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    El Rustico 2

    4.0 (25 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Order El Rustico 2 Takeout or Delivery

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    EL RUSTICO 2 ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - El Rustico 2

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    1 Quesebirria $3.75 with dipping consomme, 1 Mahi Mahi taco $4.75  Cheesy so greasy handfuls, full of proteins 4/5  10-2024
    Louise B.

    Tacos are very cheesy and full of proteins, tried the mahi mahi and their signature Quesebirria. A first of the latter, like pot roast in a taco with a very rich & flavorful consomme that hints cinnamon, Oregano, and big beef, & after you dip, be sure to drink like a hearty broth, it's super! Great smokiness to the rib plate with beans and rice, satisfying but definitely not light fare, with 5 small corn tortillas and a salsa bar with mild and spicy citrus reds, mild green, pico and cabbage to round your tacos out. Sat outside on a cool Oct evening as the inside has a clean floral scent that overpowers even the smoky BBQ permeating the premises and it was as chilly inside on metal chairs. Didn't want that scent descending on my taco plate haha. My body begging for the gym now, El R2 you are a guilty pleasure, but TY!

    Calabacitas platter
    Connie G.

    I stopped in on a Saturday, an hour before closing. I was the only customer and the restaurant was quiet. I sat close to the wall by the menu to plug in my phone The interior is spacious and colorful. Service was fast and friendly. I didn't feel rushed to order and leave. I ordered something outside of my usual chicken burrito. Tonight I had a plate of vegetarian calabacitas and it was delicious! The zucchini and Chiles were topped in gooey, thick cheese. Rice and beans and a wrapped flour tortilla were on the side. It wasn't a spicy dish and that is how I like my cheese and veggies. I couldn't eat it all and took the leftovers home for breakfast.

    Catering/chef crew 2/2025
    Mike S.

    My buddy hired El Rustico's roadshow team to cater his SB party for around 50 people. They were professional and delightful. The birria and carnitas meats were simmered to perfection and custom prepared for each person - flour/corn; cheese or no; caramelo or street style - with 5 different fresh salsas, and of course shredded cabbage and guacamole. All in all they probably churned out over 250 5inch tacos and they did that in well under two hours... meaning food was prepped fast enough that most folks easily got seconds. They bring everything and pack up everything. Definitely worth keeping this resource in mind for your special occasion.

    Quesobirra tacos
    Fred B.

    Lots of good choices for tacos and burritos. They are know for their quesobirra tacos which are excellent. Service was very and we were a crowd of 12.

    Lee P.

    A well kept Tucson secret. Anyone who has suffered the crowds and commotion at the original location would be shocked how quiet this one is. Same great menu, plus on-site meat smokers that someday will offer smoked oxtail and tri-tip. Much nicer decor than the original location and the staff is really friendly. The variety is incredible - not a chain run by poseurs. Plus things that aren't so common for those not either "into" or "of" the culture, like nopales, tripa, Melinches and other items. Two things El Rustico is reknown for is the Birria (a classic stewed pot roast), slow cooked forever in the middle of the night, and Costilla (BBQ beef ribs). Very reasonable pricing. I've now been to this location 3 times and will keep going!

    Carne asada quesadilla
    Monica S.

    First timers. It was very small but nice. Cashier was helpful and polite. The food was fresh, hot and delicious. The carne asada quesadilla is big, just a warning. It's delicious. The drink selection is not a big selection.. The fresh juice was very refreshing. Overall it was good. I recommend it and I go back.

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    1 year ago

    Stopped by for lunch while visiting Tucson. The quesobirria tacos and cabrito were excellent. Service was fast and friendly.

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    It was pretty amazing the food and the service thanks alot to helped me Elizabeth and Adrian

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    1 year ago

    Amazing service and outstanding food! Prices were great for amount of food received. Will be back!

