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Best Things the Tucson Foodie Team Tasted in April 2026

Eight-piece deluxe nigiri sushi combo at Seoul Shi (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Best Things the Tucson Foodie Team Tasted in April 2026

May 1, 20264 min read

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

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

Kotu Korean BBQ

4545 N. Oracle Rd.

Kotu AYCE was a cool way to spend Friday night.

Read our article Best Korean Restaurants in Tucson.

The Royal Room

450 N. Sixth Ave.

I was downtown and wanted an NA beer and tacos so I went to Royal Room and got all this for less than $15. New favorite work spot.

View our recent visit here.

BŌS Burger

267 S. Avenida del Convento

Got to check out BŌS Burger during a pop-up dinner they did and it was easily one of the most well-executed burgers, balanced between the bun, beef patties, condiments, and veggies.

Read our article Wagyu smash burgers land at BŌS Burger in MSA Annex.

Hannah Hernandez

Juniper

222 E. Congress St.

Really loved the Negroni V.J.O.P. at Juniper. Made with Sipsmith V.J.O.P Gin, Carpano Antica, Campari, and orange peel. It’s bold, balanced, and beautifully rich in color. Also obsessed with the pretty floral ice cube.

Read our article Team Behind Iron John’s Brewing to Open ‘Juniper’ — a Gin-Focused Bar.

Del Cielo Tamal

3073 N. Campbell Ave.

I love Del Cielo brunch trips. The vegan Navolato Plate is my current favorite. It comes with scrambled tofu eggs, hibiscus machaca, refried beans, and a sweet fried green corn tamal. I added chilaquiles and chorizo, and everything was so good. PS: they have the best fresh-squeezed orange juice too

Read our article Restaurant of the Week: Del Cielo Tamal.

Jackie Tran

Bubba-Que Smokehouse BBQ and Tex-Mex Catering

5005 S. Campbell Ave.
Bubba-Que Smokehouse BBQ and Tex-Mex Catering (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Normally, pulled pork juicy is not my preferred barbecue meat, but here, it shined with how well it stayed juicy despite how long it took me to take photos.

And I tell you what, I also love to embrace my inner Tex-Mex with a dang ol’ bowl of Queso Dip, man.

Read our article Bubba-Que brings barbecue & Tex-Mex to South Campbell.

Loews Ventana Canyon Resort

7000 N. Resort Dr.
Cornbread in the background at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Whenever I visit their Sunday brunch at the Canyon Club, I go out of my way to get the resort’s signature cornbread. It tastes like actual sweet corn rather than sugar; by far my favorite cornbread I’ve ever had.

View their recent renovations here.

Seoul Shi

6462 N. Oracle Rd.
Eight-piece deluxe nigiri sushi combo at Seoul Shi (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Since Seoul Shi opened at the beginning of the year, I’ve slowly made my way through their menu. This time, I was able to indulge in their deluxe nigiri. I particularly loved the bite with salmon and roe with the addition of fresh wasabi.

And look at the detail on the rice in the photo above; you can really see how they nailed the texture.

Read our article Seoul Shi showcases Japanese, Korean Cuisine & Raw Marinated Crab.

Shane Reiser

The Coronet

198 W. Cushing St.

The Grilled Cheese on The Coronet Cafe’s late night menu hit the spot. It’s on Barrio Bread and features cheddar and gruyere, but the tomato jam takes it over the top.

Read our article Q&A with Coronet Chef Mallorie Hart + New Menu Photos.

JoJo’s

76 W. Washington St.

Absolutely LOVE all the changes at JoJo’s. Bringing back their famous Brussels Sprouts was clutch. But my favorite thing was this new dish called Chickpea Curry with Rice. I recommend adding the chicken, which is the same chicken that they use in their Shawarma, so it was delightfully tasty.

Article coming soon; check out their current menus here.

Whole Slvce Pizza

160 South Avenida del Convento #164

Whole Slvce is proving to be a very successful and popular by-the-slice pizza spot at the Annex. I always go for their special slice.

Read our article Whole Slvce Pizza Brings a Taste of New York City to Tucson.

