If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

skol21 · Post by **skol21** » Wed Nov 13, 2019 9:53 am

I'm heading back to Tucson for the first time in 10 years pretty much, before going to Scottsdale for a wedding. My fiance is coming along as well, and she hasn't really done much in Tucson other than the few times she's been there on work projects. We get in tomorrow morning, going to the game tomorrow night, and then leave sometime late morning on Friday. I was looking at some of the spots I would go to back in the day, along with some places noted in this thread; but any recommendations on bars or restaurants we have to check out while we're there? We live in Dallas if that's helpful context at all. I appreciate any thoughts!

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Wed Nov 13, 2019 11:19 am

skol21 wrote:I'm heading back to Tucson for the first time in 10 years pretty much, before going to Scottsdale for a wedding. My fiance is coming along as well, and she hasn't really done much in Tucson other than the few times she's been there on work projects. We get in tomorrow morning, going to the game tomorrow night, and then leave sometime late morning on Friday. I was looking at some of the spots I would go to back in the day, along with some places noted in this thread; but any recommendations on bars or restaurants we have to check out while we're there? We live in Dallas if that's helpful context at all. I appreciate any thoughts!

If you like wine bars, Revel is awesome.

For brunch, a brand new place just over the past 10 days or so is Sonoran Brunch Company, which opened in the original Paco and Mom's. Really great food, but still working out some kinks. And since you've been away for awhile, a great place for food and setting is to have brunch outside at Five Points.

wyo-cat · Post by **wyo-cat** » Wed Nov 13, 2019 11:32 am

Longhorned wrote:I tried that new Istanbul restaurant on Speedway and Country Club, along the block I usually refer to as Disappointment Row. The food was okay and the prices were good. Sort of Greek-Americanified Turkish food. But visually, it's as depressingly garish on the inside as it is on the outside.

On a separate note, the food at the cafe inside the Jewish Community Center is fantastic.

Do they have Doner on a vertical spit?

skol21 · Post by **skol21** » Wed Nov 13, 2019 8:36 pm

Longhorned wrote:
skol21 wrote:I'm heading back to Tucson for the first time in 10 years pretty much, before going to Scottsdale for a wedding. My fiance is coming along as well, and she hasn't really done much in Tucson other than the few times she's been there on work projects. We get in tomorrow morning, going to the game tomorrow night, and then leave sometime late morning on Friday. I was looking at some of the spots I would go to back in the day, along with some places noted in this thread; but any recommendations on bars or restaurants we have to check out while we're there? We live in Dallas if that's helpful context at all. I appreciate any thoughts!
If you like wine bars, Revel is awesome.

For brunch, a brand new place just over the past 10 days or so is Sonoran Brunch Company, which opened in the original Paco and Mom's. Really great food, but still working out some kinks. And since you've been away for awhile, a great place for food and setting is to have brunch outside at Five Points.

Awesome, thanks! I appreciate it!

scumdevils86 · Post by **scumdevils86** » Wed Nov 13, 2019 8:51 pm

If you want a casual beer and food truck experience my favorite is always Tucson Hop Shop. Nice patios to enjoy the weather and always a good tap selection with events and live music.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Wed Nov 13, 2019 8:55 pm

wyo-cat wrote:
Longhorned wrote:I tried that new Istanbul restaurant on Speedway and Country Club, along the block I usually refer to as Disappointment Row. The food was okay and the prices were good. Sort of Greek-Americanified Turkish food. But visually, it's as depressingly garish on the inside as it is on the outside.

On a separate note, the food at the cafe inside the Jewish Community Center is fantastic.
Do they have Doner on a vertical spit?

EDIT: Sorry, I thought you were asking about the JCC. Yes, the Istanbul has doner on a vertical spit.

----

JCC:

No, the shawarma is a special they have rarely, and it's the only thing on their menu that's disappointing. Otherwise, it's these Mexican ladies who have full reign to make really good kosher Mexican food. And those same ladies make great Israeli food. The pita bread is the best I've had outside the Middle East. And they make a legit Jewish mac and cheese. The food is so good, it makes it so you can fit in a meal along with working out.

scumdevils86 · Post by **scumdevils86** » Sat Nov 16, 2019 12:35 pm

Challenge accepted

https://tucsonfoodie.com/2019/11/15/ult ... st-tucson/" target="_blank

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Sat Nov 16, 2019 12:56 pm

I’ll take a Tucson burro over a San Francisco, San Diego, or El Paso burrito any day. It isn’t about the “style” of filling it. That’s the easy part. It’s really about what you wrap it in.