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    2 years ago

    Best damn Birria in Tucson. Can't wait for the BBQ portion to open. Had a sample taste and it was amazing

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    Smokey Mo

    Smokey Mo

    4.4
    (754 reviews)
    3.8 mi
    $$

    Time to go back and review. I like to revisit places after a few years and see what is different…read more Smoky Mo didn't disappoint. Places are successful because they stay the course and do what they do best. Today we went with the four meat platter, perfect amount for two people, brisket, pulled pork, turkey and sausage. With four side of coleslaw, mac and cheese, potato salad and cornbread. All meats are still sauced unless requested "on the side", but not so much to overwhelm the meat taste. Juicy flavorful pulled pork. Delicious smoked turkey. Brisket was just slightly dry but the sauce and nice bark made it enjoyable. The sausage was AMAZING, juicy and packed with flavor. Coleslaw in my opinion, could use a little more "wetness" but it was still delicious. What can I say about the mac and cheese and potato salad, people from the south, Texas to the Carolina's just know how to get it done. The "Texas Sweet Tea", if you are a diabetic do not drink, however this is a true southern tea, it's done the same all across the south, sugar with some tea thrown in. Four meats, four sides and two drinks with tip $50, not bad for two people, I've definitely spent more for food that didn't even come close to this. Once again Smoky Mo you did not disappoint. If you are a BBQ person this is STILL the best of Tucson. Get out and support this small local business!

    Got the fatty brisket and pork ribs…read more Falls off the bone ribs 7/10 And brisket 7/10 Will come back. Just gotta remember to ask for sauce on the side. Fair price and portion. Service is great and Ambiance is cozy.

    Photos
    Outdoor covered seating area.
    Outdoor covered seating area.
    Pulled pork
    Pulled pork
    Smokey Mo

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    Bashful Bandit Barbecue

    Bashful Bandit Barbecue

    4.3
    (248 reviews)
    3.5 mi
    $$

    We are not in Texas but Tucson is close enough. Who doesn't like some good ole BBQ?…read more Here is what we ordered: - The Bashful Tray for 2 for $47. It comes with 1/2 lb sliced brisket, 1/2 lb of other meat of your choice, 3 sides, half a sour pickle and a smoked crack pie). The friendly cashier informed us the sausages were an additional $3 today so we decided to add it to our order as well. My major complaint about BBQ is dry, tough and overly salty meats. OMG, this was the most tender and juicy brisket I have ever had. And don't get me started on the pulled pork, it was perfectly seasoned. Just wished I had it on a bun instead. My son went crazy for the Sonoran spicy sausage. My favorite side was the dill potato salad. I had to ask, Toby the owner, where the cute name, Bashful Bandit Barbecue comes from. He said I was asking some great questions. Lol. Place used to be a biker's bar. When he took over he decided to just keep the name. We had a lovely and engaging conversation with him. He is one smart guy, graduated from NYU and Northern Arizona University. He welcomes each customer by asking where they are from. Who else does that?? Entire staff are incredibly friendly. Highly recommend this spot for the best BBQ in Tucson. You'll thank me. It was wonderful meeting you, Toby!!

    TL;DR: Come for the proteins, make your own sides…read more Came and was immediately welcomed in by the staff and given a rundown of the menu, including sharing her personal favorites and crowd favs. The Mac&Cheese and the beans were both just alright - wouldn't get them again.. The dill potato salad was the best of the bunch. The brisket was delicious - perfectly tender. Spare ribs were also fall off the bone perfection. Chicken was juicier than expected and much more flavorful. Even the hot links, which I'm usually just alright, packed a punch - couldn't stop eating! The staff was so friendly and helpful - such a family vibe :) Cheers, Bashful Bandit Barbecue!

    Photos
    Crack pie!
    Crack pie!
    Green Chile Pulled Pork
    Green Chile Pulled Pork
    Great vibe on a late Sunday afternoon

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    Great vibe on a late Sunday afternoon
    Holy Smokin Butts BBQ

