Tucson FoodieCelebrating local food, drink, and community.
R&D Dinner at Charro Vida on Monday, December 9 (MENU)

Charro Vida (Photo by Jackie Tran)

R&D Dinner at Charro Vida on Monday, December 9 (MENU)

Dec 5, 20242 min read

Last year, we brought the R&D dinner experience to Tucson — a chef-led dinner series, inspired by Tasting Collective’s popular model running in 20+ cities around the country.

The next and final Tucson Foodie R&D Dinner of 2024 will be at Charro Vida (7109 N. Oracle Rd.) from 6 – 9 p.m. on Monday, December 9.

Charro Vida (Photo by Jackie Tran)

These monthly dinners are designed to be a two-way conversation between guests and Chef. Restaurants serve multi-course meals featuring experimental dishes planned for future menus and guests provide feedback via comment cards and conversations with the restaurant’s Executive Chef.

The evening concludes with a chat with the chef, who is also on the floor explaining each dish and interacting directly with guests throughout the night.

For Foodie Club members, tickets are $65 per person (plus tax and gratuity) and available for purchase in the Tucson Foodie App. Also, Foodie Club members can purchase a seat for non-members for $80 each (before tax and gratuity).

R&D Dinner Menu

  • Seasonal Fresh Sprout Salad
  • Tamalada Workshop with a variety of holiday and secret tamale recipes
  • Tortilla Cookie Skillet
  • Charro Carajillo or Café la olla Mocktail
  • Plus, they’re adding some surprises throughout the dinner

Get your seat at the table soon! Space is limited.

Foodie Club members

Si Charro Concepts is also a Restaurant Partner, meaning that Foodie Club members can score $20 off their bill two times a year at Charro Vida.

For $20 a month, Foodie Club members get a stack of cash vouchers to local restaurants worth over $5,000, free tasting events at local restaurants every month, access to members-only monthly dinner series with local chefs, discounts on events, and monthly mixers with other members. Learn more and join!

For more information and to purchase tickets, open the Tucson Foodie app. Charro Vida is located at 7109 N. Oracle Rd. For more information about the restaurant, visit charrovida.com.

Article written by:

Matt Sterner

Matt Sterner

More about Matt

At 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.

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 @TucsonFoodie135.8K followers
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
Have you tried any of them?

@Crossroadskitchen 
Daily buffet 8am - 2pm
2602 S 4th Ave 

@Casamolinadelnorte 
Sunday buffet 10am - 3pm 
3001 N Campbell Ave

@Delcielotamal 
Vegan buffet 9am - 11:30am 
Thursdays and Saturdays 
Traditional buffet Sundays
3073 N Campbell Ave 

@Losme.zquites 
Sat-Sun 7am - 2pm 
2341-2399 W Drexel Rd 

@Cafesantarosa520 
Sunday buffet 8am - 1pm 
2615 S 6th AveHave you tried any of them? @Crossroadskitchen Daily buffet 8am - 2pm 2602 S 4th Ave @Casamolinadelnorte Sunday buffet 10am - 3pm 3001 N Campbell Ave @Delcielotamal Vegan buffet 9am - 11:30am Thursdays and Saturdays Traditional buffet Sundays 3073 N Campbell Ave @Losme.zquites Sat-Sun 7am - 2pm 2341-2399 W Drexel Rd @Cafesantarosa520 Sunday buffet 8am - 1pm 2615 S 6th Ave
@Vegantucsonnightmarket returns December 5, from 6-9pm at Rillito Park❤️🐄

VENDOR APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN

App link in bio@Vegantucsonnightmarket returns December 5, from 6-9pm at Rillito Park❤️🐄 VENDOR APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN App link in bio
The original @Mariscos_el_bochas truck is back! Celebrate National Taco Day with them!🦐

Chef and owner Raúl Leyva, known as “El Bochas,” recently reopened the seafood truck where it all started eight years ago. El Bochas also has a restaurant on Valencia (@Elbochasrestaurant) serving seafood, steak, and more. 

The seafood is fresh, never frozen, with shipments arriving from San Carlos three times a week.🌊

Vegans and vegetarians can ask for the fried avocado tacos!

📍 El Bochas Truck: 4775 W Ajo Hwy
📍 El Bochas Restaurant: 1645 W Valencia RdThe original @Mariscos_el_bochas truck is back! Celebrate National Taco Day with them!🦐 Chef and owner Raúl Leyva, known as “El Bochas,” recently reopened the seafood truck where it all started eight years ago. El Bochas also has a restaurant on Valencia (@Elbochasrestaurant) serving seafood, steak, and more. The seafood is fresh, never frozen, with shipments arriving from San Carlos three times a week.🌊 Vegans and vegetarians can ask for the fried avocado tacos! 📍 El Bochas Truck: 4775 W Ajo Hwy 📍 El Bochas Restaurant: 1645 W Valencia Rd