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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 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 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 the veggie burger later in the day. It's especially crowded during weekend brunch and in the evenings. Opt for patio seating on Friday or Saturday night, where there's often live music as well as great people-watching.
Take the American tradition of ballpark franks, give it a Mexican spin, and you'll have a Sonoran hot dog, created by and sold at El Guero Canelo restaurants and their strategically placed food trucks around town. If hot dogs aren't your thing, choose from their equally delicious renditions of standard street food fare: tacos, burros, quesadillas, and tortas (sandwiches).
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.
An anchor in the downtown district, this French-inspired bistro, bar, and gourmet market takes up part of Tucson's historic train depot. Clever thematic touches—a dining room fashioned long and narrow like a train car, with wheel-like divider walls and lamps made from rail spikes—and the attentive yet relaxed service evoke the romance of a largely bygone era. Choose a table by the window and watch the trains go by. Or, if you prefer, sit outside on the vast patio overlooking the tracks. Menu choices range from starters like fresh oysters and steak tartare to bouillabaisse, coq au vin, and burgers served with pommes frites. The more casual Maynard's Market, open from 9 am to 7 pm daily, sells pastries, sandwiches, and wholly satisfying lighter fare to take out or dine in, as well as regional wines, tamales, and ice cream.
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.
The term "market" is slightly misleading for this neighborhood gathering spot serving delectable pizzas, creative sandwiches on freshly baked breads, house-made pastries, espresso, and craft beers. Sit a while or take it to go, along with all the wonderful local and imported treats you've loaded into your shopping basket.
Local and visiting foodies claim Tito & Pep to be the best restaurant in Tucson, and with good reason: the chef-owner, John Martinez, a James Beard semifinalist, takes Southwestern flavors like mesquite, cilantro, roasted chiles, and lime to heavenly heights. The menu emphasizes mesquite-grilled steak, pork, and fish, but don't stop there; share a few small plates, like charred beet salad and crispy calamari, and indulge in the sublime orange olive oil cake for dessert. Reservations are a must, though a few seats at the bar are open to whoever gets there first. The setting is just fancy enough, and service is top-notch; go early if you want quieter conversation, though, as the dining room gets noisy when full.
This "no frills" vegan and vegetarian restaurant serves bountiful portions of exceptional, bold-flavored Mexican food in a funky old territorial house on the corner of 4th Avenue and 4th Street. Nonvegans will be amazed that the jackfruit-filled tacos and tamales are not meat; even the accompanying rice, beans, and salad are a cut above. For the best experience, sit and people-watch on the ample front porch---where your meal is prepared in a food-truck-like outdoor grill---rather than inside. Tumerico's original location, with an indoor kitchen and liquor license, is at 2526 E. 6th St. (Central).
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