Tucson, Arizona | Published: 12.31.2009
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American & grills
Agave Restaurant — In the Desert Diamond Casino, 1100 W. Pima Mine Road, at Interstate 19. Close, but still far away from the clang-clang-clanging of slot machines, Agave serves up soups, burgers and dinners. 393-2720. $$ SW
Bistro 44 — 6761 E. Tanque Verde Road, off Camino Principal just outside Tucson Country Club Estates. The menu reads like a Sunday extended-family dinner: roasted chicken, chicken and dumplings, braised beef short ribs. Simple, straightforward. 298-2233. $$$ FH.
Cafe 54 — 54 E. Pennington St. A quick lunch takes on elegant airs. They don't serve sandwiches here; they serve meals at prices you'd expect to pay for a sandwich. 622-5024. $ D
Chili's Grill & Bar — 5975 W. Arizona Pavilions Drive, 572-9065; 5150 E. Broadway, 747-3330; 4911 N. Stone Ave., 887-7971; 1640 W. Valencia Road, 573-1809. A sit-down, do-everything franchise restaurant. $$ NW, C, SW
Claim Jumper — 3761 E. Broadway. Huge portions of American-style favorites. And don't forget the amazing desserts. 795-2900. $$ C
Coyote Pause Cafe — 2740 S. Kinney Road. A breakfast and lunch place with plenty of omelets, frittatas and scrambles. Lunchtime visit is a wide selection of burgers and sandwiches. 883-7297. $ C
Dakota Café — 6541 E. Tanque Verde Road, in Trail Dust Town. The fish is swimmingly fresh and perfectly prepared, but it's the sour-cream chocolate cake that has captured our hearts. 298-7188. $$$ FH
Elbow Room — 1145 W. Prince Road. This old favorite has deep-fried, no-frills food at remarkably low prices. 690-1011. ¢ C
Kingfisher, An American Grill — 2564 E. Grant Road. While some favorites remain on the menu, the choices change regularly, and they are often exciting and satisfying. 323-7739. $$$ C
Little Anthony's — 7010 E. Broadway, This Tucson-born-and-bred restaurant offers diner food. We like that. Macaroni and cheese. Patty melts. Blue Plate Specials. 296-0456. $ E
Metropolitan Grill — 7892 N. Oracle Road. Stylish restaurant/bar with an exhibition kitchen serves a variety of dishes. 531-1212. $$ NW
Old Pueblo Grille — 60 N. Alvernon Way, 326-6000. Part of Metro Restaurants, serving Southwest-style cuisine. If weather permits, the patio is an ideal place to sample the meat, fish and pasta entrees. $$ C
Risky Business — 10515 N. Oracle Road, 531-0202; 6866 E. Sunrise Drive, 577-0021; 250 S. Craycroft Road, 584-1610.` Family-friendly restaurants with burgers, salads and sandwiches. $ NW, FH, C
Sport's on Congress – 254 E. Congress St. Sports bar and grill with burgers, hot and cold sandwiches, cheap appetizers as well as high-end entrees. Happy-hour deals run from 4 to 7 p.m. on weekdays. 622-1116. $$ C
Stables at Tubac Golf Resort — 1 Otero Road, Tubac. From burgers to chicken mango quesadillas to chicken rollatini, this place has it all. 398-2678. $$
Tucson Racquet & Fitness Club — 4001 N. Country Club Road. Eat in or take out — even if you're not a member. There are salads, build-your-own-entree plates and healthful side orders. 795-6960. $ C
Ziggi's — 3225 N. Swan Road, 322-7042; A fast casual restaurant with homemade food and daily specials. A glance at the menu will make you wonder how this place will be able to sustain such an extensive selection. $$ C
Asian and Pacific Rim
Asian Bistro — 3122 N. Campbell Ave. This exceptionally clean restaurant features Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese dishes. 881-7800 $ C
Bai Thong — 4853 E. Speedway. Thai food lovers — this is the real thing. 881-5068. ¢ C
Bangkok Cafe — 2511 E. Speedway. These Thai dishes are sublime. 323-6555. $ C
Benihana — 6091 N. Oracle Road. Tucson's only Benihana features 18 teppanyaki tables and a separate sushi bar. 297-5555. $$$ NW
Best Combo — 7850 N. Silverbell Road. You can nibble dozens of varieties of made-to-order sushi, from the usual spicy tuna and salmon to the more exotic gunkan, smelt roe and eel. 579-6459. $$ NW
