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Weekend Notes, August 19-21

Weekend Notes, August 19-21

Aug 22, 20112 min read
Raspados from Oasis
(Raspados from Oasis)

This was a fun, food-filled weekend.

I started off Friday evening with happy hour at Fleming’s. I don’t usually mention chain restaurants, but Fleming’s sets the bar high. Appetizers for $6. I’m not talking about old french fries and bar nachos. Try Tenderloin Carpaccio, Seared Ahi Tuna and their Prime Burger with cheese and bacon. It’s high end quality at Jack In The Box prices. They feature great deals on drinks, too, and the service is excellent. If they don’t know your name after 3 visits, I’d be surprised.

Saturday morning, a friend and I met at Le Buzz before a trip up to the top of Mt. Lemmon. Le Buzz is one of my favorite bakeries in town. Along with Frog’s Organic Bakery and Beyond Bread, they feature baked goods you can’t find anywhere else. We both had the breakfast sandwich and split a Vanilla Bean Scone after the hike. I think I skipped lunch. But for dinner I went to La Botana at Ft. Lowell and First Avenue. This place is great. Their Adobada, Green Chile, and Red Chile tacos were delicious. The bean dip starter and tri-salsa is a unique twist on the standard chips and salsa. And, their patio is awesome. I’m reluctant to sit underneath the oleander bush, though.

La Botana
Menu from La Botana

Sunday was my go-to breakfast – KG’s Westside Cafe. (RepreSENT!). They have the best pancakes. Perfectly balanced and fluffy. The servers always go above and beyond. They even brew me a stronger pot of coffee . Although I gotta admit… get coffee elsewhere. Even stronger, it’s just… um… get coffee elsewhere.

Later that day we went to Oasis for Raspados. Big mistake. I might have to go there WAY more often now. I ordered the Strawberry Raspados Con Nieve (with ice cream). It’s a good place to start if you’ve never had one (which I’m shamed to admit, I hadn’t. But, I grew up here and only made it to the rodeo for the first time a couple years ago, too).

Next, as if that wasn’t enough, a friend, who takes the term “locavore” into obsessive-compulsive disorder territory had slaughtered, butchered and was spit roasting a lamb from the east side of town where it was raised.

Local Spit Roast Lamb in Tucson
Spit roasting a Tucson raised lamb

There were other minor events that involved peanut butter cups, but I don’t consider that newsworthy.

Until next time…

Article written by:

Adam Lehrman

Adam Lehrman

More about Adam
Adam Lehrman started Tucson Foodie in late 2008 as a way to track his search for the best food Tucson had to offer.

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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.
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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
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@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