If you're looking for a good breakfast this is the place for you! Love the small classic diner look and feel. The food and service are both great. Go here and you won't be disappointed. read more

Decided to go and have a family breakfast this morning, and had heard good things about Gus Balons. The atmosphere is really a family owned and operated establishment. We walked in and had to wait a min cause there was no sign that said seat yourself or wait to be seated. After a few min a waitress said "feel free to sit where you like.". The service was very friendly and very quick. My family enjoyed everything on their plates, although my potatoes were a little over cooked. The prices are very reasonable at about $6-9 a person. If this place was not so far away from where I live I could see myself being a regular here. If you are on this side of town, I definitely recommend giving it a try! read more

have been driving past this place forever never even noticed it. My friend suggested it so we met for coffee & buns. We were hooked. It was crowded but we weren't rushed & the waitress was very friendly. We took 1/2 our cinnamon roll home! We're going to go today to try their lunch menu. P.S. We didn't take cash & did'nt need it they do accept debit & credit! read more

Love the french toast! Cinn. Rolls are awesome! Everything is good- I often take a lunch to go on Sat for an elderly neighbor... chicken and stuffing- VERY good diner food- it's not what you would get in a "fancy" restaurant but it's satisfying and affordable. Coffee- the only sad spot but I guess I like mine strong. read more

Gus Balon's is legendary! Buy a loaf of bread to go! Great breakfasts! However, for decades their cinnamon rolls were the best you could possibly ever eat.. That is a long time ago.. For about the last 6-7 years, we have gone a few times a year to get our "fix" of gooey cinnamony sweet tender moist yummy cinnamon rolls.. And gagged! Each and every time, they've been dry, stale, tough, and a package of yuckie Walgreens' cruddy cinnamon rolls would rate way, way higher! Suffice to say. We're not going back.. Breaks my heart, as the memory of the old days bring back.. The best of the best! read more

We went to this restaurant on a whim, mostly because they are open an hour later than most of the diners around and I couldn't have been happier! The service was great and the food was amazing! I've been hunting for a good hot beef sandwich with mashed potatoes and gravy and this restaurant didn't let me down! read more

The prices are very reasonable for a decent American breakfast. The service was good and the food was decent. My only negative was that the ham slice for the ham and eggs was not very high quality. The Breakfast Stop next door may have better food. read more

For a local restaurant it's pretty great. They have great comfort food and the bread rolls are to die for. I love this place really casual and homey feel. A very cool diner. read more

Great home made buns & dinner rolls. The turkey is roasted in house from scratch, always fresh. My favorite. Nice service, very Friendly.

Good solid old style American food. They've been around for 50 years and all pies and breads are made here. If you are ever lost ..like we were stop by. read more

Best toast best bread in town yes I've had the cinnamon roll deelish love Gus Balons

The best breakfast you'll ever have. Prices are cheap and the food comes fast. Cash only and sometimes there can be a little bit of a wait but its never too long. You won't find anything fancy on the menu its your basic old fashion American Diner. Side note: dont come here if you're on a diet. do come if you're looking to stuff yourself silly. read more

The food is good but the homemade bread is delicious! The service is always prompt and the waitresses are friendly. I always get the #3 and had to send the bacon back to day to crisp it up. It also seemed like the portion size on their yummy potatoes got smaller. I'm a pancake snob and if I was rating on the pancakes alone, I would give them 5 stars! They are large, fluffy and tasty. Their coconut cream pie is good too! read more

This restaurant is the "whole concept" type of experience. The coffee was amazing and service was fast, friendly, personable, and fun. Their food is extremely tasty and they add that nice homemade touch to it that is hard to find nowadays. I highly recommend this place for a great breakfast or lunch! read more

This place has some really good atmosphere. The waitresses recognize their regulars and carry on small chitchat, it's nice. My waitress was April, she was very helpful and sweet. I loved their bacon but their American fried potatoes didn't really have any flavor, which is what I was looking forward to. I think I need to come back to try their cinnamon rolls and pie though! read more

Cinnamon bun lives up to the glory. As for the rest - if you are into a greasy spoon breakfast, you'll love... Definitely worth the visit just for the decor and feel of the place. Quentin Tarantino should scope it out for his next flick. read more

Yummy breakfast for a very good price and includes coffee. Was really busy but the staff worked hard to make sure everyone was taken care of. They were very friendly and the food portions were large. read more

Love, love, love this place. My first visit was definitely a lasting one. The food was delicious. My husband and I had to ask the waiteress to come back twice because everything sounded so good. The waitress was friendly and helpful, sharing her opinion when asked. Of course the cinnamon French toast was fantastic and the pancakes were nice and fluffy. We also appreciated the old schoolsy feel of it all. Will come again. read more

Just went there today. Placed is locked up tight. No sign other than"sorry we missed you."

