We know what you’re thinking. Tucson is already a great food city, but it’s still wonderful to see the Old Pueblo get the recognition it deserves from national publications.
Food & Wine’s special May travel issue, which is hitting newsstands in physical form on Friday, April 22, will feature why the group feels Tucson’s culinary scene is a tough act to follow, so to speak.

In total, the latest edition showcases 11 “standout under-the-radar culinary destinations worth visiting.” Food & Wine’s Editor in Chief, Hunter Lewis, chimed in, expressing that they’re eager to share the selected cities with fellow food lovers and travelers.
“Each met the criteria with their creativity, innovation, diversity, and deliciousness,” said Lewis. “It’s an exciting time for food in our country, with places like Cincinnati, where a constellation of food entrepreneurs is spurring a renaissance (who knew you could get both Lebanese-inspired chocolate-and-tahini cookies and Japanese-style coconut mochi doughnuts there).”

From the noodles at Noodleholics to the baked goods at 5 Points Market & Restaurant, there’s a nice chunk of the city’s food culture admired in the magazine. Of course, Sonoran Hot Dogs were mentioned in the article, too (El Güero Canelo, BK Tacos, and Ruiz Hot Dogs Los Chipilones), stating that they make Chicago dogs look extremely boring.
“And Tucson, where I recently ate my weight in tacos and filled a carry-on bag with Monsoon Chocolate bars, pizza flour from Barrio Bread, and flour tortillas from Anita’s Street Market to take home,” said Lewis.

FOOD & WINE’s Next Great Food Cities 2022 include:
- Boise, Idaho
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Jersey City, New Jersey
- Omaha, Nebraska
- Tucson, Arizona
Small Cities with Impressive Food Scenes Worth Checking Out
- Biddeford, Maine
- Bozeman, Montana
- Charlottesville, Virginia
- Greenville, South Carolina
To read the full article, visit foodandwine.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.















