If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

ASUHATER! · Post by **ASUHATER!** » 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.

pc in NM · Post by **pc in NM** » Thu Apr 04, 2019 3:25 pm

Merkin wrote:
pc in NM wrote:
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.
This was prime time of year for afternoons/evenings on the patio at The Shanty when I lived in Tucson....
My favorite by far was the patio at the original Gentle Ben's. Just beautiful this time of year.

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.

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....

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Thu Apr 04, 2019 3:44 pm

April was always my favorite month in Tucson weather wise.

Jefe · Post by **Jefe** » Thu Apr 04, 2019 4:14 pm

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.

Boxyard* and did you get it wrapped in bacon? Its incredible. I haven't tried the BBQ spot yet

UAEebs86 · Post by **UAEebs86** » Thu Apr 04, 2019 4:50 pm

Merkin wrote:
pc in NM wrote:
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.
This was prime time of year for afternoons/evenings on the patio at The Shanty when I lived in Tucson....
My favorite by far was the patio at the original Gentle Ben's. Just beautiful this time of year.

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.

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.

ASUHATER! · Post by **ASUHATER!** » Thu Apr 04, 2019 5:00 pm

Tyndall Ave

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Thu Apr 04, 2019 5:43 pm

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....

That must have been pretty cool.

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.

EDIT: Mike and Merle https://www.facebook.com/pg/Street-Paja ... 458/about/" target="_blank

pc in NM · Post by **pc in NM** » Thu Apr 04, 2019 5:54 pm

Merkin wrote:
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....
That must have been pretty cool.

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.

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!!!

EastCoastCat · Post by **EastCoastCat** » Fri Apr 05, 2019 7:01 am

Merkin wrote:
pc in NM wrote:
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.
This was prime time of year for afternoons/evenings on the patio at The Shanty when I lived in Tucson....
My favorite by far was the patio at the original Gentle Ben's. Just beautiful this time of year.

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 hear ya Merk...that GB courtyard outside was a perfect place to grab a beer and hang out after/instead of class.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Fri Apr 05, 2019 9:47 am

Jefe wrote:
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.
Boxyard* and did you get it wrapped in bacon? Its incredible. I haven't tried the BBQ spot yet

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.

BearDown89 · Post by **BearDown89** » Fri Apr 05, 2019 12:07 pm

EastCoastCat wrote:
Merkin wrote:
pc in NM wrote:
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.
This was prime time of year for afternoons/evenings on the patio at The Shanty when I lived in Tucson....
My favorite by far was the patio at the original Gentle Ben's. Just beautiful this time of year.

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 hear ya Merk...that GB courtyard outside was a perfect place to grab a beer and hang out after/instead of class.

Merk,

Gentle Ben's was on Tyndall between 2nd and University. There's a Marriot hotel there now. I tended bar there for a couple of years during college and saw many a Street Pajama and Neon Prophet set. We probably crossed paths or maybe I served you a pitcher . . .

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Sat Apr 06, 2019 6:02 pm

Tried El Minuto Cafe. That’s a damn good Sonoran restaurant.

Jefe · Post by **Jefe** » Tue Apr 09, 2019 4:29 pm

Longhorned wrote:Tried El Minuto Cafe. That’s a damn good Sonoran restaurant.

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 now

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Tue Apr 09, 2019 4:36 pm

Jefe wrote:
Longhorned wrote:Tried El Minuto Cafe. That’s a damn good Sonoran restaurant.
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 now

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 · Post by **Jefe** » Tue Apr 09, 2019 4:42 pm

haha! The Cushing Street Bar & Restaurant just a block east is going thru a huge remodel. They have been closed for more than a year

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Sat Apr 13, 2019 10:16 pm

Maynard’s Kitchen. No place I’d rather be. Just the look and feel of the place. Everybody is older, but that’s because it’s just of a different era. Talking about sweetbreads- amazing.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Wed Apr 17, 2019 6:27 pm

ASUCatFan wrote:Original Cuisine at Ft. Lowell and Campbell... Best Chinese in town.

Sooooo good.

We’re the only bad signs in this place. *wink*

ASUCatFan · Post by **ASUCatFan** » Wed Apr 17, 2019 7:20 pm

Longhorned wrote:
ASUCatFan wrote:Original Cuisine at Ft. Lowell and Campbell... Best Chinese in town.
Sooooo good.

We’re the only bad signs in this place. *wink*

Place is amazing. I need to go back soon.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Wed Apr 17, 2019 9:42 pm

ASUCatFan wrote:
Longhorned wrote:
ASUCatFan wrote:Original Cuisine at Ft. Lowell and Campbell... Best Chinese in town.
Sooooo good.

We’re the only bad signs in this place. *wink*
Place is amazing. I need to go back soon.

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.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Sat Apr 20, 2019 9:06 pm

Tito and Pep

I love Tucson.

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Wed May 01, 2019 10:24 am

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.

