New eats! 15 new restaurants that opened in Tucson this spring
This spring, Tucson is lucky to be getting a few kinds of new restaurants we haven't seen before: Bolivian street food, Moroccan-inspired sandwiches and Ethiopian mead called tej. 15 new restaurants opened in Tucson this spring, including American Eat Co. and Fox Restaurant Concepts. These restaurants offer Bolivian street food, Moroccan-inspired sandwiches and Ethiopian mead called tej. The first Doughbird locations were in the Phoenix metro, and the second Doughbird location was in Phoenix. Other restaurants such as Che’s Lounge, Flower Child, The Eddy Hotel, Pin + Flour, and The El Capita are located in the Foothills.
Published : 11 months ago by Ellice Lueders in
I love the pace of Tucson’s summers, their lack of traffic and urgency. The inherent bond that emerges between everyone who remains here after the heatwave begins: we love this place, are tied to this place, enough to stay.
But opening a restaurant in Tucson’s springtime can be a daunting prospect. Our slow summer has already started and will only get sleepier for months. This year, though, restaurant openings have been pushed back by dilemmas in supply chains, paperwork and construction deadlines: restaurants must open as soon as they’re ready.
Despite these obstacles, Tucson is lucky enough to be getting a few kinds of food that we haven't seen before: Bolivian street food, Moroccan-inspired sandwiches and Ethiopian mead called tej have all arrived in Tucson this season.
Adis Refresqueria started as an Instagram page, where owner Adilene Castro would cater events with her aguas frescas and custom candy mixes. Now, the refresqueria has evolved into a vendor at American Eat Co. selling antojitos like churros and paletas in addition to her classic menu.
This chicken-and-waffle spot was founded in Kansas City and their Tucson location was their third location overall — and their first franchise to open outside of Missouri. Their menu features bubble waffles and bone-in and boneless chicken and tenders dipped in a choice of 10 sauces, including maple and Nashville hot.
This rotisserie chicken and pizza restaurant is part of Fox Restaurant Concepts, a major player in the industry that got its start in Tucson. Though the first Doughbird locations were in the Phoenix metro, they’ve come home to a midtown location opening May 31.
Another Sam Fox concept, Flower Child is the kind of restaurant that you can find at a fancy mall in Denver, in Washington, D.C. walking distance from the White House, and now in Tucson. They serve avocado toast, salads and grain bowls.
Named after a Moroccan lamb sausage, this late-night sandwich cart is posted up at Che’s Lounge some weekends. Their menu is centered around Moroccan-style sandwiches filled with merguez sausage, chicken, halloumi or a vegan option with grilled veggies. Their sandwiches' Khboz (bread) has been custom-baked by local baker Holy Focaccia. For dessert, they have a pastry called Briwat, made out of puff pastry; delicate, slightly sweet cheese and honey.
This midtown pasta shop advertises itself as to-go, but they do have a dining room. Their menu rotates around a few mediums: pasta, pizza and subs. Each is customizable, and you can also order sides like salads and Italian desserts.
The Eddy Hotel is a new Hilton hotel in the Foothills, and Pin + Flour is its restaurant. Their brunch menu features its cocktails and wine options in as much space as its food options (which include classics like pancakes, French toast, omelettes and benedicts). Its dinner menu is classic American with a few Sonoran touches.
Tucson mourned André Newman when he died in 2020. The popular acai food truck he began has returned with new owners, who were close friends of his. Their organic acai bowls can be found across town in this mobile operation.
Topics: Arizona, Tucson