CONTENTS
Cowboy Up!
EDITOR’S NOTE
IT’S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR AGAIN:
We’re bringing you Best of Tucson®: Legends of the West! As always, huge thanks to all you who voted in our reader poll this summer to lay the groundwork for our most anticipated issue of the year and congratulations to all the winners! Muchas gracias to everyone who helped bring this issue together. It’s no easy thing to assemble a spectacle like this, but it’s a humbling opportunity to celebrate so many people, places and things that make Tucson such a great place to live.
BOT is taking up so much space this week that we only have a few of our regulars in this issue. Columnist Tom Danehy looks back at Tucson Weekly’s first Best of edition, published so long ago it almost seems like the 1880s; longtime arts writer Margaret Regan previews this weekend’s concert by Ballet Tucson; movie critic Bob Grimm says the
Muppets Haunted Mansion is scary good; calendar editor Emily Dieckman has found a lot of fun things to do this week; Xavier Omar Otero tells you where to rock this week in XOXO; Tucson Weedly columnist David Abbott looks at how the Harvest chain of cannabis shops has now merged with Trulieve to form the largest marijuana company in the United States; and our local cartoonists are scattered throughout the book.
We hope you enjoy Best of Tucson®. Now I’m gonna go catch some shut-eye!
Jim Nintzel Executive Editor
Hear Nintz talk about where to howl in this burg at 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays during the World Famous Frank Show on KLPX, 96.1 FM.
STAFF
ADMINISTRATION
Steve T. Strickbine, Publisher
Michael Hiatt, Vice President
Jaime Hood, General Manager, jaime@tucsonlocalmedia.com
Tyler Vondrak, Associate Publisher, tyler@tucsonlocalmedia.com
Claudine Sowards, Accounting, claudine@tucsonlocalmedia.com
Sheryl Kocher, Receptionist, sheryl@tucsonlocalmedia.com
EDITORIAL
Jim Nintzel, Executive Editor, jimn@tucsonlocalmedia.com
Jeff Gardner, Managing Editor, jeff@tucsonlocalmedia.com
Mike Truelsen, Web Editor, mike@tucsonlocalmedia.com
Alexandra Pere, Staff Reporter, apere@timespublications.com
Contributors: David Abbott, Rob Brezsny, Max Cannon, Rand Carlson, Tom Danehy, Emily Dieckman, Bob Grimm, Andy Mosier, Linda Ray, Margaret Regan Will Shortz, Jen Sorensen, Clay Jones, Dan Savage
PRODUCTION
Courtney Oldham, Production Manager, tucsonproduction@timespublications.com
Ryan Dyson, Graphic Designer, ryand@tucsonlocalmedia.com
Emily Filener, Graphic Designer, emilyf@tucsonlocalmedia.com
CIRCULATION
Alex Carrasco, Circulation, alexc@tucsonlocalmedia.com
ADVERTISING
TLMSales@TucsonLocalMedia.com
Kristin Chester, Account Executive, kristin@tucsonlocalmedia.com
Candace Murray, Account Executive, candace@tucsonlocalmedia.com
Lisa Hopper, Account Executive, lisa@tucsonlocalmedia.com
NATIONAL ADVERTISING
Zac Reynolds
Director of National Advertising Zac@TimesPublications.com
Cover illustration by Hector Jaime Acuña
SHOTS By Rand Carlson
Events around town this week: sculpture shows, Halloween in the wild, and music in the garden
Best of Tucson! Tom remembers the (very) old days
DANEHY
LEGENDS OF THE WEST, INDEED: TOM REMEMBERS DOING BEST OF TUCSON® BACK IN THE OLD DAYS
By Tom Danehy, tucsoneditor@tucsonlocalmedia.com
I REALLY CAN’T BELIEVE THAT I’M still doing this. It’s been years since we did the first Best of Tucson issue and now we’re doing it by electric light. What’s next? Moving pictures?
It was supposed to be a one-time deal, a way to settle a few arguments that had been bubbling up among the newspaper staff. Instead, it started more arguments than it settled and it was funner’n chasin’ a jackrabbit through a corn maze. (That was actually the first winner of the Best Fun Thing To Do On a Sunday Afternoon category.)
Josephus T. Biggers, the first publisher of this fine publication, thought that we should celebrate all the good things about Tucson, other than the delightful year-round temperate weather. He wanted to point out the many great things
that have helped Tucson’s population explode past the 2,000 mark. At this rate, we could hit 10,000 by the middle of the 20th Century.
But that’s a long way off. We’ve still got almost a full decade left in this century.
I remember the first Best of Tucson meeting. We actually held it in a barn because The Grange meeting house was being used by the Ladies’ Auxiliary. It was me, Howard Allen (who quit the newspaper business to go join up with a traveling minstrel show), Josephus, Sharpshooter Jeff Smith, and, just to add a lady’s touch, we invited Barbara Kingsolver, the schoolmarm who fancied herself a bookwriter.
Man, how she would go on and on about that Antigone book store! And now look, she’s got a book in the window
of that place. (I ain’t read it yet. I think it’s a nature book about Trees or Beans or something. I told her I’d get to it after I finish with Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea by Jules Verne.) I’ll tell ya, that book makes you glad you’re sittin’ in the middle of the desert when you’re reading it. The scene with the giant octopus ’bout gave me the vapors. It reminded me of the time I found a few gold nuggets out by Benson and I made the mistake of telling the dance hall girls about my good fortune.
That became my short-lived fortune. I’m pretty sure I had a good time that night, though.
Anyway, we met to talk about what we would call the Best of Tucson. There were some spirited discussions about who was the best blacksmith and who was the second-best blacksmith. Then there was the battle between the two ice cream shoppes. One served delicious vanilla ice cream, but the other one had two flavors: vanilla and not-vanilla. The not-vanilla was probably just vanilla with something dark thrown in to make it, you know, dark. By far the closest vote by the staff that night concerned the question as to where
one might trade in his livestock. By one vote, Buffalo Exchange edged out Bison Switches.
When the edition came out, there was an uproar. Folks got downright contentious about some of our choices, which was exactly what wise old Josephus wanted and expected. Heated talkin’ leads to fervent readin’. (Our circulation almost doubled overnight, from 75 to 143.) I still have that first issue and I treasure it.
We, of course, covered the news that week, as well.
There was this item: The new Pima County Sheriff, Clarence Dupnik, is thinking about posting young boys at the corner of Stone and Congress to report on which riders and buckboard drivers are ignoring the standard right-of-way protocols. There have been several incidents involving people trying to cross that intersection on foot and there was the big shoot-out last month between the stagecoach and a big wagon from Mr. Diamond’s ranch.
The Sheriff thinks that if he fines enough people for failing to yield the
right-of-way, it will bring some law and order to that intersection. But some people think that he’ll just be trying to line his pockets with the money collected.
The head of the Cattleman’s Association calls the idea “downright stupid.” He adds, “Whoever has the biggest wagon gets to go first. We shouldn’t have to slow down or stop. That’s always been the law of the West. I suppose we could do our civic duty and give out a shotgun blast to let people know we’re comin’ through.” Then he added, “Knowing the Sheriff, he’ll probably hire foreign boys to be the lookouts.”
We all know how that turned out. Them power-grabbin’ varmints at the Territorial Capital up in Prescott made it illegal for towns to pass any laws involving traffics on city streets. So watch your step, and not just to avoid steppin’ in the horse hockey.
Some of the other headlines from that issue included:
Crazy Idea Floated at Territorial Legislature: Should People Have To Pay For
Water?
New Eye-talian Eatin’ Place Opens Out Past The Chinese Wall.
Will Anybody Ever Go To a Place Called Caruso’s?
Neon Prophet Set To Play Chicago Bar on Thursday Night
Two Donkey-Drawn Carts Collide Downtown. Whose Ass Is At Fault?
Horse and Owner Get Swept Away In Rillito After Summer Storm; Council Contemplates Warnings for “Stupid Riders”
We Get The University, Phoenix Gets Insane Asylum; Sounds About Right Is It “Tucsonans” or “Tucsonians?” Territorial Legislature Says Only It Can Decide Question
Wyatt Earp Visits Tucson; In Unrelated Matter, Body of Frank Stillwell Found At Train Depot
Velocipede Riders Request Special Lane For Riding; Hod Carriers Ask “Why Are They Special?”
Phoenix Claims Population of 1,000. Rest of State Skeptical. “Who Would Ever Want To Live There?”
The first Best of Tucson thing I wrote was about Wee Anthony’s Eatery that had just opened out east of town. I wrote:
Wee Anthony’s Eatery just opened up out east of town. It’s run by Wee Anthony Foreman and his big brother, Grand Anthony Foreman. They’re both the sons of Big Daddy Foreman.
Big Daddy said that things are “getting’ too modern” so he wanted his eatery to remind folks of the good ol’ days of the 1850s.
People are able to carve their own steak off the carcass of a cow. “The only rule we have is don’t cut off more’n you’ll be able to chew,” Big Daddy warns. “We also cook up their taters the way they want.”
On Saturdays, they line up all the buckboards and decide which one is the best looking. And, as a special treat, they have people dressed up as Queen Victoria and
Millard Fillmore so folks can stand next to them and have an artist draw a picture of ’em with the famous person.
The Best of Tucson has become a local institution. I’m honored to have been a part of it over the years. Right around the time when it gets too cold at night to bed down on the sleeping porches, we get the Harvest Moon, the Best of Tucson, and that day when our Mexican neighbors paint their faces and try to scare their dead kin. (We’re not sure what that is about. We get different explanations from different people.)
Over the years, we’ve gotten rid of some categories (Best Lookin’ Dance Hall Gal, Best Spitoon, and Best Barber/ Dentist), but we’ve also added some new categories, like Best Quick Draw Artist (Still Alive) and Best Town Marshal (Also Still Alive). As we close out the 19th century, we will continue to celebrate the great things that help make Tucson so wonderful. And for our readers (and those who went to charter little red schoolhouses and thus have to have it read to them), the Best of Tucson® will endeavor to always remain the Best…of…Tucson®. ■
Comics
CLAYTOONZ by Clay Jones
The Tucson Weekly is available free of charge in Pima County, limited to one copy per reader. Additional copies of the current issue of the Tucson Weekly may be purchased for $1, payable at the Tucson Weekly office in advance. To find out where you can pick up a free copy of the Tucson Weekly please visit TucsonWeekly.com
STAFF
ADMINISTRATION
Steve T. Strickbine, Publisher
Michael Hiatt, Vice President
Jaime Hood, General Manager, jaime@tucsonlocalmedia.com
Tyler Vondrak, Associate Publisher, tyler@tucsonlocalmedia.com
Claudine Sowards, Accounting, claudine@tucsonlocalmedia.com
Sheryl Kocher, Receptionist, sheryl@tucsonlocalmedia.com
EDITORIAL
Jim Nintzel, Executive Editor, jimn@tucsonlocalmedia.com
Jeff Gardner, Managing Editor, jeff@tucsonlocalmedia.com
Mike Truelsen, Web Editor, mike@tucsonlocalmedia.com
Alexandra Pere, Staff Reporter, apere@timespublications.com
Contributors: David Abbott, Rob Brezsny, Max Cannon, Rand Carlson, Tom Danehy, Emily Dieckman, Bob Grimm, Andy Mosier, Linda Ray, Margaret Regan, Will Shortz, Jen Sorensen, Clay Jones, Dan Savage
PRODUCTION
Courtney Oldham, Production Manager, tucsonproduction@timespublications.com
Ryan Dyson, Graphic Designer, ryand@tucsonlocalmedia.com
Emily Filener, Graphic Designer, emilyf@tucsonlocalmedia.com
CIRCULATION
Alex Carrasco, Circulation, alexc@tucsonlocalmedia.com
ADVERTISING
TLMSales@TucsonLocalMedia.com
Kristin Chester, Account Executive, kristin@tucsonlocalmedia.com
Candace Murray, Account Executive, candace@tucsonlocalmedia.com
Lisa Hopper, Account Executive, lisa@tucsonlocalmedia.com
NATIONAL ADVERTISING
Zac Reynolds
Director of National Advertising Zac@TimesPublications.com
Tucson Weekly® is published every Thursday by Times Media Group at 7225 N. Mona Lisa Rd., Ste. 125, Tucson, Arizona. Address all editorial, business and production correspondence to: Tucson Weekly 7225 N. Mona Lisa Rd., Ste. 125, Tucson, Arizona 85741. Phone: (520) 797-4384, FAX (520) 575-8891. Member of the Association of Alternative Newsmedia (AAN). The Tucson Weekly® and Best of Tucson® are registered trademarks of Times Media Group. Publisher has the right to refuse any advertisement at his or her discretion.
TUCSON WEEKLY
Amighty big welcome to Best of Tucson®: Legends of the West! We started plottin’ this here fandango months ago, so we’re as happy as a weasel in a hen house to sew it all up.
It takes a whole posse to bring this rodeo together. First of all, muchas gracias to our readers. Nearly 12,000 of you let us know about this burg’s finest watering holes, Arbuckle joints, chuckwagons, mercantile establishments and such.
A fine crew of scalawags by the names of Jeff Gardner, Emily Dieckman, Alexandra Pere, Tom Danehy and Margaret Regan scribbled the dang thing, Sheryl Kocher slapped on her spectacles to make sure the words were all spelt right, and Ryan Dyson and Emily Filener made the pages look pretty. Muchas gracias to longtime TW amigo Hector Acuña for his bang-up cover, which I reckon we’ll all agree is as purty as a picture.
Another thank you to all the advertisers who were rounded up by the sales gang, led by Tyler “Two-Gun” Vondrak and backed up by Kristin “Crazy Horse” Chester, Candace “Candy Cane” Murray and Lisa “The Fence” Hopper.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Jaime Hood and Claudine Sowards kept all the iron horses running on time, while circulation manager Alex Carrasco made sure the issues got loaded onto the wagons and dropped off all over this dusty cow town.
Special thanks to TW publisher Steve Strickbine and all the rest of the city slickers up north for all the help. There’s no one we’d rather ride the river with!
Now the whole kit and caboodle is in your paws, so I might as well quit all my yappin’ so you can get to readin’ it and have yourself a hog-killin’ time.
Jim Nintzel Executive Editor
Cover Art by Hector Jaime Acuña
ARTS & CULTURE ARTS & CULTURE
Best Gallery
DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun
6300 N. Swan Road
The DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, built by Ettore “Ted” DeGrazia himself, isn’t just a massive adobe museum exhibiting many of the prolific artist’s works. It’s also 10 acres of desert that includes DeGrazia’s original home—built back in the 1950s, when the end of Swan Road was the middle of nowhere—as well as a chapel and the “Little Gallery” where DeGrazia first exhibited his work. The museum and grounds both offer a gorgeous insight into the vision of one of the world’s best known artists. We’re lucky to have it.
READER RECOMMENDED
Madaras Gallery
Solar Culture
Best Art Museum
Tucson Museum of Art
140 N. Main Ave.
The Tucson Museum of Art has worked mightily to do its job exhibiting art while trying to ward off COVID-19 from its visitors. The year’s two big
exhibitions were carefully designed to be pleasantly yin-and-yang. First off was a crowd pleaser, a look at the popular narrative paintings of three generations of Wyeths: NC, the delightful illustrator, the famous Andrew and his lesser known sister, Henriette, and Jamie, son of Andrew. This conservative show was cleverly followed by 4x4, a very contemporary suite of work by four artists with ties to Tucson. One of TMA’s best shows, it featured three young artists examining their different cultures, and grand elder Willie Bonner, whose bright semi-abstract paintings illuminated Black life.
READER RECOMMENDED
UA Museum of Art
UA Center for Creative Photography
Best Visual Artist
Jessica Gonzales
You can’t explore Tucson without seeing a Gonzales original. Jessica Gonzales’ art can be seen on public and residential walls through surrealist portraits, high-contrast landscapes, and botanical whimsy. Her legendary balance of color fits with Tucson’s bright cultural heritage. Gonzales regularly paints iconic artist murals for Tucson’s own Rialto Theatre and her latest creation is an otherworldly Gila monster dragon on Amazing Discoveries (238
S. Tucson Blvd). There’s no question that Gonzales’ imaginative designs are unmatched in Tucson’s realm of visual artistry.
READER RECOMMENDED
Diana Madaras
Joe Pagac
Best Movie Theater
Loft Cinema
3233 E. Speedway Blvd.
The Loft Cinema was hit hard by the pandemic, but the can-do team persevered with creative solutions such as concession sales, streaming films and private theater rentals. (There was something magical about having an entire movie theater to yourself.) The Loft is getting back on its feet thanks to the support of the community, with regular screenings of everything from art-house films to Essential Cinema screenings to other special events, such as a weekly focus on Frankenstein films in the month of October. Best of all, the Loft Film Fest is back next month, from Nov. 10-16. We can’t wait! Haven’t you missed going to the movies?
READER RECOMMENDED
Roadhouse Cinemas
Harkins
2021 N. Kinney Road
We’ve always said the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum sells themselves a bit short by calling themselves a museum, and here’s another reason: they have a whole art institute dedicated to promoting conservation through art education. These adult art classes range from photography to painting and printmaking, and all center around the beautiful desert we call home.
READER RECOMMENDED
Tipsy Picassos
Surprise surprise! This Southern Arizona staple, which has been around for nearly a hundred years and is currently in its third generation of fam-
ily ownership, is a frequent winner in this category. And no wonder. They can get you anything from an instrument to a rental to repairs to lessons. If you saw other people learning to play an instrument during COVID-19 lockdown and are feeling like you missed the boat, this is your sign: Head over to Chicago Music Store and pick up that guitar, drum set, clarinet or whatever instrument has been sending you its siren call.
READER RECOMMENDED
Bookmans
Instrumental Music Center
Best Music School
UA Fred Fox School of Music
1017 N. Olive Road #109
The Fred Fox School of Music is not messing around. With plenty of performance spaces, a focus on outreach, and internationally recognized faculty members, the school sets university music students up for success. They’ve also got tons of student-performing ensembles, from the classic Arizona Symphony Orchestra to the internationally acclaimed Arizona Choir, from Mariachi Arizona to groups with names like “Harpfusion” and “Flutefinity.” They’ve even got a singer-songwriter ensemble requiring no prior experience, for those newer to music.
READER RECOMMENDED
Tucson Jazz Institute
Allegro
Best Theater Company
Gaslight Theatre Company
7010 E. Broadway Blvd.
There’s nothing like the Gaslight Theatre. It’s got the feel of a cozy, down-home restaurant where all of the
employees are your friends who love their jobs, but with an off-the-charts production quality. You could go into the Gaslight Theatre in a bad mood, watch one of the company’s silly musicals, and walk out ready to face the week and laugh in the face of your problems. So head on over to a show, where your ears will be filled with music, your mouth will be filled alternately with laughter and handfuls of popcorn, and your heart will be filled with joy.
READER RECOMMENDED
Arizona Theatre Company
Unscrewed Theater
Best Author
Lydia Millet
It ain’t easy ranking as the best author in a place like Tucson. Lydia Millet’s latest book, A Children’s Bible, tackles generational disconnects, climate change and the power of story, and is filled with plenty of Biblical allusions to boot. For this kind of poetic and transgressive writing, Millet’s name has appeared alongside many of the greatest honors in writing: the National Book Award, the Pulitzer Prize, the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and many more. She’s a perfect fit for our literary town.
READER RECOMMENDED
A.J. Flick
Adam Rex
Best Dance Studio
BreakOut Studios
5811 E. Speedway Blvd.
Movers and shakers love to express themselves at BreakOut Studios. This dance studio provides dance education to all technique levels and age groups. BreakOut produces well-rounded dancers by offering traditional dance classes alongside strength-building exercise classes. Go from hip-hop to yoga flow for a nice stretch or build core strength at the BootyBelly WorkOut class.
BreakOut coordinates new workshops every month and schedules All-Day Dance days for even cheaper class prices!
READER RECOMMENDED
Viva Performing Arts
Dancing in the Streets
Best Dance Company
UA School of Dance
1737 E. University Blvd. #121
The University of Arizona School of Dance is known to attract some of the most talented artists across the country as teachers and students. Their unique dancers have a range of technical skills in classical ballet, modern, and jazz, but their skills don’t stop there. To be the best dance company, your dancers need more than physical capabilities. The audience needs to feel the emotion from their chairs! UA School of Dance trains its dancers to connect with the choreog-
raphy and flawlessly exude emotions to tell a story. After a hiatus due to COVID, the School of Dance is back with fall performances. Catch “Premium Blend” from Nov. 10 to Nov. 11 and Nov. 16 to Nov. 21. There will also be a student spotlight performance fittingly named “Comeback” from Dec. 1 to Dec. 5.
