More restaurants you went to as kids that are still around
- Updated
Readers chimed in on this new list of restaurants that have been around for decades.
- Updated
Bobo's Restaurant has a dedicated following. You can often catch crowds of people waiting for tables on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Bobo's has been open for business since 1975.
- Updated
Lucky Wishbone has been part of the Tucson food scene since Derald Fulton opened the first location at 4872 S. Sixth Ave. in 1953.
Fulton had previously opened the popular Polar Bar on East Speedway in the late 1940s.
- Updated
When Casa Molina, known far and wide as the restaurant with the giant bullfighter and bull out front, opened on East Speedway in 1947, it could comfortably seat about 16 in its dining room.
Today, Molina can seat more than 300.
The restaurant has attracted a wide clientele, serving the likes of John Wayne, Elizabeth Taylor and Charles Lindbergh over the years.
- Updated
A Mexican food staple on South Fourth Avenue, Guillermo's Double L has been slinging tasty dishes since 1948.
It started as a drive-in barbecue joint, according to Star archives, and switched to Mexican cuisine four years after opening.
- Updated
The Kon Tiki first opened its door in 1962 with a Polynesian theme and Tommy Wong, the former chef from the Aku-Aku restaurant at the Stardust in Las Vegas.
The Kon Tiki lives on today as a popular college hangout and a source for strong mixed drinks with unique names that take their cues from far off island destinations.
- Updated
If you lived in Tucson in the early '70s, chances are you saw the Eegee's truck, serving slushy lemonade treats at locations around town.
Ed Irving and Bob Greenberg launched Eegee's in 1971. Today, the homegrown business has more than 20 locations across the city.
- Updated
Bianchi's has been feeding mouths on the west side of Tucson since 1980.
The restaurant was opened by Randy and Nancy Bianchi, who moved to Tucson from New York in 1976.
They opened Bianchi's on Silverbell back when that part of town was mostly desert, according to a 2014 article from the Arizona Daily Star.
- Updated
Sue's started as a trailer on South Fourth and East 35th St. in 1952, according to an article from the Arizona Sonora News Service.
A more permanent structure was built a year later, the article said, sporting a look and feel that has remained the same for decades.
- Updated
Crossroads Restaurant Drive In has a long culinary history going back to 1936.
The popular eatery started as an actual drive-in, and you could still order food in the parking lot as of 2009, according to an article in the Arizona Daily Star. (We have not checked to see if this is still a thing).
- Updated
El Corral has roots going all the way back to 1926, when a restaurant opened east of Oracle Road, according to El Corral's website, in the building where El Corral is today.
The restaurant has changed names and hands multiple times over the years. Today, it perhaps known best for its prime rib in its El Corral Cut ($21.99), Arizona Cut ($25.99) and Catalina Cut ($29.99).
- Updated
Revelers dance to pop music on the rooftop at the Playground for WMG'S We Are One Watershed Dance Rally. It was part of Arizona Gives Day. Video by AE Araiza
Lucky Wishbone has been part of the Tucson food scene since Derald Fulton opened the first location at 4872 S. Sixth Ave. in 1953.
Fulton had previously opened the popular Polar Bar on East Speedway in the late 1940s.
When Casa Molina, known far and wide as the restaurant with the giant bullfighter and bull out front, opened on East Speedway in 1947, it could comfortably seat about 16 in its dining room.
Today, Molina can seat more than 300.
The restaurant has attracted a wide clientele, serving the likes of John Wayne, Elizabeth Taylor and Charles Lindbergh over the years.
A Mexican food staple on South Fourth Avenue, Guillermo's Double L has been slinging tasty dishes since 1948.
It started as a drive-in barbecue joint, according to Star archives, and switched to Mexican cuisine four years after opening.
The Kon Tiki first opened its door in 1962 with a Polynesian theme and Tommy Wong, the former chef from the Aku-Aku restaurant at the Stardust in Las Vegas.
The Kon Tiki lives on today as a popular college hangout and a source for strong mixed drinks with unique names that take their cues from far off island destinations.
If you lived in Tucson in the early '70s, chances are you saw the Eegee's truck, serving slushy lemonade treats at locations around town.
Ed Irving and Bob Greenberg launched Eegee's in 1971. Today, the homegrown business has more than 20 locations across the city.
Bianchi's has been feeding mouths on the west side of Tucson since 1980.
The restaurant was opened by Randy and Nancy Bianchi, who moved to Tucson from New York in 1976.
They opened Bianchi's on Silverbell back when that part of town was mostly desert, according to a 2014 article from the Arizona Daily Star.
Sue's started as a trailer on South Fourth and East 35th St. in 1952, according to an article from the Arizona Sonora News Service.
A more permanent structure was built a year later, the article said, sporting a look and feel that has remained the same for decades.
Crossroads Restaurant Drive In has a long culinary history going back to 1936.
The popular eatery started as an actual drive-in, and you could still order food in the parking lot as of 2009, according to an article in the Arizona Daily Star. (We have not checked to see if this is still a thing).
El Corral has roots going all the way back to 1926, when a restaurant opened east of Oracle Road, according to El Corral's website, in the building where El Corral is today.
The restaurant has changed names and hands multiple times over the years. Today, it perhaps known best for its prime rib in its El Corral Cut ($21.99), Arizona Cut ($25.99) and Catalina Cut ($29.99).
More information
- States with the highest rate of alcohol dependence: Arizona ranks high
- 'Ginormous Food' TV show filming at several restaurants in Tucson this weekend
- Ranking fast food chains from most to least average calories
- Rodents, rotting food, roaches - 7 restaurants fail March Pima County health inspections
- Man struck by two cars on South Sixth Avenue dies from his injuries
- Morrissey Tucson show ends after 6 songs
- High winds ground air tankers in fight against Sawmill Fire
- Arizona lawmaker's invocation reignites dispute over prayer in House
- Tucson Real Estate: Baum’s Sporting Goods relocates northwest-side store
- Pima County seeks shutdown of Le Cave's Bakery after failed inspections
- Fire destroys car, carport at house on Tucson's northwest side
- This new book looks at iconic Tucson restaurants that are still around
View this profile on Instagram#ThisIsTucson 🌵 (@this_is_tucson) • Instagram photos and videos
Most viewed stories
-
27 exciting events to check out this weekend, January 16-18 💎
-
New eats! 10 new restaurants that opened in Tucson this fall
-
Tucson's twin winter music festivals kick off this weekend 🎵
-
What a delicious year: the best meals I ate in Tucson in 2025 💖
-
Nearly 50 fun events happening in the month of January! ✨
-
Looking ahead to Tucson's new and cool for '26
-
Horchata lattes and breakfast burritos: Tucson's Barista del Barrio opens 2nd location
-
Glitter and boas: Dress up '70s style for ABBA tribute show at the Rialto 🪩✨
-
Get ready to eat all the spicy tuna rolls you can at this viral sushi spot 🍣
-
Create the icy dessert of your dreams at this new frozen yogurt spot 🍨