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Teacher Appreciation Week: Food & Drink Specials in Tucson

(Photo courtesy of Barrio Brewing Company)

Teacher Appreciation Week: Food & Drink Specials in Tucson

May 6, 20244 min read

Teacher Appreciation Week begins Monday, May 6!

This tradition dates back to 1953 when Eleanor Roosevelt successfully advocated for a dedicated day to honor and acknowledge the invaluable contributions of educators. In 1984, the National Parent Teacher Association took it a step further by designating the entire first week of May as Teacher Appreciation Week.

Here in Tucson, restaurants and other businesses are offering deals to teachers — some specials are happening on multiple days while others are on a specific date.

We’ll keep adding to this list as we find more deals! Heads up: bring along your educational staff ID just in case businesses ask for it.

Al Gusto Coffee Company

Multiple Locations
a truck is parked on the side of a building
(Photo courtesy of Al Gusto Coffee)

The popular coffee shop on wheels is stopping by multiple schools this week to serve coffee to teachers (some of these gatherings are private for the school staff while others are open to the public).

Here’s this week’s schedule:

  • Tuesday, May 7 from 7 – 9 a.m. – Roadrunner Elementary (Private), 16651 W. Calle Carmela
  • Tuesday, May 7 from 10 – 11 a.m. – Impact Marana (Private), 7800 N. Schisler Dr.
  • Wednesday, May 8 from 7 – 9 a.m. – Estes Elementary, 11280 W. Grier Rd.
  • Wednesday, May 8 from 12:45 – 3 p.m. – Private Event at 531 E. Elliot Rd. in Chandler, Arizona
  • Thursday, May 9 from 7 – 8:30 a.m. – Mountain Vista School, 2618 W. El Paseo
  • Friday, May 10 from 7 – 11 a.m. – Legacy Traditional School, 3500 W. Cortaro Farms Rd.
  • Sunday, May 11 from 8 a.m. – noon – Pantano Church, 1755 S. Houghton Rd.

Learn more.

Barrio Brewing Company

5285 E. Broadway Blvd.

The downtown brewery is hosting a Teacher Appreciation Happy Hour from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 9. All teachers can get one free drink and an appetizer! They’ll also have additional Happy Hour specials.

Learn more.

Cuppa GoGo

4877 E. Speedway Blvd.

Beginning Tuesday, May 7, Cuppa GoGo is offering buy-one-get-one regular-sized drinks for all teachers and nurses.

Learn more.

Dedicated

4500 E. Speedway Blvd. #41

Let them know you’re a teacher by saying you “have their test scores” and you’ll get a free mini bundt cake from Monday, May 6 – Sunday, May 12.

Learn more.

Eclectic Cafe

7053 E. Tanque Verde Rd.

“To show our appreciation we are offering teachers and nurses 20% off their dinner! Monday, May 6 through Friday, May 10 from 4 – 8 p.m., present your ID and receive a 20% discount on your meal (cannot be combined with other offers). Thank you for educating us and keeping us healthy!”

Learn more.

Flora’s Market Run

2513 E. Sixth St. 

“In honor of National Nurses Week and Teacher Appreciation Week, we’re offering FREE coffee and 20% OFF your order! Offer ends May 12th.”

Learn more.

Galaxy Theatres

100 S. Houghton Rd.

Teachers can score a free medium popcorn from Monday, May 6 – Saturday, May 11 (with a purchase of a movie ticket, of course).

Learn more.

Jeremiah’s Italian Ice

7348 N. Oracle Rd.

On Tuesday, May 7, they’ll be offering a free small ice or gelati to all teachers. Just show ’em your educational staff ID to claim the offer.

Learn more.

Mountain Mike’s Pizza

4362 N. Oracle Rd.

On Teacher Appreciation Day, Tuesday, May 7, guests can enjoy 15% off all pizzas with the code “TEACHER24.”

“Whether you’re a teacher looking to satisfy your pizza cravings or a parent looking to treat your kid’s favorite teacher, a pizza covered in edge-to-edge in Mountain Mike’s legendary crispy, curly pepperoni is an irresistible treat.”

