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The Tucson food guide for out-of-town Arizona Wildcats recruits
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The Tucson food guide for out-of-town Arizona Wildcats recruits

  • Jun 5, 2018
  • Jun 5, 2018 Updated Nov 29, 2019

The Old Pueblo is loaded with elite food prospects. 

By Justin Spears / Arizona Daily Star

How to get a tasty meal in the Old Pueblo

Sonoran hot dog from El Guero Canelo

A Sonoran Hot Dog from El Guero Canelo, pictured during the annual Tucson Meet Yourself event in 2016.

Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star 2016

It's the beginning of June and dozens of incoming freshmen student-athletes are flocking in to not only prepare for summer workouts, but enroll in classes and get their feet at the UA. 

When they aren't studying or working out, the newest Wildcats might be seeking a bite to eat. And there are so many options to choose from.

Tucson's food scene has grown exponentially over the last decade and while the Old Pueblo is known for its plethora of must-eat Mexican food spots, whatever taste an out-of-town recruit is looking for can more than likely be found a short drive from campus.

On Monday, The Wildcaster sent out a tweet asking for local food recommendations for incoming freshmen, and these were the results: 

Eegees

Eegee's
Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star

Style of food: Sandwiches, slushees (flavor of the month is Orange Dream) and ranch fries

Closest locations to UA campus: 2470 N Campbell Ave, 1400 N Stone Ave, 2510 E Speedway Blvd

Mi Nidito

Mi Nidito enchiladas

The green chile cheese enchiladas from Mi Nidito, 1813 S Fourth Ave.

A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star

Style of food: Mexican

Location: 1813 S 4th Ave

Fun fact: Former U.S. president Bill Clinton ate at Mi Nidito on Feb. 25, 1999. Following Clinton's meal, the restaurant honored him with an item on the menu known as the President's Plate, which includes a bean tostada, birria taco, chile relleno, chicken enchilada and a beef tamale.  

Teresa's Mosaic Cafe

Teresa's Mosaic Cafe fajita tacos

These steak tacos, $9.50 for a plate, give you all the fajitas without the work. 

Andi Berlin | This Is Tucson

Style of food: Mexican

Location: 2456 N. Mosaic Drive

Fun fact: Was featured on Bobby Flay's Throwdown on Food Network in 2010.

El Guero Canelo

Sonoran Dog at El Guero Canelo

Sonoran Dog, left, and Sammy Dog, right, at El Guero Canelo, 5201 S. 12th Ave. in Tucson, AZ. Sammy Dog is the same as Sonoran but with two wieners.  Photo taken Wednesday, November 26, 2014. Photo by Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star.

Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star

Style of food: Mexican

Locations near UA campus: 2480 N Oracle Rd, 5201 S 12th Ave

Fun fact: The owner, Daniel Contreras, opened up his first hot dog stand in Tucson in 1993. Now his restaurant is known for its bacon-wrapped Sonoran hot dogs. 

BK Tacos

Cabeza taco at BK
Andi Berlin | This Is Tucson

Style: Mexican

Location: 2680 N 1st Ave

Beyond Bread

Fan favorite

Beyond Bread won the 2017 Readers' Choice Award for Best Bakery. 

Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star

Style of food: Bakery, sandwiches

Closest location to UA: 3026 N Campbell Ave, Post TSA security at Tucson International Airport

Diablo Burger

Diablo's burgers: simply sublime

Branded, hand-made English muffins are used as buns at Diablo Burger. The 6-ounce patties fit perfectly on them.

Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily St

Style of food: Burgers, comfort food, late-night grub downtown

Location: 312 E Congress St

Lucky Wishbone

For 60 years, Wishbone has been uniquely Tucson

Lucky Wishbone's menu is short and simple: fried chicken, shrimp, "steak fingers" and french fries. But it's kept Tucsonans coming back for the past 60 years.

RON MEDVESCEK / ARIZONA DAILY STAR

Style of food: Fried chicken, shrimp and steak fingers with fries

Locations closest to UA: 2545 N Campbell Ave, 2712 E 22nd St

No Anchovies

Sweet Sixteen

A line a couple of hundred strong waiting to get into No Anchovies at Main Gate Square to watch Arizona's Sweet Sixteen game vs Xavier, Thursday, March 22, 2017, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star

Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star

Style of food: Pizza, wings, salads

Location: 870 E University Blvd

Frog & Firkin

Frog and Firkin — 874 E. University Blvd
Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star

Style of food: Pub, pizza, salad, wings

Location: 874 E University Blvd

Prep and Pastry

Prep & Pastry

Prep & Pastry's duck confit hash, with pulled duck, diced potatoes, dehydrated cabernet cherries, and a herb cherry mousse.

Andi Berlin | This Is Tucson

Style of food: Breakfast, comfort

Location closest to UA campus: 3073 N Campbell Ave

Trident Grill

Trident Grill — 2033 E. Speedway

Erick Sowle, left, and Elyse Abbott celebrate getting a correct answer during Geeks Who Drink trivia night at Trident Grill, 2033 E. Speedway.

Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star

Style of food: Seafood, bar

Location closest to UA campus: 2033 E Speedway Blvd

Baja Cafe

Baja Cafe — 2970 N. Campbell Ave.

The Baja Cafe's snickerdoodle pancake is a great way to start the day. 

Kristen Cook

Style of food: Southwestern breakfast

Location closest to UA campus: 2970 N Campbell Ave

Fun fact: Was featured on Food Network's You Gotta' Eat Here. 

Sausage Deli

Sausage Deli on the move

The food will remain mostly unchanged at the new location, including the popular Omar.

Ron Medvescek/Arizona Daily Star

Style of food: Deli

Location: 754 E Grant Road

Wings Over Broadway

Readers' Choice Award for Best Chicken Wings

Wings Over Broadway wins the 2017 Readers' Choice Award for Best Chicken Wings. Other favorites are Buffalo Wild Wings, Barrio Brewing Co. and Rocco's Little Chicago.

Google earth

Style of food: Chicken wings

Location: 5004 E Broadway Blvd

Silver Saddle Steakhouse

Readers' Choice Award for Best Steak

Silver Saddle Steakhouse wins the 2017 Readers' Choice Award for Best Steak. Other favorites are Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar and El Corral.

Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star

Style of food: Steak, barbecue

Location: 4851 E Benson Highway

Fun fact: Comedian Adam Sandler at at Silver Saddle the last time he was in Tucson. Former presidential republican candidate Ben Carson also ate there. 

Mr. An's Teppan Steak and Seafood

Mr. An

K.C. An jokes with customers and a chef at Mr. An’s Teppan Steak and Seafood Sushi Bar in Tucson in 2010.

Greg Bryan / Arizona Daily Star

Style of food: Teppanyaki steak, seafood, sushi

Location: 6091 N Oracle Rd

Caruso's Italian Restaurant

31 carusos p1

Caruso's Italian Restaurant 

Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star

Style of food: Italian

Location: 434 N 4th Ave

El Charro

Chimichanga

The chimichanga, a fried burrito, was first made at El Charro in Tucson, although there are those who dispute that.

Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star

Style of food: Mexican

Closest location to UA campus: 311 N Court Ave

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