Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson
Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2019 2:35 pm
Blech. It being so nice from late October until like 2 weeks ago was perfect. To me anymore anything over like 78 is just gross.
A co-op community for Arizona Fans
http://beardownwildcats.com/
The original Gentle Ben’s didn’t have a patio...Merkin wrote:My favorite by far was the patio at the original Gentle Ben's. Just beautiful this time of year.pc in NM wrote:This was prime time of year for afternoons/evenings on the patio at The Shanty when I lived in Tucson....Longhorned wrote:Boxcar on 4th Ave. is serving food now. I had a carne asada burro, which was mediocre (= amazing by non-Tucson standards), and the concept isn't creative, but it's hard to argue with sitting outside and drinking a beer.
Can't even remember where it was at. Main gate is completely different and much more upscale.
Used to stay at watch Street Pajama perform inside.
Boxyard* and did you get it wrapped in bacon? Its incredible. I haven't tried the BBQ spot yetLonghorned wrote:Boxcar on 4th Ave. is serving food now. I had a carne asada burro, which was mediocre (= amazing by non-Tucson standards), and the concept isn't creative, but it's hard to argue with sitting outside and drinking a beer.
Gentle Ben's was on the street that was one block west of Park (don't remember the name, Google Maps now calls it "Unnamed Road", where the hotel is now) just a block or so north of University. Right across the street from Mama's Pizza that was between Park and that other street.Merkin wrote:My favorite by far was the patio at the original Gentle Ben's. Just beautiful this time of year.pc in NM wrote:This was prime time of year for afternoons/evenings on the patio at The Shanty when I lived in Tucson....Longhorned wrote:Boxcar on 4th Ave. is serving food now. I had a carne asada burro, which was mediocre (= amazing by non-Tucson standards), and the concept isn't creative, but it's hard to argue with sitting outside and drinking a beer.
Can't even remember where it was at. Main gate is completely different and much more upscale.
Used to stay at watch Street Pajama perform inside.
That must have been pretty cool.pc in NM wrote: The original Gentle Ben’s didn’t have a patio...
... it had an upstairs game room, and a basement bar. I helped remodel the old house into the bar, and was the original afternoon bartender in the basement bar - Fall/winter 1971.
Street Pajama was one of my favorite bands... Mike and Merle were casual friends....
UAEebs86 wrote: Gentle Ben's was on the street that was one block west of Park (don't remember the name, Google Maps now calls it "Unnamed Road", where the hotel is now) just a block or so north of University. Right across the street from Mama's Pizza that was between Park and that other street.
Friends from my hometown were looking to launder some $$$, and we're planning to put a clothing botique in that property. They were approached by a local ("Gentle Ben" - a fat guy with a beard) who had a liquour licence (and a legal opinion that the de facto 6-block limit from the U of A was unenforceable - The Green Dolfin was closest bar to campus). They combined forces, and the bar was born. That guy screwed them, and they all were out of the business within two years. But, those two years were a hell of a ride!!!Merkin wrote:That must have been pretty cool.pc in NM wrote: The original Gentle Ben’s didn’t have a patio...
... it had an upstairs game room, and a basement bar. I helped remodel the old house into the bar, and was the original afternoon bartender in the basement bar - Fall/winter 1971.
Street Pajama was one of my favorite bands... Mike and Merle were casual friends....
Used to smoke weed out in the parking lot with the Street Pajama bass player then sound guy. Always hoped Merle would come out but never did. Think she still performs in Tucson but don't recall the details.
UAEebs86 wrote: Gentle Ben's was on the street that was one block west of Park (don't remember the name, Google Maps now calls it "Unnamed Road", where the hotel is now) just a block or so north of University. Right across the street from Mama's Pizza that was between Park and that other street.
I imagine we saw each other there. Nice short walk from the UA on a Friday afternoon when the entire campus was skipping class.
I hear ya Merk...that GB courtyard outside was a perfect place to grab a beer and hang out after/instead of class.Merkin wrote:My favorite by far was the patio at the original Gentle Ben's. Just beautiful this time of year.pc in NM wrote:This was prime time of year for afternoons/evenings on the patio at The Shanty when I lived in Tucson....Longhorned wrote:Boxcar on 4th Ave. is serving food now. I had a carne asada burro, which was mediocre (= amazing by non-Tucson standards), and the concept isn't creative, but it's hard to argue with sitting outside and drinking a beer.
Can't even remember where it was at. Main gate is completely different and much more upscale.
Used to stay at watch Street Pajama perform inside.
