Good restaurants don’t always stay open, even if they are worthy. Timing plays a critical role.
Although Tucson’s culinary scene may be stronger than ever, here are 12 restaurants we’d like to see reopen.
Neo Malaysian Kitchen & Sushi (previously known as Neo of Melaka and Seri Melaka)
6133 E. Broadway Blvd.
https://www.facebook.com/NeoMalaysianKitchenAndSushi/photos/a.1462799553932068/1760555407489813/?type=3&theater
Malaysian cuisine features a wide range of bold flavors with countless varieties of sambal sauces. Furthermore, Rendang Beef and Nasi Goreng have also been voted as the two best dishes in the world by CNN readers.
Sadly, Tucson’s only Malaysian restaurant closed last year. Although Neo was doing fine, the family behind it moved to Denver. Hopefully another Malaysian family steps up to the plate to diversify Tucson’s noodle and curry game.
Read about Neo Malaysian Kitchen on Yelp.
The Grill
100 E. Congress St.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BamUqhLAGQ7/
Was the Grill “good?” No. It was filthy and the service was terrible. But you can’t really blame them when dealing with rowdy drunkards after midnight was the norm.
If you were ever a debaucherous rascal in downtown Tucson before it became hip, you probably made memories there while eating a bowl of Cap’n Crunch or creamy pesto tater tots.
For 24-hour downtown eats nowadays, check out Shot in the Dark Cafe.
Read about the Grill on Yelp.
Pizzeria Bianco
272 E. Congress St.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BGDM81iHFfj/
Depending on who you asked, people often described Pizzeria Bianco in one of two ways: as one of the best things in Tucson, or as the most overhyped restaurant.
We were big fans. James Beard award-winning chef Chris Bianco is a master at highlighting quality ingredients in a simple fashion. Although the price point was higher than what Tucson was used to for pizza, the price was justified with the ingredient quality and rent.
Although Bianco has apparently been on the hunt for the perfect spot for a permanent Tucson location, that day hasn’t come. Thankfully, we now have Anello to satisfy our cravings for artisanal pizza and wood-fired local produce.
Read about Pizzeria Bianco on Yelp.
Cafe Terra Cotta
3500 E. Sunrise Dr.
https://www.facebook.com/roccoslittlechicago/posts/1706904692707021
One of the most influential restaurants in Tucson’s history, Cafe Terra Cotta helped put southwestern cuisine on the culinary map.
Although the restaurant closed in 2009 after a 23-year run, chef Donna Nordin’s cuisine is still available via her cooking classes.
Read about Cafe Terra Cotta on Yelp.
Hungry Kepuha
Food Truck
Tucson’s strong military presence with Davis-Monthan Air Force Base helped make Hungry Kepuha a hit. A fair amount of folks were stationed in Guam, and Hungry Kepuha provided the cuisine of Guam in generous, affordable portions. A big ol’ plate of rice and grilled meat definitely hit the spot after a brewery session.
We didn’t have the food truck for long though, as they relocated to Las Vegas. Green Valley has a Guam and Filipino food truck called Island Mixture, but they haven’t posted on Facebook since the summer.
Keep up with Hungry Kepuha on Facebook.
Zachary’s Pizza
1028 E. Sixth St.
https://www.instagram.com/p/KMU1DHmx3d/
Service at Zachary’s was often atrocious, but it was conveniently close to campus and the deep dish pizza was excellent. Thankfully, we still have Rocco’s around.
Read about Zachary’s Pizza on Yelp.
Bluefin Seafood Bistro
7053 N. Oracle Rd.
https://www.instagram.com/p/uLiGJhAux8/
Jeff Azersky and James Murphy from Kingfisher opened another seafood restaurant in the Casas Adobes area. They closed after a 10-year run since they couldn’t come to an agreeable lease deal with the landlords, sadly.
Kingfisher is still one of Tucson’s best places for seafood, even after 25 years in business.
Read about Bluefin Seafood Bistro on Yelp.
BIRD Bar & Chicken
7109 N. Oracle Rd.
Previously known as BIRD Modern Provisions & Bar, BIRD Bar & Chicken had a Charleston sort of Southern classiness with exceptional craft cocktails. Their Agave Dinner with Spadefoot Nursery was also one of the tastiest cocktail dinners of the year.
Unfortunately, their run was short and they closed after a year in business. A piece of it lives on as the BIRD Bun at sister restaurant OBON Sushi Bar Ramen.
Read about BIRD Bar & Chicken on Yelp.
Jax Kitchen
7286 N. Oracle Rd.
From the ribeye with a house-made version of A1 Steak Sauce to Bourbon Milk & Cookies and a locally-renowned Red Velvet Cake, Jax Kitchen was among the first in Tucson to successfully feature hip, elevated comfort food.
Its initial success helped spawn a family of restaurants, but they all closed after a few years. Although sister restaurant The Abbey closed, Commoner & Co. successfully moved into the space with its own creative take on comfort classics.
Read about Jax Kitchen on Yelp.
Janos
3770 E. Sunrise Dr.
Although chef Janos Wilder is still running DOWNTOWN Kitchen + Cocktails, he helped put Tucson on the culinary map with his eponymous restaurant Janos when he won the James Beard award for Best Chef: Southwest in 2000. Wilder also earned 12 separate James Beard award nominations with the restaurant Janos through its lifespan.
While Tucson isn’t as receptive towards fine dining prices these days, we’d still love to see Wilder take another shot.
Read about Janos on Yelp.
Yogi’s Indian Café & Market
2537 N. Stone Ave.
Yogi’s stood out with their wide variety of chaat, a sort of Indian street food snack. They also offered Momos, a sort of Himalayan dumpling. While Tucson has a fair amount of Indian restaurants, we could use more Indian street food specialists.
Read about Yogi’s Indian Cafe & Market on Yelp.
El Coqui Puerto Rican Restaurant
6151 E. Broadway Blvd.
https://www.facebook.com/ElCoquiCreativeCaribbeanCuisine/photos/a.211200762244955/233638910001140/
Puerto Rican and Cuban restaurants have closed all too often in Tucson. Caribbean sofrito seasoning and fried plantains are fabulous, but for some reason, they just never caught on full force in Tucson.
Thankfully, we now have Asian Sofrito to satiate any mofongo and tostone fix.
Read about El Coqui Puerto Rican Restaurant on Yelp.
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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.