ASUHATER! · Post by **ASUHATER!** » Sat Nov 16, 2019 12:58 pm

Did already talk about August Rhodes? If I did I will again. If you live in Tucson and enjoy sandwiches and fresh bread.. it will be the only place you ever spend money at again. Every sandwich and soup I've had there has been a top 10 sandwich of my lifetime.

scumdevils86 · Post by **scumdevils86** » Sat Nov 16, 2019 1:35 pm

Longhorned wrote:I’ll take a Tucson burro over a San Francisco, San Diego, or El Paso burrito any day. It isn’t about the “style” of filling it. That’s the easy part. It’s really about what you wrap it in.

Yup

wyo-cat · Post by **wyo-cat** » Sat Nov 16, 2019 6:17 pm

scumdevils86 wrote:
Longhorned wrote:I’ll take a Tucson burro over a San Francisco, San Diego, or El Paso burrito any day. It isn’t about the “style” of filling it. That’s the easy part. It’s really about what you wrap it in.
Yup

That’s the one thing, other than sunshine, that you miss when you move away - real tortillas.

Alieberman · Post by **Alieberman** » Sat Nov 16, 2019 6:34 pm

I will pretty much eat anything burrito style.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Sat Nov 16, 2019 6:48 pm

Alieberman wrote:I will pretty much eat anything burrito style.

I swear, spaghetti with meatballs is improved by ditching the fork and wrapping it in an Alejandro's. Pick it up with both hands and bite into it.

wyo-cat · Post by **wyo-cat** » Sat Nov 16, 2019 7:11 pm

Wrap a Sausage Shop Portuguese Linguica sausage in a Alejandro's or Estrella tortilla and enjoy. No big bun to get in the way of the flavor - you're welcome.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Sat Nov 16, 2019 7:27 pm

wyo-cat wrote:Wrap a Sausage Shop Portuguese Linguica sausage in a Alejandro's or Estrella tortilla and enjoy. No big bun to get in the way of the flavor - you're welcome.

Any recommended condiment? Or nothing added to get in the way?

wyo-cat · Post by **wyo-cat** » Sat Nov 16, 2019 7:44 pm

Longhorned wrote:
wyo-cat wrote:Wrap a Sausage Shop Portuguese Linguica sausage in a Alejandro's or Estrella tortilla and enjoy. No big bun to get in the way of the flavor - you're welcome.
Any recommended condiment? Or nothing added to get in the way?

Straight up, enjoy the sausage flavor.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Sat Nov 16, 2019 8:25 pm

This is awesome, Wyo. Thanks for the rec, and the reminder about Sausage Shop, which is far away from me. It would take me six or seven minutes to get there from work before heading home to eat sausage.

ByJoveByJingle · Post by **ByJoveByJingle** » Sat Nov 16, 2019 8:55 pm

I drive by there every other day on the way to school. Now I know I can stop by and get some good sausage. And as my gay friends have rhetorically asked me . . . can you ever really have too much sausage?

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Sat Nov 16, 2019 9:00 pm

ByJoveByJingle wrote:I drive by there every other day on the way to school. Now I know I can stop by and get some good sausage. And as my gay friends have rhetorically asked me . . . can you ever really have too much sausage?

I'd tell your gay friends about vegan sausage. And that therefore, yes, you can have too much sausage. Unless you stick to actual colon lining encased innards and organ meats. In which case no, you can never have too much sausage.

Jefe · Post by **Jefe** » Wed Nov 20, 2019 2:39 pm

Went to Istanbul and liked it. Donor lunch plate($11) and sarma($6), plenty of food for two. They have not changed any of the decor out from Mays Counter besides the UA stuff.

