Cover Story
Best of Tucson 2021: Legends of the West
A mighty 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…
Redistricting commission will review proposed Tucson changes as it prepares for big vote
The stage is set for the final debate before the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission approves its draft maps and submits them for public review after Democratic Commissioner Shereen Lerner suggested a handful of changes she’d like to see to a set of proposed legislative districts in southern Arizona. Based on those changes and others proposed…
Pima County offering free, take-home COVID tests
The Pima County Health Department will be giving out free, take-home COVID tests. The kits will be handed out on Saturday, Oct. 30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Abrams Public Health Center, 3950 S. Country Club Road in the lobby of the Abrams building. Each box contains two antigen self-tests that deliver…
Sections of Bajada Loop in Saguaro National Park West will be closed for improvements
Sections of the Bajada Loop in Saguaro National Park’s Tucson Mountain District will once again be closed from Oct. 28 to Nov. 10. This closure does not include the Sus Picnic Area, which can be accessed via Hohokam Road. No vehicle or bicycle access to Signal Hill will be permissible until Nov. 11. More information…
COVID-19 vaccines for kids ages 5 to 11 could be ready as soon as next week
WASHINGTON — The next wave of the massive COVID-19 vaccination campaign could begin as soon as next week, after federal regulators decide if elementary school students across the U.S. should begin rolling up their tiny sleeves. That multistep approval process kicks off Tuesday, when the Food & Drug Administration’s panel of vaccine experts will vote on…
Pima County offering Moderna, Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 booster shots
The Pima County Health Department is now offering all three types of COVID-19 boosters to eligible individuals at its health clinics, vaccination PODs and mobile clinics. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Oct. 21 approved the boosters after previously authorizing the Pfizer booster. The CDC is also allowing people to choose which booster…
Arizona business executives: Path to citizenship a tool to combat labor shortages
Time is running out for Senate Democrats to deliver millions of undocumented immigrants a path to citizenship that their families and advocates nationwide have been clamoring for years, and some business leaders in Arizona are emphasizing the economic benefits of a path to legalization. In a letter to U.S. Sens. Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema, 32…
Sequins & Stories: Meet Lil Miss Hot Mess and learn Drag Queen Story Hour
Lil Miss Hot Mess will present her research on drag studies at the University of Arizona Poetry Center, 1508 E. Helen St., in the Dorothy Rubel Room at 7 pm on Tuesday, Oct 26. Lil Miss Hot Mess is a well-known drag queen, activist, scholar, children’s book writer and storyteller of Drag Queen Story Hour,…
Ron Watkins hopes to move from QAnon to Congress, replace Tom O’Halleran
Five days before Ron Watkins, the notorious MAGA conspiracy theorist who helped spread the violent far-right QAnon conspiracy, posted a video to his Telegram account announcing his candidacy for a rural Arizona congressional district, he registered to vote in Maricopa County. Watkins, who is widely believed to have been behind QAnon’s master account, has been making…
Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry Hospitalized After Car-Bike Accident Downtown
Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry was hospitalized in critical but stable condition after he was struck by a car while riding his bike downtown today, according to a county press release. County spokesperson Mark Evans said Tucson police were investigating the accident. Tucson police closed Broadway Boulevard between Scott and Church avenues this morning following…
Trulieve Amazing: Trulieve deal to acquire Harvest finalized, creating nationwide cannabis empire
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,…
Spirited Fun: The Muppets get ghosted in a Halloween spooktacular
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)…
Best Outdoor Art Installation
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…
Best Eyeglass/Optical Retailer
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 prescription sunglasses, safety glasses, or…
Best Summer Staycation
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…
Best TV Newscast
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…
Best Comic Store
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…
Best Eggs Benedict
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,…
Best 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…
Best Indian
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 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…
Best Seafood
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…
Best Daycare
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…
Best Guacamole
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 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…
Best Raspados
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…
Best Locally Brewed Beer
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 complement a Tucson afternoon. Lucky for us…
Best Casino
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.…
Best Place to Donate Your Time and/or Money
3003 S. Country Club Road 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…
Best Marijuana Dispensary
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…
Best Radio Station for Music
Tucson’s scrappy independent nonprofit radio’s only format limitations seems 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…
Best Local Twitter Feed
We <3 Ken Carr’s up-to-the-minute delivery of traffic conditions, sports tidibits and the odd news of the region. The gorgeous photos are worth a visit alone, as are the quick insights around town that you can’t find anywhere else. But what really makes whatsuptucson special is how it really manages to capture the spirit of…
Best Caterer
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…
Best Campground
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.…
Best Place to Eat Lunch Downtown
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…
Best Family Dining
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 old-school 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…
Best New Restaurant
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…
