While dozens of new bars and restaurants opened in Tucson during 2019, around 21 restaurants closed. It happens for a multitude of reasons. Here’s the list of restaurants that closed in 2019; if we missed any, please let us know.
Alafia West African Cuisine
1070 N. Swan Rd.
Alafia West African Cuisine announced in November it has closed indefinitely after four years in business. On December 4, they told us:
We are working hard to possibly reopen with new management.
Read our December 2019 article Alafia West African Cuisine closed, seeking new owner.
Besties Fish & Burger
14 W. Grant Rd.
Steamed burger and fried fish joint Besties closed in June. However, you might find it occasionally returning as a pop-up concept at Cafe Passe, according to owner Kade Mislinski.
Read our April 2018 article Fish, chips, steamed burgers and more at “Besties Fish & Burger” in former Mother Hubbard’s Cafe (PHOTOS).
Brooklyn Rolls
1628 E. Sixth St.
After three months in business, Brooklyn Rolls suddenly closed its doors.
Read our October 2019 article Brooklyn Rolls closes after three months in business.
Casa Valencia
2660 N. Campbell Ave.
Seafood restaurant Casa Valencia closed its Campbell location. Its original location at 1825 W. Valencia Rd. is still open.
In June, Prep & Pastry moved its original location into the former Casa Valencia space.
Read our April 2019 article Original Prep & Pastry to Move Into Former Casa Valencia on Campbell Avenue.
Club 21 Mexican Restaurant
2920 N. Oracle Rd.
Sign at Club 21 Mexican Food (Photo courtesy of Club 21 Mexican Food)
Club 21 closed in August, after 73 years in business. Within a few months, El Chinito Gordo opened with its modern take on Mexican food.
Read our August 2019 article CLOSED: Club 21 Mexican Restaurant closed after 73 years.
Cushing Street Bar & Restaurant
198 W. Cushing St.
While the restaurant was initially temporarily closed for renovations, it announced that The Coronet would be taking over.
Read our May 2019 article BREAKING NEWS: Cushing Street Bar & Restaurant to reopen as The Coronet.
District Tavern Eatz
1535 N. Stone Ave.
District Tavern Eatz quietly closed its doors in March after less than a year in business. Egyptian restaurant Alexandria’s Pearl moved in and opened in December.
Read our December 2019 article Egyptian restaurant Alexandria’s Pearl to open on North Stone Avenue.
Dragon’s View
400 N. Bonita Ave.
West Tucson Chinese restaurant Dragon’s View quietly closed after 30 years in Tucson.
The property has been fenced off with windows and doors boarded up for several months. Although we heard rumors of reopening, the restaurant is still boarded up with no official update available from the owners.
Read our September 2019 article Westside Dragon’s View closed after 30 years in business.
The Fix, Arizona’s Mac n Chz Headquarters
943 E. University Blvd., Ste. 115
Mac and cheese restaurant The Fix closed in April after a six year run. The Blind Pig moved in during the summer.
Read our April 2019 article Main Gate Square mac & cheese favorite “The Fix” closes.
Fried Rice Hut
1655 S. Alvernon Way
Fried Rice Hut closed in September after only a few months in business. The space is currently fenced off.
Read our June 2019 article Fried Rice Hut cooks up eccentric Asian for under $9.
Harvest on River
5605 E. River Rd. Ste. 201.
Harvest closed its River location in March due to a disagreement with the lease. Its original location in Oro Valley is still thriving. Additionally, the family opened up Charred Pie in Oro Valley.
Read our March 2019 article Harvest to Close River Location & Open Oro Valley Pizza Concept.
Hoki Poki
6501 E. Grant Rd. • 2643 N. Campbell Ave.
Hoki Poki closed both of their locations midyear. Ja Ramen moved into the space at 2643 N. Campbell Ave.
Read our July article Just in: Hoki Poki closed after 14-month run.
Jackson Bar + Eatery
8864 E. Tanque Verde Rd.
After two years on the northeast side, Jackson Bar + Eatery quietly closed their doors. The space is currently vacant.
Read our June 2019 article CLOSED: Northeast Tucson’s Jackson Bar + Eatery closed after two year run.
Lerua’s Mexican Food
2005 E. Broadway Blvd.
Lerua’s, one of Tucson’s oldest restaurants, closed its Broadway location at the beginning of the year due to the Broadway widening project. It is still seeking an ideal location to reopen; their cuisine currently lives on at cousin restaurant El Torero.
Read our January 2019 article Lerua’s to Close Broadway Location, Next Chapter in the Works.
The Libertine
402 E. Ninth St.
Cocktail bar The Libertine closed after five months in business. The Coronet and sister cafe Fonda La Hermanita are still open.
Read our article Fourth Avenue bar The Libertine closed after five months in business.
Lotus Garden
5975 E. Speedway Blvd.
One of Tucson’s oldest Chinese restaurants, Lotus Garden closed after a half-century in business. Serial Grillers relocated their original location into the former Lotus Garden.
Read our May 2019 article Lotus Garden to close after 50 years, original Serial Grillers to move in.
MiAn Sushi & Modern Cuisine
88 E. Broadway Blvd.
MiAn quietly closed its doors after a two year run. Its cousin restaurants Hoki Poki closed quickly afterwards.
Read our June 2019 article CLOSED: Downtown’s MiAn Sushi & Modern Asian Cuisine closed after two year run.
Poco & Mom’s
1060 S. Kolb Rd.
Poco & Mom’s closed their original location in June. Sonoran Brunch Company moved in and opened on Halloween. Poco & Mom’s Cantina is still thriving at 7000 E. Tanque Verde Rd.
Read our June 2019 article Sonoran Brunch Company to open in former Poco & Mom’s.
Ragazzi Northern Italian Cuisine
7850 N. Oracle Rd.
Ragazzi Northern Italian Cuisine quietly closed their doors after about 15 months in business.
Read our April 2019 article Ragazzi Northern Italian Cuisine in Oro Valley closed indefinitely.
Red Desert BBQ & Catering
918 W. Prince Rd.
Red Desert closed their doors in July as they prepared to collaborate with the folks at Serial Grillers for Boulevard BBQ & Fixins.
Read our July 2019 article Red Desert BBQ & Catering to close in preparation of Boulevard BBQ.
Series 19
13 N. Stone Ave.
Series 19 opened in May 2018 and closed early 2019. Its parent distillery, Three Wells Distilling Company, closed as well.
Read our May 2019 article Three Wells Distilling Company to close after 5 years in business.
Shot in the Dark Cafe
121 E. Broadway Blvd.
24/7 cafe Shot in the Dark closed their downtown location in January. No replacement location has been announced yet.
Read our January 2019 article Shot in the Dark Cafe to Close Downtown, New Location Tentative.
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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.
