Our Tucson Food Favorites

While we’re still getting to know Tucson and have more eatery exploring to do, here are some local spots we find ourselves recommending when people visit…

Frequented Faves

Seis Kitchen

Serving fresh, flavorful food based on 6 regional cuisines of Mexico, Seis has become a regular stop for us!

We especially like: tacos (poc chuc, cochinita pibil, and/or barbacoa), burritos with adobo steak, a side of calabacitas, “cochata” (which is their horchata with a shot of cold brew coffee), or watermelon cucumber aguas frescas on a hot day.

Location:

Mercado San Agustin (130 S. Avenida Del Convento) is one of our favorite hang out spots. There’s only outdoor seating (with shade and misters) or take-out.
The new location in Joesler Village shopping center (River Rd/Campbell) has happy hour specials and both indoor and patio seating.
The food truck, which is where the restaurant got its start, is now used for catering.

Hours:
Sunday – Thursday 8am – 8pm
Friday – Saturday 8am – 9pm

Serves: breakfast, lunch, dinner

El Guero Canelo

Where we go to indulge in (or introduce others to) local specialty, Sonoran dogs – bacon-wrapped hot dogs topped with pinto beans, cheese, onions, and tomato, and served in a top-split roll. One time, Phillip and I and a couple friends took a day trip to Tucson specifically to eat Sonoran hot dogs at El Guero Canelo.

We especially like the Sonoran dogs, of course. The tacos are good, as well.

Locations:

2480 N Oracle Rd is where we usually go. The large, warehouse-like space is always hopping!
There are also a couple locations in South Tucson, an east location at 22nd St/Craycroft, and one in west Phoenix. (There weren’t any Phoenix locations yet when we took our road trip.)

Hours:
Sunday 12-6pm
Monday – Thursday 10am – 10pm
Friday – Saturday 8am – 12am

Serves: lunch + dinner

Rincon Market

Vintage market (opened in 1926) turned mostly into a restaurant and coffee bar. It would also be a great place to pick up a la carte items for a picnic!

We especially like their lunch selection and lovely dessert case. Recently, I had a delicious grain bowl there. We were big fans of their weekend breakfast buffet, but I think they’ve discontinued it.

Location: Sam Hughes neighborhood. 2513 E 6th St, Tucson

Parking: street or lot behind the building

Hours: daily 7am – 9pm

Serves: breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee, beer + wine

One-Time Wonders

These are places that left us wanting more in the best possible way. We’ve been to each of them once and plan to return!

Cafe Poca Cosa

I had heard several people rave about this place, and it did not disappoint. The menu changes twice daily, based on what’s fresh and in season. Your server brings over a chalkboard that lists the current offerings and explains each item to you personally. We chose to share the Poca Cosa, which means the chef puts together a surprise sampler of several dishes for you. It was fabulous.

Location: 110 East Pennington St, Tucson.

Parking: street or Pennington Garage.

Hours:
Tuesday – Saturday 11am – 9pm
Closed Sunday and Monday

Serves: lunch + dinner

El Molinito

While there is definitely an old school feel to this place, the food was a cut above most restaurants in this Arizona Mexican food genre. On the suggestion of our tuxedoed waiter, I ordered the enchiladas de la casa, which were delicious.

Locations:

We went to one in Oro Valley.
There are also locations in northeast, northwest, and central Tucson.

Serves: lunch + dinner

Maynard’s Kitchen

This is, of course, the Maynard’s where people convene on Monday evenings for the Meet Me at Maynards walk.

We had a superb brunch there, and I wrote all about it with my Agave Heritage Week articles.

Location: 400 N. Toole Ave, Tucson

Parking: If the on-site lot is full, we usually park in the Depot Plaza/MLK Apartments Garage off 5th Ave.

Hours:
Tuesday – Thursday 5 – 9pm
Friday – Saturday 5pm – 12am
Sunday 9am – 2pm

Serves: dinner, happy hour, + Sunday brunch

Cup Cafe

Located inside Hotel Congress with a floor paved with pennies, Cup Cafe is a place where you can have an exceptional sit-down dinner or grab a coffee to go on your way out in the morning. We went during Agave Heritage Week, when the menu included dishes with agave ingredients.

