Cover Story
Our Ink-Stained Heart
When we started talking about the Best of Tucson® 2015, we realized—like every year—we needed a theme. Sometimes it seems like we’ve done them all, from the zombie apocalypse to superheroes. Look, I admit we’re often sentimental as of late, with Tucson, family, friends and love meaning more to us than ever before. Thinking about…
Cinema Clips: The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution
Assisted by a massive amount of contemporary interviews, the documentary The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution appears at a very good time to reflect on the movement, its impact and its mistakes. The Black Panthers, of course, were the often militant and often misunderstood group that formed in urban areas all over America in…
Ash vs. Evil Dead: Is There a Better Halloween Watch This Year?
Is there a better Halloween watch this year than the debut episode of Ash vs. the Evil Dead? I’m personally a little zombied-out right now but if the rest of the Starz’s 10-episode series is as good as the first four minutes posted online this week, an army of deadites couldn’t stop me from devouring…
Arizona Republic: State Gives Multi-Million Private Prison Contract to Company Facing Sexual Harassment Lawsuit
A company being sued by the federal government over sexual harassment allegations at an Arizona correctional facility was granted a multi-million-dollar contract by the state to run a private prison near Kingman, according to the Arizona Republic. The GEO Group will take control of an existing contract for the prison—yes, the one where there was a…
We Have a Federal Budget of Sorts
On his way out the door, House Speaker John Boehner was able to lift the ol’ debt ceiling past the 2016 election and busts the sequester spending caps, at least for now. Next step: U.S. Senate. Our Southern Arizona members of Congress all voted in favor of it. Republican U.S. Rep. Martha McSally’s statement: Today’s…
Republican Party Vs. Latinos, GOP Debate Edition
Ahead of tonight’s GOP presidential debate, Hispanic Republicans are warning White House hopefuls to tone down the rhetoric regarding immigration. NBC News reports: A coalition of Latino conservative activists warned the Republican presidential field on Tuesday to ditch Donald Trump’s rhetoric on immigration, or they risk losing the election. “Heed our warning: don’t expect us…
Let’s All Take a Moment to Remember the Time C-3PO Drummed for Linda Rondstadt
Alright, maybe that headline was a tad misleading, but you should check out this vintage Marvel comics magazine cover courtesy of io9 that depicts Tucson’s patron saint of twang in an actual supergroup with C-3PO on drums, Captain American on bass and Dr. Strange on guitar. The February 1978 issue of Pizzazz also promises a…
Grijalva: There Must Be an Independent Investigation into Doctors Without Borders Afghan Hospital Bombing
Congressman Raúl Grijalva, and a group of his U.S. House Democratic colleagues, are asking President Obama to green light an independent investigation into the bombing of the Doctors Without Borders hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan. In the letter, the group says they are “deeply disturbed” by the events, and that, under international law, hospitals in so-called conflict…
City Election: Early Ballots Heavily Favor Democrats
A quick note on next week’s city election: Things look good for three Democrats—Regina Romero, Shirley Scott and Paul Cunningham—who are seeking reelection against the GOP team of Bill Hunt, Margaret Burkholder and Kelly Lawton. As of yesterday morning, more than 17,500 Democrats had turned in their ballots, compared to about 9,700 Republicans and roughly…
Jes Baker Brought Body Love to the Today Show (Again)
Local badass Jes Baker (you’ll know her from her blog, those Abercrombie & Fitch photos, or as the founder of the Body Love Conference) is getting some national love for her new book Things No One Will Tell Fat Girls. We’ll be printing an excerpt soon to help you decide if you want to buy…
Criminalizing Student Behavior, South Carolina Edition
Many of you have already watched the videos of a South Carolina high school resource officer knocking a female student out of her chair and dragging her across the classroom. From what we know, the student was texting on her cell phone and refused to stop when the teacher told her to, then refused the…
Listen Up: Fort Lowell Records’ Newest Release from Band & the Beat
The latest release from Fort Lowell Records, the vinyl-focused label founded in Tucson in 2010, is out this week and it’s a new project from a couple of familiar faces. Band & The Beat is a synth-pop duo of singer Tracy Shedd and her husband James Tritten, who lived in Tucson for seven years before…
Meet Tucson Ward I Republican Candidate Bill Hunt
Bill Hunt was born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware. He went to college at the University of Portland in Oregon, earning degrees in mathematics. After school, he joined the military and became a fighter pilot in the Air Force flying F-4 Phantoms, F-5’s, and F-16s. His favorite was the Phantom in which he has logged…
TUSD Desegregation Lawsuit Plaintiffs: District Should Follow These Guidelines to Save Magnet Schools
Plaintiffs in the decades-long Tucson Unified School District desegregation lawsuit filed last week a stipulation with new requirements the district should follow in order to keep five of its schools from losing magnet status. The stipulation was filed Friday with the U.S. Federal Court, and it stems from a proposal that was presented to all…
Cinema Clips: Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension
Trivia answer: In terms of percentage (the most profitable movie ever made) and possibly that ever will be, was Paranormal Activity. It cost around $15,000 and made close to $200 million—an astounding profit markup of 12,890 percent. That was six years ago, and we have reached the sixth movie, probably without you even noticing. Three…
Mita Needs a Home (Seriously, Folks, She’s Adorable)
Hi I’m Mita! I was found as a stray and am looking for a new home. I’m a really silly and playful girl. I like to dip my little face into my water bowl. It makes everyone giggle! Stop by the Main Campus to check me out, I’ll be here waiting! Love, Mita –814687
A “Boy, Was I Wrong About the Common Core Vote!” Update
HOT OFF THE PRESSES! Arizona Board of Education voted 6-2 to reject the Common Core Standards, though it said it wouldn’t eliminate them immediately, after Ed Supe Diane Douglas presented the idea at the meeting. “This will send a clear message to the citizens of Arizona and the nation that Arizonans are smart enough, engaged…
Ed Shorts. End-of-October Edition
Lots of educational bits and pieces I won’t be able to get to individually, so here’s a list of things which have happened or been talked about recently, or are about to be talked about in the near future. Education Town Hall at Catalina Magnet High. Last Wednesday, a crowd nearly filled the Catalina High…
Cinema Clips: Crimson Peak
Director Guillermo del Toro, who has long sung his praises for Disney’s Haunted Mansion amusement ride, makes a startlingly beautiful and creepy ride of his own with this twisted ghost story. Edith Cushing (Mia Wasikowska), an aspiring writer, must pick up the pieces after a tragic loss, and she finds herself swept away by Thomas…
Happy Monday: Bacon is Trying to Kill You
Bad news, meat lovers. While we’ve heard before the myriad ways meat consumption is bad for our bodies, the World Health Organization has decided to spoil today by taking a stand against processed (cured, smoked, salted, fermented) meats. The International Agency for Research on Cancer, the #cancer agency of WHO, classified processed meat as carcinogenic to…
Zona Politics: City Council Races, Bond Campaign, McCain’s 2016 Campaign, Hillary & Trump & More
ZonaPol10-22Final1 from Zona Politics with Jim Nintzel on Vimeo. On this week’s episode of Zona Politics with Jim Nintzel: Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Lea Marquez Peterson and attorney Jeff Rogers talk about the final stretch for Tucson City Council candidates, forecast what might happen with the bond election, examine Sen. John…
Mega Chill Dude Mac Demarco Melts Hearts at Rialto Theatre (SLIDESHOW)
It’s something like being at a Jimmy Buffett concert, and, up front, a Justin Timberlake concert (is he still relevant to reference?). Everyone just wants to sing along and sway and forget being an adult. Things don’t have to be so hard. Or, conversely, they want to get tangled in a mess of limbs that…
Report: Immigration and Customs Enforcement Ignores Detainees’ Abuse Allegations, Pretty Much Investigates Itself
(Story updated to include ICE’s statement and other information from the agency.) Tanya Guzman, a transgender woman who was imprisoned in an all-male pod at Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Eloy Detention Center, was sexually assaulted in 2009 by a guard who was later convicted. After that event, and even though Guzman repeatedly complained about the…
Diane Douglas: I Don’t Support Federal Government’s Undocumented Youth Education Recommendations
Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas says she doesn’t support with the U.S. Department of Education’s new recommendations to improve the academic achievement of undocumented youth. Earlier this week, the department released a guide for secondary schools, community colleges and universities on how to better support undocumented students. With approximately 65,000 undocumented youth graduating high…
Ally Miller, Constitutional Scholar
Pima County Supervisor Ally Miller has taken to Facebook to express her criticism of the idea that some Republicans are concerned that real estate tycoon Trump is hurting the GOP’s chances of retaking the White House. Miller posed a simple question: “Again…doesn’t the constitution read: “of the people, By the people, for the people.” Is…
In Defense of Marijuana: Brothers Face Felony Drug Charges Together in December Trial
Now that Kalvin Catlin’s brother Kyle has been convicted on three felony drug charges, the 23-year-old doesn’t have much hope about the outcome of the trial the two will tackle together in December. The husband and father of two—a daughter who will turn 3 years old in December, and a son who will be 1…
Tonight at the Loft Film Fest: Jafar Panahi’s Taxi
The Loft Film Fest is in full swing today. There are plenty of films showing all day today, but the highlight, at least for me, is the screening of Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi’s Taxi at 5:30 tonight. Here’s how the Loft describes the film: Internationally-acclaimed director Jafar Panahi (This is Not a Film) drives a yellow…
