Although the Sonoran hot dog has become Tucson’s unofficial food mascot, another unexpected food group represents Tucson in a recent Eater article: Sonoran sushi.
In the article In Sonora, and in Tucson, Mexican Sushi Means Boneless Buffalo Wings, Eater highlighted the lesser known combination of cuisines as a trending food:
And then there’s Sonoran sushi, Tucson’s buzziest newcomer. Sonoran sushi is not a Mexican-American invention, nor is it some jalapeno-laden riff on the rock and roll sushi craze of the late 1980s and ’90s — though its embrace of excess (and cream cheese) does hint at that era. In fact, Sonoran sushi may be Tucson’s most direct-line Sonoran culinary import since that lauded, loaded hot dog.
The article features three South 12th Avenue restaurants for Mexican sushi: Sushi Kito, Sushi-lito, and El Sushi de Papa La Carreta; all three restaurants are within a one mile stretch.
Although we in the Tucson Foodie office have had our fair share, we haven’t heard any other buzz on it yet; what are your thoughts? Do you have a favorite spot? Let us know in the comments.
Click here to read In Sonora, and in Tucson, Mexican Sushi Means Boneless Buffalo Wings.
Stay in the Tucson Foodie Loop
Weekly digest of new openings, events, and guides. No spam.
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.















