Here’s a scenario to consider:
Your neighbor’s hound dogs just barreled into your kitchen — breaking the back screen door in the process — and now they’ve eaten the cherished ham you were planning to feed your family this Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
Okay, the circumstances don’t have to be that severe, but if you’d simply rather take the family out for dinner this year or bring a new meal home, many Tucson restaurants have got you covered. Also, keep in mind, some of these dinners and deals are on Christmas Eve, rather than Christmas day.
P.S. Bring some stretchy pants because some of these meals are massive.
Blue Willow
2616 N. Campbell Ave.
The restaurant is offering a Christmas dinner to-go this year. The menu features items such as Beef Bourgiugnon with Brown Rice, Spiral Cut Honey Baked Ham, Lasagna Bolognese, Spinach Lasagna, Clam Chowder in Homemade Bread Bowl, and more.
For more information, visit bluewillowtucson.com.
The Coronet
198 W. Cushing St.
If you’re looking for an outstanding Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas day brunch, or a meal to enjoy at home, this is the place to get it. The meal to-go can feed just one person or up to 10 people.
Christmas Meal to-go
- Herb and Pepita Stuffed Porchetta – roasted pee wee potatoes, turnips, heirloom carrots, red onion jam, winter spiced apple sauce
- Radicchio Salad – orange, pear, castelvetrano, citrus honey dressing
- Kale Salad – cayenne and maple delicata squash, Honeycrisp apple, toasted hazelnut
- House Dinner Rolls
- Lemon Curd Tartlet
- Frangipane Tartlet
- Chocolate Mousse Truffle
For more information, visit coronettucson.com.
Cup Cafe at Hotel Congress
311 E. Congress St.
Aside from the regular menu being available all day, they’re serving a Christmas Eve meal starting at 4 p.m. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (520) 798-1618 or online.
Christmas Eve Specials
- Red wine braised short rib, cheesy polenta, smoked carrots, pickled green beans ($28)
- Roasted leg of lamb, sweet potato puree, turnips, mole negro, lime ($30)
- Peppermint red velvet cake ($9)
On Christmas day, they want to help you out in the kitchen with a to-go meal. It’s $275 and feeds up to six people.
Christmas Day Dinner To-Go
- Family platter choice of Brown sugar-cured ham or Red wine braised beef short ribs
- Arugula salad, coffee roasted beets, fennel, goat cheese, cocoa nibs, champagne vinaigrette
- Aged cheddar scalloped potatoes
- Corn pudding
- Roasted brussels sprouts, bacon, tomato jam
- Citrus butter baby carrots
- Dinner rolls with rosemary-honey butter
- Whole rocky road pie
- Bottle of Maynards AZ Red wine
- Reheating instruction sheet
For more information, visit hotelcongress.com.
Dante’s Fire
2526 E. Grant Rd.
They’re serving up a Christmas dinner you can bring home for the whole family. If you’d like to order the feast, which features Prime Rib Roast, Sausage and Spinach Stuffed Mushrooms, and Pumpkin Bread Pudding, call (520) 382-9255.
For more information, visit dantesfireaz.com.
The Dutch Eatery & Refuge
943 E. University Blvd.
The Dutch Eatery is offering a jolly meal to-go this year.
- Heat and Serve Christmas Dinner – Butternut Squash Soup, Roasted Apple and Pork Roulade, Sauerkraut, Hericot Verts, Mashed Potatoes, Mustard Cream Sauce, and Dark Chocolate Tartlet
For more information, visit thedutchtucson.com.
Gallery of Food Bodega
2522 E. Fort Lowell Rd.
We are adding items to the store everyday
We are getting in the swing of things… Getting used to the idea that we are…Posted by Gallery of Food on Friday, December 4, 2020
Pre-made dishes, organic spices, jams and jellies, cookbooks, chocolates, and more. Prices start at $75 for their holiday roasts and whole duck, and then Holiday Gift Boxes are also available.