Article written by:

Jackie Tran

Jackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the now-closed food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is 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.

An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to sloppily devouring green chili patty melts in his car afterhours. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.

Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.

If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.

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Join the Tucson Foodie team for a very special dinner at @sawmillrun. A culinary journey from the Sonoran Desert to the summit of Mount Lemmon. TOMORROW! Aug 15, 6-8pm.❤️ 

Tickets in bio.
MENU👇🌲

AMUSE:
Forest Floor
Hazelnut Soil • Whipped Goat Cheese • Black Garlic • Pickled Mushroom • Crispy Mushroom • Mountain Herbs

FIRST COURSE: 
Desert Oasis
Compressed Melon • Whipped Feta • Chiltepin Vinaigrette • Pickled Cucumber • Toasted Pepitas • Mint

SECOND COURSE: 
Campfire Embers
Roasted Bone Marrow • House Chorizo • Pickled Shallot • Cilantro • House-Made Blue Corn Tortilla

THIRD COURSE: 
Juniper Ridge
Juniper-Smoked Pork Belly • Charred Corn Succotash • Prickly Pear Gastrique • Dehydrated Jalapeños

PALATE CLEANSER:
Aspen Breeze
House-Made Lemon Sorbet • Candied Lemon • Fresh Mint

FOURTH COURSE: 
Granite Peak
Mesquite-Grilled Vera Earl Beef • Smoked Tomato Chimichurri • Charred Heirloom Tomato • Crispy Shallot

DESSERT: 
Summer on Mount Lemmon
Arizona Honeycomb Ice Cream • Roasted Willcox Peaches • Huckleberry Compote • Almond Streusel • Honey Tuile

#tucsonevents #tucsonfoodie #mtlemmonJoin the Tucson Foodie team for a very special dinner at @sawmillrun. A culinary journey from the Sonoran Desert to the summit of Mount Lemmon. TOMORROW! Aug 15, 6-8pm.❤️ Tickets in bio. MENU👇🌲 AMUSE: Forest Floor Hazelnut Soil • Whipped Goat Cheese • Black Garlic • Pickled Mushroom • Crispy Mushroom • Mountain Herbs FIRST COURSE: Desert Oasis Compressed Melon • Whipped Feta • Chiltepin Vinaigrette • Pickled Cucumber • Toasted Pepitas • Mint SECOND COURSE: Campfire Embers Roasted Bone Marrow • House Chorizo • Pickled Shallot • Cilantro • House-Made Blue Corn Tortilla THIRD COURSE: Juniper Ridge Juniper-Smoked Pork Belly • Charred Corn Succotash • Prickly Pear Gastrique • Dehydrated Jalapeños PALATE CLEANSER: Aspen Breeze House-Made Lemon Sorbet • Candied Lemon • Fresh Mint FOURTH COURSE: Granite Peak Mesquite-Grilled Vera Earl Beef • Smoked Tomato Chimichurri • Charred Heirloom Tomato • Crispy Shallot DESSERT: Summer on Mount Lemmon Arizona Honeycomb Ice Cream • Roasted Willcox Peaches • Huckleberry Compote • Almond Streusel • Honey Tuile #tucsonevents #tucsonfoodie #mtlemmon
LE BUZZ IS CELEBRATING 30 YEARS!🎉☕️

Tucson staple @lebuzzcaffeplaza celebrates 30 years of business on August 22, and we stopped by their Plaza Palomino location to try some of the August specials created just for this location.

🍒Tiki Cold Brew
Cherry-infused cold brew topped with cream of coconut cold foam

🥣Oatmeal Creme Pie Latte
Espresso, milk of choice, house-made oatmeal syrup and oatmeal creme pie cold foam

🎂Birthday Cake Latte
Espresso, milk of choice, house-made birthday cake syrup and birthday cake cold foam

And the food specials are just as tempting:

• Flan French Toast with flan caramel, house-made flan cream, whipped cream and fresh berries

• Croissant Croque Madame with Black Forest ham, Gruyère, mornay, chives and a sunny-side-up egg

Plus, we got to try some favorites from the main menu, including the quiche and soup, Summer Cobb Salad, LeVeggie Burger and Blueberry Brisket Burger.

