Great food great atmosphere, great cooks and locally owned. There's a reason why they have been there since the 60s. Kelli, Will and the crew work hard to get comfort food at a high standard. Wish they were open at night for dinner read more

I give this location my stamp of approval. It's locally owned and family run (I think the cook owns the place). The biscuits and gravy were very good. I ordered a peach pie traditional and it was awesome, the chocolate though was aiiiight I hate cool whip it needs cream not flavorless oil but other than that it's pudding in a pie crust. That needs work but food is good! Service also great! Highly recommend read more

Great place for burger and pie. Don't forget the ice cream with the crumble pie. I will definitely come back. Ps. It's been here over 60 years. read more

Stopped in for lunch yesterday for the first time in about 12 years. Still as awesome as it was when I first tried GBR back in May of 1985! Portions still huge and food hot and tasty. Service has always been above and beyond excellent. These ladies want you visit to be the very best. Stop in at GBR for great food and service! read more

I've been going most every week for a few months now and it doesn't get old. Fresh baked goods and classic diner breakfast options. The food is cooked the right way every time. The staff is friendly and welcoming. The perfect spot for fellow north easterners looking for an experience like the diners back home. read more

I simply loved it and so did my family visiting from Mexico. We're big eaters and the portions were absolutely satisfying and delicious. Don't miss the cinnamon rolls!! Oh my Gatos... I died and went to heaven. So glad Gus survived the pandemic and we need to support this place. read more

Gus Balons Baby! If it ain't broke dont fix it. Fresh homemade bread and pies, coffee keeps coming...clean simple good old diner home fries as good as they were 30 years ago. read more

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Excellent customer service food is delicious cinnamon rolls are amazing Will definitely be encouraging people to come here and I will definitely be back with my coworkers read more

we went there for breakfast and were not happy. the first thing we see is that they have gone to shrink nation before when you ordered hash browns you get a full plate for hash browns and the toast came on a separate plate, now the toast is on the same plate with 1/2 of the has browns and the price is 12.79. a couple came with their small dog, no handicap jacket, and had it on the table and the staff did not say a word. unbelivable. read more

This was our first visit. Read the reviews and decided to give them a try. We arrived and the sign said "seat yourself when your entire party is ready". Well something like that. Made it nice and easy. Server showed up ad took our drink order within a few minutes. Very nice and pleasant. I gave their homemade corned beef hash a try while my wife had the Belgium waffle. The hash was ok but I think they must use mashed potatoes as there were none in it. Not my favorite. Wife said the waffle was ok. So, service is very good and food is adequate. Prices are reasonable considering the portion size. read more

The first page of the menu is order-by-numbers, with different combinations of eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage, potatoes, etc, ranging in price from $4-6. I ordered the two egg, three bacon, American fried potato, two toast for $6.10. The eggs are labeled as "fried" but are no more fried than a regular over-X ordered from IHOP. American fried potatoes are a hybrid of hash browns and a baked potato. There was no flavor in my American fried potatoes. Breads are made on site and as such my whole wheat toast tasted just like grandma's. Dense. It was served smothered in butter and Smucker's individual sized jams are on each table. The second page of the menu are the a la cart breakfast items, as well as a breakfast hamburger. I searched for the famous cinnamon roll but could not find it on the menu. I asked for one regardless, and was told that they may or may not have it. They didn't have it. The last pages of the menu are filled with lunch items (and a kid's menu). It includes a very limited selection of diner favorites, such as pork chops, fried chicken, and triple deckers. The back page has such wonderful creations as sundaes and milkshakes. I ordered a slice of pie and got to choose a flavor from the options on the wall. Pies are made on site. They have traditional as well as cream pies. The cream pies, I was told, are not available for by-the-slice ordering. My rhubarb pie was only average, a shame considering that it's made only a few yards away from where it was served. The crust was fabulous- sweet and crusty, but the filling is where this pie fell short. All in all it was not a bad choice to come here, but I will never again drive all the way from my quaint little one bedroom house by the university to the southeast side just for a couple eggs and a slice of pie. read more

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

Not bad. Very affordable at $5-$9 per breakfast plate with generous potions. The cinnamon roll is huge and soft, but nothing beats Cinnabon in my opinion. The space is clean and historic; facade hasn't changed in 50 years. Good solid diner, but nothing special. read more

I absolutely loved this place. Real food served by real people, and provided to real customers. I loved the mix of clientele. The country music on the radio. The prompt and caring service. And, of course the food. I was there for breakfast. AND I HAD NO IDEA ABOUT THE SWEET ROLLS so I ordered a full breakfast + a sweet roll "for dessert." THESE THINGS ARE BIGGER THAN YOUR HEAD, people. And, better than what I can make at home -- and I make pretty good sweet rolls from scratch. Unlike other reviewers, I actually did *not* like the hash browns. I felt they were inconsistent. But since everyone else raves about them, I'll chalk it up to my particular plate on that particular day. I went. I ate. I bought a coffee mug. What else can I say? read more

Yelpers let me down on this one - average food at a decent price. The pie was average though I expected diner pie to be off the charts...maybe I needed to order something else...but did not like it enough to go back for a second chance. read more