Good place to eat. Wait staff is great. Food is typical diner fare. Coffee is Maxwell house or some common variety...not that good.

A real hole in the wall with good stick to your ribs cooking. I think they cook everything in butter. May not be the healthiest but you won't go wrong here. Try a piece of their butterscotch pie if you have room, or better yet, take home a whole pie. read more

The best. Homemade pies and bread to die for. Oh the coffee is wonderful. Every portion is plenty. Happy place. Great food. read more

Gus Balons Restaurant - The best. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

See all

I always enjoy my experience here. I love that it is close to my house. The food is always fast and fresh. The waffles are bomb! The service is always polite and attentive. They have been around a long time because they care for what they do and you don't see that as much these days. Great work Gus Balon's! read more

Favorite local breakfast diner! Affordable prices and very very delicious food! And there's always something special about coffee at diners -- they taste extra good and that's the case there. Fun photo op with the "keep calm and eat pie" backdrop ! Super nice people too. read more

Excellent food, excellent service! I'm not sure how they keep their staff so happy, but whatever they are doing works! I've been going here for 10 years, it's always been great. Anything baked or bread is superb. read more

We loved this place! The service was perfect.. sweet caring people. The prices were amazing! The food was to die for especially the tuna melt, the cinnamon rolls and that butterscotch pie! Can't wait to go back! read more

I love getting my hair done here they are respectful kind and generous they treat everybody equal and their hair be style is just a

Thank You for a lovely breakfast. Had the special with Belgian waffle with 2 eggs and sausage. My sister got the same but with bacon. Quick friendly service. I visit Tucson often and have eaten here twice. Both times loved the food and service. read more

Great old-fashioned diner I thought I'd left back home in Indiana, down to the home-baked bread and desserts. I tried my favorite - Rhubarb pie without strawberries, which is impossible to find anymore. A tad too much cinnamon for me, but good, anyway. Great food, super-friendly staff, and close-by. read more

Great prices for a huge portion of food. Great down to earth staff. Will definitely try their pies next time I go

Had a great breakfast today which included the best and largest cinnamon role I have ever tasted in a bakery or restaurant. If you are ever in Tucson eat here! read more

Very good affordable place to have breakfast with generous helpings, I'll definitely come back.

A family friend had told me about this place so we checked it out ...unfortunately it was not a good experience at all.. The food was overpriced, the restaurant has a foul sewer smell and our food sat in the window for couple minutes so when we did receive it my fries and burger were cold.. It took about 20 mins to get our food .. I would never go there again I'm guessing there is newer management because family friends had told us they have been around along time ... I will not be returning read more

This is a real "down-home" cafe/restaurant that caters primarily to guests who have been coming here for years. An older clientel and everyone treated like family. Restaurant has been in the same family for three generations. Many personal receipts. Delicious breakfast and lunch. Pies are homemade. Very reasonable prices and great service. read more

