City: Tucson, AZ

Category: Restaurants

Address: 3026 N. Campbell Rd.

City: Tucson, AZ

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (520) 325-3767

Address: 2501 E. 6th St.

Description: You won’t find any ads for Bob Dobbs. One of Tucson’s best-kept secrets, this local sports bar is reputed to have the best burger in town—the Bob Burger. A huge bun with two 4-ounce patties (made with a special mix of garlic, Worcestershire, and soy), it’s topped with cheddar and comes with tomato and lettuce on the side. Bob’s is right next to Rincon Market on 6th Street.

City: Tucson, AZ

Category: Restaurants

Address: 21 locations

Description: The story behind eegee’s is the American dream come true. In the early ’70s, two college students were looking for a way to earn some money when one of them remembered the Italian ices he had loved as a child in New York City. They came up with a recipe for lemon ice, sold the ices from a used vending truck, and the rest, as they say, is history.The lemon ices remain the mainstay of the menu (there’s nothing like an ice-cold eegee’s on a hot summer’s day). Other flavors are offered monthly. Hot and cold sandwiches, called grinders, are available as well as salads. Open for lunch and dinner daily, there are 21 eegee’s locations throughout the Tucson area.

City: Tucson, AZ

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (520) 229-2124

Address: 7109 N. Oracle Rd.

Description: Five-star chef Jean-Luc Labat, a native of France, makes super sandwiches using homemade organic breads made right in the on-site bakery. You can build your own or go for the classic croque monsieur, a melty mouthful of thinly sliced ham, creamy béchamel, and nutty Emmental cheese on pain de miel. Warm open-faced sandwiches are for hearty appetites; made on organic whole-wheat bread, they come piled with roasted chicken, sautéed veggies, or pastrami. You can even request gluten-free bread for a nominal extra charge. If you want to make your own sandwich at home, get a batch of buttery croissants or a crusty artisan bread to go. If you want dessert, the choices are mouthwatering: pastries, pies, tarts, cakes—it’s all here! Breakfast and lunch are served, too. Closed Mon.

City: Tucson, AZ

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (520) 207-2384

Address: 431 N. 4th Ave.

Description: Don’t be afraid. Lindy’s may look a little scary but the burgers are worth it, so go on in. Big and super juicy, they are grilled to perfection. Get the Lindy’s original, just meat, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and Lindy’s special sauce. That’s all you need. Gluttons can go for the triple Lindy: three layers of beef plus bacon, onion rings, fried eggs, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, mustard, and ketchup. Are you game? Adam Richman of television’s Man v. Food took it on and won. See how you do. Open daily.

City: Tucson, AZ

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (520) 326-6358

Address: 5056 E. Broadway

Description: The space may be small but the sandwiches here are big—and tasty. Especially the signature Philly cheesesteak. Thin-sliced rib eye steak, grilled onions, peppers, and gooey American cheese are all stuffed into an Italian roll. What’s not to like? The owner here is from Philly, so he should know. There are 21 (yes, 21!) other sandwich choices here. There’s even one for breakfast. Lunch never looked so good. Open Mon through Sat. P.S.: A cupcake bakery is right next door in case you’re hungry for dessert.

City: Tucson, AZ

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (520) 624-0891

Address: 1202 W. Niagara St.

Description: Pat’s chilidogs are known citywide, especially by those folks who were teenagers in Tucson during the ’50s and ’60s. It was a great place to take a date after a school dance or a movie. Today Pat’s still serves inexpensive, good food for lunch and dinner daily. Great care is taken to ensure customers get the kind of food they remember. And just because the dogs are the highlight here, don’t shun Pat’s burgers, fries, or onion rings. All have been named favorites in area polls year after year. Parking can be tricky. There are a few spaces right on the lot, or you can try parking on a side street.

City: Tucson, AZ

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (520) 623-8182

Address: 2334 N. 1st Ave.

