Cafe Passe is back, Jack.
In May of 2022, it was announced that Cafe Passe was closing up shop for the summer slow-down. Little did we know, they’d be off the radar for a whopping 18 months. After much anticipation and wonder, we’re stoked to announce they’ve opened the doors back up for Tucson.
Though, seemingly, it may be tough to spot what required the extra time away, Cafe Passe owner Jenny Rice knows all too well. “People are going to walk in and wonder what took us so long, but this is what demanded a big chunk of our time,” she shared as we toured the bright, shiny, and new kitchen, nestled completely out of view from diners.
“I’m planning on running specials and then see how they’re received,” Rice added, expressing that she wants to experiment more with the menu.
“I worked with Suzana Davila for nine years at Café Poca Cosa. So, I learned so much — so much — from that woman. She’s a genius. Sometimes when I’m in a funk, I say, ‘Girl, just harness that woman’s energy and get through the day.’ She’s an inspiration, and I was really lucky to work with her, and I still have a relationship with her, too.”
Jenny is delighted for people to reunite with the largely-missed lounge in the back, which has been closed to the public since the spring of 2020. The new bar area is full of character, animal prints, and options for seating such as couches, bar stools, and bistro tables.
The bar menu will include local beers in cans and bottles, wines, and craft cocktails to accompany their menu full of Mexican-inspired dishes alongside tried and true items from the Passe menu which customers have come to know and love. Rice is looking forward to sharing all of her hard work and passion to new degrees. From decorating and building out the entire space — including an additional bathroom — to designing the full menu, she’s invested her heart soul, sweat, and tears into this project.
“I am ready to come into who I actually am and put all of the years of experience that I have into Cafe Passe,” said Rice. “I have at least 25 years of experience in the restaurant business. It’s my first time in the kitchen, and I’m ready to show how hard I’ve been working — it’s moments like these that make me proud.”
Food Menu
- Just a Bagel – served with cream cheese or hummus or pesto
- Eggs and a Quesadilla – served with refried beans
- Migas – torn corn tortillas sauteed with scrambled eggs and served with salsa and beans
- French Toast – classic brioche French toast lightly dusted with powdered sugar, served with whipped cream and maple syrup
- The Wedgy One – iceberg wedge covered with bleu cheese dressing, bacon, chives, and radish
- Cobb Salad – avocado, roasted turkey, bacon, Havarti, red onion, soft-boiled egg, heirloom cherry tomatoes, and ranch
- Posole – shredded pork in a rich broth with cracked hominy, radish, green onion, lime, and wilted cabbage
- Burger – cheddar, caramelized onion, lettuce, tomato, pickle, and served with fries or a salad
- Chicken Salad Sandwich – a mix of diced chicken breast with radish, carrot, and celery, on a toasted croissant and served with fries or a salad
- Carne Fries – shredded beef over French fries with refried beans, sour cream, avocado, melted cheese, black olives, and a side of salsa
Drink Menu
- Espresso
- Americano
- Macchiato
- Cafe Con Panna
- Cappuccino
- Latte
- Mocha
- Honey Cinnamon Latte
- Chai Tea Latte
- Bruce Lee – sweetened condensed milk in an Americano
- Nutty Irish – hazelnut and Irish cream syrup
- Hot Tea – gunpowder green, ginger, peach, black, prickly pear, and herbal
- Prickly Pear Iced Tea
Another different thing this time around is that, after being a co-owner since 2017, Rice is now the sole proprietor of Cafe Passe.
“I love running the restaurant,” said Rice. “I like interacting with people and serving them yummy food — food that they want to come back for. I want to invoke new memories. I was so honored when people would call and ask me, ‘Can I have my wedding in your backyard?'”
Bringing people together is a passion and core value for Rice. Part of her vision for the cafe’s next chapter is seeing people use the space to commune, create, and collaborate in new ways.
“A lot has happened in the world since COVID,” said Rice. “How we connect with people has really changed since then, and the whole dining experience has shifted to just takeout and Uber Eats. I want to bring back socializing, placemaking, and connecting with people. I want people to remember that we need to be with each other and interact, you know? Even if you’re not interacting with anyone while you’re here, you are still connecting with people.”
While Cafe Passe may not seem visually different to the degree that people may have expected, the resuscitated life breathed into it by Rice and her personal support system’s hard work, commitment, and care will be unquestionably felt as cafe-goers return to the space to start making memories.
Currently, the hours of operation are 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. You can expect those hours to increase once they “find their footing,” eventually opening their doors a little earlier and staying open till about 9 p.m.
Cafe Passe is located at 415 N. Fourth Ave. For more information and to keep up with the latest, follow Cafe Passe on Instagram.
