Hot in 2017: New and upcoming Tucson restaurants and bars
- Updated
The latest on Culinary Dropout, Wild Garlic Grill, Black Bear Diner, The Drunken Chicken and more.Ìý
- Cathalena E. Burch
- Updated
Sam Fox's on East Grant Road is now hiring in anticipation of its Sept. 20 grand opening.
Beginning Monday, Aug. 21, and continuing through Sept. 2, Fox Restaurant Concepts is hosting a job fair for nearly 200 positions from line and prep cooks, to dishwashers and bartenders.
Bring a resume to the restaurant, 2543 E. Grant Road at the corner of North Tucson Boulevard, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily except Sunday, Aug. 27. Or click Ìýto apply online.Ìý
Once it opens, 's hours will be from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mondays through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays.
- Andi Berlin | This Is Tucson
- Updated
If you've ever had an hour between classes and thought, "I could really go for some shiu mai right now," I've got news for you. There's a new Chinese restaurant on campus, and it's not serving orange chicken ...
Dim Sum House opened quietly in the Next Level student housing complex on North Park Avenue earlier this summer. It's operating on a limited menu right now, but by Sept. 1 it'll be full "steam" ahead. Owned by Eddie Lau of , the fast-casual spot specializes in a style of Chinese brunch called dim sum.Ìý
Traditional dim sum houses are usually large food halls where families congregate and share small plates of various dumplings that are pushed out by moving carts. This restaurant operates more like a Cantonese bakery, where you order from a smaller menu of buns and dumplings at the counter.
Dim Sum House will have five varieties of dim sum, including shiu mai pork dumplings, the white har gow shrimp, shark fin and sticky rice chicken for beginners. Also look for several varieties of buns, including barbecue pork char siu bao, pineapple and coconut, plus egg tarts for dessert. The dim sum is being made at Gee's Garden nearby, and sells for $4.29 an order.Ìý
You can also find some more obscure specialty dishes from the Cantonese region of Southern China where Lau is from, including the sweet soup qingbuliang and a braised pork bowl with boiled eggs and Chinese greens. $9.95. "The Chinese students love it," Lau said. But perhaps more importantly, they have boba tea: 10 varieties including taro, mango, lychee and more.Ìý
But Lau is not stopping at Dim Sum House ... The Gee's Garden owner also recently purchased at 1800 E. Fort Lowell Road, and plans to put in a similar menu of dim sum dishes along with the smoothies and milk teas starting in September. ChaTime is next to Lau's other restaurant , which is his take on the Cajun crab boil.Ìý
Lau said he opened Seafood Time after customers told him they'd traveled all the way up to Phoenix to eat at places like Angry Crab. "There's no seafood here, but people love seafood," he said. The restaurant cooks its meats in Lau's own recipe of butter, garlic, tomato and ghost pepper.Ìý
In the next few months he says he also plans to open Tucson's first bar at 2590 N. First Ave. near Wild Garlic Grill. The yet-unnamed bar will have eight to 10 private karaoke booths for parties to sing Top 40 hits and more. This style of karaoke allows people more singing time, and has become really popular in metro cities around the Bay Area.Ìý
Dim Sum House is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day in the bottom of the Next Level student housing complex, . Phone and website coming soon.Ìý
- Cathalena E. Burch
- Updated
- Andi Berlin | This Is Tucson
- Updated
Some mornings you eat a yogurt. And some mornings you want to eat lots and lots of ...
Lucky for you, this new shop will have more than 100 different varieties including Reese's, Oreo, mini marshmallows and more. Ìýis a mom-and-pop shop based out of Colorado Springs, Colo. that plans to open its third location this summer in Tucson.Ìý
ÌýA post shared by Katt Anderson (@kattjo) on Dec 30, 2016 at 7:36pm PST
It's going into the former Little Luke's at 101 E. Fort Lowell Road, . The outside of the building has been painted a festive pink and orange, kinda like a homey version of Dunkin' Donuts. Update:ÌýAmy's will hold its grand opening June 19 at 4 a.m., it announced .Ìý
But the shop is actually taking a page from the trendy joint in Portland ("The magic is in the hole?"), which popularized crazy combos like Captain Crunch and bubble gum.
Amy's Donuts specializes in the yeast doughnut variety () and goes a little loopy with the toppings. Here are a few examples ...
