If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

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UAEebs86
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

Post by UAEebs86 »

Carcassdragger wrote: Thu Aug 12, 2021 7:10 pm
UAEebs86 wrote: Thu Aug 12, 2021 3:28 pm
Carcassdragger wrote: Thu Aug 12, 2021 3:25 pm In the 80s there was a great Italian place on Ft Lowell call Da Vinci's. Does it still exist?
It closed but this place says it has the founder of Da Vinci's:


https://trattoriapina.com/about/
Thanks brother.

YW

I think my last dorm roommate's family (who were Italian) used to go to DaVinci's all the time. I never made it myself.

I was a big fan of the original Scordato's out by Gates Pass. Vivace (which might make my #1 if I have a lot of money in my pocket :) ) is run by a Scordato and there is a Scoradato's Pizzeria by Tucson Mall.
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

Post by Longhorned »

Got New Dehli Palace tonight.

It's hard to believe anybody would find it appropriate to send customers home with slop so bad. It's not fit for anyone. Every single step in the execution was carried out wrong, and it tasted disgusting. Like you'd imagine food in prison.

My wife is actually furious with me about my new idea to eat more food in east midtown, instead driving to the west side all the time to get food. She tried to stop me, and I can affirm she's right. No more. Back to long drives for decent food.

What's good in Midtown? I've got:

Falora
Sachiko
Calle Tepa (but let's be serious, it isn't downtown/South Tucson good)
Caribbean Soul
Ken's
Sonoran Brunch Company

I'm drawing a blank after that. And those last 3 aren't even Midtown. They're 22nd St., which is its own world. I like Nico's but that's a Tucson-wide chain.

Poco and Mom's is east side.
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

Post by scumdevils86 »

Umm Jewels. Noodleholics. But yea generally speaking the best places are not farther east or northwest (like I am now).
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

Post by UAEebs86 »

My son and his fiancee loved Istanbul and went there all the time before they moved to Phoenix.
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

Post by Longhorned »

scumdevils86 wrote: Sat Aug 21, 2021 8:18 pm Umm Jewels. Noodleholics. But yea generally speaking the best places are not farther east or northwest (like I am now).
Okay, added. Kuwami and Transplant too.

I'm trying not to drive, and I just need to get cooking again regularly. I need to master the art of quick meals, which hasn't been my thing since Yuri and his amazing seafood vanished at the start of the pandemic.
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

Post by Jefe »

Longhorned wrote: Sat Aug 21, 2021 8:09 pm What's good in Midtown? I've got:
Falora
Sachiko
Calle Tepa (but let's be serious, it isn't downtown/South Tucson good)
Caribbean Soul
Ken's
Sonoran Brunch Company
Kiwami
Transplantl
Locale
Cielos(haven't been yet but great reviews)
Kazoku
Kogi
Trident II
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

Post by Longhorned »

Yes, Locale

Thanks for those other recs!
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

Post by Alieberman »

Tito and Pep
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

Post by Longhorned »

Okay, okay. Tito and Pep.

New Dehli Palace sucks.
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

Post by Alieberman »

Indian Twist is very good
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

Post by Longhorned »

Alieberman wrote: Mon Aug 23, 2021 8:31 pm Indian Twist is very good
Good to know. We went back when they first opened and had a meal that made us long for Shari Punjab. Restaurants need time to find their groove.
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

Post by Longhorned »

Had Sher-i Punjab to make up for New Dehli Palace last week. Great as always. I love Punjabi food.
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

Post by wyo-cat »

My two favs for Indian are Sher-I Punjab and Ghandi.

Saffron in OV is waaaay over priced.
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

Post by wyo-cat »

Went to the new Fini’s place at Oracle and Magee. It’s in the Old Chuy’s space. The Landing.

Very solid. Good beer and wine list too.
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

Post by ASUHATER! »

Asian Sofrito on 1st Ave closes permanently tomorrow apparently.
i was going to put the ua/asu records here...but i forgot what they were.

i'll just go with fuck asu.
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

Post by Spaceman Spiff »

wyo-cat wrote: Sat Aug 28, 2021 6:42 pm Went to the new Fini’s place at Oracle and Magee. It’s in the Old Chuy’s space. The Landing.

