From bakehouses to burgers, 20 restaurants debut in Tucson

From new coffee spots to Philly cheesesteaks, a variety of eateries opened in town over the winter. 

Next time your stomach is rumbling, check out one of the 20 new restaurants below. The best part: they all have air conditioning.

1989 Bakehouse

Starting out as a home bakery, 1989 Bakehouse gained a following thanks to its New York-style cookies. Now it has opened its first Tucson location, in the former Cafe Maggie space on Fourth Ave. You can expect to see a range of baked goods, lattes and savory bites on the menu. (See full story accompanying this article.) 

Location: 745 N. Fourth Ave.

Bamboo Noodle House

Bamboo Noodle House is the latest restaurant to call the former El Chinito Gordo and Club 21 building home, serving Chinese noodle dishes crafted from family recipes that span generations. The menu offers dishes such as orange chicken, spicy braised beef noodle soup and fried rice with chicharron. They also have boba and banana matcha lattes. (See full story accompanying this article.)

Location: 2920 N. Oracle Road

Barista Del Barrio

Midtown residents have a new option. The James Beard-nominated Barista del Barrio has opened a second location, in Borderlands. On Wednesday to Sunday mornings, you can head to their pop-up there in the Sam Hughes Neighborhood, where they serve a streamlined menu of coffee and grilled burritos. Chorizo burritos and their horchesso latte are also on the menu.

Location: 2500 E. Sixth St.

Brandylion

The team behind the gin-focused bar Juniper has a new venture. Brandylion has moved into the Presidio San Agustín del Tucson Museum, focusing on brandy and other cocktails. During the morning, you can also stop by for tea service.

Location: 200 N. Court Ave.

Cariño Coffee

After popping up at different locations with their coffee drinks, Itzel Herrera and Jonathan Ortiz have opened their first permanent location. The space features a pink interior and a menu of coffee drinks, including matcha lattes.

Location: 3305 N. Cardi Blvd.

Crossroads

Nearly three years after a fire damaged it, the South Tucson eatery — which first opened in 1936 — has reopened. It includes a buffet with items such as quesadillas, chimichangas and pozole. 

Location: 2602 S. Fourth Ave.

D’Kutsilyo

This new restaurant is bringing Filipino flavors to Tucson. The menu features dishes such as lumpia, adobo, crispy lechon kawali and pancit.

Location: 2938 E. 22nd St.

Deserto Frozen Yogurt and Café

Deserto Frozen Yogurt and Café offers frozen yogurt with a variety of toppings and flavors. The shop also has a drink menu with lattes and fruit-based tonic drinks.

Location: 5635 E. River Road

Holy Focaccia

Holy Focaccia has opened its first brick-and-mortar location. Rachael Colasanto and Zak Boucetta created a café inside Slow Body Beer, serving focaccia, baked goods and paninis.

Location: 831 E. 17th St.

Kaiju Burger

Rafael Del Cuesta, who previously ran Katsu House at Brick Box Brewery, opened Kaiju Burger. The restaurant serves wagyu smash burgers and matcha soft serve.

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Location: 220 E. Broadway

Lomo Grill

This local butcher shop has opened a restaurant next door, serving carne asada and other items. According to its website, burritos, burgers and homemade salsa are popular menu items.

Location: 1521 N. Wilmot Road

Los Milics Vineyards

This Elgin winery has opened its first Tucson tasting room. Customers can pair wines with a lunch and dinner menu. This month, a featured item is a Chandler’s Reuben made with mesquite-smoked corned beef, gruyére, sauerkraut and poblano-Russian dressing.

Location: 98 E. Congress St.

Nex

The building that once housed Ermanos now has a new tenant. Nex offers a menu with items such as tuna crudo, short rib and burgers. The space also includes a speakeasy called Afterlife.

Location: 220 N. Fourth Ave.

OaxaRico

OaxaRico has moved from its food truck location outside the Joel D. Valdez Main Library into a brick-and-mortar space that once housed The Little One. The restaurant serves mole, gorditas and molotes.

Location: 151 N. Stone Ave.

Presta

In January, Presta moved into a former Starbucks building in the Catalina Foothills and opened its fourth location. The menu includes drinks such as matcha lattes, cappuccinos and cold brews, as well as pour-over coffee sourced from countries including Ethiopia and Colombia.

Location: 4700 E. Sunrise Drive

Quesos on Fourth

This Fourth Avenue spot serves stuffed quesadillas with a range of fillings, including carne asada, garlic potatoes, chipotle aioli and caramelized onions. Each quesadilla comes with a cup of elote, and vegan and vegetarian options are available. (See full story accompanying this article.)

Location: 344 N. Fourth Ave.

Sisters

Located next to La Rosa, Sisters serves pizza, cocktails, pasta, sandwiches and ice cream.

Location: 800 N. Country Club Road

Slice & Ice

East-siders now have the chance to visit Slice & Ice for ranch fries, strawberry lemonade ice and pizza. Before starting Slice & Ice, Ed Irving was involved with Eegee’s. When the Eegee’s on Tanque Verde closed last year, he used the building to expand.

Location: 6810 E. Tanque Verde Road

Tuk Tuk Express

Tuk Tuk Thai has opened a location near the University of Arizona. Customers can order dishes such as pad thai and drunken noodles, with extended hours on weekends and delivery options available.

Location: 994 E. University Blvd.

Willy’s Philly’s

This food truck has expanded into a brick-and-mortar location, serving Philly cheesesteaks and hosting events such as spades and dominoes tournaments.

Location: 4652 E. Speedway

Coming soon 

• The Hills by Monica: In April, Ray Flores will open The Hills by Monica at 6960 E. Sunrise Drive. The café will feature a menu inspired by The Monica, the family's downtown homage to El Charro founder Monica Flin.
• Sydney's Sweet Shoppe: This east-side pie shop is opening a new location at La Toscana Village.