Celebrating local food, drink, and community.
News
Frozen Dessert Week wraps June 28, and Burgers & BBQ Week takes over June 29 through July 5 as part of the 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer campaign. The week […]
Jun 23, 2026
News
Lucky Penny BBQ and Bonanza Coffee Co, both operated by Open Container Hospitality Group, plan to open in mid-October at 47 N. 6th Ave. and 31 N. 6th Ave., Suite […]
Jackie TranJun 15, 2026
News
Brother John’s Beer, Bourbon & BBQ will close its doors at 1801 N. Stone Ave. at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9, ending nearly 11 years of service at the […]
Jackie TranJun 5, 2026
Spot
South Plumer Avenue · Midtown
Located in Tucson, AZ, Kiss of Smoke BBQ & Catering started as an award winning competition barbecue team. Kiss of Smoke is family owned & operated. They enjoyed their competition BBQ hobby so much that they decide to offer their award winning BBQ to the streets of Tucson.
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Charly's upping Tucson's barbecue scene with their competition Texas-style barbecue with a Sonoran twist, all served out of their beloved food truck. From tender brisket to fall-off-the-bone ribs, every dish at Charly's is slow-cooked, delivering a fusion of smoky goodness and Southwestern flair. Whether you're craving
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South Campbell Avenue · South Side
Bubba-Que Smokehouse BBQ and Tex-Mex Catering opened its first brick-and-mortar restaurant on May 2. Owner Benjamin Levine took over the business in 2020 from original owner Rich Park, who launched the food truck in 2010. Levine built his barbecue skills through Park's mentorship, and the move to a permanent location
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4951 E Grant Rd #115 · Midtown
Despite having "Korean BBQ" in it's name, this restaurant does not have grills at the table. Instead, order prepared dishes such as kalbi dolsot bibim bap, which has sliced beef short ribs and assorted veggies over rice in a hot stone bowl. For hot summer days, order the naeng myun, which has buckwheat noodles in a chi
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1570 E Tucson Marketplace Blvd · South Side
The restaurant quietly opened at Tucson Marketplace, which is over near Dave & Busters and the Cinemark movie theater. Before this new spot in Tucson, Kahu Hawaiian BBQ was serving out of its sole location in Phoenix. There doesn’t appear to be an official website for the chain but you can find their menu online — clas
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East Broadway Boulevard · Eastside
Family owned BBQ restaurant offering Texas Style Brisket, Pulled Pork, St. Louis style Ribs, TriTip, Sausage, Chicken, Pork Belly, and Turkey. They use traditional custom-built Texas offset smokers and fire them only with locally sourced Pecan Wood
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South Park Avenue · South Side
Mr. K’s Original BBQ delivers classic Southern barbecue in a casual, counter service setting. Owner Ray Kendrick has been delighting patrons with his no-frills approach to barbecue since 1997. Popular items on the small menu include beef ribs, hot links, and brisket.
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4545 N Oracle Rd · Northwest
Kotu specializes in all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue with their beef dry-aging fridge proudly on display in the dining room. The classic menu is already extensive with options such as marinated boneless short rib and Louisiana Cajun shrimp, but opt in for the premium menu if you'd like the sliced beef tongue or a one of
EventSep 6, 2026Bashful Bandit Barbecue
On Sunday September 6th we will be barbecuing a whole hog! Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. with the whole hog pulled at 6:45 p.m. Appetizer: charcuterie board including house made sausages, smoked mole chicken salad, pickled vegetables, and focaccia bread. Entree: Whole Hog BBQ including traditional Carolina style pulled po
News
Cruise BBQ & Blues Oro Valley invites Tucson food lovers to a full day of classic cars, smoky barbecue and live blues music at Oro Valley Marketplace, 12155 N. Oracle Rd. […]
Jan 23, 2026
News
Tucson lost two prominent Korean concepts this week as Taegukgi Korean BBQ and the Korean Rose, located at 6118 E. Speedway Blvd., shut down without warning. Owners announced the permanent […]
Jackie TranMar 27, 2026
EventSep 6, 2026Bashful Bandit Barbecue
On Sunday September 6th we will be barbecuing a whole hog! Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m.
Guide · 8 spots
Welcome to the our picks for the best barbecue spots in the heart of the Sonoran Desert! Tucson may not have a distinctive barbecue style like those in several southern, midwest, or Texas cities, but we've got plenty of talented transplants and home-grown chefs who give grilling a local spin -- not to mention abunda
Max WingertOct 3, 2023
News
Southern California chain Gen Korean BBQ opened its first Tucson restaurant at 6129 E. Broadway Blvd. on Wednesday. Guests grill meats and vegetables at their tables, choosing from a wide […]
Jackie TranJan 16, 2026
Guide · 7 spots
Jump into the Korean cuisine for nourishing, flavorful dishes, soups, and stews that will defeat any soju-induced hangover. Korean food can be intimidating to newcomers with its fiery-red colors and funky fermented aromas. But don’t be scared. Although many Korean dishes are red from peppers, they’re generally not a
Jackie TranJan 29, 2025
Guide
From restaurants making their first appearance in town to those opening second or even third locations throughout the city, the scene has seen its fair share of growth. Here's our guide to new local restaurants, bars, and coffee shops in Tucson that have opened in 2026. For 2025, click here . Learn how we crea
Feb 4, 2026
Guide · 8 spots
From savory kalua pork to refreshing poke bowls, these restaurants bring the flavors of the islands to the Southwest, offering a delicious escape to paradise right here in Tucson. That's right — here in the desert where saguaros roam and tumbleweeds challenge semi-trucks on the highway. We've also included national
Matt SternerMar 6, 2024