From Thursday, May 9 to Sunday, May 12, Mountain Mike’s is also bringing back its Heart-Shaped Pizza for four days. Plus, the brand is sweetening the deal with $3 off any Heart-Shaped Pizza during this period exclusively through the Mountain Rewards app.

Learn more.

Prep & Pastry

6450 E. Grant Rd. #160 • 2660 N. Campbell Ave.

“In honor of National Nurses Week and Teacher Appreciation Week, we’re offering FREE coffee and 20% OFF your order at all locations! Offer ends May 12th.”

Learn more.

Sauce Pizza & Wine

5285 E. Broadway Blvd. • 6450 E. Grant Rd. • 2990 N. Campbell Ave. #110

“Enjoy 15% off as our heartfelt thanks.” This deal is valid until Saturday, May 11.

Learn more.

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.

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Located at 5526 E. Grant Rd., @Casapitatucson serves Mediterranean and Middle Eastern favorites alongside American breakfast and burritos.

Owner Amna Al-Qaisi, known as Mama Amna, has spent more than two decades feeding Tucson. Originally from Iraq, she lived across eight countries throughout the Middle East, bringing those culinary traditions with her to Tucson.

Her family has operated several beloved Tucson restaurants over the years, including Sinbad’s, Geronimo’s, Gyro King, Arabic Express, and Golden Falafel.

In this video: Hummus, bulgur dip, fattoush salad, vegan falafel samoon, chicken shawarma, mixed grill + Dubai drink.❤️

Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.comLocated at 5526 E. Grant Rd., @Casapitatucson serves Mediterranean and Middle Eastern favorites alongside American breakfast and burritos. Owner Amna Al-Qaisi, known as Mama Amna, has spent more than two decades feeding Tucson. Originally from Iraq, she lived across eight countries throughout the Middle East, bringing those culinary traditions with her to Tucson. Her family has operated several beloved Tucson restaurants over the years, including Sinbad’s, Geronimo’s, Gyro King, Arabic Express, and Golden Falafel. In this video: Hummus, bulgur dip, fattoush salad, vegan falafel samoon, chicken shawarma, mixed grill + Dubai drink.❤️ Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com
Join the Tucson Foodie team for a very special dinner at @sawmillrun. A culinary journey from the Sonoran Desert to the summit of Mount Lemmon. TOMORROW! Aug 15, 6-8pm.❤️ 

Tickets in bio.
MENU👇🌲

AMUSE:
Forest Floor
Hazelnut Soil • Whipped Goat Cheese • Black Garlic • Pickled Mushroom • Crispy Mushroom • Mountain Herbs

FIRST COURSE: 
Desert Oasis
Compressed Melon • Whipped Feta • Chiltepin Vinaigrette • Pickled Cucumber • Toasted Pepitas • Mint

SECOND COURSE: 
Campfire Embers
Roasted Bone Marrow • House Chorizo • Pickled Shallot • Cilantro • House-Made Blue Corn Tortilla

THIRD COURSE: 
Juniper Ridge
Juniper-Smoked Pork Belly • Charred Corn Succotash • Prickly Pear Gastrique • Dehydrated Jalapeños

PALATE CLEANSER:
Aspen Breeze
House-Made Lemon Sorbet • Candied Lemon • Fresh Mint

FOURTH COURSE: 
Granite Peak
Mesquite-Grilled Vera Earl Beef • Smoked Tomato Chimichurri • Charred Heirloom Tomato • Crispy Shallot

DESSERT: 
Summer on Mount Lemmon
Arizona Honeycomb Ice Cream • Roasted Willcox Peaches • Huckleberry Compote • Almond Streusel • Honey Tuile

