Let's talk Tucson's best restaurants! (Casas Adobes, Oro Valley: leasing, condo, hotel)

[Rcarbaugh]

My husband and I just moved here and were looking for suggestions on a few good restaurants. We're willing to travel around the city as long as it's good so any neighborhood is fine! Best authentic Mexican? Italian? Steakhouse? Complete hole in the wall? Sesfood? Asian and sushi? Give us your favorites.

[RickTucsonHomes]

Originally Posted by Rcarbaugh

My husband and I just moved here and were looking for suggestions on a few good restaurants. We're willing to travel around the city as long as it's good so any neighborhood is fine! Best authentic Mexican? Italian? Steakhouse? Complete hole in the wall? Sesfood? Asian and sushi? Give us your favorites.

Hey welcome! Glad you guys made it. What part of town did you end up in? I will make a start on your list! You will get lots of differences of opinions.

Authentic Mexican - LOTS of good mexican, all can be different but still good. But Mi Nidito is very good for the more authentic stlye. A little fancier night out I like El Charro

Steakhouse - For a night out with the honey Sullivans for a night out with the kids Pinacle Peak ( It great to go without the kids too but is a bit loud/Cowboy steakhouse. Great fun!

BBQ, you didn't ask but thought I would throw it in anyway. Brushfire BBQ , if you like something with some bite to it try the smoky chipotle sauce.

Asian - Chopstix in Marana

A local chain called eegee's has great sandwiches/fries and a flavor of the month eegee drink that is a one of a kind.

Best hole in the wall - Roma Imports Try the sausage,mushroom spinach lasagna. They have table you can sit down out or ready to go take out.
For a family owned deli try Dickmans Meat & Deli. For the best Sonoran hot dog in town Fatdogs, it's a roadside hotdog place. Track them on Facebook to know where the set up on any given day!

[SmurfOnABoat]

If you go to Pinnacle Peaks make sure you wear a neck tie!

[Rcarbaugh]

Originally Posted by RickTucsonHomes

Hey welcome! Glad you guys made it. What part of town did you end up in? I will make a start on your list! You will get lots of differences of opinions.

Thank you so much! We are leasing in Marana, we move into the house next week. We looked at houses all over, and a ton in Oro Valley but the space in terms of sq. footage and the price was worth the extra 10 minute drive from Marana. Until next week we are in a corporate condo in Starr Pass... what beautiful views!! Thank you for all your help, by the way.

[RickTucsonHomes]

Originally Posted by SmurfOnABoat

If you go to Pinnacle Peaks make sure you wear a neck tie!

[RickTucsonHomes]

Originally Posted by Rcarbaugh

Thank you so much! We are leasing in Marana, we move into the house next week. We looked at houses all over, and a ton in Oro Valley but the space in terms of sq. footage and the price was worth the extra 10 minute drive from Marana. Until next week we are in a corporate condo in Starr Pass... what beautiful views!! Thank you for all your help, by the way.

Great, glad you like it so far. Yes you will get a lot more house for the money in Marana, close to a lot of amenities also. If you need any other info for doctors, veterinarians, car repair etc, just post it here. Lots of people are glad to help.

[Jukesgrrl]

For a special evening, I'm a big fan of North at La Encantada. Great ambiance and food worth the money.

I love the Greek food at Opa!, east side of North Campbell, just a shade south of Blacklidge. They have every other Greek restaurant I've tried here beat hands-down. It's not easy to find, but keep looking. It's in a strip mall (what isn't?).

I have a lot of issues with pizza in Tucson due to the universally tasteless crust. But things are looking up with the advent of Bella Vita Pizzeria on Ina Road at Old Father (so that's close to Marana, if not in it). Real Italians work there. The crust is not bread-like thick or cracker-like thin and it's chewy (yay!) They seem a little overwhelmed by the attention they're getting though, so don't expect stellar service.

Go just a few blocks east on Ina (near Thornydale) to Jade Garden, my favorite Chinese restaurant to date. Good food and great value.

A little further east on Ina (at Shannon) is what I consider the best burger and fries. Grumpy's is a simple place that can't seem to decide if it is a family diner or a sports bar, but that's OK with me as long as they keep putting out grilled-to-order burgers and the hottest, most flavorful fries I've had in ages. I have no idea about the rest of the menu since a burger is the only thing I've ever eaten there. Friendly wait staff, too. My brother says they have breakfast, too, but I've never been.

I take visiting kids to Sauce at Casas Adobes Plaza (Ina and Oracle) and then next door to Frost for to-die-for gelato. I highly recommend Frogs Bakery in the same plaza for lunch on the patio or baked goods to go. But it's authentic French and therefore a bit expensive — all that butter in the croissants is pricey. But worth it. I take out-of-town guests there and they are jealous.

Good breakfasts at the various Jerry Bob's. I'm partial to the one on Cortaro Farms Rd. — that one would be closest to you, Rcarbaugh. Excellent sandwiches at the Beyond Bread outlets. Best subs at Jimmy Johns -- don't think Subway, think "I'm in New York."

I resisted going to Frankie's South Philly Cheesesteaks for years because I thought, "Seriously? In Tucson?" Well, I admit I'm an east coast snob who's been powned. They ARE that good. N. Campbell Ave., east side between Glenn and Grant.

I've typed enough, so I'm not going to discuss Mexican. There's too much to say. I will note, however, I do not share Rick's enthusiasm for El Charro. I know they're supposed to be world famous for carne seco but ... I've eaten at every one of their outlets and I've been underwhelmed at all and had terrible service at more than one. The casual El Minuto, downtown at the edge of Barrio Histórico, is definitely worth a trip. A bonus is it's next to El Tiradito, a famous shrine that is a unique, has-to-be-seen-at-least-once, Tucson cultural landmark.
El Tiradito Shrine an Ode to Local Hispanic Folklore

One final note re: "impress out of town guests ... and yourself, too." Don't ignore the famous and historic Arizona Inn on East Elm, near the university. It's a renowned restaurant and a unique setting, not merely a boutique hotel. You can have tea there or an elegant brunch or lunch in their garden. Dinner, too, of course, but that's out of my price range. We took my mother there for lunch on her birthday and she was enthralled.

Have fun exploring.

[magnum0417]

Moderator cut: snip Had a very good burger at Red Garter Grill. Good burgers. I know there has to be better options but you don't advertise them well for travelers coming in on I 10.

[Salpointe59]

Mexican, Casa Molina on either Speedway or Campbell
Western Steak, Pinnicle Peak on Tanque Verde,
Italian, Vivachi on Campbell and River Road
Chinese, China Rose on Speedway.

[whitem3]

Steak and Ribs - Daisy Mae's Steak House - Tucson, AZ - Home of the Finest Mesquite Steaks in Arizona

Italian - Caruso's Italian Restaurant, Tucson AZ