Char's Thai — 5039 E. Fifth St. Intimate, exotic eatery serves well-prepared Thai specialties to sample or share. 795-1715. $$ C
Fuku Sushi — 940 E. University Blvd. If you can deal with the menu's double-entendre references to the Fuku name, try this university-area restaurant for fresh-tasting sashimi and sushi, along with other Japanese-style fare. 798-3858. $$ C
Ginza Sushi and Izakaya Style Dining — 5425 N. Kolb Road. This place devotes a big swath of its adventurous menu to Izakaya dining, a style that features small plates meant to be shared over sake and a beer. 529-8877. $$ F
Ha Long Bay — 6304 E. Broadway. You'll find fresh ingredients, subtle, sometimes exotic flavors, and thoughtful presentation at this small, unpretentious restaurant. 571-1338. $$ E
Neo of Melaka — 1765 E. River Road. A Malaysian restaurant that opened up in the restaurant mecca along East River Road and North Campbell Avenue. The food is just as tempting at Neo as it is at the sister restaurant of Seri Melaka. 299-7815. $$$ FH
P.F. Chang's China Bistro — 1805 E. River Road. This sleek restaurant with a standing-room bar, large murals and outdoor patio serves out-of-the-ordinary Cantonese, Shanghai, Szechuan and Mongolian cuisine, including noodle dishes and inventive appetizers. Be sure to try the lettuce cups. 615-8788. $$ FH
Sachiko Sushi — 1101 N. Wilmot Road, 886-7000; and 3210 E. Valencia Road 741-1000. You go to Sachiko for the sushi. And the miso soup. And the tempura. Also pretty wonderful is the shrimp shumai. $$ C, E
Sakura — 6534 E. Tanque Verde Road. If you want dinner and a show, here's your place. The cooks whip up Japanese meals and do fancy knife work at your table. 298-7777 $$$ FH
Samurai — 3912 N. Oracle Road. A tiny Japanese joint that has the look of a pizza parlor gone to seed, but patrons pack in for the cheap, tasty sushi and noodle dishes that are prepared in a flash. 293-1963. $ NW
Seri Melaka — 6133 E. Broadway. The Malaysian food here should be eaten slowly so you can savor every moment. The lemak is not to be missed. Chinese is served, too. 747-7811. $$$ C
Sushi-Cho — 1830 E. Broadway. Sit-down Japanese restaurant, specializing in sushi. 628-8800. $ C
Sushi on Oracle — 6449 N. Oracle Road. Sushi is the star here; the other selections sampled didn't measure up. 297-3615. $$$ NW
Sushi Hama — 3971 N. Oracle Road, 888-6763. How about deep-fried sushi? Yes, food that starts off relatively healthy gets cannonballed into a vat of hot oil. $ NW
Sushi Matsu — 2660 N. Campbell Ave. This little haven of superb sushi and tempura is a full-service restaurant in the same building with its order-at-the-counter "parent" establishment — Yoshimatsu Healthy Japanese Eatery. 320-1574. $$ C
Sushi Yukari — 5655 E. River Road. The gyoza at this Japanese restaurant tucked away in a strip mall is close to perfect. 232-1393. $$ FH
Takamatsu — 5532 E. Speedway. This expansive and fun eatery serves sushi, Korean barbecue fare and teppanyaki. 512-0800. $$. E
The Bamboo Club — 5870 E. Broadway, in Park Place mall. It's big, it's hip, and it features delectable dishes from most of the Pacific Rim nations. 514-9665. $$$ C
Border crossings
Blanco Tacos + Tequila — 2905 E. Skyline Drive, in La Encantada. The menu, which covers everything from guacamole to cheese crisps to tacos and enchiladas, is basically Mexican, but with a contemporary twist. The dessert menu is short and sweet. 232-1007. $ FH
Casa Don Carlos — 1103 W. Prince Road. The heat in many Mexican restaurants comes from the chiles. Here it comes from the flaming desserts — as in cherries jubilee and bananas flambé. 207-0008. $ NW
El Charro Café — 311 N. Court Ave., 622-1922; 6310 E. Broadway, at El Mercado, 745-1922; 100 W. Orange Grove Road, 615-1922; 4699 E. Speedway, 325-1922. Carne seca is the thing here at Tucson's oldest family-owned Mexican restaurant. $$ D, C, NW
El Taco — 2825 N. Country Club Road. This Mexican eatery serves enduring comfort food. 326-0580. $ C
