Best Dulceria
La Estrella Bakery
Multiple locations
laestrellabakeryincaz.com
La Estrella Bakery, founded in 1986, is known for its colorful pastries and traditional Mexican bread and rolls. Shelves are filled with pan fino, cookies, hebillas and other treats that make it a go-to for everyday cravings. The bakery offers traditional pan dulce and uses family recipes that incorporate the flavor of Jalisco.
Reader Recommended
Beyond Bread
Multiple locations
beyondbread.com
Raspaderia Funland
2100 W. Grant Road
520-624-4367
funlandraspados.menufy.com
Best Place to Buy a Pinata
Pinata Factory
640 N. Stone Avenue
520-495-0920
facebook.com/p/
Pinata-Factory-100063940182121
Piñata Factory brightens up parties with handmade creations in every shape and color. From superheroes to animals, the store is full of festive options that bring extra fun to birthdays and celebrations.
Reader Recommended
Food City
Multiple locations
mifoodcity.com
Funland
702 W. Irvington Road
520-551-6787
funlandraspados.menufy.com
Best Birria
Rollies Mexican Patio
4573 S. 12th Avenue
520-300-6289
rolliestucson.com
Rollies has earned a reputation as a “must-visit” for their bold, savory Mexican food. Its birria stands out, featured in dishes like ramen, tacos and more. Chef Mateo Otero, an award-winning chef with over 20 years of experience, leads the kitchen.
Reader Recommended
El Taco Rustico
Multiple locations
tacorustico.com
Seis
Multiple locations
seiskitchen.com
Best Panaderia
La Estrella Bakery
Multiple locations
laestrellabakeryincaz.com
Morning lines at La Estrella form early for its pan dulce, donuts and tortillas, fresh from the oven. The bakery continues decades of tradition in Tucson’s bakery scene. Each item is baked daily, using ingredients and methods rooted in Mexican baking.
Reader Recommended
Alejandro’s Tortilla Factory
5330 12th Avenue
520-889-2279
alejandrostortillafactory.com
El Triunfo
6348 S. Nogales Hwy
520-573-1884
Best Michelada
The Neighborhood
Multiple locations
theneighborhoodbar.com
The Neighborhood serves its michelada with lime juice, assorted sauces and spices in a Tajín-rimmed glass. It’s a popular choice for a spicy summer drink or a hangover cure. The cocktail has become a signature alongside their tacos and bar food.
Reader Recommended
BK’s
Multiple locations
bktacos.com
Che’s Lounge
350 N. Fourth Avenue
520-623-2088
cheslounge.com
Best Carnicería
Los Amigos Meat Market
3929 S. 12th Avenue
520-889-2969
facebook.com/losamigosmeats
Los Amigos Meat Market has provided Tucson with beef, pork, poultry and marinades ready for cooking since 1978. Local families rely on its freshness and preparation options. “Always the best chorizo for breakfast!” one customer said.
Reader Recommended
Rancheros Carniceria
7627 E. Speedway Boulevard
520-200-3511
rancheroscarniceria.company.site
Carniceria Los Toritos
4805 E. Speedway Boulevard
520-526-2424
facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086935161763#
Best Guacamole
Guadalajara Grill
Multiple locations
guadalajaraoriginalgrill.com
Guadalajara Grill’s guacamole is prepared fresh twice a day with ripe avocados. Customers can enjoy it on their meals or scoop it up with the complimentary chips served alongside salsa.
Reader Recommended
El Charro Café
Multiple locations
elcharrocafe.com
Seis
Multiple locations
seiskitchen.com
Best Salsa
Guadalajara Grill
Multiple locations
guadalajaraoriginalgrill.com
At Guadalajara Grill, salsas are made fresh at the table, allowing guests to customize the heat and flavor. The interactive experience has become one of the restaurant’s signatures. It’s a flavorful opener before the main courses arrive.
Reader Recommended
BOCA Tacos y Tequila
533 N. Fourth Avenue
520-777-8134
bocatacos.com
El Charro Café
Multiple locations
elcharrocafe.com
Best Tamales
Tucson Tamale Company
7286 N. Oracle Road
520-403-1888
tucsonfoods.com
Tucson Tamale Company makes many tamales wrapped in corn husks and steamed to perfection. Tamale flavors include green chile pork and cheese, green chile chicken, red chile beef, black bean and cheese and blue corn and veggie. The company aims to share the warmth of their kitchen everywhere, using the freshest ingredients.
Reader Recommended
El Charro Café
Multiple locations
elcharrocafe.com
Tumerico
2526 E. Sixth Street
520-240-6947
tumerico.com
Best Tortillas
La Estrella Bakery Inc
Multiple locations
laestrellabakeryincaz.com
La Estrella’s flour tortillas are hand-pressed daily and served warm with meals or for tacos. The bakery also offers wheat, spinach and chipotle varieties. Customers can order custom sizes ranging from 4 to 14 inches in 12-count packages.