CANDIES AND PRETZELS
ÌýA post shared by Felicia Lee (@feliciaflee) on Apr 1, 2016 at 5:13pm PDT
RAINBOW
ÌýA post shared by Samuel Davidson (@swaggy.sd) on Mar 30, 2017 at 8:47am PDT
CEREAL
ÌýA post shared by Ralyn Shoop (@ralynstagram) on Mar 10, 2017 at 8:19am PST
BACON
ÌýA post shared by Meagan Mahan (@mahanmeagan) on Nov 26, 2016 at 7:22am PST
PEARLS
ÌýA post shared by Christian Estrada (@chrisecasting) on May 29, 2016 at 11:38am PDT
SWIRLS
ÌýA post shared by Milton Acad Athletics (@ma_athletics) on Jun 14, 2016 at 9:47am PDT
The Colorado Springs location is currently open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Most of the specialty doughnuts are priced around $2 apiece, or $17 for a dozen. They also serve fresh-made pigs in a blanket.
- Andi Berlin | This Is Tucson
- Updated
The Wilko signs are still on the door, but it is Wilko no more ... Last night, the campus bistro announced it was ending its decade-long run atÌý943 E. University Blvd.
"After over ten fantastic years of serving our community, we have decided to pass the torch to others in the great space at the corner of Park and University," read the . The trendy space, owned by Peter Wilke of Time Market and B Line, opened its doors as an upscale convenience store in 2007 and has been a restaurant since 2010.Ìý
New owners Marcus and Nicole van Winden didn't waste any time. This morning for brunch, they opened their concept . Right now they're in soft opening stages, and plan to roll out the dinner and happy hour menus later this week.Ìý
Although you'll see some holdovers from the Wilko menu (and familiar faces serving the food too), there's a bunch of interesting dishes from the Netherlands, where Marcus grew up. Like this: Uitsmijter, aka The Dutch Breakfast, $9. It's basically two eggs rolled into a thin omelet, and layered with ham, tomatoes and melty Gouda cheese on whole grain bread trucked up from .
The couple actually met on a Holland America Line, where he ran the cruise ship's kitchen. The seasoned chef has also worked his magic at Lodge on the Desert and Loews Ventana Canyon in Tucson, but most recently ran the in Alpine, Texas.ÌýThe couple wanted to keep up the Holland connection here in Tucson, where Nicole is from. Ìý
Make sure to check these dishes out:
— Patat Oorlog (or War Fries): Thickly-cut French fries with a sweet sambal peanut sauce, . Pictured up top, $8
— Belgian waffle: From the next country over, with strawberries and Grand Marnier whipped cream, $9
— Breakfast flatbread: This yummy spread has smoked salmon and herbed cheese topped with a baked egg, $14
- Cathalena E. Burch
- Updated
Six months after closing for major renovations, the restaurant at Ryan Airfield in Three Points could be back in business by June under a new operator.
On Wednesday, the Tucson Airport Authority Board of Directors approved a lease for Richard Flory, who owns The Happy Rooster Cafe on Tucson’s east side. Flory is expected to open Richie’s Cafe by June in the space that long housed Todd’s at 9700 W. Ajo Way.
It will be the first time that patrons of the airport will be able to grab a bite at the restaurant since last fall, when the airport authority closed it to make much-needed updates and repairs.
Todd’s was expected to reopen in late November or early December, but the owners, Shari and Todd Scott, couldn’t reach a lease agreement with the authority. The airport wanted the restaurant to open at 6 a.m., but the Scotts wanted to continue opening at 8.
Todd’s officially closed in late December and the authority has spent the time since making even more repairs, including replacing kitchen equipment, said TAA spokesman David Hatfield, senior director of business development and marketing.
Hatfield said Richie’s Cafe will be open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily year-round, with the exception of Christmas Day, and will likely serve a menu similar to that of Flory’s Happy Rooster.
The Happy Rooster Cafe has been a staple at 1114 S. Sarnoff Drive off East 22nd Street for 17 years. Flory has owned it four of those years.
The restaurant serves hearty country breakfasts anchored by sausage, bacon, chicken-fried streak or Italian and Polish sausage, and stuffed sandwiches bulging with sliced turkey, roast beef, ham or other deli meats and cheeses.
- Andi Berlin | This Is Tucson
- Updated
A new chicken and waffles restaurant is expected to open this fall on Fourth Avenue.
Owner Micah Blatt plans to open The Drunken Chicken in August, when University of ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ students return from summer break.