READER RECOMMENDED
Ballet Tucson
Best Outdoor Art Installation
Joe Pagac’s Murals
You can’t swing a used paint bucket without hitting one of Joe Pagac’s murals around this town. (Not that we’re recommending you swing a paint bucket at one of his works.) Pagac’s works are imaginative, colorful celebrations of desert flora and fauna. Just the kind of things we’d want adorning Tucson’s buildings and walls. Our favorite has
Best Place to Donate Your Time or Money Community
Food Bank of Southern Arizona
3003 S. Country Club Road
to be his flying whales on the corner of Campbell and Grant.
READER RECOMMENDED
Ben’s Bells Rattlesnake Bridge
The pandemic has brought all-new demands on the Community Food Bank, but CEO Michael McDonald’s team met the moment, teaming up with Pima County and National Guard to set up drive-thru pickup of food boxes at Kino Stadium. The food bank works with hundreds of other local agencies to alleviate hunger, with projects ranging from community gardens to nutritional education. Like all of us, the food bank gets by with a little help from its friends, so lend a hand if you can.
READER RECOMMENDED
Humane Society of Southern Arizona
Pima Animal Care Center
COURTESY PHOTO
Brushing up: Joe Pagac working on a mural.
CIty Life CIty Life
Best Quarantine Activity
Hiking
Hiking is a big step up from last year’s winner, which was “watching NetFlix.” Tucson is filled with trails both easy and challenging and getting into the outdoors is definitely better than watching the tube. Let’s hope we can retire this category next year.
READER RECOMMENDED TV/Movies
Reading
Best Farmers Market
Rillito Park Heirloom Farmers Market
4502 N. First Ave.
We’ve got plenty of terrific farmers markets throughout the valley, but our readers put Rillito Park’s gathering atop the rest. You’ll find all manner of craft food, locally grown fruits and veggies, cooking demonstrations, live music
and more. Plus, it’s right up against The Loop so you can stroll or ride your bike. It’s a party every weekend! And after a visit here, you can do farm-to-table at your own home.
READER RECOMMENDED Food in Root St. Philip’s Plaza
Santa Cruz River Farmers’ Market at Mercado San Agustin
Best Farmers Market Vendor
Tucson Tea Company
Every Saturday, Tucson Tea Company sets up their booth at the St. Philip’s Plaza Farmers Market. Not only do they offer fragrant teas at bargain prices, they also set up tap iced teas for purchase. Start your farmer’s market stroll with a Tucson iced tea and return for a $1 refill before you leave! Or get a free iced tea when you buy two bags of loose leaf tea. Their most popular drink is the purple berry dream, but this writer
recommends their chai blends for fall (apple pie and chocolate chai).
READER RECOMMENDED
AZ Baking Company Alpine Goat Girl
3030 W. Valencia Road
2480 N. Pantano Road
First of all, a big congratulations to any gym that survived the COVID-19 pandemic, but an especially big congratulations to this local business, which has been serving the community for more than three decades. If living through a pandemic has got you thinking more seriously about managing your health, a membership might be a good idea. If you’re like us, and don’t know where to start when you enter a public gym, you’ll love their personal training and small group training offerings. They even have a special, low-impact fitness program for seniors.
READER RECOMMENDED
Let’s Sweat
TUCSON WEEKLY FILE PHOTO
It’s pumpkin season at the Rillito Park Heirloom Farmers Market
Best Crossfit
Old Pueblo Crossfit
7225 E. Broadway Blvd. #170
If you’re into crossfit, you’ve surely already heard of this eastside place. If you’re not into crossfit, you might be afraid of it, but (and we say this honestly): Watching a little video that this gym made about the sport, all about the sense of community and personal accomplishment that the group fosters, made us feel a little more willing to try it. These one-hour workouts are intense and dynamic (you’ll definitely never get bored), but doing it in an environment where you feel supported and not alone really makes all the difference.
READER RECOMMENDED
F45 Training
CrossFit Fixx
Best Yoga Studio Yoga Oasis
Multiple locations
It goes without saying that Yoga Oasis yoga studios are the most versatile locations to practice yoga in Tucson. All three locations provide a multitude of classes to meditate on the last year of chaos. Balance your yin and yang with sunset yoga or start working on your summer 2022 body goals with vinyasa flow. Still worried about exercising in a room full of strangers? Yoga Oasis offers online classes to yogis who prefer to practice alone. All three of the studios offer rotating workshops meant to develop your knowledge of body alignment and protect you from injury. With so many options for growth, it’s no surprise local yogis voted this studio #1.
READER RECOMMENDED
Fourth Avenue Yoga
Session Yoga
Best Bowling Alley
Lucky Strike Bowl
4015 E. Speedway Blvd.
Of all the joyful activities taken away by the pandemic, some of the most heartbreaking were wonderfully human times where masses of total strangers would gather in one place to engage in a shared experience. We all miss sitting in a crowded movie theater, eating a good meal in a slightly noisy restaurant, or screaming our lungs out at a ballgame. And then there is the sublime excitement of bowling—the clacking of pins, the wince-inducing thud of a poorly thrown ball landing 15 feet down the lane, the shrieks of glee and the moans of anguish, all induced by a system of physics almost as complex as that which goes into the workings of a thermonuclear device. Plus, those French fries. Bowling is back at Lucky Strike and it comes in all kinds of cool forms. They have leagues, open play, family activities, birthday parties, special events and even lasers. Best of all, it’s completely smoke-free. Gutter ball or three-strike turkey—it’s all the same now that bowling heaven is back.
READER RECOMMENDED
Fiesta Lanes
Cactus Bowl
Best Auto Repair
Jack Furrier Tire and Auto
Multiple locations
Locally owned since 1960, Jack Furrier remains the hometown favorite when it comes to getting your car fixed. Whether you need
change or a new catalytic converter because some meth-head tore yours out, one of Jack’s 14 locations is near you and will take care of your repair needs with dependable work and at a reasonable price.
READER RECOMMENDED
Buck’s Automotive
Dan’s Toy Shop
Best Car Wash
Mister Car Wash
Multiple locations
If John Keats had lived in Tucson, he would have said that a clean car is a joy forever (or at least until it rains or there’s a dust storm or you get too busy to throw away the hamburger wrappers). Fortunately, there’s a Mister Car Wash not too far from you. The best way to describe Mister Car Wash is that it’s the geometric mean between those do-it-yourself places with the weird spray gun and the foaming brush and the high-priced “full-service” places that never quite get the inside of your windshield right. The monsoons are over. Mister Car Wash is calling your name.
READER RECOMMENDED
Octopus Car Wash
Clean Freak
Best
Plant Nursery
Green Things Nursery
3384 E. River Road
Located in the horse country alongside the Rillito River, Green Things is a lovely place to visit. Want to go xeriscape?
There’s plenty of cactus. Interested in growing your own citrus, vegetables or herbs? They’ll set you up. Need flowers or houseplants? You’ll find it here. They’ve even got a team that will teach you the ins and outs of growing your cannabis. No wonder they’re held in high regard!
READER RECOMMENDED
Mesquite Valley
Desert Survivors Native Plant Nursery
Best Animal Supply Store
OK Feed & Supply
3701 E. Fort Lowell Road
When you walk into OK Feed and Supply, it’s almost like slipping back into the Old West. Whether you’re looking for hay for the horses or gear for the next cattle drive, you’ll find it here. It’s where the real cowboys shop.
READER RECOMMENDED
Arizona Feeds
Tropical Kingdom
Best Computer Repair
SWS Electronics & Computers
3731 E. Speedway Blvd.
Thank God for the electronics and computers that keep our lives running, and also thank God for the fact that there are people who know how the dang things work. Laptop making a funny noise and need an in-store or on-site repair? Dealing with a slow computer and needing a remote desktop report? Or just want to buy an entirely new computer? Whatever your needs are, the knowledgeable, friendly folks over at SWS will get you set up.
READER RECOMMENDED
Guru
Best Place to Get Your Pet Groomed
Bark Avenue Dog Wash
1011 N. Pantano Road
When your dog gets to smelling worse than Doc Holliday after a week-long bender, you know it’s time to take that hound to the professionals at Bark Avenue Dog Wash. They will get your best friend smelling sweet, provide a manicure and otherwise ensure that she’s properly pampered.
READER RECOMMENDED
Velvet Bow
Canine Territory
Best Veterinary Clinic
University Pet Clinic
1506 N. Tucson Blvd.
Our pets bring us so much joy that the least we can do when we take them/ force them/drag them to the vet is choose a place that we know is loved by the community. That’s University Pet Clinic, where you can get everything from allergy tests to pet dentistry to
microchipping to spaying and neutering. They’re coming up on 30 years of serving Tucson’s very good-est boys and girls, and their veterinarians really love working with your furry friends. They strive to keep prices affordable, but also offer a military discount!
READER RECOMMENDED
Talk about legends of the Old West! Hotel Congress has been welcoming guests for more than a century—and you can feel the history the moment you walk through those big wooden doors. But this joint is no museum. While it pays homage to its roots in many ways, it’s also home to a dynamite restaurant that celebrates local food, a lobby filled with rotating art shows and, of course, Club Congress and the Plaza Stage, which offer some of the best live music in town. Here’s to another 100 years, HoCo!
READER RECOMMENDED
Hotel Congress is a true legend of the West
Best Alternative Health Center
Tumbleweeds Health Center
4826 E. Broadway Blvd.
For a decade, business partners Kim Williams and Dana Rae Zygmunt have not only helped people acquire their medical marijuana certification, but have also offered workshops to help people understand the use of cannabis and CBD. They also produce a podcast, Weedsday Wednesday, where they interview cannabis experts from around the world. Just this month, they opened The Good Leaf, a hemp and CDB marketplace. Let’s hear it for tumbling tumbleweeds!
READER RECOMMENDED
Cloud Nine Flotation
Rooted Integrative Wellness
Best CBD Store
Green Halo
7710 S. Wilmot Road
Green Halo, the home base of Halo Infusions and Extractions (which creates edible brands such Cannabliss, Canna Confections and Aunt Ellie’s edibles, as well Pure & Simple’s dynamite infused hot sauce, coffees, teas and juices ), does a terrific line of CBD tinctures, ointments, lotions and lip balms. They’ll have a cure for what ails you.
READER RECOMMENDED
Earth’s Healing
Tumbleweeds
Best
Photographer
Jade Beall
Best Marijuana Dispensary
Earth’s Healing
78 W. River Road
2075 E. Benson Hwy.
With recreational marijuana now available in Arizona, our dispensaries are doing a lot of business. Thanks to the pandemic, Earth’s Healing has made it easy to shop online and pick up your order, but you’re also welcome to come inside the stores if you want to browse in person. They carry a wide range of strains, in-house Earthvape cartridges, craft concentrates, CBD options and plenty of edibles. It’s little wonder they are held in high regard by our readers.
READER RECOMMENDED
Prime Leaf
Downtown Dispensary
There are few artists who can splendidly capture the beauty in raw human intimacy like Jade Beall. This self-made photographer built her business on the tenet of body positivity. Her current portfolio is filled with portraits including mothers, breastfeeding children, and elder subjects. This is the photographer people have been asking for! Her photographs seem effortless but don’t let that fool you, this type of photography takes years of practice. Check out her expansive portfolio at jadebeall.com or her Instagram @jadebeallphotography, which has over 139,000 followers.
READER RECOMMENDED
Sean Parker
Jackie Sterna
Buffalo Exchange is a local treasure established in the 70s. Kerstin Block spearheaded the idea of a thrift store with handpicked clothing and it really paid off. Buffalo Exchange has locations all over
created a market for recycled clothing by encouraging customers to buy, sell, and trade used clothing. Fight fast fashion and pollution by swapping future fashion purchases with lightly-used or vintage clothing! Vintage is always in style, which is why Buffalo Exchange has blossomed over the last six decades.
READER RECOMMENDED
Humane Society of Southern Arizona
Speedway Outlet
Best Place to Get a Massage
Gadabout
Multiple locations
Yeah, it’s nice to have your partner rub your shoulders at the end of a long work day, but there’s nothing like a full-on massage by a professional to reduce anxiety and improve your blood circulation. And at Gadabout, the part of your massage experience that requires the most effort on your part is making the tough decision between the lotion scents “Geranium Clarity,” “Bergamot Calming” and “Eucalyptus Well-Being.” You’ll love their signature massage lotion and oil blend, and the way it makes you feel afterward too. Get ready to hear a bunch of people tell you your skin is glowing.
READER RECOMMENDED
Tucson Massage Company
Rooted Integrative Wellness
Best Cigar/ Tobacco Shop
Anthony’s Cigar Emporium
Multiple locations
Anthony’s may not carry the kind of nickel cigars that were popular in the Old West, but with everything from Macanudos to Partagas, they sure have a wider selection than you’d find in the territorial days. Whether you’re looking to spend a couple of bucks or a couple hundred bucks on your cigars, this place will have something for you. You’ll also find plenty of accessories, from humidors to lighters and cutters. With four locations in Tucson (and one in Phoenix), Anthony’s knows what a cigar aficionado really needs.
READER RECOMMENDED
Moon Smoke Shop
Chico’s Smoke Shop
Best Smoke Shop
Moon Smoke Shop
Multiple locations
Whether you’re looking for a sneaka-toke or a five-foot bong for your now-legal recreational weed, longtime hometown favorite Moon Smoke Shop has got you covered. And if that’s not your jam, you’ll find plenty of premium tobacco to stick in your pipe or roll into a cigarette, along with e-juice if you’re more of a vape guy. Flame on!
READER RECOMMENDED
XXX ADULT SHOP
BOOKSTORE Southwest
Chico’s Smoke Shop
Sticky’s Smoke Shop
Best Place to Buy a Car Jim Click
Multiple locations
Jim Click, which has been around for more than 50 years now, is a community staple for a few different reasons. They carry and service Ford, Lincoln, Nissan, Dodge, Ram, Chrysler, Jeep, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda and Genesis vehicles, which makes up 11 of the reasons. The company is also big on giving back to the community, whether it’s through Millions For Tucson or Wheels For Kids. ‘Ole Jim Click keeps this town running in more ways than one.
READER RECOMMENDED Chapman Royal
Best Summer Staycation
JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa
3800 W. Starr Pass Blvd.
With all the travel restrictions of the last year, I think more of us than ever appreciate the concept of a good staycation. Lucky for us, we Tucsonans have Starr Pass. Golf courses, a spa, a multilevel pool and a lazy river are just the beginning. The view overlooking the city is (and we say this knowing that this
word is overused, but this warrants it) breathtaking. Food is inspired by Native American, Mexican and Mediterranean influences. They even have a nightly tequila toast on the terrace. Book that staycation ASAP!
READER RECOMMENDED
The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa
Loews Ventana Canyon
Ronnie’s Handyman and Home Service
Somewhere out there, we like to imagine an alternate version of The Shining in which Jack Nicholson hacks through the bathroom door with an axe to announce, “Heeeere’s Ronnie!” And then he introduces his wife to the helpful folks over at Ronnie’s Handyman and Home Service. Need help with electrical, plumbing or furniture assembly? How about, much like Shelley Duvall would have needed after the bathroom door incident, help with carpentry or painting? Drywall, irrigation, even holiday decorating. They do all this and more! Give them a call to see what home problems they can fix for you.
READER RECOMMENDED
A Plus Handyman Service
350 Days of Sunshine
TUCSON’S BEST ADULT SHOP, BOOKSTORE SOUTHWEST, SERVING TUCSON FOR OVER 32 YEARS FOR ALL YOUR ADULT NEEDS, OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!
We are a one stop adult shop! It’s our goal to give you the best price in Tucson and the largest selection. We guarantee that we carry products no other store in the state have. Some of our customers have been quoted to say “You’re like a miniature adult Costco!” “Your store is more fascinating than the other adult stores and completely meets our adult expectations, I had no idea they made so many cool items.” Stop in and try some of our x-rated shaped cookies or a free DVD. If we don’t have it we’ll order it in for you! Stop in and try some of our x-rated shaped cookies (while supplies last) or a free DVD.
Media Mix Media Mix
Best TV Newscast
KOLD Tucson News Now
The formula for success in local TV news is really not that complicated. Give people the news, weather and sports and try not to give the viewers a reason to yell at the TV screen (as in “Why is THAT the top story?! That’s not news!”). KOLD mostly gets it right. From the smooth delivery of anchors Dan Marries and Brooke Wagner to the three-headed weatherwoman to the matter-of-fact sports reporting, it’s a complete package. A special shout-out to Damien Alameda, who survived the Pandemic Downsizing by making a smooth transition from Sports Guy to weekend anchor.
READER RECOMMENDED
KGUN 9 On Your Side
KVOA News 4 Tucson
Best Local Twitter Feed
@whatsuptucson
We <3 Ken Carr’s up-to-the-minute delivery of traffic conditions, sports tidibits and the odd news of the region. The photos are worth a visit alone, as are the quick insights around town that you can’t find anywhere else. But what makes whatsuptucson special is how it really manages to capture the spirit of Tucson: gorgeous, strange, humorous and all.
READER RECOMMENDED @tmztucson
Best Game Store
Tucson Games and Gadgets
4500 N. Oracle Road #253
5870 E. Broadway Blvd. #500
Whether you want to play a game that makes you an Old West cowboy or a space patrol cadet in a galaxy far, far away, Tucson Games and Gadgets will have some kind of game for you. They’ve got board games, tabletop games and LARP accessories. (That’s Live Action Role Play for those of you who don’t reenact the gunfight at the OK Corral in your spare time.) You’re welcome to join the community of people who set up to play right there in the shop and the Park Place location has opened a small saloon with cold beer. Ah, yes, a pint of lager is fine respite whilst on a quest!
READER RECOMMENDED
Heroes and Villains
Isle of Games
Best Radio Station for Music
KXCI (91.3 FM)
220 S. Fourth Ave.
Tucson’s scrappy independent nonprofit radio’s only format limitations seem to be the imagination of the DJs, which means you’ll hear music and news on KXCI that you won’t hear on other stations—and maybe have never heard before! With shows hosted by the likes of Hannah Levin, Jim Blackwood, Bridgitte Thum, Marty Kool, Kidd Squidd and Al Perry, KXCI remains a local treasure. READER RECOMMENDED
That’s clever and all, but it’s also from her stint at another station from about 10 years ago. For her to build a following, go Back East for several years, and then come back to pick up where she left off is impressive.
READER RECOMMENDED
April Madison
Matt Brode
Best Radio Host
Hannah Levin (91.3 KXCI)
Thank goodness the team at KXCI managed to adapt to the pandemic and are still going strong. The optimistic and always-on Hannah Levin is known around town for her show “The Home Stretch,” an upbeat mix of rock, pop and soul that gets us through those last few hours of the work day. As if that show wasn’t enough, Levin also spreads her love of music and story across the station as Director of Content. And some content it is.
READER RECOMMENDED
Brett “Porkchop” Miller (99.5 KIIM)
Ken Carr (101.7 KDRI)
Best Bookstore Bookmans
Multiple locations
What can be said about the beloved Bookmans that hasn’t been said already? How about that it might be solely responsible for keeping our sanity over the past year and a half. Any time we needed a book to escape into, a funny movie, an addicting video game, or even a life-size cutout of The Dude, we knew where to go. Any city would be lucky enough to have one of these used media meccas, but Tucson is awesome enough to have three.
READER RECOMMENDED
Best Local Weatherperson
Erin Christiansen
What makes this such an easy pick is that people are STILL using the catchphrase “Erin said it would (be like this).”
isn’t just a box outside a convenience store. It’s a community gathering spot for people who like movies or craft beer or both. You can pop into Casa to watch a screening at the bar, get dinner at the food truck outside and take home the sequel to. Where else are you going to find a video store with sections dedicated to Oscar winners, obscure Russian films, and horror B-movies?
READER RECOMMENDED
Bookmans
Zia Records
Best Comic Store
Heroes and Villains
4533 E. Broadway Blvd.
I’ve been in this town so long I can remember when the word comic meant a vibrant-if-silly book you held in your hands, not the latest billion-dollar blockbuster. Luckily, Heroes and Villains is dedicated to keeping the artform alive with new releases, classics, role-playing games, manga and much more. They mean it when they say they are Southern Arizona’s destination for comics, toys and games. Heroes and Villains
will always have a place in our hearts and on our shelves.
