Every day, Tucson Foodie gets tons of readers and by the end of the year, we’ve run out of fingers to keep track. Luckily, we’ve got online tools to help us out in that department.
2022 was a big year for local restaurants, bars, and businesses. We saw a lot of new openings, entertaining food-themed events, fancy dinners, Sonoran Restaurant Week returned, and local chefs and restaurants were featured on a national level.
Below are the most-read articles of 2022. Which one do you think took the number one spot?
Here’s a hint: keep scrolling/reading.
10. 60+ Restaurants, bars & food trucks that opened or reopened in 2022
It’s safe to say the Tucson restaurant industry has been booming and bustling this year.
From restaurants making their first appearance in town to those opening second or even third locations throughout the city, it’s without question that the scene has seen its fair share of growth.
9. 25+ Restaurants & bars open on Christmas
We searched around and found several options for those hoping to get out of the house on Christmas, and it turns out the article was a well sought-after read. Sure, the holidays are gone and it’s a brand-new year but you can still check out the restaurants and bars that made it onto this fun list.
8. A list of restaurants that temporarily closed this past summer
While the warmer days of summer mean “ramp-up time” for restaurants in many cities, industry folk here in Tucson are accustomed to the opposite. As students and snowbirds go on sabbatical, many restaurant owners have created a habit of following suit, closing up shop from days to months.
7. Mojo Cuban Kitchen & Rum Bar opened its doors in midtown
With a mission to bring “the culture, rhythm, attitude, and romance of Espiritu Cubano to Tucson,” the restaurant is an ancestral inspiration drawn from Nick’s relatives who would visit Cuba before the revolution. One of those was his great-grandfather, who fought alongside Cubans in their fight for freedom from Spain during the Spanish-American War.
“We always wanted to open a Cuban-themed establishment and Tucson seemed to be in need of one,” said Nick Schaffer, Mojo Cuban Kitchen’s co-owner.
Read the full article here. Also, for a more in-depth feature on the restaurant, read Rita Connelly’s article.
6. By The Bucket opens its first location in Tucson
Since 2018, the restaurant group has been slinging spaghetti, meatballs, and marinara sauce into buckets, and the restaurants have been multiplying ever since. Tucson’s east side, which is owned and operated by Tucsonan Mel Goff, is the first area to get a peek at the menu, which features buckets in three sizes.
There’s a small bucket with a half-pound of spaghetti, the medium-sized bucket comes with a pound of spaghetti, and if you’re aiming to order a large Family Bucket, expect one and a half pounds of spaghetti. Garlic bread is included with each tub and meatballs can be added for an additional charge.
5. Foodie 15: Must-visit spots to eat & drink in Flagstaff
Flagstaff isn’t just a pit stop on the way to the Grand Canyon. Nor is it a tourist trap — the food scene and dedication to local ingredients has exploded over the past few years, making it worthy of a day trip, or better yet, a full-fledged food vacation.
There’s plenty to check out.
4. Your Visual Guide to Traditional Mexican Pastries at La Estrella Bakery
Living in Tucson means we’re lucky to be in close proximity to several authentic pan dulce options and panaderías. La Estrella Bakery is one of those, and possibly the most well-known Tucson panadería, which is Spanish for bakery.
This article making the number four spot is interesting because it was first published in 2016. It just proves that Tucsonans love their pastries and supporting local bakeries.
3. Grab a slice of the South at Grandma Jones’ Sweet Potato Pies
The recipe for her pies is a secret that only she and Grandma Jones truly know about, but it is a traditional Southern-style sweet potato pie we’re talking about here. There are a lot of people out there that don’t like or appreciate a real downhome sweet potato pie, while others can’t get enough and are willing to travel miles out of their way to get one.
“I’d say about 97% of people that buy my pies love them,” said Shena McDuffie. “Sweet potato pies aren’t for everyone. If you don’t like pumpkin pie then you may not like sweet potato pie. It’s a texture thing, I think. I do not get offended if you do not like my pies.”
2. First mention of Two Hands Corn Dogs coming to Tucson
It’s been said that it takes two to tango and that it also takes two to make a thing go right. Then, sometimes it can require more than one hand to finish your meal. In this particular situation, two hands go perfectly with two Korean-style corn dogs.
The first installment came to the corner of Glenn Street and Campbell Avenue, while the other is moving in at 5421 E. Broadway Blvd. sometime this year.
And the number one article of the year is… drumroll, please.
1. Noodies opens its doors near Speedway & Campbell
It was sad to see Bentley’s House of Coffee and Tea close its doors at 1730 E. Speedway Blvd. However, when one business closes, it often makes room for other culinary adventures.
The familiar, freshly hand-made, and belly-warming pasta of CERES is apparent but consider Noodies a reimagined concept, as opposed to being a replica of its sister restaurant.