The fast-casual restaurant will serve chicken and waffles, plus craft beer.
“We’re just trying to do something that other people aren’t doing around here,†Blatt said. “We love all the businesses on Fourth Avenue. We’re adding a little more love to an industry that we care about.â€
Blatt, who owns the nearby Mr. Head’s Art Gallery and Bar, has had his eye on 429 N. Fourth Ave. for a couple of years now. He thought of buying it from Maya Quetzal, a Guatemalan restaurant with two decades under its belt. But he decided to wait.
The location finally came on the market this year, so Blatt made his move. He’s bringing on Mr. Head’s manager Ben Sattler as a co-owner in the new business.
The Drunken Chicken will be open until 10 p.m. on weekdays and stay open later for the bar crowd on weekends.
- Gabriela Rico
- Updated
Mama’s Hawaiian Bar-B-Cue will be moving its Speedway location a block south.
The standalone restaurant near the University of ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ will close in May, as developers of the two Hub student-housing towers are planning a third one on the site.
Mama’s will occupy 1,570 square feet of space on the ground floor of the original Hub, a 592-bed complex at 1011 N. Tyndall Ave.
Debbie Heslop, with Volk Co., represented Core Campus Tucson I LLC, and Mama’s was represented by John Ash, of CBRE.
Other recent commercial transactions include:
- Tractor Supply Co. bought 5.35 acres of land at the southeast corner of Indian Agency and Valencia roads from Tucson South Development Group LLC for $1.3 million. Greg Furrier, with Picor, represented the seller, and David Long, with The Long Corp., represented the buyer.
- MCR 1135 Jones LLC bought an 8,268-square-foot office building at 1135 N. Jones Blvd. from Intergalactic Inc. for $1 million. Tom Nieman, with Picor, represented the seller.
- A. Cruz & Co. LLC bought a 6,400-square-foot industrial building at 1971 W. McMillan St. from JIMP Holdings LLC for $380,000. Ron Zimmerman, with Picor, represented the seller, and James T. Lavery, with Realty Executives Tucson Elite, represented the buyer.
- The TJX Cos. Inc. leased 21,000 square feet at the southwest corner of Cortaro Road and ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Pavilions Drive from AZPAV West LLC to open a TJ Maxx store. Brenna Lacey, of Volk Co., represented the tenant.
- Filter Products Corp. leased 11,406 square feet at 4175 S. Fremont Ave. from Doubletree Investments Inc. Stephen D. Cohen and Russell W. Hall, with Picor, represented the landlord, and Tim Healy, with CBRE, represented the tenant.
- Centro Familiar Getsemani leased 4,000 square feet at 1702 S. Winmor Ave. from International Evangelistic Mission. Denisse Angulo-Badilla, with Picor, represented the landlord.
- Dempsey’s Boarding Care LLC leased 2,177 square feet at 1152 N. Craycroft Road from Deebco Properties. Andrew D. Sternberg and Robert J. Nolan, of Oxford Realty Advisors, handled the transaction.
- Dominic Escamilla Financial Services LLC leased 1,577 square feet of office space at 4400 E. Broadway from 4400 Broadway LLC. Michael Gross, of Tucson Realty & Trust Co,. represented the landlord, and Bob Herd, of Excelsior Real Estate, represented the tenant.
- Cathalena E. Burch
- Updated
- Cathalena E. Burch
- Updated
The Screamery, the Tucson-born ice cream shop that specializes in natural, handcrafted ice cream starting with pasteurizing its own cream base, is opening its fourth and final Tucson area location, this one in Marana.
Kenny and Linda Sarnoski will open the Marana shop on May 1 in the small plaza at 5920 W. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Pavilions Drive, off Cortaro Road and Interstate 10. It will be the only ice cream shop in the bustling Cortaro Road-I-10 corridor populated by several chain restaurants and large retail stores including Walmart and the weeks-old TJ Maxx/Ross Dress for Less retail complex.
“We’re making a lot of new friends and lot of happy faces,†Kenny Sarnoski said. “And we’re excited about that.â€
Meanwhile, Sarnoski said his small Tucson company will make inroads into the Phoenix market before the end of the year. They are negotiating for a location in Gilbert, the first of at least eight Phoenix area shops. All will be corporate owned and operated, with a focus on the couple’s popular ice cream that comes in inventive flavors like Bees Knees — honey-swirled in a sweet cream and lavender base — and Rough At Sea — a sea salt-kissed base to complement honey-swirled candied pecans, almonds and pistachios.