I HAVE NEVER BEEN KICKED OUT OF A RESTAURANT!!! This morning two business associates of mine suggested we go to Gus Balons for breakfast, I had not been there in years and thought sure why not, they use to have good breakfast and good pies. Upon arriving the place was a little busy but there were tables available, we were seated right away and ordered our food, the food was delivered which was alright we ate and enjoyed a cup of coffee. The waitress never came back for a coffee refill nor did she ask us if we wanted anything else and never asked us if we wanted some of that great pie, instead she came to our table and told us that we had to leave. She said the restaurant was getting busy and they needed our table, I was taken back by that as there were four empty tables and about a dozen open chairs at the counter and a couple tables had the same people in them that were there when we arrived and they were not asked to leave. So my associates and I who were engaged in a pleasant business conversation, were not disruptive, were not being loud, were not using any bad language and we had our shirts and shoes on, looked at each other and the waitress and she said you can talk outside. Sooooo in shock we gathered our belongings and headed to the door where there was a little line gathered at the entrance of the building but the only people in that line were people waiting to pay their bill, there were no customers waiting to be seated and besides there were four empty tables and a breakfast counter with about a dozen available seats. So upon paying the bill we brought that to the cashiers attention that we were asked to leave, she laughed like oh well and then she asked if I wanted to include a tip on my bill and I said absolutely not! I have never been asked to leave a restaurant because they needed the table when there were empty tables available, she laughed and said maybe you should sit in another section next time you come and acted like it was no big deal. Well the people I was with were a big deal as was the discussion we were having and as a business owner I have no idea how anyone could allow this kind of behavior from an employee and I do not know how a someone who is waiting on customers does not understand that the better service you give and the more food you sell greater your earning power can be. This relic of a restaurant needs to boost up their staff training or their staff will be sure to cause them to close their doors. I can guarantee I am never going back to this place and I highly doubt if my business associates will either, and oh did I mention one of the people who was meeting with me has a very popular morning radio show and I would imagine this experience just may become a topic on the show. So if you want bad service this is the place to go! read more

Too be honest I wanted a big basket of hot wings, a bottle of ranch dressing, sweats and my fingers, but I let my bf take me here anyways. Upon walking in, I got the "old diner" feeling. I couldn't decide if I liked it or not but that could have been the hot wing haze I had over my eyes. We sat down and had the nicest and sweetest waitress. I ordered the chicken strips meal with fries and mixed veggies. I asked for mashed potatoes & gravy for dipping but I didn't really mind the mistake. My bf ordered the half chicken meal that came with dressing, mashed potatoes, mixed veggies and a roll. We munched on rolls as we talked and laughed away. The rolls were actually heavenly. I was like "whaaaaaattttttttt" with the widest of eyes. Our meals came and his meal looked absolutely delish. My meal wasn't bad but it could have been better. The chicken tenders could have had more seasoning on them. My fries were good. The mixed veggies were a little bland and the peas looked a little gray to me, but I'm blind so I gave it the benefit of the doubt. The food was piping hot and the company was enjoyable. While eating, we saw one of the employees walk over to the thermostat and he buffed and cleaned the living hell out of it. Which, in turn, made me inspect the restaurant. It was amazingly clean. Like even the windows were free of dust and fingerprints. They even buffed the bar the old school way. I was impressed. We ordered a chocolate and butterscotch crème pie afterwards. I'm not a pie person. I like to have cake.....and eat it too. Get it? Lol it will come to you. Anywho, it was actually pretty good. I even tasted his butterscotch pie and it was better than my chocolate pie. For a nice sized meal, drinks and two nice sized slices of pie the total was around $25. KACHING! Me being a cheapie, this made my day a productive day and I feel like I had accomplished something. We left a big tip for the waitress and I paid on our way out. We left out with full tummies, smiles on our face and the look of the "itis" in our eyes. Go try this place out! read more

This place is excellent. A classic with many wonderful offerings. Get there early if you want to buy a pie or their awesome burger buns to take home. They also have the one of the best burgers in town. The only reason they have not won this award is that they are only open for Breakfast and Lunch. I wish I could eat here more often. If you have not tried this great local diner you are missing out. If you are a Tucsonan you owe yourself a visit. read more

First time here, and all three of us enjoyed our breakfast. The food is very good, as is the coffee, something you don't always find at diner-type of restaurants. They bake all their breads too; I had the rye, and it had a very nice caraway flavor and a good texture. The American "fries" are chunk-style hashbrowns, fried perfectly. My husband pronounced the pancakes tasty and an ample portions. The service is very good - nice young woman made sure our coffee cups were kept full. We'll be back! read more

Very much like home cooking. Bakes their own breads, pies,pastries , which adds to the home style menu. Good food. A lot of return customers. Very clean and organized. Friendly employees. Many employed for a long time. Reasonable prices. read more

I came for the cinnamon roll and was not disappointed. Very homemade taste and texture. It's the size of a small wedding cake (I don't know how you can get dough to rise that high) and comes with a steak knife for carving off chunks. Waitress offered extra frosting on the side which I accepted and was glad I did as it tastes better than butter on this baby. Truly one of the best cinnamon rolls I've had. The other food looked good too. Especially the waffles. But it will be hard to move beyond the cinnamon roll at this place. read more