Very solid. Good beer and wine list too.
I was there to get takeout Saturday. Birria tacos were very good. My shrimp bowl was less compelling, but not bad.
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

Post by Longhorned »

Tuk Tuk Thai makes some good food.
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

Post by Longhorned »

Tonight I'm trying the beloved NYPD pizza. I'd rather have Falora or Transplant, but there's a kid involved.
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

Post by wyo-cat »

Some new OV action all on Oracle…

Reilly’s Craft Pizza @ Ina by Tap and Bottle

Noodleholics @ Magee behind Jack Furriers

Seis Kitchen @ Linda Vista behind Dutch
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

Post by UAEebs86 »

Longhorned wrote: Fri Sep 10, 2021 5:33 pm Tonight I'm trying the beloved NYPD pizza. I'd rather have Falora or Transplant, but there's a kid involved.
We love NYPD. The owner Mark Fontana coached my son in HS football and played O line for UofA in the Larry Smith and Tomey era.

He's about 6 foot 5 280 lbs with tree trunks for legs and hands like bear paws.

Wings are good too.
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

Post by Longhorned »

UAEebs86 wrote: Fri Sep 10, 2021 5:40 pm
Longhorned wrote: Fri Sep 10, 2021 5:33 pm Tonight I'm trying the beloved NYPD pizza. I'd rather have Falora or Transplant, but there's a kid involved.
We love NYPD. The owner Mark Fontana coached my son in HS football and played O line for UofA in the Larry Smith and Tomey era.

He's about 6 foot 5 280 lbs with tree trunks for legs and hands like bear paws.

Wings are good too.
I just saw him in back! I'm picking up and this place smells amazing. Arizona New York style really is its own thing. I'm intrigued by the sandwiches too.
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

Post by scumdevils86 »

Sonoran restaurant week kicked off today. Anyone in town should go somewhere. Wife and I just had a 3 pm "dinner" at wildflower. Some of the best salmon I've ever had. 3 course meal with a glass of wine for $35.

https://www.sonoranrestaurantweek.com/
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

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scumdevils86 wrote: Fri Sep 10, 2021 6:23 pm Sonoran restaurant week kicked off today. Anyone in town should go somewhere. Wife and I just had a 3 pm "dinner" at wildflower. Some of the best salmon I've ever had. 3 course meal with a glass of wine for $35.

https://www.sonoranrestaurantweek.com/
If that's Wildflower on Oracle I concur. It was one of our go-tos back in the day. Never ever dropped the ball, ever, and that's over a ten year period. There's some really ugly women there though ........... NOT!
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

Post by scumdevils86 »

Yep, on Oracle. My short rib was a little dry but good overall.
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

Post by Longhorned »

Longhorned wrote: Fri Sep 10, 2021 5:55 pm
UAEebs86 wrote: Fri Sep 10, 2021 5:40 pm
Longhorned wrote: Fri Sep 10, 2021 5:33 pm Tonight I'm trying the beloved NYPD pizza. I'd rather have Falora or Transplant, but there's a kid involved.
We love NYPD. The owner Mark Fontana coached my son in HS football and played O line for UofA in the Larry Smith and Tomey era.

He's about 6 foot 5 280 lbs with tree trunks for legs and hands like bear paws.

Wings are good too.
I just saw him in back! I'm picking up and this place smells amazing. Arizona New York style really is its own thing. I'm intrigued by the sandwiches too.
Loved the pizza.
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

Post by Longhorned »

Eegee's brought grape back this month. Is this its first return since the 80s? It's probably my second favorite after lemon.
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

Post by gronk4heisman »

Longhorned wrote: Sat Sep 11, 2021 2:57 pm Eegee's brought grape back this month. Is this its first return since the 80s? It's probably my second favorite after lemon.
The eegees by my says it is only thru the 15th so get it while supplies last. The second half of the month will be some banana flavor.
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

Post by UAEebs86 »

gronk4heisman wrote: Mon Sep 13, 2021 10:58 am
Longhorned wrote: Sat Sep 11, 2021 2:57 pm Eegee's brought grape back this month. Is this its first return since the 80s? It's probably my second favorite after lemon.
The eegees by my says it is only thru the 15th so get it while supplies last. The second half of the month will be some banana flavor.
I was thinking since the 15th starts Hispanic heritage month it was going to be something like Tajín Mango.

Don't think I've ever seen any eegee's with banana in it.
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

Post by Longhorned »

Eegees are Philadelphia water ices, and banana is a classic water ice flavor. Water ice places sell water ices and soft pretzels, and Eegees adds a whole hoagie shop menu on top of it.

