Tucson FoodieCelebrating local food, drink, and community.
“The Blind Tiger” Restaurant & Bar Now Open on Fourth Avenue

“The Blind Tiger” Restaurant & Bar Now Open on Fourth Avenue

Dec 19, 20182 min read

The Blind Tiger restaurant and bar quietly opened at 628 N. Fourth Ave. on Thursday.

Originally scheduled to open winter 2017, the restaurant had a successful test run during the Winter Street Fair and officially opened Thursday with its full menu.

Co-owners Michael and Alvaro Krankowski have revamped the 27-seat space with a modern-industrial, metal, and wood-oriented aesthetic.

The separate, larger “secret” bar in the patio at the back of the building is still in the works.

“I want it to feel fun, modern, and secretive,” Alvaro said in a previous interview. “The cocktails will be a mix of classic and modern cocktails, but not too crafty since so many places downtown are already doing that so well.”

The food menu features a combination of affordable bar food options alongside a handful of more gourmet options such as the Smoked + Stuffed Pork Chop. Either way you go, the dishes will be made from scratch.

Carne asada fries from the Blind Tiger (Credit: The Blind Tiger)
Carne asada fries from the Blind Tiger (Photo courtesy of the Blind Tiger)

The Blind Tiger Food Menu Highlights

  • Carne Asada Fries ($8.50) – marinated steak, Oaxaca cheese, cotija cheese, pico de gallo, creme, creme verde, French fries
  • Wings ($7 for 6, $13.50 for 12) – barbecue, buffalo, or teriyaki
  • Chicken Pesto Pizza ($9) – 12″ with pesto, chopped chicken breast, shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Green Chile Burger ($8) – 1/3-pound patty, jack cheese, roasted poblano pepper, pickled red onion, shredded lettuce, tomato, toasted brioche bun, served with French fries
  • Bacon + Ranch Chicken Sandwich ($7.5) – fried house-breaded chicken tenders, bacon, ranch, tomato, shredded lettuce, toasted brioche bun, served with French fries
  • SW Half Chicken ($15) – sous vide-then-broiled half chicken, buttered corn medley
  • Smoked + Stuffed Pork Chop ($19) – 12-ounce smoked pork chop stuffed with mushrooms, green chilies, Oaxaca cheese, served with a warm white bean salad
  • Steak Frites ($19) – eight-ounce flat iron steak, chipotle compound butter, seasoned French fries, balsamic dressed lettuce mix
  • Fish / Seafood Special (Market Price) – weekly changing special

The Blind Tiger Bar Menu Highlights

  • Tamarindo Martini ($9) – Tito’s vodka, tamarind nectar, tamarind syrup, Tajin rim
  • Tucson Mule ($9) – Grey Goose L’Orange vodka, Gosling’s ginger beer, orange bitters, prickly pear syrup, lime
  • Monsoon Storm ($9) – Gosling’s Dark rum, Gosling’s ginger beer, prickly pear syrup, lime, chamoy rim
  • Tigre Paloma ($9) – Milagro Silver tequila, grapefruit juice, club soda, lime, salt & chile de arbol rim
  • Michelada ($8) – Dos Equis lager, Clamato, lime, assorted sauces and spices with Tajin rim

https://www.facebook.com/BlindTigerAZ/photos/a.629972037129512/1793663407427030/

Operating hours are 4 – 11 p.m. Thursday – Saturday.

The Blind Tiger is located at 628 N. Fourth Ave. Keep up with The Blind Tiger on Facebook. For more information, visit blindtigeraz.com.

Article written by:

Jackie Tran

Jackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer and photographer. 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.

Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments and petting pets.

If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.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
IOU Sushi III has closed. The all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant on North Oracle Road announced the news on Facebook after about 10 years in Tucson. “This is the hardest post I’ve had to write,” the owners said. The post continued, “we have met some great friends who have become family to us.” Tucson Foodie first visited the restaurant in 2017, when it operated as IOU Sushi IV. 

Read the full story on tucsonfoodie.com.IOU Sushi III has closed. The all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant on North Oracle Road announced the news on Facebook after about 10 years in Tucson. “This is the hardest post I’ve had to write,” the owners said. The post continued, “we have met some great friends who have become family to us.” Tucson Foodie first visited the restaurant in 2017, when it operated as IOU Sushi IV. Read the full story on tucsonfoodie.com.
THE FALL SOUTHERN AZ HOME SHOW RETURNS OCT. 16-18 WITH TWO BIG CULINARY HEADLINERS🔥 

@Tcctucson welcomes award-winning pitmaster @Sloanrinaldi for an “All Things Brisket” demo at 2:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, followed by a meet-and-greet. 

Three-time Iron Chef Tucson champion @Chef_antbanks of @Obonsushi takes the Culinary Showcase Stage Saturday at noon. 

The show will also feature 200+ vendors, food trucks, pet-friendly attractions, adoptable animals, HGTV’s Matt Blashaw, the Kids Market, and more. 

WHEN: Oct. 16-18 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
WHERE: TCC 📍260 S. Church Ave.
TICKETS: $8 | $4 with discount coupon | Kids 12 & under free
 
SPECIAL ADMISSION: 
• Friday: Seniors 65+ free; half-price for military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers with ID 
• Saturday: Half-price for seniors and the same groups
• Sunday (Heroes Day): Seniors half-price; military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers free with ID

ALL DAYS: $2 admission from 3-5 p.m. Free parking in Convention Center Lot B.THE FALL SOUTHERN AZ HOME SHOW RETURNS OCT. 16-18 WITH TWO BIG CULINARY HEADLINERS🔥 @Tcctucson welcomes award-winning pitmaster @Sloanrinaldi for an “All Things Brisket” demo at 2:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, followed by a meet-and-greet. Three-time Iron Chef Tucson champion @Chef_antbanks of @Obonsushi takes the Culinary Showcase Stage Saturday at noon. The show will also feature 200+ vendors, food trucks, pet-friendly attractions, adoptable animals, HGTV’s Matt Blashaw, the Kids Market, and more. WHEN: Oct. 16-18 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. WHERE: TCC 📍260 S. Church Ave. TICKETS: $8 | $4 with discount coupon | Kids 12 & under free SPECIAL ADMISSION: • Friday: Seniors 65+ free; half-price for military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers with ID • Saturday: Half-price for seniors and the same groups • Sunday (Heroes Day): Seniors half-price; military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers free with ID ALL DAYS: $2 admission from 3-5 p.m. Free parking in Convention Center Lot B.
Anne Rysdale built @sheltercocktaillounge in 1961 with concrete walls, lava rock, and Cold War nerves. Today, owners Pam Santangelo and Kevin Breutzmann keep the Tucson bar exactly as regulars remember it. Inside, martinis share space with JFK memorabilia, a vintage atomic chandelier, and a suit of armor named Charlie. “Tucson is changing so much, but this has stayed the same. It’s a time capsule,” Santangelo said. 

Read @sea_lyon’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com 
Photos by @sea_lyonAnne Rysdale built @sheltercocktaillounge in 1961 with concrete walls, lava rock, and Cold War nerves. Today, owners Pam Santangelo and Kevin Breutzmann keep the Tucson bar exactly as regulars remember it. Inside, martinis share space with JFK memorabilia, a vintage atomic chandelier, and a suit of armor named Charlie. “Tucson is changing so much, but this has stayed the same. It’s a time capsule,” Santangelo said. Read @sea_lyon’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com Photos by @sea_lyon
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