Top end:
Janos (and J-bar)
Anthony's in the Foothills (always named by Wine Spectator)- I ate here four times in the five months I lived in Tucson!
Hacendia Del Sol

Very nice but more affordable:
North (in La Encatada shopping center; also about four other restauraunts in the cul-de-sac but North is the best one)
Bistro Zin (I heard this may have closed)
Wildflower as described below- this and North/Bistro Zin have same ownership
Fleming's steakhouse (a chain, admittedly, but still good)

Cheaper but good:
Definitely second Casa Molina
Another Mexican place named Micah's I think, it's downtown and listed in fodor's I believe

Yes, unfortunately it is closed. It was the best meal we had in Tucson on our last visit.

The only way to eat these is from a little cart on the side of the road. The one right next to the airport has vanished. Such a shame because I'd stop there on the way home from the airport.

Bistro Zin is morphing into a gourmet hamburger place (same owners), and should be open soon. The liquor license application is posted and they're hiring.

I really miss Zin, but I'm hoping the new place is as good.

I also love Acacia.

For breakfast: THE GOOD EGG. You can substitute healthy options for your meal. . .like egg whites or egg beaters in your omelette, have whole wheat instead of buttermilk pancakes, fresh fruit instead of potatoes. . .etc.

For Mexican: Casa Molino or Rosa's. . .for a more upscale, fusion/southwestern restaurant, try Cafe Poca Cosa. Bad thing is, Cafe Poca Cosa is only open during lunch hours since it's in the downtown business district. Their menus change daily! So you can never get tired of the same old same old. . though if you're like me and order the same thing every day. . .then it might also be a bad thing :[

For Italian, it's gotta be GAVIS. Their calamari is to die for!!!

For more GREAT TUCSON restaurants, this website has some great ones as recommendations!

http://gabwith.us/10-locals-favorite...uscon-arizona/

as you know we are dining there in about a month, looking forward to it!

Taqueria Pico de Gallo, BREAKFAST SPOT, S TUCSON
2618 South 6th Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85713-3689
(520) 623-8775

El Guero Canelo, SONORAN HOT DOGS - HILARIOUSLY GOOD, S TUCSON
5201 South 12th Avenue, Tucson, AZ‎
(520) 807-9620‎

Mi Nidito, LUNCH or EARLY DINNER
1813 South 4th Avenue, Tucson, AZ‎
(520) 622-5081‎

Tea Room at Tohono Chul Park, $$ MEAL FOR THE POST-GARDEN TOUR
7366 North Paseo Del Norte, Tucson, AZ‎
(520) 797-1222‎
Closes at 2:30PM

El Indio Mexican Food Restaurant, OK, S TUCSON
3355 South 6th Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85713-6103
(520) 620-0504‎

Neo of Melaka, MALAYSIAN RESTAURANT, OK
6133 East Broadway Boulevard
Tucson, AZ 85711-4005
(520) 747-7811

Saigon Pho, DURIAN BOBA SMOOTHIES
943 E University Blvd
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 396-3624

On the north side of town is Inca's Peruvian Cuisine www.incascuisine.com we didn't think much of this place as well pulled up, it knocked our socks off, well worth while to try for a cuisine that isn't found in many places in the US, here is the Yelp review www.yelp.com/biz/incas-peruvian-cuisine-tucson & Tucson Weekly's http://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/i...on?oid=1909786

Willie - and others

Never forget about the Buffet in TUS. The hotdogs are fantastic. And make sure you are there for happy minute. One more free of whatever you are drinking. Outside of that, Saga is a great place. Mexican and sushi in the same place. On E Speedway near Casa video [which btw is the best video rental store that I have ever seen - with free popcorn as you browse]. What else - Brooklyn Pizza on 4th is always good. Go when there is a full moon for a 1/2 price discount on an eat in pie. Lastly, just about any parking lot truck selling Mexican food is going to be good - so are the tamales sold out of shopping carts in the parking lots. There is also a great Afghani place but I can't remember where off the top of my head. Maybe google it or I'll come back and post again when I can remember

PM me if you need more info - I used to live in TUS and ate my way around the city.

Cheers

PS I'll be out in TUS at the beginning of Mar as part of a MR - anyone else?

Hi! My wife is staying in Tucson on Thursday night before meeting friends on Friday for a weekend spa trip.
What's your favorite $30-ish restaurant for solo dining in Tucson? Open to all cuisines, but preferably a place that you love :-)

Thank you!
Michael

I quite like Cafe Poca Cosa downtown. They have a rotating menu of unique Mexican cuisine (or cocina), and a very comfortable atmosphere. Does fit the $30-40 range.

Kingfisher on Grant near Tucson

We're a family of 7 - 2 grandparents, 2 parents, 3 teenagers - spending about 5 days in Tucson and looking for some good but not too expensive restaurants in Tucson. Our preference would be in the northern section of town, since we are saying at the Westin La Paloma. Something a notch or two above Denny's would be perfect All suggestions welcome - thanks.

Don't you dare leave Tucson without getting a Sonoran Hot Dog at El Guero Canelo ^ Closest location to your hotel is on Oracle just north of Grant.

For a more typical family sit-down I would do El Charro Cafe in downtown Tucson. It can get crowded so try it on a Monday-Thursday if possible.

Pizzeria Bianco on Congress is a good alternative if you want to switch up from all the good Mexican food options.

My mom stays at that Westin semi frequently for conventions and I've visited several times. Good choice ^

Somehow family voted against the Mexican choices , but we did come up with one winner - an Italian place close to the Westin called Vivace. Lots of really interesting dishes, including two terrific appetizers - a Spinach and cheese souffle and a grilled asparagus and prosciutto dish and several main dishes, the best of which was an excellent veal marsala and a homemade seafood lasagna. Several deserts were great as well - superb bread pudding, creme brulee, and warm chocolate molten layer cake. I mention these items by name to indicate that this is not your "typical" Italian restaurant, but really something quite special.