The monsoon season is more than half over and rain, alas, has been scant so far.
Maybe if we conjure up what we love about the monsoon — gray clouds filling the skies, the calming smell of wet creosote, raindrops on the sidewalk — we can help it revv back up. Can’t hurt, right?
While we’re at it, the picturesque scene we’re dreaming about deserves a meal with comfy, cozy vibes. So here are four treats to try at local spots that all have great patio spaces, just in case, for watching the rain:
Churro bites and Tosti elotes from Tannas Botannas
Churro bites from Tannas Botannas.
954 W. Prince Road; 4426 S. Sixth Ave.
Dishes seasoned with cinnamon or treats that have a little bit of heat to them are both great choices for cooler, rainy days. Both have warm, comforting flavors that instantly give your insides a toasty feeling. At Tannas Botannas, you get the best of both.
Tanna Cole, the owner of Tannas Botannas, said that during monsoon storms, they tend to sell lots of Tosti elotes and churro bites. Once you try them both, you’ll realize why people tend to flock to those snacks as soon as it starts sprinkling.
Their churro bites consist of chunks of soft cinnamon-sugar-covered churros, loaded with dollops of whipped cream, slices of fresh strawberries, a drizzle of chocolate sauce and a maraschino cherry.
If you’re looking for something a little more savory and spicy, you should order their Tosti elotes. Tangy Tostito chips are smothered in fresh, warm corn, mayonnaise, hot sauce, crumbles of Cotija cheese, Tajin and a slice of lime. This nacho-like treat will give you all the fiery spice you need.
Slice of cake and monsoon-inspired dirty soda from 1989 Bakehouse
3355 S. Camino Del Sol, Green Valley
Thunderbolt dirty soda and almond cake from 1989 Bakehouse.
This popular Green Valley café has a sweet monsoon deal going on: Get a slice of cake and a monsoon-inspired dirty soda for $9. I stopped by on a cloudy morning, feeling all the cozy vibes as soon as a slice of almond cake was placed in front of me. This moist, fluffy cake was sprinkled with toasted almonds and a crunchy crumble, adding a nice texture contrast.
The slightly nutty and buttery flavors of the slice danced around in my mouth, making me feel as if I was wrapped up in a chunky knit blanket, surrounded by soothing rain sounds.
And I got to kick things up a notch with their dirty soda. I chose their thunderbolt drink — named after the monsoons and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base’s A-10’s —which consists of heavy cream, blueberry sauce and lemon soda. This baby blue drink had notes of citrus and sweet blueberry, and looked like those big blue puddles that appear after a storm, calling your name to run up and take a giant leap into them.
Salami panini from Holy Focaccia
Their panini service is located at Slow Body, 831 E. 17th St., on Thursdays at 5 p.m. and Saturdays at 2:30 p.m.
Salami panini from Holy Focaccia.
There’s nothing like biting into the golden-brown crust of a piece of focaccia bread. That buttery, garlicy flavor mixed with the pillowy bread is bliss. Now imagine all that goodness being held together by salami and perfectly melted cheese.
Holy Focaccia has a panini that includes salami, provolone, eggplant caponata and arugula, combining elements of grilled cheese and tomato soup into one glorious panini.
The cheese gets nice and melted thanks to the panini press, creating a flavorful base for the dish. Then, you get a mouthful of their eggplant caponata. Made with local vegetables from Pivot Produce, it tastes like a nice, homemade marinara dipping sauce.
“It’s a true ode to summer, and hearty enough for a rainy-day meal,” owner Rachael Colasanto said.
Chocolate milkshake from Monsoon Chocolate
3630 E. Fort Lowell Road
Chocolate milkshake from Monsoon Chocolate Cafe.
Chocolate makes everything better, especially when it’s paired with the fresh smell of rain. Over at the Monsoon Chocolate Café, you can grab a creamy treat made from its iconic chocolate.
Their chocolate milkshake or malt isn’t your average sickly-sweet delicacy. It uses a homemade chocolate ice cream that tastes like nothing you’ve ever had before. It has a velvety, rich flavor that feels like a giant hug after every sip.
If you’re looking for a hot treat instead, they also have a Sonoran hot chocolate that’s flavored with chiltepin and other spices. The best part: It’s topped with a plump vanilla bean marshmallow.
Did you catch Wednesday's thunderstorms? See a sped up video of the showers and lightning show from start to finish. Video courtesy of the University of Arizona Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences.
