What To EAT
in Tucson, Arizona
It’s no secret that we love to eat and often find ourselves planning our days around food. While Tucson has been know for decades as the “Best 23 Miles of Mexican Food” in the United States, in 2015 it was named the first UNESCO City of Gastronomy. It is one of only 6 UNESCO designated “Creative Cities” in the U.S.
“Located in the Sonoran Desert just north of the U.S.-Mexico border, Tucson is the oldest continuously inhabited and cultivated area in the U.S.A. It has an archaeological record of habitation and crop cultivation extending back more than 4,000 years, and a 300-year tradition of orchards, vineyards, and livestock ranching. Tucson’s cuisine blends the influences of Native American, northern Mexican or Sonoran, Mission-era Mediterranean, and American Ranch-Style Cowboy food traditions, among others.”
Tucson, City of Gastronomy
You can spot unique ingredients like Mesquite flour and Prickly Pear syrup on menus throughout the city. On just about any given Saturday you’re likely to find chiles roasting in giant rotating baskets outside of the neighborhood grocery stores and farmers markets spread out all across town.
If you get the chance to wander outside of Tanque Verde Ranch during your stay, here are a few of our top recommendations for local dining, in no particular order.
Guadalajara Grill & Tequila Bar
ggrill.com
750 N Kolb Rd, Tucson, AZ 85710
Salsa made fresh to order, right at your table. Enough said. Ask for a table on the patio.
Charlotte’s recommendation:
Mexican Paella & a La Bandera margarita
Johnny’s recommendation:
Carne Asada Dinner and as much chips and salsa as I can eat!
El Charro Café
elcharrocafe.com
311 N Court Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701 (Original location) ・ 6910 E Sunrise Dr, Tucson, AZ 85750 (Ventana Canyon location)
Established in 1922, El Charro Cafe is the country’s oldest Mexican restaurant continuously operated by the same family. Serving up authentic Tucson-style Mexican food, El Charro has been featured in Zagat, Gourmet Magazine and USA Today “Best of” lists, and is also credited with the invention of the chimichanga. The downtown location is the original restaurant, but there are also locations in Ventana Canyon and the Tucson airport.
Charlotte’s recommendation:
El Charro Carne Seca Enchiladas (with a fried egg on top!) and the Horny Cucumber margarita
Johnny’s recommendation:
El Charro Carne Seca Chimichanga with red sauce
El Güero Canelo
elguerocanelo.com
5802 E 22nd St, Tucson, AZ 85711
A James Beard Award winning hot dog? Absolutely. El Guero Canelo received the James Beard Foundation’s American Classic Award in 2018 for its classic Sonoran hotdog, a Tucson specialty.
Charlotte’s recommendation:
Sonoran Style hot dog + a Mexican Coke
Johnny’s recommendation:
Sonoran Style hot dog + Horchata
Beyond Bread
beyondbread.com
6260 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85712
“Tucson Born and Bread” Beyond Bread is a local staple serving up artisan sandwiches, salads and homemade soups in addition to their daily line-up of 13 fresh-baked breads (plus a rotating selection of daily specialty breads) made in the on-site bakery. While you’re there, pick up a made-from-scratch pie from the Back Dough to take home for later. Or, grab a snack at their shop in the Tucson airport.
Charlotte’s recommendation:
Rudy’s Reuben or any Soup of the Day served in a bread bowl (but especially Wednesday’s Green Chile Corn Chowder!)
Johnny’s recommendation:
Maddy’s Madness (on Ciabatta)
Welcome Diner Tucson
welcomediner.net
902 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85719
This farm to table, retro style diner specializes in Southern diner classics with a unique Southwestern twist. We frequented Welcome Diner’s original location – a 200 square foot trailer on the outskirts of downtown with interior seating for five – during our 4 years in Phoenix. They’ve since moved into a new space, opened up a second location in Tucson, and drastically expanded their menu, but their commitment to hospitality and scratch cooking using the only the highest quality, locally gown ingredients remains the same. We’re still die-hards for the classics.
Charlotte’s recommendation:
Big Jim (with an egg of course) and a Paloma (or two!)
Johnny’s recommendation:
Bumble Bee (with no mustard of course) and a side order of fries
Barrio Brewing Company
barriobrewing.com
800 E 16th St, Tucson, AZ 85719
Arizona’s oldest brewery is best known for their classic Barrio Blonde Ale, which can be found in nearly every grocery store and bar across in the state. On one of our first true “date nights” we explored the nearby Lost Barrio and then split two burgers on the patio at the brewpub.
Charlotte’s recommendation:
Southwestern burger and Citrazona IPA
Johnny’s recommendation:
French Dip and Barrio Blonde
Tucson Tamale Company
tucsontamale.com
7159 E Tanque Verde Rd, Tucson, AZ 85715
Our freezer is pretty much always stocked with these tamales. They are available in select grocery stores across the country and ship nationwide, but you can also pick them up at their shop on the corner of Tanque Verde Road and Sabino Canyon.
Charlotte’s recommendation:
Green Chile & Cheese Tamales or Chipotle Beef & Cheese Tamales
Johnny’s recommendation:
Green Chile Pork & Cheese Tamales
Eegee’s
eegees.com
With 24 restaurants in Tucson, you’ll find one on just about every other corner.
Tucson’s fast-food specialty. You just have to try it.
Charlotte’s recommendation:
Original eegee’s Grinder with Ranch Fries and the Flavor-of-the-Month eegee
Johnny’s recommendation:
Club sub (no pickles, mayo or tomato!) with Ranch Fries and a Strawberry eegee
Le Buzz Caffe
lebuzzcaffe.com
9121 E Tanque Verde Rd #125, Tucson, AZ 85749
Not far from the Ranch, Le Buzz Cafe offers in-house roasted coffee beans, hand crafted espresso, fresh-baked pastries and absolutely delicious breakfast and lunch. Its a favorite local spot to stop in before or after heading up Mt. Lemmon. Charlotte worked here for 2 years in college – you can still see some of her artwork on the chalkboards and walls.
Charlotte’s recommendation:
Cinnamon roll served warm and a coffee topped with half + half and real sugar.
Johnny’s recommendation:
Le Buzz Egg Sandwich