Each week, we want to highlight one of our favorite restaurants in Tucson!
“When you support small businesses, you are making someone’s dreams come true, one purchase at a time.”
When one door closes, another door eventually opens. Now, whether it be something you push or pull, that door may very well be something you’ve somewhat kneaded in life. That’s how the scenario unfolded for husband-and-wife duo Noelle and Daniel Martinez of the locally-owned, from-scratch French bakery Cafe Francais.
“In 2019, my husband and I both got fired from the same job and we were kind of unsure of what to do next,” said Noelle. “We were tired of working for other people and we happened to see that Cafe Francais was for sale. We ended up buying it and it wasn’t at all what it is today.”
What They’re Baking
With a combined experience of more than 30 years, their culinary education and devotion to French methods are coming into play nicely over on Wrightstown Road.
From intricately layered honeycombed croissants to the delightful salty-sweet Kouign-amann, Cafe Francais stands as a heartfelt homage and an appreciative tribute to the storied history and esteemed legacy of French culinary influence and pioneering innovation.
All of their croissant dough is made in-house and each batch takes three days to laminate, shape, and eventually bake.
Have you ever had a Kouign-amann? Also known as a “butter cake,” it’s a yeast-leavened and laminated cake invented in Brittany, France around 1860. The dough is very similar to a croissant and Noelle and Daniel pack them with “as much butter as humanly possible,” but when sugar is added it creates a nifty balance between a sweet, soft, and layered center. A crispy, salty caramel exterior makes for the appearance of a Kouign-amann.
They’re also regularly baking other types of pastries, biscuits (cookies), and bread. There’s a lot going on at Cafe Francais — rising to the occasion, so to speak.
“Daniel has spent the last 20 years in the industry,” said Noelle. “He has always had a passion for French pastries —French cooking in general. Most of everything that we do in the kitchen is derived from French techniques.”
Pay a Visit to the Bakery
At the bakery, there’s plenty of seating inside at a table or at the bar, and the patio is also an option for those seeking an outdoor breeze.
“We’re an authentic French bakery here in Tucson,” said Noelle. “Everything we make is from scratch and handmade. It takes a lot of time, love, and skill to do what we do.”
“Supporting small businesses isn’t always easy,” the duo shared. “But when you shop small, you are making a much bigger impact in your community — circulating three times more money back into the local economy than big brands, and supporting the unique character of individual neighborhoods. You are able to know exactly where your money goes and you can really get to know the people behind the brand. They are your neighbors, friends, peers, community leaders, and dreamers, bringing us all together. I’ve laughed and cried with our customers, I’ve shared dreams and failures with our customers. I’ve listened and I’ve also been heard.”
They’re open from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Thursday – Saturday and 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Sunday, so stop by, grab a pastry, and sip on some coffee.
“We are constantly blown away by the love and support of each and every one of you.”
Tucson Foodie Insiders
Cafe Francais is also a Restaurant Partner, meaning that Tucson Foodie Insiders can score $10 off their meal four times a year.
For $20 a month, Insiders 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!
Cafe Francais is located at 7831 E. Wrightstown Rd. #113. For more information, visit cafefrancaisaz.com and follow Cafe Francais on Instagram and Facebook.
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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.