#tucsonevents #tucsonfoodie #mtlemmonJoin the Tucson Foodie team for a very special dinner at @sawmillrun. A culinary journey from the Sonoran Desert to the summit of Mount Lemmon. TOMORROW! Aug 15, 6-8pm.❤️ Tickets in bio. MENU👇🌲 AMUSE: Forest Floor Hazelnut Soil • Whipped Goat Cheese • Black Garlic • Pickled Mushroom • Crispy Mushroom • Mountain Herbs FIRST COURSE: Desert Oasis Compressed Melon • Whipped Feta • Chiltepin Vinaigrette • Pickled Cucumber • Toasted Pepitas • Mint SECOND COURSE: Campfire Embers Roasted Bone Marrow • House Chorizo • Pickled Shallot • Cilantro • House-Made Blue Corn Tortilla THIRD COURSE: Juniper Ridge Juniper-Smoked Pork Belly • Charred Corn Succotash • Prickly Pear Gastrique • Dehydrated Jalapeños PALATE CLEANSER: Aspen Breeze House-Made Lemon Sorbet • Candied Lemon • Fresh Mint FOURTH COURSE: Granite Peak Mesquite-Grilled Vera Earl Beef • Smoked Tomato Chimichurri • Charred Heirloom Tomato • Crispy Shallot DESSERT: Summer on Mount Lemmon Arizona Honeycomb Ice Cream • Roasted Willcox Peaches • Huckleberry Compote • Almond Streusel • Honey Tuile #tucsonevents #tucsonfoodie #mtlemmon
LE BUZZ IS CELEBRATING 30 YEARS!🎉☕️

Tucson staple @lebuzzcaffeplaza celebrates 30 years of business on August 22, and we stopped by their Plaza Palomino location to try some of the August specials created just for this location.

🍒Tiki Cold Brew
Cherry-infused cold brew topped with cream of coconut cold foam

🥣Oatmeal Creme Pie Latte
Espresso, milk of choice, house-made oatmeal syrup and oatmeal creme pie cold foam

🎂Birthday Cake Latte
Espresso, milk of choice, house-made birthday cake syrup and birthday cake cold foam

And the food specials are just as tempting:

• Flan French Toast with flan caramel, house-made flan cream, whipped cream and fresh berries

• Croissant Croque Madame with Black Forest ham, Gruyère, mornay, chives and a sunny-side-up egg

Plus, we got to try some favorites from the main menu, including the quiche and soup, Summer Cobb Salad, LeVeggie Burger and Blueberry Brisket Burger.

2930 N. Swan Rd., Suite 130

Don’t wait too long to try the August specials!❤️

Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com 
#tucsonfoodie #tucsonfoodLE BUZZ IS CELEBRATING 30 YEARS!🎉☕️ Tucson staple @lebuzzcaffeplaza celebrates 30 years of business on August 22, and we stopped by their Plaza Palomino location to try some of the August specials created just for this location. 🍒Tiki Cold Brew Cherry-infused cold brew topped with cream of coconut cold foam 🥣Oatmeal Creme Pie Latte Espresso, milk of choice, house-made oatmeal syrup and oatmeal creme pie cold foam 🎂Birthday Cake Latte Espresso, milk of choice, house-made birthday cake syrup and birthday cake cold foam And the food specials are just as tempting: • Flan French Toast with flan caramel, house-made flan cream, whipped cream and fresh berries • Croissant Croque Madame with Black Forest ham, Gruyère, mornay, chives and a sunny-side-up egg Plus, we got to try some favorites from the main menu, including the quiche and soup, Summer Cobb Salad, LeVeggie Burger and Blueberry Brisket Burger. 2930 N. Swan Rd., Suite 130 Don’t wait too long to try the August specials!❤️ Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com #tucsonfoodie #tucsonfood
Sonoran Restaurant Week is back for its 8th year!🎉

❤️Restaurant owners: Applications close August 14. There is no cost to participate, and you’ll be included in Tucson Foodie’s biggest marketing campaign of the year, featuring print, online, social, radio, TV, menu previews, chef interviews, and more.

From September 4 to 13, local restaurants across Southern Arizona will come together for 10 days of incredible fixed-price menus, giving diners the perfect excuse to explore Tucson’s amazing food scene. 

#sonoranrestaurantweek #srw2026 
#tucsonfoodie #tucsonarizonaSonoran Restaurant Week is back for its 8th year!🎉 ❤️Restaurant owners: Applications close August 14. There is no cost to participate, and you’ll be included in Tucson Foodie’s biggest marketing campaign of the year, featuring print, online, social, radio, TV, menu previews, chef interviews, and more. From September 4 to 13, local restaurants across Southern Arizona will come together for 10 days of incredible fixed-price menus, giving diners the perfect excuse to explore Tucson’s amazing food scene. #sonoranrestaurantweek #srw2026 #tucsonfoodie #tucsonarizona