desertsun's Profile
Gluten Free in Tucson
Just to keep the thread alive....I saw an ad just last week for Metropolitan Grill (N. Oracle Rd.) advertising a "celiac menu" which should (ideally) be far better than just gluten-free, assuming they're being careful about cross-contamination. We also now have a Picazzo's Pizza (also on N. Oracle, near Metropolitan Grill) but when we tried to go there the other day, they were closed for remodeling. Hope they re-open soon, as they have a really good menu. Tucson Tamale Company appears to be thriving and their tamales can be found in local stores as well as at many of the local farmer's markets.
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Metropolitan Grill
7892 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85704
Where to buy juniper berry in Tucson?
Found juniper berries at Santa Cruz Chile Company in Tumacacori. $1.60 for 2 oz.
Where to buy juniper berry in Tucson?
Try AJ's and Williams-Sonoma, both located at La Encantada, Skyline x Campbell. Since they carry foods from all over the world, not just Asia, Lee Lee Market on Orange Grove might also be a possibility.
Veal bones in Tucson
Try Dickman's butcher shop on E. Broadway. If they don't have them, they can probably tell you where you can get them here or in PHX.
Ethiopian restaurant in Tucson
I've liked everything I've tried at Zemam's but find their collards are particularly tasty. I've been very tempted to go in someday and do one of the "samplers" with 6 or 8 servings of the collards on the injera and call it good! The "pot-likker" soaks into the injera and it just gets better and better! It's a family-run place and some of the "kids" visiting during the holidays also come in and work shifts. It's one of those places I like to tell people about, so they get a steady enough flow of traffic to stay in business. Good folks, great food.
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Zemam's
2731 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85716
Gluten Free in Tucson
Sorry to be so late in replying, but a great local place is Tucson Tamale Company. http://www.tucsontamalecompany.com Everything on their menu is gluten-free.
authentic cheese curds in phoenix area
I got the ones at TJ's a couple of weeks ago and probably won't get them again. They were ok, but not nearly as salty as I like and as zencker notes, the moisture isn't right. The best ones are the ones I get several times a year at the Tillamook Cheese Factory, Tillamook, OR. I've even been lucky a few times and gotten them 50% off during the winter. I've never seen them outside the factory store and wouldn't have a clue as to if they'll freeze well or not, as they never last that long!
Tucson Recommendations?
Note that you havn't had any replies yet. That's likely because virtually everything in Tucson would qualify as "moderately priced" with only a very few exceptions, and even those few higher-end places can be very reasonable in summer. I'd think you will find a lot of options just by doing a quick search here for Tucson.
Recommendations for Primm?
Well, no. There are modulars where a lot of the service people live. But if you'll notice, a great many of them are foreign nationals on work visas. When I lived in that desert, there seemed to be a lot of Poles and Czechs; one would come, more would follow, based on recommendations of others. Now? Who knows. But who else would work in Primm, when they could at least be in Vegas? Seems like we usually had good service there, tho. The employees are motivated; if they lose their jobs, they lose their visas. And they spoke better English than many other service workers elsewhere in the country. Seemed like it was a good deal for both the properties and the employees.
Fish Tacos in Tucson?
The ahi tacos sound wonderful, but I'm not sure I could get in and out of Montana Avenue without the potato chips and bleu cheese dip!
Fish Tacos in Tucson?
I like Chuy's. Your closest would be on Wilmot/Tanque Verde (the road changes name) x Pima. I've been to that one, one at 22nd x Kolb and on the west side of the Catalina Highway. Food's been good at all locations. I usually get the Mahi tacos (grilled) but they also have grilled or fried whitefish. Their Baja sauce is good and one of their salsas, with a vinegar base, is completely addictive.
This link is to the menu for the 22nd x Kolb location, but I think it's identical at the other locations.
http://www.chuystucson.com/menu-food.html#c
Spanish paprika (pimenton) in Tucson?
They don't show them on their website, but it'd still probably worth calling Flavorbank to double-check.
http://flavorbank.com/
Santa Cruz Chili & Spice Co., down at Carmen, has a wide variety of chiles and would also probably be worth a call. Or better yet, take a drive down just to enjoy the area in the spring.
http://www.santacruzchili.com/
Food shopping in Tucson
Native Seeds Search on 4th St. in Tucson has a good selection of chilies. And seed, if you'd like to try and grow some out at home! Santa Cruz Chile Company, in Carmen, about 40 miles south of Tucson, has not only chilies, but a wide variety of other spices. Worth the trip, in my humble opinion, but I'm not only a chile freak, but really love the Santa Cruz products, esp. their chile powder and paste.
Tucson cheap eats
Not Mexican, but for good cheap eats, I really love Lani's Luau. Homemade Hawaiian food with excellent kalua pig. I love the #6 kalua pig plate, or the #9 Luau plate that has kalua pig, lomi lomi salmon, poke, chicken long rice and lau lau. Oh, and 2 scoops rice and potato-mac or side salad. All for about $10. That's the most expensive item on the menu. Lani's is open for lunch/supper Tues-Sat and is in a strip mall, next door to a Big Lots, on the NW corner of Harrison x Golf Links. I'm getting hungry just writing this, so I may head on up there now.
