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Chow Scan is the Weekly’s selective guide to Tucson restaurants. Only restaurants that our reviewers recommend are included. Complete reviews are online at tucsonweekly.com. Chow Scan includes reviews from August 1999 to the present. Send comments and updates to: mailbag@tucsonweekly.com; fax to 792-2096; or mail to Tucson Weekly/Chow, P.O. Box 27087, Tucson, AZ 85726. These listings have no connection with Weekly advertising.
KEY Fresh Baked, Hand Tossed, Solar Powered Pizza 534 N. 4th Ave. 622-6868 Next to Sky Bar t Open 7 Days A Week
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
mother hubbard’s
cafe native american comfort food southwestern comfor t food
WEEKLY SPECIAL
Tarheel on the Beach Hatch chili pimiento cheese tostada with be deviled eggs and a cucumber basil tomato salad.
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
Open Labor Day 7am-Noonish (’cause it’s Labor Day after all)
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
14 W GRANT RD • 623-7976
Avenue.
IN THE GRANTSTONE PLAZA
NE Northeast North of River Road, east of Campbell
Mon-Sat 6am-2pm • Sunday 7am-2pm
E East East of Alvernon Way, south of River Road.
Avenue. S South South of 22nd Street. W West West of Granada Avenue, south of River Road.
Japanese & Korean Food All You Can Eat Sushi 15 95 Happy Hour Menu
$
10
7 days a week
% Military Discount on regular menu
2 LONGNECK BEER & $
WELL DRINKS
$
Day 4 Sake All Bombs
OPEN to CLOSE 7 DAYS A WEEK
790-9439
7002 E. Golf Links Road 44 WWW.TuCsON WEEKLY.COM
CAFES AND BISTROS CAFÉ PASSÉ C 415 N. Fourth Ave. 624-4411. Open Sunday-Tuesday 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Wednesday-Saturday 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Café/Full Bar. DIS, MC, V. Café Passe is a quirky coffee house, sandwich shop and neighborhood hangout in the heart of Tucson’s quirkiest area. Offering sandwiches, panini, salads, baked goods, coffees, teas, smoothies and other refreshments in a relaxed atmosphere, this is a go-to place for a break while shopping on Fourth Avenue. (10-1-09) $-$$ LA COCINA RESTAURANT, CANTINA AND COFFEE BAR C 201 N. Court Ave. 622-0351. Open Monday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m.10 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Café/Full Bar. AMEX, DIS, MC, V. With creative fare that’s actually good for you, a little history and some unique, nifty shopping, La Cocina offers a most wonderful experience. Vegans, vegetarians and those with gluten issues have a full array of goodies. The world is the inspiration here: Corn cakes with maple syrup, sweet potato and corn enchiladas, edamame hummus and pad Thai are just a few of the choices. The courtyard is lovely; the cantina is funky and fun. And there’s brunch on weekends. (2-10-11) $-$$
CRYING ONION CAFÉ NW 3684 W. Orange Grove Road, Suite 156. 5311330. Open Saturday-Thursday 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; Friday 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. Café/No Alcohol. MC, V, Cash and checks. Big breakfast portions and friendly service are two reasons why this northwest-side eatery draws such big crowds. The baked goods from scratch are another reason. Try a scrambler or the cinnamon roll French toast for a real treat. You won’t walk away hungry, and your wallet won’t be depleted. (128-05) $
GOURMET GIRLS GLUTEN-FREE BAKERY/BISTRO NW 5845 N. Oracle Road. 408-9000. Open TuesdaySunday 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Café/No Alcohol. AMEX, DIS, MC, V. This tiny bakery and bistro is a godsend for folks with gluten issues. In the bakery, you’ll find muffins, cupcakes, breads, pizza shells, bread crumbs, crostini, cakes, pies—you name it. The bistro menu includes fresh salads, homemade soups, sandwiches and breakfast items. Breakfast and lunch are served all day. (5-10-12) $$