Best Delivery
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 Dive Bar
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…
Best Nightclub
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…
Best Place to Get a Glass of Wine
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
Best Strip Club
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…
Best Quarantine Activity
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 Local Clothing Designer
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…
Best Resale Clothing
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…
Best Bike Riding
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…
Best Playground
1000 N. Tucson Blvd. Himmel Park’s playground has had quite a makeover thanks to voter-approved 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.…
Best Dog Park
7290 E. Tanque Verde Road One of the most popular dog parks in Tucson, Udall serves the east side with a large amount of open space. Like many other dog parks, this is divided into areas for large and small dogs to keep things safe. However, there isn’t much shade here, so it’s best not…
Best Breakfast
Multiple locations Sure, they do have Bisbee in the name. But Bisbee Breakfast Club has earned its place on Best of Tucson with its 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…
Best Foothills Restaurant
2870 E Skyline Dr. 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…
Best Steakhouse
310 E. Benson Hwy When a restaurant brands itself as “Tucson’s Best Steakhouse,” they better be ready to prove it. And Silver Saddle does that with its 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…
Best Fun for the Whole Family
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 Tamales
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…
Best Mariachi Band
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…
Best Venue for Live Music
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…
Best Nail Salon
1070 E. Tucson Marketplace Blvd. 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 salon has their own flare to…
Best 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…
Best CBD Store
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…
Best Handyman
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…
Best Biking Group/Community
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…
Best Diner
7010 E. Broadway 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…
Best Outdoor Recreation/Sporting Goods Store
5251 E. Speedway Blvd. 7745 N. Oracle Road 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,…
Best Downtown Restaurant
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…
Best Italian
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…
Best Outdoor Dining
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…
Best Kids’ Clothing Store
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…
Best Bartender
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…
Best Neighborhood Bar
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…
Best Wine Bar
416 E. Ninth St. Currently open only for takeout on Friday-Sunday, Revel is located between funky Fourth Avenue and Would-Really-Like-To-Be-Funky Downtown. Revel features an international wine selection, an extensive selection of beers and hand-crafted meat-and-cheese plates. Reader Recommended Ermanos Postinos
Best Dulceria
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…
Best Blog
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…
Best Tattoo Parlor
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,…
Best Local Weatherperson
What makes this such an easy pick is that people are STILL using the catchphrase “Erin said it would (be like this).” 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…
Best Hike
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.…
Best Public Pool/Splashpad
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…
Best Bike Shop
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, 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…
Best Café Hangout
311 E. Congress St. 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…
Best Specialty Sandwich
326 N 4th Ave 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,…
Best Sushi
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…
Best Place to Grab a Slice
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…
Best Torta
Multiple locations 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…
Best Comedian
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…
Best Musical Act
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…
Best Menudo
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…
Best Gallery
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…
Best Local TV News Anchor
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 (KVOA)
Best Photographer
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…
Best Home Furnishings
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…
Best Backpacking 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…
Best Specialty Food Store
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,…
Best Day Trip
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…
Best Brunch
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…
Best Westside Restaurant
130 S. Avenida Del Convento 1675 E. River Road 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…
Best Signature Dish
Multiple locations 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…
Best Place for a Children’s Party
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…
Best Shot
135 E. Congress St. 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…
Best Comedy Night
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…
Best Happy Hour
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…
Best Panaderia
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…
Best Art Museum
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 cavernous nature of the building helps – patrons can easily stay far apart from each other in the big rooms. The museum also wisely used reservations to…
Best Local Sportscaster
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…
Best Thrift Store
2001 E. Speedway Blvd. 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 the country today! This store has created a market for recycled clothing by encouraging customers to buy, sell,…
Best Radio Host
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 workday. As if that…
Best 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…
Best Restaurant With a Kids Menu
