Tucson may not find its way to the top of your list for an exquisite culinary experience, but you'd be surprised by how many great restaurants there are on the desert floor. As a rising senior at the University of Arizona, I have spent a great portion of my time eating. In turn, I've had the opportunity to try a plethora of Tucson's restaurants ranging from small taco shops to grand steak houses. Although I have a long list of great sanctuaries for foodies, I have condensed my list down to 5. I have also decided not to list any chain restaurants as they are not Tucson exclusives.
1. Caruso's Italian Restaurant
Established in 1938 by founder and chef Nicasio (Caruso) Zagona, Caruso's is hands down the best homestyle Italian restaurant in Tucson. Caruso's embodies everything that an Italian restaurant in the U.S. should. With almost everything on the menu being homemade, there is a sharp element of freshness conveyed in every dish. I'd recommend the Caruso Special and the ravioli to anyone who enjoys great quality food served with great quantity at a very reasonable price.
2. MiAn Sushi & Modern Asian Cuisine
MiAn is one of those places that mixes novelty with food. Where most places like this fail, MiAn excels. With a wide variety of experimental/ craft sushi, MiAn sets itself apart from traditional sushi restaurants. Every roll I have tried here boasts a unique array of flavor. The fish was always extremely fresh as well as the accompanying ingredients. Any restaurant that incorporates habanero aioli in its sushi is a must try. The cocktails were fantastic as well as the service. If you're looking for a universally great sushi experience, look no further.
3. El Charro Café
El Charro Café is loud, crowded, and it may take a while to secure a table. Yet, none of that matters when you taste the food. El Charro is famously known for their carne seca and that recognition is well deserved. Carne seca is essentially high-quality beef jerky. It's extremely tender and seasoned to perfection. If you're in town and hungry give the carne seca a try, you won't be sorry. Aside from their carne seca, El Charro offers a great variety of steaks and other dishes. To be frank, the food is fantastic, El Charro Cafe is consistently busy for a reason.
4. Boca Tacos Y Tequila
If you're on a hunt for good tequila and even better tacos, Boca Tacos Y Tequila is your place. With the option of standard sized tacos or street sized tacos, Boca presents a long list of tacos for you to choose from. The chicken, steak, and pork are well seasoned and cooked perfectly. Boca's service is exceptional, the staff actually appears to be happy to serve you which is kind of rare these days. A piece of advice: if you're a pepper head like me and love all things spicy, ask them for their extra spicy salsa which is a beautiful blend of habanero and ghost pepper. It will definitely clear your sinuses and possibly make you cry.
5. Blue Willow Restaurant & Gift Shop
I'm normally not much of a breakfast person. The idea of pastries and pancakes in the morning almost makes me nauseous, but if brunch is on the table Blue Willow is the perfect spot. Along with pancakes and waffles, Blue Willow offers savory options such as Huevos Rancheros and a breakfast scramble. The dishes here have always been consistent as well as their service. I can't stress enough how excellent the service is. The restaurant itself has a beautiful patio with great outdoor ambiance.
Although I had to leave out a handful of local Tucson gems, these 5 restaurants are some of the best in town. These restaurants possess a perfected balance of great food with service, and that's all I can ask when searching for a great spot to chow down. So whether you're a U of A student, Tucson local, or someone who travels a lot, make sure to consider these restaurants for your next meal.