Location: 311 E. Congress St, Tucson

Parking: street or Depot Plaza Garage

Hours:
Sunday – Thursday 7am – 10pm
Friday – Saturday 7am – 11pm

Serves: breakfast, lunch, dinner, happy hour

Hub Restaurant and Ice Creamery

We made an unexpected road trip stop here. I loved the back patio and the mac and cheese. Phillip was less into it, but we need to give it another try.

Location: 266 E. Congress St, Tucson

Hours: daily 11am – 12am

Serves: lunch, dinner, + weekend brunch

Ten 55 Brewing Company

We had lunch here during the most recent Arizona International Film Festival. I got chicken salad sliders with white barbecue sauce, which was good for a bite or two, but too much for a whole sandwich. Phillip ordered a bratwurst or something off the sausage menu, and, next time, I’ll do the same.

Location: 110 E Congress St, Tucson

Hours:
Thursday – Saturday 11am – 11pm
Sunday – Wednesday 11am – 9pm

Serves: lunch, dinner, + Sunday brunch

Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails

We had an amazing tasting menu meal here several years ago. It’s been awhile but I haven’t forgotten it.

Location: 135 S. 6th Avenue, Tucson

Serves: dinner + happy hour

——-

Our meals at Cup Cafe and Maynard’s Kitchen were compliments of Hotel Congress.

July 31, 2019April 9, 2026

Here in Tucson

Phillip and I are big fans of Tucson.

So we moved here.

It was a possibility we had thought about for awhile, but then things happened super fast when Phillip got a new job. He started just over two weeks after being hired, before we even had a place to live.

Thankfully, friends let him crash on their couches his first week.

Moving weekend was kind of a mess. I wasn’t ready. I underestimated – everything. Even though Tucson is just an hour and a half south of Phoenix, this was the biggest move I’ve done. If you don’t count my semester abroad, it’s the first time I’ve had an address outside the county I was born in.

At the end of all that craziness, though, we were in our new apartment.

While we’re definitely still unpacking and settling in, we have our Tucson library cards and Quijote’s new tags are on the way. We’ve done our second Meet Me at Maynards walk – our first as Tucson residents – checked out the night market at Mercado San Agustin, visited the Tucson Botanical Gardens, and are trying out new places to eat, drink, and shop while regularly finding excuses to revisit the ones we were already fans of.

We’re happy to be here and happy to be together.

July 26, 2019July 30, 2019

Your 2019 #LocalArtLoves

You guys found — and made — some great art during Local Art Loves earlier this year!

As you may recall, Local Art Loves is about sharing the art you love from your community. (It can even be your own work!)

This time, there were submissions from across the United States that included oil paintings, digital illustrations, sculptures, and more. I’m featuring those artists here, as well as adding a couple Arizona artists I love.

Painting of vintage Skips Hamburgers neon sign — Skips by Kristen Nyberg (in progress).

Kristen Nyberg

City: Marblehead, Massachusetts
Medium: Oil painting
Shared by: Sarah Moore (a.k.a. “Saguaro Sally,” vintage sign enthusiast)
Subject: Neon sign for Skip’s Snack Bar in Merrimac, MA

Lora Barnhiser

City: Phoenix, Arizona
Medium: Acrylic on “rescued” wood blocks
Shared by: me

Notes:

I’ve been a fan of Lora Barnhiser’s work since I saw some of her reclaimed wood art on display during Phoenix First Friday a couple years ago.
When she was in the process of moving her studio to prepare for the birth of her babies, she announced a flash sale, and I called dibs on these adorable little cacti!
More about Lora in her Instagram introduction.

Beck Lane

City: Sarasota, Florida
Shared by: artist

Beck Lane’s portrait of singer Lauren Mitchell was one of last year’s Local Art Loves.

Later, the artist shared a couple more of her vibrant paintings – 16 (or makin’ a way outta no way) and Kandi Dishe, Starman.

Beck Lane painting — “16 (or makin’ a way outta no way)” by Beck Lane.

• 16 (or makin’ a way outta no way)

Medium: Oil and oil crayon on aerosol on two 60″ x 72″ canvas panels.

Notes:

The title of 16 (or makin’ a way outta no way) refers back to the first group of Africans brought to the U.S. to be enslaved. We don’t know the names of the individuals on that original ship. We just know that there would be eventually millions more, and they were the first 16.
Coincidentally, the painting took 16 months to complete and was inspired by the events of 2016.
The woman in the center of the painting was modeled after Providence artist, dancer, and model Melanie Moore.

Beck Lane portrait of Kandi Dishe — “Kandi Dishe, Starman” by Beck Lane.