READER RECOMMENDED
Bookmans
Fantasy Comics
Best Blog
Tucson Foodie
Hey, if you’re going to dedicate a blog to one thing in Tucson, it might as well be food. But Tucson Foodie goes above simply telling you how good the local dishes are. They interview local chefs, stay abreast of all the restaurant news in town, and their events directory always has the latest scoop on a good deal. But even if they didn’t have all that, their gorgeous photos are enough to get us running to the nearest grill.
READER RECOMMENDED
The Classy Alcoholic
Arizona Families
Best Local TV News Anchor
Dan Marries (KOLD)
Smooth as silk in his delivery, knowledgeable, unthreatening, and happy to be a Tucsonan—Marries checks all the boxes. His on-air banter with co-anchor Brooke Wagner is informative without being chatty and his news delivery is professional without being pedantic. He knows what he’s about.
READER RECOMMENDED
Priscilla Casper (KVOA)
Sean Mooney
Best Local Sportscaster
Paul Cicala (KVOA)
We’re definitely biased, but we believe journalists who care about the work they do make communities better. Cicala is a prime example of this. The bilingual Tucson native, and proud product of the Sunnyside Unified School District,
reports on sports ranging from high school football to UA softball with unparalleled enthusiasm. He’s spent time working as a reporter in other states, and we’re so glad to have him and his skills back in the Old Pueblo.
READER RECOMMENDED
Damien Alameda (KOLD)
Brian Jeffries (UA Athletics)
Best Instagram Visit Tucson
We know Visit Tucson is dedicated to inspiring folks to travel to our corner of the world, but their photos are so vibrant they make us want to get out into the world as well. Updated multiple times a day, Visit Tucson covers everything from our famous sunsets to local arts and culture to stunning landscapes. If it’s worth gawking at in Tucson, chances are it’s on Visit Tucson. What more could you want out of an Instagram?
READER RECOMMENDED
Tucson Foodie
This Is Tucson
Fashion & Style Fashion & Style
Best Clothing
Creations Boutique
Multiple locations
During the pandemic we got used to being comfy. Our houses aren’t exactly a runway (unless you do that, then more power to ya!), but with the newest transition into a post-pandemic world we need clothing that toes the line of classy and comfy. Creations Boutique is the perfect place to find your comfy-cute clothes. Their clothes resemble Free People styles without the eye-gouging price tag and clothes for all occasions are available. Go back into the world stylish and comfortable with Creations clothing.
READER RECOMMENDED
Buffalo Exchange Razor’s Edge
Best Resale Clothing
Buffalo Exchange
2001 E. Speedway Blvd.
Buffalo Exchange is now well-loved in states across the U.S. But, even if you’ve visited other locations, you probably know that walking into Buffalo Exchange always feels like Tucson. It’s
all the fun of thrifting, but with less work sorting through to find the cute stuff, because the store already sorted through and found the cute stuff for you. Whether you’re looking for a formal wedding outfit, a Halloween costume, some sharp digs for work or something to wear out on the town, Buffalo Exchange will have you looking cute as heck, guaranteed.
READER RECOMMENDED
Plato’s Closet
Twice as Nice
Best Home Furnishings
Sam Levitz
3750 W. Orange Grove Road
In an era where online shopping reigns
supreme, there is nothing like walking around an enormous furniture store.
Face it: It’s hard to know exactly how high that dining room table will be, or how comfy that couch will be, without interacting with it yourself. Sam Levitz is a delight to wander around. Their friendly associates and competitive prices make it a pleasure to purchase from as well.
READER RECOMMENDED
Copenhagen
Ashley Home Store
Best Vintage Shopping
22nd Street Antique Mall
5302 E. 22nd St.
Once you pass the threshold you
immediately step back in time. Vintage clothing, furniture, accessories, and decor from every era are equally represented at the 22nd Street Antique Mall. Prices range from lavish to bargain. We recommend this spot for homeowners in search of unique items to impress guests (everybody has IKEA furniture, don’t be a sheep). Plus, antique shopping contributes to the reuse, reduce, and recycle market!
READER RECOMMENDED
How Sweet It Was
Buffalo Exchange
Best Jewelry
Silver Sea Jewelry
330 N. Fourth Ave.
Tucson is brimming with cute cactus and succulent themed items, from decor to jewelry to… well, literal cacti and succulents. That’s part of what makes Silver Sea, a mermaidy oasis full of seashells and turquoise, feel so special. They carry lovely original pieces to tie together any outfit, and it’s the type of tiny shop where you feel like you could spend hours looking at the gadgets and gizmos aplenty.
READER RECOMMENDED
Cheyenne Cannon Jewelry
Christina Holland Designs
Best Hair Salon
Gadabout
Multiple locations
Gadabout takes your hair seriously. They strive to hire only the best, and then to use the best process when it comes to your experience. Before your cut or color, you get a personalized consultation where you talk about everything from your face shape to your lifestyle. (eg: do you put effort into your hair or not?) Possibly the best part is that they also provide a home care recommendation, so you can recreate the style at home—and hopefully avoid the feeling that your hair will never, ever look as good as it did when the wizard of a salon lady did it.
READER RECOMMENDED Circa 79
Salon Salon
Best Place to get Great Hair Color
Look Within Studios
2103 S. Sixth Ave.
One look at the Facebook page for this business and you’ll know. Owner Melissa Subia specializes in creative colors and ombres, and you can see some of her gorgeous color work on the page. Do you want to look like a mermaid whose locks are flowing in the tide? Or maybe like some sort of hot goddess of fire? How about an earth-toned wood nymph? Whatever your follicular fantasy, Look Within Studios will help you
get there to live out your vividly colored dreams.
Best Day Spa
You can only do so many at-home facemasks before they start to lose their luster, you know? If you’re looking to really treat yourself, spend a day at Greentoes. You can enjoy massage, facials, manicures, pedicures, waxing and more, all done with natural and organic oils and cleansers. Relaxation in overdrive, because you deserve it.
READER RECOMMENDED
how completely, stunningly luminous your eyes are? And how hot you are in general? Well, if you haven’t, go do it right now. LALA Lash is top tier, and they’ve even got a cool new membership program so you can keep your lovely lashes retouched as needed without any hassle. After all, who has time for a hassle when they’re walking around looking like a long-lashed god or goddess?
READER RECOMMENDED Lash Lab Amazing Lash
Best Nail Salon
Bella Spa
1070 E. Tucson Marketplace Blvd. #120
Bella Spa is renowned for stunning nail art. Browse their social media to see incredible examples of acrylic masterpieces and dip powder designs. Keep on trend with colorful french tips or ask for something seasonal like hand-painted skulls for Halloween. Every artist at the
Best Lash
Sometimes the smallest things make the biggest difference. Like, have you ever felt down on your appearance and then gone in for a lash lift? And then realized
salon has their own flare to meet design requests. The interior design of the salon is also exquisite. The interior provides ambiance and their heavyduty massage chairs leave you feeling refreshed.
READER RECOMMENDED Greentoes
Classy Nails by Le
Best Tanning Salon
Heavenly Glow
7846 E. Wrightstown Road
Both because skin health is super important and because you don’t want to look like an orange muppet, it’s important to select a tanning salon carefully. Look no farther than Heavenly Glow, which offers the finest tanning beds, booths, spray tanning and lotions. Their Versa Spa is a UV-free tanning system that will transform your skin in minutes, for example. They even now offer teeth whitening, if you’re looking
READER RECOMMENDED
Beach Bunnie Kist by Mist
Best Florist
Inglis Florists
Multiple locations
Local flower shops are always so charming. But Inglis takes the cake for its wide range of options and sheer longevity. They’ve been serving Tucson for 80 years, and will help you find the perfect birthday, anniversary, get well, welcome baby, sympathy, apology, congratulations, obligatory business, or make-agood-impression-on-your-girlfriend’sparents flowers. They also do weddings and special events!
READER RECOMMENDED
Mayfield Florist
Bloom Maven
Best Eyeglass/ Optical Retailer
Alvernon Optical
Multiple locations
Alvernon Optical has been providing Tucsonans with quality vision care for 60 years. There’s a lot to see here in the Old Pueblo, and they’re here to help make sure you don’t miss any of it! They provide eye exams, sell eyeglasses and even offer repairs. Looking for prescrip-
tion sunglasses, safety glasses, or even dive masks or swim goggles? They do that too! You’re going to see so well you’ll be able to actually see the cicada sounds next summer.
READER RECOMMENDED
Arizona Primary Eye Care
Lesco Optical
Best Tattoo Parlor
Sacred Art
Multiple locations
Since 1997, this parlor has housed some of the most talented tattoo artists in Tucson. This is a huge accomplishment because Tucson is increasingly attracting Ink Masters to establish shops. The competition is stiff but Sacred Art has a reliable group of artists at all locations. These artists are well-known for their black, white, and grayscale tattoos that last a lifetime. Looking for color? The versatility of artist abilities will get you to your dream work of art. Make a safe decision by trusting your permanent art to Sacred Art.
READER RECOMMENDED
Black Rose
Tattoo Artistry
Best Tattoo Artist
Lisa Cardenas (Haunted Hands)
She’s done it again! For the past four years, Lisa Cardenas has dominated this category. She can now add another year to her winning streak. Cardenas owns her own tattoo studio called Haunted Hands which should be noted as a bohemian hodgepodge of excellent vintage decor and mid-century furniture. HH is one of the more relaxing tattoo studios in Tucson. Cardenas’s tattoos are highly demanded so she won’t resume booking until Spring 2022. Her tattoos are based
COURTESY PHOTO
Inglis Florists has Tucson’s best flowers
southwestern motifs with natural elements and she skillfully incorporates modern design aesthetics.
READER RECOMMENDED
Anthony Michaels (Metro Tattoo)
Ed Slocum (Tattoo Artistry)
Best Tattoo Removal/ Alteration
Pima Dermatology
5150 E. Glenn St.
Sometimes you get a tattoo related to a (now) ex-lover, or something you now think is ugly, or something that just doesn’t reflect your beliefs anymore. We know a guy who got his own name tattooed on his arm when he was 18, just because he didn’t know what else to get tattooed. He later decided that was dumb. If you’ve changed your mind, Pima Dermatology can help. They’ve been performing laser tattoo removal
for more than 30 years, making them the most experienced laser center in Southern Arizona. Bye-bye, bad tattoos!
READER RECOMMENDED
Oops Laser Removal Look Within Studios
Best Place to Get Pierced
Straight to the Point
1927 E. Grant Road
Body piercings are best done at the only studio in Tucson exclusively dedicated to skin ornamentation. STTP reports it can pierce anything and is willing to customize your piercing experience. From designing a custom piece of jewelry to mapping out your end look, they excel in providing the most comfortable experience for new pokes. Studio owner Lisa Marie Mytych personally trains every piercer at STTP so you can rest assured that your appointment will be handled by a professional.
READER RECOMMENDED
Sacred Art Tattoo Studio
Enchanted Dragon
Best Barber Shop
Headliners
Multiple locations
If you want your hair to look good, and especially if you want something cool shaved onto the side of your head, you need to go to Headliners. They will literally shave a detailed monkey face or an intricate mandala pattern onto the back of your head if you ask them. And it will look cool as hell. They’ve even shaved a Despicable Me minion onto more than one person’s head. Because of the sheer artistry involved in the creation, even those looked pretty awesome. It’s basically impossible to leave a Headliners appointment without feeling like you are cooler than everyone else.
READER RECOMMENDED
Gentleman Jack’s Barber Lounge
Good Fellas
Best Local Clothing Designer Ruby Jane
10A Tubac Road, Tubac
Since launching her business in 2011, Ruby Jane has aimed to design clothing that’s modern and timeless while drawing inspiration from fabrics of South Africa, where she was born. She aims to flatter women no matter what their shape or size. The result is a collection of elegant and sophisticated dresses, tunics, shirts, pants, jewelry and more.
READER RECOMMENDED
Black Broccoli
Laura Tanzer
Outdoors Outdoors
Best Public Garden
Tucson Botanical Gardens
2150 N. Alvernon Way
If you’ve never been to the Tucson Botanical Gardens, trust us, it’s far more than a showcase of desert plants. The Botanical Gardens are an escape right in the middle of town, showing off plants from across the world, a greenhouse with butterflies, gorgeous mosaics, sculptures and miniatures. It’s easy to spend multiple hours wandering around the lush premises, and then a whole additional hour checking out the gift shop.
READER RECOMMENDED
Tohono Chul Park
Reid Park Rose Garden
Best Bike Riding
The Loop
There are many reasons Tucson is a famously bike-friendly city, but the crown jewel might just be the famous Loop (which is only sort of a loop.) Even better, it’s a network of shared-use paths that stretch for more than 100 miles throughout town, bringing recreation to residents in every corner. Hop on your
bike and take a tour through Tucson that brings you by parks, washes, trails, and plenty of the all-important drinking fountains.
READER RECOMMENDED
Mount Lemmon
Sabino Canyon
Best Biking Group/ Community
Tuesday Night Bike Ride
This group is especially great for people who don’t like joining official organizations. They’re just a gathering of unaffiliated, independent cyclists who like to go riding on Tuesday nights. Sometimes it’s nice to be surrounded by people doing the same thing you love to do, without the pressure of it being so strictly organized. They meet at the UA flagpole and leave around 8:30 p.m., and usually ride about 10 to 15 miles. Join the group of about 100 people next time!
El Groupo
Best Hike
Sabino Canyon
Sabino Canyon is far more than a trail winding through the mountains (not that you’d need much more). It’s like multiple hikes in one. This eastside destination begins with a flat, easy hike through the desert before descending into shaded canyons that eventually leads to some beloved waterfalls. Additional trails sprawl throughout the adjacent mountains. But if doing all that sounds like a little much, the tram service can zip you around with ease. Sabino Canyon: for the indecisive adventurer.
READER RECOMMENDED Tumamoc Hill Catalina State Park
Best
Backpacking Trail
Arizona Trail
The Arizona Trail is a once-in-a-lifetime
experience, in that hiking it gets you enough of a leg workout for a lifetime. This famous trail stretches all the way from Mexico to Utah, more than 800 miles in total! And guess what, the trail is lucky enough to pass by Tucson. Hiking the nearby portion will take you through Colossal Cave Mountain Park, Saguaro National Park and the Santa Catalina Mountains. It’s a quick and easy stroll through some of the most beautiful landscapes Pima County has to offer.
READER RECOMMENDED
Sabino Canyon
Aravaipa Canyon
Best Campground
Patagonia Lake State Park
Patagonia and its campgrounds are overlooked in Arizona because of tourist locations like the Grand Canyon or the Sedona red rocks. However, Patagonia Lake State Park is a lush environment known to attract many species of animals. In 90 minutes, you can set up camp at a location fit for birdwatching, boating, fishing, and hiking. The Park hosts fun family events like Halloween Fun on Oct. 30. Park rangers will give a free campsite to whoever decorates their site most festive and kids can do a trick-or-treat walk at 6 p.m.
READER RECOMMENDED
Madera Canyon
Catalina State Park
Sabino Canyon has
Tucson’s best hiking since territorial days
Best Park
Reid Park
900 S. Randolph Way
Of course it’s the best park, it’s Reid Park for crying out loud! Tucson central park has something for everyone: a playground, a waterfront, a rose garden, a dog park, an amphitheater, and even an entire zoo. Although there’s been some contention lately about the zoo expanding, there’s still plenty of room throughout Reid Park’s 130 acres for all the recreation and fresh air you could hope for.
READER RECOMMENDED
Agua Caliente Himmel Park
Best Sporting Goods Store
Summit Hut
5251 E. Speedway Blvd.
7745 N. Oracle Road
and even recumbent bikes. But if you’re not looking for a new set of wheels, they also repair and sell parts. In a town like this, it’s no small feat to win Best Bike Shop.
READER RECOMMENDED Sabino Cycles Roadrunner Bicycles
Best Day Trip
Mount Lemmon
There’s a good reason the town atop Mount Lemmon is called Summerhaven. For decades, the 25-mile drive has served as THE day trip for Tucsonans. We all marvel as the air cools as we ascend from the desert floor to grasslands to pine forest. There are numerous vistas, campgrounds, cabins and even a ski slope up there. A drive up Mount Lemmon has never failed to better our day, that’s for sure.
READER RECOMMENDED
For reasons that are outside our ability to understand, some people enjoy being outdoors in the Sonoran Desert! As long as those people exist, the Summit Hut will be there to serve their wants and needs. This place has it all—tents, lighting, cooking gear, backpacks, hydration needs, footwear, and sleeping bags. Both locations feature a friendly and knowledgeable staff of fellow outdoor enthusiasts. Where do these people come from?!
READER RECOMMENDED Play It Again Sports
Best Bike Shop
Ajo Bikes
1301 E. Ajo Way
Ajo Bikes south of Tucson offers a wide variety of bikes for our cycling-centric city. Since 1991, they’ve been selling mountain bikes, kids’ bikes, BMX bikes,
Got Golf? La Paloma sure does. Their 27-hole course has features including mini-Verde Bermuda greens, dense fairways and seven sets of tee boxes per hole. Not to mention the gorgeous views the course offers of the Santa Catalinas. They’ve also got plenty of resources to help you improve your game, including a short game practice area, two putting practice areas and a driving range. You can even sign up for private lessons, group clinics, or family or couples golf events.
Kids’ Stuff Kids’ Stuff
Best Children’s Entertainer
Mr. Nature
Mr. Nature is the man, myth and legend behind absolute bops such as The Waggle Dance, Pollinator Rock, and Go Go Go Stop. Kids love him, and also we all love him. He uses music and fun and virtual playgroups to teach kids about topics like kindness, mindfulness and positive social interaction. He even started a podcast for lil ones, or, as he calls them, “Little Leafs” during the pandemic. He also started a music streaming series on YouTube to keep people company at home. He’s silliness and positivity and sunshine.
READER RECOMMENDED
Tucson Children’s Museum Board & Brush
Best Daycare
YMCA of Southern Arizona
Multiple locations
We all know that it’s fun to stay at the YYYYYYY MCA, so this shouldn’t come as a surprise. But there are all sorts of new reasons to love their daycare program, including a focus on letting kids learn by exploring their own interests. Through their WatchMeGrow streaming option, you can check in on your child throughout the day as well. For older kids, the YMCA’s before- and afterschool programs provide great opportunities for students to learn about how asking a question and imagining possibilities can lead to big things. And there’s a summer camp, too!
READER RECOMMENDED
Tucson Jewish Community Center
Brichta Infant and Early Learning Childcare
Best Fun for the Whole Family
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
2021 N. Kinney Road
There’s plenty to do at the Desert Museum: Kids can go wild with the desert creatures, adults can learn about our local environment. They have summer camps, art classes and even a great restaurant. The Desert Museum will delight young and old alike.
READER RECOMMENDED
Reid Park Zoo
Golf N’ Stuff
Best Kids’ Clothing Store
Little Bird Nesting Company
4508 E. Broadway Blvd.
Whether you’re looking for a cowboy hat or a pair of boots, Little Bird Nesting Company has a wide assortment of quality second-hand clothes, shoes, toys and other child-raising necessities. (And you’d have to be plumb crackers to buy this kind of stuff new, especially when they’ll outgrow it in a matter of months-or maybe even weeks!) Plus, you can take your kid’s stuff in for trade, making it an ideal way to keep this whole having-kids thing affordable.
READER RECOMMENDED
Twice As Nice Sweet Repeats
Best Place for a Children’s Party
Children’s Museum
Tucson
200 S. Sixth Ave.
Downtown’s Children’s Museum is already one of the best places for kids
to have a good time, but their birthday parties take it to the next level. Whether you have a group of 10 or a group of 50, the Children’s Museum has a fiesta package for you that includes an activity led by a discovery guide. And if it’s a Very Important Birthday, you can get the whole museum to yourself in the evening hours. It’s a birthday they won’t soon forget!
READER RECOMMENDED Get Air
Wild Katz
Best Public Pool/ Splashpad
Brandi Fenton Memorial Park
3482 E. River Road
Brandi Fenton’s splashpad has all you need: Fountains that spray up, buckets that pour down and giant squirt cannons so you can take aim at the other kids who are splashing around. Plus, kids are way less likely to drown so it’s easier than taking them to the pool. Put ’em in their swimsuits and let them loose!
TUCSON WEEKLY FILE PHOTO
Your kid will be the star at a Tucson Children’s Museum birthday party.
