Arizona Bilingual News

The Best Of Two Worlds

Enjoy Our Great Restaurants,

Part Two

By Councilmember Richard Fimbres

We have been told by many that the best restaurants in the County are in Ward Five and South Tucson. UNESCO’s designation of Tucson the First City in the United States as a City of Gastronomy, helps to prove it. 

As summer is now upon us, I would suggest instead of cooking and making your house even hotter go out and enjoy some of our great restaurants. Below is a listing of some of our great eating establishments.

El Guero Canelo– 5201 S. 12th Avenue

In January 2018, El Güero Canelo was awarded one of the James Beard Foundation’s 2018 America’s Classics Awards, alerting the whole wide world to the delicious wonder of this longtime Tucson favorite.  Eating one of their Sonoran Dogs is having a piece of Tucson history in your mouth.  I had the privilege of reading the City of Tucson Proclamation on their success with the James Beard Award.

Laverna’s Coffee Shop– 220 S. Plumer Avenue

It’s a homey little place with big portions!  Great home cooking, superior service, food is tasty and good prices!   The Chorizo and Eggs and the Green Chili Omelet are popular.  Staff is very welcoming!

Suspiros Cakes– 5327 S. 12 Avenue, 502 W. Ajo Way #108, 5606 E. Broadway, 1686 W. Valencia  

Welcome to Tucson! Lucia Fonseca de Esparza owner of the Hermosillo, Sonora based Suspiros Cakes to Ward 5 and community, Lucia uses her family recipes for their gourmet cakes and pies which include more than 40 varieties.  Stop by one of their four locations to savor a slice of your favorite cake.

Karichimaka Restaurant– 5252 S. Mission

The menu proudly proclaims it’s been open since 1949,that gives you an indication of the type of place you’re entering.  Great food, great service and worth the drive.  Albondigos soup is cooked the classic way and their Tanichopa Salads are fantastic.  Don’t forget Sopapillas for desert!

Taco Shop –1350 E. Broadway Boulevard

Best authentic Mexican burrito you’ll ever get in a fast food setting! 

The food is always delicious. Great customer service, always a smile, fast service and they make you feel like you’re a guest at their house not a restaurant.

Barrio Brewery—800 E. 16th Street

Barrio Brewery has great burgers, chicken wings, sandwiches, soups, onion rings and salads.  A great meal with a great atmosphere.

Mei Hon –1030 W. Irvington

Mei Hon is a family owned Chinese restaurant comfortably nestled within South Tucson. Serving quality fresh Chinese cuisine in Tucson for over 20 years, we pride ourselves on fast, friendly service and tasty Chinese food.

Lin’s Grand Buffet– 1068 E. Tucson Marketplace Boulevard

Down-to-earth dining room featuring Chinese cuisine, sushi, steak & seafood in a large buffet setup. 

El Torero–  231 E. 26th

The families who owned LaRua’s and El Torero have moved their operations to El Torero, 231 East 26th St, offering a wide selection of meals to choose from.  Their two plus two is legendary!

BK Tacos– 5118 S. 12th Avenue

BK is a fusion that leads in a new authentic and innovative concept distinguished by its high standards of quality and flavor. It caters to the tastes and needs of our clients and we exceed in a supreme ambiance with excellent and unique service.

Cattletown Steak House– 3141 E. Drexel

Offers a wide selection of steaks and burgers to choose from and dine in a wonderful atmosphere. 

Micha’s –2908 S. 4th Avenue

Rebuilt after the fire that swept through Micha’s, the community pitched in to help it rebuild and reopen.  The Mariscal family opened it in 1976 and it quickly became a lunchtime hot spot, a reputation that has held steady through the decades.  

These are just a few of fine restaurants to choose from in Ward 5.   There are other restaurants and markets across Tucson, like Islas Meat Marketat 702 W. Irvington with great chorizo, beef jerky and great cuts of meat, El Minutoat 345 S. Main Avenue or Caruso’s Italian Restaurantlocated at 434 N. 4th Avenue to name of couple of the many options Tucsonans have.  When you Eat Local, you will appreciate as well as the restaurant during these hot Summer months.  If you get the opportunity, Eat Local at one of these restaurants which have helped make Tucson a City of Gastronomy. 

Hope to see you out at one of Tucson’s finest restaurants.

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