Houston, We Have A Problem: A Best of Tucson Update
First, a big thank you to everyone who joined us last night at Casino Del Sol—readers, local business reps, former interns, staffers and freelancers and those we love and care for—the party for 2015 Best of Tucson® was a great success. How do we measure that? Well, we had a hell of a lot of…
Win Tickets to Saturday’s Wildcat Homecoming Game
Hey there, sports guys and gals! We’re giving away some nifty tickets to Saturday’s homecoming game. Enter below, we’ll pick a winner Friday morning and they’ll have until 5 p.m. to rush over to our office on the Northwest side of town to pick up two tickets to Saturday’s game. Good luck! Fill out my…
Best Art Museum
From Frida Kahlo portraits by photographer Nickolas Muray to Chinese sculptures that date back to the Han Dynasty and Latin American folk art: The Tucson Museum of Art has brought it all. Oh, and how can we forget the museum’s collaboration with The Hopi Foundation’s Owl & Panther Project to, annually, showcase artwork by refugees…
Best Time for Outdoor Dancing
If only it could happen—a choreographed dance performance from neighborhood to neighborhood during a monsoon. Hopefully you do this anyway at that first hint of rain: step outside, barefoot, on the cooled concrete or caliche. If we could choreograph this occasion with our neighborhood brethren, it would look something like the tip-toe outside at the…
Best Place to Take Out of Town Visitors
If you really want your friends from out of town to not only understand the beauty of our desert home but also be insanely jealous that you get to enjoy it all year long, there’s really one place you have to go: the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Primarily outdoors, the unique spot displays the natural bounty…
Best Drag Queen
The library is open hunty, but its damn near impossible to throw any shade our champion queen’s way. DuJour has been an unstoppable force in Tucson’s drag community for some time and became a national name as a contestant on Ru Paul’s Drag Race. Between you, me and everyone in Tucson, she should have made…
Best Radio Station for News
For the past five years these fine folks have been chosen by Tucson Weekly readers as the go-to for listening to the news. If you’re into those great voices—local and national—giving you those NPR tingles with your coffee and drive in the morning, or tired drive home in the evening, this is your station. Runners…
Best Eastside Restaurant
Zona 78 is a lively joint serving traditional Italian, inventive reinterpretations and artisan pizza. You can go healthy with their fresh salads or throw caution to the wind with a meatball panini. The chefs try to source local ingredients when they can and offer a seasonal menu that changes based on whatever fresh ingredients they…
Best Delicatessen
Like the ol’ Phoenix rising from the ashes, Rincon Market’s deli is back from a devastating fire, better than ever. A great selection of meats, cheeses and salads, plus a grill and pastries are all in the wonderful midtown shopping center. And if that isn’t enough, the deli is also stocking Isabella’s Ice Cream. And…
Best eegee’s Flavor
Aside from the lemon, strawberry and pina colada standbys, each month brings a new flavor to eegee’s—and it’s no real surprise that watermelon tops our reader’s favorites, coming as it does in July, when it provides the perfect relief for the summer heat. While this would certainly be our vote if eegee’s were to add…
Best Dog Park
Is your dog lonely? And/or possibly getting bored with those same walks around the block day after day? What about you—are you lonely and bored? Well, there’s a cure for dog-walking ennui—and it can help your social life, too: a dog park. And luckily, according to the Weekly’s dear readers, the best one is centrally…
Best Indian
Indian food is spicy and delicious, and Tucson really has a lot of great options. There’s a lot that makes Saffron stand out, but for us it’s the lunch buffet. It’s huge and delicious, and they change out the options from day to day. It’s not uncommon to see a group of us from the…
Best Vietnamese
Whether you’re looking for a bowl of pho, a bun noodle salad or another Vietnamese specialty, you’ll find it at Miss Saigon, where the chefs bring together the five tastes—spicy, sour, sweet, bitter and salty—in spectacular fashion. May they find good fortune with their new Eastside location. Runners up: 2. Pho 88 3. Ha Long…
Best Menudo
Menudo can be tricky, but Mi Nidito does it (and, well, everything else) right. Choose between traditional and red menudo (you can’t go wrong), mix in some lemon and chopped onions and make your stomach happy. It’s just like Nana used to make. Tie: 2. El Minuto 2. Tania’s 33
Best Country Western Bar
Yee-haw! When it comes to the east side, there’s only one king of clubs: The spacious Tucson Maverick, which has been featuring live music and dancing for a half-century in this dusty berg. And if you don’t know how to dance, they’ve got lessons for you. This is where the urban cowboys and cowgirls gather…
Best Bloody Mary
Let’s be real. It’s almost not fair to compare the Cup Café’s Bloody Mary experience to anyone else in town. That’s because the restaurant inside of Hotel Congress doesn’t simply offer a Bloody Mary, they offer an entire customizable Bloody Mary bar. You want pickles, olives, gin, hot sauce and blue cheese in your Bloody?…
Guest Opinion
What are you talking about, Nintzel? Not all Tucsonans are jumping on the Modernism Week bandwagon.
Best Local Weatherperson
Perhaps you think of her as Murray’s mom, the loveable pup she adopted from the Pima County animal shelter. But in reality, what Christiansen has done is break any stereotypes that you have about women delivering weather. Plus we have another local weather person we can count on. She’s all that, and Murray’s mom. Runners…
Best Local Visual Artist
In 1993, Diana Madaras ran a marketing company. Now she’s one of Tucson’s most well-known visual artists, one of the few in the country who owns two galleries where she showcases her work (and that of more than a dozen other artists). Madaras also gives back to the community captured in her art: money from…
Best Marijuana Dispensary
Since August 2013, the Downtown Dispensary has been providing for medical marijuana card holders right in the heart of downtown. Like many other dispensaries in Tucson, Downtown has online specials and even features a video education series online. With a wide assortment of strains and edibles, the Downtown Dispensary has what you need to meet…
Best Computer Repair
Most journalists we know can’t afford a Mac, so that means our laptops tend to be sad excuses of technology. This also means that a few of us know firsthand that one of the reasons SWS probably won a readers best is because these guys actually seem to know what they are doing. Plus, they…
Best Clothing Fashions
If you’ve heard of any of these fashion lines—Lior, Tianello, URU, Simply Silk, Last Tango—the locally owned boutique Maya Palace just might be the place for you to buy your perfect prom dress, gala garment or wedding gown. Maya Palace has the most extensive collection of wedding gowns in southern Arizona. And Maya Palace’s friendly,…
Best Local Twitter Feed
Well, isn’t that sweet. We’d like to use t his space to thank everyone who turned in their Best of Tucson® ballots this year. According to our database, we received more ballots than ever before. The winners are 100 percent user decided, and we are always thrilled about this peak into what Tucson values. Thanks for the…
Best Southside Restaurant
We love Mi Nidito more than Bill Clinton, Willie Nelson, Enrique Iglesias and any other celebrity that has visited this South Tucson little nest of Sonoran culinary pleasures. The portions are so generous, we die. The atmosphere is as flavorful as the food—murals, Mexican pottery and small Christmas lights dangling from the walls. Mi Nidito…
Best Custom Cakes
Every city in the universe needs a place like Nadines Bakery, where you can feel like supporting a good locally owned bakery is a sweet proposition. The cakes at Nadines, custom ordered or ready for pick-up, are indeed beautiful and sometimes works of art. But you know what’s even more important, they are also delicious.…
Best New York Style Pizza
Hey, I got your New York Style pizza right here! Brooklyn’s pizza comes hot from oven with a perfect little puddle of grease right in the middle—and we have to believe that the solar rays powering the joint add a little extra bit of sunshine to every bite. We love this little Fourth Avenue institution…
Best Public Garden
All deserts need an oasis, and Tucson’s just might be the Botanical Gardens. Be sure to take those out-of-town relatives who always comment that nothing grows in the desert. Watch their faces as they look in awe at the lush garden grounds. The gardens are so inviting that some early evening critter sightings occur. It…
Best Italian
Let’s try to count how many birthdays, graduation dinners, Mother’s Days and dates we’ve had at Caruso’s. Our guess is a whole lot, because this is undoubtedly the best Italian restaurant in the Old Pueblo. It’s like going to grandma’s house: from the old-school decorations to the homemade pastas, sauces and meatballs that taste like…
Best Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurant
“Lovin’ Spoonfuls” might be a kinda, um, sentimental name, but we’ll totally let that slide, because it describes the restaurant perfectly. Owner Peggy Raisglid is all about love, making sure all the food is well made (from scratch!) and amiably served with a palpable pinch of happiness in every dish—since there’s no guilt attached to…
Best Chile Relleno
This place reader favorite over and over, and perhaps it’s because Bill Clinton ate there once during his first campaign. He didn’t just eat there, he had a little bit of everything. There’s a plate named after him. But it could be this is a favorite because the food is good, making the wait worth…
Best Margarita
Three words: lots of tequila. Guadalajara Grill makes some killer margaritas, hermano. We suggest you order a 32-ounce because they’re both stress relievers and refreshing. There are many choices, but you won’t go wrong with any. Make yours extra spicy with jalapeños, or rep it for Mexico with the Bandera margarita, which is one-third strawberry-flavored,…
Best Dive Bar
This place is not just a good dive—the best of its kind, really—it’s also a time machine. Outside and inside, you step back into Rat Pack days with martinis, little booths and dim lights. The Shelter certainly has atmosphere and is one of the best places to bring friends together. Runners up: 2. The Buffet…
Letter to the Editor
A reader has some words for Danehy.
