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.

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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