He said they also have had people outside ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥, including in Florida and Las Vegas, who have expressed interest in franchising.
“We want to be as big as Ben & Jerry’s,†Kenny Sarnoski said.
In addition to cones and cups ($2.75 for a kid’s scoop, $4.50 for a single), the Screamery offers a variety of treats from “Ice cream Nachos,†with a single scoop of ice cream topping waffle chips drizzled with hot fudge; ice cream floats and sundaes; and the meant-to-be-shared Farmhouse with a whopping eight scoops of ice cream loaded with cookies, brownies and buttercake and your choice of toppings. At $24.50, it’s the most expensive item on the menu.
“To have ice cream where it’s a $4.50 for a scoop of ice cream ... they’re walking out spending $10 for two people,†Sarnoski said. “In order to do that in Tucson, you have to have a great product and great customer service. The customer service has to be as good as the product.â€
The Screamery is the latest Tucson company to take on the Phoenix market. The Flores family launched its Sir Veza’s Taco Garage brand at Sky Harbor International Airport in 2012. It branched out to US Airways Center — now Talking Stick Resort Arena — in 2013 and Chandler the following year. El Guero Canelo Mexican Restaurant, which specializes in Sonoran hot dogs, opened last year in west Phoenix.
The Sarnoski’s opened their first Screamery in summer 2014 at 50 S. Houghton Road. In spring 2016, it opened the second shop at 2545 E. Speedway, followed a few months later with the downtown shop at 250 E. Congress last summer.
- Cathalena E. Burch
- Updated
- Andi Berlin | This Is Tucson
- Updated
Brandon Katz had the idea floating around in his brain ... a gourmet restaurant that draws on "Southern values" like whole-hog cooking and sharing dishes family-style.
These are concepts the Tucson restaurateur he'd already been exploring at his downtown sushi restaurant , but through a Japanese and Korean lens.
Then Daniel Thomas came around, a young graduate who cut his teeth with Virginia Wooters at The Abbey and more recently headed up the kitchen at . Katz knew he had to make a move.
His companyÌýFukushu Restaurant ConceptsÌýwill open its latest effort, , this November in the space that once held Frogs Organic Bakery,Ìý7109 North Oracle Road. Thomas will head up the kitchen, putting a "cheffy spin" on Southern favorites like pot pies, cauliflower grits and of course, fried chicken.Ìý
"If they're gonna use a chicken, they're gonna use as much of the chicken as they can," Katz says. "We want to try to take out a garden and use the vegetables. ... We'll have an amazing salad program."
Despite being a little over a mile from Tucson's other gourmet Southern restaurant , Katz thinks they can bring something unique to the north-side restaurant game.
"We're not going to take it to the extreme like Travis is doing at the Parish, with the (obscure) game that he uses ... We'll focus onÌýpolished, casual service ... We want it to be very approachable."
To switch up the French bakery vibe in the current building, Katz enlisted the help of as well as his business partner/designer André Joffroy. They plan to do a "complete overhaul" with natural reclaimed woods and an indoor-outdoor bar flanking the patio. Ìý
Katz has also recently brought on Obon's chef Paulo Im and bartenderÌýMatt MartinezÌýas partners in Fukushu. The two will act as corporate chef and mixologist, overseeing all the company's concepts.
In addition to Obon, and now , the team also has another project in the works: In January they'll openÌýDuck and Cover, a 'music-driven, elevated dive bar' in the basement of the former Chicago Music Store,Ìý130 E. Congress.
- By Gerald M. Gay
- Updated
After three years on the hunt, Todd and Erika Button have finally found a forever home for their aptly named Button Brew House.
The couple signed a lease for a space at 6800 N. Camino Martin in December. It’s right around the corner from Catalina Brewing Co., sparking the potential for a brand-new brewing district on Tucson’s northwest side.
For Todd, who left a 20-year career in the printing industry to enter into brewing, this next step is a big deal.
“To me it feels like a dream,†Todd said. The space is a little more than 3,000 square feet.
He added “It is one of the scariest things that I’ve ever done in my life. I am really excited about it, but the other side of me is just terrified.â€
The Buttons have already put a down-payment on a 10-barrel system. Todd Button said the quality of the beer will be his primary focus.