Best Radio Personality
One of the things we love about Bobby Rich is his sense of community and how he gets that across on his show. His support of local organizations is amazing, and it comes across that he has a genuine love for this city of ours, as well as entertaining us. Good for you, Tucson Weekly…
Best Movie Theater
Tucson’s film scene and movie nerds are plentiful, and the pinnacle of our cinema love has, and continues to be, The Loft Cinema. The ultimate source of independent films, unique Q&As, special guests and favorite cult films, the three-screen theater continues to reign supreme in the community. There’s something about being able to enjoy a…
Best Culinary Event
It doesn’t get much better than appreciating Tucson’s diversity through the devouring of multi-national food. We get India, Costa Rica, Sweden, Thailand and Brazil lined up one after the other dangling delicious treats that should end up in our mouths. Eat some Costa Rican tamales or Colombian empanadas with fresh Peruvian chicha or Thai tea,…
Best Local Activist
While one might argue what actually constitutes as activism these days (liking a post on Facebook sure creates change) it’s clear to Tucsonans that former State Rep. Gabby Giffords is an activist. She showed courage and resilience through the shooting that made nationwide news and didn’t let a bullet stop her from fighting for the…
Best Resale/Vintage Clothing
Oh to be hip and broke. Resale fashion is a great concept for thrifty fashionistas. You can save some money on a one-of-a-kind piece and if you enjoy the hunt, searching through Buffalo Exchange’s racks usually yields a really trendy find. Now, if you’re cleaning out your closet, don’t be too surprised if Buffalo offers…
Best Radio Station for Music
Tucson really is lucky to have KXCI. After all, not every city can boast its own truly local community radio station. With a host of DJs that could probably also be your friend and great Sonoran-specific programming like Petey Mesquitey’s “Growing Native,” you can’t help but feel a part of the station. Plus, where else…
Best Restaurant with a Kids’ Menu
Do your kids worship teenagers? Do your teenagers dig cars with big fins?When theflirty teens gather ’round to sing “Happy Birthday,” the sweet ’50s rock n’ roll fantasy comes true, pony tails, fluffy skirts and all. Little Anthony’s candy-stripe energy and 45 RPM décor puts a smile on everyone who walks in the door. That’s…
Best Desserts
There’s a lot to love about Nadine’s, but let’s start with this: They’re the only fully kosher bakery in Tucson. Sure, they put out special menus every year Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Passover every year, but they can whip up a kosher birthday or wedding cake any day. And, let’s talk about those cakes.…
Best Neapolitan (Thin Crust/Artisan) Pizza
The secret to Reilly’s greatness is definitely in the crust. Salty and a little oily, it could stand on its own as a totally delicious flatbread. However, chef and owner Tyler Fenton doesn’t stop there. Using fresh, local ingredients, handmade sausage, perfectly cooked eggs and more, the pizzas at Reilly are embellished to perfection. Best…
Best Bike Riding
Pima County’s entire Loop is spectacular, but we gotta give the love this year to the Rillito River Park. We love the way it rolls past the pastures, stables, mesquite bosques, tennis courts, Trader Joe’s, dog parks, horse races and farmers markets until you reach Little Stonehenge. Let’s hear it for Pima County for creating…
Best Local Coffee Roaster
Seriously people, it must mean something if Tucson Weekly readers consistently vote for this spot year after year. The coffee is good, plus their location is a great place to hang and the desserts they sell to go with that splendid coffee are both beautiful and delicious. Sweets and coffee are an important combination, afterall…
Best Playground
If you grew up in Tucson, you’ve probably got fond memories of visiting Reid Park. The playgrounds have all the standard swings and slides, but there’s so much more for kids. Once they get bored with the monkey bars, you and your tyke can ride the little train, chase the mostly friendly ducks around the…
Best Torta
Yeah, you thought they were going to only be known for their hot dog. Hey, listen up, these guys also know the torta. Get a fork to eat up everything that falls out of the sandwich. They are stuffed, and the soft chewy bread is divine. Move over Sonoran hot dog, the torta is gonna…
Best Martini
There are six martinis on the menu at Kingfisher, and we can personally guarantee they’re all perfection. Go for the Grover if you’re into the idea of a blue cheese olive bite between sips of booze, or the James Bond martini if you want to feel like a big shot. Those looking to drink their…
Best Seasonal Beer
No wonder this beer was crafted in Tucson. It’s like the raspados of beer—made to help us conquor the summer and monsoon. It’s a tasty pale ale that really does bring to mind beaches, even when you’re sipping it in the middle of the Sonoran desert. Runners up: 2. Saison Blue – Dragoon Brewing Company…
Outside the Box: Veg in a Box
While not everything that Veg in a Box dishes out would satisfy a carnivore’s palate (or maybe not even a vegan’s), where the restaurant succeeds is offering healthier alternatives to what you’ll usually find downtown.
Best Radio Talk Show (Host)
This pick couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. Buckmaster is a news legend in this town, and it comes with a reputation—we are talking super strength reputation—for being fair and nice to everyone who walks into his studio. He makes other local media folks part of his daily radio show, and welcomes them with…
Best Art Classes
The governor might have stripped Pima’s funding, but the community college’s classes are still some of the best you can find for the price. You don’t have to be an art major to enjoy one of the college’s many art offerings. Whether you’re into sculptures, watercolor, graphic design or fine arts, classes are available throughout…
Best Annual Festival
Historic Fourth Avenue is a Mecca of shopping, food and quirkiness (that’s a loving term for the weirdos that make it so special by the way). Every year, thousands gather on the street in an interactive showcase of its merchant’s wares. The street fair has been running strong for decades and puts Tucson on the…
Best Place to Get Your Pet Groomed
Are you in it for the velvet bow? Didn’t think so. It’s really about how eager your pet is to get out of the car when you arrive at the groomer’s. Or whether the groomer welcomes your pet by name. Does the groomer understand your or your pet’s special requirements? And do your pets feel…
Best Home Furnishings
Modern is always in style. Even the most jumbled and senseless collection of objects d’art or even piles of dirty clothes and toys can be rationalized in the seamless, neutral design context of Copenhagen’s signature style of furnishings, Danish Modern. For home or office, shelving, seating, sleeping, dining and kitchen, a Copenhagen piece will fit…
Best Upscale Cuisine
Chef Suzana Davila was one of the first folks in town to really expand what people thought Mexican food could be. Elevating the cuisine out of the ubiquitous mash of refried beans and yellow cheese, Davila offered fresh, flavorful cooking with regional spicing and more. If you haven’t had the moles at Café Poca Cosa,…
Best Fun for the Whole Family
The fact that this primarily outdoors, desert-themed attraction won a popularity contest in the middle of the summer is a testament to its quality. Nestled in the beauty of the Tucson Mountains, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum offers spectacular views of our desert, many typically hard-to-spot desert critters, and so many fun children’s activities. If you…
Best Place to Get Pierced
Hopefully, Tucson Weekly readers picked this place for a very good reason. Look folks, you don’t want to go just any place to get piercings. Body modification, dear ones, isn’t for the faint of heart, and those delivering it usually have a steady hand and a great outlook. You are going in to make some…
Best Hot Dog
Phoenix doesn’t like to admit Tucson has something going for it, but our northerly neighbors just couldn’t deny the allure of El Guero Canelo. Just because there’s an EGC in Phoenix now, though, doesn’t make it any less Tucsonan. Case in point, their Sonoran dog. One bacon-wrapped dog sits inside a soft bolillo bun like…
Best Hike
Nestled in the Santa Catalina Mountains, Sabino Canyon is a beautiful wonder that offers Tucsonans different outdoor experiences that change beautifully with each season. A staff fave is the Seven Falls trail, which leads over Sabino Creek and through Bear Canyon to pools of glorious water. When you’re starting to fade during the summer with…
Best Donuts
Once you sink your teeth into your first Le Cave’s donut, you’ll know immediately why this place has stuck around for 80 years. With a mostly vegan donut selection, the spot has something for most. You’ll definitely want to try the chocolate glazed, cream-filled donut for an extremely decadent experience. At about $1 each, it’s…
Reliable Service
Believe it or not, there was a time when we didn’t trust the Russians. Shocking, right?
Best Enchiladas
Right now, if you’re reading this and you don’t have any place else to go, head to Rosa’s and order the carne seca enchiladas. Then call us and thank us and tell us how wonderful we are for making this recommendation. You will want to eat there again during the week, but we also want…
Best Nightclub
It’s never easy to try to be something for everyone, but somehow Club Congress pulls it off. Some nights there’s a rock ‘n’ roll show inside, a club-style dance party after and a cumbia fiesta outside. Other nights, there’s geek-driven trivia, live flamenco or a ‘90s DJ night. Every night there’s a restaurant, upscale lobby…
Best Dance Party
Logan Phillips—aka DJ Dirtyverbs—got hooked on cumbia in the early 2000s while living in the central Mexican state of Querétaro. Upon returning to Tucson, he didn’t find a space that gave the Afro-Latin American genre love, so he made one. El Tambó’s been going strong for two years, popping up every few months or so.…
Two Alexes and a Moca
A new exhibit will be available for your viewing pleasure at the Tucson Museum of Contemporary Art
Best Bookstore for New Books
What we love about Tucson Weekly readers picking Antigone again for best place to buy new books is that this is a local establishment you can really get behind. They support local authors and organizations. They are solar-powered. They have amazing, cool gifts when it comes to holiday shopping. They also have great service. Recommend…
Best Place to See a Concert
How could the great Rialto not win “Best Place to See a Concert” (or—basically synonymous—”Best Indoor Venue”) every year sequentially since 2002? This concert hall has everything: a great downtown location, big stage and auditorium, beautiful entryway, great sound—and crucially, a long history (it’s 95 years old). It also brings all the best bands from…
Best Spectacle for Charity
The All Souls Procession is a melancholic and colorful time for the Old Pueblo. It’s tens of thousands of hearts celebrating life and honoring the loved ones who have passed. A two-mile walk under the dark sky of downtown Tucson with mobile altars, performers and breathing art. The final destination involves the burning of a…
Best Veterinarian
Valley Animal Hospital is now a second-year reader favorite. Maybe it’s because these are the guys who care for the giraffe at the Reid Park Zoo, the Hermitage No Kill Shelter or the dogs in the K-9 units with the Tucson Police Department. Last year we also noted that maybe it’s because they happen to…
Best Vintage Shopping
Anywhere on the extrovert-introvert spectrum, you can compile looks at Buffalo Exchange to make your outside match your inside. The entire love shopping-hate shopping spectrum is served, too, by the high density of variety in a single, right-size store. If you’re all over any spectrum at any given time, you’re still in luck. Buffalo Exchange…
Best Outdoor Seating
Was there any doubt? La Cocina’s open dining area has a soothing garden vibe during the day, transforms into an inexplicably magical space at night. There are three distinctly different patio areas to enjoy your brunch or late night tacos and margaritas—and there’s pretty much always someone preforming on the outdoor stage. Runners up: 2.…
Best Way to Entertain Kids During the Summer
The thing about summers in Tucson is it can be hard to leave the house. In Tucson—especially for those of us looking after kiddos—it’s important to be near a pool. Leave some ice water at the edge of the pool, do a few cannonballs then retreat for a cool shower and a snack. Nothing says…
Best Barber Shop
A reader pick going into its second year, and most likely it’s a statement overall—people like to step back in time and get a cut and shave the way men used to when barber shops offered a hangout and made you feel like you could go back out there to conquer the world. Once in…
Best Food Challenge
On one day each year, two of Tucson’s top chefs duke it out to earn the title of Iron Chef Tucson. Now in its third year, it’s safe to say the competition will continue to get stiffer and stiffer, attracting talented minds in the kitchen and challenging them with unique ingredients that must make their…
Best Backpacking Trail
Mountains are meant for climbing—and for the especially hardy, you can take a trail up Sabino Canyon to the pine forest atop Mount Lemmon. But if you’re not that hardy, it’s just a 45-minute drive up to some great hiking paths like Butterfly and Meadow trails. But no matter what kind of workout you’re up…
Best Golf Course
OK, so Tucson Weekly folks are not incredibly known for our golf abilities but that doesn’t mean we don’t get this reader pick. This is a beautiful place that’s part of the Dove Mountain resort, so you get a feeling of luxury in the middle of the desert. Well played Tucson golfers, well played. Runners…
Ask a Mexican!