RECOMMENDED
Oro Valley Aquatic Center
Manzanita Park
Best Restaurant With a Kids Menu
Little Anthony’s Diner
7010 E. Broadway Blvd.
Jungle
Best Playground
Himmel Park
1000 N. Tucson Blvd.
There’s something irresistible about a diner for a lot of kids. Everything is shiny and feels just old fashioned enough to be interesting. But what takes a place like Little Anthony’s to the next level for kids is their menu offerings: classic, simple and completely irresistible. A burger, macaroni and cheese, a corn dog, or chicken strips, yes. A PB&J for picky eaters. Grilled cheese strips for those looking to branch out on presentation. And even pasgetti and meatballs, spelled kid-style. If you’re lucky, they’ll be having a car show in the parking lot, complete with a bounce house to work up an appetite. READER RECOMMENDED eegee’s Pita
Himmel Park’s playground has had quite a makeover thanks to voter-ap-
proved bonds. There are a couple of great forts for them to clamber all over (and soft, spongy material underneath to soften the inevitable falls), swings and a Very Tall Slide. If you get bored, you can always visit the library. And there’s a splashpark on the way! This is kid heaven.
READER RECOMMENDED
Brandi Fenton Memorial Park
Reid Park
Best Story Time Pima County Library
While COVID has put the kibosh on story time at the county libraries (and just about everywhere else), we’re told that the program will be back just as soon as it can be done safely. A lot of kids around town will be happy when it happens!
READER RECOMMENDED Bookmans
Mildred & Dildred
Best Summer Camp
Reid Park Zoo
3400 E. Zoo Ct.
Wanna know what’s new with the zoo? What’s up with the giraffes? How bearable are the grizzlies? You otter sign up for a summer camp where the kids get up close and personal with all creatures great and small. Zoo camp lets kids learn about animals, habitats and compassion. Be sure to claw your way in early: This one sells out faster than a speeding cheetah.
READER RECOMMENDED
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Tucson Jewish Community Center
TUCSON WEEKLY FILE PHOTO
Swinging around Himmel Park, Tucson’s best playground.
Best Toy Store
Mildred & Dildred
1725 N. Swan Road
Mildred & Dildred have a new home in the old Kids Center store on Swan Road near Pima Street. But the store has lost none of its charm in its move from La Encantada. They still carry all manner of dolls, stuffed animals, dinosaurs, puppets, books and everything else that kids love. While you can shop in the store, they offer private shopping appointments, curbside pickup and even delivery for orders over $30, as long as you live in one of several magic ZIP codes. Let’s hope we get back to in-person storytime soon!
Best Way to Entertain Kids
During the Summer
Swimming
When the triple digits hit, the best way to keep the kids cool is to take them swimming. Just be sure to keep an eye on them until they show they know how to stay afloat!
READER RECOMMENDED
Great food for kids at Little Anthony’s.
CASUAL DINING
Best Curbside Pickup
Beyond Bread
Multiple locations
Curbside pickup sure became a thing over the last 18 months, didn’t it? There are a lot of eateries that will bring your food right to your car, but Beyond Bread rose to the top in the eyes of our readers. Bring us a simple brown paper bag filled with a delicious breakfast, lunch or dinner? Yum!
READER RECOMMENDED
Zinburger
Brooklyn Pizza Company
Chow Chow
Best Delivery
Baggin’s Gourmet Sandwiches
Multiple locations
Delivery became a lot more important to our lives after the pandemic arrived in Tucson—and Baggin’s definitely, well, delivered. The local chain has enough locations around town that they probably even deliver those delicious sandwiches to your place.
READER RECOMMENDED
Brooklyn Pizza Fresco
Best Place to Grab a Slice
Brooklyn Pizza Company
534 N. Fourth Ave.
Brooklyn Pizza Company calls itself “fresh-baked, hand-tossed, solar-powered pizza,” but they left off one key description: Absolutely delicious! These massive cheese slices will only set you back $3.22, making it one of the best bargains in town. Take your slice next
door to sister business Sky Bar and have a cold craft brew while you’re at it.
READER RECOMMENDED
Empire Pizza
Time Market
Best Caterer
El Molinito
Multiple locations
It’s hard to go wrong by catering an event with authentic Mexican cuisine. And El Molinito, which caters to gatherings of every size, is really the best. You can customize your own menu, or go with one of their suggested combination plates, like the chile con carne plate, the fajita dinner, the El Molinito Special, and even the El Molinito Vegetarian Special. Just writing this is making us want to plan a large event so we can get it catered, stuff our faces, and then keep all the leftovers.
READER RECOMMENDED Feast Brushfire
Best Diner
Little Anthony’s
7010 E. Broadway Blvd.
It is the nature of the industry that diners come and go. Some arrive with a splash and become the hot new place, but almost all of them that came eventually reach that “go” stage of their existence. But, every now and then, there is the outlier, the diner that came… and stayed around…for decades! Little Anthony’s bills itself as “Tucson’s 50s Diner” and then more than lives up to it. The menu is unashamedly designed for the person who shows up really hungry
and leaves really satisfied. In the Eatie Gourmet section of the menu, they have the Hunk-a-Hunk of Burning Love Burger, the La Bamba Burger, and the Be Bop Bacon Burger. There’s Grandma Tony’s Pizza and a wide variety of chicken offerings including the Love Me Tender Strips. They have French Fries and Chili Fries and Cheese Fries. And we’re not even going to talk about the desserts. At Little Anthony’s they aim to please and they always hit their target.
READER RECOMMENDED
Baja Café
Bisbee Breakfast Club
Best Specialty Food Store
Lee Lee International Supermarket
1990 W. Orange Grove Road
Lee Lee is so fun! They’ve got tens of thousands of international grocery items, representing more than 30 countries or geographic regions. It’s the perfect place to go to try all kinds of new foods you’ve never heard of or thought to try. Frog, chicken feet grace the meat section, and you’ll find things like kabucha, daikon and chayote in the produce section. Their deli department has pretty much every kind of tofu you could ever think of, and many, many kinds you can’t. There are kids in candy stores, and then there are adventurous culinary enthusiasts in Lee Lee.
READER RECOMMENDED
AJ’s Fine Foods
Roma Imports
Best Delicatessen
Dickman’s Meat & Deli
6472 N. Oracle Road
7955 E. Broadway Blvd.
We’ll put it this way: Where else are you going to pick up enough pastrami, honey ham, mesquite-smoked turkey, sirloin steaks, alligator sausage and crab for the whole family? Sure that’s a lot, but there’s a reason Dickman’s refers to themselves as a “full service” deli. For more than a decade, Dickman’s has been filling Tucson bellies, especially with those beloved “ugly steaks” that taste anything but.
READER RECOMMENDED
Roma Imports
4th Ave. Deli
Best Desserts
Nadine’s
4553 E. Broadway Blvd.
Nadine’s all kosher bakery is the perfect place to satisfy any craving. A singular dessert has multiple varieties at Nadine’s and you aren’t limited to traditional croissants and scones. Nadine’s has excellent cakes, brownies, and breads with delicious flavor combinations. They are well-known for their wedding cakes but we venture to say
Nadine’s exceeds in offering the most interesting baked goods in Tucson.
READER RECOMMENDED
Beyond Bread/Back Dough Cup
Café
Best Ice Cream
The Screamery
Multiple locations
The Screamery ice cream will literally make you scream, pun intended. The current offerings include Whiskey Way, Sweet Sonoran Dessert, and Cowboy Cookie. As we head into fall, pumpkin lovers will certainly love their Pumpkin Roll ice cream. Real pumpkin, sweet cream, spices, and whole cinnamon rolls are mixed together for the perfect fall treat. Their more adventurous flavors make them unique and their basic flavors are world-class. Traditional chocolate is easily one of the best flavors on the menu and one of the best chocolate ice creams in Tucson.
READER RECOMMENDED
HUB Ice Creamery
Frost Gelato
Best Bagel
The Bagel Joint
7315 N. Oracle Road
Bagels are a gift to human kind, and the Bagel Joint is a gift to bagels. They’ve
TUCSON WEEKLY FILE PHOTO
Dickman’s Meat and Deli has exotic meat options.
got breakfast sandwiches including Bagels & Lox, the Arizona Strongman and the Tucson Sunrise that will make your mouth water. Plus, tons of originals, like the Roast Beef & Cheddah, the Hummus Veggie Bagel, and the BBLT. Head over for breakfast, or pick up a Boston Dozen (that’s 14!) to bring home to the family. Or pick up a Boston Dozen and a tub of their El Diablo cream cheese all for yourself. We’re not judging.
READER RECOMMENDED Prep and Pastry
Café Passe
Best Barbecue
to smokey chipotle. If you’re looking for BBQ that’s fall-off-the-bone good, BrushFire is the place to go.
READER RECOMMENDED
Since opening in 2007, BrushFire has become a Tucson institution thanks to its flavorful meats slow-roasted over mesquite and pecan and its phenomenal sauces, ranging from sweet molasses
This is the
and the MOM
Zinburger offers such a dazzling array of burgers that it’s hard to pick when you take a look at the menu. Do you want the classic diner burger with lettuce and tomato? Maybe a burger with a fried egg and bacon? How about a burger in a bowl with all sorts of yummy veggies? Or a veggie burger? Zinburger has all this and more to satisfy your beefy appetite.
READER RECOMMENDED
Veggie burgers have come a long way over the past few decades, and even over the past few years. While some restaurants serve patties meant to recreate the taste of meat, Graze serves up something uniquely delicious. A tepary bean patty with smoky flavor is topped with lettuce, red onion, cucumber and a grilled bun, all of which has our staff vegetarians very excited.
READER RECOMMENDED
Zinburger Beaut Burger
Lindy’s Killer Burgers
as seen on MAN v FOOD the Food Channel
GINORMOUS FOODS the Food Channel
Lindy’s Killer Burgers, Family Owned 500 N 4TH AV THE CORNER OF 4TH AVENUE AND 6TH STREET
Artwork by Donovan White
MEAT and POTATOES the Travel Channel BEST PLACES TO PIG OUT the Travel Channel and in their Hall of Fame
BANDIT RIVEREDGE
BrushFire BBQ’s fine sauce
Best Place to Get a Sandwich
Beyond Bread
Multiple locations
It doesn’t matter what Beyond Bread location you choose, the outcome will be the same: a huge sandwich, quality bread, plenty of side options, and a significant setback on your carb counting. Yes, their diverse sandwiches are the stars of the show. But Beyond Bread’s partnership with local breweries, inventive flavor combinations, and whole pies make them a well-rounded dining destination. Good luck finding a Tucsonan who hasn’t eaten too much at Beyond Bread and enjoyed every second of it.
READER RECOMMENDED
Bison Witches
Baggin’s Gourmet Sandwiches
Best FreshBaked Bread
Barrio Bread
18 S. Eastbourne Ave.
Barrio Bread owner and baker Don Guerra used to work in bakeries before spending seven years in K-12 education. When he returned to baking again, it was in his garage, and his neighbors
were the lucky consumers of his first Tucson loaves. It was such a success that it expanded beyond the barrio (neighborhood, in Spanish), and into collaborations with local farmers and chefs. These days, Barrio Bread is a local staple, and Guerra was even named one of Dessert Professional Magazine’s Top Ten Bakers in America a few years back.
READER RECOMMENDED
Beyond Bread
La Baquette
Best Pizzeria
Rocco’s Little Chicago
2707 E. Broadway Blvd.
The Broadway widening project has made it a challenge to get to Rocco’s, but with the reward that waits once you get past all those detours, you’ll be glad you did. Whether you want your pie the deep-dish Chicago way or an East Coast thin crust, you’ll walk away with one of the best pies in town. Big thanks to Rocco DiGrazia for making it through the one-two punch of COVID and construction. The town would a be poorer place without his pie.
READER RECOMMENDED
Brooklyn Pizza Company
Empire Pizza & Pub
TUCSON
Don Guerra uses heritage grains to bake his loaves at Barrio Bread.
Best Wings
Wings Over Broadway
8838 E. Broadway Blvd.
Wings Over Broadway puts it bluntly on their website: beer, wings and sports. If any or all three of these sound good to you, Wings Over Broadway is up your alley. It doesn’t hurt that they’re a BOT regular, dishing out favorites like lemon pepper, honey gold and garlic Parmesan wings. Pair these with some beer or burgers, and you’ve definitely got a happy hour.
READER RECOMMENDED
Rocco’s Little Chicago ATL Wings
Best Smoothies/
3401 E. Speedway Blvd.
stand (though happily, none of those ingredients are in the excellent smoothies they blend up fresh alongside the brewing coffee). It hasn’t been easy to weather the pandemic, but these guys have figured it out—and we know they’ll figure out how to handle the big Dunkin’ moving in next door. Break your chains and support the local guys!
READER RECOMMENDED Pure Love Juice
Goodness Fresh Food and Juice Bar
Best Food Truck
Taco Stop
Owners Dave Mannell and Michael Cripps have put a lot of blood, sweat and tears in their midtown drive-thru
What is a food truck if not a modern chuckwagon? Tucson is blessed with so many of these meals on wheels that it’s hard to choose just one, but this year, Taco Stop outraced the others. You’ll not only find traditional tacos here, but also hot dogs and veggie options like jack-
fruit burros. Don’t wait for the supper bell—seek these guys out whenever you see them!
READER RECOMMENDED
You Sly Dog Curry Pot
Best Coffee Raging Sage
2458 N. Campbell Ave.
Located along the bustling Campbell Avenue corridor, Raging Sage has been around long enough to figure out how to brew a great cup of coffee, espresso, latte or whatever your poison happens to be. With its great patio, this cozy joint is a great stop when you want to treat yo’self.
READER RECOMMENDED Coffee Times
Exo Roast Co
Best Donuts
Amy’s Donuts
101 E. Fort Lowell Road
Have you seen these donuts? Almond banana caramel? Chocolate cookie butter? Butterfinger glaze? Chips ahoy? And, of course, you have plenty of traditional, frosted and filled donuts outside the gourmet category if you want to do a little less damage to your blood-sugar levels. These are the donuts you’ve dreamed of all your life.
READER RECOMMENDED
943 E. University Blvd., Suite 165
308 E. Congress St.
If you’re new to the world of tea (or even if you aren’t), the number of options can be overwhelming. Just what is rooibos or matcha anyhow? That’s why Tucson’s favorite tea house makes it easy with their sales: samplers, classic flavors, seasonal collections and more. Just look at their website or menu. They’ve curated flavors from around the world that are sure to please both newbie and snob.
READER RECOMMENDED Tucson Tea Company
Best Drive Thru
There are plenty of reasons why Cup Café is such a favorite with our readers: The charming interior, the expansive patio, the friendly and professional servers, the delicious food with local accents on the breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, the dessert case, the historic atmosphere of Hotel Congress—you’ll find it all there and all done well.
READER RECOMMENDED
You don’t really appreciate drive-thrus until you become a parent of a toddler and realize that entering a restaurant for takeout involves unlocking all sorts of straps and buckles. (And let’s face it, there are times when you’re really happy to have a legal reason to tie the kids down.) So if you’re hitting a drive-thru, why not hit the one that features stuff that kids love, from French fries to chicken nuggets? The only challenge is having a conversation through a speaker box when the kids are screeching at each other in a back seat. Don’t worry, they’ll decide on a flavor soon enough.
READER RECOMMENDED
Coffee Times
Los Betos
Best eegee’s Flavor
Watermelon
It’s great that eegee’s brings us a new flavor every month alongside the traditional lemon, strawberry, piña colada and skinny berry, but is the category even a contest? We all know watermelon, available in July as a relief for those triple digits, was gonna run away with this one.
READER RECOMMENDED
Orange Dream
Piña Colada
Best Family Dining
Pinnacle Peak
6541 E. Tanque Verde Road
Trail Dust Town is as close to a Western legend as you’re gonna find in the city limits, so it’s appropriate that an oldschool steakhouse—complete with the swinging saloon doors—is at the top of this category. It’s perfect for family dining because the kids can ride the train, take a spin on the carousel, see a magic show and shop for candy while (most of) the rest of your party can enjoy a little adult conversation (and maybe adult beverages). If you’re taking someone for
the first time, be sure to tell them that a tie is required, just so you can watch the staff snip it off and add it to the collection.
READER RECOMMENDED
Little Anthony’s
Brooklyn Pizza Company
Best Specialty Sandwich
Wildcat (Bison Witches)
Oh, Bison Witches. We love you. We love your chili cheese nachos and your tortilla chicken salad, your cream of broccoli soup and your veggie sandwich. But most of all, we love your Wildcat Sandwich. We love it so much we wrote it this haiku: Roast beef and turkey Gouda cheese, Russian mustard Let us eat you. Now.
READER RECOMMENDED
Unforgettable (Baggin’s Gourmet Sandwiches)
Bart’s Bag (Beyond Bread)
Best Place to Get a Salad
Choice Greens
2829 E. Speedway Blvd.
Sure, you can guarantee that cowboys enjoy a salad now and then—and Choice Greens is legendary for its healthy mixes of veggies, fruit and meat. You
can pick one of their specialty salads or just make your own with an easy-tofill-out form. The ingredients are always fresh, there’s a wide range of dressings to choose from and you’ll feel better after eating here, guaranteed.
READER RECOMMENDED Sauce
Beyond Bread
Best French Fries
Serial Grillers
5975
E. Speedway Blvd.
There are many types of fries in this world, and they are each beautiful in their own way. But some rise a cut above the rest. At Serial Grillers, their secret is simplicity: quarter-inch cut, seasoned with sea salt and completely wonderful. We like it when there’s not too many flavors getting between us and the glorious potatoes and their best friend, sea salt. So, once you can stop eating their fries long enough to take a breather
(we’re going to need a few minutes), let’s raise a toast to Serial Grillers.
READER RECOMMENDED eegee’s
Zinburger
Best Hot Dog
El Güero Canelo
Multiple locations
It should come as no surprise, right? If you’re talking about the best ‘dogs in Tucson, you have to go with the Sonoran style. And if you’re talking Sonoran style ‘dogs, why not go with the business that has been dishing out the overflowing specialties all over the state? A great hotdog should always involve you saying, “Wow, what all is on this thing?”
READER RECOMMENDED
BK Carne Asada and Hot Dogs Pat’s Chili Dogs
Best Eggs Benedict
Baja Cafe
Multiple locations
There’s a reason you should often call ahead when eating at Baja Café: Tucson is crazy about the place! But if you’re waiting, you’ll have plenty of reading to do, because Baja Café devotes an entire menu page just to eggs benedict. Want your eggs benedict topped with sweet potatoes, Hatch green chiles, mac and cheese, pulled pork or chorizo? Look no
further. They even have a “monsoon” eggs Benedict with avocado, smoked bacon and grilled tomatoes. Now that’s Tucson.
READER RECOMMENDED Blue Willow Prep and Pastry
The Coyote, featuring Hatch green chilies and jalapeño bacon, is one spicy version of eggs benedict at Baja Café
RESTAURANTS
Best Breakfast
Bisbee Breakfast Club
Multiple locations
Sure, they do have Bisbee in the name. But Bisbee Breakfast Club has earned their place on Best of Tucson with their phenomenal breakfast choices and multiple locations across town. If you’ve enjoyed one of their huge omelets, decadent pancake specials, or huevos rancheros, you know why Bisbee Breakfast Club rose to the top of the breakfast ladder. Hey, it takes a lot to get a Tucsonan to admit we’re not the only great place in Southern Arizona.
READER RECOMMENDED
Baja Cafe
Prep & Pastry
Best Brunch
Prep & Pastry
6450 E. Grant Road
2660 N. Campbell Ave.
These days, it seems brunch is only getting trendier. But it’s important not
to give up quality food in place of photo ops. Prep & Pastry walks both lanes, with a cozy, modern atmosphere, and plenty of awesome food. The biscuits and gravy and “everything” croissant are some of our favorites, but it’s hard to go wrong with a classic avocado toast or French toast. And it’s not truly brunch unless you try every one of their mimosas!
READER RECOMMENDED
Blue Willow Baja Cafe
Best Chinese
Golden Dragon
6433 N. Oracle Road
Golden Dragon takes the Best Chinese award again, and it’s no surprise why. After three decades, they’ve stuck to their winning formula of fresh meats and veggies for all the classics of Chinese cuisine. It’s hard to miss on dishes like lo mein or fried rice, but Golden Dragon’s specialty dishes like Khan’s spicy beef and the “Golden Dragon’’ itself put them a step above the rest. And with locations in the Foothills and midtown, you won’t have to wait long for delivery, or go far to enjoy a meal.
