Skip to Content

A Second Helping of Restaurants

Attention: open in a new window. PDFPrintE-mail

 

El Guero Canelo

The taco stand without the taco stand and on a much bigger scale.  El Guero offers amazing Sonoran hot dogs with one or two dogs (the latter dubbed "The Sammie") as well as delicious "tortas" - Mexican-style sandwiches.  Also sells Mexican Coke, Pepsi, and Jarritos fruit flavored sodas.  Some of the cheapest authentic Mexican food in town.

5201 S 12th Ave
Tucson, AZ 85706
(520) 232-1007

2480 N Oracle Rd
Tucson, AZ 85705
(520) 882-8977


Los Portales

A very authentic Tucson Mexican restaurant with tons of charm and in house rolled tortillas.  The main dining area is reminiscent of a generic chain restaurant but the food will surprise you - varied and colorful rellenos and simply, well-made carne asada are a treat to pair with plentiful margartias.

2615 S 6th Ave
Tucson, AZ 85713
(520) 889-1170


Nico's Mexican Food

One of the few chain taco stands in Tucson and also one of the most popular.  This restaurant offers food with a markedly "American" taste to it, so it goes without saying that due to the price, flavor and availability (open 24 hours), this is a favorite with University students.  Burritos, enchiladas, tacos and quesadillas stand right alongside a hometown favorite, SUPER FRIES: french fries doused in cheese, a few sprigs of lettuce, meat and guacamole.

1855 E Fort Lowell Rd
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 327-3190

1616 E 22nd St
Tucson, AZ 85713
(520) 624-2595‎

3910 E 29th St
Tucson, AZ 85711
(520) 512-0312‎

7114 E Broadway Blvd
Tucson, AZ 85710
(520) 296-5693‎

3225 N Swan Rd
Tucson, AZ 85712
(520) 325-4021

7865 E Golf Links Rd
Tucson, AZ 85730
(520) 290-1799‎

3984 N Oracle Rd
Tucson, AZ 85705
(520) 292-9797‎

4231 W Ina Rd
Tucson, AZ 85741
(520) 744-2444‎

11165 N La Canada Dr
Tucson, AZ 85737
(520) 297-9610‎

2425 S 6th Ave
Tucson, AZ 85713
(520) 622-0088

9665 N Thornydale Rd
Tucson, AZ 85742
(520) 744-4370

5660 E Broadway Blvd
Tucson, AZ 85711
(520) 909-6005


Zivaz

With a markedly modern vibe, the food and the decor at Zivaz are a departure from traditional Mexican culture.  The family owned business cooks up family recipes passed down generation to generation.  The chefs and owners tend towards moles and chipotle sauces and love to entice diners with finely shredded and herbed carnitas.

4590 E Broadway Blvd
Tucson, AZ 85711
(520) 325-1234


Chipotle Mexican Grill


A popular one with the students, the burritos for which Chipotle is known for are MASSIVE.  Barbacoa (shredded beef), carnitas, steak, chicken or fajitas - they most certainly cover their bases.  They also offer "salads", loosely defined in that there is lettuce in the bowl, but expect heaping helpings of meat to accompany.  Also chips and salsas to go make a great addition to meals.

905 E University Blvd # 149
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 628-7967‎

235 W Wetmore Rd
Tucson, AZ 85705
(520) 888-0444

5870 E Broadway Blvd
Tucson, AZ 85711
(520-908-7440

4774 E Grant Rd
Tucson, AZ 85712
(520) 326-1009

7555 N La Cholla Blvd
Tucson, AZ 85741
(520) 544-3868

3055 N Campbell Ave
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 325-1261

8546 N Sayante Way
Tucson, AZ 85743
(520) 888-0444

2310 E Hidalgo Vista
Tucson, AZ 85713
(520) 628-7967

A few of Tucson's "professional" eaters offer their own testimony

Tucson Lifestyle

10 Best

Romeel's

Urbanspoon - Mexican & Latin American

Trip Advisor

 

Written by Charles Golestani You are reading A Second Helping of Restaurants articles

Twitter Updates

Stalk us at:

Border Beat on Facebook


Who's Online

We have 30 guests online

Border Beat Blogs

Woman Across Borders

By: Alexandra Newman

This blog compares Mexican and American women in terms of their culture's beauty ideals and traditional gender roles.

Border Personalities

By: Audrey A. Fitzsimmons

The Southwest boasts of diverse ethnic backgrounds and a wealth of interesting personalities. Border Personalities is dedicated to the people of the Southwest and their stories.

The Border Wall

By: Brett Haupt

A visual exploration of America’s last frontier -- pictures and videos from different areas of the wall and fence that separate two different worlds and insight into what really stands between the United States and Mexico, ramifications of wall building and what it means for the average citizen.

CaPOWera

By: Charles Misra

Stories about martial arts and combat sports with a cultural twist, all finding a home in America's southwestern borderlands.

Culture Crossing

By: Chelsey Barthel

American borders are crossed every day by cultures of all kind. These stories tell the personal experiences of people from different lands, offering further insight into the difference of cultures.

Journey Across the Border

By: Emily Kjesbo

Spotlighting Mexico’s top travel destinations, as well as a few of its hidden gems.

Dancing in the Desert

By: Hope Jamieson

Explore dance throughout the borderlands.

Border People

By: Jamie Turow

Profiles of English language learners.

MLS Soccer comes to the Desert

By: Jeff Kessler

All about the 2012 Desert Diamond Cup,  a 10 day exhibition soccer tournament featuring four Major League Soccor teams coming to Tucson.

Tear Down Borders

By: Jessica Hoerth

Meet some of the people in Tucson who have made the journey across the border as they share what they came in search of and what struggles they may have encountered along the way.

Border Shots

By: Keith Perfetti

A photojournalist looks at how other photographers have viewed the border and shoots lesser known spots of the southwest.

Borderfilmbeat

By: Lauren Inouye

A look at Mexican and Latin films that reflect culture, politics, and society --  reviews, research and analysis.

Border Couture

By: Lauren Urratio

Fashion and how it is impacted by the border and international cultures.

Border Athletes

By: Lauren Sokol

Meet international student athletes at the University of Arizona, a look at the recruiting process that helped them find a temporary home in the desert, and culture changes that the athletes might have endured.

Public Safety and Crime near the U.S./Mexico Border

By: Lucy Valencia

Public safety along the border and any crime-related issues. A look at issues that occur within the justice system when Mexican and U.S. laws overlap.

A City of Musical Diversity

By: Maria Teracena

Tucson musicians influence and are influenced by the sounds of the world.

The Border Project

By: Melissa Guz

"The Border Project" is an art showcase located in the University of Arizona's Museum of Art. It has over 40+ art pieces related to border issues.

Athletics and the Border

By: Preston Fawcett

Get to know high school coachs and athletes from Arizona border towns or from Mexico and their struggles to get to where they are.

A Mosaic America

By: Rachel Kolinski

"Exploring Diversity one Face at a Time"

Educación en la Frontera

By: Shannon Maule

A look at higher education in regard to those who have and have not been able to travel from various countries to the United States. Stories from people in the higher education world relating to the border.

Music of the Border

By: Steven Schiraldi

Music reviews of musical works by Mexican or other ethnic artists.