Dining out in Tucson during tough economic
times means being more descrete about choices. Although Tucson has
hundreds of excellent locally owned restaurants that are offer a wide
variety of menus, some restaurants fare better than others.
Of course, being so close to the Mexican
border, Mexican food is the top choice in dining out. Excellent Tucson
Mexican restaurants like El Charro and Larua's have fed customers for
decades.
It is rumored that in the 1940s, founder
Monica Flin would sit on the El Charro patio, sipping martinis from
teacups and playing cards with John Wayne, who was in Tucson to film
westerns. Today the restaurant is run by Carlotta Flores and her
husband, Ray.
The El Charro Cafe, America's oldest
family-operated Mexican restaurant, is located in a house built in the
1890s by Monica's father (who was also Carlotta's great-grandfather).
The restaurant's signature dish is Carne Seca Beef, a Tucson passion.
The beef is cured high above the restaurant's patio where strips of
thin-sliced tenderloin hang in an open metal cage. (ref: El Charro Café Cookbook).
Enjoy dining at one of our hosted restaurants in Tucson. Use discount restaurant coupons or gift certifcate from Restaurant.com for several restaurants in Tucson, AZ.
Tucson Entertainment Magazine is
building a Tucson restaurant and dining guide with listings, profiles,
reviews and information about Tucson restaurants. Browse Tucson Italian,
Chinese, Japanese, Mexican and fast food restaurants locations.
Mama Louisa's Italian Restaurant is an
anchor among italian restaurants in Tucson. Since 1956, Mama Louisa's
Italian Restaurant has continuously been serving the best in homemade
pasta and Italian cuisine.
And since then, Mama Louisa's Italian Restaurant has still been among one of the best rated restaurants in Tucson.
Lunch specials include all you can eat
soup and salad bar. There is also a pasta bar. Daily evening specials
are posted at the entrance or call the main phone number.
Mama Louisa's Italian Restaurant is located in southeast Tucson, just north of the Davis Monthan Air Force Base. Visit the Mama Louisa's Italian Restaurant web site.
One of the oldest Japanese
restaurants in Tucson, Bunbuku has a long reputation of excellent sushi
and homecooked food. Enjoy fresh sushi with Jimmy Hiroi, your chef and
owner. Now serving in Japanese Izikaya style.
Bunbuku has been a longtime fixture
on East Broadway, just west of Swan on the southside. Lunch specials are
often available. Reservations suggested, but not necessary.
Flavors of Tucson from America's
Oldest Family-Operated Mexican Restaurant (Hardcover) by Jane Stern
(Author), Michael Stern (Author)
The colorful history of El
Charro Cafe and the 150 recipes for vibrant, exciting Mexican food make
this book as unique and entertaining as the 80-year-old restaurant
itself. Old favorites and creative new Mexican dishes that are enjoyable
to cook and to serve fill the book. The greatest restaurants in America
are its wonderful independent regional restaurants. And there are no
greater experts on America's regional restaurants than Michael and Jane
Stern. "Coast to coast," said the New York Times, "they know where to
find the freshest lobster rolls, the fluffiest pancakes, the crispiest
catfish." Rutledge Hill Press is launching a new series of Roadfood
Cookbooks, each with recipes, pictures, and the history of one of
America's greatest regional restaurants.
Hardcover: 232 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (November 30, 2002)
Language: English
It may come as something
of a shock to fans of El Charro Cafe , Tucson's famous Mexican
restaurant, that its origins are more French than Spanish. Monica Flin's
parents both came from French stock, but when she opened her restaurant
in Tucson in 1922, it was Mexican food she chose to serve her
customers. The restaurant has moved several times since its founding,
but it has remained a family business. El Charro's southwestern cooking
relies on chilies, garlic, rice, corn, and a seasoning mixture called
pico de gallo, a spice rub used much the same as voguish Cajun blends.
It also calls for sun-dried beef, impossible to duplicate outside
Tucson, but for which the book offers a complex method of creating a
substitute. El Charro's salsas and stews are more readily duplicated,
especially for those with access to Mexican produce markets. This book
usefully documents the noble traditions of U.S.-Mexican border cuisine.
Mark Knoblauch. Recipes and lore from El Charro Café, a Tucson landmark
famous for its vibrant, fresh Mexican food.
Hardcover: 144 pages
Publisher: Running Press (November 4, 1998)
Language: English
By Suzanne Myal l (Author),
Jim Griffith (Introduction)
Ms. Myal's book is truly a
delight. Having once lived in Tucson, I quickly became a Mexican food
aficionado. Reading through "Tucson's Mexican Restaurants" brought back
all the terrific memories I have of sitting with friends and visiting
family members, enjoying a meal at one of the many Mexican restuarants
in the Old Pueblo. Whether you're looking for a guide book on where to
eat in Tucson or recipes of Mexican favorites, you'll find this book a
good resource. -an Amazon.com reader.
Paperback: 184 pages
Publisher: University of Arizona Press (July 1999)
Language: English
60 Tucson Restaurants Share Favorite Recipes and Stories: Benefits The Primavera Foundation
Tucson, Arizona, is
enriched with an amazing diversity of restaurants and for the past four
years has been host to a series of summer dining events known as
"Primavera Cooks!" -- a partnership between two local non-profit
organizations, the Primavera Foundation and the Tucson Originals. Tucson
Cooks! is a compendium of delicious, palate pleasing, appetite
satisfying, kitchen cook friendly recipes showcasing Tucson's gourmet
excellence from the city's finest dining establishments and includes not
only the recipes, but detailed descriptions, inspiring menus suggested
by the participating restaurants. From Blackberry Zinfandel Dressing;
Creme Brulee; and Tomato Concasse with Italian Sausage and Black
Mussels; to Saffron Whipped Yukon Gold Potatoes; Tahini Eggplant Salad
with Mesquite Bacon; and Green Corn Tamale Casserole, Tucson Cooks! will
quickly prove a family favorite for composing any dining occasion!
Paperback: 216 pages
Publisher: Treasure Chest Books (May 2000)
Language: English
