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Tucson Foodie’s Week in Review: What You Missed (March 1-7)

Tucson Foodie’s Week in Review: What You Missed (March 1-7)

Mar 7, 20254 min read

Welcome to this week’s roundup!

We’ve gathered the top stories, a standout social post, and other foodie highlights you shouldn’t miss. From the latest buzz around Tucson’s dining scene to can’t-miss events and exclusive perks for our Foodie Club members, this is your go-to guide to staying in the loop.

Let’s dig in!

Top Stories & Articles

Peek into New Dishes at The Cork with Chef Matt Kraiss (PHOTOS)
Seafood pasta at the Cork (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Seafood pasta at the Cork (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Shortly before our recent visit to UnCork’d, The Cork also hosted us for a peek at some recent additions under executive chef Matt Kraiss. A grown-up version of shrimp alfredo, this seafood pasta takes more inspiration from the buttery Lobster Newberg, popularized by Delmonico’s in New York. Take occasional bites of the crunchy toast smothered with saffron-rich rouille to contrast the succulent chunks of lobster and shrimp.

Read the full article: Peek into New Dishes at The Cork with Chef Matt Kraiss (PHOTOS)

Batey Puerto Rican Gastronomy: Where Tradition Meets Modern Technique
Owner-chef Carlos Garcia at Batey Puerto Rican Gastronomy (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Owner-chef Carlos Garcia at Batey Puerto Rican Gastronomy (Photo by Jackie Tran)

“I came into Tucson in 2007,” Garcia said. “I was working for the Ritz-Carlton in Puerto Rico and got transferred to the JW Marriott. From there, I worked at different luxury hotels before deciding to step out from the hotel industry.”

Read the full article: Batey Puerto Rican Gastronomy: Where Tradition Meets Modern Technique

Wholesome, Clean Eating Takes Lead at RealGood Brunch Co.
Blueberry pancakes at RealGood Brunch Co. (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Blueberry pancakes at RealGood Brunch Co. (Photo by Jackie Tran)

RealGood Brunch Co. entered Tucson’s breakfast scene with a commitment to clean eating and fresh, made-from-scratch dishes.

Read the full article: Wholesome, Clean Eating Takes Lead at RealGood Brunch Co.

Bumsted’s Brings Tucson Fun with Mics, Mimosas, & Meatloaf Sandwiches

Since reopening in 2020, this local gem built a reputation not just for its legendary meatloaf sandwiches, but also for its lively karaoke nights and growing weekend brunch scene.

Read the full article: Bumsted’s Brings Tucson Fun with Mics, Mimosas, & Meatloaf Sandwiches.

New Foodie Guides

Best PIZZA in Tucson
Anello (Photo by Anna Smirnova)

From sourdough perfection at Anello to solar-powered slices at Brooklyn Pizza Company, this guide is your ticket to the tastiest slices in town. Take a tour through the best pizza in Tucson digitally — and then, of course, physically.

Read the guide: Best Pizza in Tucson.

Best Fish & Chips in Tucson
Fish & Chips at HUB Restaurant & Ice Creamery (Credit: Jackie Tran)

Whenever February and March roll around, it’s that time of year when regardless of the reasoning, people start to ask, “Where can I get good fish and chips in Tucson?” Check out some of the places we’ve gathered.

Read the guide: Best Fish & Chips in Tucson.

Rosé All Day at Vero Amore
Saturday, March 8
(Photo courtesy of Hampton Water)
(Photo courtesy of Hampton Water)

Join Vero Amore at 2990 N. Swan Rd. Ste. 114 for Rosé All Day from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, March 8.

The afternoon of food and drinks benefits the Hermitage No-Kill Cat Shelter & Sanctuary. The event will offer live music, special raffles, including signed bottles of wine and other goodies from Jon Bon Jovi and Jesse Bongiovi’s Hampton Water.

They will accept donations of supplies such as food and litter throughout the event.

Suncliffe x Locale – Bocce Bar & Cultivaro Amaro Launch
Sunday, March 9

Join Locale and Suncliffe under the palms for an evening of craft cocktails, bocce, and a family-style dinner from 4:30-7:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 9.