Dear Mexican: From your perspective, why are Republicans and redneck dickheads so into building that big fence on the border?
Best Elote
So, the tricky (and wonderful) thing about Cafe Poca Cosa is the menu is always changing—twice a day, actually. When elote is on the menu, get it. Nothing says joy quite like elote and trying Cafe Poca Cosa’s take is guaranteed to send you home with a beautiful, corn-toothed smile. Runners up: 2. El Rey del…
Best Place to Dance
Some of you are closeted dancers, performing numbers in front of the mirror and denying your interest in a night full of dancing. And some of you are out to be seen. Club Congress’s intimate dancefloor is regularly packed with sweaty locals and lined with the less groove-inclined on the sidelines. When the stage isn’t…
Best New Bar
Tough Luck Club isn’t a bar inside of a restaurant and it isn’t a dance club. Tough Luck club is a bar. With a staff of obsessively knowledgeable bartenders led by Niklas Morris, inventive craft cocktails are prepared with a sense of history, precision and the bar’s idiosyncratic cheeky brand of humor. The cocktails might…
Sift and Thrift
Need to get your hands on that one-of-a-kind dress, or that totally unique piece of art?
Best Bookstore for Used Books
There’s really no contest: Taking in more than 80 percent of the votes, Bookmans is Tucson’s favorite used bookstore. And what’s not to love? Each location has a huge and unique stock, a dedicated kid’s book haven and charismatic staff. Plus, you can pay for your next great read by turning in a few well-cared-for…
Best Musical Instrument Store
They say be careful throwing around words like establishment, but there really isn’t another word to describe a store that has been so important to Tucson. The downtown building, especially, has been a vital part of the downtown scene and our history. This the place Abuela bought her saxophone reeds kids, don’t you forget it.…
Best Farmers Market
Congrats to St. Philip’s for keeping the masses happy and fed with a fun and dynamic farmers market. Many of the vendors have been part of the market for years, but what makes it a reader favorite is probably a well-run vibe that makes it friendly and festive. Runners up: 2. Heirloom Farmers Markets at…
Best Hotel
We love interviews in the library, cocktails in the bar, ice-cream sundaes by the pool, dinners on white tablecloths, lunch on the patio, games of croquet on the lawn and dinner parties with visiting filmmakers in the Breasted House. But nothing beats the feel of relaxed Western elegance we get within the pink walls. In…
Best Jewelry
You know the moment you see it. Wandering aisles and aisles of glittering stones and precious metals in an array of shapes and sizes, you might start to feel a bit of burn out—and who could blame you? The Tucson Gem and Mineral Show spans all over the city with different outposts with different jewelers…
Best Toy Store
Yikes is great all around, but there are two key things that make the store an undeniable delight: a keen sense of whimsy and an absolute understanding that grownups also need hearty portions of that playful spirit. Walking through this store feels like taking a journey through years of different interests. Yikes is a Tucson…
Best Foothills Restaurant
The Scordato’s have always been giving us good Italian food, and this one is a sure winner. The menu isn’t busy, it’s to the point, focusing on good flavorful dishes, like the chicken meatballs with capellini—delicate goodness. We also have huge love for the roasted shrip with seafood stuffing. Chow bella. Runners up: 2. NoRTh…
Best Place to Get Something Framed
Sometimes it’s easier to just walk in and get good solid service when you are framing that old poster or work of art. These guys are competent and at the same time you don’t feel like you’re supporting a company that hassles their employees over insurance and birth control. Go forth and support. Runners up:…
Best Brunch When You’re Feeling Fancy
Not only is it one of the most beautiful places to look at—especially the patio—but the food and “drinkies” are unique and delicious. The Shakshuka!—baked egg covered in spicy Middle Eastern tomato sauce and chick peas with feta—is a dish you wouldn’t think of for brunch, but you’ll dream about every other morning after you…
Best Campground
Well, it’s true that the entire mountain has great camping, hiking and backpacking, but let’s take a closer look. This is part of the Catalina Mountains with its broad summit going up nearly 7,000 feet above out city. We look to it each season and there’s even snow during the winter. Camping is one of…
Best Cafe Hangout
Bring a book or your laptop and have some coffee me-timeRaging Sage. After you order a Cubano or a cappuccino with almond milk from one of the very friendly baristas, pair it up with one of their crunchy, buttery scones (Raging Sage is scone heaven, guys) or a piece of dense chocolate cake. Sit out…
B-Sides: 10 West
Now, we’re already on the third day of the five-day festival known as 10 West, but don’t worry—most of the music starts now. The multi-venue event is meant to showcase the best of Tucson’s entrepreneurial, technological and creative spirit with panel discussions and tours of the town’s galleries and more.
Best Empanadas
La Estrella certainly serves up stellar pan dulce, hot fresh tortillas and adorable cochinitos, but it’s hard to say no to the bakery’s empanadas. The soft, golden crust is almost more like a handpie and filling options include apple, pineapple, cherry and more. The pumpkin empanada in particular steals the show with fall baking spices…
Best Sports Bar
If you didn’t get tickets to the game, you might as well watch it at Trident Grill—and if you did score tickets, you might as well pre-game here. With a great menu of bar food and two dozen beers on tap, it’s hard to go wrong when you’re cheering on your team. And it’s not…
Best Drunk Food
Stumbling around downtown on Friday and Saturday night you’ll find several spots to grab a hot dog. However, when Ricuras de Venezuela started serving arepas off of their food truck outside of Club Congress this year, the whole game changed. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside pita-like pockets made from masa are fried…
Wild Fright
Have a frightfully good time for the whole family in celebration of the Halloween holiday with the International Wildlife Museum
Best Independent Bookstore
You had us at $2, $3, $4 and $5 classic literature and vintage magazines. Bookmans is a magical world where vampire sci-fi, erotica, Fabio romance and Gabriel Garcia Marquez co-exist. Many of these books were probably forgotten about, locked up in a drawer for years. Now they get to see the light of day, and…
Best Local Theater Company
This is a place of fun and toe tapping, and the more you see shows at the Gaslight, the more you begin to understand why places like this are as equally important as the stuff-shirt theaters. Yes, it’s a family establishment that’s not overly cutesy and there are some great talented actors and musicians that…
Best Place to Donate Your Time and/or Money
Tucson was recently voted the “Top City for Pets” in a national poll, so it’s only fitting that Tucsonans prefer to put their time and money into taking care of our animal population. This no-kill shelter helps Tucson bring new family members home and keeps them safe and healthy by providing vaccinations, microchipping, and spay…
Best Place to Buy a New Car
When you think about buying a car in Tucson, what’s the first name you think? That’s exactly right: it’s Jim Click, the inimitable godfather of the local auto-dealer families. Click has plenty of new and used inventory, a savvy sales team that doesn’t try to get pushy and a repair shop that has handled all…
Best Tanning Salon
Yes, people still go to tanning salons. It is nice to give you skin a glow, especially when you can’t make it to the beach. And it sure is a great pick me up for those mid-winter blues when there’s snow on the Catalinas. Runners up: 2. Planet Beach 3. Krist by Mist
Best Late Night Eats
When you’re all blurry at last call, pizza seems to be the food of the gods. And there are few joints that serve it up better than Fourth Avenue’s Brooklyn Pizza Company, which dishes out slices until wee hours on weekend nights for the stumbling-home bar crowd. We believe, based on our very scientific trials,…
Best Place to Eat Gluten Free
Those who say going gluten free made a huge difference in their lives and how they feel, well, they seek out places like Gourmet Girls because there just aren’t enough places to purchase good breads and more. It’s good to take better care of yourself, but it’s hard when you can’t enjoy a good meal…
Best Ice Cream
HUB Restaurant & Creamery has been topping the “best ice cream” charts since 2012, but the recent addition of the HUB’s Ice Cream Factory really solidified the its place in the top spot. Honestly, if we had been picking winners on our own, their Choco Taco would have had a shot at winning first place…
Best Pho
If the bright pink walls, red vinyl booths and dragon murals don’t make you fall in love with Pho #1, just wait until you take your first sip of their pho broth. Unctuous and glittering with oil, the rich and flavorful beef broth is the perfect base on which to build the best bowl of…
Best Park
Reid Park is our city’s own Central Park—an oasis of green in right in the middle of the city. This place has pretty much everything you could want out of park: Green lawns, jogging paths, ball fields, picnic ramadas, playgrounds, a swimming pool, a zoo with a baby elephant, a lake , a concert bandshell,…
Best Tea Service
Chantilly Tea Room closed earlier this year after 13 years of helping keep Tucson tea parties classy. Owner Tamara Reed says she plans to focus on a new tea-based venture, but until that happens we’ll just have to remember what was. Runners up: 2. Seven Cups Fine Chinese Teas 3. Bentley’s House of Coffee &…
Wasted Youth: Gooch Palms
Even with such a goofy name, the Gooch Palms are taking their lo-fi, self-described ‘shit pop’ very seriously.
