The sun is creeping out from behind the clouds and 80-degree weather is back in the forecast: Springtime is here in Tucson!
For the past few months, weβve had to endure the cruel desert winter where we put on our puffer coats and scarves to face the brutally cold 60-degree weather. But just like that, now the sunβs out, and we can wear our tank tops and shorts again.
Nothing says spring like an ice-cold horchata or a plate full of tacos beautifully decorated with a drizzle of crema and vibrant pickled red onions. From creamy lattes to slices of thin New York-style pizza, here are new places that opened around town this winter.
During their soft openings, Antojitos has offered their Sonoran dog combo meal which comes with a spicy dog, fries and your drink of choice.
Antojitos
After a few soft openings, Antojitos finally opened its doors on Friday, March 21. This new downtown spot is the newest addition to the Real Good Concepts family whose other places include La Chingada, Cruda Mariscos and Real Good Brunch.
Antojitos β which is next door to The Neighborhood, another one of the familyβs concepts β serves all the delicious Mexican street snacks weβve come to know and love like Sonoran dogs, fresh aguas frescas, loaded Tostitos and mini churros.
The colorful two-story building is also filled with TVs and a jungle gym, perfect for families who might be looking for a place downtown that all ages can enjoy.
Location: 63 E. Congress St.
More info: instagram.com/tucsonantojitos
Brett Turner, a barista at Decibel Coffee Works, makes latte art during a morning shift at 2631 E. Broadway.
Decibel Coffee Works
For years, Decibel Coffee Works has had long lines flowing out of the pick-up window at its MSA Annex location, with many customers happily waiting in line to get their caffeine fix. Now, it has opened a second and bigger location, bringing its delicious lattes to Sol Block on the Sunshine Mile.
At the end of January, Decibel Coffee Works moved into the same plaza that houses local favorites like Roccoβs Little Chicago and The Broadway Beer & Wine Bar. Its new space has all its classic coffee drinks, a few spots to sit and relax in, ice cream and a giant glass case filled with tasty pastries. (Tip: they have great matcha lattes!)
Location: 2631 E. Broadway
More info: decibelcoffeeworks.com
Haute Coffee
As you walk by True Food Kitchen at La Encantada, you canβt help but notice its new next-door neighbor. The wavy architecture and clean aesthetic instantly draws you in and before you know it, youβre ordering an iced latte.
The owners of the beloved Frost Gelato have opened Haute Coffee, a new coffee spot at the outdoor mall that serves authentic Italian espresso. Lavender matchas, various teas, cortados, lattes and more can all be found on the menu, each coming with a bright-red heart-shaped straw. They also have various pastries and croissants to go with your espresso.
Location: 2905 E. Skyline Dr.
More info: instagram.com/hautecoffeetucson
Smoke rolls off a Humo margarita, the house margarita at Humo Cocina Mexicana, 6671 N. Thornydale Road.
Humo Cocina Mexicana
Thereβs nothing better than perfectly plated tacos and Humo Cocina Mexicana knows what it takes to make sure its tacos look and taste like a million bucks. This new north-side Mexican spot serves all the classics: elote, enchiladas, ribeye parrillada and all kinds of tacos and burritos. The spot even has a giant mural inside that depicts two skeletons cheers-ing with shots of tequila.
According to its website, each of its dishes are made with the freshest ingredients to ensure its food transports you to the heart of Mexico with every bite.
Location: 6671 N. Thornydale Road
More info: humotucson.com
La Esquina opened on Jan. 18 in the historic Iron Horse neighborhood.
La Esquina
When you step foot in La Esquina, a new bar located in the historic Iron Horse neighborhood, you wonβt feel like youβre in Tucson. Youβll feel like youβre enjoying fancy cocktails somewhere in Europe.
The brick building is filled with green plants, art and chandeliers that resemble dandelions. They serve Mediterranean-inspired wine, local and imported beer and cocktails. They even have snacks, like pan con tomate with burrata, to go with your fancy drinks.
Location: 630 E. Ninth St.
More info: instagram.com/laesquinatucson
New York Pizza Department restaurant manager Mariana Millet sauces the crust of a pizza to prepare it for slices during lunchtime on July 18, 2023. NYPD opened a new location this year.
NYPD Pizza
New York-style pizza has come to the University of Arizona area! NYPD Pizza opened a second location, bringing along all favorites from its east-side location like slices, whole pies, salads, wings, subs and pasta.