READER RECOMMENDED
Jun Dynasty
Guilin Chinese Restaurant
Best Greek
Opa’s Best
4590 E. Broadway Blvd.
When they said this was Opa’s best, they weren’t pulling your toga. Opa’s Best has served Tucson for years with their combination of Greek and American food, with classics like their house-made baklava, slow-roasted lamb, and grilled burgers. We personally recommend their falafel platter with a Greek salad, but you really can’t go wrong. And if you can’t get enough of Opa’s, they even offer catering.
READER RECOMMENDED
Pappoule’s
Zayna Mediterranean
Best French
Ghini’s French Caffe
1803 E. Prince Road
Is a motto like “Frenchness Guaranteed” something you’re looking for? Well when that motto is alongside decades of serving Tucson and multiple BOT placements, it certainly seems appealing. We know Ghini’s won in the Best French category, but we also happen to think France and brunch go handin-hand. So look no further than their brunch menu with dishes like ham and swiss omelettes and strawberry French toast as a proper introduction to Ghini’s greatness.
READER RECOMMENDED
Wild Garlic Grill Le Rendezvous
Best Indian
Saffron
7607 N. Oracle Road
Yes, there are the classics of Indian cuisine like curry or tikka masala, but we enjoy diving into the obscurities of Saffron’s extensive menu. Who knew
Curry up and visit Saffron for Tucson’s best Indian food
that butter chicken or vegetable biryani could be so good? But that’s only the beginning, a true outing at Saffron isn’t complete without tasting their homemade samosas, naan and even ice
READER
RECOMMENDED
Sher-E-Punjab India Oven
Best Japanese
Yoshimatsu
2741 N. Campbell Ave.
With how much Tucson adores Yoshimatsu, it’s likely there will be a wait on a weekend night if you’re looking to dine in. But that’s fine, because there’s plenty to look at on the walls. And really, that sums up Yoshimatsu. It’s a restaurant, but it’s also a window to Japan. Whether you’re enjoying their noodles, bento or their wide variety of sushi, you’re getting the best taste of Japan in town.
Best Italian Caruso’s Italian Restaurant
434 N. Fourth Ave.
It’s basically a rule that any storefront on Fourth Ave. becomes a part of Tucson culture, regardless of how long they’ve been open. But Caruso’s has been dishing up fine Italian food for more than 70 years, and that makes them more than just a part of Old Pueblo culture. Generations of Tucsonans have enjoyed Caruso’s family cuisine, ranging from pizza to homemade meatballs to seafood pasta. It’s no wonder that after all this time, Caruso’s remains il capo.
READER RECOMMENDED Vivace Locale
READER RECOMMENDED
Obon Sushi
Ikkyu
Best Ramen
Raijin Ramen
2955 E. Speedway Blvd.
This tiny restaurant in Tucson produces the most comforting ramen flavors accompanied by excellent service. Raijin is always teeming with customers for good reason. Their menu has multiple ramen options that accommodate vegheads, vegans, and meat-eaters alike. Another fabulous feature is their lightning fast service! Stop by Raijin during this fall/winter season to try their red spicy chili Tonkotsu ramen bowl. This bowl of ramen is packed with the perfect balance of fats, nutrients, and spices to overcome the sniffles.
Little Tokyo in Tucson: Yoshimatsu serves the best Japanase food in town.
READER RECOMMENDED
Noodleholics
Obon
Best Middle Eastern
Zayna Mediterranean
1138 N. Belvedere Ave.
Zayna Mediterranean has jumped from second place last year to a shiny Best of Tucson for 2021. Zayna focuses on serving healthy Mediterranean food, so there’s plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. But they still have all the beef, lamb and chicken to maintain that Mediterranean cred. Zayna is actually an Arabic name meaning “grace.” A look at their dishes will show you why.
READER RECOMMENDED
Persian Room
Istanbul Mediterranean
Best Contemporary/ Fusion Restaurant
Wildflower
7037 N. Oracle Road
A general rule around town is if it’s part of Fox Restaurant Concepts, you’re probably in for a delicious meal. And Wildflower is no exception, offering dishes inspired from food all over the world. (That’s what makes it true “American” cuisine, right?) Their artisanal salads and pasta are great, but their appetizers like grilled artichoke and Lebanese hummus are perfect for meeting with some friends and enjoying the ambience of Casas Adobes Plaza.
READER RECOMMENDED
Tito & Pep Feast
Kingfisher remains king of the seas.
Best Seafood Kingfisher
2564 E. Grant Road
Yes, there are plenty of choices when it comes to seafood. I mean, it’s the sea after all. But what sets Kingfisher apart is their rotating specialty menus that balance Mexican, Hawaiian, British and Southern styles in innovative ways. Oh,
to choose between the shrimp and jalapeno ceviche, the pan-seared Atlantic salmon, or the sriracha black mussels. And we’re not even getting started on their specialty cocktail and “dessert drink” menu.
READER RECOMMENDED
Mariscos Chihuahua
Wild Garlic Grill
Best Steakhouse
Silver Saddle
310 E. Benson Hwy.
When a restaurant brands themselves as “Tucson’s Best Steakhouse,” they better be ready to prove it. And Silver Saddle does that with their wide variety of steaks, ranging from the classic 10 oz. New York Strip, up to the 16 oz. T-Bone, and finally to the 24 oz. Porter House with plenty of options in between. And all their steaks are influenced by the “golden era of cowboy cookery” with mesquite smoke flavor and large portion sizes. We wouldn’t want a steakhouse any other way.
READER RECOMMENDED
Pinnacle Peak El Corral
Best Sushi
Sushi Garden
Multiple locations
We think “garden” is a great way to describe this place, considering all its options. Enjoy sushi how you want it: lunch, dinner, takeout, curbside pickup or delivery. Want sushi, sashimi, seafood, tempura, teriyaki or vegetarian options? They have all that and plenty more. Their beloved buffets and “all you can eat” sushi are on hold because of that damn COVID, but we eagerly await the day we can march in and eat far too much.
READER RECOMMENDED
Sushi on Oracle
Sachiko Sushi
Best Thai
Tuk Tuk Thai
2990 N. Campbell Ave., Suite 130
12125 N. Oracle Road, Unit 169
Tuk Tuk Thai embraces the traditions of Thai street food, but doesn’t forego qual-
ity. It’s a little bit about the atmosphere, a little bit about the friendly staff, a little bit about the fast service, and a lot about the food that “celebrates the beautiful tastes and culture of Thailand.” Their spicy basil chicken with a fried egg and jasmine rice makes for a fantastic lunch.
READER RECOMMENDED
Bangkok Café
Bai Thong
Best Vietnamese
Miss Saigon
Multiple locations
Congratulations again to a Best of Tucson regular! Miss Saigon is determined to remain the name in Vietnamese food around Tucson, and has been for more than a decade. Miss Saigon puts authenticity, fresh ingredients, and excellent service at the top of their priorities — and it shows. Hey, there’s a reason so many of their dishes end with the word “delight.”
READER RECOMMENDED
Ha Long Bay Saigon Pho
Best Vegetarian/ Vegan
Tumerico
2526 E. Sixth St.
Is there another restaurant in town that so effortlessly embodies the word artisanal? Their menus are all in chalk and updated daily, for crying out loud. But the best part about Tumerico is that they can walk the walk and talk the talk. With choices like “carnitas” jackfruit and Cuban tacos, their vegan dishes rival their meat counterparts any day of the week. Guy Fieri likes the place, isn’t that enough?
READER RECOMMENDED
Charro Vida Lovin’ Spoonfuls
Best Upscale Restaurant
Vivace
6440 N. Campbell Ave.
A perpetual name in this category, Vivace Italian restaurant takes the cannoli again thanks to their gorgeous foothills location, quality dishes and extensive drink menu. Restaurateur Daniel Scordato carries on his family tradition in dishes like the seafood stuffed portabella mushrooms, chicken and asparagus risotto and osso buco. Since 1993, Vivace has served as one of the best destinations for Tucson fine dining.
READER RECOMMENDED
Wild Garlic Grill
Hacienda del Sol
Best African Zemam’s
2731 E. Broadway Blvd.
119 E. Speedway Blvd.
Founded by refugee Amanuel Gegremariam, Zemam’s really is THE place in Tucson to enjoy Ethiopian classics like beef strips simmered in spicy berbere sauce, seasoned lamb, and mountains of veggies and lentils atop that wonderful spongy bread. Zemam’s is an inspiring story for Tucson’s first Ethiopian restaurant, and one we’re happy to prolong with every visit.
READER RECOMMENDED
Cafe Desta
Queen Sheba
Best Chef
Maria Mazon (BOCA Tacos y Tequila)
Is it just us, or does Tucson have more acclaimed chefs per capita than most other cities? Maria Mazon is certainly one of them thanks to her goal of making “the best taco.” And it’s hard to disagree with choices like chipotle
BBQ and mole de pollo. Earlier this year, Mazon even brought her skills to the culinary coliseum known as Top Chef As Mazon says, “Being a chef for me is a way to scream who I am as a person.”
READER RECOMMENDED
Travis Peters (The Parish)
Mateo Otero (Rollies Mexican Patio)
Best Place to Eat Lunch Downtown
Street Taco
58 W. Congress St.
Multiple elements come together to make Street Taco our readers’ favorite place to grab lunch downtown. Quick and scrumptious street tacos, a full salsa bar, and a good amount of local beer options; these all would make a restaurant worth your time. But as we all know: location, location, location. Street Taco is conveniently nestled right at the corner of Congress and Church down-
town, making their patio seating one of the best places to grab some food and people-watch in all of Tucson.
READER RECOMMENDED
BOCA Tacos y Tequila
The Little One Best Downtown Restaurant
HUB Restaurant and Ice Creamery
266 E. Congress St.
We’ve got to applaud the guts it takes to make a restaurant and ice creamery combo. It’s one thing to imagine it, but another to actually build it. Luckily, that wild idea has worked out for HUB. And it’s much more than a gimmick. HUB puts a delicious and artisanal twist on many of their dishes, such as the smoked gouda, avocado mayo and bacon California burger, and the elote
pasta. And after filling up on craft food, you can enjoy some of their unique ice cream flavors like honey lavender, pomegranate cherry and olive oil pistachio.
READER RECOMMENDED Cup Café
The Little One
Best Northwest Restaurant
The Parish
6453 N. Oracle Road
Fun fact: Louisiana is the only state with parishes instead of counties. But that’s not the only thing this beloved northside restaurant brought from the south. Self-described as a “Southernfusion gastropub,” The Parish takes guests on a tasty tour throughout the Gulf states with authentic gumbo, BBQ pork, shrimp and grits, bleu cheese and bacon burgers, and of course cornmeal crusted catfish. Congratulations on the BOT win again, fellas!
READER RECOMMENDED
Wildflower Charro Vida
Best Central Restaurant
Blue Willow
2616 N. Campbell Ave.
Blue Willow offers up many delicious
Southwestern classics for breakfast through dinner, but what really sets them apart is the setting. It’s an unsuspecting storefront on Campbell, but once you go inside, the overflowing gift shop and shaded central patio prove this is a perfect setting to grab a bite with friends.
READER RECOMMENDED
Kingfisher Tito & Pep
Best Eastside Restaurant
Saguaro Corners
3750 S. Old Spanish Trail
Saguaro Corners is about as eastside as you can get without stumbling into a national park. Their surroundings inspire multiple dishes on their menu, like their mini Sonoran dogs, carne
asada fries, and green and red chicken enchiladas. With plenty of margaritas, 16 beer taps, and entire taco platters, Saguaro Corners means it when they say they’re a comfort food destination.
READER RECOMMENDED
Jonathan’s Cork Zona 78
Best Southside Restaurant
Mi Nidito
1813 S. Fourth Ave.
We’d certainly take South Tucson’s word on what constitutes great Mexican food, but we don’t have to. We know Mi Nidito’s food is fantastic. You don’t last for more than 50 years by cooking up anything less than the best. Yes, the tacos and burros are classics. But in our opinion, Mi Nidito’s chimichangas steal
the show. Mi Nidito won best Southside restaurant last year, this year, and we get the feeling we’ll see their name again in the future.
READER RECOMMENDED
Another regular among the BOT elites, Wild Garlic Grill takes the Best Foothills Restaurant title again. When you base your restaurant around the all-powerful garlic, it’s hard not to please. Chef Steven Schultz combines culinary lessons from Paris to California, ensuring that dishes like their braised lamb shank, caprese salad, pork loin and ceviche are all world-class.
READER RECOMMENDED
Vivace North
Seis Kitchen gathers the tastes and traditions of six different regions of Mexican food, selects the best, and serves it to you on a plate. The stars of the show are their tacos with specialties like achiote-marinated grilled chicken, green chile pork, beer-battered avocado and red chile-braised beef. But don’t let these distract you from Seis’ extensive drink menu with Mexican classics ranging from margaritas to agua frescas to plenty of cerveza.
READER RECOMMENDED
Teresa’s Mosaic Cafe
Augustin Kitchen
Best Place to Eat Gluten Free
Tumerico
2526 E. Sixth Street
402 E. Fourth Ave.
Oh, Tumerico, what can’t you do? Despite almost any dietary restrictions, this Tucson favorite will still dish up some delicious Mexican food. Most of the food at Tumerico is gluten free, including their imaginative spiced veggies in place of meat, as well as their side “powers” (beans, rice, salad). While some of the additions do have gluten, you can eat at Tumerico plenty of times without coming across the pesky proteins.
READER RECOMMENDED
Gourmet Girls Gluten Free Bakery/Bistro
Charro Vida
Best Jamaican
CeeDee Jamaican
Kitchen
5305 E. Speedway Blvd.
What makes CeeDee Jamaican Kitchen Tucson’s favorite spot for Jamaican food? Aside from covering many of the island’s signature dishes like oxtail, jerk chicken and goat curry, they also serve as cultural ambassadors with their events and music. Their specialty beverages and desserts make this a quick trip to the Caribbean without getting wet.
READER RECOMMENDED
D’s Island Grill
Best Korean
Takamatsu
5532 E. Speedway Blvd.
Takamatsu has grown to become a kind of one-stop-shop for all things Asian food in Tucson: sushi, bento boxes, noodles, soup, rice bowls and more. But get this, they even have multiple menu pages dedicated exclusively to Korean dishes, whether that be marinated beef, spicy pork, kimchee, cold noodles or the classic Korean BBQ. Stop by for their happy hour and get your reading glasses out.
READER RECOMMENDED
Kimchi Time
Korea House
Best New Restaurant
Barrio Charro
3699 N. Campbell Ave.
Few words get Tucson mouths watering as quickly as “Charro.” The latest addition to the beloved family of restaurants is Barrio Charro, which brings together Don Guerra of Barrio Bread and Chef Carlotta Flores of the Charro restaurants. Mexican food in a beloved bun? Count us in. Sandwiches like the Pueblo Quesabirria, which has queso oaxaca, beans, pico salsa and consommé dip on barrio pan azteca, show off the best of both worlds.
READER RECOMMENDED
Best Signature Dish
Carne Seca at El Charro
Can you even call yourself a Tucsonan if you don’t know the story of El Charro’s famous and rare carne seca? Sun-dried strips of spicy beef are prepared in cages above their restaurant, giving the meat a kick like only the Sonoran skies can deliver. This beloved meat is a good filling for burritos, enchiladas, tacos and more. And it’s good they put it on so much, because El Charro is one of the only restaurants in the nation where you can enjoy this specialty. READER
El Charro’s carne seca is a must on the Tucson Bucket
Best Outdoor Dining
LaCo
201 N. Court Ave.
Anyone who’s eaten at this downtown eatery should know exactly why they won Best Outdoor Dining. LaCo is a restaurant, sure, but it’s also a kind of gallery with plenty of adjacent shops, streaming lights, cozy atmosphere, and there’s usually a local band taking the stage as well. Although LaCo rode the ups and downs of COVID like the rest of us, they are now “back in action” every day of the week.
READER RECOMMENDED
Cup Cafe
Saguaro Corners
Best Dining with a View
Hacienda del Sol
5501 N. Hacienda Del Sol
Road
Hacienda del Sol takes the gorgeous-view award once again thanks to their perfect position in the Catalina Foothills. If you think those mountains are pretty to look at, just imagine the
view from up on them. Well, you probably already know what it looks like considering Hacienda Del Sol’s reputation as a beautiful getaway without actually having to get away. Pick from their multiple restaurants or private dining options, and enjoy the surroundings.
READER RECOMMENDED Vivace
Saguaro Corners
Best Restaurant to Dazzle Out-ofTown Visitors
The Little One
151 N. Stone Ave.
The Davila Family is something of Tucson royalty, filling Tucson bellies for more than three decades from multiple acclaimed restaurants. The Little One caught our readers’ attention thanks to their authentic, homemade style and convenient downtown location. Dazzle out-of-towners by feeding them some true Sonoran specialties like Little Ones’ tender pork poblano, spicy chile relleno, shredded sirloin tip or chicken ranchero.
READER RECOMMENDED
COMIDA
Best Dulceria
La Estrella Bakery
Multiple locations
La Estrella, which opened a third location this year, cooks up some of the best Mexican pastries in Tucson. Head down to their storefront to get all sorts of fresh baked sweets like pan de muerto, rosca de reyes or pan fino. More than their traditional sweets, La Estrella offers Mexican bread and tamales as well. If you stop by in person, don’t forget to pick up a dozen tortillas.
READER RECOMMENDED
Beyond Bread
Raspaderia Funland
Best Menudo
Tanias 33
614 N. Grande Ave.
It’s a kind of paradox: why is this spicy red soup so good when it’s blazing hot out? (And how is it an apparent hangover cure?) But here’s what’s not up for speculation: Tanias offers menudo in classic style, pozole style or extra spicy, and they’re all great.
READER RECOMMENDED
El Minuto
Mosaic Cafe
Best Panaderia
Alejandro’s Tortilla Factory
5330 S. 12th Ave.
Mexican food sure has a soft spot for grains and breads, so you better go to a panaderia that can juggle all those baked treats with style. Alejandro’s Tortilla Factory serves up everything from the classic corn and flour tortillas to buns, bread, chips and sweets. To win best panaderia in Tucson, you know they’re baking with class.
READER RECOMMENDED
La Estrella
El Triunfo
Best Carnicería
El Herradero
Supermarket
1310 W. Prince Road
Southwestern cooking uses a variety of meats and spices thanks to its diverse influences. So Tucson’s best carniceria better be pretty spectacular, and El Herradero rises to the occasion. Whether you’re looking for rib eye, diezmillo, short rib or arrachera, they have you covered. And if you don’t want to cook, El Herradero even grills the meat for you on weekends. Beyond their large selection of meats, El Herradero also features a grocery section and produce.
READER RECOMMENDED
Los Amigos Meat Market
La Noria
Best Salsa
BOCA Tacos y Tequila
533 N. Fourth Ave.
BOCA’s salsas are the perfect addition to their award-winning Mexican food. It certainly shows they stand by their salsas when they offer entire flights of their various sauces, such as smoked jalapeno, spicy honey and even mint. It’s no wonder BOCA chef Mario Mazon stands by the phrase, “Come for the tacos, stay for the salsa.” And if you just can’t get enough of their salsa, they even sell to-go jars.
READER RECOMMENDED
Guadalajara Grill
El Charro
Best Tortillas
Anita Street Market
849 N. Anita Ave.
Anita Street Market is back, once again winning Best Tortillas. It’s no wonder why our readers love Anita’s tortillas, considering the family-owned company dedicates themselves to handmade tortillas, both flour and corn. Do yourselves a favor and get one of these legendary tortillas while they’re still hot.
READER RECOMMENDED
La Estrella Bakery
Alejandro’s Tortilla Factory
Best Burrito
Nico’s Mexican Food
Multiple locations
Ah, Nico’s, we’re not sure if we see you more often atop Best of Tucson or in our dreams. You’ve won the Best Burrito category for more than five years straight, thanks to your combination of flavor, low cost, speed and sheer size. (We really appreciate that their burritos can often serve as two meals.) You can’t go wrong with a carne asada or breakfast burrito, but we all know they’re almost endlessly customizable. With almost a dozen locations across town, just follow your nose to the nearest award-winning burrito.