Guillermo's Double L Restaurant — 1830 S. Fourth Ave. This longtime South Tucson favorite offers its traditional menu and a new one that's heavily weighted toward deftly prepared seafood and classic Mexican dishes. 792-1585. $-$$ S
La Indita — 622 N. Fourth Ave, The food here draws from Mexican, Tarascan Indian and Tohono O'odham cuisines. The beans are vegan, the vegetarian selections abundant. 792-0523. $ C
La Olla — 8553 N. Silverbell Road. A menu that takes its cue from Sonoran standards and elevates them to white-tablecloth dining. 579-0950. $$ NW
La Parrilla Suiza — 4250 W. Ina Road, 572-7200; 2729 N. Oracle Road, 624-4300; 5602 E. Speedway, 747-4838. The Mexico City fare is a tantalizingly delicious take on classic tacos and enchiladas. $$ NW, C, E
Las Cazuelitas — 3535 E. Fort Lowell Road, 784-0405; 1365 W. Grant Road, 206-0405; 234 E. 22nd St, 792-0405 . Mexican eatery, which specializes in seafood. The menu is also full of classics like enchiladas and chile relleno combinations. $ W, C, S
Sur Real — 3001 E. Skyline Drive. Even the daring color combinations and attention-grabbing setting (where Soleil used to be) pale in comparison to this big, ambitious restaurant's authentic Latin American fare. The paella is a full-on complex feast. $$$, FH
Teresa's Mosaic Café — 2455 N. Silverbell Road. Specializes in Oaxacan specialties such as lomo adobado (a succulent, spicy marinated pork loin) and pollo en molé, along with the standard Mexican fare. 624-4512. $$ SW
The Original Hideout — 3000 S. Mission Road. Sunday brunch includes Mexican dishes, omelets and menudo. Except for drinks, brunch is serve-yourself, all-you-can-eat. 791-0515. $ SW
Zivaz Mexican Bistro — 4590 E. Broadway. The bistro puts a twist on the usual staples, such as enchiladas with pumpkin-seed sauce. Fresh seafood, too. 325-1234. $$ C
Breakfast, coffee
A Great Location — 20 N. Sarnoff Drive. Busy, small East Side eatery serves a good breakfast. 733-1388. $ E
Biscuits Country Café — 7002 E. Broadway. Tucked into a strip mall behind the Gaslight Theatre, this charming café serves delicious omelets and killer burgers. 290-2556. ¢ C
Brawley's Restaurant — 6367 E. Broadway. This neighborhood place dishes up a delicious, affordable breakfast (lunch, too) and some of the best coffee in town. 722-5571. ¢ E
Crying Onion — 3684 W. Orange Grove Road. Whether you want an order of toast or a breakfast of champions, this eatery gets you going. Breakfast and lunch only. 531-1330. $ NW
Jethro's Little Café — 917 W. Prince Road. If ever a restaurant looked and felt like its name, it's Jethro's Little Café. 888-1091. $ NW
Le Buzz — 9121 E. Tanque Verde Road, at Catalina Highway. A coffeehouse that's quite popular with the cycling set. At night, it morphs into a bistro with a smallish but thoughtful menu. Only five entrees grace it, but there's an equal number of creative salads that would make for a lovely light summer dinner. For dessert, it has plenty to satisfy a sweet tooth. 749-3903. $$$ E
Son's Bakery Café — 5683 E. Speedway. The small bakery and cafe, which serves up breakfast and lunch, is very homespun with everything made fresh — even the fat, sky-high bread used for sandwiches. 885-0806. $ C
Sunny Daze Cafe — 4980 S. Campbell Ave. The breakfast and lunch cafe doesn't stray far from the norm when it comes to its breakfast selections of hotcakes, country ham and eggs, French toast and various omelets. The restaurant gets a little more adventurous at lunch. 295-0300. $$ S
The Cereal Boxx, a Cereal Cafe — 943 E. University Blvd. This University of Arizona-area cafe is a kick with more than 30 cereals, 40 toppings and eight kinds of milk. Free Wi-Fi. 622-2699 ¢ C
The Egg Connection — 3114 E. Fort Lowell Road. Lots of choices, including home fries and grits, that are good, cheap and fast. Breakfast and lunch only. 881-1009. $ C
Burgers and more
Bob Dobbs Bar & Grill — 2501 E. Sixth St. The burgers are BIG; and the homemade chips, a down-home treat. 325-3767. $ C
