Interesting report. San xavier del bac is a beautiful mission. The interior religious painting you see is a restoration by Italian artisans who recently worked on the missions over several years. I supposed they restored the work of local artisans from long ago.
Call the Az Sonora desert musem a museum, but it is in fact, in part, a zoo. ie with captive animals. In my opnion, the educational value of thr zoo can be reproduced by the use of an I max screen...or any other teaching device (I don't think the kids would be offended). (Of course, the I max would have to be built subterrean so as not to take away from the vistas.
Lucky for ckwald that she didn't visit the Tucson zoo, where petitioners are attempting to have the elderly elephants removed, as they are literally going crazy from pacing back and forth for so many years!

Hey, ckwald...well, we may have visited the same places in the past, but we will be in Tucson, Sedona, Grand Canyon, Zion Pk. etc. and area during the next weeks. Anyway, Mike, thanks for past info and do tell us about good restaurants.

ozarksbill
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ckwald,
Thank you so much for posting this wonderful trip report--I hope your husband is 100% healed by now. We're going to Tucson for a week in early April and I've already put this in my file for the trip.

To those who live there--can you make some other restaurant suggestions besides the ones already mentioned here? I've been checking chowhound, but haven't gotten a very big list yet. We'll have a car, so location shouldn't be a problem. Also, for those locals who have posted--if you have a Fodor's get together around that time, we'll show up to join you! I'll keep checking.

Thanks again ckwald for the great trip report.

Here are some suggestions. also visit the web site.

http://tucsonrestaurantguide.com/

For Mexican, I would suggest El Charro and Cafe Poca Cosa. My favorite Italian restaurants are Mona Lisa and Gavi. Old west steak houses include Pinnacle Peak, El Corral and OK Corral. Good higher end steak houses would be McMahon's and Sullivans. Southwestern cuisine is excellent at Red Sky Cafe, Dakota Cafe, Cafe Terra Cotta, and Barrio Grill. For Pizza, my favorites are No Anchovies, near the university, and New York Pizza. Finally, the best BBQ can be found at Tom's BBQ, Soul Feathers, and Mr. K's BBQ.

Mike and I have had this discussion about restaurants before. I would add a few others. I think the best Mexican food experience (especially on the patio) is Gaudalajara Grill at Prince and Campbell. Mi Nidito in South Tucson is incredible, as well (Pres. CLinton ate there). My favortie Italian restaurant is Amerenos on E. 22nd St. I also like Gavi, especially the atmosphere of Piazza Gavi on Kolb and Sunrise.
Best pizza in Tucson? Hands down it's Zaharys by the University on 6th.
Nice restaurants include J Bar (really fun!) at the Westin Resort, Barrio Grill, Cafe Poca Cosa, Bistro Zin, North and Firebirds, Wildflower and Hacienda del Sol.
Enjoy!

Hi there, tucsonartist.

Some qualifications are needed. I haven't eaten at Amereno's yet (tomorrow night), and I don't think artist has eaten at Mona Lisa. I did like Mi Nidito, but haven't eaten there in several years, and I have never eaten at Guadalajara.

sorry, though. Althouhg a lot of people really do like Zacharies, I don't care for the crust. Just too soft for my tastes. A lot of people also like Magpies, but I don't care for that one, either. Being from New England, I guess that style of pizza appeals more to me.

But at least you should now have a list of some good restaurants to try out.

Thanks for all the great recommendations. I'm sure others will benefit from them as well.

I will report back.

Well, just got back from ourfirst dinner at Amereno's. I must say, it does rank right up there with Mona Lisa and Gavi.

Hi Mike -

Glad you liked Amerenos! I will have to try Mona Lisa if you think they rank equally!
Next, try Guadalajara Grill and report back!

I think they are very comparable, but Mona Lisa is smaller and their menu is nowhere near as extensive. But still a nice selection. And almost everyone there is family, which makes it really nice.

If you like pasta dishes, try the penne Italian sausage plate at Mona Lisa. they also make it in a spicy version. My wife likes the portobello mushroom ravioli.

I just wanted to add that I've visited Tucson twice in the past couple of years (I have family on my mother's side there somewhere but have not yet found them), and I really like it. We were lucky enough to find a great B&B 20 minutes south of town which really lets us experience living in the desert, and being less than an hour from Mexico made trips there and to Tubac very easy.

Not to make the Phoenix people angry, I have to admit I like Tucson - brown, dry desert and all - better than the green grass of Phoenix.