7010 E. Broadway 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…
Best Barbecue
2745 N. Campbell Ave. 7080 E. 22nd St. 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 to smokey chipotle. If you’re looking for BBQ that’s fall-off-the-bone good, Brushfire is the place to go. Reader Recommended…
Best Northwest Restaurant
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 “Southern-fusion gastropub,” The Parish takes guests on a tasty tour throughout the Gulf states with authentic gumbo, BBQ pork, shrimp and grits,…
Best Japanese
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.…
Best Thai
2990 N. Campbell Ave. 12125 N. Oracle Road Tuk Tuk Thai embraces the traditions of Thai street food, but doesn’t forego quality. 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…
Danehy: Legends of the West, Indeed: Tom Remembers Doing Best of Tucson® Back in the Old Days
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…
Best Margarita
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…
Best Pool Hall
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.…
Best Jazz Act
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…
Best Carnicería
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,…
Best Visual Artist
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…
Best Animal Supply Store
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 Tattoo Artist
510 N. Seventh Ave. 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…
Best Vintage Shopping
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…
Best Game Store
4500 N. Oracle Road 5870 E. Broadway Blvd. 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…
Best Delicatessen
6472 N. Oracle Road 7955 E. Broadway 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…
Best Golf Course
3660 E. Sunrise Drive 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…
Best Tea
943 E. University Blvd. 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…
Best Place to Get a Salad
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-to-fill-out form. The ingredients are always fresh, there’s a wide range…
Best Dining with a View
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…
City Week: Weekly Picks
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…
Best Jukebox
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…
Best Folk Act
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…
Best Salsa
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…
Best Movie Theater
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…
Best Instagram
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…
Best Place to Get a Massage
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…
Best Bookstore
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…
Best Farmers Market Vendor
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…
Best Story Time
Multiple locations While COVID has put the kibosh on storytime 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 Burger
6390 E. Grant Road. 1865 E. River Road 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…
Best Chinese
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…
Best Place to Eat Gluten Free
2526 E. Sixth Street 402 E. Fourth Avenue 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,…
Best Vietnamese
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…
Ballet Is Back! Ballet Tucson happily returns to the stage with a Balanchine dance and more
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…
Best Bloody Mary
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 breakfast at the Cup…
Best Cocktail Menu
139 S. Eastbourne Ave. We really appreciate how Sidecar differentiates 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…
Best Reggae Act
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…
Best Tortillas
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…
Best Art Classes
2021 N. Kinney Road What’s a better place to study art than the beautiful Sonoran Desert, where you can be inspired by reams of saguaros, soaring hawks, mountain lions, and blue skies all the way to Baboquivari. Many of the classes at the Desert Museum’s Institutes are desert-related: check out Sonoran Desert Birds, Drawing and…
Best Computer Repair
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…
Best Tattoo Removal/Alteration
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…
Best 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…
Best Gym
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…
Best Desserts
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…
Best Veggie Burger
2721 E. Speedway Blvd. 5635 E. Broadway Blvd. 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…
Best Central Restaurant
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…
Best 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…
Best Restaurant to Dazzle Out-of-Town Visitors
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 its authentic, homemade style and convenient downtown location. Dazzle out-of-towners by feeding them some true Sonoran specialties like Little Ones’ tender pork…
XOXO: Mark your calendars
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…
Best Elote
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…
Best Place to Sing Karaoke
1003 N. Stone Ave. 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…
Best Cover Band
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…
Best Musical Instrument Store
45 S. Sixth Ave. Surprise surprise! This Southern Arizona staple, which has been around for nearly a hundred years and is currently in its third generation of family 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…
Best Place to Get Your Pet Groomed
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…
Best Cigar/Tobacco Shop
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,…
Best Video Store
2905 E. Speedway Blvd. Longtime midtown favorite Casa Video 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…
Best Crossfit
7225 E. Broadway Blvd. 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…
Best Summer Camp
3400 E. Zoo Court 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…
Best Place to Get a Sandwich
3026 N. Campbell Ave. 6260 E. Speedway Blvd. 421 W. Ina Road. Tucson International Airport, 7250 S. Tucson Blvd. 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…
Best Greek
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…
Best French Fries
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 aren’t too many flavors…
Best Vegetarian/Vegan
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,…
Best Burrito
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…
Best Old Fashioned
