Tucson FoodieCelebrating local food, drink, and community.
Quick Bites: Tucson Food News June 24 Through July 6

Quick Bites: Tucson Food News June 24 Through July 6

Jul 7, 20152 min read

Quick Bites is a new weekly feature recapping the past week’s top Tucson food news stories we posted – along with some we missed.

  • After a sudden end to Gio Taco, the new Obon Sushi & Ramen Shop will open in August in its former location at the corner of Congress and 4th. Look for a full Tucson Foodie story soon, but until then, check out this recent Downtown Tucson Partnership piece.
  • Danny Scordato’s beloved pizzeria is leaving St. Phillip’s Plaza after 15 years for the former Mr. K’s Barbecue location at Stone and River, the Arizona Daily Star reported.
  • Chef Ryan Clark is holding back none when he brings renowned spirits expert Russ Kempton to Agustin Kitchen for a 9-course pork and scotch feast. We have all the details.
  • BizTucson feature on Isabella’s Ice Cream showcases the young ice cream startup’s growth across Arizona.
  • Have a party or big meeting coming up? Forget the box lunches. We rounded up 24 spots with private and semi-private dining rooms at local restaurants.
  • As we reported in March, Alton Brown really liked Tucson Tamale. So much so, that he named Tucson Tamale one of 10 perfect spots for a July Fourth weekend trip, said Arizona Daily Star.
  • Iron Chef Danny Perez of JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort tells Tucson Weekly about his hopes and dreams for a new brand of Tucson barbecue.
  • Veg in a Box, a former food truck specializing in dehydrated veggie burgers, is now open at East Pennington Street and North Scott Avenue. As intrigued as we are? Read more at Tucson News Now.
  • Of course, we had to tempt everyone with the some of Tucson’s best ice cream flavors.
  • After two fires, Guadalajara Mexican Grill rises from the ashes in the former TGI Fridays location at 4901 East Broadway. According to the Arizona Daily Star, guests can expect familiar faces from the now defunct Kolb Road location, and, of course, tableside guacamole.
  • Free French Toast and a new European bakery for the East Side. Kneaders Bakery & Cafe will open their first Tucson location at 135 South Wilmot Road.

Article written by:

Theresa Delaney

Theresa Delaney

More about Theresa
Theresa is a copywriter, food explorer and pursuer of all things creative. Find her at theresadelaney.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 @TucsonFoodie136.1K followers
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
@Scentedleaf is opening a new location in the former Starbucks at Speedway and Country Club!!🥰

The locally owned tea shop celebrates its grand opening tomorrow, October 10, from 11 am to 9 pm, with 50% off all tea drinks and 25% off loose-leaf tea and merchandise.

📍3025 E. Speedway Blvd.@Scentedleaf is opening a new location in the former Starbucks at Speedway and Country Club!!🥰 The locally owned tea shop celebrates its grand opening tomorrow, October 10, from 11 am to 9 pm, with 50% off all tea drinks and 25% off loose-leaf tea and merchandise. 📍3025 E. Speedway Blvd.
The grand opening is TODAY, Oct. 8! 🎉

@istanbultucson is expanding with a second location, @istanbulmediterraneanexpress, at 5660 W. Cortaro Farms Rd. 

The fast-casual spot will feature about 75% of the original location’s menu, plus two exclusive dishes: build-your-own Turkish stuffed baked potatoes, known as Kumpir, and fresh-ground doner made in-house. The falafel plate and stuffed potatoes can also be made vegan. 

“The first restaurant taught us what our customers love most, so at Cortaro we’re focusing the menu around our most popular dishes while making the experience a little more casual and convenient. Most importantly, we’ve learned that no matter how much we grow, the quality of our food has to stay high every single day.” — Kamran Esar

Daily hours: 11am - 9pm

Read the article on Tucsonfoodie.comThe grand opening is TODAY, Oct. 8! 🎉 @istanbultucson is expanding with a second location, @istanbulmediterraneanexpress, at 5660 W. Cortaro Farms Rd. The fast-casual spot will feature about 75% of the original location’s menu, plus two exclusive dishes: build-your-own Turkish stuffed baked potatoes, known as Kumpir, and fresh-ground doner made in-house. The falafel plate and stuffed potatoes can also be made vegan. “The first restaurant taught us what our customers love most, so at Cortaro we’re focusing the menu around our most popular dishes while making the experience a little more casual and convenient. Most importantly, we’ve learned that no matter how much we grow, the quality of our food has to stay high every single day.” — Kamran Esar Daily hours: 11am - 9pm Read the article on Tucsonfoodie.com
Phoenix bakery @Proofbread is popping up in Tucson! 

Starting Friday, Oct. 9, the Phoenix-based sourdough bakery and stone flour mill will take over the two former @Cafefrancaisaz locations for a Tucson pop-up.

Expect naturally leavened country loaves, chocolate croissants with 81 layers of laminated dough, morning buns, ciabatta and more. 🥐🍞

📍 7831 E. Wrightstown Rd. 
📍 3855 E. Broadway Blvd. 

Both locations will be open 7 am-2 pm throughout October. If the pop-up is a success, Proof Bread says it could become a permanent Tucson operation. 

Read the article on Tucsonfoodie.comPhoenix bakery @Proofbread is popping up in Tucson! Starting Friday, Oct. 9, the Phoenix-based sourdough bakery and stone flour mill will take over the two former @Cafefrancaisaz locations for a Tucson pop-up. Expect naturally leavened country loaves, chocolate croissants with 81 layers of laminated dough, morning buns, ciabatta and more. 🥐🍞 📍 7831 E. Wrightstown Rd. 📍 3855 E. Broadway Blvd. Both locations will be open 7 am-2 pm throughout October. If the pop-up is a success, Proof Bread says it could become a permanent Tucson operation. Read the article on Tucsonfoodie.com