Here’s a look back at what the Tucson Foodie team enjoyed during November!
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
Forbes Meat Company
747 S. 6th Ave.
The sashimi trio at Forbes. Perfect bites of tuna and yellowtail as an amuse bouche.
Read our article Q&A with Forbes Meat Company Executive Chef Mataya Phillips.
SydShakes
order online
Hands down one of the best smoothies I’ve had all year. I chugged this bad boy in seconds. I really want to try the rest of Syd Shakes lineup.
For more information, visit sydshakes.com.
Monsoon Chocolate Cafe + Market
3630 E. Fort Lowell Rd.
Bernie’s Bagels is BACK! This was a fun way to treat myself. I’ll order it on an everything bagel next time. I also had the Monsoon champurrado to go with this and it was excellent, I’m looking forward to doing this all over again.
Read our article Monsoon Chocolate Café + Market is a Chocolate Lover’s Paradise.
Kintoki Sushi House & Bar
2960 N. First Ave.
Chef Rosalio really knocked it out of the park with Kintoki sushi. The sushi is high quality and the rolls are very creative and meticulously crafted, but the wings stood out to me. I usually don’t order wings but these were crispy, large, and sauced to perfection. I also really recommend their cocktail program.
Read our article Tucson brothers turn former El Berraco into Kintoki Sushi House & Bar.
Baked by Edyn
Cottage Bakery
Alfajores from Baked by Edyn, my kid. She started her own cottage bakery (licensed and everything) and has made me so many baked goods this fall, it’s been amazing. These were a standout to me amongst all the pies and cinnamon rolls she made.
Keep up with Baked by Edyn on Instagram.
Hannah Hernandez
Mike’s Food Co.
MotoSonora Brewing Co., 1015 S. Park Ave.
The Falafel Burger at Mike’s Food Co. is vegan as is, and it’s seriously good. The falafel is well-seasoned, fluffy inside, crisp outside, and the toppings pull everything together. You can find Mike’s Food Co. out on the MotoSonora Brewing Co. patio.
Read our article Mike’s Food Co. Brings Burgers & Mediterranean to MotoSonora.
Casa Del Rio
1060 S. Pantano Rd.
Meet Nicuatole, a traditional pre-Hispanic Oaxacan dessert that also happens to be vegan. The corn masa flan is soft and squishy in the best way, the house Bacanora mango coulis adds a bright, boozy sweetness, and the fresh-grated organic dark chocolate ties it all together. I’m still dreaming about it.
Read our article Casa Del Rio unveils new menu items, brunch (PHOTOS).
Jackie Tran
Kintoki Sushi House & Bar
2960 N. First Ave.
During their soft opening, I followed the staff recommendations for rolls. With the Kaze Roll, it packed some heat without overwhelming the delicate fish. I’ll definitely be back to try more of their fusion menu.
Read our article Tucson brothers turn former El Berraco into Kintoki Sushi House & Bar.
Monsoon Chocolate Cafe + Market
3630 E. Fort Lowell Rd.
I despise most vegan cheese, but vegan cream cheese is one of the few currently acceptable ones when done well. So I took a risk and ordered this vegan bagel with bright and tangy veggies for a variety of textures. Definitely worth ordering again.
Read our article Monsoon Chocolate Café + Market is a Chocolate Lover’s Paradise.
Bamboo Noodle House
TBA
I had a family meal with the staff and friends of this upcoming local eatery. Their wontons focus on bouncy shrimp, rather than the usual pork wontons in town. Those, in combination with some char siu, noodles, and a light broth, gave me some much needed Chinese nostalgic comfort.
Article coming soon.
Cafe Francais
3855 E. Broadway Blvd.
I’m a huge sucker for anything French onion, and this pastry was no exception. Eaten warmed up, mmmmm. And a few weeks later, they also had a sour cream & onion chips & dip Danish that I also demolished. I cannot resist the allure of onions and dairy together.
Read our article Cafe Francais to open Broadway location.
Casa Del Rio
1060 S. Pantano Rd.
While Casa Del Rio has been an eastside staple for decades, they’ve branched out with some modernized dishes as well with some new talent. I’ll come back for the bright orange aguachile and spirit-forward cocktails.
Read our article Casa Del Rio unveils new menu items, brunch (PHOTOS).
La Perla Del Pacifico
5601 E. 22nd St.
A mariscos take on a Tucson brunch staple, this version of huevos rancheros has shrimp. While shrimp for breakfast sounds unusual, think of Southern grits with shrimp and eggs; but replace the grits with a crunchy tostada and top it off with a bright salsa.
I came back a separate time for dinner for a michelada and aguachile negro; both packed with umami and lime freshness. And they do karaoke Friday nights from 6-9 p.m., perfect for my early night preferences.
Read our article New Breakfast Menu at La Perla Del Pacifico (PHOTOS).
barbata
35 E. Toole Ave.
barbata continues to be one of my favorite spots for a modern, creative, well-executed cocktail. The Jam on Toast layers umami with bread vodka, Marmite, and caramelized labneh, while raspberry and lemon balance with tartness. Such a complex cocktail for such a simple appearance.
Their fried chicken sandwich special that weekend was also like my new favorite fried chicken sandwich I’ve had in Tucson with its balance of acidity and heat, along with moist bread and chicken. Hopefully it makes a return.
Read our article barbata launches new cocktail menu & sandwich special.
Rita Connelly
Sausage Deli
754 E. Grant Rd.
Haven’t been to the in a long time, but the grinder is still tasty. Lots of meats and cheeses topped with their special dressing. Enjoyed as a picnic lunch at a local park. Next visit will be soon.
Read our article 45 years later, Sausage Deli is still serving some of the best sandwiches in town.
Shane Reiser
Uptown Burger
6370 N. Campbell Ave.
I’ve been looking for a good Ahi Tuna Sandwich ever since Ermanos took it off their menu (and then later closed). I finally found one at Uptown Burger. It was cooked to perfection with a nice char on the outside and a tender rare center for full flavor. The Asian sauce, slaw and brioche bun were all executed nicely. I didn’t think it would go well with the fries, which I always get with their burgers or their chicken sandwich because they are so deliciously crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, but I got the fries anyway, and I was wrong – they went great together. I washed it down with a chocolate milkshake
Read our article Daniel Scordato’s Uptown Burger is beefing up the local hamburger scene.
Forbes Meat Company
747 S. 6th Ave.
The Hot Honey Fried Chicken Sandwich at Forbes is the best I’ve found in Tucson. I’ve been thinking about it daily. Generous amount of juicy chicken with a sweet but hot flavor on a buttery brioche bun. I loved every bite.
Read our article Q&A with Forbes Meat Company Executive Chef Mataya Phillips.
CERES
77 W. Washington St.
The Spaghetti alla Puttanesca at Ceres is handmade perfection. This one of those dishes were when you’re done you think that the portion size wasn’t big enough, but then you walk away feeling completely satisfied without feeling overstuffed and you realize you just wanted more (in your mouth, but not your stomach) because it’s so delicious.
Read our article “CERES” brings fresh hand-made pasta & bread to El Presidio.
