Convention Community

  • 1.  INSIDER'S GUIDE TO EATING & DRINKING IN CHUK'SHON

    Posted 07-05-2019 00:17

    ARCHER’S INSIDER’S GUIDE TO CHUK’SHON

    Welcome to the Nueva España settlement, in Baja Arizona, once called Chuk’shon. You can call it Tucson, as long as you spell it correctly to reflect the prior name from the Tohono O’odham language. You are entering one of the longest-settled regions of this continent. A place I’ve called home, off and on, over the span of a brief 25 years. Avenues are north-south running, streets are east-west. According to hometown musicians, Calexico, there’s not much worth visiting east of Alvernon Way (though there is Polish Cottage and, even farther out, the mind-blowing Baja Cafe, deliciously bending the logic of culinary arts). Most importantly, stay hydrated, eat fats, stay hydrated, have agua fresca, stay hydrated. Addresses below are noted to specify which location when there’s more than one. Places are listed from proximate to distant as measured from Starr Pass Resort. This list is for the adventurous. If that’s not you, there’s always Waffle House. It’s not far.

    -centrally located -

    Sonoran Delights Raspados, 921 W Congress Street, very local, very much a cheap dive Mexican restaurant with excellent authentic cooking

    Mercado San Agustin, 100 S Avenida del Convento, a little plaza mercado offering many menus and services not far from Starr Pass Resort

    La Fresita West, 1450 W St Mary’s Road, fresh delicious tacos and burros, the best flan in Tucson, where I used to pick up breakfast if I didn’t cook beforehand

    St Mary's Mexican Food, 1030 W St Mary’s Road, amazing burros, tres leches cake

    The Little One, 151 N Stone Avenue, for breakfast or lunch, mandatory hugs, loud music, most customers have eaten here for decades, CASH ONLY

    Penca, 50 E Broadway, a relatively new place for craft cocktails and fine Mexican dinner, try tepache, bacanora, chicharrones and other authentic rarities

    Owls Club, 236 S Scott Avenue, whisky and mescal selection is superb, southwestern speakeasy atmosphere, live music often

    Pueblo Vida Brewing, 115 E Broadway, for strong intense craft ales, dark or cloudy honey-colored

    Iron John’s Brewing – Downtown, 222 E Congress Street, the thing about Iron John’s is that they concoct daring, absurdist recipes and then massage these concepts into smooth beers, I prefer the outrageousness of Pueblo Vida but many wise tasters appreciate the wizardry of Iron John’s

    La Cocina, 201 N Court Avenue, an outdoor plaza surrounded with food shops and a craft ale bar, often live music

    Cafe Poca Cosa, 110 E Pennington Street, expensive high-end fine Mexican cuisine, if you go ask for a margarita made with Chinaco tequila, hopefully Christopher, the owner’s son, will make it if he’s in town

    ANELLO, 222 E 6th Street, artisan wood-fired pizza in a humble, minimalist space

    Five Points Market & Restaurant, 756 S Stone Avenue, innovative gastro-deli dishes

    Martins Comida Chingona, 557 N 4th Avenue, for a few decades this has been one of my favorite kitchens, good Mexican wrestler atmosphere, sidewalk seating or stay cool inside on the trendy stretch of Fourth Avenue

    Tumerico, 2526 E 6th Street, for amazing modern authentic Mexican, much of it vegetarian or made vegan if you like, this place is delightfully astounding

    Seven Cups Fine Chinese Tea, 2516 E 6th Street, importing from farm source the best Chinese tea, seriously, don’t pass this opportunity to at least learn something about true tea

    -northside -

    Presta Coffee Raosters, 2501 N 1st Avenue, the best third-wave coffee in a lovely modern architectural space, owner is a delightful man, one of Tucson’s former European race-circuit cyclists —hence the business name

    Taqueria El Pueblito, 1800 E Fort Lowell Road with entrance facing Campbell Avenue, roasted garlic in the beans, bacon in the burro, savory barbacoa, flan with texture and dynamism . . . did I mention the bacon?

    Taqueria Aqui Con El Nene, 4415 N Flowing Wells Road, food truck, outdoor dining, hidden secret, CASH ONLY, you betcha I’ll be eating here

    Frost, 7131 N Oracle, the most amazing gelato, ever

    -southside -

    El Torero, 231 E 26th Street, Tucson family-owned, its own venerated style of Tucson cooking, a local’s secret

    Saint Charles Tavern, 1632 S 4th Avenue, games, pool tables, social dancing, craft ale in cans and on draught, Americana in the Southwest

    El Guero Canelo, 5201 S 12th Avenue, for caramelos and Sonoran hot dogs, great for after-dark eats, if you’re worried about where you parked your car, you’re in the right place

    Though not food, with the exception of Kuumba’s sun-infused coconut oils, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that Tucson is home to at least three of the nation’s greatest fragrance and salve makers:

    Kuumba Made, now at their new location, 2045 N Forbes Blvd #103

    Kate’s Magik at Ritual Aroma Boutique, 215 N Court Avenue

    La Curie, sold in Mast inside the above mentioned Mercado San Agustin, 100 S Avenida del Convento



  • 2.  RE: INSIDER'S GUIDE TO EATING & DRINKING IN CHUK'SHON

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-05-2019 14:50
    Wow, this is great! Thank you for posting!

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    Kate Redding

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  • 3.  RE: INSIDER'S GUIDE TO EATING & DRINKING IN CHUK'SHON

    Posted 07-06-2019 08:50
    Many of these places are casual, affordable, not fancy at all and they have truly authentic, everyperson's cooking. I trust that you'll find enjoyment in your explorations of Tucson. Don't forget to spend time with our colleagues at the convention, though!

    If anyone has any specific questions or something in particular that you are looking for while in Tucson, you are welcome to ask. I'm sure there will be some local piano technicians who know a great deal more about the piano industry in Baja Arizona.

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    John Archer
    Saint Louis MO
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  • 4.  RE: INSIDER'S GUIDE TO EATING & DRINKING IN CHUK'SHON

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-06-2019 06:42
    Thanks for the info! 





  • 5.  RE: INSIDER'S GUIDE TO EATING & DRINKING IN CHUK'SHON

    Posted 07-06-2019 08:52
    It is my pleasure to share. I'm a fan of Tucson. As I noted in my reply above, feel free to ask if you're curious about something in particular in Tucson. There are plenty of simple pleasures tucked away in this railroad town.

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    John Archer
    Saint Louis MO
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