Zona 78, a longtime Italian staple on Tucson’s east side, will serve its final meal under its current name on Sunday, June 29. The restaurant at 7301 E. Tanque Verde Rd. announced it will rebrand as Figs Oven + Enoteca, a new Mediterranean-inspired concept.
Originally, Zona 78 opened at 78 W. River Rd. on October 2004. From its inception, Zona 78 distinguished itself as an Italian-inspired trattoria, committed to crafting dishes from scratch. This included its house-made cheeses and its pioneering achievement as the first establishment in Arizona to obtain a state license for charcuterie.
The original location closed in March 2016 to make way for a new casual concept, Stray Dogs. In January 2018, Stray Dogs closed. However, Zona 78 lived on in its Tanque Verde location.
Kevin Fink on the National Stage
A key figure in Zona 78’s operational history was Kevin Fink, who served as director of operations. He played a significant role in initiatives like the Seed & Sow pop-up in 2014, which aimed to create a menu almost entirely from Arizona-sourced ingredients.
Following his time at Zona 78, Kevin Fink moved to Austin, Texas and opened Emmer & Rye, a restaurant that quickly gained critical acclaim. His approach, which focused on seasonal and local cuisine, house-made pastas from heirloom grains, and extensive in-house fermentation, earned him significant accolades. In 2016, Food & Wine magazine named him one of the country’s Best New Chefs, and Bon Appétit named Emmer & Rye as one of America’s Best New Restaurants.
His success continued with the opening of several other nationally recognized restaurants in Austin, such as Hestia, which was honored as Best New Restaurant in America by Robb Report, and Canje, listed among The New York Times’ Best Restaurants of 2022. In 2019, he was also a finalist for the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest.
New Chapter Begins This Year
In a statement, the team described the transition as a fresh journey.
“In the coming months, Zona 78 will transform into a new, unique dining experience, blending creativity and passion to create a vibrant destination like no other. FIGS oven + enoteca will encompass flavors inspired by the shorelines of the Mediterranean Sea.
We can’t wait to share this new dining experience with our community, where innovation meets tradition in a truly unique way.”
They encourage diners to stay connected by following their social media channels for updates on the reopening.
For inquiries, call (520) 296-7878 or email pleathers@zona78.com
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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.