Best Tacos
The kind mom used to make is the way some describe the tacos at Mi Nidito. It’s the ground beef patty one we are talking about here. That’s how most Tucson Mexican-American families make their beef tacos, and that’s why going for a taco dinner at Mi Nidito is like going to mom’s. There are…
Best Place to Get a Glass of Wine
Tap & Bottle quickly established itself as a great place to drink local craft beer. Luckily for wine lovers, that’s far from the only way they excel. The bar also hosts a rotating supply of six wines on tap, by the glass, not to mention the well curated selection of bottles also available. There’s always…
Best Mezcal Selection
Mexico’s smoky, agave-based spirit is essentially the country’s analog to scotch in Scotland. Terroir-dependent and roasted, both scotch and mezcal have a lot to offer for true liquor aficionados in terms of variety and flavor. Whether you’re just stepping into the mezcal world or are a veteran fan, Penca offers up over 30 different bottles…
Spoke and Heard
Speak your mind with other poets, authors and writers this Sunday, Oct. 25 with Words on the Avenue at Cafe Passe
Best Video Store
We’ve all been there: walking into Casa Video and not knowing where the hell to head. Take it easy. Grab some free popcorn and tackle upstairs first. Find yourself a film from Russia or Spain, maybe an Oscar-winning documentary. Whatever mood you’re in, Casa will be able to read your mind, which is one of…
Best Local Actor
Gaslight regular Cooper has made the list again as a reader favorite, and no wonder—we love him too. We especially love how he tries to keep himself from laughing on stage at a particular good part. He’s genuine and talented, and he makes going to the Gaslight a lot of fun. Thanks, Joe, for bringing…
Best Gym
There are many reasons to praise the YMCA for being Tucson’s fave gym—wonderful downtown location, great pool on the northwest side of town and a bit of everything for everyone in between this fare city. What’s cool about the YMCA is how it makes you feel: Is it a gym? Is it a community center?…
Best Place to Buy a Used Car
Why bother driving to all those dealerships when you can just browse good ol’ Craigslist? And where else are you going to find a ’93 Gladiator van or a ’76 Dodge shortbed or a ’50 F1 Hot Rod? There’s deals aplenty and we’re sure at least some of them are legit. Runners up: 2. Jim…
Best Hair Salon
For four solid years now, Gadabout has been a Tucson Weekly reader favorite, and there are solid reasons for this. Gadabout is a locally run, high quality salon with well-trained staff. It runs like a well-oiled machine that makes it obvious it has a solid business plan backing it up—always nice to see in a…
Best Kid’s Clothing Store
Kids deserve to be as styling as their grownups and let’s face it, kid’s shoes are just really adorable. Little Bird Nesting Company’s small storefront is home to handmade children’s clothes, hats, shoes, toys and more. The boutique also offers second hand items and will buy or give trade credit for clean clothes in good…
Best Korean
Sure, you can get Chinese and Japanese offerings at Takamatsu, but one of their best menu options is their Korean BBQ. You cook your own dinner at your table: chicken, pork, beef, tongue, shrimp, pork belly and more. One of the most delightful things about Korean BBQ is the communal aspect of cooking food with…
Best Fresh-Baked Bread
From the oven to your mouth. Every day, Beyond Bread unveils a new group of freshly-baked bread. Cure your case of the Mondays with the parsley and Swiss deliciousness. Celebrate Saturday with some fig and pistachio bread (you’re killing us Beyond Bread). You won’t be able to wait until you get home to take a…
Best Taco Counter
Tacos Apson is an absolute gem, and you’ll see why immediately once you post up at the counter in front of the grill and griddle. Rustic costillas, crispy tripa, spiced al pastor tacos and more are all served simply—just a corn or flour tortilla and your selected meat. You can dress your tacos up at…
Best Outdoor Recreation Store
For the past three years, Summit Hut has earned this reader favorite, and there’s good reason to support this store: It’s wonderfully and hopelessly local. First, they do have a great selection of outdoor gear and other fun stuff, but if you’re an outdoor adventurer looking to get started, mostly where to go and how…
Best Bulk Tea Selection
Thank you, Tucson for knowing your tea and for once again picking Seven Cup for the best bulk tea selection. These people know tea, they live tea and they travel every year learning about tea. It’s as local as you can get, too, but again, one of the best places in Tucson to get your…
Southern Psych: Promised Land Sound
Nashville group Promised Land Sound roared out of the gate in 2013 with a raw and loose self-titled album, a country/garage hybrid that belied the group’s membership in rock bands like Pujol, JEFF the Brotherhood and Those Darlins. It was a raucous nugget of an album, but the group’s second LP, the newly released For…
Best Raspados
Raspados are really the only way to celebrate Tucson summers, and Oasis Fruit Cones makes sure your mouth is doing so in style. The fruit is always fresh, the staff friendly, and there’s no judgment for quickly scarfing down the icy Mexican treat. We recommend you get something (anything, really, you can’t go wrong) with…
Best Wine Liquor Store
Whether you’re a strictly local imbiber or you like to travel to distant lands via beverage, Plaza Liquors is the place for you to go and pick up a bottle of whatever strikes your fancy. Unsure just what you’re looking for? No worries. The friendly, knowledgeable staff is always on hand to recommend a good…
Best Local Bands
Human Behavior Human Behavior is constantly evolving, expanding to intense layers and contracting to strip it all down. 2015’s Bethphage expertly employs aural techniques like soulful chorale vocals as a foil to some pretty serious religious commentary. It’ll take you to the bluesy dirty bayou, up to the folksy Appalachia and back to the Sonoran…
Fine Art For All
Come see some of the finest art Tucson has to offer at Art in the Plaza Fine Arts Festival at St. Phillip’s Plaza
Best Comic Store
Whether you’re following the destruction of the Marvel Universe or the reboot of the DC U or you’re just hooked on Ed Brubaker and Sean Philip’s crime comics, you’ll find what you’re looking for at Heroes and Villains. A solid stock on the shelves every week, a great subscription service, nerdtacular toys, trade TPBs and…
Best Local Actress
Lucille Petty has been part of the Tucson theater scene since her high school days. She sings with Logan Greene as part of Logan and Lucille, but her first love and calling was theater. She’s part of the Winding Road Ensemble. She hasn’t left our desert city for the big lights, at least not yet,…
Best Bike Lane
Tucson loves its bikes and pretty regularly receives recognition for our bike friendly businesses, organizations and two-wheel themed events. The Rillito River Park Trail is a paved, mixed use trail that offers riders a scenic view from Campbell Avenue to Oracle Road. Depending on how fast you pedal, expect to see mesquite trees, a park,…
Best Farmers Market Vendor
Don Guerra and his big baskets of bread have a hard-core following, and the farmers markets have been a good home for his artisan breads. Our personal fave is the kalamata olive, and the walnut cranberry next. The bread is chewy goodness torn apart or cut just right for soups or sandwiches. Better yet, get…
Best Day Spa
Massage, waxing, facials and more. Sometimes moms need a treat. Great place for gift card giving. Sometimes you need a treat, too, that goes beyond a good cut and color. On and off the last few years, Tucson Weekly readers have voted this one a favorite. Take their advice, this place wins because it delivers…
Best African
Eating at Zemam’s feels like eating at home. Well, maybe if eating at home were more addictively delicious. The point is, in addition to their flavorful food (you won’t regret ordering the lamb), the friendly staff, the communal plates and the converted house are so welcoming, you’ll never want to leave. Zemaam’s Too (119 E. Speedway…
Best New Restaurant
Union Public House owners Steve Stratigouleas and Grant Krueger ventured into new territory at the beginning of this year, while keeping the business at St. Philip’s Plaza. Their new restaurant Reforma serves up an upscale central Mexican-inspired menu with dishes like duck pato with mole poblano and hibiscus flautas. The bar boasts over 200 tequilas and several…
Best Barbecue
BBQ for the people who don’t get it, is just some meat with sauce on it. However, for those of us who do get it, its recognized that good BBQ is important for the palate and the soul. BrushFire does it right, and they have some tasty sides and treats that top the experience: damn…
Best Neighborhood Revival
Although Ethiopian sanctuary Café Desta moved into the building where Stone Avenue, Sixth Avenue and 18th Street join, it wasn’t until 5 Points moved in that that area morphed from kind of seedy into chic and tendy. Heck, even the New York Times had to give this little breakfast and lunch spot a serious shout…
Best Bike Shop
There are many terrific bike shops in Tucson where you can find a new or used bike or get your cycle fixed, but Ordinary Bikes, located just off Fourth Avenue, sets itself apart with the helpful and friendly crew that is there to help you with whatever you need. Ordinary? We beg to differ. This…
Best Japanese
After you stand in line to place your order (be patient kids), sip on your genmaicha tea (roasted brown rice and green tea) and entertain yourself looking at all the funky décor on the walls. Hopefully, you got the tempura bento, but if you’re into the Kara-Age (Japanese friend chicken) or potato croquets, we’re proud…
Best Mexican Fast-Food/Drive-Thru
The mark of a good Mexican fast-food spot is its carnitas. And one of the great things about Nico’s is that it’s always gotten its carnitas just right. In burrito, great, but the combo plate is even better. There are more tasty things to choose from, and the late-night hours are just right for post-bar…
Best Red Chile
This place knows its chile and even though we love Tucson through and through, it’s a sure bet that for this place it has everything to do with its own roots and love of New Mexico. Their red chile is just perfect, and their green chile too. There’s a perfect kick in every bite. Good…
Best Upscale Bar
47 Scott, you are fancy, huh? Your pork belly, mac and cheese and mustard-crusted salmon blow our minds. What’s even better is knowing that the cocktails will be up to the dishes’ standards, and they’ll definitely satisfy your craving for either vodka, tequila and even mezcal. For now, we suggest the Vagabond—tequila, sage-infused agave nectar,…
Editor’s Note
The nice thing about the fact that the Tucson Weekly is a small staff is that, for better or worse, we are like a little family and I know a few of us have our Hank Williams’ moments from time to time.
Light Motifs
“Beauty in women is endless,” Ralph Gibson once wrote.
