If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

Jefe · Post by **Jefe** » Wed Jul 10, 2019 2:36 pm

dovecanyoncat wrote:By the way, If Sal Zagona is still alive, he's over 100.

He turns 99 on July 27th. His wife died 3 years ago

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/tucso ... =180538876" target="_blank

Jefe · Post by **Jefe** » Fri Jul 12, 2019 1:43 pm

Continually impressed with Salsa Verde on Pantano. Foot long bacon wrapped grilled percheron burrito. They are applying for their liquor license so margs coming soon!

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Fri Jul 12, 2019 2:38 pm

You and your 20-something cholesterol.

Jefe · Post by **Jefe** » Fri Jul 12, 2019 4:33 pm

I took half home!

ByJoveByJingle · Post by **ByJoveByJingle** » Fri Jul 12, 2019 7:07 pm

What . . . what’s a percheron burrito?

ASUHATER! · Post by **ASUHATER!** » Fri Jul 12, 2019 7:24 pm

ByJoveByJingle wrote:What . . . what’s a percheron burrito?

A lovely massive like 1 lb burrito with steak, cheese, tomatoes, avocado, caramelized onions and wrapped in a lardy Tucson flour tortilla and wrapped in bacon. It's all that Tucson is about.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Sat Jul 13, 2019 11:32 am

Went to Villa Peru last night. Just amazing food and experience. Wow. Casual and not expensive, either. Highest recommendation.

scumdevils86 · Post by **scumdevils86** » Sat Jul 13, 2019 11:39 am

Longhorned wrote:Went to Villa Peru last night. Just amazing food and experience. Wow. Casual and not expensive, either. Highest recommendation.

Just saw that online somewhere, good to know.

ByJoveByJingle · Post by **ByJoveByJingle** » Sat Jul 13, 2019 2:19 pm

Longhorned wrote:Went to Villa Peru last night. Just amazing food and experience. Wow. Casual and not expensive, either. Highest recommendation.

Saw that on the way into Seis. I’ll have to give it a try. I have no idea what Peruvian food is, but the pictures look amazing.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Sat Jul 13, 2019 6:17 pm

ByJoveByJingle wrote:
Longhorned wrote:Went to Villa Peru last night. Just amazing food and experience. Wow. Casual and not expensive, either. Highest recommendation.
Saw that on the way into Seis. I’ll have to give it a try. I have no idea what Peruvian food is, but the pictures look amazing.

Because of 20th century immigration, the Japanese influence is huge. So the food is elegant and plated beautifully, but instead of rice, they're masters of potatoes going back to before the beginning of time. The ceviche is really sashimi-like.

scumdevils86 · Post by **scumdevils86** » Tue Jul 16, 2019 10:04 pm

Has anyone been to Bottega Michaelango on Magee and Oracle?

ASUCatFan · Post by **ASUCatFan** » Wed Jul 17, 2019 9:08 pm

scumdevils86 wrote:Has anyone been to Bottega Michaelango on Magee and Oracle?

My cousin's wedding rehearsal dinner was there. I don't remember much about it since it was a long time ago, but I remember thinking it was good Italian-American food...

scumdevils86 · Post by **scumdevils86** » Wed Jul 17, 2019 9:43 pm

Their food and happy hour specials look pretty good

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Thu Jul 18, 2019 8:58 pm

scumdevils86 wrote:Has anyone been to Bottega Michaelango on Magee and Oracle?

Yes. I went before and after the remodel. The remodel definitely helped the ambiance. Food-wise, I've enjoyed it. I've had pizza and pasta both. I liked the arancini appetizer a lot too

dovecanyoncat · Post by **dovecanyoncat** » Thu Jul 18, 2019 9:25 pm

I never thought the food was meaningful, but it is the one place in Tucson I was forced to be arrogant and uncharitable with management. It was a long time ago and I ordered a Nebbiolo and they brought a magnum of it. Mmmm kay, let's make sure everyone understands the price as listed. They concurred and we imbibed. But half way thru a meh meal they flipped a switch and came over all pissy like and wanted to blame me for something untoward. Long story short they chapped my ass and I refused to let them off the hook. Never been back.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Sat Jul 20, 2019 4:39 pm

Just tried Screamery. Wow! That’s some really bad ice cream. How they stay in business across the street from Hub, let alone win Best of Tucson, is beyond me.