2930 N. Swan Rd., Suite 130

Don’t wait too long to try the August specials!❤️

Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com 
#tucsonfoodie #tucsonfoodLE BUZZ IS CELEBRATING 30 YEARS!🎉☕️ Tucson staple @lebuzzcaffeplaza celebrates 30 years of business on August 22, and we stopped by their Plaza Palomino location to try some of the August specials created just for this location. 🍒Tiki Cold Brew Cherry-infused cold brew topped with cream of coconut cold foam 🥣Oatmeal Creme Pie Latte Espresso, milk of choice, house-made oatmeal syrup and oatmeal creme pie cold foam 🎂Birthday Cake Latte Espresso, milk of choice, house-made birthday cake syrup and birthday cake cold foam And the food specials are just as tempting: • Flan French Toast with flan caramel, house-made flan cream, whipped cream and fresh berries • Croissant Croque Madame with Black Forest ham, Gruyère, mornay, chives and a sunny-side-up egg Plus, we got to try some favorites from the main menu, including the quiche and soup, Summer Cobb Salad, LeVeggie Burger and Blueberry Brisket Burger. 2930 N. Swan Rd., Suite 130 Don’t wait too long to try the August specials!❤️ Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com #tucsonfoodie #tucsonfood
Sonoran Restaurant Week is back for its 8th year!🎉

❤️Restaurant owners: Applications close August 14. There is no cost to participate, and you’ll be included in Tucson Foodie’s biggest marketing campaign of the year, featuring print, online, social, radio, TV, menu previews, chef interviews, and more.

From September 4 to 13, local restaurants across Southern Arizona will come together for 10 days of incredible fixed-price menus, giving diners the perfect excuse to explore Tucson’s amazing food scene. 

#sonoranrestaurantweek #srw2026 
#tucsonfoodie #tucsonarizonaSonoran Restaurant Week is back for its 8th year!🎉 ❤️Restaurant owners: Applications close August 14. There is no cost to participate, and you’ll be included in Tucson Foodie’s biggest marketing campaign of the year, featuring print, online, social, radio, TV, menu previews, chef interviews, and more. From September 4 to 13, local restaurants across Southern Arizona will come together for 10 days of incredible fixed-price menus, giving diners the perfect excuse to explore Tucson’s amazing food scene. #sonoranrestaurantweek #srw2026 #tucsonfoodie #tucsonarizona
Opened in 2023, @kabulcorner is Tucson’s only Afghan restaurant, created to provide jobs, community, and a taste of home for Afghan families who made Tucson their new home. 

Today, Sediq Haidari and his family serve traditional Afghan dishes like bolani, mantou, Kabuli palaw, fresh tandoori naan, and house-made chaka, while preserving recipes and traditions rooted in Afghanistan’s rich history. 

With its warm hospitality, authentic food, and strong sense of community, Kabul Corner has become a little piece of home in the Sonoran Desert. ❤️ 

“These dishes are famous not only in Afghanistan, but in neighboring countries like Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, Iran, and even parts of China. It sits right between Indian and Arabic food.” Sediq Haidari

Read @sea_lyon’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com 
Photos by @sea_lyon 
#tucsonfoodie #tucsonfoodOpened in 2023, @kabulcorner is Tucson’s only Afghan restaurant, created to provide jobs, community, and a taste of home for Afghan families who made Tucson their new home. Today, Sediq Haidari and his family serve traditional Afghan dishes like bolani, mantou, Kabuli palaw, fresh tandoori naan, and house-made chaka, while preserving recipes and traditions rooted in Afghanistan’s rich history. With its warm hospitality, authentic food, and strong sense of community, Kabul Corner has become a little piece of home in the Sonoran Desert. ❤️ “These dishes are famous not only in Afghanistan, but in neighboring countries like Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, Iran, and even parts of China. It sits right between Indian and Arabic food.” Sediq Haidari Read @sea_lyon’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com Photos by @sea_lyon #tucsonfoodie #tucsonfood