Tucson FoodieCelebrating local food, drink, and community.
Mike’s Food Co. Brings Burgers & Mediterranean to MotoSonora

Mike’s Food Co. at MotoSonora Brewing Co. (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Mike’s Food Co. Brings Burgers & Mediterranean to MotoSonora

Nov 21, 20252 min read

[Editor’s note: Mike’s Food Co. hosted the Tucson Foodie team to taste a few of the menu favorites; photos from this article were taken during that visit, where the items were cut in half for easy sharing.]

MotoSonora Brewing Co. recently welcomed one of their rotating food trucks, Mike’s Food Co., as a full-time fixture at their beer garden.

Mike’s owner and chef Mike Gradowski spent over 20 years cooking across the country before moving to Tucson and teaching culinary arts at Catalina High School. He now channels that experience into Mike’s Food Co., where former students often work with him for hands-on experience.

Mike’s Food Co. at MotoSonora Brewing Co. (Photo by Jackie Tran)

“Whatever I’m doing, whether working as a private chef or this truck, it’s been great to be able to continue fostering new talent,” he said.

Mike’s Food Co. at MotoSonora Brewing Co. (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Global Flavors With Local Roots

Popular items include the Classic Burger (think a classic cheeseburger plus remoulade) and the Rio Chama Burger, which includes New Mexico green chiles.

Burgers at Mike’s Food Co. at MotoSonora Brewing Co. (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Mike’s Food Co. at MotoSonora Brewing Co. (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Mike’s Food Co. at MotoSonora Brewing Co. (Photo by Jackie Tran)

The Ducati Burger adds Havarti and caramelized onions, while the bartender-favorite Blueberry Burnout Burger uses peanut butter and blueberry remoulade, made using a reduction of a MotoSonora blueberry beer.

Mike’s Food Co. at MotoSonora Brewing Co. (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Half a chicken shawarma at Mike’s Food Co. at MotoSonora Brewing Co. (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Additionally, the menu features gyro, chicken shawarma, falafel burgers, and a mezze plate.

Falafel Burger at Mike’s Food Co. at MotoSonora Brewing Co. (Photo by Jackie Tran)

“Tucson has been my home for over a decade and I just want to make yummy food inspired by my travels for the community,” he said. “I’d like to think there’s a little something on the menu for everyone”

Mike’s Food Co. Parked outside in the beergarden at MotoSonora Brewing Co., 1015 S. Park Ave. For more information, visit mikesfood.co. Keep up with Mike’s Food Co. on Instagram.

Article written by:

Jackie Tran

Jackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer and photographer. 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.

Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments and petting pets.

If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.

Get our free Tucson Foodie weekly newsletter

New openings, events, dish recommendations, and guides — every Wednesday. No spam.

Take us with you.

Discover the best local spots, browse the dish database, build and share your to-visit lists, support local, and join the Foodie Club when you're ready.

Advertisement

Follow @TucsonFoodie136.2K followers
IOU Sushi III has closed. The all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant on North Oracle Road announced the news on Facebook after about 10 years in Tucson. “This is the hardest post I’ve had to write,” the owners said. The post continued, “we have met some great friends who have become family to us.” Tucson Foodie first visited the restaurant in 2017, when it operated as IOU Sushi IV. 

Read the full story on tucsonfoodie.com.IOU Sushi III has closed. The all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant on North Oracle Road announced the news on Facebook after about 10 years in Tucson. “This is the hardest post I’ve had to write,” the owners said. The post continued, “we have met some great friends who have become family to us.” Tucson Foodie first visited the restaurant in 2017, when it operated as IOU Sushi IV. Read the full story on tucsonfoodie.com.
THE FALL SOUTHERN AZ HOME SHOW RETURNS OCT. 16-18 WITH TWO BIG CULINARY HEADLINERS🔥 

@Tcctucson welcomes award-winning pitmaster @Sloanrinaldi for an “All Things Brisket” demo at 2:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, followed by a meet-and-greet. 