Reader Recommended
Alejandro’s Tortilla Factory
5330 S. 12th Avenue
520-889-2279
alejandrostortillafactory.com
Anita Street Market
849 N. Anita Avenue
520-882-5280
facebook.com/AnitasStMarket
Best Burrito
Seis
Multiple locations
seiskitchen.com
Established in 2012, Seis uses only locally sourced Arizona beef in its meals and burritos. Burritos are wrapped in handmade tortillas and filled with options like carnitas, birria or chorizo. Other choices include squash, adobo steak, chicken tinga and grilled shrimp.
Reader Recommended
El Charro Café
Multiple locations
elcharrocafe.com
Tania’s 33
614 N. Grande Avenue
520-622-0685
taniasongrande.com
Best Raspados
Raspados El Paraiso
Multiple locations
raspadostucson.com
Raspados El Paraiso specializes in icy shaved treats topped with fruits, syrups and condensed milk. Locals can visit to cool down during Tucson’s heat. Raspado flavors include strawberry, pineapple, coconut, tamarind, vanilla, mango, peach, lime, pecan, milk and plum.
Reader Recommended
Sonoran Delights
921 W. Congress Street
520-623-8660
sonorandelights.com
Mangos Refresqueria y Cafe
4990 S. Campbell Avenue
520-347-3906
Best Torta
Tacos Apson
3501 S. 12th Avenue
520-670-1248
tacosapson.com
Tacos Aspon offers more than just classic tacos, but it also features another well-known Mexican dish, the torta. The restaurant’s tortas contain fillings like marinated steak, beef cheek, refried beans, beef tripe, shaved rib and beef tongue. “This place is busy for a good reason,” one customer said.
Reader Recommended
Calle Tepa
6151 E. Broadway Boulevard
520-777-5962
calletepa.com
Taco Stop
10290 E. Speedway Boulevard, Tucson
520-419-0484
tacostopaz.com
Best Margarita
Guadalajara Grill
Multiple locations
guadalajaraoriginalgrill.com
Guadalajara Grill makes its House Margarita with fresh lime juice, high-quality triple sec, sweet and sour, and blue agave rosado tequila. It is also available frozen. Other drinks include the jalapeño margarita with fresh jalapeños and cilantro, the Cadillac margarita with fresh orange juice and the Coronarita, served with a Coronita beer.
Reader Recommended
El Charro Café
Multiple locations
elcharrocafe.com
BOCA Tacos y Tequila
533 N. Fourth Avenue
520-777-8134
bocatacos.com
Best Elote
BOCA Tacos y Tequila
533 N. Fourth Avenue
520-777-8134
bocatacos.com
BOCA’s elote is grilled corn coated in crema, cotija cheese and spices, inspired by Mexican street corn. The corn’s flavor profile complements BOCA’s taco menu and is frequently ordered as a starter or side.
Reader Recommended
Zio Peppe
6502 E. Tanque Verde Road
520-888-4242
ziopeppeaz.com
Agave House
943 E. University Boulevard
520-600-6631
agavehousetucson.com
Best Empanadas
La Estrella
Multiple locations
laestrellabakeryincaz.com
La Estrella’s empanadas come filled with sweet options like pumpkin, pineapple, apple, cherry and mango. The dough is flaky and baked fresh daily. “Apple and cherry are my to-go flavors,” one customer said.
Reader Recommended
Anita Street Market
849 N. Anita Avenue
520-882-5280
facebook.com/AnitasStMarket
Bombole
100 N. Stone Avenue
520-777-5011
Best Tacos
BOCA Tacos y Tequila
533 N. Fourth Avenue
520-777-8134
bocatacos.com
BOCA offers tacos with fillings like jerk chicken, carnitas, al pastor, chorizo con papas, mole de pollo and seafood like fish, camaron and salmon, using fresh tortillas and salsas. The menu changes with seasonal flavors but maintains core favorites. Chef Maria Mazon’s creative approach keeps the offerings exciting.
Reader Recommended
Rollies Mexican Patio
4573 S. 12th Avenue
520-300-6289
rolliestucson.com
Street Taco & Beer
Multiple locations
street-taco-and-beer-co.res-menu.com
Best Menudo
El Minuto
354 S. Main Avenue
520-882-4145
elminutotucson.com
El Minuto serves menudo, a traditional soup made with corn kernels and beef paired with a flour tortilla or bread. Customers can choose between white or red menudo depending on their spice preference. It’s one of the go-to spots to start the day with this classic dish.
Reader Recommended
Tania’s 33
614 N. Grande Avenue
520-622-0685
taniasongrande.com
Mosaic Cafe
2456 N. Silver Mosaic Drive
520-624-4512
teresasmosaic.com
