Chow, Tucson Weekly

Soggy, Sweet and Slow

Jacqueline Kuder — Thu, 16 May 2013 04:00:00 -0700

Fine for tourists (maybe), but for Tucsonans, Teresa's Mosaic Café is just too boring by Jacqueline Kuder There are two types of Mexican food restaurants in Tucson—the first category is big, airy restaurants where you take out-of-towners with palates used to Midwestern meat and potato diets. The restaurants have nice views and cute little tiled accents throughout, and everything comes with a vaguely spiced yellow-colored rice and a slew of refried beans with cheese on top.…

Noshing Around

Jerry Morgan — Thu, 16 May 2013 04:00:00 -0700

New restaurants on Ninth Street near Fourth Avenue ... drinking beer with dinner AND animals ... Caffe Torino opens in the Foothills ... and Pastiche closes its wine and cheese shop. by Jerry Morgan More Food on 4th Possibly called Coronet, Sally Kane and her business partner, Gregor Kretschmann, are hard at work on a new diner in the old Coronado Hotel at 402 E. Ninth St. Planned to be a European inspired café, it will have seats inside and patio for al fresco dining.…

Noshing Around

Jerry Morgan — Thu, 09 May 2013 04:00:00 -0700

Apple Annie's Orchard Country Store opens not far from the Wilcox Wine Festival ... Tucsonans move against Monsanto this weekend ... the summer restaurant down-swing begins anew ... and more! by Jerry Morgan Apple Annie's and Willcox Wine Festival As I mentioned a few months back, Apple Annie's has purchased what used to be Stout's Cider Mill in Willcox.…

Tucson's Restaurant Renaissance

Jim Nintzel — Thu, 09 May 2013 04:00:00 -0700

Downtown is bouncing back (one bite at a time) by Jim Nintzel Chris Bianco is a superstar in the artisan pizza biz. Hungry fans will line up for hours outside his Pizzeria Bianco in downtown Phoenix's Heritage Square for the chance to eat one of his pies.…

It's Not About the Food

Rita Connelly — Thu, 09 May 2013 04:00:00 -0700

Cookie-cutter concept proves why chains are so boring and why they remain so popular by Rita Connelly The difficulty in reviewing restaurants such as Fox and Hound is that there just isn't a lot to say. While the food we had wasn't bad, it wasn't great either.…

Noshing Around

Jerry Morgan — Thu, 02 May 2013 04:00:00 -0700

A load of new liquor licenses ... Chad's closes while Diablo Burger looms near ... Falora goes local ... and more! by Jerry Morgan Things to Come Liquor license applications have been filed for Bruno Panini, 18 E. Congress St.; Aussie Cantina, 118 E. Sixth St.; and Coronet, 402 E. Ninth.…

Popular for a Reason

Jacqueline Kuder — Thu, 02 May 2013 04:00:00 -0700

You'll likely have to wait for breakfast, but dinner at Blue Willow is also worth your time by Jacqueline Kuder When I was assigned this review, I realized that in the two-plus decades that I've called Tucson home, I've never once been at the Blue Willow for anything other than lunch or breakfast. Maybe it just never occurred to me, or maybe it's because the longtime Campbell Avenue restaurant is ingrained in my mind as Tucson's consummate breakfast joint.…

Chain of a Different Hue

Rita Connelly — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 04:00:00 -0700

Surprise! There's more to Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill than red Solo cups by Rita Connelly Just about everything about Toby Keith's is big. Big room, big tables, big chairs, big drinks, big portions, big music, a whole bunch of big TVs.…

Noshing Around

Jerry Morgan — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 04:00:00 -0700

We say hello to Sam-wiches And Such; prepare for the Pie Potluck at Whistle Stop Depot; throw together Star Wars cosplay outfits for May 4 at Hotel Congress; and have thoughts on Pizzeria Bianco! by Jerry Morgan They Serve Meatloaf, Too A new restaurant with a decidedly diner-esque food lineup is open at 6502 E. Tanque Verde Road in the former China Thai spot.…

Chicago Style

Jacqueline Kuder — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 04:00:00 -0700

You might not want to visit Kenney D's on a diet, but they know their fried foods by Jacqueline Kuder In a metro area with about 1 million people, Tucson probably has more than its fair share of Chicago-style sandwich joints. You can pick from the Luke's locations, the various joints that seem to come and quickly go (e.g., the now-closed Chicago Fast-Food or Bubby's Chicago Style), and Kenney D's.…

Noshing Around

Jerry Morgan — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 04:00:00 -0700

What is "Dante's Fire"?; Caruso's turns the lights on; Umi Star is adding to its menu; Barrio Brewing is upgrading their equipment; and more! by Jerry Morgan Dante's Fire Opening Soon? A liquor license has recently been filled for Dante's Fire restaurant.…

Noshing Around

Jerry Morgan — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 04:00:00 -0700

The Tasteful Kitchen remodels; Saguaro Corners opens; La Madrina closes; and Slow Food Southern Arizona prepares for a locally-focused tasting. by Jerry Morgan Local Restaurant Gets Face-lift Some fresh paint, a new pop of color and a wall mural along the side of the building at 722 N. Stone Ave. caught my attention while driving the other day.…

