A lucha libre figurine is posed in front of a sign for Buena Vida.

As summer winds down, new restaurants are popping up! Some of these establishments opened during Tucson’s slowest season, while others — like Maynards and The Coronet — have reopened in anticipation of the students and snowbirds flying back home to Tucson.

Below are 8 spots that opened — or are scheduled to open soon — in recent months 🍔🍕

Bella’s Gelato Shoppe

2648 E. Speedway, 954-2843

Bella’s Gelato opened in the Speedway building that housed a Baskin-Robbins for several decades.

The popular gelato truck has finally established its brick and mortar in the heart of town! It’s the perfect place to try an affogato, the most decadent way to imbibe caffeine: espresso poured over creamy gelato. Their menu also offers fudge, vegan sorbettos and kosher-certified gelatos.

Bubbe’s Fine Bagels

1101 N. Wilmot Road

For those of you who keep up with my IG, you know that I’ve long been searching for an excellent bagel in Tucson. While some places might come close, like The Bagel Joint up in Oro Valley, I sense salvation is around the corner with Bubbe’s Fine Bagels, set to open on Oct. 1. Until then, they have been building hype on social media with pictures of their blistery fermented bagels and golden rounds of dough.

Buena Vida 

919 N. Stone Ave., 476-7159

Buena Vida Restaurant is located in the same building as the iconic Sahara Apartments.

Buena Vida is more than a restaurant serving up Mexican food. It’s a cultural venue, featuring murals by local artists on almost every wall, furniture hand-refurbished by the owner’s father, and sculptures from local artisans. They plan to expand into a cafe, as well as host lucha libre performances on a monthly basis.

Janet & Ray’s

5443 E. 22nd St., 372-7500

Fried catfish, potato salad and onion rings are Wednesday specials on Janet & Ray’s rotating menu.

Janet & Ray’s Caribbean Soul Restaurant is your new favorite place. You’ll be motivated to come back by their rotating menu, written by hand-on-chalkboard every day.

While Wednesdays offer delicious wing specials, they offer a decked-out Caribbean menu on Saturdays that cannot be missed (like I did, when I visited on a Wednesday 😭). I am especially excited to try their oxtail and their festival (Jamaican hushpuppies).

Meyer Avenue Cafe

353 S. Meyer Avenue, 444-5243

Meyer Avenue Cafe opens on Sept. 20. The cafe is founded by the minds behind Tucson favorite The Coronet, which just recently reopened! While we wait in anticipation for the cafe, check out their menu, previewed on their website.

It seems as though they’re looking to elevate classic brunch standbys, with a twist. Lil Dutch Babies instead of pancakes! Shakshuka! (exclamation point included) aka the most exciting eggs you’ll ever eat!

Salad and Go

5501 E. Speedway Blvd.

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While this location is the first franchise of the southwestern fast-salad chain in Tucson, they have a new location popping up on Tucson Marketplace and Kino Parkway this fall. While the menu is centered around their salads — which have toppings ranging from Thai peanut dressing to buffalo chicken — they also offer $2.99 breakfast burritos.

Thunder Bacon Burger

Pop-up at Sonoran Brunch Company, 1060 S. Kolb Road

Soon to open on 621 N. 4th Ave. Check their Facebook for updates.

Lindon "Lindy" Reilly, co-owner of Thunder Bacon Burger Co., will open in the former B Line.

Icon Lindy Reilly has returned to the burger scene with Thunder Bacon Burger, a burger joint inspired by Arizona-Sonoran flavors. Local ingredients will shine: He will fire roast his own green chiles, source beef from Forbes Meat Company and buns from Cafe Francais.

While Thunder Bacon Burger will eventually open in the former location of B Line, in the interim they'll be popping up in Sonoran Brunch Company on the east side.

Transplant Detroit Style Pizza

4605 E. Speedway327-2394

Transplant Detroit-style Pizza is from the masterminds behind Serial Grillers.

What makes pizza Detroit-style? It’s literally made in a rectangular pan, with toppings that spread all the way out to the edges. The crust is not the typical bready edge of a circular pie, but it’s not the nonexistent “thin crust” we unfortunate few regret from California Pizza Kitchen in the early aughts. Instead, it’s a thick bready edge that is itself crusted in toasted, fried cheese. The filet of the pie. Try it for yourself at Transplant, from the masterminds behind Serial Grillers!

On the horizon

  • La Cocina and TallBoys are set to reopen their patio at 201 N. Court Ave. in “mid-September.” Their reopening will include an expansion into the Dusty Monk’s old digs and, eventually, into the street between their courtyard and Ceres.
  • Sito’s Fresh Market, at 2545 E. Speedway, is tentatively opening at the end of September. The market will feature imported ingredients from Mexico alongside classic snacks like raspados.
  • The Delta, hailing from the owners behind The Parish, is still in the works for the space that used to be home to Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails.
  • Perché No, opening in the former space of Caffé Milano downtown, said on Facebook that they're "getting closer" to opening.

With reporting by Arizona Daily Star reporters Cathalena E. Burch and Gabriela Rico.


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