Pies! Pies! Pies! So many pies to chose from at Gus B's! They have the standard fruit pies and just as many cream pies. I had breakfast not so long ago at Gus Balon's and observed the lengthy lists of pies and had an aha moment. My dad loves pies and I am not a baker, so I vowed to give Gus pies a chance for my dad's B-day. His Birthday pie was banana cream, which was a huge hit. My dad is a pie snob and this pie met his expectations of what a good pie should be. I love that you don't have to call ahead to order (good for grabbing a last minute dessert!). Father's Day pie for my dad was the coconut cream. He shared a piece with me (yes, he was willing to part with 1/8 of his pie) and claimed the rest is all his. Scrumptious! There is a chain restaurant that people often frequent for their pies but they are no match for Gus Balon's delicious pies! read more

Gus Balons Restaurant - Coconut cream pie - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

OMG!!!! This is my new favorite breakfast place. I love white gravy but very few places serve it. Gus Balones has it and it's WONDERFUL!! The bacon was crisp, the eggs were basted to perfection and the wheat toast was the best I've ever had. The place was clean, the service was friendly while very professional, the prices are VERY good! Do your tastebuds a favor and run down to Gus Balones for a very good breakfast! You'll be glad you did. read more

So happy that Gus Balons is open again. Really missed dining here because they have the best pancakes in Tucson. We asked if they are dog friendly and they welcomed our dog at their outside patio. The servers were wearing masks and were very kind to our large german shepherd. Today we actually had their Saturday lunch special - the baked chicken & stuffing. I love their stuffing!!! Very filling and tasty. You just can't beat the huge portion sizes and the price. But I will definitely be back for their pancakes! They also have really good bacon - which is another thing we look for in a breakfast place. Appreciate restaurants that allow dogs on their patio! read more

Stop the presses! Head out to one of the best breakfast places in the Old Pueblo. It feels like a trip back to a better time, sitting here at Gus's. I had the cheese omelette, which was huge. It came with 2 slices of buttered toast, fried American potatoes, and coffee. My partner had the famous cinammon roll, which totally blew both of us away with its taste. She gives it 5 Stars. (She still loves the cinammon rolls at LeCave's the best but says they are two totally different types of rolls.) All this food for around $10.00. The service was fast and friendly. The place was packed with a continual stream of folks coming in for breakfast. We will most certainly return to Gus's. And try some of those pies. Meanwhile, we did buy a loaf of their hearty rye bread and a loaf of wheat bread to take home. read more

Never had a bad meal. Chicken tenders and slaw the best. Bread and baked good. Very friendly staff.

This place is amazing! Food was traditional diner food. Milkshake and pie were delicious! What made it the best was our waitress at the counter. She made us feel like family. We'll definitely be back! read more

This place is a Tucson Gem if you have yet to stop by on Tuesday mornings for biscuits and gravy, you need to get going. we go early and it's always good. It's good any time of the year however, in the winter; it feels like a warm hug. They make the best bread and cinnamon rolls, they are delicious. If you have not had the chance to have breakfast at Gus B's, just do it; you won't be disappointed. Love, love this place! read more

We went to Gus Balon's for breakfast on March 30. The eggs and potatoes were average, the pie was great. My wife had the chocolate, banana, peanut butter pie, which she loved. I had the butterscotch, which was average. Good service. Worth the price. read more

Total comfort food in a family/diner atmosphere. Always great service! Portions are generous. Nothing fancy but consistently good! read more

A Tucson institution that is only open for b'fast & lunch. Nothing fancy, but good service and homemade bread, cinnamon rolls & luscious pies make for a good dining experience... read more

This is by far the nicest and cleanest diner I have ever been to. You are immediately greeted with a smile and a hello when you walk in the door. The atmosphere is a great retro diner. I ordered the cinnamon roll since I heard it was the best in Tucson and it didn't disappoint! Highly recommend this wonderful family run restaurant! read more

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Nice old-time diner with good breakfasts that aren't greasy. Good cinnamon rolls and homemade pies and bread.

The chicken had a nice flavor and good crunch however the hot sauce wasn't hot and had no flavor so it was lacking that kick it needed to take it over the top. The waffle was decent and the pancake was a bit dry. read more

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4 star for the service. Super nice and friendly. We were only table outside and waitress did disappear for long periods. Ordered a sirloin cheeseburger and it was good. Quality meat clearly used. Cooked well. Kinda skimped on the fries though. Was very surprised to not see any biscuits and gravy on the menu. Not sure if I missed it but would have tried it. Cinnamon bun was pretty good. Really looked forward to the chocolate banana pie and it was decent but have had better. Overall had higher expectations but staff is so nice. I probably will go back. read more

Nice old fashioned diner that has been around for ages, with good old home cooking. Tasty omelette, delicious home fries. And the bread is made on site, and you can tell because it's dense and fresh. The pies are all baked on site too and they make a TON of them. The waitress recommended apple cobbler and it did not disappoint! Good value, good ice tea too, and I'll be back! read more

I have been here several times. And I absolutely love this place. Their food is always super tasty. It also never gives me heart burn. All of their servers are very kind and helpful. I normally order off their breakfast menu. But their soups and mash potatoes are really good. read more