Buddy's Grill — 4821 E. Grant Road. Hamburgers so good, Star readers voted them Tucson's best. 795-2226. $$$ C
Burger City — 47 N. Sixth Ave. Creative takes on burgers (beef, chicken or a Boca Burger), with pickle bar. Proceeds benefit ArtFare. 903-0919. $ D
Cody's Beef 'n' Beans — 2708 E. Fort Lowell Road. The burgers are thick, dripping with juices and charbroiled the way you request. 322-9475. $-$$ C
Trident Grill — 2033 E. Speedway. Hamburgers, 24 beers on tap, friendly folks, cozy booths and a long bar make this a fine hangout. 795-5755. $$ C
Zinburger — 1865 E. River Road. This loud, hip eatery serves up some mean hamburgers, fries and shakes. 299-7799. $$ FH
International
Amber Restaurant and Gallery — 7000 E. Tanque Verde Road, . European food with a Polish influence, this new eatery dishes up everyting from Polish nachos to kielbasa to veal schnitzel. 296-9759 $$$. E
Lani's Luau — 2532 S. Harrison Road. The next time the trade winds blow you through the Southeast Side, experience the tastes and flavors of Hawaii. 886-5828. $ SE
Rio Cafe — 2526 E. Grant Road. Nuevo Latino cuisine. Try the coconut crusted pork chops drizzled with honey. For dessert, there's chocolate truffle with an infusion of chile pepper and cinnamon crème brulee. 323-5003. $$ C
Zemam's — 2731 E. Broadway. Exotic spot serves Ethiopian cuisine to eat the Ethiopian way (no forks). No alcohol; BYOB. More than half of the menu is vegetarian makes us love it more. Try the spinach dish. Or the yemsir wet, a stunning, spicy, red lentil dish.323-9928. $$ C
Italian
Amici Ristorante Italiano — 2970 N. Campbell Ave. The decor gives you the feeling that you've just stepped in from an Old World piazza, and the authentic Italian cuisine reinforces the impression. 795-3663. $$$ C
Ascolese's Italian Ristorante — 222 S. Church Ave. Ascolese's traded Jersey Joe's subs for more upscale cuisine. The restaurant packed up its garlic, tasty marinara sauce and sausage, and settled into the old Samaniego House, on the grounds of the Tucson Convention Center. 623-0313. $$$ C
Bazil's — 4777 E. Sunrise Drive. Booths and a rich-hued decor provide the backdrop for ample portions of Italian specialties such as veal and pasta. Half-orders are available. Reservations are recommended. 577-3322. $$$ FH
Caffé Torino — 10325 N. La Cañada Drive, Oro Valley. Northern Italian fare served with style. 219-2994. $$ NW
Dolce Vita —7895 E. Broadway. It's tempting to fill up on the crusty bread dipped in rosemary-garlic olive oil, but save room for anything topped by the marinara sauce. 298-3700. $$$ E
Gavi Italian Restaurant — 7865 E. Broadway. Excellent food in an intimate setting; very popular in its east side neighborhood. Definitely worth the wait to get in. 290-8380. $$ E
Giacomo's Authentic Italian Dining — An intimate showcase for owner and chef Giacomo Aprea, who hits plenty of high notes. If you like anchovies, try the penne putanesca. 6878 E. Sunrise Drive. 529-7358. $$$ FH
Mama Louisa's La Cantina Restaurant — 2041 S. Craycroft Road. Mangia is the motto at this place for reasonably priced homemade Italian food. 790-4702. $$ C
Nonna Maria's — 2161 Rockcliff Blvd., Oracle; 1-520-896-3522. Obviously, pizza and pastas abound, but sandwiches, salads and calzones also make up the menu. $$ NW
North Modern Italian Cuisine — 2995 E. Skyline Drive. The Sam Fox restaurant has a chic yet comfortable feel and an amazing view. 299-1600. $$ FH
Oregano's Pizza Bistro — 4900 E. Speedway. They pile on the food at this hip little eatery. But you might have a long wait. 327-8955. $$ C
Piazza Gavi — 5415 N. Kolb Road. Pizza and a more upscale environment are the marked differences between this and Gavi's original restaurant. The Sicilian fare comes in big sizes. 577-1099. $$$ FH
Roma Caffé — 4140 W. Ina Road. Owner and chef Gino Marinelli, a native of Naples, Italy, has run this place for 25 years. He's justifiably proud of his eatery's authentic pasta dishes. 744-2929. $$$ NW