The owner is a former Wildcat and UA football player, bringing his tasty food closer to his old stomping grounds. Scrolling through its Instagram and looking at the pictures of juicy buffalo wings and cheesy pizza will have you instantly craving a slice.
Location: 187 N. Park Ave.
More info: nypizzadepartment.com
Also on Oh My Chickenβs menu of Korean fried chicken is tteokbokki, which comes with fish cakes and half of a boiled egg.
Oh My Chicken
After gaining a cult following from its Park Place food court location, Oh My Chicken has finally opened its second location and first brick-and-mortar. This Korean fried chicken spot has customers addicted to their crispy yet juicy chicken, each smothered in your sauce of choice.
Fries, Korean corn dogs and chicken sandwiches are also on the menu here. My favorite has to be the sweet chili chicken tenders β I think I could eat them every single day and never get tired of them.
Location: 2745 N. Campbell Ave.
More info: instagram.com/ohmychicken.omc
Chef Travis Peters mixes up arugula for a sandwich at Transplant Pizza, 4603 E. Speedway.
Transplant Pizza
This Detroit-style pizzeria known for its thick crust and crispy pepperonis that perfectly curl up has recently opened a second location, taking over the Serial Grillers building on River and La Cholla.
The pizzeria, which is owned by the folks behind Serial Grillers, features dishes like its tasty Detroit pizza, chopped cheese sandwiches like the ones seen on the east coast, chicken sandwiches and focaccia bread sandwiches.
Recently, local chef and former partner at The Parish Travis Peters joined the Transplant Pizza team, adding some of his own flair to the menu.
Location: 1970 W. River Road
More info: transplantpizza.com
Ugly but Honest Pizzeria
Nick Heddings, the man behind Upper Crust Pizza and Arizona Pizza Company, has added another delicious pizzeria to his list. Ugly but Honest Pizzeria took over the old Wanslee Auto Sales building, paying homage to the iconic Ugly but Honest sign still standing tall outside the dealership.
At this outdoor spot, you can enjoy pizza slices that are bigger than your head. You can also order calzones, wings, garlic knots and salads to go along with your pizza that is anything BUT ugly.
Location: 733 S. Stone Ave.
More info: uglybuthonestpizza.com
Sally Shamrell-Murphy pulls curtains out of a box as her husband, Glenn Murphy, hangs them as the two prepare for the opening of UnCorkβd Kitchen & Bar, 6300 E. Tanque Verde Road, in early February.
UnCorkβd Kitchen & Bar
The owners of The Cork Tucson saw an overflow of customers during its popular happy hours, so they did the obvious thing: They opened a new spot next door.
UnCorkβd Kitchen & Bar is The Corkβs gastropub sibling, taking over the former Saddlehorn Saloon space. Owners transformed the country-themed bar into a spot that serves delicious food helmed by head chef Noah Tellez and specialty cocktails. Some of its dishes include truffle tots and the vegan Big Dipper that comes with butternut squash hummus, crispy chickpeas, beet chips and pita.
Location: 6300 E. Tanque Verde Road
More info: instagram.com/uncorked_bar
On the horizon
- Knellerβs Delicatessen:
- Knellerβs Delicatessen will be moving into 2545 E. Speedway, bringing Jewish delicacies like knishes, lox and pastrami to midtown. Jeremy Kneller-Hernandez is hard at working transforming the former carniceria, hoping his new venture will be up and running by summertime.
- Espressoul: This popular
- vegan espresso truck is opening its first brick-and-mortar this spring at 1525 N. Wilmot Road. Owner Eris Movahedi has taken the city by storm, creating delicious drinks like peanut butter lattes with banana cold foam, iced blueberry matcha lattes that taste like Fruity Pebbles and sβmores lattes topped with fluffy cold foam, crushed graham crackers and a toasted marshmallow.
- Slice and Ice: Ed Iriving, one of the masterminds behind Eegeeβs, is coming back to the east side.
- Slice and Ice, which is now on the west side, will be opening a second location in a former Eegeeβs building at 6810 E. Tanque Verde Road, bringing pizza, Italian heroes and gourmet Italian ice with him.
- Sonoran House/Redbird Scratch Kitchen: This new coffee shop and restaurant are teaming up to take over the empty Floraβs Market Run building at
- 2513 E. Sixth St., where the historic Rincon Market was once housed. Sonoran House will be setting up its coffee/tea bar and retail offerings in the dining room space, while Redbird will be taking over the kitchen.
