We may only be about halfway through the year, but Tucson has already lost 17 local restaurants — both newcomers and old favorites.
From a retro nightclub to a spot that was featured on “Bar Rescue,” here are 17 local eateries that shuttered their doors in 2024. We’ll keep this list updated throughout the year. (For restaurant openings, though, check out our latest story on new eats in Tucson.)
Keep in mind: Other restaurants, like Magpies on Fourth Avenue, have closed specific locations this year. Those businesses aren't included here since you can still find their food elsewhere in town.
Alejandro's Serious Mexican, Mariscos & Fusion Food
Alejandro Diaz, owner of Alejandro Serious Mexican restaurant, 7850 N. Silverbell Road, prepares ribeye tacos while cook Angelica Cordova puts a finished combination plate on the food line on Aug. 31.
This sit-down restaurant at 7850 N. Silverbell Road in Marana opened its doors in 2022 in honor of the owner's late brother. The menu included classic Mexican dishes like tacos, ceviche and enchiladas alongside inventive dishes like a cheesesteak-inspired burro and jalapeño crab puffs.
The restaurant announced its closure on July 24, stating: "While I could continue running the location, I foresee overall costs increasing. This makes it nearly impossible to run the business as I would want without incurring heavy debt."
The family expressed gratitude toward the community, staff and landlords.
"We have poured our heart and soul into this venture," the announcement said.
Barbizza’s
Barbizza’s, 6310 E. Tanque Verde Road served up Memphis-style barbecue and pizza for three months before they closed their doors this spring.
Their social media pages and website have since been taken down, and a lock-out notice from the landlord, dated Feb. 26, was seen taped to the window in March.
Blush Restaurant
The stage at Blush After Dark. The vintage-inspired nightclub hosted DJs and other forms of live entertainment.
Through recent years, several eateries have opened and closed at 340 N. Fourth Ave. Blush is the latest.
The restaurant and nightclub with a '50s and '90s mashup theme opened in August 2023, as reported by #ThisIsTucson. Blush closed earlier this year.
Since Blush's closure in January, Black Iris Cafe has moved in and is now serving up classic American comfort food.
Cinco Cantina
Even “Bar Rescue” couldn’t save this local cantina — it closed before the episode even aired.
Cinco Cantina, 3682 W. Orange Grove Road, closed in January. Their “Bar Rescue” episode (featuring Arizona Daily Star reporter Justin Spears) aired in March.
“I want to thank all of my loyal customers for your patronage and support over the last few years. I have met so many great people and made some wonderful and lasting friendships. I will miss all of you but I know I will see some of you around town. Please continue to support all local area businesses. They rely on you to keep their doors open,” owner Cathy Whaley wrote on Facebook.
Tio Ben's Mexican Grill has since opened in the location.
Claire’s Cafe & Gallery
Claire’s Cafe & Gallery, 16140 N. Oracle Road, closed in late April after 38 years of serving Catalina and Tucson's north side. The restaurant featured breakfast and lunch classics, alongside lots of artwork on display and a motto: "Where good friends meet to eat."
Owner Claire Johnson announced the closure on Facebook, citing retirement.
“Please stop by and sign our guest book. Thank you,” the restaurant wrote on Facebook.
Coyote Pause Cafe
After 17 years in business, this restaurant on the far west side closed in February as the owners made the decision to retire. The restaurant was at 2740 S. Kinney Road.
“We hope you enjoyed our Southwest comfort food as much as we loved serving you,” the restaurant said on Facebook.
Goodness
Goodness, located at 2502 N. Campbell Ave. and known for their plant-based lunches and juices, went on hiatus during the holidays late last year.
The temporary closure for Goodness turned into a permanent one, but there's a slice of good news: the eatery is turning into a taqueria dubbed Casa Asada.
Hillhouse Coffee
Hillhouse Coffee, 1060 S. Kolb Road, closed its doors at the end of January after opening their first location in 2022 and the Kolb location in summer 2023.
“Thank you Tucson for the support over these last few years. We’ll miss you,” Hillhouse Coffee wrote on Facebook.
The spot on Kolb Road was previously home to Sonoran Brunch Company which closed in May 2022. A “coming soon” sign now hangs for Mexican fast food eatery Losberto's.
Kappy's Bar & Sandwich Place
After decades of serving up sandwiches and beer, Kappy's, 2190 N. Wilmot Road, closed its doors in April. Longtime customers grieved the closure on social media, calling Kappy's their favorite spot in town.
A sign for a pending liquor license application now hangs on the door, dated May 3.