Roma Imports — 627 S. Vine Ave., off 15th Street and South Kino Parkway. Good Italian food done right. You order at the counter, seat yourself and wait for your food to be served. 792-3173. $ C
Tavolino — 7090 N. Oracle Road. The small restaurant serves unfussy fare. Reservations recommended. 531-1913. $$$ NW
Trattoria Pina — 5541 N. Swan Road, at Sunrise Drive. Simply fantastico Italian fare. Dishes here don't need fancy dress to speak eloquently. 577-6992. $$$ FH
Verona Italian Restaurant — 120 S. Houghton Road. Simple yet quietly elegant, with generous portions of Italian delights. 722-2722. $$ SE
Viro's Real Italian Bakery and Cafe — 8301 E. 22nd St. A sampling of the fresh baked goods, meats and cheeses will make you think you're in Tuscany. 885-4045. $ SE
Make mine meat
Billy Bryant's Bar-B-Q — 3930 W. Ina Road. Billy Bryant's serves up grub that goes well with a red-and-white checkered picnic blanket: smoked pork, beef and sausage with all the requisite sides. 323-7083. ¢-$ NW
Brushfire —2745 N. Campbell Ave, "Tucson-style" barbecue, meaning more seasonings and flavor, such as balsamic vinegar and fresh garlic. It is a must try. 624-3223. $-$$ C
Bubb's Grubb — 16010 N. Oracle Road. Meat lovers will find what they're looking for. 825-6510. $-$$ NW
Buck & Lil's B.B.Q. — 5121 E. Grant Road. This quirky little restaurant with a down-home feel slow-cooks its meat and cowboy beans. 325-5185. $ C
Cattletown Steakhouse and Saloon — 3141 E. Drexel Road. A country-style steakhouse with Texas-size tables. No checks. 295-1141. $$ S
Chad's Steak House and Saloon — 3001 N. Swan Road. Hand-cut beef selections range from ground sirloin to porterhouse at this Western-themed restaurant. 881-1802. $$ C
Daisy Mae's Steakhouse — 2735 W. Anklam Road, serves certified Angus steaks, cooked on an open flame fueled by bold mesquite whose fragrance seeps into the meat. The menu is heavy with steaks, grilled ribs, chicken and seafood, but the steaks are the stars here. 792-8888. $$ NW
Dickey's Barbecue Pit — 4210 N. First Ave. Dallas-based chain that will soon become one of your favorite barbecue joints. 292-4664. $ NW
Dickman's Meat and Deli — 6472 N. Oracle Road, 229-9777; and 8646 E. Broadway. Dickman's will remind you of a Midwestern deli, comfortably casual with a folksy down-home feel. 885-8020. $$ NW, E
El Corral — 2201 E. River Road. A cowboy-up kind of place, with colorized black-and-white prints of Silver Screen stars on the walls. It specializes in steaks with surprisingly low prices. 299-6092. $ FH
Firebirds — 2985 E. Skyline Drive, at La Encantada shopping center. The steaks are aged, thick and juicy. 577-0747. $$$$ FH
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar — 6360 N. Campbell Ave., No. 180. The noise level is high, but the satisfaction level is even higher. Reservations recommended. 529-5017. $$$$ FH
Li'l Abner's Steak House — 8500 N. Silverbell Road. This former stagecoach stop serves steak grilled over mesquite wood. No reservations. 744-2800. $$ NW
McClintock's Restaurant — 3755 W. Conrads Way. The restaurant calls the cuisine organic American. We think it's more classic American grill featuring steaks, seafood, pastas and salads. You won't get past the gatehouse without a reservation. 579-2100. $$$$ NW
McMahon's Prime Steak House — 2959 N. Swan Road. The upscale restaurant with glassed-in wine room features meats and seafood. 327-2333. $$$$ C
Mr. K's BBQ — 830 S. Park Ave. This BBQ institution drew the most raves in our Food Fight on the best ribs in Tucson. It also was featured in the 2006 book "Killer Ribs: Mouthwatering Recipes From North America's Best Rib Joints." 792-9484. $ S
Oracle Inn Steakhouse — 305 E. American Ave., Oracle. The creative Southwestern hot steak is worth the 35-mile drive from Tucson to this family-owned steakhouse and gathering spot. But it's the inspired desserts, including a stunning Grand Marnier frozen soufflé, that will bring you back. 1-520-896-3333. $$-$$$ NW
Pinnacle Peak — 6541 E. Tanque Verde Road, in Trail Dust Town. Ol' West hullabaloo can put you right in the mood for a thick, juicy steak cooked just the way you want it over a mesquite fire. 296-0911. $$ FH