I didn't get the bacon-wrapped. I should have, especially because I was with my vegetarian sister-in-law, who's always sure to remind me of her principles, which I find unfair to the bugs who have to die for her vegetable-heavy diet. And not to mention all the pigs and cows who die for all the meat she eats in secret so she can flout her higher values while in public.Jefe wrote:Boxyard* and did you get it wrapped in bacon? Its incredible. I haven't tried the BBQ spot yetLonghorned wrote:Boxcar on 4th Ave. is serving food now. I had a carne asada burro, which was mediocre (= amazing by non-Tucson standards), and the concept isn't creative, but it's hard to argue with sitting outside and drinking a beer.
Merk,EastCoastCat wrote:I hear ya Merk...that GB courtyard outside was a perfect place to grab a beer and hang out after/instead of class.Merkin wrote:My favorite by far was the patio at the original Gentle Ben's. Just beautiful this time of year.pc in NM wrote:This was prime time of year for afternoons/evenings on the patio at The Shanty when I lived in Tucson....Longhorned wrote:Boxcar on 4th Ave. is serving food now. I had a carne asada burro, which was mediocre (= amazing by non-Tucson standards), and the concept isn't creative, but it's hard to argue with sitting outside and drinking a beer.
Can't even remember where it was at. Main gate is completely different and much more upscale.
Used to stay at watch Street Pajama perform inside.
Ya its very good. They lost their liquor license last time I was there about 2 years ago so no margaritas was a huge let down. Im sure they have it back nowLonghorned wrote:Tried El Minuto Cafe. That’s a damn good Sonoran restaurant.
That's horrible. But yeah, they're fine now. It's family run for almost 90 years. The older woman at the front where you in walk started to complain to me about getting forced out of her house, which was just down the street from the restaurant. Her emotions were pretty raw, so I said I'm sorry. As the conversation went on, I realized the event she was complaining about took place in 1966.Jefe wrote:Ya its very good. They lost their liquor license last time I was there about 2 years ago so no margaritas was a huge let down. Im sure they have it back nowLonghorned wrote:Tried El Minuto Cafe. That’s a damn good Sonoran restaurant.
Sooooo good.ASUCatFan wrote:Original Cuisine at Ft. Lowell and Campbell... Best Chinese in town.
Place is amazing. I need to go back soon.Longhorned wrote:Sooooo good.ASUCatFan wrote:Original Cuisine at Ft. Lowell and Campbell... Best Chinese in town.
We’re the only bad signs in this place. *wink*
My only criticism is that the tables at the booths are too small, so that the seats are locked in a position too far from the table. My only solution to this problem is to get really fat eating there more often, so as to fill the space between the seat and the table.ASUCatFan wrote:Place is amazing. I need to go back soon.Longhorned wrote:Sooooo good.ASUCatFan wrote:Original Cuisine at Ft. Lowell and Campbell... Best Chinese in town.
We’re the only bad signs in this place. *wink*
Spaceman Spiff wrote:Tried Fiamme Pizza for the first time last night. I liked it a lot. Up there with Scordato's from that one time, and Scordato's is my favorite in town.
I need to fucking load up on Mexican food before I go to the Midwest. Idk how I've lived in Tucson for 15 years and never been to St. Mary's.Longhorned wrote:The beans at St. Mary's are insane. All their food is awesome but I have trouble getting to it because all I want to eat is their insane beans. Their bean and cheese burro is perfect.
Sold! Nothing like some carne seca to go with the hint of cheap perfume.UAdevil wrote:Classy joint. Next to the titty club.
I do love me some enchiladas and carner seca. Will check it out.
Yeah but it's the best 23 miles of Mexican food, so you get lost anyway.Alieberman wrote:I've never heard of Leo's and it's about a mile from my house.
I hadn't either until last year and its been open for nearly 30 years. The owner always comes out to talk. Said the Casa Molina at Wilmot just celebrated their 72nd year.Alieberman wrote:I've never heard of Leo's and it's about a mile from my house.
Yeah veggie burgers can be really good, but every time when you're nearing the last few bites you think "I kinda wish this was a real burger with some real cheese and bacon on it..."Longhorned wrote:Best burger I've had in Tucson is the Welcome Burger at Welcome Diner. It's the closest I've found to a Fatburger.
Had a decent vegetarian burger at Beaut Burger. Not an Impossible Burger, just the old fashioned vegetarian burger but perfected, and with all the trimmings on a great homemade bun. Normally I hate those kinds of patties but this one is good. Still, as with all veggie burgers, it starts to wear on me before the burger is done with.
