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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 Insiders, 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 an Insider

For $20 a month, Tucson Foodie Insiders 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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Now open in downtown Tucson: @gibsonmarkettucson🙌

Coming soon: @pearlloungetucson 

11 S 6th Ave, Tucson, AZ

#tucsonaz #tucsonfoodie #downtowntucsonNow open in downtown Tucson: @gibsonmarkettucson🙌 Coming soon: @pearlloungetucson 11 S 6th Ave, Tucson, AZ #tucsonaz #tucsonfoodie #downtowntucsonFoodie Dinner at @Sonoranhouse_samhughes! 

Executive Chef @Culinarycowboy86d showcased delicious new dishes while guests enjoyed tastings and shared feedback. Thank you to Chef Gabby, @sonoranhouse_samhughes, and everyone who joined us!🥂

Want in on more foodie experiences? 
Here’s what Tucson Foodie Members get:

• $6,000+ in gift cards & perks
• Free monthly Foodie Hours
• Exclusive R&D dinners
• Festival discounts
• Help keep Tucson Foodie free

#tucsonaz #tucsonfoodieFoodie Dinner at @Sonoranhouse_samhughes! Executive Chef @Culinarycowboy86d showcased delicious new dishes while guests enjoyed tastings and shared feedback. Thank you to Chef Gabby, @sonoranhouse_samhughes, and everyone who joined us!🥂 Want in on more foodie experiences? Here’s what Tucson Foodie Members get: • $6,000+ in gift cards & perks • Free monthly Foodie Hours • Exclusive R&D dinners • Festival discounts • Help keep Tucson Foodie free #tucsonaz #tucsonfoodieItalian Week runs now through July 19 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer!🍝🍕 

Support Tucson’s classic and modern Italian restaurants, then upload your receipt at summer.tucsonfoodie.com for a chance to win weekly prizes and the grand prize at the end of August.

🎉 Week 5 Winners
• Libby: $50 North Italia gift card
• Keely: America’s Best Mexican Food Festival tickets
• arts_primacy_2c: 4 Cool Summer Nights passes
• Donita3000: $20 Ghini’s French Caffe gift card
• Nancy & Gabriella: $100 Visa gift cards

Italian Week Deal: @reneestucson is offering buy one, get one 50% off (equal or lesser value) for dine-in or takeout. Just mention you’re a Tucson Foodie fan. Exclusions apply.

🏆 This Week’s Prizes
• $50 @fentonellispizzeria gift card
• $100 Visa gift card
• $75 @carusositalian gift card
• $20 @ghinisfrenchcaffe gift card
• $50 @miramontetucson gift card
• $50 @localetucson gift card
• @desertmuseum passes 

More details in bioItalian Week runs now through July 19 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer!🍝🍕 Support Tucson’s classic and modern Italian restaurants, then upload your receipt at summer.tucsonfoodie.com for a chance to win weekly prizes and the grand prize at the end of August. 🎉 Week 5 Winners • Libby: $50 North Italia gift card • Keely: America’s Best Mexican Food Festival tickets • arts_primacy_2c: 4 Cool Summer Nights passes • Donita3000: $20 Ghini’s French Caffe gift card • Nancy & Gabriella: $100 Visa gift cards Italian Week Deal: @reneestucson is offering buy one, get one 50% off (equal or lesser value) for dine-in or takeout. Just mention you’re a Tucson Foodie fan. Exclusions apply. 🏆 This Week’s Prizes • $50 @fentonellispizzeria gift card • $100 Visa gift card • $75 @carusositalian gift card • $20 @ghinisfrenchcaffe gift card • $50 @miramontetucson gift card • $50 @localetucson gift card • @desertmuseum passes More details in bio@Theironcheftucson returns to Desert Diamond Casino Sahuarita this Saturday, July 18!

Two-time reigning champion @chef_antbanks of @obonsushi is back to defend his title against AJ Mortazavi of @barnyard_az, winner of the 2026 Meet the Chefs competition. Once the secret ingredient is revealed, both chefs will race against the clock to create dishes judged on taste, creativity, and presentation. 

The event begins with the Culinary Experience from 1 to 4 p.m., featuring three hours of food and drink sampling, cooking demos, and classes, followed by the live Iron Chef Competition from 5 to 8 p.m. This is a 21+ event. 

More details and tickets at Tucsonfoodie.com🏆🎉@Theironcheftucson returns to Desert Diamond Casino Sahuarita this Saturday, July 18! Two-time reigning champion @chef_antbanks of @obonsushi is back to defend his title against AJ Mortazavi of @barnyard_az, winner of the 2026 Meet the Chefs competition. Once the secret ingredient is revealed, both chefs will race against the clock to create dishes judged on taste, creativity, and presentation. The event begins with the Culinary Experience from 1 to 4 p.m., featuring three hours of food and drink sampling, cooking demos, and classes, followed by the live Iron Chef Competition from 5 to 8 p.m. This is a 21+ event. More details and tickets at Tucsonfoodie.com🏆🎉José Contreras, chef and owner of @Ameliastucson, is headed to New York City to cook alongside chef Alam Méndez of Washington, D.C.‘s Apapacho Taqueria for a collaborative dinner at the James Beard Foundation’s Platform at Pier 57.

The Aug. 11 dinner will celebrate the culinary traditions of Sonora and Oaxaca through a multi course menu centered on heirloom corn, traditional masa, and coastal flavors. Guests will also enjoy a cocktail reception, Mijenta Tequila pairings, and a Q&A with both chefs. The event begins at 6:30 pm at @Pier57.nyc. Tickets are $210 for dining table seats and $250 for the chef’s counter, and are available now at Jamesbeard.org.

Congratulations to @Chefjosetucson on another incredible milestone!🎉

Read @Jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com

#tucsonaz #tucsonnewsJosé Contreras, chef and owner of @Ameliastucson, is headed to New York City to cook alongside chef Alam Méndez of Washington, D.C.‘s Apapacho Taqueria for a collaborative dinner at the James Beard Foundation’s Platform at Pier 57. The Aug. 11 dinner will celebrate the culinary traditions of Sonora and Oaxaca through a multi course menu centered on heirloom corn, traditional masa, and coastal flavors. Guests will also enjoy a cocktail reception, Mijenta Tequila pairings, and a Q&A with both chefs. The event begins at 6:30 pm at @Pier57.nyc. Tickets are $210 for dining table seats and $250 for the chef’s counter, and are available now at Jamesbeard.org. Congratulations to @Chefjosetucson on another incredible milestone!🎉 Read @Jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com #tucsonaz #tucsonnewsItalian Week starts today, and we’re sharing this sweet video of @Spaghettioftucson doing what she did best: bringing smiles to everyone around her.

Our hearts are with her family today. We’ll love you and miss you forever, Spaghetti.❤️‍🩹🐶Italian Week starts today, and we’re sharing this sweet video of @Spaghettioftucson doing what she did best: bringing smiles to everyone around her. Our hearts are with her family today. We’ll love you and miss you forever, Spaghetti.❤️‍🩹🐶

Tag us @TUCSONFOODIE in your food adventures!