Urban Fresh, a family-run spot in downtown Tucson, is all about community, sustainability, and nutrition, with every dish made in-house from local and organic ingredients.
Chauncey and Dana Padilla, owners of the cozy café, bring together health and flavor, showcasing some of the best fresh, plant-based offerings, all of which have been recognized nationally over the years.
Most recently, the Padillas are in the spotlight once again by Yelp — taking the #3 spot in its list of “100 Best Vegan Restaurants in the U.S.” This is a heck of an accomplishment since they’re the only Tucson restaurant to make this year’s list, and also one of just four Arizona eateries mentioned.
“Looking over Yelp’s list of the top 100 vegan restaurants nationwide, it’s clear that any restaurant that can make this cuisine taste rich and ‘indulgent’ will win the day,” Food & Wine magazine shared, noting that at Urban Fresh, “cashew cheese is put to liberal use.”
“Whether you’re a dedicated vegan or exploring healthier options, these eateries are sure to impress,” Yelp shared.
It’s true — many Tucsonans have been impressed by the Padillas craft in the kitchen. The concept is centered on serving meals that are both affordable and delicious, while also giving back to the community. It’s all about offering something that not only makes people feel good but is good for them and the environment, too!
Plus, take a gander at their daily lunch specials, which are shared online weekly.
Other Arizona Restaurants on Yelp’s “100 Best Vegan Restaurants” List
The Uprooted Kitchen in Gilbert came in at #14, UNiQ Burger in Scottsdale is #33 on the list of 100, and Desert Roots Kitchen in Tempe took the $53 spot.
Urban Fresh is located at 73 E. Pennington St. For more information, visit urbanfreshaz.com.
Stay in the Tucson Foodie Loop
Weekly digest of new openings, events, and guides. No spam.
Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
