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Tucson boldly proclaims itself to be the "Mexican Food Capital of the United States," and most of the Mexican food in town is Sonoran-style. This means prolific use of cheese, mild peppers, corn tortillas, pinto beans, and beef or chicken. It's the birthplace of the chimichanga (Spanish for "whatchamacallit"), a flour tortilla f
Tucson boldly proclaims itself to be the "Mexican Food Capital of the United States," and most of the Mexican food in town is Sonoran-style. This means prolific use of cheese, mild peppers, corn tortillas, pinto beans, and beef or chicken. It's the birthplace of the chi
Tucson boldly proclaims itself to be the "Mexican Food Capital of the United States," and most of the Mexican food in to
Tucson boldly proclaims itself to be the "Mexican Food Capital of the United States," and most of the Mexican food in town is Sonoran-style. This means prolific use of cheese, mild peppers, corn tortillas, pinto beans, and beef or chicken. It's the birthplace of the chimichanga (Spanish for "whatchamacallit"), a flour tortilla filled with meat or cheese, rolled, and deep-fried.
The best Mexican restaurants are concentrated in South Tucson and Downtown, although some favorites have additional locations around town. If Mexican's not your thing, there are plenty of other options: you won't have any trouble finding excellent sushi, Thai, Italian, and Ethiopian food at reasonable prices.
For sampling regional flavors, upscale Southwestern cuisine flourishes at several resorts in the Foothills, most notably the Grill at Hacienda del Sol and Flying V Grill at Loews Ventana Canyon. A recent trend in Tucson dining is combining hip restaurants with chic shopping locations. Choose from sushi, steak, Italian, or Mexican at La Encantada in the Foothills. Casas Adobes Plaza, in the Northwest, is home to upscale shops alongside Wildflower Grill and trendy, thin-crust pizza at Sauce—and the gelato shop, Frost, is handy for dessert. Downtown has recently exploded with first-rate dining and drinking establishments, from modern comfort food and homemade ice cream to gourmet pizzas, craft beers, and contemporary Mexico City cuisine.
Tasty fare as varied as Indian, Greek, and Middle Eastern can be enjoyed on the west side of U of A's campus, along University Boulevard and 4th Avenue—another great area for people-watching and barhopping as well as quelling hunger pangs.
On Friday and Saturday nights and during the Gem Show (first two weeks of February), reservations are usually a good idea at upscale and popular restaurants. Dress ranges from casual to casual-dressy here; jackets for men aren’t required at any restaurant, even at resorts.
This colorful and deservedly popular restaurant serves delicious Sonoran classics in Tubac village. Try one of the five chicken moles, ranging from sweet to nutty to spicy, and you'll know why chef Ruben has such a devoted following. Chiles rellenos, enchiladas, and heartier steak and fish selections don't disappoint either. Save room for the divine flan, a creamier version of traditional Mexican custard with caramel sauce. Live music on Friday and Saturday nights adds festivity to this gem of an eatery in a quiet little town.
A perennial favorite among locals (the wait is worth it), Mi Nidito ("my little nest") has also hosted its share of visiting celebrities: following President Clinton's lunch here, the rather hefty Presidential Plate (bean tostada, taco with barbecued meat, chiles rellenos, chicken enchilada, and beef tamale with rice and beans) was added to the menu. Top that off with the mango chimichangas for dessert, and you're talkin' executive privilege.
Easily the best Thai food in town, this bright, spacious café serves favorite Thai dishes and has pleasant service. The Thoong Tong appetizer of fried veggie-filled pouches is blissfully good, as are the curries and soups. The spice-heat level of any dish can be adjusted at your request (from 1 through 5—just keep in mind that a 5 might cause steam to blow out the top of your head).
2511 E. Speedway Blvd., Tucson, Arizona, 85716, USA
This charming spot off the lobby of Hotel
Congress is at the epicenter of Tucson's hippest scene,
but it also serves up excellent food from breakfast through
late night. Try the cast-iron baked eggs or huevos rancheros
for breakfast, and the ahi poke bowl or "Queer Steer"
(veggie burger) later in the day. It's open late—until
10 pm weeknights and 11 pm on weekends—and becomes crowded
in the evening with patrons from Club Congress, the
hotel's nightclub.
Started by Monica Flin in 1922, the oldest
Mexican restaurant in town still serves splendid versions of
the Mexican-American staples Flin claims to have originated,
most notably chimichangas and cheese crisps. Located in an
old stone house in El Presidio Historic District, the
colorful restaurant and bar exude a festive, if slightly
touristy, vibe.
Popular with local families and the business crowd at lunch, this bustling restaurant in Tucson's Barrio Historico neighborhood has been serving topopo salads (a crispy tortilla shell heaped with beans, guacamole, and many other ingredients), huge burritos, and green-corn tamales (in season) made just right for over 50 years. The spicy menudo (tripe soup) is reputed to be a great hangover remedy.
This trendy eatery in upscale La Encantada Shopping Center melds an urban-loft look with rustic Italian touches, including bright red chairs and metal tables. North draws crowds who come for the excellent thin-crust pizzas, pasta, fish, and steak, all prepared in the open kitchen. Alfresco dining on the wraparound patio affords views of the city and quieter conversation; on most evenings the expansive bar area inside buzzes with Tucson's young professionals.
La Encantada Shopping Center, 2995 E. Skyline Dr., Tucson, Arizona, 85718, USA
Anybody caught eating newfangled foods like fish tacos here would probably get a glare, and city slickers' ties would be snipped. This cowboy steak house is part of the family-friendly Trail Dust Town, a re-creation of a turn-of-the-20th-century town, complete with a working antique carousel, a narrow-gauge train, and Western stunt shows staged outside Wednesday through Sunday at 7 and 8 ($5). Expect a long wait on weekends.
6541 E. Tanque Verde Rd., Tucson, Arizona, 85715, USA
Don't let the bland interior or the strip-mall setting dissuade you: many locals consider this the best Japanese restaurant in Tucson. Inside, perfectly prepared sushi and sashimi and generous combinations of tempura and teriyaki await, along with friendly service. The owner's wife is Korean, so the menu also has quite a few Korean classics, like beef and pork bulgogi (barbecue with vegetables) and tofu kimchi. Try a bowl of udon noodles, served in broth with assorted meat, seafood, or vegetables—it's a satisfying meal in itself.
The food at Tohono Chul Garden Bistro is fine, but what many come for is the location inside a wildlife sanctuary, surrounded by flowering desert gardens. The Southwestern interior has Mexican tile, light wood, and a cobblestone courtyard, but the back patio, where you can watch hummingbirds and butterflies, is the place to be. House favorites include prickly pear chicken salad on a croissant, vegan quiche (a tofu-and-garbanzo custard with veggies), omelets, and assorted salads.
7366 N. Paseo del Norte, Tucson, Arizona, 85704, USA
Well known—and loved—for its creative American
fare and stunning presentation, Wildflower has compelling
choices like a salmon and seafood bouillabaise; bow-tie
pasta with grilled chicken, tomatoes, spinach, and pine
nuts; and red wine–braised short ribs. The decadently huge
desserts are equally top-notch. A glass wall separates the
bar from the dining area, where an open kitchen, high
ceiling with painted flowers, and blue-green banquettes
complete the light and airy effect. Request a banquette or
seating on the patio in the evening if you want quiet
conversation, as the room can be noisy.
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