Tucson is waking up from its sizzling summer coma and doing what it does best: eat! We've seen lots of buzzworthy restaurants open this September, from Sam Fox's Culinary Dropout to the sleek AC Hotel and its European-style bar.
Of course, we've also had a number of high profile closings. Goodness on Skyline announced today that it's calling it quits after two years. And the storied Thunder Canyon Brewery just closed after 20 years at the Foothills Mall. So, here are nine NEW spots to fill the void.
AC Hotel lounge bar
151 E. Broadway, 520-385-7111
Gin and tonic at the AC Hotel, $12, with Hendrick's Gin and imported Fever Tree tonic.
Pretend you're a business traveler and stop in for a cocktail at the trendy new AC Marriott downtown. The bar menu is small at this Spanish boutique chain, but they'll make you a gin and tonic that'll blow you away. (They do it the European way, in a big goblet with high-quality ice.) Plus, they have tapas! More info here.
Hours: 4 to 11:30 p.m. Sundays through Wednesdays, 4 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Thursdays through Saturdays
Button Brew House
6800 N. Camino Martin, Suite 160, 520-268-8543
Button Brewhouse is up at Ina and Thornydale near Catalina Brewing Company.
Button Brew House is tucked into a commercial business park just south of Ina Road near the I-10. The small tasting room has seven beers on tap including an interesting Tropical Monsoon IPA bursting with pineapple and stone fruit, lending to a surprisingly light mouthfeel for a 7 percenter. More info here.
Hours: 3 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 2 to 10 p.m. Fridays, noon to 10 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays
Classic Spaghetti Western Steakhouse
1535 N. Stone Ave., 520-792-1776
Artichoke antipasti platter at the soft opening for Classic Steakhouse.
Steak and spaghetti are the name of the game at Kade Mislinski's kitschy new concept Classic on Stone Avenue. Italian dishes like lasagna and shrimp scampi hover around $15, but you can also splurge on a plate of veal chops or a $32 Porter House. Menu here.
Hours: 4 to 10 p.m. every day with lunch hours coming soon
Culinary Dropout
2543 E. Grant Road, 520-203-0934
Dining space featuring high-top seating and televisions.
You probably know everything about this place already. It's got cornhole, monkey bread, valet parking and so much more. What's that? You haven't been to Culinary Dropout yet? You've been slacking. More info and menu suggestions here.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays
Dolce Vita
1800 E. Fort Lowell Road, Suite 168, 520-298-3700
This Italian-American joint has been in business since 1977, and its newest location is more intimate than ever. After a year hiatus, Dolce Vita has moved into a small space near Rosa's on Campbell and Fort Lowell. Menu highlights include fettuccine alfredo and the chicken parm sandwich (pictured above).
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, closed Sundays
Level Cup Coffee and Boba
1525 N. Wilmot Road, 520-347-7407
Level Cup's honeydew with strawberry popping boba, $4.
This eastside boba shop Level Cup serves a rich selection of boba drinks along with hot Vietnamese coffee, and cold Japanese coffee. Look out for their "popping boba" balls, which burst when you bite them. More info here.
Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.
Pizza Patrón
1785 W. Valencia Road, Suite 143, 520-207-0446
Pizza Patrón is a Dallas-based chain of takeout joints from the founder of Wingstop. Its first Tucson location in a Fry's shopping center on Valencia west of the I-19. The pies taste like Pizza Hut crossed with a Costco pizza, but the shop also has several Mexican-inspired flavors like the Mexicana with chorizo and jalapeños. Just takeout for now, no delivery.
Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays
Seis Kitchen
1765 E. River Road, Suite 131, 520-612-7630
Crispy fish tacos at the new Seis Kitchen, with a side of calabacitas squash.
Seis Kitchen's 3,287-square-foot space at Joesler Village looks brighter and airier than its previous iteration as the Italian restaurant Orenccios. It's still a pretty casual vibe though, with counter service and a full bar with margaritas and rum-spiked horchata. More info here.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Twin Peaks Pizza
7575 W. Twin Peaks Road, 520-572-6767
Twin Peaks Pizza used to be a Hungry Howie's.
From the owner of Dominick's, Twin Peaks Pizza is now open inside a former Hungry Howie's pizza joint up at Marana’s Continental Ranch. The small takeout counter makes one of the best slices I've had in recent memory, a floppy New York-style cheese that takes up a full plate (pictured up top). More info here.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
On the horizon for October:
- Anello Pizzeria on Sixth Avenue, Oct. 3
- Royal Room wine bar on Sixth Avenue
- Ragazzi Northern Italian Cuisine in Oro Valley
- Zayna Mediterranean moving into Molina's Midway spot
- Wild Garlic Grill moving to the Campbell and Skyline
- Baja Cafe's third location on Ina and Thornydale
- Red Desert BBQ on Prince, mid-October
— with reporting from Cathalena E. Burch
