Noshing Around

Hot Rod Café

The Hot Rod Café is a little diner that opened a few weeks ago at 2831 N. Stone Ave. Three generations of women—related to the family that owns Don's Hot Rod Shop at 2811 N. Stone Ave.—run the eatery. The table bases are tire rims; sandwiches are named after makes of cars; and the cherry-red interior is covered with memorabilia and checkerboard flags. Nothing is more than $5. Hours: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday; 903-2233.


Mall Food

Shane's Rib Shack—which started as a small Georgia rib joint before growing into a national chain—has opened a new location at the Tucson Mall. Expect ribs, chicken, sandwiches, sides, salads and desserts; 887-0790.

The same person behind the local Shane's Rib Shack is opening a self-serve yogurt place at the Tucson Mall. It was slated to be called Yogurt on Tap, but it may need to open under a different name, because the owner of Yogurt on Tap in Palm Springs, Calif., says she trademarked the name. That was news to Jeff Berger, the mall's general manager, who said he would look into it.


Celebrity Vegetables

Dr. Andrew Weil, one of the biggest names in natural health, is teaming up with Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort to start a garden on the grounds. The posh resort is already home to gardens that produce many of the herbs used at the Grill at Hacienda del Sol—but the herbs and vegetables grown under Weil's tutelage are bound to gain celebrity status among natural-food enthusiasts. They're even trucking in soil from Weil's property in Vail. The first crop will be planted in September.


Panda Buffet

The sign at the new Panda Buffet (2419 E. Broadway Blvd.) says the eatery will serve seafood and sushi, but the only other available information is a handwritten "now hiring" sign taped to the door. The building was most recently home to Eastern Buffet and Sushi, which opened and quickly closed last year.


Maynards Market Wine Club

Maynards Market and Kitchen has started a wine club that offers some nice benefits for $25 a month, or $200 a year. Members get a personalized sommelier knife, half-price admission to wine-tastings, a monthly e-newsletter, a bottle of the wine of the month for a penny and other specials; www.maynardsmarkettucson.com.