Sonoran Gift Box
- Includes a signed copy of “Mesquite: An Arboreal Love Affair” by Gary Paul Nabhan, Tucson’s food historian, local beans, assorted dried chiles prickly pear cactus syrup, and more ($85)
Sweet Treats Gift Box
- Includes the Square Glass Candy Vase Bag of Bittersweet Chocolate Orange-Scented Truffle, house-made crisps and biscotti, local chocolate, and more ($95)
Gift Box For Serious Chocolate Lovers Only
- Includes the Square Glass Candy Vase Dried Cranberry Chocolate Biscotti Trio of Chocovivo Stone Ground Chocolate bars, house-made flourless ultra-chocolate cake, and more ($85)
Farm to Table Charcuterie Gift Box for Two
- Includes sliced meats, cheese, crackers, local citrus, assorted condiments, sweets, and more ($85)
Farm To Table Large Meat Lovers Gift Box
- Includes Sky Island Brand 47 Ranch: Ground Beef, Ground Lamb, Beef Sirloin Steaks, Lamb Shoulder Chops, Green Chile Cheese Beef Bratwurst, Beef Stew Meat, E&R Ranch: Ground Pork, Italian Breakfast Sausage, Pepper Bacon, Red Bird: Boneless Chicken Breasts, House-made dry rub, and assorted condiments ($165)
For more information, visit galleryoffood.square.site or call (520) 884-5033.
Govinda’s Natural Foods
711 E. Blacklidge Dr.
They’re celebrating with an all-vegan feast this Christmas. The holiday meal is $16.95 for adults, $9.95 for kids 5 – 12 years old, and anyone younger than that can eat for free.
For more information, visit (520) 792-0630 or visit govindasoftucson.com.
Penca
50 E. Broadway Blvd.
The restaurant will be open for dine-in and takeout on Christmas Eve from 4 – 9 p.m. Also, since it’s the season of giving, all menu items will be available for takeout.
For more information, visit pencarestaurante.com.
Si Charro Restaurants
El Charro Cafe • Charro Vida • Charro Steak & Del Rey
Holiday offerings abound at all Si Charro concepts.
El Charro Cafe
Their holiday entrees will be available until Friday, January 1.
- Flores Family Plate – Fiesta Tamal with Holiday Sauce Trio Roasted Turkey Mole Enchilada, Calabacitas, and Chile con Queso Mashed Potatoes
- Nana’s Holiday Tamale Plate – Two Handmade Corn Tamales with Red and Green Peppers Mixta, Queso Picante, and Finished with Avocado and the Holiday Sauce Trio. Served with Arroz Sonora and Frijoles Refritos
- The 2021 Plate – Carne Seca Enchilada in Red Sauce, Carnitas Sope with Green Sauce, and Chile con Queso Mashed Potatoes with Raja Crema
- Chef Carlotta’s Tamales for Tomorrow – Dozen Flavors of Delicious Handmade Tamales by the six or 12-pack
- Sweet Tamale Temptation – Sweet Dessert Tamales with Sauce and Whipped Cream
- Dulce de Pecan Tres Leches – Tres Leches Cake Topped with Caramelized Arizona Pecans and Dulce de Leche Syrup
- Raspberry Fried Ice Cream – Vanilla Bean Ice Fried Ice Cream with Raspberries, Whipped Cream, and Fresh Mint
Charro Steak & Del Rey
The downtown spot is offering a Prime Rib and Tamale Dinner available now until Friday, January 1. It’s $49.95 per person and features a Grass-Fed 22-day aged Charra Cut. If you’d rather eat at home in front of the fireplace or electric heater, they’re offering a to-go meal for $249.95, too.
Take-Home Holiday Dinner
- Half-sized Prime Rib Roasts
- Del Rey Caesar Salad
- Slow Roasted Prime Rib
- Chef Carlotta’s Holiday Tamales
- Skin On Mashed Potatoes and Chef Gary’s Ancho Chile Gravy
- Charro’s Holiday Brussels with Queso Cotija, Dried Cranberry, and Roasted Corn
- Barrio Charro Pan De Casa
Charro Vida
The restaurant that’s killing it in the plant-based game will be open on Christmas Eve and not Christmas day.
Holiday Entree Menu
- Flores Family Plate – Fiesta Tamal with Holiday Sauce Trio, Roasted Turkey Mole Enchilada, Calabacitas, and Chile con Queso Mashed Potatoes
- Nana’s Holiday Tamale Plate – Two Handmade Corn Tamales with Red and Green Peppers Mixta, Queso Picante, and Finished with Avocado and Holiday Sauce Trio. Served with Arroz Sonora and Frijoles Refritos
- The 2021 Plate – Carne Seca Enchilada in Red Sauce, Carnitas Sope with Green Sauce, and Chile con Queso Mashed Potatoes with Raja Crema
For more information, visit sicharro.com.
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Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