Rod's K.C. Barbecue — 601 N. Fourth Ave. Friendly dining spot with a down-home ambience serves savory, lean and tender ribs. No alcohol. 623-0182. $ C
Sam Hughes' Place — 446 N. Campbell Ave. Championship dining — try to find a classier sports bar anywhere else. 747-5223. $$$ C
Sullivan's Steak House — 1785 E. River Road. It's worth the indulgence. 299-4275. $$$$ FH
Taste of Texas — 8310 N. Thornydale Road. Serves dinner daily in an old-town, family-style atmosphere. 572-5968. $$ NW
Mediterranean
Athens on Fourth — 500 N. Fourth Ave. It's all Greek to this restaurant. And pretty darn good, too. 624-6886. $$ C
Luxor Cafe — 3699 N. Campbell Ave. A Mediterranean-style restaurant. Delicious cucumber salad, vegetable sambosa, Za'atar Mana'ish (personal pita pizza) and shawerma beef wrap. 325-3771. $$ C
My Big Fat Greek — Two locations —95 W. River Road, 888-0428; and 7131 E. Broadway, 722-6000. Great food that operates on the philosophy: "As long as we're above ground, we should have a great time." $$ W
Opa! — 2990 N. Campbell Ave. The Greek cuisine here is at once hearty and elegant, authentically foreign and yet pleasingly familiar. 327-2841. $ C
Pizza
1702 — 1702 E. Speedway. In addition to soups, salads and a vast variety of beers, this UA-area eatery features six specialty pizzas, and each comes with five toppings. The portions are huge. 325-1702. $ C
Arizona Pizza Co. — 4955 N. Sabino Canyon Road, 299-7311; 5855 E. Broadway, 514-0909. Not your average pies, with selections such as chicken pesto and the Hawaiian. $$ FH, C
Bazil's to Go — 4777 E. Sunrise Drive. Flavorful Chicago-style pizza and pasta for take-out only. 577-1100 $$ FH
Bianchi's — 1110 N. Silverbell Road. West Siders' pizzeria of choice, with loads of toppings available. Drive-through and delivery. 882-8500. $ C
Brooklyn Pizza Co. — 534 N. Fourth Ave. The best-selling pizza is the tried-and-true pepperoni, but the staff recommends the cheese pizza with tomato and basil sauce. 622-2902. $ C
Canal Street Pizzaria — 5655 E. River Road. Generous servings and a menu scattered with comments that read like script notes from "The Sopranos." 615-2262. $-$$ FH
Eclectic Pizza — 7065 E. Tanque Verde Road. Organic dough and choices such as jalapeño cream sauce and red curry sauce give you a reason to visit. 886-0484. $$ FH
Enoteca Pizzeria and Wine Bar — 58 W. Congress St. Simple and savory pie with crispy crust topped with such items as goat cheese, caramelized onions and other gourmet delights. 623-0744. $$ C
Magpie's Gourmet Pizza — 8295 N. Cortaro Road, 572-4300; 605 N. Fourth Ave., 628-1661; 4654 E. Speedway, 795-5977; 105 S. Houghton Road, 751-9949. Locally owned chain makes even plain pepperoni a gooey delight. NW, C, E, FH $$
New York Pizza — 8771 E. Broadway. Inch-thick crusts and to-die-for garlic bread. 885-0116. $$ E
Pizazz Pizza Bistro — 1763 E. Prince Road. The pizza here is shockingly good, and the table-side fresh pesto will blow your mind. 325-9040. $$. C
Pizzeria Vivace — 4280 N. Campbell Ave., in St. Philip's Plaza. The brainchild of Vivace owner Daniel Scordato, this restaurant pays close attention, from the thin, yeasty crust to the meat, shrimp or vegetable toppings. Takeout orders not accepted. 529-2700. $$ FH
Rocco's Little Chicago Pizzeria — 2707 E. Broadway. Mounds of cheese on the pies and one of the best thin crusts around. The restaurant also serves distinctive hot wings. 321-1770. $$ C
Rosati's Authentic Chicago Pizza — 8814 E. Tanque Verde Road. Northeast-side pizza parlor bakes an exceptional pie, with several crust options, including double-dough pizza. 760-4777. $ FH
Vero Amore — 3305 N. Swan Road. Don't expect pepperoni. Yes, it's a pizza place, but not that kind of pizza place. Think Wolfgang Puck rather than Shakey's. Toppings include fresh basil and prosciutto, or smoked salmon partnered with mascarpone cheese and arugula. 325-4122. $$ FH