READER RECOMMENDED
Tanias 33
Seis Kitchen and Catering
Best Place to Buy a Piñata
Piñata Factory
640 N. Stone Ave.
There are few joys as great as gathering
around a work of art with friends and family, and then bludgeoning it until candy comes out. So why not buy one from a place that has piñata right there in the name? Whether the piñata is a familiar character, an abstract shape, filled with candy or alcohol, it’s sure to be the centerpiece of the party for young and old.
READER RECOMMENDED Food City Funland
Best Birria
Rollies Mexican Patio
4573 S. 12th Ave.
This traditional stew and beef from the Mexican state of Jalisco has seen something of a boom recently. But Rollies Mexican Patio didn’t need to update anything, because their birria has been winning awards for years. Chef Mateo Otero’s birria tacos are a bit of a legend in these parts, but they’re also serving up the beloved beef on burgers and even in ramen.
READER RECOMMENDED
Seis Kitchen
Birrieria Guadalajara
Best Michelada
BK Tacos
2680 N. First Ave.
Okay, BK, is it not enough that you make great tacos? Taking top honors for Best Michelada once again, BK is sticking to their guns: It’s the classic combination of tomato and clam juice, lime, celery and your choice of beer. But BK beats that competition thanks to their unique and secret spicy sauce.
READER RECOMMENDED
The Neighborhood Che’s Lounge Best Guacamole
Guadalajara Grill
Multiple locations
It’s hard to beat guacamole that is made right there at your table, and Guadalajara Grill knows it. The perfect topping to their food is a custom-made guacamole exactly how you want it. We have to give a real shoutout to the employees who craft that guacamole in record time before carting off to the next table, but still manage to make it great each visit.
READER RECOMMENDED
El Charro
Seis Kitchen
Best Tamales
Tucson Tamale Company
7159 E. Tanque Verde Road
7286 N. Oracle Road
Tucson Tamale Company’s continual growth shows just how effective a great product is. Since 2008, they’ve opened two restaurants and started shipping their tamales nationwide. Just this year, they’ve bought a new building to create a tamale factory where they plan to make 20 million tamales a year. Yes, we said 20 million! You know there’s something going right when tamales get that popular. Whether you want traditional green corn and red chile or the more exotic curry or vegan options, they have a wide range of options. They even wrap up a Thanksgiving dinner in a tamale during the holidays. Let’s all be happy
knowing there’s a little bit of Tucson excellence in stores all over the country.
READER RECOMMENDED
Apson
3501 N. 12th Ave
6741 N. Thornydale Road #121
A bit of a sandwich, a bit of a burrito, maybe even a bit of a cake, the torta is like a blank slate. Tacos Apson gives you plenty of options for yours, from carne asada to cabeza, all with their signature smoky style. Add to this some avocado, cheese and lettuce and you’ve got yourself a winner.
READER RECOMMENDED
Seis Kitchen
Barrio Charro
Best Margarita
Reforma
4340 N. Campbell Ave.
There’s no need to describe the wonders of a margarita, so let’s get right into how Reforma excels at the concept: variety. Yes, there’s ice and the all-important tequila, but how about mango and habanero? What about blood orange or blueberry basil? But if we had to choose one favorite, it would probably be their
strawberry jalapeno margarita. Sweet yet spicy, just like a Tucson evening.
READER RECOMMENDED
Guadalajara Grill
El Charro
Best Elote
Ermanos
220 N. Fourth Ave.
While Ermanos Craft Beer & Wine Bar is obviously known for their drinks, they serve up a wide variety of grub as well. Ermanos cooks and dishes their elote classic-style, with fire-roasted corn, cotija and lime, but they also add on house-made hot sauces for extra kick. Try it with tortilla chips and chicken to turn their elote into a full meal.
READER RECOMMENDED
BOCA Tacos y Tequila
Blacktop Grill
Best Empanadas
Le Cave’s
3950 E. 22nd St.
Le Cave’s Bakery has been carbing up Tucson since 1935, and in all that time they’ve learned some important lessons. Like why have two options when you can have four? Almost every pastry at Le Cave’s comes in a variety of flavors, and that is true for their big, beautiful empanadas. There are familiar flavors like cherry and chocolate, but they also get more creative with options like pumpkin and mango.
READER RECOMMENDED
La Estrella
Anita Street Market
Best
Tacos
Seis Kitchen and Catering
Multiple locations
Now this is a big win: Best Tacos in Tucson. After coming in second or third for a number of years, Seis Kitchen is finally the champ thanks to tacos grandes platters like smoky chipotle chicken, calabacitas, marinated pork and Arizona-grown steak. It’s more than Mexican inspiration, it’s Mexican veneration.
READER RECOMMENDED
BOCA Tacos y Tequila
Rollies Mexican Patio
Best Raspados
Raspados Paraiso
5917 E. 22nd St.
The world has a special way of righting itself. Yes, we live in a desert that regularly sees 100+ temperatures. But we’re also home to places like Raspados El Paraiso, perfect for beating the heat with their variety of frozen fruits, ice cream, escamochas and more. To help them celebrate their win, be sure to check out their new location, just opened on Golf Links.
READER RECOMMENDED Oasis Sonoran Delights
Best Mariachi Band
Mariachi Aztlán de Pueblo High School
Officially known as Mariachi Aztlán de Pueblo High School, these musicians and students have traveled all over Arizona and even to other states to perform their art. Individual performers of Mariachi Aztlán have even ranked in mariachi festivals. We’re glad to see “Tucson’s hardest working youth mariachi” back on top.
READER RECOMMENDED
Desert View High School
Mariachi Band
Luz de Luna
Spirits & Nightlife Spirits & Nightlife
Best Neighborhood Bar
The Shelter
4155 E. Grant Road
The Shelter Cocktail Lounge is a little escape to the ’60s right in the middle of town. But it’s more than a retro atmosphere (as if we needed more than some killer ’60s decor). The Shelter is beloved for its good service, music and movies, as well as their ability to craft every cocktail you’ve heard of, and plenty you haven’t. Let’s hope they stay “proudly the grooviest” bar in Tucson for a few more decades.
READER RECOMMENDED
Best Pool Hall
Pockets Pool & Pub
1062 S. Wilmot Road
With a name like that, how could Pockets not win Best Pool Hall? Sure, there are many places to whack a cue, but Pockets is dedicated to the sport, even hosting a pool league. Despite this, there’s still a welcoming atmosphere for billiards babies. Their great pub food, music, chess and backgammon don’t hurt, either.
READER RECOMMENDED
entiates the cocktails on their menu. In addition to listing all the ingredients, they divide their drinks into groups like “dark and stirred” and “herbal and on the rocks” and “frothy and shaken” and more. It doesn’t hurt that all their drinks are fantastic, and their location is cozy as well. Our Sidecar pick goes to the Garden Song: London Dry Gin, Cocchi Americano, Cucumber Shrub, Celery Salt and Peychaud’s. Don’t mind if we do!
READER RECOMMENDED
Best Signature Cocktail
6453 N. Oracle Road
The Parish’s signature cocktail, the Parishioner, is a little taste of Louisiana with a twist. Fresh lemon juice, grapefruit bitters and orange flower water get things started with a delicious citrus base, but it’s their specialty house-infused basil vodka that pushes this drink to the next level. Though to be fair, almost every house cocktail at The Parish is a winner.
READER RECOMMENDED
Owl’s Club Highwire Lounge
Best Beer Selection
Tap & Bottle
403 N. Sixth Ave.
7254 N. Oracle Road
While Tap & Bottle doesn’t brew their own beer, they are a relentless supporter of Tucson’s and Arizona’s craft beer scenes. Pilsers, porters, IPAs and whatever else those mad alchemists are brewing up is sure to be found in Tap & Bottle’s extensive selection. But our favorite isn’t just one style of beer, it’s Tap & Bottle’s build-your-own six-pack, for the indecisive—and thirsty!
READER RECOMMENDED
Arizona Beer House
Tucson Hop Shop
Best Brewery
Barrio Brewing Co.
800 E. 16th St.
There are more great breweries in Tucson than you can count on both hands, but we’ve got to give it up to Arizona’s longest-running and employee-owned brewery. Their beloved beers like the Barrio Blonde and Rojo speak for themselves, but their delicious food, happy hour and games are the cherry on
top—or, in brewery parlance, the foam on top.
READER RECOMMENDED
Dragoon Brewing Company
Crooked Tooth Brewing Co.
Barrio Blonde
Barrio Brewing Company,
800 E. 16th St.
Back when many of the kids now running breweries in town were still in their diapers, Barrio Brewing was already cooking up classics. It’s one thing for a local beer to be distributed nationally, but it’s another thing for a beer to so perfectly compliment a Tucson afternoon. Lucky for us and Barrio, the beloved Blonde is both.
READER RECOMMENDED
Dragoon IPA (Dragoon Brewing Company)
Barrio Rojo (Barrio Brewing)
Best Place to Get a Glass of Wine
North Italia
2995 E. Skyline Drive
North Italia delivers some modern takes on classic Italian fare. While their food is enough to warrant a stop by, it’s their extensive wine menu that puts them above: white, red and rose, from all over the world (and even in our own backyard).
READER RECOMMENDED
Arizona Wine Collective Revel
TUCSON WEEKLY FILE PHOTO
Barb Trujillo is back to slinging drinks at Club Congress.
Best Happy Hour
Trident Grill
Multiple locations
Discounting your food and drinks for happy hour only goes so far if the grub is so-so. Luckily, Trident Grill happens to have delicious food and drinks, making the happy hours at all their locations all the more tantalizing. Every weekday from 3 to 6 p.m., 16 oz. craft beer, well cocktails and draft wine are discounted, as is great bar fare like truffle tots and bruschetta.
READER RECOMMENDED
Ermanos
Sky Bar
Best Sports Bar
Putney’s
6090 N. Oracle Road
Congratulations to Putney’s for winning best sports bar on the very same year
they’re celebrating their 40th anniversary. We appreciate their wide variety of pub fare, hearty burgers and sandwiches, and plenty of drinks. But they rise above the rest in this category of course due to their commitment to sports, and it’s about more than their walls being covered in memorabilia. Their happy hours often coincide with the games they’re showing, whether that be a UA team, national football, basketball, boxing or whatever they might be showing on ESPN 2 these days.
READER RECOMMENDED
Trident Red Garter
Best Gay Bar
IBT’s
616 N. Fourth Ave.
IBT’s has been THE Tucson gay bar for more than three decades, taking top honors in this category for as long as we can remember. And it’s clear why: continual community events, drink specials and a positive atmosphere. Want to see
a drag show? How about karaoke, dance parties and DJing? IBT’s is probably responsible for half of all the partying that Fourth Avenue sees.
READER RECOMMENDED
Surly Wench Pub
Venture-N
Best Dive Bar
Buffet Bar & Crock Pot
538 E. Ninth St.
Though it might seem paradoxical calling a place the “best” dive bar, The Buffet certainly fits the bill. For more than 80 years (as in almost a century!), The Buffet has held a special place in Tucson’s heart. Other bars around town might try to change with the trends, but The Buffet gives credence to the phrase slow and steady wins the race.
READER RECOMMENDED
Shelter Cocktail Lounge
Lounge
Best Bartender
Barb Trujillo
Barb Trujillo should be a familiar name to you if you’re a regular Tucson Weekly reader, or if you frequent Club Congress. She’s won Best Bartender multiple times in the past, and has been serving up drinks at Club Congress and the Tap Room for more than two decades. She wins for her personality, her Tucson knowledge and her ability to get those drinks out fast! If we were private eyes, she’d be the first person we’d ask for a scoop.
READER RECOMMENDED
Olivia Reardon Chrystal Fiero
Best Shot
It goes to show how much Tucsonans enjoy their Mexican Candy shot, because Elliott’s beat out another bar’s Mexican Candy shot for first place. But what makes Elliott’s number one? It’s their sweet yet daring blend of strawberry and habanero vodkas, watermelon liqueur, and sour mix. Plus, what Mexican shot would be complete without some tajin on the rim? It’s a flavor combination that must be tasted to be believed.
READER RECOMMENDED
Mexican Candy Shot (Highwire)
Puerto Peñasco (Portal)
Best Bloody Mary
Hotel Congress
311 E. Congress St.
Although Hotel Congress’ famous “bloody Mary bar” has been a bit reworked due to the pandemic, they still allow you to customize your drinks how you’d like—you just have to ask the bartender to do it for you. But hey, we’ll take it. A bloody Mary and a breakfast at the Cup Cafe is one of the best ways we’ve found to kick off a weekend downtown.
READER
Best Old Fashioned
47 Scott
47 N. Scott Ave.
Alright, so 47 Scott actually has two old fashions, but they’re both winners in our book! Of course, there is their savory Brick House Old Fashioned with bacon-washed rye, demerara sugar and Angostura bitters. But they also have a “new and revived” version of the classic: the Oaxacan Old Fashioned with mezcal, tequila, agave nectar and chocolate bitters. A true celebration of border -
READER RECOMMENDED
Sidecar Batch
Best Bar Menu
Kingfisher
2564 E. Grant Road
It’s not one single drink that sets Kingfisher Bar & Grill above the rest, but their sheer variety. They offer dozens of wines from merlot to zinfandel to Arizona specialties, plus bottles and draught beer both local and international. And you thought their lunch and dinner menus were tough to pick from!
READER RECOMMENDED Sidecar
Best Country Western Bar
Anyone who’s taken a late-night trip down Tanque Verde should know why The Maverick won in this category. And it’s only partially because of the great musicians they’re always hosting. There’s a real atmosphere to The Maverick, from their punny marquee to their warm lighting and dedicated fanbase. Beyond the classic drinks and music, The Maverick also hosts dance lessons to help you really get into the culture. Let’s hope this longtime favorite stays around for even longer.
READER RECOMMENDED
Gentle Ben’s really is set up for success as a college bar. Not only are they a short jaunt from campus, but their munchy food and extensive drink menu means you can stop by a dozen times and still have a new experience. We especially appreciate that they carry plenty of local craft beer, but have a large menu for custom house drinks as well. University Boulevard simply wouldn’t be the same without this longtime institution.
READER RECOMMENDED
Frog & Firkin
The Hut
Best Nightclub
Club Congress
311 E. Congress St.
All roads lead to Rome, and all late-night merrymaking leads to Club Congress, it seems. It’s partially the central location, partially the numerous drink options, and partially the awesome atmosphere of the historic Hotel Congress. But as far as nightclubs go, Club Congress’ victory can always be chalked up to their great selection of performers. Indie bands, rock veterans, folk singers, electro DJs, rappers, comedians and even magicians have graced their stage. We’re sure the whole town is happy to see them reopen, because they really have something for everyone.
READER RECOMMENDED
IBT’s
Playground Bar & Lounge
Best Comedian
Chris Seidman
Best College Bar
Gentle Ben’s 865 E. University Blvd.
A familiar face around the Tucson comedy scene, Chris Seidman wears multiple hats. He’s the executive director of Unscrewed Theater, a regular around improv, and has been interested in entertainment all his life. It’s one thing to do comedy, but it’s entirely another thing to foster and support a local comedy scene. He’s a little slice of Whose Line Is It Anyway? right here in Tucson.
READER RECOMMENDED
Best Comedy Night
Laffs Comedy Caffe
2900 E. Broadway Blvd.
After the past 18 months, we could all use a good laugh. And luckily, Tucson has a surprisingly robust comedy scene. Tucson’s “first and finest” comedy club hosts local favorites, national acts and open mics for the soon-to-be-greats. With two shows every Friday and Saturday night, there’s plenty of comedy to go around. Hell, you might even be inspired to hop on stage. We all have something to riff on, right?
READER RECOMMENDED
Unscrewed Theater
Tucson Improv Movement
Best Jukebox
Che’s Lounge
350 N. Fourth Ave.
What makes the best jukebox in town, anyhow? Is it a sheer variety of songs? A healthy combination of obscure bangers along with the classics? We think Che’s Lounge wins this year’s Best Jukebox award because of how theirs perfectly compliments the boisterous spirit of this Fourth Ave standby, both inside and on their patio. Pick a drink, pick a song and get the party started.
READER RECOMMENDED
Danny’s Baboquivari
Surly Wench
Best Place to Sing Karaoke
Bumsted’s
The great thing about karaoke is it’s fun regardless of talent. Are you a good singer? Then you can impress your friends. Are you a bad singer? Then everyone will have a good laugh. Either way, you’ll get out of your comfort zone and get a little more familiar with a classic song. Not only does Bumstead’s host casual karaoke, they also host contests. That way there’s room for everyone: barroom divas to first-timers.
READER RECOMMENDED
IBT’s Surly Wench
Best DJ
Mother Tierra
You probably recognize Mother Tierra’s name from the many event listings or posters she’s appeared on. Tierra has performed all across town, from clubs to breweries to salons. How does her work fit into these disparate venues? A quick listen to her music and mixes shows she can jump from techno to hip-hop to downtempo. Let’s hope as more events pick up, we’ll hear more of Mother Tierra around Tucson.
READER RECOMMENDED
DJ Herm
DJ Jahmar
Best Drag Queen
Tempest DuJour
Is there a bigger name (or hair) in the world of Tucson drag? A perennial winner in this category, DuJour is much more than a colorful outfit with sequins. DuJour is known across town for headlining multiple drag shows and pride events, but off-stage also teaches costume design at UA. Tempest DuJour is also a name known outside of Tucson, for her presence on THE drag show, RuPaul’s Drag Race. All these combine to make a pretty fabulous personality.
READER RECOMMENDED
Lucinda Holliday
Janee Starr
Best Burlesque
Surly Wench First Fridays Burlesque
424 N. 4th Ave.
The Surly Wench Pub has hosted burlesque for more than a decade, making Fourth Avenue just a little more raucous than it already is. Their monthly First Fridays Burlesque features a different producer and show each time, so you never get the same experience twice. It’s only a special kind of entertainment that gets you winning Best Burlesque three years in a row.
READER RECOMMENDED
Don’t Blink Burlesque Troupe Libertine League
Best Venue for Live Music
The Rialto Theatre
318 E. Congress St.
For all intents and purposes, the Rialto is THE stage for big concerts downtown. Their history is almost as diverse as the international artists who’ve performed on the stage. And while they’ve kept busy during COVID downtime with a gallery show celebrating their most photogenic concerts of the past, we’re very happy to see them back in business. Whether it’s a local band, a rock star on a world tour, or a New Year’s dance party, catching a show at the Rialto is near the top of the Tucson bucket list.
READER RECOMMENDED Hotel Congress
AVA Amphitheater Casino del Sol
Best Musical Act
Miss Olivia & the Interlopers
Miss Olivia & the Interlopers win the top ranking among Tucson music for a number of reasons this year. They’re
a local favorite who’ve played on stages all over town, they’ve graced BOT listings plenty of times in the past and their style makes them difficult to group into a specific genre category. They’re a band that knows how to play it mellow, or get rambunctious when they need to. Either way, singer Olivia Reardon will be sure to belt out soulful vocals to get the whole room moving. Their latest single, “Red Chevrolet,” is a summer groove perfect for Tucson.
READER RECOMMENDED
Birds and Arrows
XIXA
Best Jazz
Crystal Stark
Built on improvisation, there’s almost a countless number of styles and subgenres in the jazz world. But Tucson’s Crystal Stark has a voice to compliment all of them. Even if you don’t know Crystal Stark by name, you’ll probably recognize one of her many side projects, working with the Tucson Pops Orchestra, UA’s Studio Vocal Jazz Ensemble, the cover band ’80s and Gentlemen or the vocal trio Triple Threat. She’s even made it a few rounds into American Idol. A woman of multiple talents, Crystal’s powerful voice can accompany any jazz band in Tucson.
READER RECOMMENDED
Connie Brannock and the Little House of Funk Chateau Chateau
Best Folk
Leila Lopez
Congratulations to Leila Lopez for winning Best Folk musician once again, showing that the genre is all about the poet and the stories they sing. A song like “The Sea and the Mountainside,” with its pastoral lyrics, introspective style and passionate delivery, shows what modern folk should be. Tucson is lucky to have you. We’ll welcome your “folksy dream crooning” any chance we get.
READER RECOMMENDED
Ryanhood
Natalie Pohanik
Best Reggae
Neon Prophet
Neon Prophet has been jammin’ on Tucson stages for more than three decades, and still has the energy and passion to get the crowd moving. At their core, they are a reggae band (with indispensable singer David Dean), but explore grooves from funk to hip-hop to soul. Neon Prophet and Chicago Bar go together just as well as reggae and good vibes.
