Kintoki Sushi House & Bar officially opens on Dec. 5 at 2960 N. First Ave., which formerly housed El Berraco. The restaurant blends modern sushi and cocktails with Latin influences.
Family roots and a full-circle Tucson story
Brothers Erick and Jose Quintero grew up in Tucson restaurants and now own Kintoki Sushi House & Bar together. Their parents worked in the same building decades ago when it held El Mesón Del Cobre.
Erick remembers that history every time he unlocks the door.
“This is home, and it’s the community that raised us,” he said.
The family later watched El Berraco transform the address into a submarine-like landmark, wrapped in corrugated metal. They kept that metal exterior for Kintoki, so locals still spot the “submarine” from blocks away.
From Kintaro to Kintoki, a name with a story
Erick and Jose originally planned to name the restaurant Kintaro Sushi House & Bar.
“Kintarō (金太郎) is a famous Japanese folk hero known as the ‘Golden Boy.'” Erick said. “We fell in love with the story and imagined having Kintaro as our house character — a fun, family-friendly mascot for kids and parents on weekends.”
Kintaro also resembled their last name, Quintero. However, a separate Tucson restaurant coincidentally debuted their sign with the name Kintaro first, so the brothers pivoted.
“After speaking with their owner and learning they were a few months ahead of us, we decided it would be easier (and more respectful) to change our name,” Erick said.
During research, they learned that Kintaro grows up into a legendary samurai named Sakata no Kintoki. They kept the hero and shifted the name to Kintoki Sushi House & Bar. The story now frames the restaurant’s branding.
Craft, culture, and community at Kintoki Sushi Tucson
Erick describes Kintoki as a balance of elevated Japanese cuisine and modern Tucson energy.
“Kintoki Sushi House & Bar is built on a fusion of craftsmanship, culture, and community,” he said.
The team wants guests to feel welcome from the first greeting to the last bite.
“This restaurant has been 1 year in the making—but truly 15 years of hard work led to this moment,” Erick said.
The brothers run a local construction company, Sunset West Construction, and leaned on that experience while shaping the space. Jose serves as the head of construction, while Erick has been a realtor for the past nine years.
Chef Rosalio Felix leads the kitchen
Executive chef Rosalio Felix, a Tucson native, brings nearly 25 years of professional cooking to Kintoki.
“His experience, creativity, and passion for food are some of the biggest reasons Kintoki’s menu is what it is today,” Erick said.
Felix and the owners built a menu that honors traditional sushi while weaving in subtle Latino influence. Erick noted they avoid heavy sauces or toppings that bury the fish and that fresh, high-quality seafood anchors each roll and nigiri order.
Signature rolls, Mexican-style miso, and more
Jalapeño heat and citrus show up across several rolls. Highlights include the Jalapeño Salmon Roll, Tuna Tataki Roll, and Kaze Roll. Crisp tempura textures and bright sauces add contrast without overwhelming the fish.
Starters cover both Japanese standards and playful twists. The menu features Crispy Gyoza, Sriracha Buffalo Wings, Chili Lime Edamame, and their signature Miso Siko.
Erick described Miso Siko as a Mexican-style miso soup that guests can only find at Kintoki. The soup contains crab, shrimp, avocado, Mexican cheese, scallion, cilantro, lemon, and Sriracha.
Guests who prefer cooked plates can order steak or salmon entrees. The team treats those dishes with the same care as the sushi bar, focusing on seasoning and execution.
Cocktails, beer, and a long-planned bar
Kintoki’s owners spent nearly a year developing the cocktail program with Dirty Consulting. Erick said the drinks focus on fresh juices and balanced flavors. The team continues to tweak recipes as they learn what Tucson guests love.
The bar also pours 18 beers on tap, including several Japanese and non-alcoholic options.
Design details and a familiar exterior
Sunset West Construction handled the buildout and layout at Kintoki. Architect Alejandro Garcia shaped the look and flow of the interior. Operations consultants Lizzeth Alvarez and David Aquino helped refine systems and service.
“We kept the iconic exterior metal look from Berraco because it’s recognizable to Tucson locals—and new visitors think it’s super unique,” Erick said.
Tucson diners who remember El Berraco can revisit the space in a new way, now focused on sushi and cocktails.
Hours, location, and how to visit
Hours of operation run from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Kintoki Sushi House & Bar is located at 2960 N. First Ave. Keep up with Kintoki Sushi House & Bar on Instagram.
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Article written by:
Jackie Tran
More about JackieJackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the now-closed food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is 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.
An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to sloppily devouring green chili patty melts in his car afterhours. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.
Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.
If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.