“We want to make good, world-class beers,†he said. “I want to make sure we do it the right way. Quality is important. We don’t want off-flavors.â€
The Buttons hope to be brewing by mid-May.
“We are putting everything on the line to do this, but we also believe in it,†Todd said.
- Cathalena E. Burch
Sam Fox's on East Grant Road is now hiring in anticipation of its Sept. 20 grand opening.
Beginning Monday, Aug. 21, and continuing through Sept. 2, Fox Restaurant Concepts is hosting a job fair for nearly 200 positions from line and prep cooks, to dishwashers and bartenders.
Bring a resume to the restaurant, 2543 E. Grant Road at the corner of North Tucson Boulevard, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily except Sunday, Aug. 27. Or click Ìýto apply online.Ìý
Once it opens, 's hours will be from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mondays through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays.
- Andi Berlin | This Is Tucson
If you've ever had an hour between classes and thought, "I could really go for some shiu mai right now," I've got news for you. There's a new Chinese restaurant on campus, and it's not serving orange chicken ...
Dim Sum House opened quietly in the Next Level student housing complex on North Park Avenue earlier this summer. It's operating on a limited menu right now, but by Sept. 1 it'll be full "steam" ahead. Owned by Eddie Lau of , the fast-casual spot specializes in a style of Chinese brunch called dim sum.Ìý
Traditional dim sum houses are usually large food halls where families congregate and share small plates of various dumplings that are pushed out by moving carts. This restaurant operates more like a Cantonese bakery, where you order from a smaller menu of buns and dumplings at the counter.
Dim Sum House will have five varieties of dim sum, including shiu mai pork dumplings, the white har gow shrimp, shark fin and sticky rice chicken for beginners. Also look for several varieties of buns, including barbecue pork char siu bao, pineapple and coconut, plus egg tarts for dessert. The dim sum is being made at Gee's Garden nearby, and sells for $4.29 an order.Ìý
You can also find some more obscure specialty dishes from the Cantonese region of Southern China where Lau is from, including the sweet soup qingbuliang and a braised pork bowl with boiled eggs and Chinese greens. $9.95. "The Chinese students love it," Lau said. But perhaps more importantly, they have boba tea: 10 varieties including taro, mango, lychee and more.Ìý
But Lau is not stopping at Dim Sum House ... The Gee's Garden owner also recently purchased at 1800 E. Fort Lowell Road, and plans to put in a similar menu of dim sum dishes along with the smoothies and milk teas starting in September. ChaTime is next to Lau's other restaurant , which is his take on the Cajun crab boil.Ìý
Lau said he opened Seafood Time after customers told him they'd traveled all the way up to Phoenix to eat at places like Angry Crab. "There's no seafood here, but people love seafood," he said. The restaurant cooks its meats in Lau's own recipe of butter, garlic, tomato and ghost pepper.Ìý
In the next few months he says he also plans to open Tucson's first bar at 2590 N. First Ave. near Wild Garlic Grill. The yet-unnamed bar will have eight to 10 private karaoke booths for parties to sing Top 40 hits and more. This style of karaoke allows people more singing time, and has become really popular in metro cities around the Bay Area.Ìý
Dim Sum House is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day in the bottom of the Next Level student housing complex, . Phone and website coming soon.Ìý
- Cathalena E. Burch
- Andi Berlin | This Is Tucson
Some mornings you eat a yogurt. And some mornings you want to eat lots and lots of ...
Lucky for you, this new shop will have more than 100 different varieties including Reese's, Oreo, mini marshmallows and more. Ìýis a mom-and-pop shop based out of Colorado Springs, Colo. that plans to open its third location this summer in Tucson.Ìý
ÌýA post shared by Katt Anderson (@kattjo) on Dec 30, 2016 at 7:36pm PST
It's going into the former Little Luke's at 101 E. Fort Lowell Road, . The outside of the building has been painted a festive pink and orange, kinda like a homey version of Dunkin' Donuts. Update:ÌýAmy's will hold its grand opening June 19 at 4 a.m., it announced .Ìý
But the shop is actually taking a page from the trendy joint in Portland ("The magic is in the hole?"), which popularized crazy combos like Captain Crunch and bubble gum.
Amy's Donuts specializes in the yeast doughnut variety () and goes a little loopy with the toppings. Here are a few examples ...