BearDown89 · Post by **BearDown89** » Wed Nov 20, 2019 3:57 pm

scumdevils86 wrote:Challenge accepted

https://tucsonfoodie.com/2019/11/15/ult ... st-tucson/" target="_blank

Just looking at the tortilla in the second picture of the burrito at Aqui Con El Nene you can see the difference - I can almost feel, smell and taste it all the way up here in Boise, Idaho. You just don't get that kind of a tortilla anywhere else. And those who haven't lived it just don't understand. That looks amazing.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Sun Nov 24, 2019 10:12 am

Chef Wang, man. Last night I included an order under "American favorites": General Tso's chicken. When somebody makes it right, I love General Tso's chicken. They make it right. And amazingly, I hadn't had one made right in about 3 years.

If anyone is interested, I'd be happy to compile a list of all the Chinese restaurants in Tucson who don't make General Tso's chicken right. Maybe it should be its own thread.

scumdevils86 · Post by **scumdevils86** » Sun Nov 24, 2019 1:20 pm

Longhorned wrote:Chef Wang, man. Last night I included an order under "American favorites": General Tso's chicken. When somebody makes it right, I love General Tso's chicken. They make it right. And amazingly, I hadn't had one made right in about 3 years.

If anyone is interested, I'd be happy to compile a list of all the Chinese restaurants in Tucson who don't make General Tso's chicken right. Maybe it should be its own thread.

Lol I would actually appreciate it.

Jefe · Post by **Jefe** » Tue Nov 26, 2019 4:04 pm

Had a gyro and chicken shawarma at Caravan Grill. The gyro was in a thin tortilla and wrapped up like a burrito. Both were delicious and I will definitely be back as this could be my favorite gyro in Tucson. Used to be Gyros Cafe on Naranja but they closed years ago.

wyo-cat · Post by **wyo-cat** » Tue Nov 26, 2019 7:56 pm

BearDown89 wrote:
scumdevils86 wrote:Challenge accepted

https://tucsonfoodie.com/2019/11/15/ult ... st-tucson/" target="_blank
Just looking at the tortilla in the second picture of the burrito at Aqui Con El Nene you can see the difference - I can almost feel, smell and taste it all the way up here in Boise, Idaho. You just don't get that kind of a tortilla anywhere else. And those who haven't lived it just don't understand. That looks amazing.

It's funny that the first two are two of my favs in town. Chile Colorado at Anita Street and Carne Asada at El Nene.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Wed Nov 27, 2019 3:10 am

Something seriously special is going on with Nico and his taco specials on Tuesdays at Welcome Diner. If there were such a thing as Taco Magazine he’d be on the cover. Absolute mastery of hand-shaped fresh masa with symphonic assembly of perfect parts, kind of stunningly presented. Last night he made some short rib tacos that would kill you.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Tue Dec 31, 2019 12:39 pm

nm was drunk, insensitive, senseless, and insulting.

dovecanyoncat · Post by **dovecanyoncat** » Tue Dec 31, 2019 5:42 pm

Bad acid trip kind of ugly colors.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Sun Jan 05, 2020 7:43 pm

You’re all a bunch of jerks for never telling me about Cocina La Ley in Nogales.

scumdevils86 · Post by **scumdevils86** » Sun Jan 05, 2020 7:55 pm

Stopped by Taqueria y Raspados Jason on 22nd tonight after looking at houses out east. Cabeza and pastor were on point, and the beans. God damn I would've missed being able to sit at a folding table in short sleeves at sunset in January eating Mexican food while looking at the mountains in the distance if I moved to Wisconsin...

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Sun Jan 05, 2020 8:03 pm

scumdevils86 wrote:Stopped by Taqueria y Raspados Jason on 22nd tonight after looking at houses out east. Cabeza and pastor were on point, and the beans. God damn I would've missed being able to sit at a folding table in short sleeves at sunset in January eating Mexican food while looking at the mountains in the distance if I moved to Wisconsin...

I guess I missed that. You’re staying?

scumdevils86 · Post by **scumdevils86** » Sun Jan 05, 2020 8:07 pm

Longhorned wrote:
scumdevils86 wrote:Stopped by Taqueria y Raspados Jason on 22nd tonight after looking at houses out east. Cabeza and pastor were on point, and the beans. God damn I would've missed being able to sit at a folding table in short sleeves at sunset in January eating Mexican food while looking at the mountains in the distance if I moved to Wisconsin...
I guess I missed that. You’re staying?

Yup for the foreseeable future. Starting to look at houses to buy hopefully in the next 6 to 9 months. Hopefully I don't have the same luck I did buying a house in 2005...