• Kandi Dishe, Starman

Medium: Oil on aerosol on two 48″ x 60″ canvases.
Subject: Portrait of Worcester, MA drag artist Kandi Dishe.
Where to find it: Chasen Galleries

betta fish painting — Painting of Frida by Caitlyn Ann Thomas. Photo from my house.

Caitlyn Ann Thomas

City: Tempe, Arizona
Medium: Watercolor
Shared by: me
Subject: Frida the Fish

Notes:

After hearing that our betta fish had passed, our friend Caitlyn asked for photos. A few weeks later, she surprised us with this beautiful watercolor portrait of Frida. It was such an incredibly kind gesture and a lovely way to remember a little fish with a big personality!
Caitlyn and her husband Alex also make films as CharismaJinx Productions.

Realist painting of Apex sign. — “Apex” by Stephanie Schechter (in progress).

Stephanie Schechter

City: Providence, Rhode Island
Title: Apex
Medium: Oil on canvas, 23.5″ x 40″
Shared by: Sarah Moore
Where to find it: You can see the final painting of Apex on the artist’s site.

Gary Lee Price

City: Richmond, Virginia
Titles:

Green Thumb [girl with pigtails, foreground of photo]
Green Thumb Too [boy, partly obscured in photo]

Medium: Bronze sculptures with planters
Shared by: Susan Willis
Where to find them: In front of Chasen Galleries in Carytown, an artsy neighborhood around Cary Street in Richmond, Virginia.

Painting of Haverhill, Massachusetts liquor store sign — “Liquors” by Debbie Shirley.

Debbie Shirley

City: Haverhill, Massachusetts
Title: Liquors
Medium: Acrylic on panel, 18″ x 14″, framed
Shared by: Sarah Moore
Subject: Street outside ChrisPy’s Liquors + Lottery in Beverly, MA.
Where to find it: Available for purchase. Contact the artist for more information.

Notes:

Debbie Shirley describes her painting style as “contemporary realism meets roadside retro.”
You can read more about her process making the painting.

Wayne Smith

City: Ocala, Florida
Medium: digital sketches
Shared by: artist

Wayne Smith participated in Local Art Loves by creating new digital sketches almost daily! His varied subjects included Rocky Mountain wildlife, a series of funny “advanced yoga” poses, portraits, and dessert.

• Swedish princess cake

Delightful-looking prinsesstårta (Swedish princess cake) on a gold tray.

• Killdeer sketch/study

A killdeer bird the artist photographed at Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park.

Advanced Yoga by Wayne Smith. — Goat yoga sketch by Wayne Smith

• Goat yoga

A meditation on why pets aren’t helpful for yoga poses.

The next Local Art Loves will be February 2020, and I’d love to see art shared from across the globe!

You can participate anytime by posting photos of art you find in your community (or create) using the hashtag #LocalArtLoves.

Keep supporting artists wherever you are!

July 11, 2019July 11, 2019

Meet Me at Maynard’s: A Weekly Walk in Tucson

Downtown Tucson bus stop along MMM route

Every Monday evening, a few hundred people show up in Downtown Tucson for the Meet Me at Maynard’s (MMM) community walk.

It’s free, open to all ages and abilities, and it’s happened weekly – regardless of the weather – for over 10 years.

In fact, we joined in for the first time on MMM’s 10th anniversary, when there was a big celebration and local bands playing all along the route.

We joined up in the middle, walking over from the Hotel Tucson, where we were staying.

The MMM path officially begins at Maynard’s Kitchen and winds through downtown neighborhoods — past restaurants, historic sites, parks, and public art.

There are designated 2-, 3-, and 4-mile routes you can follow. Or you can make adjustments and take breaks as needed.

In fact, breaks are encouraged. Several local businesses along the route provide water to MMM participants and lots of downtown restaurants offer discounts. So you could do part of the walk, stop for dinner or beers, and then continue on.

The point is to get out, get some exercise, and enjoy the local community!

— More Meet Me at Maynard’s Info —

How to join:

Register (once) online or in person at the information table in the courtyard behind Maynard’s.
Before each MMM you attend, check in (online or in person) and get your hand stamped at the info table. (While you’re there, ask about entering raffles.)
Start walking on your own or walk with a leader at 5:30 or 5:45.

