Thanks for the rec on Maynard's & Jax Kitchen and we'll have to try Zinburger. I agree I hope they all make it in this economy. I was watching Kgun one nite and they stated Snow bird traffic was down 25% this winter so I wasn't supprised that waits were never a problem.
Love Tucson and we always enjoy Cup Cafe, a great place to hang out, but we didn't get there this last winter.

Definately don't miss Ice Cream by the pool or Brunch by the pool at the Az. Inn. It is an old wonderful place with the grand hotel ambiance of The Del in San Diego and a few other Grand hotels.Also just relax and enjoy awalk through the gardens.
I am old Nevada and I have been going to Tonopah for ages and have never had a good meal there , but have had many a good time at the MiZPAH hotel bar, which is now closed. Several people have given you good rec's for Tucson . About the rest of your Trip all I can tell you is I've never found anything in Alpine Tx . which is down the road from Marfa and have never had the pleasure of eating in Marfa so if you will after your trip please give a report of the expierences.

We spent Dec through May in Tucson this year and as usual we ate out a couple time a week usually for Lunch as that is the most economical meal. Heading our list of places we liked was Teresas Moasic on silver bell east of Grant. Everthing was very good and we had good to average service every time. Beyond Bread was as good as always with terrific sandwitches , soups and salads & I love the Expresso brownies. We ate at Poca Cosa 3 times and enjoyed the food but the decor in the new place isn't as festive as the old place and we seem to not enjoy it as much IMHO. Also the Big Fat Greek restaurant on Broadway & Kolb was very good aa we really enjoyed the Gryo Lunch with Salad. We ate at some other places but they were very forgettable..

We did happen to get to Tubac area and enjoyed The OLD Tubac Inn for their Hamburgers & Chips the other items on the menu were lacking. We also Dropped in at Wisdom's in Tummacacori , 3 miles south, and both enjoyed very much the Vegetarian Burros & the Turkey burros. It seems that Wisdom's has improved and I would reccomend them as long as you stay with the burros, also tuesdays are 2 for 1 margueritas .
We are value chowhounds this year and did not eat at the more High end places Like Janos/J-bar, Ventana room or Az. Inn which have all been excellent in the past . Enjoy and have fun all

Will be getting over to Carlsbad for christmas and I like to go to a coffee house have a nice latte and maybe a pastry and read the paper . Are there any good spots or am I confined to the chain which isn't bad but sometimes you can do much better.
Thanks all you chowhounds.

I also rec. IN & Out , it is hard to see as you exit so be watchful. Ikeda's is fine & they do have a store to buy funky dried fruits & candies but it does take them a long time to make the burger , but it is fresh. If you are still hungry when you get to Reno try Beto's a quaint mexican place on 5th in reno . Get off at the Keystone exit. They are very casual and inexpensive and have good food!

Thanks,
We'll give those estabilishments a try. I always enjoy trying something new .

Well the snow will be flying soon so the wife & I will be heading out for S. Az. soon. We are the type who like to sit and relax with a coffee and we are wondering what are the favorite's in Tucson for a coffee house, downtown/east central / S.East , parts of Tucson specifically and if they have good muffins/pastries that is a plus. The second part of my question is specifically about Tubac and the new place that took over for nobhill . What is their food like and is it fine for lunch? Thanks in advance will be heading out to warm up soon.

While up in carlsbad for legoland ect. Try Pollo Maria's , it is an institution in carlsbad and the taco's , fish, are better than bety's that doesn't mean bety's aren't good just these are better. Also pollo maria has a nice outdoor area to enjoy the food . If you do go to bety's get the taco's ala carte the rice & bean's are average.
enjoy the trip.

Agree,
My wife & I stop there for expresso when going east to slc & abq. . We are always amazed at the good things we find out in the middle of nowhere.

I live in Reno and often go to elko on business . I always eat at " The Star" , it is a basque restaurant and it is excellent lunch or dinner. Another possible stop is Bella's a coffee house in Wells run by the local bordello , last exit going east, their coffee / espresso's are pretty good , . A number of people here have mentioned Red Iguana in SLC & it is good . It is in the same ballpark as Poca Cosa in Tucson and several other places in San Antoine. Enjoy your drive and be safe, Nevada is a beautiful state we just try to keep it secret.

Sorry I goofed henry's puffy tacos and La tienda aren't within walking distance of riverwalk.

Enjoy your stay . My wife & I are from Reno but have spent extensive time in S.A. . My advice would be to not eat at the places on the river walk they are pretty but you can do better. Try La Tienda it is an old S.A. institution and it is very christmasy and perfect for the season. I would also recommend Henry's Puffy tacos for a very different and wonderful treat in the taco realm with almost nothing like it in the U.S. .
Enjoy !

My wife & I have eaten at SUP several time and have enjoyed its high quality soups & the little mini Loafs from the House of Bread . We especially love the squash soup although all the soups we have had are great. Havn't had any sandwich's . Love the cookie also & the nice clean up to date decor. Just not enough tables and oh so crowded. Nice to see a good place do well.

Get to Phoenix on Occasions and am not familar with Simply Bread. If any of you are familar with Beyond Bread in Tucson How would Simply Bread Rate. If you think it is worth it I would try it the next time I'm up there.

Agree with prior posts RE:
Janos / Janos J-bar at Westin La Paloma: Cafe Poca Cosa downtown : Ventana room at Loews Ventana resort. I & my wife also like the Az. Inn where the ambiance of Old Tucson is a little better than the food. If you go here walk the grounds sit and enjoy awhile it is beautiful.

My Wife & I took a trip to montana this fall. We had low expectations for food and I must admit that those expectations were meet at virtually every stop until we were getting near the end of our trip. We got lucky when we decided to stop and stay in arco Id. one nite , and decided to try our luck at places to eat. We drove past several eating establishments during the lunch hour and their parking lots were empty and then as we were just about at the west edge of town we saw a nondescript place called Pickels and the parking lot was jammed. It was painted green and we thought , omygawd how funky, as we opened the door and saw probably every farmer in the area noisly eating & enjoying themselves. We sat down and opened the menu & settled on two burgers & salads. The burgers came and they were terrific & the salads were basic & fresh then we looked at desert and had homemade fresh apple pie & ice cream. Pickels was a shot in the arm for two hungry people with 3 weeks of lousy road food .
On our next stop before home we stoped in Elko Nv. and stopped at the Star a Basque restaurant in Elko. I haven't eaten there for a couple of years and am glad to report that they are very good as always and now they are smoke free due to a new state law.