I don't know what the Philadelphia connection to Eeegee's is, but Tucson has the strongest Philadelphia connection I've ever seen. They even make Tasty Cakes here. Phoenix is all about the Chicago connection.
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

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Longhorned wrote: Thu Jun 10, 2021 6:10 pm Okay. Highest recommendation for Janet and Ray's. Amazing food. And the nicest people you'll ever meet.

The offerings are on the board. If you're doing take out, tell them and have a seat. They'll come over. If you don't see something you want on the board, tell them. There's more than they've written down, like fried plantains and stuff like that.

Wednesdays and Thursdays are generally what mom's cooking. Just incredible African diaspora food: jerk chicken, fried chicken, chicken and waffles, mac & cheese (best I've ever had), and all the sides you can imagine.

Fridays is fish night. Janet says they make a mean lobster mac and cheese, with an entire lobster tail laid over the top of it.

Saturdays are Caribbean: oxtails, various chicken dishes, peas and rice, and all the stuff.

Sundays are soul food.

22nd St. and Craycroft

Tell them Longhorned sent you, throw them a wink, and wiggle your bum around.
This is for you, I wish it wasn't so far away. I used to work at 29th and Craycroft years ago but 22nd and Craycroft might as well be the moon now that I'm working from home again and have a 2 month old.

https://thisistucson.com/janet-rays-bri ... 5633c.html
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

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Great to see! Thanks
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

Post by Longhorned »

What a sudden change to my life. Eegee's changed the formula for their lemon Eegee. No more pieces of lemon. Tastes like artificially flavored powdered lemon drink.

I guess I'm done with Eegee's. I suspect I'm not the only one.

Time to become a full-time devotee of raspados, but I'll miss my childhood.
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

Post by Longhorned »

nm
Last edited by Longhorned on Mon Oct 04, 2021 6:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

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Longhorned wrote: Mon Oct 04, 2021 1:51 pm What a sudden change to my life. Eegee's changed the formula for their lemon Eegee. No more pieces of lemon. Tastes like artificially flavored powdered lemon drink.

I guess I'm done with Eegee's. I suspect I'm not the only one.

Time to become a full-time devotee of raspados, but I'll miss my childhood.

That's a capital offense. Same for Pina Colada and Strawberry?
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

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Someone else just mentioned this to me recently. That the eegees taste very different and artificial now.
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

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New parent corporation is going to screw it all up.
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

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Yeah, I tasted my daughter's strawberry Eegee and it's just over. Goodbye, Eegees. Good luck with this new plan to spread to Phoenix while destroying the product that everyone loved forever. Happened so fast.
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

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Fucking idiots
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

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Apparently someone realized to expand a mediocre sandwich shop as fast as possible and still make money they had to cut corners
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

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I finally tried Divine Bovine burgers on Wilmot and Speedway. Kind of gross. Also forgot to give us our fries, which cost $12.
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

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We ate their once when they first opened several years ago and it was decent. As someone who has burgers as one of their most favorite things to eat...I don't really like burgers that have a million toppings and can't fit in your mouth.
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

Post by Longhorned »

Exactly. We thought the meat itself was kind of wrong and they were covering it up.
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

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Cheap bun, two 2.5 oz griddled smashed patties, American cheese, burger sauce, onions, pickles. All I want.
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

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Longhorned wrote: Wed Oct 06, 2021 8:01 pmI finally tried Divine Bovine burgers on Wilmot and Speedway. Kind of gross. Also forgot to give us our fries, which cost $12.
It has gone down hill lately. Took my Grandpa there last month and our medium burger was slightly raw. Back to Graze for me

Did Monkey Burger officially close?
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

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Jefe wrote: Thu Oct 07, 2021 4:03 pm

Did Monkey Burger officially close?
Re-modeling I heard
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

Post by Longhorned »

This is the first time I've ever heard of Monkey Burger and I live on the same block up on 6th Street.
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

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Longhorned wrote: Thu Oct 07, 2021 4:30 pm This is the first time I've ever heard of Monkey Burger and I live on the same block up on 6th Street.
Highland Vista?

I don't really eat meat anymore but when I have a cheat day and crave a burger... its Monkey Burger
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

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You guys eat hamburgers made from monkeys?
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Re: If you had to pick ONE restaurant in Tucson

Post by ASUHATER! »

Monkey Burger has been there forever, like 10+ years
i was going to put the ua/asu records here...but i forgot what they were.

i'll just go with fuck asu.
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