CANDIES AND PRETZELS
ÌýA post shared by Felicia Lee (@feliciaflee) on Apr 1, 2016 at 5:13pm PDT
RAINBOW
ÌýA post shared by Samuel Davidson (@swaggy.sd) on Mar 30, 2017 at 8:47am PDT
CEREAL
ÌýA post shared by Ralyn Shoop (@ralynstagram) on Mar 10, 2017 at 8:19am PST
BACON
ÌýA post shared by Meagan Mahan (@mahanmeagan) on Nov 26, 2016 at 7:22am PST
PEARLS
ÌýA post shared by Christian Estrada (@chrisecasting) on May 29, 2016 at 11:38am PDT
SWIRLS
ÌýA post shared by Milton Acad Athletics (@ma_athletics) on Jun 14, 2016 at 9:47am PDT
The Colorado Springs location is currently open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Most of the specialty doughnuts are priced around $2 apiece, or $17 for a dozen. They also serve fresh-made pigs in a blanket.
- Andi Berlin | This Is Tucson
The Wilko signs are still on the door, but it is Wilko no more ... Last night, the campus bistro announced it was ending its decade-long run atÌý943 E. University Blvd.
"After over ten fantastic years of serving our community, we have decided to pass the torch to others in the great space at the corner of Park and University," read the . The trendy space, owned by Peter Wilke of Time Market and B Line, opened its doors as an upscale convenience store in 2007 and has been a restaurant since 2010.Ìý
New owners Marcus and Nicole van Winden didn't waste any time. This morning for brunch, they opened their concept . Right now they're in soft opening stages, and plan to roll out the dinner and happy hour menus later this week.Ìý
Although you'll see some holdovers from the Wilko menu (and familiar faces serving the food too), there's a bunch of interesting dishes from the Netherlands, where Marcus grew up. Like this: Uitsmijter, aka The Dutch Breakfast, $9. It's basically two eggs rolled into a thin omelet, and layered with ham, tomatoes and melty Gouda cheese on whole grain bread trucked up from .
The couple actually met on a Holland America Line, where he ran the cruise ship's kitchen. The seasoned chef has also worked his magic at Lodge on the Desert and Loews Ventana Canyon in Tucson, but most recently ran the in Alpine, Texas.ÌýThe couple wanted to keep up the Holland connection here in Tucson, where Nicole is from. Ìý
Make sure to check these dishes out:
— Patat Oorlog (or War Fries): Thickly-cut French fries with a sweet sambal peanut sauce, . Pictured up top, $8
— Belgian waffle: From the next country over, with strawberries and Grand Marnier whipped cream, $9
— Breakfast flatbread: This yummy spread has smoked salmon and herbed cheese topped with a baked egg, $14
- Cathalena E. Burch
Six months after closing for major renovations, the restaurant at Ryan Airfield in Three Points could be back in business by June under a new operator.
On Wednesday, the Tucson Airport Authority Board of Directors approved a lease for Richard Flory, who owns The Happy Rooster Cafe on Tucson’s east side. Flory is expected to open Richie’s Cafe by June in the space that long housed Todd’s at 9700 W. Ajo Way.
It will be the first time that patrons of the airport will be able to grab a bite at the restaurant since last fall, when the airport authority closed it to make much-needed updates and repairs.
Todd’s was expected to reopen in late November or early December, but the owners, Shari and Todd Scott, couldn’t reach a lease agreement with the authority. The airport wanted the restaurant to open at 6 a.m., but the Scotts wanted to continue opening at 8.
Todd’s officially closed in late December and the authority has spent the time since making even more repairs, including replacing kitchen equipment, said TAA spokesman David Hatfield, senior director of business development and marketing.
Hatfield said Richie’s Cafe will be open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily year-round, with the exception of Christmas Day, and will likely serve a menu similar to that of Flory’s Happy Rooster.
The Happy Rooster Cafe has been a staple at 1114 S. Sarnoff Drive off East 22nd Street for 17 years. Flory has owned it four of those years.
The restaurant serves hearty country breakfasts anchored by sausage, bacon, chicken-fried streak or Italian and Polish sausage, and stuffed sandwiches bulging with sliced turkey, roast beef, ham or other deli meats and cheeses.
- Andi Berlin | This Is Tucson
A new chicken and waffles restaurant is expected to open this fall on Fourth Avenue.
Owner Micah Blatt plans to open The Drunken Chicken in August, when University of ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ students return from summer break.
The fast-casual restaurant will serve chicken and waffles, plus craft beer.
