The Tucson food guide for out-of-town Arizona Wildcats recruits
The Old Pueblo is loaded with elite food prospects.
By Justin Spears / Arizona Daily Star
How to get a tasty meal in the Old Pueblo
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A Sonoran Hot Dog from El Guero Canelo, pictured during the annual Tucson Meet Yourself event in 2016.
It's the beginning of June and dozens of incoming freshmen student-athletes are flocking in to not only prepare for summer workouts, but enroll in classes and get their feet at the UA.
When they aren't studying or working out, the newest Wildcats might be seeking a bite to eat. And there are so many options to choose from.
Tucson's food scene has grown exponentially over the last decade and while the Old Pueblo is known for its plethora of must-eat Mexican food spots, whatever taste an out-of-town recruit is looking for can more than likely be found a short drive from campus.
On Monday, The Wildcaster sent out a tweet asking for local food recommendations for incoming freshmen, and these were the results:
Eegees
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Style of food: Sandwiches, slushees (flavor of the month is Orange Dream) and ranch fries
Closest locations to UA campus: 2470 N Campbell Ave, 1400 N Stone Ave, 2510 E Speedway Blvd
Mi Nidito
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The green chile cheese enchiladas from Mi Nidito, 1813 S Fourth Ave.
Style of food: Mexican
Location: 1813 S 4th Ave
Fun fact: Former U.S. president Bill Clinton ate at Mi Nidito on Feb. 25, 1999. Following Clinton's meal, the restaurant honored him with an item on the menu known as the President's Plate, which includes a bean tostada, birria taco, chile relleno, chicken enchilada and a beef tamale.
Teresa's Mosaic Cafe
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These steak tacos, $9.50 for a plate, give you all the fajitas without the work.
Style of food: Mexican
Location: 2456 N. Mosaic Drive
Fun fact: Was featured on Bobby Flay's Throwdown on Food Network in 2010.
El Guero Canelo
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Sonoran Dog, left, and Sammy Dog, right, at El Guero Canelo, 5201 S. 12th Ave. in Tucson, AZ. Sammy Dog is the same as Sonoran but with two wieners. Photo taken Wednesday, November 26, 2014. Photo by Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star.
Style of food: Mexican
Locations near UA campus: 2480 N Oracle Rd, 5201 S 12th Ave
Fun fact: The owner, Daniel Contreras, opened up his first hot dog stand in Tucson in 1993. Now his restaurant is known for its bacon-wrapped Sonoran hot dogs.
BK Tacos
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Style: Mexican
Location: 2680 N 1st Ave
Beyond Bread
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Beyond Bread won the 2017 Readers' Choice Award for Best Bakery.
Style of food: Bakery, sandwiches
Closest location to UA: 3026 N Campbell Ave, Post TSA security at Tucson International Airport
Diablo Burger
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Branded, hand-made English muffins are used as buns at Diablo Burger. The 6-ounce patties fit perfectly on them.
Style of food: Burgers, comfort food, late-night grub downtown
Location: 312 E Congress St
Lucky Wishbone
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Lucky Wishbone's menu is short and simple: fried chicken, shrimp, "steak fingers" and french fries. But it's kept Tucsonans coming back for the past 60 years.
Style of food: Fried chicken, shrimp and steak fingers with fries
Locations closest to UA: 2545 N Campbell Ave, 2712 E 22nd St
No Anchovies
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A line a couple of hundred strong waiting to get into No Anchovies at Main Gate Square to watch Arizona's Sweet Sixteen game vs Xavier, Thursday, March 22, 2017, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Style of food: Pizza, wings, salads
Location: 870 E University Blvd
Frog & Firkin
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Style of food: Pub, pizza, salad, wings
Location: 874 E University Blvd
Prep and Pastry
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Prep & Pastry's duck confit hash, with pulled duck, diced potatoes, dehydrated cabernet cherries, and a herb cherry mousse.
Style of food: Breakfast, comfort
Location closest to UA campus: 3073 N Campbell Ave
Trident Grill
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Erick Sowle, left, and Elyse Abbott celebrate getting a correct answer during Geeks Who Drink trivia night at Trident Grill, 2033 E. Speedway.
Style of food: Seafood, bar
Location closest to UA campus: 2033 E Speedway Blvd
Baja Cafe
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The Baja Cafe's snickerdoodle pancake is a great way to start the day.
Style of food: Southwestern breakfast
Location closest to UA campus: 2970 N Campbell Ave
Fun fact: Was featured on Food Network's You Gotta' Eat Here.
Sausage Deli
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The food will remain mostly unchanged at the new location, including the popular Omar.
Style of food: Deli
Location: 754 E Grant Road
Wings Over Broadway
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Wings Over Broadway wins the 2017 Readers' Choice Award for Best Chicken Wings. Other favorites are Buffalo Wild Wings, Barrio Brewing Co. and Rocco's Little Chicago.
Style of food: Chicken wings
Location: 5004 E Broadway Blvd
Silver Saddle Steakhouse
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Silver Saddle Steakhouse wins the 2017 Readers' Choice Award for Best Steak. Other favorites are Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar and El Corral.
Style of food: Steak, barbecue
Location: 4851 E Benson Highway
Fun fact: Comedian Adam Sandler at at Silver Saddle the last time he was in Tucson. Former presidential republican candidate Ben Carson also ate there.
Mr. An's Teppan Steak and Seafood
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K.C. An jokes with customers and a chef at Mr. An’s Teppan Steak and Seafood Sushi Bar in Tucson in 2010.
Style of food: Teppanyaki steak, seafood, sushi
Location: 6091 N Oracle Rd
Caruso's Italian Restaurant
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Caruso's Italian Restaurant
Style of food: Italian
Location: 434 N 4th Ave
El Charro
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The chimichanga, a fried burrito, was first made at El Charro in Tucson, although there are those who dispute that.
Style of food: Mexican
Closest location to UA campus: 311 N Court Ave
