12+ Tucson restaurants we said goodbye to in 2022

Tucson entered the new year without the longtime Bentley's coffeehouse, which closed in late December 2021 after nearly four decades in business. 

With Bentley’s closed, the Schneider family and their community can still be found at the downtown restaurants LaCo and TallBoys. 

Bentley's coffeehouse closed after nearly four decades. Meet the family who made it magic.

Jo Schneider founded Bentley's so she could have and raise her sons, Ben and Eli, in a safe space, filled with community. She made that space home for generations of Tucsonans. The Schneider family can still be found at its downtown restaurants LaCo and TallBoys.

Wings Over Broadway announced the official closure of its restaurant at 8838 E. Broadway Blvd. in early October.

First opened in 1999, the restaurant moved into that most recent space from its original location at 5004 E. Broadway Blvd. in 2017. In a Facebook post, challenges WOB faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lengthy roadwork on Broadway were credited for the decision to cease operations. 

After 45 years, Sullivan’s Eatery & Creamery at 6444 N. Oracle Road will close for good. 

Alex Mustaffa, who has owned the restaurant since 2017, said he will close no later than June 15, two weeks before his lease expires. But the closing could come sooner, he said, if he runs out of supplies or doesn’t have enough employees to keep the doors open.

1702 pizzeria closed its doors in May after 15 years of service. Not only will owner Eric Lepie be closing the restaurant but he’s also closing the final chapter of a 45-year restaurant career in Tucson.

Pizza Luna owners Marc and Tracy Frankel closed their doors after five years of bringing Neapolitan-style pizza to the east side. 

Last year, when the Frankels launched Bubbe’s Bagels with Becca Groff and Kyle Leuer, they tapped into an even deeper need. Unlike delicious, Neapolitan-style pizza, which can be found in other neighborhoods — downtown’s Anello, food trucks like Family Joint Pizzeria — east-coast-quality bagels could not be found anywhere else.

Fat Noodle closed its doors at 811 E. Wetmore Rd. on August 6. The ramen shop will now make its food truck their main focal point. Fat Noodle is entirely made from scratch, from the noodles to the stock.

Popular Tucson ramen food truck is opening a brick-and-mortar location

For Fat Noodle, opening a brick-and-mortar has been nearly two years in the making. 

4 Seasons Restaurant announced that the restaurant is permanently closing at 1423 W. Miracle Mile. "We have provided high quality Thai food for 9 years and been an enthusiastic part of the local community," they wrote.

Donut Wheel at 4801 S. Campbell Ave. closed its doors Oct. 28.

“It’s time,” said Sam Phetdara, who has operated the doughnut shop at Campbell Avenue and Irvington Road for 34 years. “Our customers are sad and say they are going to miss us.”

2 Tucson doughnut shops to be demolished, become fast-food joints

For Star subscribers: The two Donut Wheel locations are owned and operated separately. One will close at the end of the month and the other has already shut its doors. 

The Sonoran Brunch Company opened in 2019 near Kolb Road and 22nd Street. It featured colorful murals and breakfast foods.

Sonoran Brunch Company closed in May.

Eegee's at Grant and Alvernon closed its doors Nov. 29. The popular Tucson sandwich and shaved ice restaurant has nearby locations at Speedway and Tucson, Speedway and Craycroft or Campbell and Grant.

Mantis Gourmet Chinese Food will permanently close its doors at 8250 N. Cortaro Rd. on Dec. 31. The restaurant is one of several located in the Arizona Pavilions Marketplace.