Every single day, Tucson Foodie will get tons of readers and by the tip of the yr, we’ve run out of fingers to maintain observe. Fortunately, we’ve bought on-line instruments to assist us out in that division.
Style of Havana (Picture courtesy of Mojo Cuban Kitchen & Rum Bar)
2022 was a giant yr for native eating places, bars, and companies. We noticed lots of new openings, entertaining food-themed occasions, fancy dinners, Sonoran Restaurant Week returned, and local chefs and restaurants were featured on a national level.
Under are the most-read articles of 2022. Which one do you suppose took the primary spot?
Right here’s a touch: preserve scrolling/studying.
10. 60+ Eating places, bars & meals vehicles that opened or reopened in 2022
(Picture courtesy of The Delta on Fb)
It’s protected to say the Tucson restaurant trade has been booming and bustling this yr.
From eating places making their first look on the town to these opening second and even third places all through the town, it’s with out query that the scene has seen its fair proportion of progress.
9. 25+ Eating places & bars open on Christmas
Assorted dishes at Fatman Kitchen (Credit score: Jackie Tran)
We searched round and located a number of choices for these hoping to get out of the home on Christmas, and it seems the article was a nicely sought-after learn. Positive, the vacations are gone and it’s a brand-new yr however you possibly can nonetheless take a look at the eating places and bars that made it onto this enjoyable checklist.
8. An inventory of eating places that briefly closed this previous summer season
Picture by Tim Mossholder on Pexels
Whereas the hotter days of summer season imply “ramp-up time” for eating places in lots of cities, trade folks right here in Tucson are accustomed to the other. As college students and snowbirds go on sabbatical, many restaurant house owners have created a behavior of following swimsuit, closing up store from days to months.
7. Mojo Cuban Kitchen & Rum Bar opened its doorways in midtown
Picture courtesy of Mojo Cuban Kitchen & Rum Bar
With a mission to convey “the tradition, rhythm, angle, and romance of Espiritu Cubano to Tucson,” the restaurant is an ancestral inspiration drawn from Nick’s kin who would go to Cuba earlier than the revolution. A type of was his great-grandfather, who fought alongside Cubans of their combat for freedom from Spain throughout the Spanish-American Conflict.
“We at all times needed to open a Cuban-themed institution and Tucson appeared to be in want of 1,” mentioned Nick Schaffer, Mojo Cuban Kitchen’s co-owner.
Read the full article here. Additionally, for a extra in-depth function on the restaurant, read Rita Connelly’s article.
6. By The Bucket opens its first location in Tucson
Picture courtesy of By The Bucket on Instagram
Since 2018, the restaurant group has been slinging spaghetti, meatballs, and marinara sauce into buckets, and the eating places have been multiplying ever since. Tucson’s east aspect, which is owned and operated by Tucsonan Mel Goff, is the primary space to get a peek on the menu, which options buckets in three sizes.
There’s a small bucket with a half-pound of spaghetti, the medium-sized bucket comes with a pound of spaghetti, and if you happen to’re aiming to order a big Household Bucket, anticipate one and a half kilos of spaghetti. Garlic bread is included with every tub and meatballs might be added for a further cost.
5. Foodie 15: Should-visit spots to eat & drink in Flagstaff
Tinderbox Kitchen in Flagstaff, Ariz. (Credit score: Jackie Tran)
Flagstaff isn’t only a pit cease on the best way to the Grand Canyon. Neither is it a vacationer lure — the meals scene and dedication to native components has exploded over the previous few years, making it worthy of a day journey, or higher but, a full-fledged meals trip.
There’s a lot to take a look at.
4. Your Visible Information to Conventional Mexican Pastries at La Estrella Bakery
Concha/Pan de Huevo/Esponja at La Estrella Bakery Inc. (Credit score: Jackie Tran)
Residing in Tucson means we’re fortunate to be in shut proximity to a number of genuine pan dulce choices and panaderías. La Estrella Bakery is a type of, and probably essentially the most well-known Tucson panadería, which is Spanish for bakery.
This text making the quantity 4 spot is fascinating as a result of it was first printed in 2016. It simply proves that Tucsonans love their pastries and supporting native bakeries.
3. Seize a slice of the South at Grandma Jones’ Candy Potato Pies
Grandma Jones’ Candy Potato Pies (Picture by Mark Whittaker)
The recipe for her pies is a secret that solely she and Grandma Jones actually find out about, however it’s a conventional Southern-style candy potato pie we’re speaking about right here. There are lots of people on the market that don’t like or respect an actual downhome candy potato pie, whereas others can’t get sufficient and are prepared to journey miles out of their approach to get one.
“I’d say about 97% of those that purchase my pies love them,” mentioned Shena McDuffie. “Candy potato pies aren’t for everybody. If you happen to don’t like pumpkin pie then it’s possible you’ll not like candy potato pie. It’s a texture factor, I feel. I don’t get offended if you don’t like my pies.”
2. First point out of Two Fingers Corn Canine coming to Tucson
Picture courtesy of Two Fingers Corn Canine on Fb
It’s been mentioned that it takes two to tango and that it additionally takes two to make a factor go proper. Then, generally it might probably require multiple hand to complete your meal. On this explicit state of affairs, two arms go completely with two Korean-style corn canines.
The primary installment got here to the nook of Glenn Avenue and Campbell Avenue, whereas the opposite is transferring in at 5421 E. Broadway Blvd. someday this yr.
And the primary article of the yr is… drumroll, please.
1. Noodies opens its doorways close to Speedway & Campbell
Gelato at Noodies (Picture by Melissa Stihl)
It was unhappy to see Bentley’s Home of Espresso and Tea shut its doorways at 1730 E. Speedway Blvd. Nonetheless, when one enterprise closes, it typically makes room for different culinary adventures.
The acquainted, freshly hand-made, and belly-warming pasta of CERES is obvious however contemplate Noodies a reimagined idea, versus being a duplicate of its sister restaurant.