I'm ashamed how much I like it. The seafood tower is amazeballs, especially on a warm evening when there's nothing more refreshing than cold lobster, crab, shrimp, and oysters.Jefe wrote:Went to Charro Del Rey Fri night and I can't talking about it. Best shrimp I've had in Tucson.
This place is great. Definitely worth a visit.azgreg wrote:If you get to Phoenix there is a little place on 16th st just north of Broadway called Cocina Madrigal. By far the best Mexican food I've ever had.
http://www.cocinamadrigal.com/" target="_blank
I'm already at that price with just the appetizer.scumdevils86 wrote:Wife and I went to Charro del Rey for our anniversary 2 weeks ago. Granted it was happy hour but...
Prime rib dinner
2 drinks each
Shrimp cocktail
4 oysters
Seafood enchiladas
=$105 including tax and tip
And it was completely delicious.
The food looks beautiful in those photos. Wow.azgreg wrote:If you get to Phoenix there is a little place on 16th st just north of Broadway called Cocina Madrigal. By far the best Mexican food I've ever had.
http://www.cocinamadrigal.com/" target="_blank
The red chile sauce on the seafood enchiladas...man...Longhorned wrote:I'm already at that price with just the appetizer.scumdevils86 wrote:Wife and I went to Charro del Rey for our anniversary 2 weeks ago. Granted it was happy hour but...
Prime rib dinner
2 drinks each
Shrimp cocktail
4 oysters
Seafood enchiladas
=$105 including tax and tip
And it was completely delicious.
The Valle Luna restaurant on N Cave Creek is a mediocre Mexican restaurant at best But they used to have an excellent sea food enchilada. It's the only thing I would order there.scumdevils86 wrote:The red chile sauce on the seafood enchiladas...man...Longhorned wrote:I'm already at that price with just the appetizer.scumdevils86 wrote:Wife and I went to Charro del Rey for our anniversary 2 weeks ago. Granted it was happy hour but...
Prime rib dinner
2 drinks each
Shrimp cocktail
4 oysters
Seafood enchiladas
=$105 including tax and tip
And it was completely delicious.
Yeah pretty much any shrimp from Asia is slave shrimp. I think Charro del Rey is all Gulf of California shrimp.dovecanyoncat wrote:Y'all are makin' me hungry. But in every restaurant you really should confirm that the shrimp are wild and not from China, Vietnam or Asia in general. The lack of concern for human rights back there is reflected in the conditions and standards they use to farm seafood. Same for Tilapia.
Absolutely, I've stopped buying shrimp from Thailand or Indonesia altogether. Prefer gulf shrimp.dovecanyoncat wrote:Y'all are makin' me hungry. But in every restaurant you really should confirm that the shrimp are wild and not from China, Vietnam or Asia in general. The lack of concern for human rights back there is reflected in the conditions and standards they use to farm seafood. Same for Tilapia.
Waitress: Is this your first time at Charro del Rey?dovecanyoncat wrote:Gulf shrimp rock. It's funny though even in San Antonio gulf shrimp aren't ubiquitous. Those gelatinous Asian gobs, raised in their own shit, are so much cheaper, they're everywhere. I eat the gulf shrimp nearly raw. A 1 hour ceviche is plenty for me. Headed back in August. Mmmm. Thanks for the thought guys.
I will never eat tilapia again. Saw them being delivered to a supermarket one day and asked about how they were raised and delivered. NOT GOOD.dovecanyoncat wrote:Y'all are makin' me hungry. But in every restaurant you really should confirm that the shrimp are wild and not from China, Vietnam or Asia in general. The lack of concern for human rights back there is reflected in the conditions and standards they use to farm seafood. Same for Tilapia.
It's a bad fish anyway. Mushy texture, and often with an off taste.baycat93 wrote:I will never eat tilapia again. Saw them being delivered to a supermarket one day and asked about how they were raised and delivered. NOT GOOD.dovecanyoncat wrote:Y'all are makin' me hungry. But in every restaurant you really should confirm that the shrimp are wild and not from China, Vietnam or Asia in general. The lack of concern for human rights back there is reflected in the conditions and standards they use to farm seafood. Same for Tilapia.
On second thought, most waitresses know that farmed Tilapia is used as chainsaw bar oil in some Canadian provinces, but only in French and using the metric system. Industrial farmed shrimp distillates, used by millwrights to degrease compressors and to waterproof boot leather, is another kettle of fish known only to Michelin starred establishments.dovecanyoncat wrote:I surrender.