THE CUP CAFÉ C 311 E. Congress St. 798-1618. Open SundayThursday 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 7 a.m.midnight. Café/Full Bar. AMEX, DIS, MC, V. Variety offered in an energetic environment. The Cup makes for one of the best reasons to eat downtown. (1-23-03) $-$$
NE 6370 N. Campbell Ave., No. 160. 577-0326. Open
JASPER NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANT AND BAR
DAKOTA CAFE AND CATERING CO. E 6541 E. Tanque Verde Road. 298-7188. Open Monday 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Café/Full Bar. AMEX, DC, MC, V. Fresh salads, hot grills and taste-pleasing combinations make this casual setting a continuing favorite. $$-$$$ DELECTABLES RESTAURANT AND CATERING C 533 N. Fourth Ave. 884-9289. Open Sunday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Café/Full Bar. AMEX, MC, V. The bohemian atmosphere of Fourth Avenue is enhanced by the lasting presence of one of the most consistently delicious eateries in town. Delectables specializes in simple dishes elegantly prepared and is perfect for either fine dining or after-game snacks. Desserts are extraordinary, and the people-watching along the avenue can’t be beat. (1-20-00) $$ THE ECLECTIC CAFÉ E 7053 E. Tanque Verde Road. 885-2842. Open Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Café/Beer and Wine. AMEX, DIS, MC, V, Checks. A longstanding local café, the Eclectic excels at serving legendary breakfasts that feature fresh ingredients in robust portions. While service can be harried during peak hours, breakfast is worth the wait. Lunch and dinner are available, and while the menu dedicates itself to fresh ingredients, some of the other offerings aren’t as consistently solid as breakfast. Don’t miss the habit-forming chilaquiles, worth getting up and waiting in line for. (8-30-01) $ EPIC CAFÉ C 745 N. Fourth Ave. 624-6844. Open daily 6 a.m.midnight. Counter/No Alcohol. AMEX, MC, V. This is as close as you can get to Berkeley without leaving Tucson. The inexpensive, healthy food with fresh vegetables. The diverse crowd. The casual, occasionally cranky counter service. The art on the walls. The straws in the Viagralabeled container. It’s all there. (5-15-03) $ FEAST C 3719 E. Speedway Blvd. 326-9363. Open TuesdaySunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Full Cover/Full Bar. AMEX, DIS, MC, V. Chef Doug Levy takes usual ingredients and creates unusual, innovative and delectable fare. He changes the menu every month, which means two things: The menu is seasonally driven, and you can’t get too attached to any one item—but whatever the month may be, everyone will find something to enjoy. Many of the items can be prepared gluten-free. The wine book is one of the best in town, and service seldom falters. (2-24-11) $$-$$$ FROGS ORGANIC BAKERY NW 7109 N. Oracle Road. 229-2124. Open Wednesday-Saturday 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Counter/Beer and Wine. AMEX, DIS, MC, V. Owned by French bakers, Frogs prepares food with no chemicals, preservatives, artificial colors or trans fats. Ingredients are fresh, organic and from area farms. Menu offerings include moderately priced soup, sandwiches, salads, quiche and breakfast items. But you must visit to sample the terrific pastries. Choose from delectable fruit tarts, macarons, sticky buns, muffins and more. Don’t miss the almond croissants and the dessert of the day. (1-5-12) $-$$ GLASS ONION CAFE NW 1990 W. River Road, Suite 100. 293-6050.