UAEebs86 · Post by **UAEebs86** » Sat Jul 20, 2019 4:47 pm

Longhorned wrote:Just tried Screamery. Wow! That’s some really bad ice cream. How they stay in business across the street from Hub, let alone win Best of Tucson, is beyond me.

Yeah, I've had it a couple times and thought it was mediocre at best.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Sat Jul 20, 2019 5:22 pm

UAEebs86 wrote:
Longhorned wrote:Just tried Screamery. Wow! That’s some really bad ice cream. How they stay in business across the street from Hub, let alone win Best of Tucson, is beyond me.
Yeah, I've had it a couple times and thought it was mediocre at best.

You know what it tastes like? Canned frosting. I was with my family so I got to try three flavors. They were different colors but all tasted the same. They quadruple the sugar to cover up the taste somewhat, making it cloying as well.

Jefe · Post by **Jefe** » Wed Aug 07, 2019 1:43 pm

Went to the new Serial Grillers taco spot called Toro Loco. We were smacked in the face with BBQ smoke right as we walked in, hope that's not normal and they still only have 7 tables in there. They will out grow this spot fast

The tacos were incredible. Street corn chicken taco with chipotle mayo and bacon!

scumdevils86 · Post by **scumdevils86** » Sun Aug 18, 2019 7:35 pm

This looks great, I can't wait!

https://www.sonoranrestaurantweek.com/" target="_blank

Alieberman · Post by **Alieberman** » Sun Aug 18, 2019 8:08 pm

I just had a completely mediocre dinner at guadalajara grill. I used to love that place.... very disappointed.

ASUHATER! · Post by **ASUHATER!** » Sun Aug 18, 2019 8:38 pm

Alieberman wrote:I just had a completely mediocre dinner at guadalajara grill. I used to love that place.... very disappointed.

Which one?

Alieberman · Post by **Alieberman** » Mon Aug 19, 2019 6:30 am

ASUHATER! wrote:
Alieberman wrote:I just had a completely mediocre dinner at guadalajara grill. I used to love that place.... very disappointed.
Which one?

Swan / Broadway

ASUHATER! · Post by **ASUHATER!** » Mon Aug 19, 2019 7:58 am

Alieberman wrote:
ASUHATER! wrote:
Alieberman wrote:I just had a completely mediocre dinner at guadalajara grill. I used to love that place.... very disappointed.
Which one?
Swan / Broadway

Well there's your problem. That's the fake one.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Mon Aug 19, 2019 10:25 am

ASUHATER! wrote:
Alieberman wrote:
ASUHATER! wrote:
Alieberman wrote:I just had a completely mediocre dinner at guadalajara grill. I used to love that place.... very disappointed.
Which one?
Swan / Broadway
Well there's your problem. That's the fake one.

That one's not affiliated, right? Just took the name?

ByJoveByJingle · Post by **ByJoveByJingle** » Mon Aug 19, 2019 10:33 am

I’ve eaten at the Prince and the Oracle locations. This probably belongs in the unpopular opinion thread, but here goes: every place that people have told me serves the best Mexican food in Tucson has just been meh. Not awful, not spectacular. They all just fit into that category of being more authentic than an Cheesecake Factory burrito, but nothing to write home about. The fresh made salsa at Guadalajara is the main reason I go. Happy to tip the molcajete lady a buck for the service.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Mon Aug 19, 2019 10:57 am

ByJoveByJingle wrote:I’ve eaten at the Prince and the Oracle locations. This probably belongs in the unpopular opinion thread, but here goes: every place that people have told me serves the best Mexican food in Tucson has just been meh. Not awful, not spectacular. They all just fit into that category of being more authentic than an Cheesecake Factory burrito, but nothing to write home about. The fresh made salsa at Guadalajara is the main reason I go. Happy to tip the molcajete lady a buck for the service.

Wait. Even Mi Nidito is just meh?

ByJoveByJingle · Post by **ByJoveByJingle** » Mon Aug 19, 2019 2:05 pm

Longhorned wrote:
Wait. Even Mi Nidito is just meh?