This 'Little Thing' or That

Rita Connelly — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 04:00:00 -0700

Chef/owner Suzana Davila's signature restaurant continues to attract crowds despite a few bumps in the road by Rita Connelly Café Poca Cosa is what's known as a 'destination' restaurant, which means that, thanks to plenty of national press, people travel to downtown Tucson just to eat there. But we had two very different dining experiences, which made me wonder about the place.…

Into the Woods

Jacqueline Kuder — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 04:00:00 -0700

Lodge Sasquatch serves up big plates, tasty desserts and a bunch of TVs by Jacqueline Kuder The whole concept of a "concept" restaurant has always been a little strange to me—isn't every restaurant a concept restaurant? Perhaps the only exceptions are the soulless corporate giants microwaving their premanufactured food, though millions of people get behind that concept every day.…

Noshing Around

Jerry Morgan — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 04:00:00 -0700

Five Palms Steak and Seafood opens up; Brewd and Daglio's shut their doors; Jack's Original Barbecue is coming back; and learn how to smoke cholla bud! by Jerry Morgan Five Palms Steak and Seafood Open Following a soft opening last week, the Five Palms Steak and Seafood is officially open at the previous home of Cafe Terra Cotta, 3500 E. Sunrise Drive.…

Tucson's 100 Essential Dishes

Rita Connelly — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 04:00:00 -0700

The Tucson Weekly staff tries to determine what menu items are essential to our culinary culture by Rita Connelly, Jacqueline Kuder, A. Greene and Tucson Weekly Staff First, let's get something out of the way: We're sorry. We're sorry we missed your favorite dish in town.…

Gilroy Was Here

Rita Connelly — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 04:00:00 -0700

Chef Steve Shultz is back, revving it up with garlic and so much more by Rita Connelly The first time I ate at the building that now houses Wild Garlic Grill, it was called the Frontier Drive-In. Known for frosty root beer (the large beer mug on the sign out front was once a root beer mug) and great hamburgers, it was just a short bike ride from my first apartment in Tucson.…

Noshing Around

Jerry Morgan — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 04:00:00 -0700

Area firefighters put their brews to the test in the Top Hops Challenge; a scattering of dinners featuring potent potable pairings; Jalopy's Grillville drives into the sunset; and more! by Jerry Morgan Top Hops Home Brew Challenge Local firefighters will test their home brewing skills at the Top Hops challenge starting at 6 p.m., Saturday, April 6, at Foothills Mall.…

Odd Location, French Flavors

Jacqueline Kuder — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 04:00:00 -0700

Our reviewer checks out Le Rendez-Vous, a place many Tucsonans intend to try by Jacqueline Kuder I've driven by Le Rendez-Vous on Fort Lowell Road hundreds of times. I've mentioned to Ted that we should try it at least a dozen times.…

Noshing Around

Jerry Morgan — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 04:00:00 -0700

McMahon's Steakhouse unveils a new happy hour; Voodoo Jack's becomes Vudu Lounge; Penca opens downtown while Brio closes near Tucson Mall; and Agua Linda hosts an Easter egg hunt by Jerry Morgan McMahon's New Happy Hour McMahon's Steakhouse, 2959 N. Swan Road, has enhanced its happy hour offerings.…

Noshing Around

Jerry Morgan — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 04:00:00 -0700

Sausage Deli moves around the corner; Ari Shapiro's Falora is now open; Diablo Burger looks for local liquid flavor; and Calle Tepa is coming "soon" by Jerry Morgan Sausage Deli Moves to New Building A UA staple for over 35 years, The Sausage Deli has moved into their new building, right around the corner from the old one at 754 E. Grant Road.…

Tiny, Hidden and Hip

Rita Connelly — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 04:00:00 -0700

Liv strives for a certain vibe; it may be trying a bit too hard by Rita Connelly Liv is sort of hard to explain. Tucked into the recesses of St Philip's Plaza at River Road and Campbell Avenue, this café and bistro caters to shoppers at the plaza.…

Slow and Sub-Par

Jacqueline Kuder — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 04:00:00 -0700

Slow service is a problem at Tony's Italian Deli, plus some of the food isn't worth the wait by Jacqueline Kuder Restaurants that stay open a long time tend to accumulate a collection of regular patrons. They're die-hard fans who come in and order from the same short list of items, always expecting consistency.…

Noshing Around

Jerry Morgan — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 04:00:00 -0700

Acacia hosts a tequila dinner; Sentinel Peak Brewing has set up shop; Relish Kitchen & Wine Bar is now open; and more! by Jerry Morgan Tequila Dinner at Acacia Acacia Real Food & Cocktails is teaming with Pura Vida Tequila to bring us its first tequila dinner on Thursday, Feb. 28.…

Thai Treasure

Rita Connelly — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 04:00:00 -0700

Sa'ing Thai is a great place to eat; maybe even worth a drive out to Rita Ranch by Rita Connelly The only thing wrong with Sa'ing Thai is that it isn't in my neighborhood; it's not even anywhere near my neighborhood. If it were, I'd be a regular.…