Suzana Davila was born in Guaymas, Sonora, where her father owned a restaurant. He didn’t encourage a restaurant life, but she couldn’t stay away for long.
After Davila moved to Tucson at age 15, she became a fashion model and interior designer. However, she later ended up also starting her own hole-in-the-wall restaurant with only six tables. Lines started forming out the door at the colorful Cafe Poca Cosa and before long, she caught the eye of Food Network, New York Times, and Gourmet Magazine.
The restaurant relocated twice while a smaller, breakfast and lunch focused offshoot “Little Cafe Poca Cosa” became The Little One, which Davila’s sisters Sandra and Marcela run today. While the Little One is open for breakfast and lunch with the colorful rustic vibe, Cafe Poca Cosa exists in a separate space for lunch and dinner with a sleek and modern vibe.
Over 30 years since the original opening, Davila has grown Cafe Poca Cosa into one of Tucson’s most iconic restaurants. Don’t miss out on their mole and the Plato Poca Cosa.
1) What was the first dish you had that changed your perspective on food?
Mole. The complexity of the dish is fascinating. All of the ingredients elevate the dish to a whole other level.
2) What are you eating these days?
I eat everything.
3) What was the first dish you remember cooking?
Pollo con chile guajillo con queso fundido y especias.
4) What concept, ingredient, or food trend are you experimenting with these days?
I’m constantly experimenting with chiles and spices to create new broths, sauces, and creams.
5) Who would you most like to cook or eat dinner with?
My family. There’s no one else I’d rather cook with. We have such a good time when we’re together.
6) What city, other than Tucson, is your favorite place to eat?
Having traveled around the word I would have to pick Paris as my favorite place to eat.
7) Speaking in junk food terms, what is your favorite guilty pleasure?
Although I love imported European chocolates, my go-to junk food is a Hershey’s chocolate bar with almonds.
8) Which three Tucson restaurants do you frequent the most, aside from your own?
In no specific order — Silver Saddle Steakhouse, Tanque Verde Ranch, and Kingfisher.
9) With a figurative electric chair in your immediate future, what is your last meal?
Fabulous salad with fresh greens, steak, and lobster.
Catch chef Suzana Davila at Cafe Poca Cosa at 110 E. Pennington St. For more information, visit cafepocacosatucson.com.
Article written by:
Jackie Tran
More about JackieJackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the now-closed food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is 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.
An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to sloppily devouring green chili patty melts in his car afterhours. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.
Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.
If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.