You can walk, run, or take a yoga class ($5 at YogaOasis during MMM).
Leashed pets are welcome on the walk. So are unleashed kids.
To get Monday night restaurant discounts, make sure to check in and get your hand stamped at the info table in the Maynard’s courtyard.
Regular participants earn awards like t-shirts and hats. If you’re unsure where to go, look for people wearing the MMM shirts!
Closing ceremonies and in-person raffle winners are announced back at Maynard’s at 7pm.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for video from the MMM 10th anniversary celebration, walk, and local bands — which I’ll post soon.

May 14, 2019April 9, 2026

Light Rail Phoenix: A Beginner’s Guide

[Updated 5/14/19.]

People have asked me how to take the Valley Metro light rail in the Phoenix area, so I made a video guide.

However, if you prefer tips in written form, read on!

1. Find where to go.

There’s just one line with 2 directions, Eastbound and Westbound. You can ride anywhere on the line all day for $4.

Westbound train route:

begins in Mesa (Gilbert Rd./Main St., as of 5/18/19)
ASU Tempe campus
Sky Harbor Airport
Downtown Phoenix (Phoenix Convention Center, Talking Stick Resort Arena, Chase Field)
Central Ave. (turns north)
Roosevelt Row/arts district
ends at 19th Ave. and Dunlap (near Metrocenter)

Eastbound trains start at 19th Avenue and Dunlap, retracing basically the same route, heading south and then east and ending at Gilbert Road and Main Street (as of 5/18/19).

Schedule

To find where to get on and off the train and get schedule information, download a Transit Book, check the Valley Metro website, get the Ridekick app, or try Google Maps. If you don’t want to bother with the schedule, you can just show up. Trains run about every 10-20 minutes until around midnight or 1am.

Park-and-Ride

If there’s not a stop near you, you can drive to one of the 11 Park-and-Ride lots, where there’s free parking for people riding the light rail or bus. You just find a spot, lock your car, and head to the station platform.

2. Get your ticket.

You can easily get a pass from a fare vending machine at your stop before you leave.

Follow the prompts on screen to select an all-day pass and activate it immediately. Then pay with cash, credit or debit.

Your pass and receipt print from two different places. Make sure to pick them both up!

On the Station Platform

While you’re waiting, check the signs to make sure in the right spot for the train going in your direction.

Stations have…

fare vending machines
scrolling LED signs that say when to expect the next train
seating
some shade
route maps (simplified to highlight the stops – not to scale)
drinking fountains
artwork inspired by the local area

Stations don’t have…

restrooms
food or anything for purchase (except rail passes)

You can bring your own food and beverage in sealed or spill proof containers.

3. Get on board.

Trains stop at every station. You don’t have to flag them down. If one looks like it’s not stopping, Don’t panic! It’s probably just pulling up farther.

When the train pulls up to the station, it will come to a complete stop, the doors automatically open, and you can step into any car. Find a seat or or a place to stand and hold on to the railing. If you are standing, try to move back away from the doors, so people can easily get on and off.

There’s usually not anyone checking tickets as you get on. It’s kind of on the honor system. Occasionally, though, transit officers in black and white uniforms will come through and check tickets after the train is in motion. Not having one can get you fined up to $500.

Watch and listen for your stop. You can find a route map above some of the doors. And before each stop, a recording will say “approaching station” then the station name and whether you’ll exit the train on the left or right side. The information is also on scrolling LED signs in the middle of the ceiling of each car. Once you arrive, wait for the train to stop and doors to open, and you’re there!

– More light rail info –

Fare details. Day (round trip) pass: $4 / Week: $20 / Month: $64
Make sure you are waiting for the train going the direction you want to go. Most of the platforms are in the middle of the street and trains going both directions share them. However, around downtown Phoenix the line splits. So if you’re at the Phoenix Convention Center for example, the station for westbound trains is at Washington and eastbound trains stop a block south of there at Jefferson.
If you’re only going one way (to the airport, for example), you can purchase a 1-ride ticket. Once you purchase it, take your ticket and receipt. You have a two-hour window after purchasing to make your trip in one direction.
You may notice that there’s a “buy online” option on the Valley Metro website. This is NOT for last-minute purchases! Since electronic tickets are not accepted, you can order tickets online, and then they’ll be shipped to you via snail mail.
Pets are allowed only in enclosed carriers or cages that fit on your lap. Of course, this doesn’t apply to service animals – they just need to be out of walkways.
RailRide: Talking Stick Resort Arena event tickets now include a free ride to the event!