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Best Things the Tucson Foodie Team Tasted in December 2023

Huevos Rancheros at JoJo’s Restaurant (Photo by Addie Ibarra)

Best Things the Tucson Foodie Team Tasted in December 2023

Jan 1, 20244 min read

Here’s a look back at what the Tucson Foodie team enjoyed the most in December. 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

JoJo’s Restaurant
76 W. Washington St.

I had a very tasty brunch at JoJo’s. Steve-o and I ended up swapping our dishes halfway through and then swapped back and still couldn’t decide who ordered the best dish because they were both that good. Can’t wait for this month’s R&D dinner there!

a plate of food
Bagel & Lox at JoJo’s Restaurant (Photo by Addie Ibarra)
a person holding a plate of food
Huevos Rancheros at JoJo’s Restaurant (Photo by Addie Ibarra)
Taegukgi Korean BBQ
6118 E. Speedway Blvd.

I went to Taegukgi Korean BBQ for the 1st time and it’s always funny how awesome it is to cook your dinner when you’re not at home. I really appreciate all the banchan that came with the meal. I for one could not stop picking at the kimchi and Korean potato salad. This just made for a really great experience and then we sauntered over to the Korean Rose for dessert Boba drinks. 

a bunch of different types of food on a table
Kimchi at Taegukgi Korean BBQ (Photo by Addie Ibarra)
Samurai
3912 N. Oracle Rd. #100

You know that feeling after you’ve come back from vacation and you’ve stuffed your gullet so much that you crave something “light”? That was me and I needed a spicy volcano tuna don from Samurai. It was refreshing, the crispy tempura bits were good, and it was just what the doctor ordered. I’m the doctor, btw.

a tray of food on a plate
Spicy Volcano Tuna Don at Samurai (Photo by Addie Ibarra)
Hacienda del Sol
5501 N. Hacienda Del Sol Rd.

This submission is from my dog Spaghetti: I liked the Tuna Chicken of the Sea and Chicken Protein from Hacienda del Sol’s Pet Menu. My mom always tries to feed me vegetables so this was a good compromise.

a bowl of food on a plate
Tuna Chicken of the Sea and Chicken Protein from Hacienda del Sol (Photo by Addie Ibarra)
Tran’s Fats Truck
720 W. Silverlake Rd. #302

I ended the year precisely how I wanted to: fat, in love and full of Tran’s Fats. I even snuck in some caviar to top off my mochi with.

a hand holding a chocolate donut
Mochi at Tran’s Fats Truck (Photo by Addie Ibarra)

Chrissy Mance

Charro Chico
3699 N. Campbell Ave.

El Charro has the best chimi in town and now you can get them at their fast casual spot, Charro Chico. I ordered this vegetarian option which included calabacitas and chickpea chorizo. I added a side of queso and tried every salsa at the salsa bar! So good!

a close up of a sandwich on a plate
Vegetarian Chimichanga at Charro Chico (Photo by Chrissy Mance)
Go Dim Sum
3504 E. Grant Rd.

The Salt and Pepper Tofu from Go Dim Sum is perfectly fried and seasoned. It’s a delicious snack or meal with the vegan potstickers.

a box of food sitting on top of a wooden table
Salt and Pepper Tofu at Go Dim Sum (Photo by Chrissy Mance)

Hannah Hernandez

CERES Pasta
77 W. Washington St.

Raspberry sorbetto topped with pink sprinkles and pistachio crumble. This cone made my day.

a hand holding a pink flower
Raspberry Sorbetto at CERES Pasta (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)

Matt Sterner

Eggroll Masters
Multiple Locations (Food Truck)

I had a traditional, a jalapeno cheeseburger, and a Philly cheesesteak eggroll at Casa Video. Dang, they were great!

a close up of a slice of pizza
Eggrolls from Eggroll Masters (Photo courtesy of Eggroll Masters)

Sam Jump

Tavolino Ristorante Italiano
2890 E. Skyline Dr.

The Ravioli al Caprino from Tavolino’s lunch menu blew my mind. The layers of flavors — from the goat cheese and mascarpone filling in the house-made beet-infused ravioli to the sage butter it swam in — made it impossible not to sit my fork down between bites while I saved each of them. Yowza.

a plate of food with stew
Ravioli al Caprino at Tavolino (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)

Shane Reiser

Borderlands Brewing Company
119 E. Toole Ave.
a sandwich sitting on top of a paper plate
Salmon Burger at Borderlands Brewing Company (Photo by Shane Reiser)
The Monica
40 E. Congress St.

The hot chocolate at The Monica was perfect.

SydShakes

Got one of these at the Vegan Night Market and they are so delicious. She really got the recipe right.

Green Latifah Protein Shake from SydShakes (Photo by Shane Reiser)

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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