{pulls flame retardant suit from the closet and gears up}

Yeah. It’s fine. I guess like anything there are tiers of experience. You get one thing eating at the local quick eats Mexican joint, another at the sit-down “Best in Tucson!” places, another thing being served in a small village in Mexico after helping build houses there . . . and another at high end Mexico City restaurants. Having experienced all of them, I tend to be most disappointed by the Guadalajara/Mi Nidito tier. El Patio in Albuquerque has been my favorite from that level of eatery.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Mon Aug 19, 2019 2:22 pm

I guess I just don't believe enough in Mexican food as a category to compare Mexico City to Tucson. Sonoran food runs through my blood, like my enormous plate drowning in red sauce at Mi Nidito.

scumdevils86 · Post by **scumdevils86** » Mon Aug 19, 2019 2:29 pm

Longhorned wrote:I guess I just don't believe enough in Mexican food as a category to compare Mexico City to Tucson. Sonoran food runs through my blood, like my enormous plate drowning in red sauce at Mi Nidito.

Indeed, this is a body built by Sonoran Mexican cuisine

ByJoveByJingle · Post by **ByJoveByJingle** » Mon Aug 19, 2019 4:05 pm

Maybe you are all right. Maybe it’s just the depressing decor, sticky banquettes and plastic tablecloths that put me off my feed in these places.

Jefe · Post by **Jefe** » Mon Aug 19, 2019 4:10 pm

Longhorned wrote:That one's not affiliated, right? Just took the name?

Broadway one was opened due to the fire at Kolb. Prince is the best for sure. I frequent Kolb for Fajita Fridays. Shrimp and Carne Asada fajitas with rice and beans for $14. It can feed 2 people no problem.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Mon Aug 19, 2019 7:15 pm

Jefe wrote:
Longhorned wrote:That one's not affiliated, right? Just took the name?
Broadway one was opened due to the fire at Kolb. Prince is the best for sure. I frequent Kolb for Fajita Fridays. Shrimp and Carne Asada fajitas with rice and beans for $14. It can feed 2 people no problem.

So Broadway and Swan really is a legit Guadalajara Grill location? I had thought that they themselves didn't recognize its legitimacy, and renamed their two locations (Prince and Oracle restaurants) as Guadalajara Original Grill in order to call out the pretender. I don't remember where I got that idea, though. I might have dreamed it. Wouldn't put it past me.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Mon Aug 19, 2019 7:16 pm

ByJoveByJingle wrote:Maybe you are all right. Maybe it’s just the depressing decor, sticky banquettes and plastic tablecloths that put me off my feed in these places.

You need to develop an appreciation for depressing decor, sticky banquettes, and plastic tablecloths.

UAEebs86 · Post by **UAEebs86** » Mon Aug 19, 2019 7:22 pm

ASUHATER! · Post by **ASUHATER!** » Mon Aug 19, 2019 7:29 pm

Longhorned wrote:
ByJoveByJingle wrote:Maybe you are all right. Maybe it’s just the depressing decor, sticky banquettes and plastic tablecloths that put me off my feed in these places.
You need to develop an appreciation for depressing decor, sticky banquettes, and plastic tablecloths.

I enjoy these things. Remind me of late nights at the Fort Lowell and Campbell Nico's in 2005.

TucsonClip · Post by **TucsonClip** » Mon Aug 19, 2019 10:05 pm

UAEebs86 wrote:

Wow, now that's a flashback to my childhood!

Jefe · Post by **Jefe** » Tue Aug 20, 2019 4:52 pm

Longhorned wrote:So Broadway and Swan really is a legit Guadalajara Grill location? I had thought that they themselves didn't recognize its legitimacy, and renamed their two locations (Prince and Oracle restaurants) as Guadalajara Original Grill in order to call out the pretender. I don't remember where I got that idea, though. I might have dreamed it. Wouldn't put it past me.

Well now you have me intrigued. Did some research, not sure how much you want to know but here goes...

Seth Holzman owns Kolb(Fiesta Grill) and Broadway(Mexican Grill). He also owned a Gilbert location that looks to be closed now

Emma Vera owns Prince and Oracle locations, both claiming to be Originals.

