Tucson Eats

Have you ever had a Sonoran hot dog? You should. It’s not so much about the frank, it’s about the explosion of flavor. This place makes amazing Sonoran hot dogs, and it’s a far cry from the BK you’re thinking of.

This is the real deal. Counter serve taco joint with amazing Mexican food.

Rancheros Market is a combo quick-service hot food counter, Mexican grocery and butchers. It’s extremely clean, well-stocked and well run. While doing laundry next door, we chowed on Caldo de Queso (a broths Sonoran soup with cubes of cheese and potatoes), fresh corn and flour tortillas, a Mexican Coke and mandarin Jarritos. YUM. We also picked up some grocery staples, including fresh, house-made avocado salsa, tortilla chips, marinated meat and a few other pantry staples. Highly recommend this friendly local shop. - Shannon

Artfully-crafted, delicious Mexican fare. Order at window and then eat in a courtyard surrounded by other cafes and dining options in historic downtown Tucson.

A modern, standalone Mexican restaurant near the suburb of Vail, Arizona. A decent spot for Mexican fare if you’re looking for a comfortable sit-down experience on the outskirts of Tucson.

This Mexican restaurant is a mainstay in the heart of downtown Tucson. Delicious food, of course. Great atmosphere in an old house with porch dining. It’s an attraction, so expect a wait during peak hours.

Great family run Mexican restaurant for a relaxing sit-down meal.

A suburban Mexican restaurant in northern Tucson. Large platters, and a very popular family restaurant. Expect to leave with a full stomach!

Wonderful Mexican restaurant in northern Tucson that seems like a better-kept secret. Great atmosphere in a new building sort of hidden behind a bank. In fact, it seems like they just moved here. The address on Google Maps might still point to their old location across the street.

Wonderful outdoor dining experience in a really cool courtyard in downtown Tucson. We snacked on chips and queso while listening to a live musician.

Phenomenal quality! Fresh, healthy Mexican food. Order at counter. Hip vibe with indoor and outdoor seating. Strongly recommended.

I had a couple of slices of pepperoni, which were delicious, but this food court consisting of multiple food stands is a local favorite and has something for everyone.

We went in for a couple of slices, and to our surprise, individual slices were enormous slabs of crust, topped with grease, delectable pizza sauce, and artery-clogging, molten cheese. It was heavenly.

Delicious burgers in northern Tucson. Nice outdoor dining in a strip mall, with fries, and refreshing shakes.

I had a Cat Mountain Omelet with avocado, hash browns, and a biscuit. Although it was well-crafted, the food was fairly simple in taste and presentation, and the portions were sensible. The setting was southwestern with a fun vibe and very welcoming, and the staff was wonderful. Seems like a very nice cafe to frequent if you’re in the area. I wasn’t blown away by the food, but we still enjoyed our breakfast experience. Expect there to be a wait on Sunday mornings.

A delicious breakfast spot in Tucson, and a great place for eggs benny.

Marco’s in Vail is your standard, strip mall, counter serve pizza joint. It’s honestly a very delicious go-to if you just want something quick-and-easy to take-out, from salads to breadsticks. A great option if you’re boondocking nearby.

Not only a market selling quality foods, but also an exceptional sit-down dining experience. They make wonderful fresh pizza with natural ingredients.

Delicious burgers, fries, shakes, and a lovely, casual atmosphere for outdoor dining.

Decent Indian food. I know this annotation is sort of weak, but Shannon is far more of an Indian food connoisseur than I am!

Is it date night? This is a great place to go for craft pizza in an upscale casual environment. Really cool, historic brick building in the heart of Tucson.

Date night. Shannon and I stopped at the mall, and while we were there, we decided to get dinner at this upscale, casual Italian chain. I had spaghetti and meatballs.

In downtown Tucson, this is a phenomenal market-cafe, with indoor and outdoor seating. I had a delicious egg sandwich and Shannon had a benedict. This is on our short-list of favorite Tucson eats. It is a little spendy for a cafe, but great for a date or for an indulgent, delicious treat. Very healthy, too!

This is quite possibly our favorite place to grab a bite in Tucson. So, it’s a market, where you can get natural foods, fresh produce, and beverages, but it’s also a cafe where you can get coffee, beer, sandwiches, and amazing pizza. Great atmosphere near the university, and everything we’ve ever enjoyed from there has been top notch.

Shannon and I went on a date here. It was delicious. I had the piri piri hen. We sat outside on the patio in May, and the climate and ambiance was lovely. When the server describes the notes and subtle nuances of the wine options, just smile and nod. It was expensive, but affordable enough for an occasional romantic outing. I’d go here again in a heartbeat for special occasions.

A hip ice cream parlor in the thick of Tucson’s vibrant downtown. Popular destination for nightlife!

Standard strip mall ice cream parlor. Really good!

After dinner, Shannon and I like to stop for ice cream or gelato. Frost is a small shop in northern Tucson that serves up some smooth, creamy gelato. They have a ton of flavors, too!

A little coffee shop tucked in a corner of downtown Tucson. The vibe was great, and it was the best coffee we found during our stay.

Fantastic coffee at Cartel with a really hip atmosphere, suitable for sitting down and working on your laptop. It is probably the most popular venue for good coffee in Tucson, so it gets pretty busy!

Lovely cafe with good coffee and courtyard dining in downtown Tucson.

Delicious coffee shop in Tucson with a chic, contemporary, industrial vibe. Small selection of pastries and standard coffee shop fare. While the interior is lovely, seating is limited. There is also a very nice outdoor seating area with umbrellas. Bicycles are mounted on the walls as decor, and there are racks outside.

This is a brewing company themed for automotive enthusiasts. It features an extremely comfortable courtyard, and they frequently host live music and trivia. Delicious craft beers and sodas on tap. You won’t find much to eat here, but there is a food truck parked out front. This is a fantastic place to hang out with friends.

A delicious brewpub in downtown Tucson, located next to the tracks. You’ll find craft beer here, in addition to good food in a rustic, industrial setting. I usually get tacos.

Interested in some delicious cocktails with your friends or a date? Look no further than SideCar. Great drinks, with non-alcoholic options. This destination gets special mention because it’s adjacent to Falora Pizza, which you can order directly from SideCar at the bar. Cozy venue that fills up quickly. Lovely patio seating.