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…
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,…
Best Punk Act
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 of the great femme punk bands, their music is the sound of friends rocking out and getting real tired of society’s BS.…
Best Music School
1017 N. Olive Road 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…
Best Veterinary 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…
Best Place to Get Pierced
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…
Best Hair Salon
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…
Best Yoga Studio
2631 N. Campbell Ave. 7858 E. Wrightstown Rd., Suite 116 245 E. Congress St., Suite 101 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…
Best Ice Cream
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…
Best Pizzeria
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…
Best Drive Thru
Multiple locations 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…
Best Jamaican
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…
Best Upscale Restaurant
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…
Best Place to Buy a Piñata
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,…
Best Bar Menu
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…
Best DJ
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.…
Best Rock Act
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…
Best Theater 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 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…
Best Tanning Salon
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…
Best Smoke Shop
Multiple locations Whether you’re looking for a sneak-a-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…
Best Place to get Great Hair Color
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…
Best Bowling Alley
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…
Best Toy Store
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…
Best Wings
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.…
Best Eastside Restaurant
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…
Best Middle Eastern
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…
Best African
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,…
Best Birria
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…
Best Empanadas
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.…
Best Beer Selection
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…
Best Hip-Hop Act
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…
Best Author
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…
Best Hotel
311 E. Congress St. 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…
Best Barber Shop
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…
Best Day Spa
615 W. Roller Coaster Road 529 N. Sixth Ave. 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…
Best Auto Repair
Multiple locations Locally owned since 1960, Jack Furrier remains the hometown favorite when it comes to getting your car fixed. Whether you need new tires, an oil 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…
Best Fresh-Baked 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…
Best Smoothies/Juice Bar
3401 E. Speedway Blvd. Owners Dave Mannell and Michael Cripps have put a lot of blood, sweat and tears in their midtown drive-thru 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…
Best French
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 hand-in-hand. So look no…
Best Hot Dog
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…
Best Chef
533 N. Fourth Ave. 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…
Best Sports Bar
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,…
Best Country Western Bar
6622 E. Tanque Verde Road 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…
Best Drag Queen
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…
Best Country Act
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,…
Best Dance Studio
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…
Best Florist
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-a-good-impression-on-your-girlfriend’s-parents flowers. They also do weddings…
Best Place to Buy a Car
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…
Best Lash Boutique
2605 E. Speedway Blvd. 7090 N Oracle Road 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 how completely, stunningly luminous your eyes are? And how hot you are in general? Well, if you haven’t, go…
Best 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 Entertain Kids During the Summer
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 Children’s Museum Tucson Reid Park Zoo
Best Food Truck
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 jackfruit burros. Don’t wait…
Best eegee’s Flavor
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 Korean
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…
Best Children’s Entertainer
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…
Best Michelada
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…
Best Tacos
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…
Best Brewery
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…
Best R&B Act
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,”…
Best Dance Company
1737 E. University Blvd. 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,…
Best Alternative 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…
Best Clothing
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…
Best Public Garden
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…
Best Plant Nursery
3384 E. River Rd. 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…
Best Bagel
7315 N. Oracle Road Bagels are a gift to human kind, and the Bagel Joint is a gift to bagels. They’ve 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,…
Best Coffee
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.…
Best Southside Restaurant
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,…
Best Contemporary/Fusion Restaurant
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 by food all over the world. (That’s what makes it true “American” cuisine, right?) Their artisanal salads and pasta are great, but their…
Best Curbside Pickup
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,…
Best Gay Bar
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?…
Best College Bar
865 E. University Blvd. 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…
Best Burlesque
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…
Best Liquor Store
2642 N. Campbell Ave. 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…