    Holy Smokin Butts BBQ

    4.3
    (669 reviews)
    6.7 mi
    $$

    Holy Smokin's Butts is a fantastic BBQ place I found, based on a Yelp reviews. My fellow Yelpers…read moredid not let us down! I loved this place and frankly, although great Mexican food in Tucson is a given, I didn't know they had good barbeque too. They had all my favorites, so my wife and I decided to split the The Big "Q" Platter for $38. This included Brisket, Pulled Pork, Tri-tip, Sausage, Turkey, two St. Louis Style Pork Ribs, and 4 slices of toast with our choice of two eight-ounce sides (we chose the baked beans and coleslaw. My favorites were the Ribs, Brisket, Tri-tip, and baked beans. The turky was solid and smokey. I'm not really a fan of sausage, but my wife enjoyed these. I loved that you could really taste the smokey taste and that everything was fresh, juicy, and tender. The baked beans were the kind of love, with pieces of pork throughout the mixture. Because we split this platter (with leftovers), it was quite a good deal. When the bill came, the waitress listed a bunch of things that qualified for an extra discount, so we scored an additional 10% off for being seniors. If I lived in Tucson, this place would be on my regular restaurant rotation, which is high praise indeed!

    We used to love this barbecue spot, but the service has become absolutely terrible. The posted…read moreclosing time is 8:00 PM, and while I understand it is posted that the dining room closes at 7:40 PM, it is not so serious that you should immediately turn away a family walking in right at that exact minute. Rejecting my wife and two kids and willfully losing out on revenue twenty minutes before the restaurant actually closes is completely unacceptable. I hope management starts paying closer attention to how their staff treats incoming patrons. Your food might be good, but you are not that special. Show some respect to your customers. We will never be coming back.

    Photos
    Lobby into dining room
    Lobby into dining room
    3/4 lb burger and fries.  Great lunch for ~$14.00 including drink.
    3/4 lb burger and fries. Great lunch for ~$14.00 including drink.
    I can't guarantee you will see this, but it was a beautiful sunset.

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    I can't guarantee you will see this, but it was a beautiful sunset.
    Brother John's Beer Bourbon & BBQ

    Brother John's Beer Bourbon & BBQ

    3.2
    (792 reviews)
    3.2 mi
    $$

    My friend, came into town from Cochise County and wanted to go to listen to jazz at Brother John's…read moresince it was Sunday afternoon. This restaurant has jazz every Sunday afternoon from 2-5p.m. Absolutely incredible musicians and singer! The crowd was festively dressed and happy and truly enjoying this music. We got shareable appetizers, the burnt end nachos with brisket and fried buffalo cauliflower florets with ranch dressing. Both delicious!! I had the Old Forester 1920 whiskey- 1 Oz and that was plenty! The bartender served us water as well as we had sat up at bar. The was professional and quite efficient. Before we left, I asked bartender what I could get to bring home for my dog- thinking he would laugh at me, but he told me he does same for his dog and that he eats better than him. We laughed when I said "same!" He suggested the tacos and would separate out the pulled pork from the onions, cotija cheese and jalapeños- and did! Kai loved that I brought her home "tacos!"Thank you for a great afternoon, Brother John's!!

    The move to counter service completely changed the vibe of this restaurant, and not for the better…read more Service used to be the biggest highlight, and now it feels like you're paying the same prices for a much lower level of attention. As someone who frequented this restaurant for the last few years, I had a firsthand look at how things were run, and in my experience management operated very unprofessionally. It ultimately pushed me to stop supporting this business, and based on those experiences, I can no longer recommend it. There are far better BBQ options out there. From what I personally witnessed, the owner, David, was consistently disrespectful toward employees and created a company culture that I don't believe deserves support. Also important to note that there is something up with the drains/ sewer system in this building and about once a week the entire dining room smells like a sewer leak.. gross

    Photos
    From the Smoker - Family Style: Short Rib, Pulled Pork, Baby Back Ribs, Pickled Onion & Jalapeño, Texas Toast.
    From the Smoker - Family Style: Short Rib, Pulled Pork, Baby Back Ribs, Pickled Onion & Jalapeño, Texas Toast.
    64oz Growler To Go!
 Choose from nearly 50 draught beers & over 10 local craft options. Call for selection and pricing.
    64oz Growler To Go! Choose from nearly 50 draught beers & over 10 local craft options. Call for selection and pricing.
    Maple Old Fashioned.

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    Maple Old Fashioned.
    Rudy's "Country Store" and Bar-B-Q

    Rudy's "Country Store" and Bar-B-Q

    3.6
    (217 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    THEY HAVE THE MEAT! this was so yummy!…read more We had brisket, a sausage, ribs and desert. I wished we had ordered more to have more to take home! Will definitely go again - SOON I hope! it is kinds far from me.