Three-time Iron Chef Tucson champion @Chef_antbanks of @Obonsushi takes the Culinary Showcase Stage Saturday at noon. 

The show will also feature 200+ vendors, food trucks, pet-friendly attractions, adoptable animals, HGTV’s Matt Blashaw, the Kids Market, and more. 

WHEN: Oct. 16-18 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
WHERE: TCC 📍260 S. Church Ave.
TICKETS: $8 | $4 with discount coupon | Kids 12 & under free
 
SPECIAL ADMISSION: 
• Friday: Seniors 65+ free; half-price for military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers with ID 
• Saturday: Half-price for seniors and the same groups
• Sunday (Heroes Day): Seniors half-price; military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers free with ID

ALL DAYS: $2 admission from 3-5 p.m. Free parking in Convention Center Lot B.THE FALL SOUTHERN AZ HOME SHOW RETURNS OCT. 16-18 WITH TWO BIG CULINARY HEADLINERS🔥 @Tcctucson welcomes award-winning pitmaster @Sloanrinaldi for an “All Things Brisket” demo at 2:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, followed by a meet-and-greet. Three-time Iron Chef Tucson champion @Chef_antbanks of @Obonsushi takes the Culinary Showcase Stage Saturday at noon. The show will also feature 200+ vendors, food trucks, pet-friendly attractions, adoptable animals, HGTV’s Matt Blashaw, the Kids Market, and more. WHEN: Oct. 16-18 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. WHERE: TCC 📍260 S. Church Ave. TICKETS: $8 | $4 with discount coupon | Kids 12 & under free SPECIAL ADMISSION: • Friday: Seniors 65+ free; half-price for military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers with ID • Saturday: Half-price for seniors and the same groups • Sunday (Heroes Day): Seniors half-price; military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers free with ID ALL DAYS: $2 admission from 3-5 p.m. Free parking in Convention Center Lot B.
Anne Rysdale built @sheltercocktaillounge in 1961 with concrete walls, lava rock, and Cold War nerves. Today, owners Pam Santangelo and Kevin Breutzmann keep the Tucson bar exactly as regulars remember it. Inside, martinis share space with JFK memorabilia, a vintage atomic chandelier, and a suit of armor named Charlie. “Tucson is changing so much, but this has stayed the same. It’s a time capsule,” Santangelo said. 

Read @sea_lyon’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com 
Photos by @sea_lyonAnne Rysdale built @sheltercocktaillounge in 1961 with concrete walls, lava rock, and Cold War nerves. Today, owners Pam Santangelo and Kevin Breutzmann keep the Tucson bar exactly as regulars remember it. Inside, martinis share space with JFK memorabilia, a vintage atomic chandelier, and a suit of armor named Charlie. “Tucson is changing so much, but this has stayed the same. It’s a time capsule,” Santangelo said. Read @sea_lyon’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com Photos by @sea_lyon
Scratch-made Japanese ramen goes far beyond instant noodles, with rich broths like tonkotsu, miso, and shoyu. Tucson has more specialty ramen shops than you might expect. Here’s where to find them around town.🍜

@ikkyu.tucson 
@jaramencurry 
@kiwamiramenbar 
@kukai___ 
@marujapanesenoodle 
@maruplusaz 
@obonsushi 
@raijinramen 
@theramenbartucson 
@tossfriedchickennramen 

More guides on Tucsonfoodie.comScratch-made Japanese ramen goes far beyond instant noodles, with rich broths like tonkotsu, miso, and shoyu. Tucson has more specialty ramen shops than you might expect. Here’s where to find them around town.🍜 @ikkyu.tucson @jaramencurry @kiwamiramenbar @kukai___ @marujapanesenoodle @maruplusaz @obonsushi @raijinramen @theramenbartucson @tossfriedchickennramen More guides on Tucsonfoodie.com