It was either 2008 or 2009 when Kolb opened(former Tony Romas) and they divorced in 2011. He got Kolb and she kept Prince. The odd thing was both restaurants burned 60 days apart in 2014. Prince had relatively minor damage but Kolb was basically destroyed. They still had both restaurants insured with the same insurance company and I imagine they were facing fraud investigations. Kolb was untouched for months and Seth decided to open Broadway up and get his employees working again. Oddly enough a lot of his employees went to work at Calle Tepa which is owned by Emma Vera.

https://www.tucsonweekly.com/TheRange/a ... rning-fire" target="_blank

scumdevils86 · Post by **scumdevils86** » Tue Aug 20, 2019 6:58 pm

Thanks for the research, I remember thinking it was very sketchy they both burned at the same time.

Alieberman · Post by **Alieberman** » Tue Aug 20, 2019 7:09 pm

I really like Calle Tepa

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Tue Aug 20, 2019 7:50 pm

Wow! Thanks, Jefe!

Jefe · Post by **Jefe** » Wed Aug 21, 2019 4:44 pm

Toro Loco again on Monday. Both times we went in there was little or no seating and it was a 15 minute wait for food. The place is so tiny and the food is delicious. If you go I would order ahead of time. Make sure and get the streen corn chicken taco

Went to Smokin Butts on Friday and there were probably 100 people in there eating. They are booming!

UAEebs86 · Post by **UAEebs86** » Sat Aug 24, 2019 7:25 am

Kadeem Carey and his mom opening a takeout place in the Metro Wildcat convenience store on Park and 6th.

https://tucson.com/business/ex-wildcat- ... 29f.html#4

Someone please try it out and let us know if it's Tucson good.

ByJoveByJingle · Post by **ByJoveByJingle** » Sat Aug 24, 2019 9:16 am

scumdevils86 · Post by **scumdevils86** » Tue Sep 10, 2019 10:51 am

I might go to St Mary's today finally. Is the red chile a must? Not sure what to get...

ASUCatFan · Post by **ASUCatFan** » Tue Sep 10, 2019 6:22 pm

scumdevils86 wrote:I might go to St Mary's today finally. Is the red chile a must? Not sure what to get...

I like the red chili at Anita more, but St. Mary's is good. Definitely grab a pack of their tortillas, as they are the best in town. Their birria can be really good, but it's pretty hit and miss.

scumdevils86 · Post by **scumdevils86** » Tue Sep 10, 2019 6:48 pm

I ended up going to Seis Kitchen. Solid B+

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Tue Sep 10, 2019 8:29 pm

ASUCatFan wrote:
scumdevils86 wrote:I might go to St Mary's today finally. Is the red chile a must? Not sure what to get...
I like the red chili at Anita more, but St. Mary's is good. Definitely grab a pack of their tortillas, as they are the best in town. Their birria can be really good, but it's pretty hit and miss.

I find the red Chile at Anita to be etherial. Can't get enough of it.

St. Mary's is all about the refried beans. Just flat-out special.

I've never bought the tortillas at St. Mary's, but people in line talk them up, and drive from far to stock up. So it must be true. But I don't think they showcase them well because they haven't mastered the art of wrapping their burros. Anita St. does that perfect "ribbon" wrap, with the loop-fold up into the stuffing. I think Micha's copied them. But the burro at St. Mary's is just kind of amorphous. If you're going for a standard burro, wrap it tight, like at B-line.

BTW I was shocked how could the breakfast burros at Rincon Market are.

ASUHATER! · Post by **ASUHATER!** » Tue Sep 10, 2019 8:35 pm

I do like me a tight wrapped burrito

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Wed Sep 11, 2019 8:30 pm

Ever admired the house-made porchetta at Rincon Market ($12.99 a pound)? I finally bought some. Had them slice it as thick as thick-cut bacon, and then I crisped the slices in a pan with olive oil. Zero time and effort, but I've never enjoyed pork more. I've enjoyed it as much on some occasions, but never more.

By the way, their prepared vegetables are off the hook. The cauliflower is especially amazing, but they're all outstanding. I feel like I can get dinner on the table if I buy the vegetables already prepared. Most nights I just have Yuri help me pick the best fish, cook it in the pan, serve with the vegetables, and take my family swimming.

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