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Sun Jan 05, 2020 8:08 pm

One of my family's traditions when we get together between Christmas and New Years is Jethro's for breakfast. I have never seen anyone finish one of their breakfasts. Delicious too, can't even get chicken fried chicken where I live. Just try and finish the #1, I dare ya!

My daughter in NC wanted me to get some green corn tamales from Tucson, since they can't be found anywhere else in the US. My sister's business is in southern Tucson, and she has been my source, but every place she finds ends up going out of business. However, this year she found this wholesale place that sells to restaurants, but also sells to customers who walk in.

And they are fantastic! My sister's hubby bought a case for us ($60) of some fantastic green corn tamales, which is 3 dozen. Sent a dozen to my daughter, and my son who was home from college took a dozen too, leaving the wife and I a dozen. Had one tonight although sadly I microwaved it, instead of steaming, but it was still delicious.

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

Address: 847 E 18th St, Tucson, AZ 85719

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Sun Jan 05, 2020 8:09 pm

scumdevils86 wrote:
Longhorned wrote:
scumdevils86 wrote:Stopped by Taqueria y Raspados Jason on 22nd tonight after looking at houses out east. Cabeza and pastor were on point, and the beans. God damn I would've missed being able to sit at a folding table in short sleeves at sunset in January eating Mexican food while looking at the mountains in the distance if I moved to Wisconsin...
I guess I missed that. You’re staying?
Yup for the foreseeable future. Starting to look at houses to buy hopefully in the next 6 to 9 months. Hopefully I don't have the same luck I did buying a house in 2005...

At the peak of the market before the crash? Hate to tell you this, but....

Family aside, there is no way anyone could ever get me to live in the midwest again. And I have lots of relatives in Indytucky, along with Columbus OH.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Sun Jan 05, 2020 8:32 pm

Thanks, Merk!

ASUCatFan · Post by **ASUCatFan** » Sun Jan 05, 2020 8:57 pm

I like Jethro's except for the Confederate decor. Food is always good, service is always friendly but... It makes me wonder what my experience would be if I had a bit more melanin.

pc in NM · Post by **pc in NM** » Mon Jan 06, 2020 7:06 am

ASUCatFan wrote:I like Jethro's except for the Confederate decor. Food is always good, service is always friendly but... It makes me wonder what my experience would be if I had a bit more melanin.

So go there with a couple of your friends with "bit more melanin"

, and find out; or ask them their thoughts about your patronage...

... and if you don't have any such friends, then, well, STFU!!! (And quit going to an establishment with (apparently) racist decor...)

Jefe · Post by **Jefe** » Mon Jan 06, 2020 2:24 pm

Merkin wrote:My daughter in NC wanted me to get some green corn tamales from Tucson, since they can't be found anywhere else in the US. My sister's business is in southern Tucson, and she has been my source, but every place she finds ends up going out of business. However, this year she found this wholesale place that sells to restaurants, but also sells to customers who walk in.

And they are fantastic! My sister's hubby bought a case for us ($60) of some fantastic green corn tamales, which is 3 dozen. Sent a dozen to my daughter, and my son who was home from college took a dozen too, leaving the wife and I a dozen. Had one tonight although sadly I microwaved it, instead of steaming, but it was still delicious.

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

Address: 847 E 18th St, Tucson, AZ 85719

El Molinito at Wrightstown has green corn/red chile beef and Salsa Verde has 3 kinds of tamales. Both are excellent but Salsa Verdes seem fresher. SV is quickly becoming my favorite Mexican restaurant in Tucson and its getting busier and busier as people try it out.

We have a guy that comes to our shopping center on the east side with bags of mini flour tortillas, quesadillas and tamales and they are excellent. He stops by a few times a month and has been for the last 20 years. He charges $15 for 1 dozen tamales.

By the way do not buy the Costco green corn tamales. They are horrible. Not even Tex mex bad, like east coast 'Mexican" bad

I just put Carlotta's on my list. Never knew it was there and Im always at Barrio

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Mon Jan 06, 2020 3:29 pm

Jefe wrote:
Merkin wrote:My daughter in NC wanted me to get some green corn tamales from Tucson, since they can't be found anywhere else in the US. My sister's business is in southern Tucson, and she has been my source, but every place she finds ends up going out of business. However, this year she found this wholesale place that sells to restaurants, but also sells to customers who walk in.

