22 Tucson restaurants that closed their doors this year 😥

We've had to say some tough goodbyes this year to both newcomers and old favorites in Tucson's vibrant food scene.

From a retro nightclub to a spot that was featured on “Bar Rescue,” here are 22 local eateries that shuttered their doors in 2024. :(

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

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. Noodleholics has since moved into the space.

Blush Restaurant

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.

Five-To-Oh! Coffee

While walking around the historic Pima County Courthouse, located at 115 N. Church Ave., you could always count on Five-To-Oh’s walkup window for a caffeine fix. Sadly, the coffee spot announced its closure in November after three years of business. On Instagram, they thanked the community for all the memories and connections that were made over the years.

“As we prepare to close this chapter, we can’t help but feel a profound sense of appreciation for the memories and connections made within these walls. Thank you to everyone who has supported our little, local coffee shop,” their Instagram post said.

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, and the space has since turned 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. The building is now home to El Brunch Bistro.

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.

Ken’s Hardwood BBQ

This beloved barbecue spot at 5250 E. 22nd St. closed their doors in October. Owner Ken Alexander spoke about the closure on their website, thanking customers for their support.

“It has been an incredible journey, and we are immensely grateful for the loyalty, friendship and community you have shared with us over the years. Serving you was a true honor, and the memories we’ve created together will always hold a special place in our hearts,” their website says.

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Though their brick-and-mortar is closed, Ken’s Hardwood BBQ will continue to offer catering services.

The Low Down

The Low Down, previously known as The Drunken Chicken at 429 N. Fourth Ave., closed in late March. 

Coop by Cowpig, which was previously in local food hall American Eat Co., has moved into the Fourth Avenue spot.

Monsoons Tap & Grill

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.”

Mr. Patron

Mr. Patron, which was known for their Mexican-style sushi, closed its doors this year. The restaurant was located at 5754 E. 22nd St.

In September, Mr. Patron posted on Facebook announcing their closure, thanking their customers for their support throughout the years.

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. Chez Peachy has since moved into the space.

PopHeads

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.

Robert's Restaurant

Robert's Restaurant had 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 become home to the fourth location of Lopez's Rancheros Carniceria.

“I didn’t sell it because it was failing. I was tired,” Bartke said.

Squared Up Pizza

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.

Sand-Reckoner Vineyards

The owners of Willcox’s Sand-Reckoner Vineyards are calling it quits after 15 years. In August, the winery closed its seven-year-old downtown tasting room at 510 N. Seventh Ave. 

“We now find ourselves at the end of this journey,” owners Rob Hammelman and Sarah Fox said in a statement which thanked customers for “the opportunity to be on your tables to share our love of Cochise County with you.”

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 Sweet Coqui closed in April as the family behind the truck moved back to Puerto Rico over the summer. 

“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.” 

Tran’s Fats

When opening in 2022, Tran’s Fats became a fan favorite in Tucson as many made the trip to Hotel McCoy for dumplings and potato mochi. After folding more than 60,000 dumplings over the last couple years, owner Jackie Tran announced the food truck's December closure. 

“Being a restaurateur has been a dream of mine since childhood, so I'm glad I was able to have a food truck checked off my list. Deep down in my heart, I still want to open a neighborhood brick-and-mortar to feed the community. But the timing for that isn't right yet. We'll see what the future holds,” Tran said in an Instagram post.

Unitea

University of Arizona grad Ethan Pham first opened Unitea in Michigan, bringing mochi doughnuts, bubble waffles and boba to Ann Arbor. But Pham's family still lives in Tucson and he lived here for several years, so he decided to open a second location near the UA at 1710 E. Speedway.

While the location in Michigan is still open, the Tucson location closed its doors this year. Unitea's phone number is no longer in service, Google has deemed the location permanently closed and the decor and tables inside the building have been removed.