Best Video Game Store
Look at it from a gamers point of view—you have old games sitting around that you never touch anymore and you want some variety in your life. Bookmans is the place, great for your gamer kids and your budget. Video gaming is best when you don’t have to sell your first child to pay for…
Best Local Comedian
There’s a reason that the TW staff decided to put Steven Romo on the cover in June—his all-local late night talk show is fun and funny in all the right ways. Whether he’s getting a tattoo, eating a ghost chile, baking with “baked” friends or interviewing some of the town’s most interesting individuals, Romo’s shown…
Best Yoga Studio
Well bless my downward facing dog, it’s a five-year high for the yoga studio, winning best of by Tucson Weekly readers. With a full schedule of classes for kids and adults, it’s a popular spot with everyone who likes to accessorize with those plastic mats. If you haven’t stretched your way through life, you might…
Best Local Comedy Night
Laffs Comedy Caffé isn’t just Tucson’s oldest and most well-known stand-up comedy club … it’s our only stand-up comedy club. But it’s not resting on its laurels—no, this place is always striving to bring in awesome national acts and, more importantly, for this blurb, support new local ones. Every Thursday at 8 p.m. it hosts…
Best Place to Buy Marijuana Paraphernalia
At Moon Smoke Shop, get high in style. If you want to smoke some green (I hope you have your medical marijuana card, otherwise it’s illegal, guys), there’s something for you here, whether you’re into joints, simple pipes or elaborate bongs. And the staff will be more than happy to share their weed knowledge and…
Best Pastries
Dear Beyond Bread, why do you do this to those of us who love carbs, but try to say no as often as possible. You, a mistress. A charming carb vixen with your pastry goodness. We may not see you for weeks, but when we pass through, it is a love so strong, it’s as…
Best Place to Eat at the Bar
It’s little wonder that the warm, intimate Kingfisher bar often draws a crowd. The cocktails are perfect for whetting your appetite for any plate from the menu. Happy hour features great specials on oysters and shrimp. The burger is among the best in town. (Get it with the works.) And best of all, the bartenders…
Best Burger
It’s kind of impossible to choose which Zinburger creation is our favorite. There’s the Breakfast Burger.: When you take a bite, yolk drips onto your fingers. (You gotta suck on them after.) El Diablo has roasted jalapeños, pepper jack cheese and chipotle mayo. Stop it, Zinburger. This place knows how to work that meat too.…
Best In-N-Out Substitute
How many times can you, in good conscience, find yourself in the In-N-Out drive-thru in one week? Well, why not try splitting your time between In-N-Out and Graze and spare some of your ego? Graze offers a similar burger, using Niman Ranch grassfed beef. However, unlike the popular chain, this local joint offers many different…
Best Breakfast
We’ll have every item on the menu, please. Eggs in all shapes and forms, Applewood-smoked bacon, unlimited amounts of avocado and giant buttermilk pancakes. Maybe you feel like putting tofu in your omelet? Yup, you can do that at Blue Willow. We really like the breakfast burrito, too, and make your morning better sitting in…
Best Tattoo Artist
Take a look at Ed’s tumblr page to understand why Tucson Weekly readers picked this guy as our number one tattoo artist. That some beautiful ink there, Ed. Great color, intricate designs and beautiful imagery. Just what you’re looking for when you finally make that decision—that isn’t alcohol induced—into getting yourself that special tattoo. Runners…
Best Salsa
It doesn’t get any fresher than having the salsa made right before your eyes—and that’s just what you’ll get at Guadalajara Grill as your salsa-specialist rolls up a cart and starts chopping up the tomatoes, onion and chilies right before your eyes. It’s a magnificent performance followed by a magnificent salsa. We’re delighted by the…
Pleasure Activist
Bossy Bottom began exploring kink as a way of expressing another side of herself and her sexuality. Unfortunately, some of her early experiences were deeply dispiriting. She found herself in a community that was dominated (so to speak) by the dynamic of straight white men in the roles of the “dominants” and women in the…
Best Bartender
Barb has been a reader favorite for years, and that’s no surprise in Tucson Weekly land. Across the bar, Barb is pure Tucson—friendly and warm, plus she can make a few limes, ice and tequila taste like it’s been through some cosmic cocktail ray with just the flick of her wrist. She probably has some…
Dust Devil
Before the daily grind ground me down too far, I packed up my old life in a box.
To Be, Or Not
It’s certainly an odd couple that inhabits Stephen Sachs’ strange little play, Bakersfield Mist, produced by Invisible Theatre and running through this weekend.
Best Games Store
The greatest thing about buying games from Bookmans isn’t the price cut—although that is usually significant and wonderful. Rather, the best thing about shopping Bookmans’ games section is the chance to happen upon a title that is out of print. These days, unless a new game gains popularity quickly, it won’t be available new for very long.…
Best Local Author
It’s been a while since Barbara called Tucson home, but some Tucsonans still remember falling in love with The Bean Trees all those years ago. Barbara has come a long way since then, blossoming into one of America’s great modern novelists and essayists with works like The Poisonwood Bible, Flight Behavior and The Lacuna. We…
Best Bowling Alley
Midtown’s Lucky Strike is still going strong after all these years with weekend cosmic bowling parties, late-night all-you-can-bowl lane action, junior leagues and all the old-school snack bar specials you remember from your childhood. Plus cold beer. What’s not to love? Runners up: 2. Bedroxx Bowling 3. Golden Pin Lanes
Best Local Legend
If anyone deserves the title “survivor” is former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. A mass shooting on Jan. 8, 2011, where she was shot in the head, seemed to have only made her stronger. She pulled through, with Tucson witnessing her healing step-by-step. Now she tirelessly fights for gun control, tolerance and peace in her community and…
Best Florist
It’s hard to beat a contender that’s been good enough, long enough to thrive through at least five wars, 12 presidents, repeated national economic reversals and every imaginable skirt length for 55 years. In its entire history Inglis’ ownership has changed just once; it’s now in the hands of two, second-generation florists. They would be…
Best Local Chef
Janos Wilder While several new chefs in town are stepping up to make a name for Tucson in the culinary scene, you’d be crazy not to recognize the city’s original celebrity chef: Janos Wilder. His work in defining Sonoran and Southwestern food is inspirational, which is why he was recognized as the region’s best chef…
Best Place to Eat Alone
Hey, sometimes lunch breaks are meant to be taken solo. The good news is, you’re likely near one of Beyond Bread’s three delicious locations. Order some food and a cappuccino, catch up on some reading and chow down on a seemingly endless selection of sandwiches. The service is pretty speedy, but picking up one of…
Best Veggie Burger
A good veggie burger is hard to find. They can oftentimes be very, very bland. With Clint’s Almost Famous Veggie Burger, Zinburger puts the expectations way up there. It’s served with avocado, sprouts and mozzarella. You should ask for extra mayo. Still unsure of who Clint is, but after taking a bite, we don’t think…
Best Thick Crust/Chicago-Style Pizza
If you like your pizza pie thick, nobody in town bakes it up better than Rocco’s Little Chicago. This is the real thing: a perfect crust, rich tomato sauce and whatever toppings you decide to layer in this deep-dish delight. Rocco Pizzaguy runs a great joint—and we especially like the ever-changing sign out front. It’s…
Best Sporting Goods
Well if you consider sporting goods to be tents, sleeping bags, solar-powered lamps, boots and shoes, compasses and sturdy clothes to go with adventures—well then, Summit Hut is your kind of sporting goods store. You know how some people like to pop into hardware stores and just look around, well Summit Hut is that kind…
Best Middle Eastern
The make-or-break test of a Mediterranean restaurant is its hummus. Zayna’s distinction is the bright freshness of its ingredients. The velvety, rich taste of their hummus somehow makes itseem as if the garbanzo beans were picked, and the olive oil pressed, with this morning’s sunrise. Such excellence in the basics should encourage diners to adventure…
Best Tortillas
Nestled in Barrio Anita between a few houses, Anita’s Street Market doesn’t look like anything much, but this is definitely one of those times you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Fresh, soft and piping hot corn and flour tortillas fly off Anita’s shelves every day and it’s simply because they are the best.…
Best Beer Selection on Tap
You never know what exactly you’ll find flowing from the taps at Tap & Bottle, but you can be sure there will be a full line-up of local and national craft brews that range from hoppy IPAs to tart goses to fruity wheat beers and dark porters and stouts. With over 20 taps rotating brews,…
Best Bar Menu
The affordable drink selection at Club Congress is certainly no reason to complain, but it might be hard for you to control yourself. Should you need to cushion your booze-filled tummy with food, the bar offers a list of cheap eats for about $5 per. Fish, pork belly or cauliflower tacos, a plate of nachos…
Police Dispatch
A woman was seen in a truck throwing firecrackers around a usually peaceful neighborhood—and when her boyfriend tried to cover for her, he almost got himself in trouble by pulling out a loaded gun.