Open Saturday-Monday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday 7 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thursday 7 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Counter/No Alcohol. AMEX, DIS, MC, V. Good coffee, tasty sandwiches, sumptuous desserts and a comfortable atmosphere constitute this charming little Beatles-themed café. The service is warm and friendly, and Friday nights bring live music. The addition of green chiles makes the “Lonely Hearts Club” tastier than a run-of-the-mill club sandwich. (1127-08) $-$$
Tuesday-Thursday 7 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; and Sunday and Monday 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Café/Full Bar. AMEX, DIS, MC, V. Jasper, now in its third iteration, is a chic hangout spot for cocktails and tapas with a Peruvian twist. With delicious and shareable dishes like the piquillo rellenos or the escabeche de pescado, be sure to bring a few friends along. The breakfast and lunch offerings are nice, too. (7-14-11) $$-$$$ JOEL’S BISTRO C 806 E. University Blvd. 529-7277. Open daily 8
a.m.-3 p.m.; Tuesday-Saturday 5-8 p.m. Summer hours: open daily 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday 5-8 p.m. Bistro/BYO. AMEX, DIS, MC, V. Quiches, hot sandwiches, salads and a handful of regular entrées are all worth eating at Joel’s Bistro, but the star of the show is the crepes. It’s a beautiful thing to dine on sweet, succulent fruit crepes on a gorgeous day in the university area. (3-31-05) $-$$ SEVEN CUPS C 2516 E. Sixth St. 881-4072. Open Monday-Saturday
10:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Café/ No Alcohol. AMEX, DIS, MC, V. Tucson is lucky to have Seven Cups, a traditional Chinese teahouse that serves a variety of some of the best teas you’ll find anywhere. Order a pot of tea and a Japanese pastry, take in the calm elegance and forget that the outside world exists for an hour or two. (9-2-04) $-$$ SOMETHING SWEET DESSERT LOUNGE E 5319 E. Speedway Blvd. 881-7735. Open Monday
and Tuesday 5 p.m.-midnight; Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday 11 a.m.-midnight; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Café/No Alcohol. AMEX, DIS, MC, V. Featuring dozens of desserts, late-night hours for the allages crowd, free wireless Internet and a book-exchange program, Something Sweet is carving out a new niche in Tucson. The colossal carrot cake is a wonder to behold. (1-22-04) $ SON’S BAKERY CAFÉ E 5683 E. Speedway Blvd. 885-0806. Open Monday
and Tuesday 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Wednesday-Saturday 7 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Counter/No Alcohol. MC, V. Son’s is an absolute gem, featuring amazing sandwiches and salads, and wonderful homemade desserts and pastries. Son, the proprietor, makes all the breads and baked goods himself, and he is a master. With the prices low and the service so welcoming and enthusiastic, Son’s is a delight in almost every way. (4-8-04) $ SUNNY DAZE CAFÉ S 4980 S. Campbell Ave. 295-0300. Open Sunday-
Tuesday 6 a.m.-3 p.m.; Wednesday-Saturday 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Café/No Alcohol. AMEX, DIS, MC, V. Tasty, inexpensive food can be found in abundance at Sunny Daze—but what really sets this southside café apart is its clean, tropical-themed décor. The small, square room is decorated to the hilt, and definitely worth checking out. (11-6-08) $-$$ TOOLEY’S COFFEE SHOP C 299 S. Park Ave. No Phone. Open daily 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Counter/No Alcohol. Cash only. Simple, honest food makes this café worthy of repeat visits. Breakfast is big, but the lunches are also quite satisfying. Coffee and teas are plentiful, and the vibe is kicked-back and cool. The décor is especially charming, with a patio that is ideal for alfresco dining. Be warned: Hours seem to change on a whim. It’s that laid-back. (3-26-09) $ WILKO C 943 E. University Blvd. 792-6684. Open Monday-
Saturday 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Bistro/ Full Bar. DIS, MC, V. This gastropub is a wonderful addition to the university area; in fact, it’s a plus for the entire city. Artisan cheeses and meats are a big part of the menu. The Sonoran hot dog becomes the Sonoran bratwurst, locally made and topped with guindilla relish. Other entrées include delicious pasta and a wonderful tilapia. Desserts are top-notch, which is no surprise, since they’re made by the folks at The B Line. (8-1111) $$