The $65 all-inclusive tickets will grant access to the Bocce Bar, a special
Suncliffe pop-up bar, serving Suncliffe Gin & the Tucson launch of Cultivaro Amaro. Kick off the evening with an open bar, play in a casual bocce tournament (with a prize for the winners), and enjoy a family-style dinner designed to pair perfectly with Suncliffe’s new amaro.

This event kicks off The Bocce Bar as a new weekly Sunday feature, where guests can enjoy Suncliffe cocktails and open bocce play on Locale’s outdoor patio.

Perks of Being a Foodie Club member

For $20 a month, Foodie Club members get a stack of cash vouchers to local restaurants worth over $6,000, 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!

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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
@Scentedleaf is opening a new location in the former Starbucks at Speedway and Country Club!!🥰

The locally owned tea shop celebrates its grand opening tomorrow, October 10, from 11 am to 9 pm, with 50% off all tea drinks and 25% off loose-leaf tea and merchandise.

📍3025 E. Speedway Blvd.@Scentedleaf is opening a new location in the former Starbucks at Speedway and Country Club!!🥰 The locally owned tea shop celebrates its grand opening tomorrow, October 10, from 11 am to 9 pm, with 50% off all tea drinks and 25% off loose-leaf tea and merchandise. 📍3025 E. Speedway Blvd.
The grand opening is TODAY, Oct. 8! 🎉

@istanbultucson is expanding with a second location, @istanbulmediterraneanexpress, at 5660 W. Cortaro Farms Rd. 

The fast-casual spot will feature about 75% of the original location’s menu, plus two exclusive dishes: build-your-own Turkish stuffed baked potatoes, known as Kumpir, and fresh-ground doner made in-house. The falafel plate and stuffed potatoes can also be made vegan. 

“The first restaurant taught us what our customers love most, so at Cortaro we’re focusing the menu around our most popular dishes while making the experience a little more casual and convenient. Most importantly, we’ve learned that no matter how much we grow, the quality of our food has to stay high every single day.” — Kamran Esar

Daily hours: 11am - 9pm

Read the article on Tucsonfoodie.comThe grand opening is TODAY, Oct. 8! 🎉 @istanbultucson is expanding with a second location, @istanbulmediterraneanexpress, at 5660 W. Cortaro Farms Rd. The fast-casual spot will feature about 75% of the original location’s menu, plus two exclusive dishes: build-your-own Turkish stuffed baked potatoes, known as Kumpir, and fresh-ground doner made in-house. The falafel plate and stuffed potatoes can also be made vegan. “The first restaurant taught us what our customers love most, so at Cortaro we’re focusing the menu around our most popular dishes while making the experience a little more casual and convenient. Most importantly, we’ve learned that no matter how much we grow, the quality of our food has to stay high every single day.” — Kamran Esar Daily hours: 11am - 9pm Read the article on Tucsonfoodie.com
Phoenix bakery @Proofbread is popping up in Tucson! 

Starting Friday, Oct. 9, the Phoenix-based sourdough bakery and stone flour mill will take over the two former @Cafefrancaisaz locations for a Tucson pop-up.

Expect naturally leavened country loaves, chocolate croissants with 81 layers of laminated dough, morning buns, ciabatta and more. 🥐🍞

📍 7831 E. Wrightstown Rd. 
📍 3855 E. Broadway Blvd. 

Both locations will be open 7 am-2 pm throughout October. If the pop-up is a success, Proof Bread says it could become a permanent Tucson operation. 

Read the article on Tucsonfoodie.comPhoenix bakery @Proofbread is popping up in Tucson! Starting Friday, Oct. 9, the Phoenix-based sourdough bakery and stone flour mill will take over the two former @Cafefrancaisaz locations for a Tucson pop-up. Expect naturally leavened country loaves, chocolate croissants with 81 layers of laminated dough, morning buns, ciabatta and more. 🥐🍞 📍 7831 E. Wrightstown Rd. 📍 3855 E. Broadway Blvd. Both locations will be open 7 am-2 pm throughout October. If the pop-up is a success, Proof Bread says it could become a permanent Tucson operation. Read the article on Tucsonfoodie.com