The summer of 2009 may go down as especially tough for Tucson restaurants.
"Summers are always rough in Tucson, especially for local restaurants," said Loretta Carlson, co-owner of El Parador Restaurant. "The chains have a tremendous amount of advertising dollars in their budgets. But people don't realize the money that they spend in the chains doesn't all stay in Tucson."
Tucson Originals, an organization of independent Tucson restaurants, has been offering summer deals for years. This year's theme is $20.09.
"I believe this is the time to embrace promotions and discounts," said Todd Hanley, the Tucson Originals president. He's also the general manager of Hotel Congress and Maynards.
The hope is that the deals attract diners who remain loyal for the long haul. "We can get customers for life. I think we're going to see some tangible results."
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Pat Connors, who owns Pastiche Modern Eatery, agreed.
"I think the local independent restaurants are going to be ahead of the curve," said Connors. "Try a new restaurant, you may discover a gem."
The following $20.09 specials will last to Labor Day. Tax and tip are not included. Many of the specials cannot be used with other offers or for take out.
Acacia at St. Philip's
4340 N. Campbell Ave., 232-0101
A dessert sampling and selected wine tasting flight.
Barrio Grill
135 S. Sixth Ave., 629-0191
One appetizer and one pasta dish.
Blue Willow
2616 N. Campbell Ave., 327-7577
Choice of two specials: Any appetizer with a select featured wine, or the chocolate sour cream cake with dark chocolate icing— regularly $26 (must be ordered in advance).
Bluefin Seafood Bistro
7053 N. Oracle Road, 531-8500
"Lobsterfeast"— available lunch and dinner — includes 1-pound lobster with two side dishes.
Café 54
54 E. Pennington St., 622-1907
Lunch for two: your choice of entree (no substitutions), fountain drink, iced tea or coffee and dessert.
Chad's Steakhouse and Saloon
3001 N. Swan Road, 881-1802
New York strip steak dinner with a glass of wine or a slice of cheesecake.
Cup Café
311 E. Congress St., 798-1618
Pan-seared bone-in pork chop, with a three-cheese, roasted pistachio-stuffed onion and smashed plantain topped with Montréal spice butter. Includes house salad and nonalcoholic beverage.
Dove Mountain Grill
12130 N. Dove Mountain Blvd., 579-8999
Choose one appetizer and entree from a special summer menu.
Eclectic Café
7053 E. Tanque Verde Road, 885-2842
Any two salads and two fresh-brewed iced teas.
Eclectic Pizza
7065 E. Tanque Verde Road, 886-0484.
Two summer specials:
1. Two large 16-inch pizzas with one topping on each, either for dine in or take out.
2. One medium 12-inch pizza with a limit of five toppings and two glasses of organic house wine (excluding Specialty and Supreme pizzas).
El Charro Cafe
All locations
Select lunch or dinner for four people from the Cinco de Summer Menu (good through Oct. 1).
Elle — Wine Country Restaurant
3048 E. Broadway, 327-0500
Get nine items from the morsELLEs (small plate) menu and any spirit, glass of wine, beer or nonalcoholic beverage priced at $9 or less.
El Parador Restaurant
2744 E. Broadway, 881-2744
House margarita or imported beer and Casa Juan Mexican Plate: chile relleno, cheese enchilada, green corn tamale, rice and beans, chips and salsa and a flan.
Enoteca
58 W. Congress St., 623-0744
Grilled Ribeye Carnival — a 10-ounce Black Angus grilled rib-eye topped with tiger shrimp, mushrooms, asparagus and roasted red peppers in a white wine butter sauce. Served with seasonal vegetables and pesto mashed potatoes.
Feast
4122 E. Speedway, 326-9363
Two appetizers and a glass of wine (from a list of selected wines).
Frankie's South Philly Cheesesteaks
2574 N. Campbell Ave., 795-2665
Any two entrees (sandwich or salad) with one extra topping each, one large order of French fries, two fountain drinks and a choice of either two Tastykakes or one complete children's meal.
Janos Restaurant
3770 E. Sunrise Drive, 615-6100
Choice of three ever-changing Summer Sampler entrees.
J BAR
3770 E. Sunrise Drive, 615-6100
Two house margaritas and any one appetizer to share.
Jax Kitchen
7286 N. Oracle Road, 219-1235
Ever-evolving three-course dinner to include salad, entrée and dessert.
Jonathan's Cork
6320 E. Tanque Verde Road, 296-1631
Any beef or fish "special of the day" with one of the following: house salad, soup or selected dessert.
Kingfisher, An American Grill
2564 E. Grant Road, 323-7739
The Kingfisher special will correspond with its 16th annual Road Trip menu. One entree selection on each menu will be $20.09. Starting Friday, the $20.09 Pacific Northwest entree will be rosemary and black pepper-crusted venison.
Lodge on the Desert
306 N. Alvernon Way, 325-3366
A three-course dinner, which includes house salad, choice of chicken marsala or pasta primavera and a brownie.
Lotus Garden Restaurant
5975 E. Speedway, 298-3351
Choose a beverage from a select drink list, a cup of soup, starter, entree and an almond cookie. Includes hot tea.
Magpies Gourmet Pizza
All locations
Two medium gourmet pizzas with two toppings each.
Mama Louisa's Italian Restaurant
2041 S. Craycroft Road, 790-4702
A glass of house wine, Joe's Special, soup, salad bar and a cannoli.
Maynards Market and Kitchen
400 N. Toole Ave., 545-0577
Choice of salad and certified Angus beef filet mignon, wrapped in applewood smoked bacon, with charred-onion mashed potatoes, asparagus and maitre d' hotel butter.
Miguel's at La Posada
5900 N. Oracle Road, 887-3777
Four-course meal includes soup, salad, choice of entree and dessert.
Summer menu starts Monday.
Neo of Melaka
1765 E. River Road, 299-7815
Any salmon entree, side of sautéed vegetables and soup.
Papagayo
4717 E. Sunrise Drive, 577-6055
Any two combo plates and two nonalcoholic beverages or margaritas.
Pastiche Modern Eatery
3025 N. Campbell Ave., 325-3333
Baby greens salad and bourbon glazed salmon entree.
Ric's Café
5605 E. River Road, 577-7272
All-you-can-eat baby back ribs with vegetables and potato of the day and one draft beer.
Rio Café
2526 E. Grant Road, 323-5003
A three-course dinner to include: starter salad (mixed greens or Rio Caesar); Carne a La Mantequilla de Pasilla (8-ounce steak grilled and topped with pasilla butter) or Criollo chicken dinner; and chocolate mousse for dessert.
Roma Caffe
4140 W. Ina Road, 744-2929
Antipasto salad for two, garlic bread and two glasses of house wine.
Taco Bron
6910 E. Tanque Verde Road, 722-4302
Dinner for two: Queso fundido appetizer, a build-your-own burrito and any one combo.
Tavolino
7090 N. Oracle Road, 531-1913
A house salad, Orecchiette alla Barese (orecchiette pasta, Italian sausage, broccoli florets, white wine, garlic and parmesan), a dessert of your choice and house-made limoncello.
Vila Thai Cuisine
972 E. University Blvd., 393-3489
Select any two entrees and two spring rolls.
Zivaz Mexican Bistro
4590 E. Broadway, 325-1234
One Tour de Zivaz (sampler platter) plus two house or hibiscus margaritas.
Zivaz will be closed on Sundays from May 31 through Labor Day.
Flavorbank Spice Market
6372 E. Broadway, 747-5431
Any four tubes of Flavorbank spices.