Monsoons Tap & Grill
Monsoons Tap and Grill at 6781 N. Thornydale Road.
After 11 years, Monsoons Tap & Grill, 6781 N. Thornydale Road, closed on May 20.
The restaurant that prided itself on serving Arizona craft beer announced their closure on social media.
“It's with a heavy heart that we have to tell you Monsoons is closing its doors after 10-plus years. We want to thank all the friends we have made throughout the years for your support. We couldn't have done it without you. There are so many memories that will always be with us,” they wrote on Facebook. “It was really great to see everyone the last couple of days. Words cannot express our true appreciation, but a huge thank you to all.”
Oralia
Oralia opened its doors in spring 2023, first serving pastries and coffee, then expanding its menu to include burros and classic breakfast and lunch favorites.
Oralia, 501 N. Sixth Ave., cited renovations for a temporary closure in late March. By mid-June, a "for lease" sign from Righteous Realty Company was seen hanging at the building.
PopHeads
PopHeads at 845 E University Blvd. in Tucson, Ariz. on March 28, 2023. The shop opened in June 2022 and closed in May 2024.
Local popsicle shop PopHeads, 845 E. University Blvd., closed its doors on May 24. Initially opening as Peace, Love & Pops in 2022, the shop served handmade popsicles including the red-and-blue “Ice Cat” in honor of the University of Arizona.
“It’s been an awesome run but all good things come to an end,” they wrote on Instagram.
“It was promising while the kids were there, but when the kids were gone, it’s a ghost town down there. I don’t know how those businesses survive,” owner Jim Roberts told the Arizona Daily Star.
Red Captain Coffee
Red Captain Coffee served up specialty coffee alongside breakfast burritos in a little red trailer parked at 4004 N. Stone Ave. They closed in late May.
"This journey has been filled with countless cups of coffee, heartfelt conversations and the joy of a real sense of belonging in our community," they wrote on Instagram. "We want to extend our deepest gratitude to each and every one of you. Your support, smiles and loyalty have made this experience truly unforgettable."
Robert's Restaurant
Robert’s Restaurant, a Tucson institution for 42 years, quietly closed in May and the building at 3301 E. Grant Road will soon be home to the area’s fourth Rancheros Carniceria.
Robert's Restaurant has been around since 1978, originally at a different midtown location before moving to 3301 E. Grant Road 14 years later. The breakfast and lunch eatery was known for its cinnamon rolls and hand-pounded chicken fried steak.
Boyd Bartke, who is the son of the restaurant’s founders and ran Robert's for 21 years, sold the business in September 2021 to Tucson businessman Kyle Knutson and his partners, who sold the restaurant in January to Luis Lopez.
“We had people who would come twice a day,” Bartke told the Arizona Daily Star. “They would come in for breakfast and they were back for lunch or an early dinner.”
The building will eventually be home to the fourth location of Lopez's Rancheros Carniceria. Lopez hopes to open by October or early November.
“I didn’t sell it because it was failing. I was tired,” Bartke said.
Squared Up Pizza
Squared Up Pizza uses fresh pepperoni and co-owner Mario Badali’s family recipe for Sicilian pies.
Squared Up Pizza, 5870 E. Broadway, closed their spot in Park Place Mall's food court in early April. The pizzeria opened in 2022.
“The overhead has proven to be too high for us to continue going down that path to build our brand. We love and appreciate every single one of you that has supported us along the way these first 2 years,” they wrote on Instagram, adding that they will be back.
The Low Down
The Low Down, previously known as The Drunken Chicken at 429 N. Fourth Ave., closed in late March.
Since then, their Instagram page has been taken down and Coop by Cowpig, which was previously in local food hall American Eat Co., has moved into the Fourth Avenue spot.
The Sweet Coqui
The Sweet Coqui food truck whipped up sweet treats with a Puerto Rican twist. The food truck rolled out in 2020 and participated in numerous local events including Tucson Meet Yourself.
The family behind the truck is moving back to Puerto Rico this summer. The Sweet Coqui closed in late April.
“It's been my honor to serve you. I have loved sharing my culture with many of you, serving a warm, tropical hug disguised as a quesito or a tembleque,” The Sweet Coqui shared on Instagram. “I have proudly served a memory, a piece of home, a bittersweet smile to my fellow homesick Boricuas, in the form of a cookie or a bite of flan. I hope I represented our people, our culture, our flavors, our island, with the monumental respect and honor that it so deserves. Boricua hasta en la luna.”
