When it comes to Tucson's dining and drinking scene, everyone seems to have an opinion. There was fierce controversy on Facebook yesterday about TripAdvisor's list of Top 10 restaurants, which had the Flying V Bar & Grill at #1.
Also this week, two Phoenix-based publications set their eyes on Tucson. The lifestyle website AZ Culture just put out its "Top Dive Bars of Tucson" with 10 spots including The Bambi on Speedway and The Golden Nugget Tavern.
The top of this writer's list? The Rusty Nail Tavern, 4415 N. Flowing Wells Road, which earned an 8 out of 8 on the "DiveScale." This is what the author had to say:
"Rusty Nail Tavern ... has the perfect dive exterior. (Including) the faded, ripped awning, painted signage and a pigeon that looked like he came with the building ... Once inside, the walls and ceiling were covered in paraphernalia and creatively decorated and signed ceiling tiles."
Also this week, the Arizona Republic came out with a travel piece on Tucson for its Destination Arizona series. In the first sentence, it summed up our great city with this wonderful quip:
"Tucson is most popular with two sets of people: college students and parents of college students."
The article continues with a list of recommendations for each restaurant demographic. Here's a summary:
Best breakfast spot: 5 Points Market and Restaurant
Best coffeehouse: Exo Roast Co.
Best lunch spot: Empire Pizza
Best family dinner: Thunder Canyon Brewery
Best special-occasion dinner: Grill at the Hacienda del Sol
Best restaurant for a first date: Café Poca Cosa
Where the locals go: Dirtbag's ("The vast majority of locals in central Tucson are college students who tend to congregate where affordable food and alcohol is served.")
Best place to eat healthy: Lovin’ Spoonfuls
What do you think? Are they spot on, or has all that traffic and excessive heat left them a little clueless ...
