CHOW SCAN Chow Scan is the Weekly’s selective guide to Tucson restaurants. Only restaurants that our reviewers recommend are included. Complete reviews are online at www.tucsonweekly.com. Dates of reviews from August 1999 to the present are included in Chow Scan. Send comments and updates to: Chow, P.O. Box 27087, Tucson, AZ 85726. These listings have no connection with Weekly advertising.
KEY PRICE RANGES $ $8 or less $ $ $8-$15 $ $ $ $15-$25 $ $ $ $ $25 and up. Prices are based on menu entrée selections, and exclude alcoholic beverages. FORMS OF PAYMENT V Visa MC Mastercard AMEX American Express DIS Discover DC Diner’s Club checks local checks with guarantee card and ID only debit debit cards CatCard University of Arizona CatCard. TYPE OF SERVICE Counter Quick or fast-food service, usually includes take-out. Diner Minimal table service. Café Your server is most likely working solo. Bistro Professional servers, with assistants bussing tables. Full Cover Multiple servers, with the table likely well set. Full Bar Separate bar space for drinks before and after dinner. RESTAURANT LOCATION C Central North to River Road, east to Alvernon Way, west to
Granada Avenue downtown, and south to 22nd Street. NW Northwest North of River Road, west of Campbell
Avenue.
V. Mr. K’s décor isn’t much to look at—OK, it’s downright ugly—but the sweet, juicy meats and the peppery barbecue sauce, along with tasty sides and desserts, makes this one of Tucson’s best barbecue joints. And you can get a bottle of sauce to go if you’d like. (11-13-03) $ R&R BAR-B-QUE COMPANY E 1101 N. Wilmot Road, Suite 119. 886-1900. Open Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Counter/No Alcohol. AMEX, DIS, MC, V. Also at 8270 S. Houghton Road, No. 140. (574-9166). R&R Bar-B-Que Company brings a little bit of the South to Tucson with an array of barbecue flavors, featuring meats from pulled pork to smoked sausage to beef brisket. The sweet signature sauce isn’t one for lovers of spicy or vinegary barbecue, but the smoked sausage steals the show. The sides are so-so, and the burgers need work—but stick with the traditional dishes, and you’ll be in hog heaven. (11-25-10) $$
BREW PUBS BARRIO BREWING COMPANY C 800 E. 16th St. 791-2739. Open Sunday-Tuesday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Wednesday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; ThursdaySaturday 11 a.m.-midnight. Café/Full Bar. AMEX, DIS, MC, V. This brewery, operated by the same folks who own Gentle Ben’s, is a down-home kind of joint. There are usually about 10 beers on tap, all of which are brewed right in the building. The food is pub fare done well, often using one of the house-made ales in the preparation. While burgers are the highlights, the other sandwiches are tasty and complement the beers. The service is friendly, as to be expected. (3-6-08) $-$$ FROG AND FIRKIN C 874 E. University Blvd. 623-7507. Open Sunday-
Thursday 11 a.m.- 1 a.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.2 a.m. Café/Full Bar. AMEX, DC, DIS, MC, V. A Britishstyle pub with the heart of an outré bohemian, Frog and Firkin is not only a great place to grab a tasty brew, but a fine place to sate your appetite as well. $$-$$$ GENTLE BEN’S BREWING COMPANY C 865 E. University Blvd. 624-4177. Open Monday-
Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday noon-9 p.m. Café/ Full Bar. AMEX, DIS, MC, V. Better-than-decent food and a heavenly selection of 10 brews just ripe for the sampling make Gentle Ben’s a welcome respite from your wearying day. $$ IRISH PUB NE 9155 E. Tanque Verde Road. 749-2299. Open daily
11 a.m.-midnight. Café/Full Bar. AMEX, DIS, MC, V. This friendly, neighborhood pub is just what the doctor ordered for a bit o’ fun and food. Daily specials range from an all-you-can-eat Friday-night fish fry to steak dinners on Saturday night. Burgers come with all the usual sides, but you can also find interesting toppings—olive mayo, anyone? Dining on the patio is a pure pleasure. You may even make a new friend or two. (7-10-08) $-$$
NE Northeast North of River Road, east of Campbell
Avenue. E East East of Alvernon Way, south of River Road. S South South of 22nd Street. W West West of Granada Avenue, south of River Road.
Eat well. Feel good. reneesorganicoven.com
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BARBECUE THE ORIGINAL MR. K’S BBQ S 1830 S. Park Ave. 792-9484. Open Tuesday-Saturday 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Counter/No Alcohol. AMEX, DIS, MC,
NIMBUS BISTRO AND BREWERY E 6464 E. Tanque Verde Road. 733-1111. Open Sunday-Wednesday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Thursday 11 a.m.11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Bistro/Full Bar. AMEX, DIS, MC, V. With a large selection of bottled and draught beers, Nimbus Bistro and Brewery is a great addition to the original. An upscale bar-food menu offers lots of delicious options, and don’t miss out on their signature dish, the “world famous” fried bologna sandwich. (1-7-10) $-$$ NIMBUS BREWING COMPANY TAPROOM S 3850 E. 44th St. 745-9175. Open Monday-Thursday
11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-1 a.m.;
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