    I have to preface this review by stating as of this moment, I have not eaten my food, I'm writing…read morethis review based solely on my initial interaction and ordering. While, I don't live under a rock. I do live on the complete opposite side of town from Rudy's so I've never actually eaten there before but I had an appointment today about a quarter of a mile away, so took the opportunity to give it a try. I was immediately greeted by a person in what must be the store area and when I looked a little confused, she asked if I had ever been here before when I said no she told me how to go around the corner. Check out the menu and order from there. This is where we hit my five star experience. I came at a good time at about 3:30 so there weren't any other people standing in line. I stood to the side and checked out the menu and was a little confused by the brisket options. One said lean brisket and one said moist brisket I went to the counter and ask the girl at the register, (Diana) what the difference was. She asked me if I had ever been to Rudy's and when I said no, she said, very excitedly well, let me give you a sample of each of them and then went on to explain the lean brisket was just that and the moist brisket was just the opposite more fat, but more flavor. Each had a good flavor, but I went with the moist brisket as well as pulled pork. The menu shows orders in half pound increments however Diana told me I could get as much or little as I wanted. She said she's had people get as little as an eighth of a pound or something as strange as 5 2/3 pound. I liked that flexibility because I was a little torn with feedthree people if a half pound would not be enough or a full pound of each would be too much. She then explained to me if I wanted a cold side they were in a self-serve refrigerator to the side and also offered me samples of those. My BF is very picky about coleslaw and potato salad so I took a sample of each. Both were good so I went with both. She also offered me hot samples and recommended the creamed corn. But since it was 109° outside I passed on those. She said my order would come with bread a choice of either white or wheat sliced. And I could have as many slices as I needed. She then filled me in on the Fixin's bar, which had cherry peppers, jalapeños, and carrots, onions, pickles, and an assortment of condiments, like mustard, mayonnaise and horseradish. I chose a large drink to enjoy on the drive home and she recommended the sweet tea or an Arnold Palmer. I really can't say enough great things about Diana. Not only was she helpful, but she was so outgoing and friendly and seemed to really love her job which you don't see a lot anymore. I'll update my review once we have a chance to eat our food, but I would seriously go into Rudy's again just to talk to Diana. As my grandma would say, she's a treasure.

    Photos
    Rudy's "Country Store" and Bar-B-Q
    My turkey sandwich on wheat bread with Sissy sauce.
    My turkey sandwich on wheat bread with Sissy sauce.
    Rudy's building

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    Rudy's building
    Black Market BBQ

    Black Market BBQ

    4.7
    (16 reviews)
    2.0 mi

    Black Market BBQ is, quite simply, the best BBQ I've found in Tucson since moving here 4 years ago…read more My favorites are their ribs and their brisket, both of which have been excellent almost every time I've visited them. The ribs and brisket are so good they don't need any sauce added, but Black Market provides sauce for those who want it. They also have chicken and pulled pork. They don't always have burnt ends or sausages but, when they do, they're amazing. Their sides are quite good too, but I usually stick with the mac n cheese, which is my favorite. Brooks, the owner, runs a well-oiled machine. The portions are generous and the prices are fair. They're a food truck, so you'll have to follow them on social media to find out where they'll be but it's definitely worth the trip. I usually catch them at Caps & Corks at the corner of W River Rd and W Orange Grove Rd. Give them a try. You won't regret it.

    I'm going to start out with the really good stuff and go on from there…read more 1. The brisket was cooked to perfection. I liked the Bbq sauce even though it was sweet, I generally like it a little vinegary. 2.. They are a well oiled machine for 2 people cranking out foo that is good and quick. 3. The sides I had Mac and cheese salty, way salty to emphasize and bland. The Coldslaw was the same. Next time I'm just gonna do the meat. I admire their enthusiasm and I hope they improve the sides.

    Photos
    Black Market BBQ
    Look at that smoke ring.
    Look at that smoke ring.
    $16.00 for this !

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    $16.00 for this !

    El Rustico 2 - mexican - Updated August 2026

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