READER RECOMMENDED
Jahmar International
ZeeCeeKeely
Best Cover Band
The Dirt
You can only hear the ’60s and ’70s hits so many times before you want something with a little more kick. The Dirt certainly delivers, dedicating themselves to the wild, groovy and ridiculous world of ’80s hair metal. We’re talking about everything from Mötley Crüe to Guns N’ Roses to Def Leppard. Although they only started in 2019, The Dirt has quickly made a name for themselves with their raucous shows, loud outfits and great stage presence—exactly how they should be.
READER RECOMMENDED
Drop D
80s and Gentlemen
of the great femme punk bands, their music is the sound of friends rocking out and getting real tired of society’s BS. Or, as Mudpuppy themselves describe it, they’re a “couple’a pals making jams about feminism, capitalism, tater tots and ’80s horror movies.”
READER RECOMMENDED
Pork Torta
The Endless Pursuit
Best Rock
Birds and Arrows
Andrea and Pete Connolly of Birds and Arrows have been making music together for more than 15 years, and this familiarity and cohesion certainly shows. Their sound and art direction make them seem much larger than a duo, churning out rock music that can jump from personal ballads to massive jams that threaten to swallow the performers up. Contemplative and a little psychedelic, just like the desert itself.
READER RECOMMENDED
Drop D
The Dirt
Best Hip-Hop Act
Marley B
We’ve got to hand it to Marley B for not boxing himself into a single sound. Listening through a few of his songs will show a delivery ranging from mellow to humorous to angry, with diverse instrumentals to match. And like other rappers to look out for, Marley B’s pen game is relatable yet clever at the same time. It takes real self-awareness to release a song like “Maybe It’s Me.”
Hank Topless
Country music can be unfortunately formulaic. That’s why Tucson should feel grateful to have a musician like Hank Topless. Sure, he sings of the blues and honky tonkin’, but can jump between whiskey-desolation and outlaw-rocking on a dime. He’s been a staple of Tucson country for years, and if you’ve seen him grace the stage, you certainly know why.
READER RECOMMENDED
Mark Miller
Drew Cooper
Best R&B
Connie
Brannock and the Little House of Funk
Even if they hadn’t performed on stages all over town, Connie Brannock and the Little House of Funk would still be unabashedly Tucson, delivering ballads to specific locations and views in the Old Pueblo. If you see a local marquee announcing Brannock and the large family of performers that is the “Little House of Funk,” be sure to check in. Whether they’re playing original material or covers, their special blend of “Sonoran soul” music is sure to get the dance floor moving.
READER RECOMMENDED
Miss Olivia & the Interlopers
Funky Bonz
Best Liquor Store
Plaza Liquor & Fine Wines
2642 N. Campbell Ave.
visit to Plaza is definitely on the Tucson bucket list.
READER RECOMMENDED
Rum Runner
Midtown Liquors
Best Casino
Casino del Sol
5655 W. Valencia Road
Casino del Sol continues their reign atop the Best Casino category. Even if their expansive grounds with restaurants and recreation isn’t enough, there’s a new reason to get to Casino del Sol this year: updated Arizona laws mean Vegas-style table games like roulette, craps and mini-baccarat are now in business locally. Get out there and shoot your shot.
READER RECOMMENDED
Desert Diamond
Best Strip Club
Curves Cabaret
2130 N. Oracle Road
Congratulations to Curves for taking top honors in this category for more than five years running! As the pandemic slowly wanes, businesses are picking back up where they left off. And for Curves, that means a full food and drink menu, plus plenty of specials. But the stars on stage mean folks can get back and enjoy some of the finest shows in town.
READER RECOMMENDED
Ten’s Showclub
Raiders Reef
Best Punk
Mudpuppy
Mudpuppy is exactly the kind of punk band you’d expect (and hope) to catch at a sweaty house show: noisy instrumentals, cheeky if relatable lyrics, and a healthy dose of attitude. Like many
READER RECOMMENDED Cash Lansky Big520
This past year and a half has been all about pivoting. And we’re happy Plaza Liquors is still serving Tucson thanks to a pretty fun pivot: opening their drive-through window after 20 years for social distancing. But Plaza Liquors is about more than convenience. They’re a Tucson institution thanks to their commitment to carrying local, obscure and international beer, wine and spirits. A
Honorable Mentions Honorable Mentions
Arts and Culture
Best Gallery
Etherton Gallery
Best Museum
MOCA Tucson
Arizona State Museum
Best Visual Artist
Danny Martin
Pete Connolly
Best Movie Theater
Galaxy Foothills
Best Art Classes
Arte Bella
Board and Brush
Best Musical
Instrument Store
Folk Shop
Best Music School
Kids Unlimited
Instrumental Music Center
Best Theater Company
Rogue Theater
Live Theatre Workshop
Best Author
Byrd Bailor
Brian Smith
Best Dance Studio
Floor Polish
ZUZI!
Best Dance Company
Tucson Regional Ballet
Hawkinsdance
Best Outdoor Art
Installation
Jewish Community Center
Sculpture Garden
“Monuments” by Arizona Arts
Live
Best Place to Donate
Your Time and/or
Money
Ben’s Bells
City Life
Best Quarantine Activity Drinking Cycling
Best Farmers Market
Heirloom Farmers Market
Picture Rocks Farmers Market
Best Farmers Market
Vendor
Adventure Coffee
Bosn’s Buch Kombucha
Best Gym
VASA
Tucson Strength
Best Crossfit
Gym 244 Crossfit 646
Best Yoga Studio
Drishti Yoga
Yoga Pod
Best Bowling Alley
Tucson Bowl
Bowlero
Best Auto Repair
Primarily Japanese
Sooters
Best Car Wash
Del Campo Detailing
Aesthetic Auto Spa
Best Plant Nursery
Civano Harlow Gardens
Best Animal Supply Store
Desert Pet Ever Evolving Exotics
Best Computer Repair
Simutek
NOS Computers
Best Place to Get Your Pet Groomed
Karabu Pet Grooming
Jackie’s K9 Corral
Best Veterinary Clinic
Acacia Animal Hospital
Best Hotel
Casino del Sol
Hotel McCoy
Best Alternative Health Center
Blue Oak Clinic
Moroso Medical Center
Best Marijuana
Dispensary
Botanica
Green Halo
Best CBD Store
NatureMed
Best Photographer
Casey James
Andrew Brown
Best Thrift Store
Golden Goose
Casa de los Niños (RIP)
Best Place to Get a
Massage
Hiapsi Spa
English Salon and Spa
Best Cigar/Tobacco
Shop
Tobacco Barn
Sticky’s Smoke Shop
Best Smoke Shop
Green Halo
Head West
Best Place to Buy a Car
Royal
Larry H. Miller
Best Summer
Staycation
Casino del Sol
Hotel McCoy
Best Handyman
Richard Painting
Cartis Parks Complete Home
Maintenance
Media Mix
Best Local Twitter Feed
@azfilmfest
@AlexKack
Best Game Store
Bookmans
Amazing Discoveries
Best Radio Station for Music
KIIM (99.5 FM)
KDRI (101.7 FM)
Best Local
Weatherperson
Shea Sorenson
Cuyler Diggs
Best Radio Host
Frank Brinsley (96.1 FM)
Bill Buckmaster (1030 AM)
Best Bookstore
Barrio Books
Revolutionary Grounds
Best Comic Store
R-Galaxy
Amazing Discoveries
Best Blog
Ethel Lee Miller
Happily Pink
Best Local TV News
Anchor
Pat Parris
John Overall
Best Local Sportscaster
David Kelly
Jason Barr
Best Instagram
Tucson Guide Magazine
Brunch Babes
Fashion and Style
Best Clothing
Swindlers
The Hystle Brand
Best Resale Clothing
Humane Society of Southern
Arizona
How Sweet It Was
Best Home Furnishings
Home Style Galleries
HomeGoods
Best Vintage Shopping
Midtown Merchantile Merchants
When + Where Co.
Best Jewelry
Heliotrope
Sigfus
Best Hair Salon
English Salon and Spa Look Within
Best Place to get Great Hair Color
English Salon and Spa
Salon Kiro
Best Day Spa
Hiapsi
Justin Nail & Spa
Best Lash Boutique
English Salon Spa
Blink Beauty
Best Nail Salon
Pink and White Nails
Concept Nails
Best Tanning Salon
Planet Beach
Endless Summer Tans
Best Florist
Evergreen Flowers
Thistle
Best Eyeglass/Optical Retailer
Clear Vision Express
Accent on Vision
Best Tattoo Parlor
Haunted Hands
Look Within Studios
Best Tattoo Artist
Aaron Slachter
Oscar Subia
Best Tattoo Removal/ Alteration
Allure
Aaron Slachter
Best Place to Get
Pierced
Black Rose
Old Towne Tattoo Parlor
Best Barber Shop
Landmark Barber Shop
Fashion and Style section
Best Local Clothing
Designer
Tierra Owens
Desert Camo Apparel
Outdoors
Best Bike Riding
Fantasy Island
50-Year Trail
Best Biking Group/Community
GABA
Best Hike
Finger Rock
Wasson Peak
Best Backpacking Trail
Douglas Springs
Best Campground
Rose Canyon
Spencer Canyon
Best Park
Brandi Fenton Park
Udall Park
Best Dog Park
Smiling Dog Ranch
McDonald Park
Best Bike Shop
Ben’s Bikes
Tucson Bicycle Service
Best Day Trip
Tubac
Madera Canyon
Best Golf Course
Fred Enke
Crooked Tree
Kid’s
Stuff
Best Children’s
Entertainer
Kids Country Tucson
Best Daycare
Sandbox
Strauss ECE
Best Fun for the Whole Family Funtasticks
Unscrewed Theater
Best Place for a Children’s Party
Defy
Unscrewed Theater
Best Playground
McDonald Park
Naranja Park
Best Public Pool/ Splashpad
Gadden Farms
Clements Center
Best Restaurant With a Kids Menu
Barnyard Crafthouse and Eatery
Best Story Time
Drag Queen Story Hour
Best Summer Camp Arts for All Playformance
Best Way to Entertain Kids
During the Summer
Gaslight Theatre
Unscrewed Theater
Casual Dining
Best Curbside Pickup
Zio Peppe
Eclectic Café
Best Delivery
Rosati’s
Guilin
Best Place to Grab a Slice
Upper Crust
New York Pizza Department (NYPD)
Best Caterer
First We Eat
Gallery of Food
Best Diner
Bobo’s
Welcome Diner
Best Specialty Food
Store
Time Market
Caravan
Best Delicatessen
Sausage Deli
Sausage Shop
Best Desserts
Frost
Sweetscape
Best Ice Cream
Cashew Cow
Bella’s Gelato Shoppe
Best Fresh-Baked
Bread
Time Market
August Rhodes
Best Barbecue
Kiss of Smoke
Salted Pig
Best Burger
Divine Bovine
Monkey Burger
Best Veggie Burger
Lovin’ Spoonfuls
Divine Bovine
Best Place to Get a
Sandwich
Sausage Deli
Sausage Shop
Best Pizzeria
Falora
Zio Peppe
Best Wings
Buffalo Bell
Best Smoothies/Juice
Bar
Fruit Shack
Urban Fresh
Best Food Truck
Ciao Down
Substance Diner
Best Coffee
Presta
Savaya
Best Donuts
Donut Bar
Batch
Best Café Hangout
Cartel
Le Buzz
Best Tea
Transit Tea
Korean Rose
Best Drive Thru
Salsa Verde
Best eegee’s Flavor
Lemon
Strawberry
Best Family Dining
Eclectic Cafe
Zio Peppe
Best Specialty
Sandwich
Cubano (Cup Café)
Susie Sorority
Best Place to Get a
Salad
Serial Grillers
Eclectic Café
Best French Fries
Graze
Kingfisher
Best Hot Dog
You Sly Dog
Blacktop Grill
BK Carne Asada and Hot Dogs
Pat’s Chili Dogs
Best Eggs Benedict
Cup Café
Ghini’s
Restaurants
Best Breakfast
Blue Willow
Cup Café
Best Brunch
Cup Café
Teaspoon
Best Chinese
Bamboo Terrace
Old Peking
Best Greek
Greek House
Fronimo’s (RIP)
Best French
Coronet
Best Indian
Indian Twist
Flavor of India
Best Italian
Tavalino
Zio Peppe
Best Japanese
Kukai
Ginza
Best Ramen
Ikkyu
Kuhai
Best Middle Eastern
Shish Kebab House
Caravan Mideastern Foods
Best Contemporary/ Fusion Restaurant
Zio Peppe
Asian Sofrito
Best Seafood
El Berraco
Charro Steak & Del Rey
Best Steakhouse
Charro Steak & Del Rey
Best Sushi
Obon
Ginza
Best Thai
Karuna’s
Senae Thai (RIP)
Best Vietnamese
Bahdicted
Pho No. 1
Best Vegetarian/Vegan
Govinda’s
Beaut Burger
Best Upscale
Restaurant
PY Steakhouse Feast
Best African
Alafia West African Cuisine
Best Chef
Ryan Clark
Devon Sander
Best Place to Eat Lunch
Downtown
Cup Café
HUB
Best Downtown
Restaurant
47 Scott
Penca
Best Northwest
Honorable Mentions Honorable Mentions
HONORABLE MENTIONS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 83
Restaurant
Harvest
Noble Hops
Best Central Restaurant
Feast
Locale
Best Eastside
Restaurant
The Barnyard
Zio Peppe
Best Southside
Restaurant
El Torero
Crossroads
Best Foothills
Restaurant
Blanco
Tavolino
Best Westside
Restaurant
Barista Del Barrio
Kukai
Best Place to Eat
Gluten Free
Dedicated
Zeal Patisserie
Best Korean
Hee Mee Coffee and Bakery
Taegukgi Korean BBQ House
Best New Restaurant
Zio Peppe
Blacktop Grill
Best Outdoor Dining
Locale
Noble Hops
Best Signature Dish
Baked Eggs (Cup Café)
Figgy Stardust (Zio Peppe)
Best Dining with a View
Blanco
Contigo
Best Restaurant to Dazzle Out-of-Town
Visitors
The Parish
PY Steakhouse
¡Comida!
Best Dulceria
Dolce Pastello
BK’s
Best Menudo
Birrio Guadalajara
El Sur
Best Carnicería
El Novilla
Cardenas Ranch Market
Best Salsa
El Molinito
The Little One
Best Tortillas
St. Mary’s Mexican Food
La Mesa
Best Burrito
El Charro
Barista Del Barrio
Best Place to Buy a
Piñata
El Super
Cardenas
Best Birria
El Rustico
Ensenada Street Food
Best Michelada
La Botana
Button Brew House
Best Guacamole
Reforma
Blanco
Best Tamales
Tumerico
El Torero
Best Torta
Taco Stop
Calle Tepa
Best Margarita
BOCA Tacos y Tequila
La Botana
Best Elote
Zio Peppe
Penca
Best Empanadas
Bombole
El Triunfo
Best Tacos
Tacos Apson
El Rustico
Best Raspados
Mangos
Funland
Best Mariachi Band
John B. Wright Elementary
School
Mariachi Band
Mariachi Innovacion
Spirits and Nightlife
Best Neighborhood Bar
Bob Dobbs
Caps and Corks
Best Pool Hall
Danny’s Baboquivari Lounge
Clicks
Best Cocktail Menu
PY Steakhouse
Vero Amore
Best Signature Cocktail
Swamp Thing (Portal)
The Still (Vero Amore)
Best Beer Selection
Caps & Corks
Ermanos
Best Brewery
Borderlands
Pueblo Vida
Best Locally Brewed
Beer
Cirtrazona (Barrio)
Refraction (Dragoon)
Best Place to Get a
Glass of Wine
PY Steakhouse
Sky Bar
Best Happy Hour
Casino del Sol
Batch
Best Sports Bar
Monsoons
Ojo Locos Sports Cantina
Best Gay Bar
Brodie’s
Best Dive Bar
Cowpony
Surly Wench
Best Bartender
Ryne Hoffman
Dan Peel
Best Bloody Mary
Baja Café
Oink Café
Best Old Fashioned
Sky Bar
Vero Amore
Best Bar Menu
Red Garter Batch
Best Country Western Bar
Outlaw Saloon
Best College Bar
Sky Bar
No Anchovies
Best Nightclub
Whiskey Roads
Funky Monk
Best Comedian
Nancy Stanley
Mo Urban
Best Comedy Night
Catalina Craft Pizza
Keep Tucson Sketchy
Best Jukebox
Saint Charles Tavern
Buffet
Best Place to Sing
Karaoke
Shooters
Music Box
Best DJ
DJ DU
Big Brother Beats
Best Drag Queen Dvia
Venus
Best Venue for Live Music
Monterrey Court
Whiskey Roads
Best Musical Act
Mamma Coal
Chateau Chateau
Best Jazz
Pete Swan Quartet
Andaluz
Best Folk
The Tusonics
Pelican Museum
Best Reggae
Baja Caravan
Best Cover Band
Top Dead Center
Znora
Best Punk
Closet Goth
Stripes
Best Rock
Shell Shock
Chateau Chateau
Best Hip-Hop Act
Aske
Black Diamond DBMG
Best Country Act
Backroads
Mamma Coal
Best R&B
Bryan Dean
Mattea
Best Liquor Store
Westbound
Charlie’s Drive-In Liquors
Best Strip Club
Eden
Christie’s Cabaret
Editor’s Note: While we are delighted to see Tucsonans once again gathering for fun events, we are also aware that the Delta variant is in widespread circulation. Please consider getting vaccinated against COVID if you haven’t yet and following CDC guidance, which includes wearing masks at crowded indoor events. Keep yourself and others safe—the pandemic isn’t over yet.
From Darkness to Light. As Southern Arizona’s only professional chamber choir and orchestra, True Concord really wanted to deliver a fantastic 18th season, especially after the last year and a half or so. So, they’ve named their season “A New Day,” and are performing pieces about shared human conditions, challenges and responsibilities. The first program in the series, “Darkness to Light,” starts this weekend, but coming up are also performances like “From Silenced to Singing” and “From Conflict to Peace.” This show contains music by Copland, Bach, Randall and more. 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22 at Valley Presbyterian Church, 2800 S. Camino Del Sol in Green Valley. 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 23 and 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 24, both at Catalina Foothills High School, 4300 E. Sunrise Dr. $22 to $52.
Halloween in the Wild. When you’re a kid, pretty much everything feels more fun if it’s out in the wild, right? So combine the potent coolness and unadulterated fun of Halloween with the adventurous spirit of being out in the wild, and you’ve got a real hit. The International Wildlife Museum is hosting an evening of crafts, games, treats and even a haunted house (for the daring). This is a good chance to wear your costume and get a little extra use out of it than just Halloween night. This is a great event for all ages. 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23. International Wildlife Museum, 4800 W. Gates Pass Road. $10 GA, $7 military/ senior, $5 kids 4 to 12.
Sizzling Saturday Sculpture Show. There’s plenty to see this month over at the Wilde Meyer Gallery. They’re partnering with Jane Hamilton Fine Art to display art both in the galleries and throughout the lovely Plaza Colonial Grounds. Looking to purchase a new piece for your home? Or to walk around and pretend like you can a ord a new “piece” for your “home?” Come take a stroll through this fantastic work, which comes in many sizes and price
A Celebration of Sculpture. Back in 2009, The Tucson Jewish Community Center established a sculpture garden to promote education, art appreciation and general tranquility. And thank goodness they did! This lovely landscaped garden is full of beautiful art. This week, they are debuting nine new sculptures as part of their juried annual outdoor exhibition. Come look at the beautiful work by artists from all over, and enjoy plenty of other activities. There will be live music, gelato (with vegan options available), art demos, paneled artist talks and plenty of celebrating. Really makes for a Sunday well spent. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24. Tucson J, 3800 E. River Road. Free.
ranges. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23. Wilde Meyer Gallery, 2890 E. Skyline Dr., Ste. 170.
Kids Country and Pancake Breakfast. What better way to spend a Saturday morning than with a pancake breakfast? MSA Annex and Decibel Co ee Works are partnering on this family event, featuring kid-flavored music by Mamma Coal and Miss Lana Rebel. You can order a full pancake breakfast and co ee from Decibel Co ee, or something from their regular breakfast menu. Westbound will be serving up adult beverages like Bloody Marys and mimosas. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23. MSA Annex, 267 S. Avenida del Convento. Free admission.
by Emily Dieckman
Sundays in the Garden: Borderlands Ensemble. As the weather cools down. Tohono Chul has resumed this weekend concert series, and what a pleasure. The Borderland Ensemble is a chamber group that includes horns and strings and plays music ranging from new compositions to folk arrangements, from classical to crossover styles. They’ve played throughout the state, but catch them this weekend at Tohono Chul. If you’re so inclined, visit the cash bar and sip on a prickly pear lemonade or margarita while you soak in the tunes. 1:30 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24. Tohono Chul, 7366 Paseo del Norte. Free with admission, which is $15 general, $13 military/senior/ student, $6 for kids 5 to 12.
