What
Main Gate Square Culinary Challenge
When
7 – 10 p.m. Saturday, July 29
Where
Geronimo Plaza at Main Gate Square
814 E. University Blvd.
More Info
(520) 622-8613
Main Gate Square Culinary Challenge event page on Facebook
How would you like to sample food from dozens of local restaurants and cafes for free?
Main Gate Square is hosting a Culinary Challenge, packed with food tastings, drinks, and entertainment, from 7 – 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 29.
You can also vote for your favorites alongside an elite panel of judges, including your friendly neighborhood pals at Tucson Foodie.
Matt Russell from On The Menu Live is hosting the battle between Main Gate Square’s best chefs and bartenders.
A full bar will be available to those that are at least 21 years old and don’t mind wearing a wristband. Proceeds will benefit the Caridad Community Kitchen Food Training program.
Participating Restaurants & Cafes
- Bear Track U
- Caffe Luce Coffee Roasting Co.
- Campus Candy at Arizona
- Cup It Up American Grill
- The Dutch Eatery & Refuge
- Espresso Art Café
- The Fix, Arizona’s Mac n Chz Headquarters
- Frog and Firkin
- Fuku Sushi Tucson
- Gentle Ben’s
- Illegal Pete’s Tucson
- Jimmy’s Pita & Poke
- Kababeque Indian Grill
- Mutts
- No Anchovies!
- Panera
- Pasco Kitchen & Lounge
- Red’s Smokehouse & Tap Room
- The Scented Leaf
- Sinbad Resturant Tucson
- Starbucks
- Tucson University Park Hotel
- Woops
If you’re worried about parking, don’t be. The Tyndall Ave. Garage is free on Saturdays.
The Nathaniel Burnside Trio also likes to party and will be performing at the competition.
Here’s a recap: Free admission, free food, free entertainment, and free parking. There’s no excuse to miss this.
Main Gate Square is located at 841 E. University Blvd. For more information, call (520) 622-8613 or visit Facebook Event Page.
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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.















