While we have other guides for countries from around the world, today, we highlight black-owned restaurants in Tucson.
Alafia West African Cuisine
1070 N. Swan Rd.
Alafia serves the authentic, unadulterated cuisine of Benin. You won’t find any dainty garnishes here; just wholesome, well-spiced food. Try a glass of the potent ginger juice.
Read our March 2017 article Rustic Charm, Bold Flavors & Authentic Dishes at Alafia West African Cuisine.
For more information, call (520) 331-7161. Keep up with Alafia West African Cuisine on Facebook.
ATL Wings
802 N. Fourth Ave.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B56dYprlDUT/
This Chandler, Arizona-based restaurant has a Tucson location on Fourth Avenue. Their wings are among the crunchiest in town; go for the Spicy ATL Dry Rub flavor.
Read our article Chandler-Based ATL Wings to Open Fourth Avenue Location.
For more information, call (520) 207-1771 or visit atlwings.com.
BxQ Bodega
Metro Wildcat, 501 N. Park Ave.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_WCZS7hTzJ/
(Their Instagram profile says “closed”, but we haven’t heard from them yet to confirm; we’ll remove this if they are indeed closed.)
Formerly located at The Boxyard, this restaurant now resides inside the Metro Wildcat specializing in burgers. We’re also fans of their Catfish Sandwich and can’t wait to try their Fried Mac N Cheese.
For more information, visit bxqbodega.com.
Cafe Desta
758 S. Stone Ave.
Just south of downtown, Cafe Desta serves Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine. While they also offer meat, they are one of our favorite places to eat vegan.
Read our December 2019 article Cafe Desta brings communities together over Ethiopian cuisine.
For more information, call (520) 370-7000 or visit destacafe.com.
CeeDee Jamaican Kitchen
5305 E. Speedway Blvd.
CeeDee is currently operating on limited hours (noon – 8 p.m.) with a limited menu. Thankfully, this includes their signature Curry Goat.
For more information, call (520) 795-3400 or visit ceedeecafe.com.
Cotton Family BBQ
Food Truck
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0LzfZdhYeR/
This food truck clearly specializes in barbecue, but c’mon, just look at these Loaded Shrimp & Bacon Fries.
Keep up with Cotton Family BBQ on Facebook.
D’s Island Grill JA
3156 E. Fort Lowell Rd.
D’s features Jamaican food along with some Southwest fusion dishes, such as Jerk Beef Tacos. However, we find ourselves coming back for the rich and deeply comforting Oxtail Stew.
For more information, call (520) 861-2271 or visit dsislandgrill.com.
DA Boots BBQ Shop
1830 S. Park Ave.
https://www.instagram.com/p/By8L46ylEDi/
Formerly known as Two Boots BBQ, this barbecue and soul food restaurant occasionally whips up a Louisiana Seafood Gumbo special on the weekends.
For more information, call (520) 347-5169 or follow DA Boots BBQ Shop on Facebook.
Hop Street Lounge
7215 E. 22nd St., Ste. 101
This east side tasting room features an impressive selection of beers and kombuchas. Their furniture is also exceptionally comfortable furniture, so take advantage of that once they are no longer pick-up only.
For more information, call (520) 274-7904 or visit hopstreetlounge.com.
HUSH Social Club
1112 S. Wilmot Rd.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7g7p3XnpfD/
This low key neighborhood bar regularly hosts community-oriented events ranging from memorial birthday parties to catfish fry sessions and reggae Sundays.
For more information, call (520) 747-1559. Keep up with HUSH Social Club on Facebook.
Ken’s Hardwood Barbecue
5250 E. 22nd St.
This barbecue joint firmly established itself as a neighborhood favorite with its exceptional sides and ribs.
Read our December 2018 article Ken’s Hardwood Barbecue: Family-inspired menu drips multicultural soul.
For more information, call (520) 745-4746 or visit kenshardwoodbbq.com.
Mr. Cookman’s BBQ & Soul Food
Food Truck
https://www.instagram.com/p/44NhRzDS6N/
Check out Mr. Cookman’s for their New Orleans-style ribs and pepper wings.
Read our September 2015 article 5 Food Trucks To Satisfy Your BBQ Cravings.
Keep up with Mr. Cookman’s BBQ & Soul Food on Instagram.
Mr. K’s Original BBQ
6302 S. Park Ave.
One of Tucson’s longest-running barbecue restaurants showcases mesquite smoke for a distinctly Tucson flavor.
Read our July 2019 article Mr. K’s Original BBQ: No frills ‘cue since 1997.
For more information, call (520) 792-9484. Keep up with Mr. K’s Original BBQ on Facebook.
Nur Market & Restaurant
3565 E. Speedway Blvd., #171
https://www.instagram.com/p/B5yShk-p5YU/
See those inconspicuous fried pockets? They’re sambusas. They’re like samosas; filled with fragrant spiced beef and veggies, served with a spicy tomato sauce. During our last visit, they were only $2 each!
For more information, call (520) 881-6333 or visit nurmarketaz.com.
Purple Tree Organic Acai Blends
Food Truck
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9p5VJ0BMcn/
This food truck may be purple, but it is green with its organic acai blends, coffee, and variety of vegan and gluten-free baked goods. To top it off, the food truck is mostly powered by solar.
For more information, call (520) 245-2684. Keep up with Purple Tree Organic Acai Blends on Facebook.
Queen Sheba Restaurant
5553 E. Grant Rd.
This Eritrean restaurant features a few dishes you can’t find anywhere else in Tucson, such as Gaat and Hilbet. Since Italy colonized Eritrea, you’ll also find Eritrean spaghetti with and meat sauce.
For more information, visit call (520) 276-3476 or queenshebatucson.com.
The Red Light Lounge at The Downtown Clifton Hotel
485 S. Stone Ave.
This sexy downtown lounge also features a small kitchen with creative spins on classics. Right now, they’re featuring weekly to-go specials for both food and drink.
Read our December 2019 article Red Light Lounge at Downtown Clifton serves fantastic fry bread & crisp cocktails.
For more information, call (520) 623-3163 or visit downtowntucsonhotel.com.
Smokey Mo
2650 N. First Ave.
Another fan of mesquite smoke, Smokey Mo shines with their pulled pork sandwich. They also rock fatty brisket if you’re into it.
For more information, call (520) 203-8250 or visit smokeymo.com.
Urban Fresh
73 E. Pennington St.
Urban Fresh features a variety of plant-based favorites to keep you feeling fabulous. Their vegan burger is also one of our faves.
Read our December 2018 article Urban Fresh: Plant-based Foods with a Powerhouse of Flavors.
For more information, call (520) 792 9355 or visit urbanfreshtucson.com.
Zemam’s • Zemam’s Too
2731 E. Broadway Blvd. • 119 E. Speedway Blvd.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA3bMGPBsyT/
A long-time BYOB favorite, Zemam’s dining rooms aren’t open quite yet. However, you can still order their Ethiopian dishes for curbside pickup.
For more information, visit zemamsrestaurants.com.
Did we miss anyone? Let us know in the comments
(June 4, 2020 edit: For a more comprehensive list of black-owned businesses, check out this Google Doc spreadsheet by Ashley La Russa of Roux Events and the team #blaxfriday)
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Article written by:
Jackie Tran
More about JackieJackie 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.