“We’re just trying to do something that other people aren’t doing around here,†Blatt said. “We love all the businesses on Fourth Avenue. We’re adding a little more love to an industry that we care about.â€
Blatt, who owns the nearby Mr. Head’s Art Gallery and Bar, has had his eye on 429 N. Fourth Ave. for a couple of years now. He thought of buying it from Maya Quetzal, a Guatemalan restaurant with two decades under its belt. But he decided to wait.
The location finally came on the market this year, so Blatt made his move. He’s bringing on Mr. Head’s manager Ben Sattler as a co-owner in the new business.
The Drunken Chicken will be open until 10 p.m. on weekdays and stay open later for the bar crowd on weekends.
- Gabriela Rico
Mama’s Hawaiian Bar-B-Cue will be moving its Speedway location a block south.
The standalone restaurant near the University of ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ will close in May, as developers of the two Hub student-housing towers are planning a third one on the site.
Mama’s will occupy 1,570 square feet of space on the ground floor of the original Hub, a 592-bed complex at 1011 N. Tyndall Ave.
Debbie Heslop, with Volk Co., represented Core Campus Tucson I LLC, and Mama’s was represented by John Ash, of CBRE.
Other recent commercial transactions include:
- Tractor Supply Co. bought 5.35 acres of land at the southeast corner of Indian Agency and Valencia roads from Tucson South Development Group LLC for $1.3 million. Greg Furrier, with Picor, represented the seller, and David Long, with The Long Corp., represented the buyer.
- MCR 1135 Jones LLC bought an 8,268-square-foot office building at 1135 N. Jones Blvd. from Intergalactic Inc. for $1 million. Tom Nieman, with Picor, represented the seller.
- A. Cruz & Co. LLC bought a 6,400-square-foot industrial building at 1971 W. McMillan St. from JIMP Holdings LLC for $380,000. Ron Zimmerman, with Picor, represented the seller, and James T. Lavery, with Realty Executives Tucson Elite, represented the buyer.
- The TJX Cos. Inc. leased 21,000 square feet at the southwest corner of Cortaro Road and ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Pavilions Drive from AZPAV West LLC to open a TJ Maxx store. Brenna Lacey, of Volk Co., represented the tenant.
- Filter Products Corp. leased 11,406 square feet at 4175 S. Fremont Ave. from Doubletree Investments Inc. Stephen D. Cohen and Russell W. Hall, with Picor, represented the landlord, and Tim Healy, with CBRE, represented the tenant.
- Centro Familiar Getsemani leased 4,000 square feet at 1702 S. Winmor Ave. from International Evangelistic Mission. Denisse Angulo-Badilla, with Picor, represented the landlord.
- Dempsey’s Boarding Care LLC leased 2,177 square feet at 1152 N. Craycroft Road from Deebco Properties. Andrew D. Sternberg and Robert J. Nolan, of Oxford Realty Advisors, handled the transaction.
- Dominic Escamilla Financial Services LLC leased 1,577 square feet of office space at 4400 E. Broadway from 4400 Broadway LLC. Michael Gross, of Tucson Realty & Trust Co,. represented the landlord, and Bob Herd, of Excelsior Real Estate, represented the tenant.
- Cathalena E. Burch
- Cathalena E. Burch
The Screamery, the Tucson-born ice cream shop that specializes in natural, handcrafted ice cream starting with pasteurizing its own cream base, is opening its fourth and final Tucson area location, this one in Marana.
Kenny and Linda Sarnoski will open the Marana shop on May 1 in the small plaza at 5920 W. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Pavilions Drive, off Cortaro Road and Interstate 10. It will be the only ice cream shop in the bustling Cortaro Road-I-10 corridor populated by several chain restaurants and large retail stores including Walmart and the weeks-old TJ Maxx/Ross Dress for Less retail complex.
“We’re making a lot of new friends and lot of happy faces,†Kenny Sarnoski said. “And we’re excited about that.â€
Meanwhile, Sarnoski said his small Tucson company will make inroads into the Phoenix market before the end of the year. They are negotiating for a location in Gilbert, the first of at least eight Phoenix area shops. All will be corporate owned and operated, with a focus on the couple’s popular ice cream that comes in inventive flavors like Bees Knees — honey-swirled in a sweet cream and lavender base — and Rough At Sea — a sea salt-kissed base to complement honey-swirled candied pecans, almonds and pistachios.