Cafe Poca Cosa in Tucson . . . still around?
$12 for margarita? I paid $5. Must be the difference between lunch and supper. Best one I've ever had, tho.
Carne Seca in Phoenix?
Well, being a BIG fan of Mi Nidito, I can't say that'd be a wasted trip. I've not had their carne seca, since I just can't get past having the President's platter each and every time. Except for the bean tostada, that whole platter is just completely exceptional; chile relleno, chicken enchilada, tamales, birria taco. Every item is wonderful. I do usually get the carne seca at El Charro, though I really like the version at El Molinito. Can't say one is better than the other, just very different. And since I've never seen carne seca on the menu anywhere other than Tucson, a trip down here may be necessary. Just don't regret it, as the trip just for Mi Nidito would be worth it, in my humble opinion.
Boise Football game - good eats?
Two good spots within walking distance of the stadium are Buster's, and the Ram. Buster's Grill and Bar is Boise's version of Hooters with short-short clad waitresses. But they've also got the best fish and chips I've ever had, using halibut in a light tempura-like batter that allows the fish to cook perfectly but doesn't leave it greasy. Sports bar fare and atmosphere, but good quality. The Ram is a brewpub and we ate there last Wednesday night. We were there earlier than usual and had a great "early-bird" supper; your choice of chicken, steak or salmon, with a baked potato and choice of green or Caesar salad, for only $9.99. Heckuva deal and the salmon was perfect with their wheat beer. They've got a nice patio, right on the Greenbelt. Downtown, I've always liked Bardenay, a restaurant/distillery, but havn't been there in awhile.
Portland Bachelor Party
We went to the Public House with a large group back in February, and it worked well. They've got a back room that was nice, though we had considerably more (something like 50+) than you have. But it might well be available. They did a variety of appetizers that were excellent. You should be able to get a good selection of appetizers plus your main courses well under your $50pp limit. Call, tell them what you'd like, and see if they won't work with you. They were VERY accomodating for our group.
Canning supplies in Tucson?
I've rarely seen jars at Target. Wal-Mart usually has a good selection of jars and canning equipment, thru most of the year, not just in summer. Booklegger had another good suggestion with Ace; that would be my backup spot, and again, they carry things year-round. The big one on 22nd would be my first stop, as they've got a great kitchen section.
Heirloom Tomatoes in Tucson, AZ
Also check Sunflower. And have you checked the farmer's markets? Tomatoes usually don't mind heat much and growers from the surrounding area (Willcox, Sierra Vista, Nogales) may be at higher elevations with cooler temps, if the specific tomatoes you're looking for require those conditions.
Tillamook - Any Good Surprises
Since you've been to the Farmer's Market, hope you sampled some of Bear Creek Artichokes' products. I normally detest packaged pesto (I grow my own basil every year, so I'm spoiled) but I fell in love with their pesto; it's by far the best commercial one I've ever tasted. I know the seafood place that mb5070 mentioned, but havn't stopped in there. I always hang a right and head straight to the cheese factory for ice cream; Wild Mountain Huckleberry in a waffle cone is hard to beat!
Banquet Room Northeast Tucson
umm.....you've got northEAST in your title, but northWEST in your text....which is it?
Maybe wouldn't matter that much in some cities, but the difference here can easily be 45 miles and a 1 hour drive time (that's from Tanque Verde Guest Ranch on the NE side to Marana area on NW side).
In Search of Green Chili Burgers (long)
Glad folks are mentioning Blakes. Lottaburger with triple green, or Itsaburger with double green. Heckuva good deal. And you can get cherry Cokes there, too.
Anyone been to AJ's Tucson?
I agree; I've not had it, but wouldn't hesitate a bit. OK; so that's not entirely the truth....when I hook the corner past the cheese, go past the sushi on the left and deli on the right, I pretty much try and avert my gaze hard left, towards the checkout and AWAY from the decadent cakes and other asst. baked goods section. So please....try it, and let us know if it's really worth going there...because I'm a little afraid of what will happen if I turn to the right and start looking....
Ideas for rehearsal dinner bbq in Tucson?
http://www.cateringusa.net/index.html
This is a link to Port-a-Pit catering, here in Tucson. I'm only familiar with their "Rapid Response" menu, but they've got a whole array of menus listed on their site. I love their pork loin and tri-tip. Reid Park would be nice that time of year, as it has more shade than many of the other parks in Tucson.
Other options might be T'ohono Chul or the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, both of which have restaurants on site.
Another Portland "one night" request, but slightly different...
We were very surprised to be able to get a last minute table at Higgins last January (on a symphony night, of which we had no clue). If you like charcuterie....my oh my, go there and have their charcuterie plate....it was lovely...
Taqueria in Tucson. No quiero taco bell.
I'm not usually down there at night. Coming in that late, I'd make a run to Mi Nidito on south 4th Ave in South Tucson. It's exceptional and I think they're open until midnight on Fri & Sat. I always get the President's Plate (their sampler platter) which has a truly exceptional birria taco on it. I'm not a big fan of their bean tostada, but everything else, chile relleno, enchilada, tamale, even the table salsa is just amazingly good. I could live on their salsa. Really.