World champion!

https://kvoa.com/news/local-news/2019/0 ... Cyyd94ZG_U" target="_blank

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Sat Jun 01, 2019 6:40 pm

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.

scumdevils86 · Post by **scumdevils86** » Sat Jun 01, 2019 7:44 pm

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.

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.

Jefe · Post by **Jefe** » Mon Jun 03, 2019 3:30 pm

Found my new favorite enchilada at Leos on Speedway. The best carne seca I've ever had

Finally went to Trattoria Pina and had the lasagna. Absolutely delicious.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Mon Jun 03, 2019 6:32 pm

Leo’s? I’m on it.

Post by **UAdevil** » Mon Jun 03, 2019 7:46 pm

Classy joint. Next to the titty club.

I do love me some enchiladas and carner seca. Will check it out.

ByJoveByJingle · Post by **ByJoveByJingle** » Tue Jun 04, 2019 2:50 pm

UAdevil wrote:Classy joint. Next to the titty club.
I do love me some enchiladas and carner seca. Will check it out.

Sold! Nothing like some carne seca to go with the hint of cheap perfume.

Alieberman · Post by **Alieberman** » Tue Jun 04, 2019 4:14 pm

I've never heard of Leo's and it's about a mile from my house.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Tue Jun 04, 2019 4:21 pm

Alieberman wrote:I've never heard of Leo's and it's about a mile from my house.

Yeah but it's the best 23 miles of Mexican food, so you get lost anyway.

Jefe · Post by **Jefe** » Tue Jun 04, 2019 4:50 pm

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.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Sun Jun 09, 2019 7:32 pm

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.

ASUHATER! · Post by **ASUHATER!** » Sun Jun 09, 2019 8:12 pm

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.

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..."

Jefe · Post by **Jefe** » Mon Jun 10, 2019 3:13 pm

Went to Charro Del Rey Fri night and I can't stop talking about it. Best shrimp I've had in Tucson.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Mon Jun 10, 2019 3:48 pm

Jefe wrote:Went to Charro Del Rey Fri night and I can't talking about it. Best shrimp I've had in Tucson.

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.

And I love their lobster, crab, and shrimp enchiladas, but they run out early.

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Mon Jun 10, 2019 3:50 pm

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

sf25 · Post by **sf25** » Mon Jun 10, 2019 3:52 pm

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

This place is great. Definitely worth a visit.

scumdevils86 · Post by **scumdevils86** » Mon Jun 10, 2019 3:54 pm

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.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Mon Jun 10, 2019 3:58 pm

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.

I'm already at that price with just the appetizer.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Mon Jun 10, 2019 4:00 pm

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 food looks beautiful in those photos. Wow.

scumdevils86 · Post by **scumdevils86** » Mon Jun 10, 2019 7:47 pm

Longhorned wrote:
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.
I'm already at that price with just the appetizer.

The red chile sauce on the seafood enchiladas...man...

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Mon Jun 10, 2019 7:54 pm

scumdevils86 wrote:
Longhorned wrote:
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.
I'm already at that price with just the appetizer.
The red chile sauce on the seafood enchiladas...man...

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.

dovecanyoncat · Post by **dovecanyoncat** » Mon Jun 10, 2019 9:57 pm

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.

ASUHATER! · Post by **ASUHATER!** » Mon Jun 10, 2019 10:07 pm

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.

Yeah pretty much any shrimp from Asia is slave shrimp. I think Charro del Rey is all Gulf of California shrimp.

scumdevils86 · Post by **scumdevils86** » Mon Jun 10, 2019 11:15 pm

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 · Post by **dovecanyoncat** » Mon Jun 10, 2019 11:52 pm

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.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Tue Jun 11, 2019 11:39 am

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.

Waitress: Is this your first time at Charro del Rey?

Dovecanyoncat: Yeah, a few guys on the BDW board recommended it, so I'm here on a hot August day!

Waitress: I know, right? What can I get you?

Dovecanyoncat: Well, the guys said they verified your shrimp are certified wild gulf shrimp from off the Sonoran coast, so I'll...

Waitress: They told you what?

Dovecanyoncat: They -

Waitress: No! Those assholes didn't ask us anything. They said, "Shrimp is shrimp, bitch", and stuffed their faces and asked for more like they've never been outside a Red Lobster, tipped me 10% and burped on the way out of the door.

Dovecanyoncat: You ever been inside a forest ranger station before?

Waitress: What?

Dovecanyoncat: Ever ridden bareback in just a pair of shorts?

dovecanyoncat · Post by **dovecanyoncat** » Tue Jun 11, 2019 12:05 pm

I surrender.

baycat93 · Post by **baycat93** » Tue Jun 11, 2019 12:07 pm

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.

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.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Tue Jun 11, 2019 12:24 pm

baycat93 wrote:
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.
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.

It's a bad fish anyway. Mushy texture, and often with an off taste.

dovecanyoncat · Post by **dovecanyoncat** » Tue Jun 11, 2019 12:29 pm

dovecanyoncat wrote:I surrender.

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.

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