He said they also have had people outside ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥, including in Florida and Las Vegas, who have expressed interest in franchising.
“We want to be as big as Ben & Jerry’s,†Kenny Sarnoski said.
In addition to cones and cups ($2.75 for a kid’s scoop, $4.50 for a single), the Screamery offers a variety of treats from “Ice cream Nachos,†with a single scoop of ice cream topping waffle chips drizzled with hot fudge; ice cream floats and sundaes; and the meant-to-be-shared Farmhouse with a whopping eight scoops of ice cream loaded with cookies, brownies and buttercake and your choice of toppings. At $24.50, it’s the most expensive item on the menu.
“To have ice cream where it’s a $4.50 for a scoop of ice cream ... they’re walking out spending $10 for two people,†Sarnoski said. “In order to do that in Tucson, you have to have a great product and great customer service. The customer service has to be as good as the product.â€
The Screamery is the latest Tucson company to take on the Phoenix market. The Flores family launched its Sir Veza’s Taco Garage brand at Sky Harbor International Airport in 2012. It branched out to US Airways Center — now Talking Stick Resort Arena — in 2013 and Chandler the following year. El Guero Canelo Mexican Restaurant, which specializes in Sonoran hot dogs, opened last year in west Phoenix.
The Sarnoski’s opened their first Screamery in summer 2014 at 50 S. Houghton Road. In spring 2016, it opened the second shop at 2545 E. Speedway, followed a few months later with the downtown shop at 250 E. Congress last summer.
- Cathalena E. Burch
- Andi Berlin | This Is Tucson
Brandon Katz had the idea floating around in his brain ... a gourmet restaurant that draws on "Southern values" like whole-hog cooking and sharing dishes family-style.
These are concepts the Tucson restaurateur he'd already been exploring at his downtown sushi restaurant , but through a Japanese and Korean lens.
Then Daniel Thomas came around, a young graduate who cut his teeth with Virginia Wooters at The Abbey and more recently headed up the kitchen at . Katz knew he had to make a move.
His companyÌýFukushu Restaurant ConceptsÌýwill open its latest effort, , this November in the space that once held Frogs Organic Bakery,Ìý7109 North Oracle Road. Thomas will head up the kitchen, putting a "cheffy spin" on Southern favorites like pot pies, cauliflower grits and of course, fried chicken.Ìý
"If they're gonna use a chicken, they're gonna use as much of the chicken as they can," Katz says. "We want to try to take out a garden and use the vegetables. ... We'll have an amazing salad program."
Despite being a little over a mile from Tucson's other gourmet Southern restaurant , Katz thinks they can bring something unique to the north-side restaurant game.
"We're not going to take it to the extreme like Travis is doing at the Parish, with the (obscure) game that he uses ... We'll focus onÌýpolished, casual service ... We want it to be very approachable."
To switch up the French bakery vibe in the current building, Katz enlisted the help of as well as his business partner/designer André Joffroy. They plan to do a "complete overhaul" with natural reclaimed woods and an indoor-outdoor bar flanking the patio. Ìý
Katz has also recently brought on Obon's chef Paulo Im and bartenderÌýMatt MartinezÌýas partners in Fukushu. The two will act as corporate chef and mixologist, overseeing all the company's concepts.
In addition to Obon, and now , the team also has another project in the works: In January they'll openÌýDuck and Cover, a 'music-driven, elevated dive bar' in the basement of the former Chicago Music Store,Ìý130 E. Congress.
- By Gerald M. Gay
After three years on the hunt, Todd and Erika Button have finally found a forever home for their aptly named Button Brew House.
The couple signed a lease for a space at 6800 N. Camino Martin in December. It’s right around the corner from Catalina Brewing Co., sparking the potential for a brand-new brewing district on Tucson’s northwest side.
For Todd, who left a 20-year career in the printing industry to enter into brewing, this next step is a big deal.
“To me it feels like a dream,†Todd said. The space is a little more than 3,000 square feet.
He added “It is one of the scariest things that I’ve ever done in my life. I am really excited about it, but the other side of me is just terrified.â€
The Buttons have already put a down-payment on a 10-barrel system. Todd Button said the quality of the beer will be his primary focus.
“We want to make good, world-class beers,†he said. “I want to make sure we do it the right way. Quality is important. We don’t want off-flavors.â€
The Buttons hope to be brewing by mid-May.
“We are putting everything on the line to do this, but we also believe in it,†Todd said.
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