Fiber Arts Tucson. Happy cozy season! Come celebrate with thousands of locally handmade items to decorate your home, wear or give as gifts. From spinning to weaving, from tapestry to knitting, from dyeing to felting, the world of fiber arts is truly a vast one. At this festival, you can learn about the history of fiber arts, purchase beautiful pieces, and help raise money for the Community Foodbank and indigenous weaving communities. You’ll also be supporting the Tucson Handweavers & Spinners Guild, one of the oldest arts guilds in Tucson. 1 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23. St. Francis in the Foothills, 4625 E. River Road. Free.
Holiday Village Sale. If you’ve ever been to the Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, you know how completely charming it is. Have you ever loved one of their displays so much that you just wanted to scoop it up and take it home? Now is your chance! All year, the museum accepts miniatures donations, and right now they have such a good stock of holiday village buildings and accessories that they’re getting their own sale. Come buy a teeny tiny Christmas village, or a sweet and spooky Halloween space. All at thrifting prices, with proceeds benefitting the museum. Cash or check only, and museum admission is not included. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22 and Saturday, Oct. 23. Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, 4455 E. Camp Lowell Dr.
Mujeres Nourishing Fronterizx Bodies: Resistance in the Time of COVID-19. Have you seen this exhibit over at the Museum of Contemporary Art yet? This multiyear project, in the artists’ words, “explores food security, self-representation, and self-determination through a series of new works that examine what it means to nourish brown bodies alongside the U.S./ Mexico border during a global pandemic.” It documents the work of a collective of women who tend to a communal garden, make clothing, raise livestock and even construct adobe bricks. See their story through photography, prints and film in this exhibit, on display through Jan. 30. MOCA, 265 S. Church Ave. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m Thursday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. $7 adults, $4 students and seniors.
ARTS & CULTURE
BALLET IS BACK!
Ballet Tucson happily returns to the stage with a Balanchine dance and more
By Margaret Regan tucsoneditor@tucsonlocalmedia.com
THIS WEEKEND, BALANCHINE
aficionados will finally see Ballet Tucson perform his cherished Concerto Barocco
The 1941 dance, a lovely piece for 10 women and one man, was all set to run three times during the weekend of March 13 –15, 2020. The dancers did perform it once, that Friday night—and I can confirm that it was beautiful. But the next day, just before the show was to go on, University of Arizona security shut the theater down. You know why.
But Ballet Tucson has soldiered on. Concerto Barocco will be the first dance in the first concert performed since that aborted event a year and a half ago. This time the show will definitely go on,
Oct. 22 to Oct. 24, at Leo Rich Theater downtown. Last week, I saw the dancers— young, strong and ready to soar—rehearsing the dance to Bach’s Concerto in D Minor for Two Violins. The movements of the two lead ballerinas cleverly echo Bach’s two violins, reflecting Balanchine’s oft-quoted saying, “See the music, hear the dance.”
Margaret Mullin, a former student at Ballet Tucson, had a storied career at Pacific Northwest Ballet. She’s now back at the company, working as associate artistic director, and on this day giving instructions to the dancers. Some had learned the piece last year, but some new dancers had to start from scratch. She was pleased with their progress. “This is much better,” she smiles encouragingly. During the pandemic, when there was scarcely any dance to be done, a number
of the dancers quit, a phenomenon in Tucson and across the country, Mullin said. But Ballet Tucson is back up to 28 dancers, thanks to the hiring of six new dancers and six apprentices.
The concert includes three more dances. A Piece in P_I_E_C_E_S, choreographed by Kiyon C. Ross of Pacific Northwest Ballet, is a lively—and fast— work for 10.
Sleeping Beauty Grand Pas de Deux, choreographed after Petipa by Chieko Imada, also an associate artistic director, is a classical pas de deux drawn from the third act of the Sleeping Beauty. The beauty, of course, is Jenna Johnson, the company’s beloved prima ballerina, who partners with Vacily Boldin, another longtime dancer, as the prince. For the finale, Masquerade, a light-hearted work by artistic director Mary Beth Cabana and Imada, welcomes dance back to its rightful place.
Ballet Tucson has the best COVID protocols I’ve heard of in Tucson. Concert goers are required to show proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID test
7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22; 2 p.m. SaturdaySunday, Oct. 23-24.
Leo Rich Theater, 260 S. Church Ave.
$50 general; $45 seniors, students, military; $40 groups
Tickets at TCC box office at 260 S. Church Ave., in-person or online at leorichtheater.com
Or at TicketMaster with fees at ballettucson.org
Proof of Vaccination or negative COVID test required; masks required.
taken within 72 hours and supported by a valid photo ID. Every dancer, sta member and usher must be fully vaccinated. All parties must wear a mask throughout the concert, except for the dancers when they are on stage. And a compliance o cer will be at every performance.
“I know it’s a lot,” Muller says, “but we don’t want anyone to get sick.” ■
PHOTO BY ED FLORES
Shannon Quirk and Charles Clark dancing in Balachine’s Concerto Barocco. reNEW Fall Concert
CINEMA
SPIRTED FUN
By Bob Grimm tucsoneditor@tucsonlocalmedia.com
DISNEY AND MUPPET FANS WILL get a true, continuous fangasm with every second of Muppets Haunted Mansion, another fine usage of the beloved Henson creations as well as a terrific homage to one of the greatest rides ever made.
The Great Gonzo (shout out to Dave Goelz who has been voicing him since the ’70s) and his buddy Pepe the Prawn decide not to attend the annual Halloween costume soiree with their Muppet cohorts like Kermit and Piggy in favor of a fun night at a mysterious place that may or may not be haunted. Upon arrival, they witness an outrageous musical number in a graveyard and then step into an elevator…that stretches.
These are just the first of many authentic nods to The Haunted Mansion, one of Walt Disney’s great original creations. You’ll see the graveyard dog, you’ll see the floating candelabra, you’ll even see a wonderful (and not so surprising) ri on Madame Leota, the infamous head in the crystal ball.
There’s a nostalgia rush two times with this movie, but it’s not a film that skates by on that vibe (and, OK, it’s more of a “special” than a film). Writers Kirk R. Thatcher (who also directs), Bill Barretta (also the hilarious voice of Pepe) and Kelly Younger, who all have recent and past Muppet chops, have scripted this as wall-to-wall funny. The Muppet charm comes on strong, while Thatcher manages to capture that oddly cozy creepiness that is Disney’s Haunted Mansion. (Yes, the purple wallpaper and hitchhiking ghosts!)
I’m in the camp that thinks Muppets Now was pretty damn great, and it irritates me that a second season hasn’t been greenlit. Disney took the franchise in a fun, modern direction while maintaining some of its old school charm. This little delight does a lot to cure my Muppet craving.
Haunted Mansion feels very much like Muppets in their ’70s heyday. Apart from when Disney pimps out the Mansion for Halloween with the Nightmare Before Christmas theme, the Mansion has remained as old school as things get. The film’s faithful treatment of the mansion and the Muppets make this one feel like it could’ve been made decades ago. It’s a solid, eternally good representation of both entities.
As for those pesky humans who traipse through, there is Will Forte as The Host, who gets a nice chance to ape the sound of the ride’s forever Ghost Host vocalist (shout out to the late Paul Frees), delivering of some of the ride’s best lines. Danny Trejo, Ed Asner and, yes, Pat Sajak, cameo as ghosts. While the regular Muppets make appearances from their “everybody is alive” Halloween party, they also
inexplicably show up as ghosts in the Mansion, which makes no sense, and you won’t care.
Hey Disney, go ahead and scrap all of your plans for live action takes on your rides and those live remakes of your animated classics. You have the Muppets. Give us Muppets of the Lost Ark, Muppets Jungle Cruise, Muppets Peter Pan, Muppets Snow White, Muppets Make Churros, Muppets Ride the Disney Old Timey Train as a Means of Taking a Nap During Long Day at Park, Muppets Remove All Traces of Racism from Splash Mountain, Muppets Puke on the Teacup Ride, Muppets Go Bankrupt After Buying Park Hoppers for Themselves, Muppets Take the California Out of California Adventure and Puss Out by Putting In a Bunch of Pixar Stu , etc. And let’s not forget, Disney has Fox now, so let’s get a Ridley Scott directed Muppets Alien movie. The possibilities are endless, and no sweat for the licensing rights for all of that crap. In short, please, please, please give us more Muppets, and feel free to mix in the Disney. They go good together, as this sure-to-be-viewed-annually Halloween treat has proven. ■
PHOTO BY THE MUPPETS STUDIO DISNEY
The Muppets get ghosted in a Halloween spooktacular
By Xavier Omar Otero tucsoneditor@tucsonlocalmedia.com
Packed like lemmings in shiny metal boxes. So much great music is passing through town this week. Find out more.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS…
THURSDAY, OCT. 21
For the past decade, these idiosyncratic indie rockers have sharpened their teeth on the gritty Phoenix music scene. Perennial outsiders, Emby Alexander remain true to the DIY ethos. At Club Congress. With Soda Sun
FRIDAY,
OCT. 22
His music is an allusion to a bygone era, where musical pioneers Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison (and pompadours) held sway. His latest studio album, First Comes The Night (2015) reflects Nashville’s musical traditions, but moreover this singer-songwriter’s passion. “I don’t think, ‘I’m going to sell 40 million records.’ I think, ‘How am I going to make a hell of a record even if it’s for 40 people who’ll listen to it a million times.’” For Chris Isaak “the thrill is not gone.” At Fox Tucson Theatre... As founding members of New Edition, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe charted several hits during the 1980s: Like “Candy Girl” and “Cool It Now.” In 1989, after New Edition went on hiatus, with hip-hop starting to pop o in clubs, Bell Biv Devoe began to experiment. Combining what they call “hip-hop, smoothed out on the R&B tip with a pop feel to
it,” their debut album, Poison (1990), is credited as pioneering new jack swing. Bell Biv Devoe recreate the magic. At AVA Amphitheater. With ATCK and DJ Lux... While most country artists remain tight-lipped regarding their views on COVID-19, having built his career on being a renegade, this honky-tonk wrangler isn’t backing down now. When the cover photo for Ruthless (2021) was due, Allan was on a yacht in the Dominican Republic. When record label brass asked him to return to Nashville, he said no. “I’ll come back when there’s a vaccine,’” Allan told People. “Unfiltered” Gary Allan remains true. At Tucson Music Hall... With note-for-note renditions handpicked from the Beatles’ extensive catalog, The Fab Four tip the hat. At Rialto Theater... These charros of rock blend traditional mariachi sounds with the head banging hits from the classic rock era. The Outlaw Mariachi promise to make your body shake and groove. At Hotel Congress (plaza)... Almost impossible to describe, these Chicagoans’ debut EP Post Animal Perform the Most Curious Water Activities (2015) helped the struggling band ascend from the DIY basements where they cut their teeth. Post Animal are out on the road in support of their latest LP Forward Motion Godyssey (2020). At 191 Toole. With Reptailens
SATURDAY, OCT. 23
Never far from controversy—placing a slew of legal troubles aside—Born 2 Rap (2019), the rapper’s ninth studio album, was announced to be his last. Back from retirement, The Game headlines the West Coast Music Festival 2021. With XZIBIT, Too Short and many more. At Rillito Racetrack... Encompassing cumbia, hip hop and R&B, Kumbia Kings was the brainchild of A.B. Quintanilla (the older brother of “The Queen of Tejano”) after Selena’s untimely passing. In keeping with the title of their 1999 debut album, Kumbia Kings continue to embody Amor, Familia y Respeto. At AVA Amphitheater. With Grupo Metál... Tucson Do Yourself finds local artists covering the songs of other Tucson acts. Featuring local faves Golden Boots, Los Esplifs, Mariachi Luz de Luna, Birds+Arrows, Night Weather, Tom Walbank and Tire Biters. At Hotel Congress (plaza)... With their DNA linked to the ‘70s, The Guardian described this band’s sound as “Blending the sludgy, doom-laden ri s of Black Sabbath with the urgent pop-punk of The Runaways.” Fronted by live wire Arrow de Wilde, Starcrawler will Devour You. At 191 Toole. With Sur ort
SUNDAY, OCT. 24
Bringing contemporary Christian music to the forefront of American pop culture—in the process earning six Grammy Awards and numerous Gospel Music Association Dove Awards—she has earned the distinction as “The Queen of Christian Pop.” Amy Grant celebrates 30 years of Heart in Motion. At Fox Tucson Theatre...
most kids, when your dad is John Bonham you end up bashing on your little drum kit for rock stars, like Jimmy Page and members of Bad Company. Carving a niche all his own, he’s gone on to work with luminaries like David Gilmore, Slash, Je Beck, Paul Rodgers, and Muddy Waters. Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening pays tribute to his late father’s iconic band. At Tucson Music Hall... A period of upheaval left Lydia Loveless feeling unanchored and adrift. On Daughter (2020) Loveless worked to redefine herself. Like photographs of time, Lately (2021) is a record Lilly Hiatt wrote to document the troubles she endured the previous year. “Tears were shed, lives were lost, and loneliness was a way of life,” says Hiatt. Singer-songwriters Lydia Loveless and Lilly Hiatt journey into independence. At Hotel Congress (plaza)...
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 27
Swing revivalists, Squirrel Nut Zippers, are touring in support of Lost Songs Of Doc Souchon (2020), their latest release. At Rialto Theater. With Little Cloud... Rising from the mayhem of Mexico City, with 8.8 million inhabitants, these indie rockers slam together catchy pop tunes, danceable Latin and afrobeat rhythms, and sweet, understated melodies to create something akin to “tropipop.” Straddling two worlds, Little Jesus collide cultures. At Club Congress...
THURSDAY, OCT. 28
TUESDAY, OCT. 26
Like many talented kids, when Jason Bonham was a child he got called to entertain family friends. Except, unlike
Performing bolero, pop, cumbia and salsa, in addition to being the recipient of numerous international awards and distinctions, this Chilean firebrand is the most-streamed Chilean artist ever. La Chica de Rojo, Mon LaFerte, with an emphasis on sentimentality, o ers a taste of música cebolla. At Rialto Theater. With Flor de Toloache... Stalled at the precarious intersection between seductive fantasy and thorny reality—the foundation upon which the dream factory that is L.A. was erected—noisy, jangly, surf-punks Egg Drop Soup “lash out at all the bullshit dreams” they so willfully chase. At Club Congress. With Lucky Baby Daddy and Female Gaze...
Until next week, XOXO...
PHOTO BY ELLIOT MARGOLIES ON FLICKR / CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Chris Isaak performs at the Fox Theatre on Friday, Oct. 22.
TRULIEVE AMAZING
Trulieve deal to acquire Harvest finalized, creating nationwide cannabis empire
By David Abbott tucsoneditor@tucsonlocalmedia.com
THE $2.1 BILLION ACQUISITION OF
Harvest Health & Recreation by Florida cannabis behemoth Trulieve Cannabis Corp. has finally been consummated, creating the largest marijuana company in the U.S., with a combined 149 dispensaries and operations in 11 states.
Harvest has 39 operating shops in five states, including one in Tucson at 2734 E. Grant Road, and was the first operator to sell adult-use marijuana in the state after the Arizona Department of Health Services gave the green light to legal sales in Arizona on Jan. 22.
“We are excited to move forward as part of Trulieve,” Harvest co-founder and CEO Steve White wrote in a recent email to the Weedly. “The combined organization has the resources and talent to continue
expanding access to cannabis and deliver outstanding customer experiences.”
The deal was initially announced on May 10 and completed on Oct. 1, several weeks after the Harvest board voted to move forward, after a roller coaster of public relations headaches that never really threatened the deal, but were troubling enough for Trulieve to mention in a January filing with the Security Exchange Commission.
Trulieve’s problems started in 2015, when the U.S. Grand Jury for the North District of Florida began an investigation into T.J. Burnette, husband of the company’s President and CEO Kim Rivers, in connection with alleged corruption by “local o cials” in Tallahassee, Florida.
In 2017, Rivers was subpoenaed about Burnette’s activities, related to her involvement with Tallahassee’s Community Redevelopment Agency and “political contributions [she] made through an associated business.”
Rivers was not the target of the investigation nor charged with any crimes, according to the SEC filing, but in August 2021, Burnette was convicted of five of nine federal corruption-related charges in a highly publicized Florida trial, according to a report in the Tallahassee Democrat.
In addition to the Florida problems, Harvest was at the receiving end of a hand-
ful of investor lawsuits, but they were all dismissed prior to the board vote to move forward with the deal.
“Anytime there’s a significant public transaction, there are certain plainti s’ law firms that, almost as a matter of course, file lawsuits,” White said in a Sept. 23 interview with the Weedly. “It’s a fairly common, very routine thing that happens ... almost kind of a tax that you pay, because of our open legal system, so [it’s] not a big deal.”
The acquisition positions Trulieve to become a nationwide force to be reckoned with, if and when federal legalization happens. According to the press release announcing the deal, Trulieve and Harvest have “cash equivalents” of $289 million
and $71 million, respectively, as well as Trulieve’s recent $350 million in debt financing and Harvest’s $55 million received from the sale of its Florida license that was a condition of the deal.
Cannabis has also given Tempe native White a lot of political clout, both in Arizona and Florida. In the runup to last year’s election that legalized adult-use marijuana, he donated $1.8 million to help Prop 207 pass.
White will continue to be a player in the marijuana business and will continue to advocate for expanded pot legalization.
“I will be staying on at Trulieve as part of the executive team working to continue building out the organization,” he said. ■
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1 Christmas classic covered by Bing Crosby and Bob Dylan, among others
Edited by Will Shortz
49 Some significant others, for short
52 Crop problem
53 Hairy Tibetan beasts
6 Kind of gorilla
56 ___ the Saxon (Ivanhoe’s father in “Ivanhoe”)
10 Second-best era
13 Matrimony
14 ___ Park (neighborhood in central Los Angeles)
15 Neologism for the “best ever”
58 Christmas trees
60 “___ kidding!”
62 Sound heard before many a classic movie
63 Make amends?
64 [Silence]
17 Six Premier League teams play in it
19 Other: Sp.
20 Apt foreign rhyme of “moon”
21 2016 inductee into the Basketball Hall of Fame
22 Prom purchase
23 Discharges
25 Do a certain veterinary job
27 Nudge
28 Old-fashioned possessive
29 Whitman of “Arrested Development”
31 Japanese company with six stars in its logo
33 With 44-Across, bit of consolation … or a feature of this puzzle’s grid?
36 Like 2017 and 2027
37 Something found in strands
39 Easy basket
41 Gore and more
42 Welcome at the front door
44 See 33-Across
46 Parts of soft palates
48 Score specification
66 Certain pizza topping, slangily
67 Forthright
68 Game played on a 91' x 13' court
69 Attractive older fellow
70 Forks and knives, e.g.
71 Symbol of privilege
DOWN
1 Simple solution to a big problem
2 “Just stop already!”
3 Laura of “Ozark”
4 Mine locales
5 Caps or cones preceder
6 Cannellini, e.g.
7 The National Mall has more than 300 of them
8 Shabbily made
9 Famously sleepy animals
10 Terribly eager
11 Monopoly square between Marvin Gardens and Pacific Avenue
12 Extremely catchy tunes
16 Gift of persuasiveness
18 Like some healthier potato chips
24 “I did NOT need to hear that!,” in brief
26 “Absolutely!”
30 Heinous
32 Crow
33 Compete in the America’s Cup, say
34 Prefix with genetics
35 An ice place to go?
37 Lacking
38 Nearly massless subatomic particle
40 Some flower girls
42 Marvel character with metallic skin
43 Thumbs-down
45 Dec. 31
47 “Here’s an idea …”
49 Player at the highestelevation N.F.L. stadium
50 Debacle
51 Metonym for the movie industry
54 Super Mario creature that resembles a turtle
55 More confident
57 Sag
59 Pixy ___ (candy brand)
61 Philosopher Descartes
65 Airer of Ken Burns documentaries
