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Tucson Foodie’s Week in Review: What You Missed (March 29-April 4)

Tucson Foodie’s Week in Review: What You Missed (March 29-April 4)

Apr 4, 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 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

Best Things the Tucson Foodie Team Tasted in March

Caraflex at 5 Points during a Tucson Foodie R&D Dinner (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Caraflex at 5 Points during a Tucson Foodie R&D Dinner (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Here’s a look back at what the Tucson Foodie team enjoyed during March!

Not only are these reminders of the dishes we ate, but they can also be a guide for your own decisions on what to eat here in Tucson.

Read the full article: Best Things the Tucson Foodie Team Tasted in March.

Why and How to Dine Local and Eat Seasonally in Tucson

Tomatoes from 5 Points (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Tomatoes from 5 Points (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Tucson is already leading the way. As the first UNESCO City of Gastronomy in the United States, we have a rich food culture rooted in our Sonoran Desert ecosystem. But that global recognition comes with a responsibility: to keep our food system thriving, creative, and local.

This guide is for anyone who loves Tucson, wants to eat well, and believes in supporting what makes this place special.

Read the full article: Why and How to Dine Local and Eat Seasonally in Tucson.

Hammbone’s Meat & Three Closed After Six Months in Business

Hammbone’s (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)
Hammbone’s (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)

“Restaurants are a very tough business, especially nowadays. We could go on with the reasons/excuses, like bad location, a landlord with a shotty building and unwillingness to help, constant hikes in wages, ballooned food costs, dope fiends harassing guests on their way in, the city and police not protecting or helping the area, credit card fees, point of sales percentages, taxes, insurance, paper goods costs – ALL shooting through the roof on us; everyone having their hands in the restaurant’s pocket, and so on and so forth.”

Read the full article: Hammbone’s Meat & Three Closed After Six Months in Business.

Katsu House to Open Soon in Downtown Tucson

Downtown Tucson is about to get a new spot for crispy, comforting Japanese flavors. Katsu House is set to open soon inside Brick Box Brewery, bringing a new dining option to the craft beer hub.

Read the full article: ‘Katsu House’ To Open Soon in Downtown Tucson.

New & Updated Foodie Guides

Cyclovia Tucson: What to Eat & Drink While Cruisin’ Around

(Photo courtesy of Cyclovia on Facebook)

Cyclovia Tucson is hitting the asphalt this weekend from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 6. There’s going to be plenty of fun aside from pedalin’ around, like pitstop activities, music, DJs, bike repair, and food!

Read the guide: Cyclovia Tucson: What to Eat & Drink While Cruisin’ Around.

Best Breakfast Burritos in Tucson

a person holding a burrito on a plate
Breakfast Burrito at Barista del Barrio (Photo credit: Jackie Tran)

Breakfast burritos are a hearty way to power you through the day. They’re also great as a hangover cure. Whatever you need a breakfast burrito for, Tucson is there for you. Local tortillas? Housemade chorizo? A variety of salsas? Check, check, and check — and much more.

Read the guide: Best Breakfast Burritos in Tucson.

Foodie Events

25+ Breweries Join This Year’s Baja Beer Festival at Armory Park

(Photo courtesy of Baja Beer Festival)

Hey, it’s beer time! For the ninth year, the Arizona Craft Brewers Guild is bringing the Baja Beer Festival — a tribute to Arizona’s craft beer excellence — to downtown Tucson.

This year’s sudsy event is from 1 – 4:30 p.m. (VIP entry is at noon) on Saturday, April 5, at Armory Park, 222 S. Fifth Ave.

Read the article: 25+ Breweries Join This Year’s Baja Beer Festival at Armory Park.

Pollinator Festival: A Celebration of Food & Community in Tucson

Pollinator Festival (Photo courtesy of Community Gardens of Tucson)
Pollinator Festival (Photo courtesy of Community Gardens of Tucson)

The Community Gardens of Tucson is hosting its fun and educational Pollinator Festival on Sunday, April 6, from 3 – 5 p.m. This event is free to attend and will be held at the New Spirit Garden located at 8701 E. Old Spanish Trail.

This year’s Pollinator Festival aims to raise awareness about pollinator health and the importance of these creatures in supporting biodiversity, food production, and our environment.

Read the article: A Celebration of Food & Community in Tucson.

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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Foodie mixer at @kindeethaiaz!🌸 Thank you to Kin Dee Thai and everyone who came out to enjoy the evening with us!

