Wednesday, February 3, 2010

A Trip Through the Best of Tucson

Posted By on Wed, Feb 3, 2010 at 12:44 PM

Reader John Nemerovski recently sent us this delightful e-mail:

John "Nemo" Nemerovski's BEST OF TUCSON(R) Photo Essay, featuring Nemo's daughter Sheba, visiting from Chicago. We studied Tucson Weekly's 2009 BEST OF TUCSON(R) special section three times through, choosing places to visit that were interesting and reasonably convenient during Sheba's three day trip to Tucson.

FANTASY COMICS on First Avenue was our first stop. We were awed by the organization, quantity, and depth of the comic titles. Sheba purchased a creepy graphic novel, that she read while we were not out and about on our tour.
  • FANTASY COMICS on First Avenue was our first stop. We were awed by the organization, quantity, and depth of the comic titles. Sheba purchased a "creepy" graphic novel, that she read while we were not out and about on our tour.

THE BAGELRY on Campbell had closed at 2. We were disappointed, but vowed to return earlier in the day, as soon as possible.
  • THE BAGELRY on Campbell had closed at 2. We were disappointed, but vowed to return earlier in the day, as soon as possible.

BUFFALO EXCHANGE on Speedway near Campbell kept Sheba busy for a long time. She didnt buy shoes, but she did purchase a massive Icelandic wool hooded poncho that will come in handy during the endless Chicago fall-winter-spring lousy weather.
  • BUFFALO EXCHANGE on Speedway near Campbell kept Sheba busy for a long time. She didn't buy shoes, but she did purchase a massive Icelandic wool hooded poncho that will come in handy during the endless Chicago fall-winter-spring lousy weather.

BENTLEYS on Speedway was her favorite coffee shop hangout. We purchased pieces of pies and cake for dessert that were as good as promised by the staff.
  • BENTLEY'S on Speedway was her favorite coffee shop hangout. We purchased pieces of pies and cake for dessert that were as good as promised by the staff.

BRUSHFIRE'S (also on Campbell) menu was intriguing. We had a quick barbeque turkey sandwich, and decided to return with more people for more food on a different day.
  • BRUSHFIRE'S (also on Campbell) menu was intriguing. We had a quick barbeque turkey sandwich, and decided to return with more people for more food on a different day.

RATTLESNAKE BRIDGE on Broadway was magnificent. Sheba was joined by her fiance, John, and Nemos wife, Barbie, for this portion of the tour.
  • RATTLESNAKE BRIDGE on Broadway was magnificent. Sheba was joined by her fiance, John, and Nemo's wife, Barbie, for this portion of the tour.

TUCSON TAMALE on East Broadway has the best tamales weve ever eaten, especially the three vegetarian flavors.
  • TUCSON TAMALE on East Broadway has the best tamales we've ever eaten, especially the three vegetarian flavors.

BOHEMIA on East Broadway is a sales gallery with imaginative, affordable art, mostly by local artists. Prices are reasonable, and the selection is wacko-impressive.
  • BOHEMIA on East Broadway is a sales gallery with imaginative, affordable art, mostly by local artists. Prices are reasonable, and the selection is wacko-impressive.

Back to THE BAGELRY, for an early lunch. The owner is very friendly. He recommended the jalapeno bagel, and I was skeptical, but it was super tasty. Definitely the best bagels in Tucson.
  • Back to THE BAGELRY, for an early lunch. The owner is very friendly. He recommended the jalapeno bagel, and I was skeptical, but it was super tasty. Definitely the best bagels in Tucson.

LE CAVES BAKERY on South Sixth Avenue has by far the best donuts weve ever eaten.
  • LE CAVE'S BAKERY on South Sixth Avenue has by far the best donuts we've ever eaten.

ETHERTON GALLERY on Sixth Avenue downtown is an upstairs marvel of a viewing space. Allow at least an hour to see all the different displays, and talk to the staff. Free street parking is available two blocks south, or occasionally at the little parking lot adjacent to the building.
  • ETHERTON GALLERY on Sixth Avenue downtown is an upstairs marvel of a viewing space. Allow at least an hour to see all the different displays, and talk to the staff. Free street parking is available two blocks south, or occasionally at the little parking lot adjacent to the building.

CRESCENT NEWS AND TOBACCO downtown has a great magazine selection, lovely music playing, and a load of attitude.
  • CRESCENT NEWS AND TOBACCO downtown has a great magazine selection, lovely music playing, and a load of attitude.

XOOM JUICE is in a new location downtown, with the best smoothies on the planet, plus a great atmosphere, especially in the late afternoon with the winter sun pouring in.
  • XOOM JUICE is in a new location downtown, with the best smoothies on the planet, plus a great atmosphere, especially in the late afternoon with the winter sun pouring in.