Zachary's Pizza — 1028 E. Sixth St. Delicious, inventive pizzas that won't disappoint. Parking is scarce, but the toppings are plentiful. 623-6323. $ C
Zona 78 — 78 W. River Road, 888-7878; 7301 E. Tanque Verde Road. 296-7878. The grown-up pizzas have thin crusts and inventive toppings, and the tomato sauce is used judiciously. $$ NW, FH
Sandwiches
Austin's — 6129 E. Broadway. To-scream-for ice cream, with extra-thick shakes. Now serving breakfast. 514-5132. $ E
Baggin's — 5375 E. Pima St., 795-7135; 33 N. Stone Ave., 792-1344; 1800 E. Fort Lowell Road, 327-1611. 5056 E. Broadway, 327-8718. 7233 E. Speedway, 290-9383; 11015 N. Oracle Road, 547-2839; 2741 E. Speedway, 327-4342; 6342 N. Oracle Road, 575-8878; 3191 E. Valencia Road, 917-5070. Their sandwiches are worth the often-long wait at lunchtime. You even get a chocolate chip cookie for your troubles. $ E, C, NW, W, S, D
Beyond Bread — 3026 N. Campbell Ave., 322-9965; 6260 E. Speedway, 747-7477. Combination sandwiches are generous; fresh-baked breads — with different daily choices — are stellar. $ C
Bison Witches Bar & Deli — 326 N. Fourth Ave. Big sandwiches and yummy soup (served in bread bowls). Take-out might be easier because of the lack of dining space. 740-1541. $ C
Bumsted's — 500 N. Fourth Ave. The vast menu is divided into "affairs" — "A Hot Affair" for hot sandwiches, "A Sweet Affair" for desserts, etc. But don't let the novelty names fool you — Bumsted's is all about good food. 622-1413. $$ C
Daggwood Cafe — 736 E. Fort Lowell Road. Huge sandwiches in a variety of choices, including — yes, sir — liverwurst. 903-9663. $ C
Frankie's — 2574 N. Campbell Ave. Brings the distinct flavor of the Philadelphia cheesesteak to the streets of midtown Tucson. 795-2665. $ C
Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich — 2485 N. Swan Road; 749 N. Park Ave. Sandwiches come on seven-grain bread, wrapped in a tortilla or on French bread. Bread is baked in-house. Meat and vegetables are sliced fresh. 326-5112 (Swan); 206-9999 (Park). $ C
Mona's Danish — 4777 E. Sunrise Drive. Menu features hot and cold sandwiches, breakfast items and salads. 579-1959. $ FH
Sausage Deli — 2334 N. First Ave. Lots of sandwich choices, and for $1.99 you can add a side salad, chips and a drink. 623-8182. $ C
Shlomo & Vito's New York Delicatessen — 2870 E. Skyline Drive. The extra-large portions are created with quality products. The food we sampled was without fault. Besides a build-your-own sandwich ($11), the menu includes about 20 other sandwiches. $$ FH
Ted's Country Store — 2760 N. Tucson Blvd. A casual specialty market that has good deli sandwiches, small-town vibe. 325-3122. $ C
Wags Family Restaurant — 4026 E. Grant Road. The hearty fare here includes breakfasts with sausage and gravy, and creamed chipped beef on toast. And pork plays a featured role on the menu, including a mean pork tenderloin sandwich. 323-2345. $ C
Special settings
Acacia at St. Philips — 4340 N. Campbell Ave. Comfortable and interesting, with food that's adventurous without being too contrived. 232-0101. $$$$ C
Anthony's in the Catalinas — 6440 N. Campbell Ave. Anthony's offers continental dining, an award-winning wine list, a great view and attentive service. 299-1771. $$$$ FH
Arizona Inn — 2200 E. Elm St. This Tucson landmark offers understated elegance and upscale, satisfying food. 325-1541. $$$$ C
Canela — 3252 Highway 82, Sonoita. The restaurant serves French-accented Southwestern cuisine — food that glories in locally grown, often organic ingredients. 1-520-455-5873. $ SE
Desert Garden Bistro — The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa, 3800 E. Sunrise Drive. The menu changes weekly, but one thing is certain: There's bound to be something for every appetite. 742-6000. $$$ FH
Doc's — 3755 W. Conrads Way, at Saguaro Ranch in Marana. Stupendous views of the surrounding desert and mountains complement the dinner fare at this rooftop restaurant. It sits above the larger McClintock's restaurant at the same address. 579-2100. $$$$ NW