Best Local Blog
The Tucson food scene is ever changing, and it takes some dedication to keep up with that. The Tucson Foodie blog aims to serve as a guide to navigating local menus, keeping up with the constant stream of restaurants opening and closing, and even offering up a selection of vegan recipes. The public relations restaurant…
Best Local Dance Company
Ballet Tucson wins for its splendid annual Nutcracker alone. Credit goes to supporters for funding a fully professional production, including professional dancers in key roles. Any town can put the kids onstage—perhaps the most important community service in dance—but BT makes sure families don’t leave the theater thinking that’s all there is. Ballet Tucson is…
Best Sex Toy Shop
When it comes to lust in the dust of the desert, Fascinations has everything you could possibly want for your sexy toolkit. Not all dildos are created equally, and there is a full wall in the shop of every color, size and battery power to prove it. If you’re feeling lost amongst the lingerie, whips,…
Best Thing About the University of Arizona
There’s plenty to be proud of at the University of Arizona: Space missions. Giant terrariums. A softball team that represents at the World Series. An incredible Festival of Books. Great keggers. And even some educational opportunities for young people. But when you get right down to it, nothing gets our pulse pounding like 40 minutes…
Best Eyeglass/Optical Retailer
Glasses are pretty much the most important “fashion” decision the four-eyed among us make. Picking frames that suit your face and style can be a challenge, and you’re likely stuck with what you pick for at least a year. Alvernon Optical has been in the business for decades, and they do it all—from telling you…
Best Place to Eat Lunch Downtown
The Little One, formerly known as Little Café Poca Cosa, is very different from its fancy sibling. In a barrio kind of way, the servers and owner constantly check up on you to make sure you’re enjoying your meal, whether that’s the green corn tamale with poached egg or your pollo en mole negro. Also,…
Best Casual Dining
It might be the juicy wings covered in spicy buffalo sauce resting on potato chips, the turkey BLT with a lot (a lot) of bacon or that bourbon almond brittle ice cream, but we fell in love. HUB has taken classic American cravings and made them upscale at an affordable price. The atmosphere is perfect,…
Best Place to Get a Sandwich
Rule number one, always order the “whole” size because these Beyond Bread sandwiches are so delicious that no portion isbig enough. We have already discussed the foundation—fresh-baked bread. Great thus far, but when you gently place turkey, hummus and sprouts, or curry chicken and toasted almonds, in between those pieces of bread: we have a…
Best Wings
Broadway as their favorite for delish chicken wing experiences. OK, we will go with it. What’s nice about this spot is that they have some good cold beers to go with it all, and for those who would dare go here and not have wings, they have burgers. Runners up: 2. Rocco’s Little Chicago 3.…
Best Day Trip Out of Town
Take it all in: the copper-colored mountains, the stairwells to heaven, the paint and graffiti murals, and this beautiful little witchy place called the Copper Queen Hotel. Get there in the morning so you can eat breakfast at the Bisbee Breakfast Club, and then burn off the food coma exploring the Queen Mine. Thrift and…
Best Modern Cuisine
Using the word fusion doesn’t quite do Downtown Kitchen + Cocktail’s menu justice. However, it’s hard not to think of the word with fare that spans nearly every continent, especially in the summer months when the kitchen works on Around the Globe menus that go from Vietnam to Jamaica to Russia and more. While the…
Best Carnitas
This restaurant is one of those super Central and Eastside restaurants that make us happy to patronize. May I recommend an huarache filled with carnitas—tender pork cut up in tiny pieces that love being chewed. This local restaurant chain has been through a lot these past years, fires at different locations. But they’ve bounced back,…
Best Local Brewery
Tucson is exploding with craft breweries and it seems every couple of months a new one pops up, offering a unique signature to add into the brewing mix. However, there’s a reason many of Tucson’s top restaurants make sure to carry at least one Dragoon brew for imbibers and that’s because of the creative, delicious…
Best Strip Club
Is it the burgers or taco bar that bring you into Curves, ladies and gents? None of those? Doesn’t matter. Curves is a Tucson establishment that has brought people together in the spirit of hot bods and cold drinks, and being that we’re all adults here, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Runners up: 2.…
Paradise Lost
The first few months living in Marana’s Sunflower Retirement Community, the surroundings felt comfortable to long-time partners James Brooks and Robert Campbell. Still, the gay couple was cautious.
Best Local TV News Anchor
Atchley has been delivering local news for KGUN 9 the past 27 years. Again, he defies what’s happening locally. We don’t get to see those faces we grew up with as often as we used to, and we’re pleased he’s still around. Obviously, Tucson Weekly readers are too. He’s Tucson, and we need to keep…
Best Arts Festival
Twice a year, we get to close off Fourth Avenue to stroll and browse with a cold beer on one hand and a Sonoran hot dog (or roasted corn, or both) in the other. All while our favorite local stores and visitors give us a taste of their goodness. We get lucky in the spring…
Best Auto Repair
Going into five years in a row, BrakeMax has been selected by readers as the best place to take your automobile for more than an oil change. Often it’s hard to find a mechanic who does the work right, so why not take the advice of thousands of Tucson Weekly readers. Runners up: 2. Buck’s…
Best Alternative Health Center
Whether you want to try acupuncture for the first time or you’ve been using it for years, you probably don’t want to pay an arm and a leg to get poked in them (and many other places on your body). Enter Tucson Acupuncture Co-op, which charges according to a sliding scale of just $15–35 per…
Best Tattoo Parlor
Chances are you have at least two friends with tattoos. One is Mr. Hipster with the coolest tattoo you’ve ever seen. The other friend is a quiet business gal who rarely shows off her ink, but when she does, wow. Amazing work. And chances are, because Tucson Weekly has seen this is in action—that the…
Best Downtown Restaurant
Café Poca Cosa is definitely no poca cosa (“little thing”)—it’s long been a big deal as one of Tucson’s best Mexican restaurants, with a super-classy vibe, a central location, cozy atmosphere, great drinks and quite reasonable prices considering its scrumptious cuisine. It’s averitable downtown oasis, where friendly waitstaff will welcome you with a chalkboard menu…
Best Caterer
From experience, one of the happiest potlucks or office holiday gatherings have taken place with BrushFire being the center of it all. This is a from-the-heart recommendation: If you’re planning a holiday party at home or for the office, you can’t go wrong with pulled pork and BBQ. This kind of stuff brings happiness and…
Best Sandwich
Oh, you lovely Tucson Weekly readers. You understand that a cheesesteak has to be made by masters, and in this case, that’s Frankie’s. They do this beauty right because that’s what they do. Great Philly ambiance, and the cheese sauce—love it. Runners up: 2. Unforgettable — Baggins 3. Bart’s Bag — Beyond Bread
Best Bagels
Say what you want about restaurant chains, but you can’t deny that Brueggers is a damn good—and convenient—place to grab a bite of everything bagel. Whether you just want one to slather with butter or cream cheese, or you’re hankering for a smoked-salmon-with-egg-salad or “Leonardo de Veggie” bagel sandwich (available cold or hot), most Weekly…
Best Brunch
Blue Willow defines Tucson’s indoor-outdoor culture. Ensconced in an old home, its décor is busy, but unfussy, exemplified in its women’s room, where the bathtub is repurposed as a planter. The food was organic, healthy and picturesque before any of that was a thing, and the portions are ample. Best of all, you can shop…
Best Seafood
The chefs at Kingfisher are not ones to rest on their laurels, so even though they continue to win awards for the amazing seafood, the menu continues to evolve as they find new ways to serve up the catch of the day. Current standouts include the sea bass fish stew, the grilled ruby trout and,…
Best Carne Asada
We suspect our readers meant to honor El Charro’s carne seca—that glorious spicy, dried beef that has come to be known ’round the world as a specialty of the house. You can find it in tacos, enchiladas, chimichangas and just about anything else, but we ask: Why mess around? Just go ahead and order the…
Best Billiards
There’s this perfect evening out on the block where the Red Garter stands. First, catch a movie at the Loft Cinema next door, go for beers and burgers at the Red Garter and top it off with a game of pool. This is a place between joint and dive, with a fun, friendly Tucson atmosphere.…
Best Jukebox
Over at Che’s Lounge, feel free to be your own DJ. Bring some quarters and post up against the bar’s jukebox to show everyone there just what stellar taste in music you really have. Best of all, the selection at Che’s is mostly good already, so you won’t look silly regardless of what you choose.…
Props Lessons
Three of the seven questions in the $815 million bond package that voters will decide on Tuesday, Nov. 3, deal with open space, historic preservation, parks and recreation, and flood control Prop 428 would fund $191 million in improvements to parks.