Description: University students and faculty flock to this tiny eatery for some of its most unusual sandwiches, made with quality cold cuts, cheeses, and breads (but no sausage). The Susie Sorority is turkey with Havarti on whole wheat with tons of mayo, tomato, and sprouts; the Artichoke Reuben uses chokes instead of sauerkraut to top off the hot corned beef. The regular Reuben is called the Reuben Goldburger. All sandwiches can be served submarine style. Lunch specials come with a choice of chips or one of the deli salads. Beer, sodas, juices, tea, and lemonade are available. Party subs come as long as 3 feet. Sausage Deli is open Mon through Sat from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

City: Tucson, AZ

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (520) 299-7799

Address: 1865 E. River Rd.

Description: Are you a burger fan? If you are, rush over to Zin Burger, the place in town for upscale burgers and fries. With lines out the door, you’ll have to plan your evening—they don’t take reservations. The Kobe burger, a zinfully tender burger topped with Vermont cheddar and wild mushrooms, is to die for. Hand-cut fries will cost you extra, but they’re worth it, hot and crispy. Feel like gilding the lily? Double truffle fries served with truffle aioli and truffle oil will do it. Signature cocktails, 20 wines by the glass, and 12 beer selections will make everything go down easy. Leave room for dessert—shakes, floats, banana cream pie, and the famous Bars of Zin will definitely take you over the edge. Another location is at 6390 E. Grant Rd. (520-298-2020).

City: Tucson, AZ

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (520) 299-3132

Address: 6960 E. Sunrise Dr.

Description: Looking for a casual spot with great views of the Catalina Mountains? The Abbey is the place to go. This popular neighborhood restaurant offers a cozy interior, patio dining, and an outdoor bar. The menu features comfort foods with an extra punch: The juicy burger comes on an English muffin with homemade onion jam, turkey pot pie arrives in its own cast-iron skillet, and the grilled cheese features whipped brie and pesto—you get the idea. The ambience is welcoming and kid friendly. Lots of foothills families and well-heeled couples hang out here for great food and camaraderie. Open Tues through Sun for dinner and happy hour.

City: Tucson, AZ

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (520) 628-8533

Address: 150 N. Main St.

Description: Located in the lovely courtyard at the Tucson Museum of Art, this delightful cafe offers great salads, sandwiches, and homemade pastries. You can eat on the patio or inside. Try the popular spinach salad or the tasty salmon club on focaccia with aioli. Open Mon through Fri from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and select Sundays for special museum events.

City: Tucson, AZ

Category: Restaurants

Address: 47 W. Congress St.

City: Tucson, AZ

Category: Restaurants

Address: 311 E. Congress St.

City: Tucson, AZ

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (520) 326-1714

Address: 3131 E. 1st St.

Insider Pick:

Description: Also a Food Network pick, The Dish is an elegant, sophisticated restaurant serving up delicious gourmet food. Hard to find, it’s located inside the Rum Runner Wine and Cheese Company, Tucson’s largest wine store. (See the Shopping chapter.)The menu is divided into Small Dishes, Green Dishes, Deep Dishes, and Big Dishes. Several evening specialties always include a fresh fish and a meat entree as well as a soup of the day. And here’s an Insiders’ tip: Sit at the lovely bar and you can order a giant bowl of mussels and a glass of wine for only $11.50 (Tues, Wed, and Thurs only).Dinner is served Tues through Sat, and reservations are strongly suggested.

City: Tucson, AZ

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (520) 207-8201

Address: 266 E. Congress St.

Description: Soaring ceilings, brick walls, and funky lighting make this a downtown hot spot. Once home to a taxi company, the space is open, airy, and fun (ask about the ship’s ropes on the walls). A comfort-food menu offers corned beef sandwiches, burgers, wings, salads, and entrees like roast pork and roast chicken with super roasted fingerling potatoes. The main thing to order here is the ice cream—especially the addictive salty caramel in a cone or cup (three scoops, please!). Open daily for lunch and dinner.