Flying V Bar & Grill — 7000 N. Resort Drive, at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort. The patio looks out on the pristine 18th hole of the golf course. Pricey but worth it. 299-2020. $$$ FH
Gold at the Westward Look Resort — 245 E. Ina Road. The menu offers classic and nouvelle choices, along with eye-catching city views. 917-2930. $$$$ NW
Janos —3770 E. Sunrise Drive. Innovative fare and fine service. 615-6100. $$$$ FH
Lodge on the Desert — 306 N. Alvernon Way. A relaxed, elegant hidden gem in a small Midtown resort that opened in 1930. The menu includes familiar standbys like pan-roasted chicken, along with buffalo, Kobe-style beef and even a habanero brownie. 325-3434. $$$ C
Pastiche Modern Eatery — 3025 N. Campbell Ave. Chic bistro serves a range of good stuff, from elegant dishes to comfort food. 325-3333. $$$ C
Primo —3800 W. Starr Pass Blvd. Peppers and rosemary and basil blossoming in on-site garden to season food. Delicious upscale dining. 792-3500. $$$$ SW
The Bistro at Las Candelas — 427 E. Limberlost Drive. The restaurant is wildly eclectic. Italian-influenced dishes. A touch of French, Indian and Mediterranean. But the menu is small and well-chosen. 696-9100. $ NW
The Dish — 3131 E. First St. This small, intimate restaurant is a dressy, date-night kind of place, so the kids might want to stay home. 326-1714. $$$$ C
The Grill at Hacienda del Sol Resort — 5601 N. Hacienda del Sol Road. Top service and fine cuisine. Sunday brunch. 529-3500. $$$$ FH
Wildflower —7037 N. Oracle Road, The first of Sam Fox's restaurants, Wildflower still delivers. American cuisine loaded with fresh ingredients and style. Try the calamari appetizer for an enticing start to your meal, and dessert to end it. 219-4230. $$$ NW
Vegetarian-friendly
Chopped— 2829 E. Speedway; 4205 N. Campbell Ave, 319-2467. A healthy salad alternative while still respecting your time and not sacrificing quality. $ C
Delectables — 533 N. Fourth Ave. Plenty of vegetarian choices here, such as vegan puttanesca spaghetti. 884-9289. $$ C
Feast Tasteful Takeout — 4122 E. Speedway. Feast has an ever-changing menu, but there always seems to be something for the veggie lover. 326-9363. $$ C
Gandhi Cuisine of India — 150 W. Fort Lowell Road. Check out the navarattan, a mixture of vegetables and paneer in a sublime curry sauce.Try most any veggie meal and be happy. 292-1738. $$ C
Gentle Ben's Brewing Co. — 865 E. University Blvd. A variety of options. The Peggy-O is pretty amazing vegetarian fare — a grilled veggie burger topped with guacamole, Jack cheese and a creamy horseradish. 624-4177. $$ C
Govinda's Natural Foods Buffet—711 E. Blacklidge Drive. Gourmet vegetarian cuisine. 792-0630. $$ N
Guilin Chinese Restaurant — 3250 E. Speedway. An abundance of vegetarian dishes to choose from, and many will please. A favorite is the full-flavored vegetarian sizzling rice soup. 320-7768. $ C
India Oven — 2727 N. Campbell Ave. Indian restaurants are a vegetarian's friend, and that's especially true here. Of course, you want the naan — and we love the saag paneer, a creamy dish made with the fresh cheese, paneer, spinach, garlic (lots of it) and a touch of red chile. 326-8635. $$ C
Lovin' Spoonfuls —2990 N. Campbell Ave. You won't find animal products at this vegan restaurant. 325-7766 $$ C
Mina's Thai Restaurant — 5575 E. River Road. So many wondrous choices. A few we love: the tom yum vegetable soup, with tofu, mushrooms and lemon grass. Or the hot and spicy combo, with tofu, green beans, bamboo shoots and hot hot, spicy sauce. 299-0453. $$ FH
The Garland Bistro — 119 E. Speedway. This has long been a veggie hangout — we mean the food, not the people. From vegetarian curry to a wide variety of salads. Vegan options are available. 882-3999. $$ C
Tohono Chul Tea Room — 366 N. Paseo del Norte. There are a few veggie choices here. Breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. 797-1222. $ NW
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