Want to explore Tucson’s restaurant scene, eat at exclusive dinners with local chefs, and get $7,500+ in perks at 130 local spots? Tap the Tucson Foodie membership link in bio.Foodie mixer at @kindeethaiaz!🌸 Thank you to Kin Dee Thai and everyone who came out to enjoy the evening with us! Want to explore Tucson’s restaurant scene, eat at exclusive dinners with local chefs, and get $7,500+ in perks at 130 local spots? Tap the Tucson Foodie membership link in bio.
IOU Sushi III has closed. The all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant on North Oracle Road announced the news on Facebook after about 10 years in Tucson. “This is the hardest post I’ve had to write,” the owners said. The post continued, “we have met some great friends who have become family to us.” Tucson Foodie first visited the restaurant in 2017, when it operated as IOU Sushi IV. 

Read the full story on tucsonfoodie.com.IOU Sushi III has closed. The all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant on North Oracle Road announced the news on Facebook after about 10 years in Tucson. “This is the hardest post I’ve had to write,” the owners said. The post continued, “we have met some great friends who have become family to us.” Tucson Foodie first visited the restaurant in 2017, when it operated as IOU Sushi IV. Read the full story on tucsonfoodie.com.
THE FALL SOUTHERN AZ HOME SHOW RETURNS OCT. 16-18 WITH TWO BIG CULINARY HEADLINERS🔥 

@Tcctucson welcomes award-winning pitmaster @Sloanrinaldi for an “All Things Brisket” demo at 2:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, followed by a meet-and-greet. 

Three-time Iron Chef Tucson champion @Chef_antbanks of @Obonsushi takes the Culinary Showcase Stage Saturday at noon. 

The show will also feature 200+ vendors, food trucks, pet-friendly attractions, adoptable animals, HGTV’s Matt Blashaw, the Kids Market, and more. 

WHEN: Oct. 16-18 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
WHERE: TCC 📍260 S. Church Ave.
TICKETS: $8 | $4 with discount coupon | Kids 12 & under free
 
SPECIAL ADMISSION: 
• Friday: Seniors 65+ free; half-price for military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers with ID 
• Saturday: Half-price for seniors and the same groups
• Sunday (Heroes Day): Seniors half-price; military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers free with ID

ALL DAYS: $2 admission from 3-5 p.m. Free parking in Convention Center Lot B.THE FALL SOUTHERN AZ HOME SHOW RETURNS OCT. 16-18 WITH TWO BIG CULINARY HEADLINERS🔥 @Tcctucson welcomes award-winning pitmaster @Sloanrinaldi for an “All Things Brisket” demo at 2:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, followed by a meet-and-greet. Three-time Iron Chef Tucson champion @Chef_antbanks of @Obonsushi takes the Culinary Showcase Stage Saturday at noon. The show will also feature 200+ vendors, food trucks, pet-friendly attractions, adoptable animals, HGTV’s Matt Blashaw, the Kids Market, and more. WHEN: Oct. 16-18 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. WHERE: TCC 📍260 S. Church Ave. TICKETS: $8 | $4 with discount coupon | Kids 12 & under free SPECIAL ADMISSION: • Friday: Seniors 65+ free; half-price for military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers with ID • Saturday: Half-price for seniors and the same groups • Sunday (Heroes Day): Seniors half-price; military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers free with ID ALL DAYS: $2 admission from 3-5 p.m. Free parking in Convention Center Lot B.
Anne Rysdale built @sheltercocktaillounge in 1961 with concrete walls, lava rock, and Cold War nerves. Today, owners Pam Santangelo and Kevin Breutzmann keep the Tucson bar exactly as regulars remember it. Inside, martinis share space with JFK memorabilia, a vintage atomic chandelier, and a suit of armor named Charlie. “Tucson is changing so much, but this has stayed the same. It’s a time capsule,” Santangelo said. 

Read @sea_lyon’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com 
Photos by @sea_lyonAnne Rysdale built @sheltercocktaillounge in 1961 with concrete walls, lava rock, and Cold War nerves. Today, owners Pam Santangelo and Kevin Breutzmann keep the Tucson bar exactly as regulars remember it. Inside, martinis share space with JFK memorabilia, a vintage atomic chandelier, and a suit of armor named Charlie. “Tucson is changing so much, but this has stayed the same. It’s a time capsule,” Santangelo said. Read @sea_lyon’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com Photos by @sea_lyon