Here’s a look back at what the Tucson Foodie team enjoyed during January!
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
The Cork
6320 E. Tanque Verde Rd.
I hadn’t been to The Cork in years and what a mistake that was! I enjoyed everything from our calamari appetizer, which was served as a steak with butter sauce and not rings as in calamari rings, to the beef stroganoff entree and the delightfully light chocolate mousse.
Crooked Tooth Brewing
228 E. Sixth St.
As someone who partook in Dry January (for the most part), it was really refreshing (get it?) to be able to stop into so many of our favorite breweries and enjoy NA options. Crooked Tooth has awesome hot beverages like this Rosemary tea. I’ll be back to get it beyond January.
Bombolé
100 N. Stone Ave.
I’m a fan of handheld food. Bombolé has awesome Indian fusion empanadas. They’re jam-packed with filling and flavor.
Cafe Cariño
831 E. 17th St.
Cafe Cariño just opened up inside Slow Body Co. So you can head there for a breakfast coffee and stay for a lunch beer. It’s truly the best thing to happen to me.
Hammbone’s
2027 S. Craycroft Rd.
The pot roast at HamBones was for one, enough to feed me multiple times — a great value — and secondly, it’s melt-in-your-mouth perfection. Oh, and the mashed potatoes? Unsung heroes.
HUB Restaurant & Ice Creamery
266 E. Congress St.
The new gnocchi dish at HUB is served with a lovely pillow of ricotta and served with a delicious meat sauce. I can’t wait for the restaurant to be open to enjoy this consistently.
CJ Hamm
Zio Peppe
6502 E. Tanque Verde Rd.
I have been to Zio Peppe a ton of times. How the calamarrones eluded me until my most recent visit, I don’t know, and I will never forgive myself. It is my absolute favorite dish in Tucson at the moment.
Being a place that fuses Italian and Sonoran food, to combine pork rinds and calamari is beyond brilliant. The salty porky goodness of the chicharrónes pairs perfectly with the brininess of the squid. Add the sweet and sour citrus pieces, a macha aioli (genius in its own right), and fresh herbs, and you have a complete grand slam of an appetizer.
Frankie’s South Philly Cheesesteaks
3780 W. Ina Rd. #184
Sure I miss seeing and talking with the man himself, Frankie. However, the current owners in the current location continue to satisfy my craving for the best sandwich ever created, the South Philly Cheesesteak. I can’t get up that far often enough, but if anything brings me within 10 miles of Frankie’s, I am popping in there and eating this bad boy.
BruceDog
5975 W. Western Way Cir. #109
This one is both nostalgic and still a delicious masterpiece. I frequented Mr. Bruce himself at his cart on East Speedway hundreds of times. He had retired and moved out of the country at some point, but I still kept in touch with him. I was shocked when he told me he was moving back and opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant. I never made it to the location, and unfortunately, Brucey (as we called him) passed on. However, his legacy and restaurant lives on!
While working my own booth at the SAVOR Festival, my fiancé saw that BruceDog was there and she remembered me speaking fondly of my visits. She immediately grabbed a hot dog and brought it to me.
Enough waxing poetic, let’s talk wiener. Steamed bun, all-beef Vienna hot dog, blazing hot chiltepin chili beans, Israeli salad on top! Divine!
Hannah Hernandez
Haute Coffee
2905 E. Skyline DR.
Lavender latte at Haute Coffee.
Le Buzz
2930 N. Swan Rd.
Blue Corn Blueberry Buckwheat Pancakes at Le Buzz.
Zayna Mediterranean Restaurant
1138 N. Belvedere Ave.
Whenever I get Zayna’s to-go, I always add a side of dolmas to eat up in the car before heading to my next stop. I love them so much.
Jackie Tran
Samurai Sombrero
1439 S. Fourth Ave.
I often find myself craving the deathfreefoodie roll from Samurai Sombrero at least once a month. The kiss of char on the crunchy jalapeño and creamy avocado balance with the sweet-salty-umami sauce.
Forbes Meat Co.
747 S. Sixth Ave.
The lobster roll at Forbes Meat Co. hops in and out of availability often, so keep an eye out for its next return on social media. The simple preparation highlights the quality and natural sweetness of the lobster.
Hammbone’s
2027 S. Craycroft Rd.
Hammbone’s porky collards have a tender, soft bite without being mushy. The acidity added is just enough to offset the bitterness of the greens and the richness of the pork.
Matt Sterner
Transplant Pizza
4603 E. Speedway Blvd.
I used to only order the Detroit-style pies at Transplant Pizza, but now I’m all about the “bar style” pizza — they’re round instead of rectangular and not as thick. When I’m not craving marinara, I go for the chicken bacon pesto. It’s a pretty pizza topped with all that’s listed in its name, plus roasted tomatoes, mozzarella, and a house ranch dressing.
Rocco’s Little Chicago
2555 E. Broadway Blvd.
“Boy, these wings burn! Dump a bucket of water on my head!” I’m pretty sure that’s what I said out loud before putting out the flames with a Rocco’s Export Lager (made locally by Button Brew House).
Poco & Mom’s Cantina
7000 E. Tanque Verde Rd.
I had to order the chile relleno plate at Poco & Momo’s — very reminiscent of my time living in New Mexico.
Rita Connelly
Mona’s Danish Bakery
4777 E. Sunrise Dr. # 113
The spinach and feta quiche at Mona’s Danish Bakery. The crust is so buttery it could be a treat on its own.
Shane Reiser
Taquería La Esquina
4876 S. Sixth Ave.
Elote ribs at Taquería La Esquina.
Al Basha Grill
4145 E. Grant Rd.
Shish Tawook at Al Basha Grill.
Read my article: Al Basha Grill is Now Open on Grant Road.
Nook
1 E. Congress St.
The Maya Chai Tea Latte at Nook.
The Century Room
311 E. Congress St.
Promise of the Earth cocktail at The Century Room. Joven Mezcal, reposado tequila, saffron Italian liqueur, yellow curry, and lime juice.
Martin’s Comida Chingona
557 N. Fourth Ave.
Order the Chef’s Surprise at Martin’s Comida Chingona, and he’ll keep bringing you delicious bites until you’re full. I need to go here more often.