Best Local Sportscaster
Thank you, Tucson Weekly readers for choosing Dan Ryan. The sports icon passed away in June and we lost a legend that made sports coverage great in this town. He was KVOA News 4 sports director and delivered sports for 20 years. He came to us in 1987 and made us proud to be Wildcats.…
Best Dance Studio
I know a guy who started taking lessons there four times a week to help revive a relationship in a rut. He turned out a hottie in both body and mind. The rest of the story remains to be told. Runners up: 2. Shall We Dance 3. Studio One Arizona
Best Car Wash
For a second year, Octopus has won readers fave. Remember that this winter if we enter a dry spell. You know how it works, once you wash your car, it always rains. But seriously, this place is old school—hand wax and a good old fashioned detail. You’re styling clean. Runners up: 2. Mister Car Wash…
Place that Best Defines Tucson
Fourth Avenue is a no brainer here. The historic street mixes the past and present of Tucson, with buildings and businesses that have been around since the 70s intermingling with some gentrified new favorites. Our walk of fame for Tucson “celebrities” is written in the worn sidewalks and bar bathrooms. A favorite haunt for barflies,…
Best Local Clothing Designer
Once the co-owner of the former much-beloved vintage store Preen, Erin Cox now runs her own business, Southwestern Belle Alterations and Design—and it’s a big hit, as your votes prove. Cox is highly creative and highly skilled, whether she’s making a custom wedding dress out of vintage sheets or altering a too-big band tee for…
Best Northwestside Restaurant
Recent conversation: “I go there for the martinis.” “I go there for the fish and chips.” “I go there on Tuesday for the half-off bottles of wine.” Everyone has their reasons. This is the first Fox Concept restaurant in Tucson and its survived. Part of the reason is a loyal Northwest neighborhood customer base and…
Best Diner
Diners are one of those forgotten hometown staples, but lucky for us we have Little Anthony’s. It not only delivers good diner food, from burgers to meatloaf, but it does it in an atmosphere that bring us to the nostalgia of the 1950s. There’s a jukebox and the wait staff look like a crew from…
Best Place to Get a Salad
Let’s say you’re a salad nut (and yes, they exist), then why would you go somewhere that only did salads as a second note. Why not go to a place in which they are as nutty about salads as you are. You go in, you pick what you want in a beautiful selection of healthy…
Best Smoothies
Thanks to the seemingly endless sunshine we get in Tucson, smoothies are a year-round staple in the Old Pueblo. While there are really two routes one can go down when constructing a smoothie, Tucson’s love for Xoom Juice proves these icy treats are better without added sugar and processed nonsense. Xoom Juice’s menu got a…
Best Chinese
This is Golden Dragon’s second year as a reader favorite. They are a good spot for consistent Chinese food, and their take-out menu makes them a perfect place for those after work meals when you just don’t want to cook. We still stand by our love for the sizzling rice and the crispy duck. There…
Best Steakhouse
Sometimes you just need a steak. Sorry vegan friends, but for carnivores, sometimes a bit of beef can set you straight. One thing that’s cool about Fleming’s is their limited time specials they do, for example this past month they did a steak and lobster three-course meal paired with wine for $44. Remember kids, sometimes…
Best Huevos Rancheros
There was a time when it seemed like Poco and Mom’s was a great secret. Then it wasn’t and table fighting occurs. Good reason. This place is New Mexican delish. The huevos rancheros are from heaven, as well as many of the other breakfast, lunch and dinner items. But maybe you can keep that between…
Best Cocktail Menu
There are plenty of craft cocktail joints out there these days, but our readers are hailing 47 Scott and—presumably—Scott and Co., the original downtown speakeasy next door. These folks take their mixology seriously, with house cocktails like The Vagabond (tequila, sage-infused agave nectar, fresh limes and orange bitters), the Brick House Old Fashioned (bacon-washed rye,…
Best Place to Sing Karaoke
If you’re going to spend a much needed night blowing off some steam drinking and singing karaoke with your friends and 30 other people you’ve never met before, this place, with its dark wood and red leather booths, is the place that is remeincent of Vegas. Yep, what’s sung at the Royal Sun stays at…
The Skinny
Can the city of Tucson get anything right these days? And McSally leads local congressional fundraising—again
Best Local Character
This new category may have found its forever winner. Who could take down the ubiquitous UA mascot? But will Wilma ever get her due? Friendly, yet authoritative, versatile and adventurous, Wilbur works both sides of his brain. Who else could balance NASA’s favorite space research programs with Ansel Adams favorite photography collection, and still manage…
Best Plant Nursery
You’ll find flowers to brighten your garden, peppers to excite your tongue, citrus to make your morning juice and cactus to add to your thorny problems at Mesquite Valley Growers. The sprawling grounds have everything from your everyday to your exotics and a helpful staff to help your thumb find the proper shade of green.…
Best Thrift Store
Thanks Buffalo Exchange for providing us with guilt-free shopping experiences. Why guilt free, you ask? Because this Tucson-native store is forcing us to re-use someone else’s past fashion treasures; recycle those 1970s platform shoes, faux leather jacket or polka dot, fluffy dress, rather than sending them to a hell called landfills. We can be environmentally…
Best Tucson Survivor
Gabby Giffords has done a lot more than survive. She’s made a miraculous recovery and, along hubby and retired astronaut Mark Kelly, jumped into one of the most controversial and intractable political debates in this country: how to reduce gun violence. Americans for Responsible Solutions has scored a number of victories for background checks and…
Best Central Restaurant
Kingfisher has established itself as the midtown standby by serving up innovative twists on American classics for decades. The emphasis is on seafood but the ever-changing menu showcases a kitchen can deliver steak, chicken, lamb, salads, soups and so much more. We especially love the opportunity to taste flavors from around the country with the…
Best Organic Food Store
Sprouts says it’s time to get healthy and they’re happy to help with aisles upon aisles of organic and gluten-free options that include a great variety of farm-fresh veggies and fruit, grains, artisan cheeses and glorious seafood. We’ve also never seen so much honey to choose from, but we’re not complaining. Best of all, Sprouts…
Best French Fries
If you’re to get addicted to something, make sure it’s eegee’s French fries. These crinkly, crunchy, greasy devils are perfect without toppings, as long as you still get an icy, legendary eegee’s drink, got it? But there is not a damn thing wrong with a little ranch dressing or ketchup on the side. And don’t…
Best Food Cart
Whether you’re looking for outstanding street tacos, a filling torta or a solid Sonoran dog, Taqueria Aqui Con El Nene will satisfy your cravings. Flavorful, freshly grilled carne asada can be spiced up courtesy of the truck’s full salsa bar. Pull up a chair under the tented seating area and enjoy everything this stationary truck…
Best Greek
This year, after being out of the running the past few, Athens on 4th Avenue regains its place as our reader favorite. Their Moussaka does it every time, but for those special occasions, the braised lamb is perfect. This is a long-time Fourth Avenue establishment that makes everyone feel Greek, and not the letter-wearing kind.…
Best Sushi
Sit at the sushi bar and watch the part-chefs, part-magicians at Shushi Garden do what they do best. They’ll make you traditional sushi and sashimi withthe ever-so-fresh seafood. There are also more complex rolls if you’re feeling adventurous. Lately, we’ve been craving the very-Southwestern inspired Baja Jalapeño and Burrito rolls. Runners up: 2. Yoshimatsu 3.…
Best Guacamole
There’s a lot of guacamole in Tucson, and this was a tight race. Still, it’s no surprise that Guadalajara Grill is (once again) claiming the prize on this one. The trick to guacamole is making it proportionally creamy, citrusy and spicy. Get a bowl of chips and some table-side salsa, and you’ve got yourself a…
Best Bar Program
When 47 Scott first opened it took the cocktail scene on with great zeal. There have been some changes over the years, and while some of the barkeep/cocktail creators of that early time have long-departed, 47 Scott has remained a steadfast favorite with readers, as well as those who love a good meal and a…
Best DJ
DJ Herm might be best known for his La Cocina residency called the Kitchen Sync. Clever puns aside, the name alludes to the fact that Herm is the kind of guy who has many genres in his musical arsenal. Brush up on your cumbia or get down to remixes of your favorite ’90s hip-hop. Herm…
Media Watch
AZPM cleans up at Southwest Chapter of Rocky Mountain Emmys, Buckmaster receives HOF award, Cumulus delivers strong numbers in summer radio ratings
Best Fine Art Gallery
The Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block likely stretches the definition of “gallery,” but we do love the space. The exhibitions are sometimes big (Livin’ Large: Works from the 1980s), sometimes small (Those sketches from the 1850s Pacific Railroad Survey), sometimes glorious (Southwest Anthems: Landscapes of a Region), sometimes local (Welcome to Beveldom). The…
Best Gallery Openings
It’s been another great year at Etherton, with a retrospective of the late Nancy Tokar Miller’s paintings, Jamie Stillings’ extraordinary aerial photography of solar plants, Ansel Adams’ western landscapes, a grand collection of the artists who have labored at the Citizens Warehouse and so much more. If you’re ever in the neighborhood, it’s always worth…
Best Pet Supply Store
As you might suspect given the horse that stands upon its awning, OK Feed and Supply is a whole bunch more than food for your dog or cat—although they have plenty of that, including all-natural dog biscuits and ethically sourced dog food. It’s a cafeteria for the whole ranch: bales of hay, bird seed and…
Best Place to Meet Singles
Look at all the places you can find romance on Fourth Avenue: Across the bar at the Shanty. In the produce aisle at the Food Co-op. Just around last call at O’Malley’s. Dancing to a band at Plush. Grabbing a slice at Brooklyn. Getting your vape on at Hippie Gypsy. Tuning up your ride at…
Best Local TV Newscast
The 9 on Your Side motto actually works, and this station has garnered a reputation as one that actually digs a little deeper than most. In this age of dwindling media presence, it’s good for all of us when even the broadcast people continue to do good work. Makes for a better Tucson and better…
Best Westside Restaurant
Eating at Agustin Kitchen is a feast in many ways. Visually, the restaurant and bar are a stunning modern venue and chef Ryan Clark uses that base to house his fresh, local fare. Aromatic sauces, hearty meat dishes and plenty of freshly shucked oysters make this brasserie damn near irresistible. Paired with the restaurant’s expertly…
Best Specialty Foods
Whether you need ground ostrich for your exotic sloppy joes, purple potatoes for your fancy French fries or sashimi-grade tuna for your homemade fish sticks, you’ll find what you need at AJ’s Fine Foods. And the wine cellar is sure to have just the right grape juice to match up with your bacon-wrapped asparagus. AJ’s…
Best Restaurant for a Cheap Date
Vietnamese food as a whole might not be the easiest to eat gracefully, but it is delicious. The menu as a whole is incredibly affordable, with very few items above $10. Everything is delicious, so those new to Vietnamese cuisine should feel comfortable trying something new. There are a few familiar, safe dishes towards the…
Best Food Truck
The Food Truck movement is one of our favorite trends in recent years—and with its selection of pizza, cheesesteaks and other sandwiches, Serial Grillers is one of our favorite food trucks. The Serial Grillers have definitely watched too many slasher flicks on their way to creating nightmarishly good chow like the Hannibal ribeye Cheesesteak, the…
Best French
Ghini’s is the kind of place that may be a French restaurant, but reality is that it is a true Tucson local spot. The owner does a great job of interacting with customers and their specials are always tasty. The pastries are amazing. The other thing we love is that this place makes you feel…
Best Thai
There’s one problem with Bangkok Café: It’s hard to try to everything on the menu because everything is so delicious, you’ll be tempted to order it time and again. Don’t fall into that trap. From creamy curries to flavorful green papaya salad, everything here is a winner. Runners up: 2. Char’s Thai Restaurant 3.…
Best Tamales
Who would have thought you could pack an Indian lunch buffet into a tamale? Or a Sonoran hot dog? Or an entire thanksgiving feast? The gang at Tucson Tamale Company figured how to reinvent the tamale and we are eternally grateful for the line of exotic, healthy tamales they dish up. And they do a…
Best Happy Hour
Social Hour at Union Pub—from 4 to 7 p.m. every day—offers a $7 burger, $5 mac-and-cheese, a $4 caesar and other pub fare in the lively atmosphere of Union Public House. You’ll find skilled bartenders, craft beer and wine, plenty of screens to watch the game and a mixed crowd. Night owls can enjoy the…
Best Club for Live Music
Part of the credit for Club Congress’ outstanding live music experience has to be given to the sound guy, Dana Fehr, who makes sure the levels are balanced but loud enough to envelop you. The other part of the credit also has to go to the in-house booking team of David Slutes, Matthew Baquet and…
Danehy
Tom meets a reader… but not a fan.
