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What to eat when visiting the 2022 Tucson Festival of Books

What to eat when visiting the 2022 Tucson Festival of Books

Mar 8, 20223 min read

It’s been a couple of years since the Tucson Festival of Books was held in person, but now the event is ready to turn a new page at the University of Arizona.

This year’s festival is happening at the UA Mall on Saturday, March 12 – Sunday, March 13 and you better believe there’s going to be some yummy food to consider, too. I mean, you may as well feed your belly since your mind is being fed all sorts of knowledge from the visiting authors, right?

The Tucson Festival of Books is considered to be one of the largest fundraisers for the community and those in the culinary world benefit as well.

Participating Food Vendors

Beyond Bread

(Credit: Beyond Bread on Facebook)
(Credit: Beyond Bread on Facebook)
Festival of Books Menu
  • Turkey Sandwich ($8)
  • Ham Sandwich ($8)
  • Chicken Pesto Sandwich ($8)
  • Fresh Mozzarella Sandwich ($8)
  • PB & J Sandwich ($8)

For more information, visit beyondbread.com. 

Blue Banjo BBQ Catering

Festival of Books Menu
  • Tri-Tip Steak Sandwich ($15)
  • BBQ Pork Sandwich ($12)
  • Grilled Bratwurst ($9)
  • Veggie Burger ($8)

For more information, follow Blue Banjo BBQ on Facebook. 

Lemons on the Loose 

Lemon GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY

Festival of Books Menu
  • Lemonade, limeade, strawberry lemonade, or prickly pear lemonade
    • Small ($5), Large ($6), 32-ounce refillable cup ($8), 44-ounce refillable cup ($10)
  • Frozen Slushy Lemonade ($6)

Elif Gozleme

Elif Gozleme
Elif Gozleme (Photo courtesy of Heirloom Farmers Markets)
Festival of Books Menu
  • Gozleme – Turkish Flatbread filled with spinach and cheese, and ground beef or potatoes ($6)
  • Sarma – stuffed grape leaves ($6)
  • Baklava ($6)

For more information, visit heirloomfm.org. 

Frost, A Gelato Shoppe 

Marble Black Cherry and Chocolate gelato at Frost Gelato (Credit: Chelsey Wade)
Marble Black Cherry and Chocolate gelato at Frost Gelato (Credit: Chelsey Wade)
Festival of Books Menu
  • Small Gelato ($4)
  • Medium Gelato ($5)
  • Large Gelato ($6)

For more information, visit frostgelato.com. 

Hawaiian Shave Ice

School Of Rock Pain GIF by Nickelodeon - Find & Share on GIPHY

Festival of Books Menu
  • Shaved Ice – 26 flavors including two sugar-free options ($5)
  • Prepackaged Snacks ($1)
  • Bottled Water ($1)

Hot Bamboo

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A post shared by Hot Bamboo (@hotbamboo)

Festival of Books Menu
  • Cha-Siu Steamed Bun ($8)
  • Ground Pork Steamed Bun ($8)
  • Teriyaki Chicken Steamed Bun ($8)
  • Vegan Tofu Steamed Bun ($8)
  • Chicken Pot Stickers ($5)

For more information, visit hotbambooaz.com. 

Hot Pops Kettle Corn

Festival of Books Menu
  • Kettle Corn
    • Small ($3), Medium ($5), Large ($8)
  • Soda and Water ($1)

For more information, visit hotpopskettlecorn.com. 

Jake’s Lemonade

Fruit Refreshing GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY

Festival of Books Menu
  • Freshly Squeezed Lemonade ($6)

New Delhi Palace

(Credit: New Delhi Palace)
(Credit: New Delhi Palace)
Festival of Books Menu
  • Chicken Tikka Masala – with Rice and Naan ($14)
  • Chicken Curry – with Rice and Naan ($13.50)
  • Navaratan Korma – with Rice and Naan ($12.50)
  • Shahi Paneer – with Rice and Naan ($12.50)
  • Vegetable Samosa – two pieces ($6.25)

For more information, visit newdelhipalacetucson.com. 

Nutz About Nuts

Nutz About Nuts
Photo courtesy of Nutz About Nuts on Facebook
Festival of Books Menu
  • Glazed Almonds ($8)
  • Glazed Pecans ($8)
  • Glazed Cashews ($8)
  • Glazed Walnuts ($8)

For more information, visit nutzaboutnuts.com. 

Renee’s Tucson

Chicken Thai Curry Pizza at Renee's Organic Oven (Credit: Jackie Tran)
Chicken Thai Curry Pizza at Renee’s Tucson (Credit: Jackie Tran)
Festival of Books Menu
  • Slice of Cheese or Pepperoni Pizza ($6)
  • Hummus Tostado ($8)
  • Greek Salad with Vinaigrette ($8)
  • Boulder Canyon Chips ($2)
  • Beverages ($2)

For more information, visit reneestucson.com.

Just Churros

Just Churros
Photo courtesy of Just Churros
Festival of Books Menu
  • Churros (7 of ’em) ($10)
  • Dipping Sauce ($3)

For more information, visit justchurros.com. 

SpunLight Cotton Candy

Festival of Books Menu
  • Cotton Candy on a stick ($5)
  • Cotton Candy in a to-go bag ($6)
  • Water ($2)
  • Bulk Bag of Cotton Candy ($10)

For more information, follow SpunLight Cotton Candy on Instagram. 

Tucson Tamale Company

Photo courtesy of Tucson Tamale Company on Facebook
Photo courtesy of Tucson Tamale Company on Facebook
Festival of Books Menu
  • One Tamale Plate ($8)
  • Two Tamale Plate ($11)
  • Tamale Salad ($9)

For more information, visit tucsontamale.com.

Article written by:

Matt Sterner

Matt Sterner

More about Matt

At 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.

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