And they are fantastic! My sister's hubby bought a case for us ($60) of some fantastic green corn tamales, which is 3 dozen. Sent a dozen to my daughter, and my son who was home from college took a dozen too, leaving the wife and I a dozen. Had one tonight although sadly I microwaved it, instead of steaming, but it was still delicious.

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

Address: 847 E 18th St, Tucson, AZ 85719
El Molinito at Wrightstown has green corn/red chile beef and Salsa Verde has 3 kinds of tamales. Both are excellent but Salsa Verdes seem fresher. SV is quickly becoming my favorite Mexican restaurant in Tucson and its getting busier and busier as people try it out.

We have a guy that comes to our shopping center on the east side with bags of mini flour tortillas, quesadillas and tamales and they are excellent. He stops by a few times a month and has been for the last 20 years. He charges $15 for 1 dozen tamales.

By the way do not buy the Costco green corn tamales. They are horrible. Not even Tex mex bad, like east coast 'Mexican" bad

I just put Carlotta's on my list. Never knew it was there and Im always at Barrio

But a chain from Illinois?

I want to be big, but I just can't.

wyo-cat · Post by **wyo-cat** » Mon Jan 06, 2020 6:17 pm

I just buy them off the ladies in the Ghetto Fry's parking lot, First and Roger.

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Wed Jan 08, 2020 8:26 am

Longhorned wrote:
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?

Employees are not! Note this is from 2018.

Watch Mi Nidito staff, customers jump to action during robbery attempt

wyo-cat · Post by **wyo-cat** » Wed Jan 08, 2020 8:29 am

That's a lot of big dudes in a small place.

wyo-cat · Post by **wyo-cat** » Wed Feb 05, 2020 2:16 pm

Went to El Berraco last night.

Amazing seafood dishes. The octopus was out of sight.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Sun Feb 09, 2020 9:38 am

Very interesting about Tucson restaurants:

https://tucson.com/thisistucson/eat/the ... paign=link" target="_blank

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Sun Feb 09, 2020 9:50 am

Longhorned wrote:Very interesting about Tucson restaurants:

https://tucson.com/thisistucson/eat/the ... paign=link" target="_blank

How can you possibly eat those carne asada tacos without spilling half the meat? Or is that a tostada?

It's my families tradition to get Sonoran dogs during our yearly reunion. We used to go South Tucson, but since El Guero Canelo
opened up on 22nd, we go there now for convenience since my family lives mostly east side.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Sun Mar 22, 2020 7:17 pm

Take-out as a way of supporting Tucson restaurants. Great list!

https://thisistucson.com/eat/latest-a-g ... 62c26.html" target="_blank

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Sun Apr 19, 2020 10:22 am

The Lost Taco Shop:

Sonoran Brunch Company, which took over the old "diner" of Poco and Mom's and its weird drive-thru window over on Kolb and 22nd, is open for call-in orders with drive-thru pickups for brunch every day until 2, now becomes the "Lost Taco Shop" starting at 4 pm every night.

catgrad97 · Post by **catgrad97** » Sun Apr 19, 2020 2:11 pm

Does anybody else still miss the old Two Pesos at the corner of Euclid and University? I used to have all my study cram sessions over there. Unlimited Mtn. Dew until they would kick you out at 2 a.m. was always the way to go.

ASUHATER! · Post by **ASUHATER!** » Sun Apr 19, 2020 2:53 pm

catgrad97 wrote:Does anybody else still miss the old Two Pesos at the corner of Euclid and University? I used to have all my study cram sessions over there. Unlimited Mtn. Dew until they would kick you out at 2 a.m. was always the way to go.

Must've been a pretty old place since it didn't exist in 2004 when I went to the UA

ByJoveByJingle · Post by **ByJoveByJingle** » Sun Apr 19, 2020 3:04 pm

catgrad97 wrote:Does anybody else still miss the old Two Pesos at the corner of Euclid and University? I used to have all my study cram sessions over there. Unlimited Mtn. Dew until they would kick you out at 2 a.m. was always the way to go.

Used to walk by it every day. My apartment during my first 2 years was basically at the corner of University and 1st Ave. I enjoyed it, but I’m weird—I have a weakness for that strata of Mexican food joint.

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