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Sometimes hunger strikes when you’re strutting down the sidewalk downtown, looking both ways before crossing the street, and timing your steps to the sweet sound of the crosswalk’s chime.
It’s unclear where the exact center of downtown is, but Bombolé Eatery is the so-called epicenter for empanadas in the area.
The restaurant at 100 N. Stone Ave. #102, has carved out a niche for itself with its fun approach to empanadas — they recently made some with “Tucson Foodie” stamped onto the dough. This family-owned spot’s handheld menu features combinations like tikka masala, green chile pork, and even a vegan option with lentils and kale.
It’s often for folks to purchase more than one empanada per visit, but if you’re looking for an all-around meal with a couple of sides, owner Jackie Sharma and the team have the “Bombo Combo.” For $12.60 (price subject to change), the combo meal includes an empanada, your choice of housemade dipping sauce, two sides, and a medium tea or housemade lemonade.
Sides include Curried Lentils, Basmati Rice, Honduran Cabbage Salad, Black Beans, and Mango Jicama Salad.
Beyond empanadas, the menu offers salads and rice bowls, and if you’re looking for a jolt, grab some caffeine next door at Ike’s Coffee — the empanadas are also sold there in the shop.
How it all began
Honduras native, Jackie, moved to Tucson more than 25 years ago.
She eventually married Deepak Sharma — an Indian man from Scotland — and spent months at a time with his family in Scotland and in Tucson when they’d visit. This is when Jackie decided to learn Indian recipes with Deepak’s family, making tweaks here and there until she had something her own.
Soon, Bombolé Eatery opened, debuting Jackie’s unique take on empanadas — an “Indian taste with a Latin twist.”
Pay a Visit
Operating hours are 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Saturday, and closed on Sunday.
Bombolé Eatery is located at 100 N. Stone Ave. #102. Keep up with Bombolé Eatery on Instagram. For more information, visit eatbombole.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.