This restaurant is one of the better "cheap" breakfast joints in my opinion. My home fries were a bit burnt and my french toast wasn't the best but you get what you pay for. My friends omelette was good & the portion size wasn't small. Service was decent. Came in around noon on a Sunday. Restaurant was half full. No wait. We got food super fast however waitress didn't pay us any attention after that. I will go back. However I'll probably get something other than the french toast & request unburnt home fries. read more

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

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What a great place! Good food, good service, wonderful staff. My wife and I ate here for the first time and it's a winner. Homemade cole slaw and fresh baked bread for sandwiches. When was the last time you saw Braunschweiger (liver sausage) on a menu? My wife had the Braunschweiger sandwich and I went for the Braunschweiger club. Both had plenty of meat and were quite satisfying. We both opted for the cole slaw and were glad we did. It was great! My wife finished the lunch with a piece of cherry pie that she raved about. When we entered the establishment we noticed that it was quite a favorite among the senior circuit. Meatloaf, chicken and burgers. We intend to try them all! read more

I can't say enough about this place! It is one of our family's favorite restaurants. We eat here at least a couple times a month. It is very affordable, with amazingly delicious food, and an incredibly wonderful staff. Everything is handmade. Including all the baked goods, i.e. bread, hamburger buns, biscuits, pies, etc. You can buy any of their baked goods to enjoy at home. Everytime we walk through the door everyone has a welcoming smile, and are eager to help make your day as nice as possible. My son was having a bad morning, and Duke (one of the cooks) made him the cutest smiling Mickey Mouse Pancake. It turned his whole out look on the day around. He is in a great mood now. If you walk in without a smile, they will definitely make sure you have a smile on your face when you leave. read more

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A Tucson Landmark. Everything is delicious here, I usually get the French toast (made with homemade bread) and fried potatoes. Pies are awesome (butterscotch!!!) and the servers are fast and friendly. Lunch is great although I usually have breakfast which is served all day. They are closed Sunday which bums me out but I try to deal with the pain. It is also very inexpensive. If you live here you already know (or should know), but if you are visiting from out of town, Gus Balon's is a must-try. It should be noted that back in the early 2000's I had never heard of this place (altho I lived in Tucson). I read about them in Epicurious magazine, they had won the award for best cinnamon roll in the country. That is a serious award by folks who know food. Go there. read more

Okay, so for everyone who's been back to Gus' since their infamous "Entire Month of July Closure/Vacation"... What is up with those OUTRAGEOUS price increases? Did someone say Recession? Please, SOMEONE, share your dismay with the dubious owners/staff instead of just complaining under your breath and heading to the next greasy spoon that empathizes with the majority of their patrons on fixed incomes! Shame on you Gus Balon's! Look around...your booths are mostly empty! Eggs, potatoes, bread, still the most cost effective meal one can purchase and prepare. Great staff, good food...PLEASE rethink a very bad decision. (Everyone's entitled to one mistake.) We don't want you to be the next victim of this terrible recession. From: A very concerned and long time friend. read more

This is an old standard in Tucson diners. They're well known for their outstanding pie and particularly their large cinnamon rolls, but, if today's brunch was any indication, it's not the gold standard of breakfast foods. The selection of omelette fillings isn't huge. I chose spinach, cheddar, and green chilies. These three egg omelettes come with fried potatoes and toast. The eggs aren't bad, but they were quite thin and greasy. The fillings were ok but not fresh or special. I really don't believe there were three chicken eggs in my omelette. Maybe three quail eggs. It felt overpriced for what it was compared to similar restaurants in town. The potatoes were fine, although not standout, and the serving was also pretty small. The toast looked really good, thick and buttery, but somehow it wasn't crunchy at all. It had brown parts like it had been toasted, but it was soft and chewy instead. The bacon was almost black. You can get crispy bacon without annihilating it! One person in our party thought it was OK. The other person was so grossed out that it put him off bacon for the day. Service is fairly fast and very friendly. This is a good place for a sweet breakfast, I think, but not really for a savory one. read more

The waitresses are pleasant and the food is really good. Cinnamon roll French toast is the best idea I never thought of. The cinnamon roll is delicious and then when they make it into French toast it is EVERYTHING! This is my second time eating here in just as many weeks. #CantStopWontStop read more

We visited Gus Balon's restaurant on 22nd street for the first time this past week. It's a typical Mom & Pop restaurant with a varied menu for breakfast and lunch only. They have a small outdoor patio and a smaller than usual dining room now to deal with the COVID restrictions (a lot of tables are closed off). Plastic has been put up between booths to block the air flow again due to COVID restrictions. The breakfast menu has quite a variety and seems to be their specialty since most guests were ordering that while we were there - even at lunch time. I branched out and ordered a burger with fries. The lunch menu had many items such as burgers, sandwiches such as BLT, Clubs, etc, and some other entrees like roast beef, turkey, etc. The service was good all during the meal. Burger was good (flat top burger - yum !) and the fries were fantastic ! The restaurant itself is showing it's age - it's a little rundown and definitely needs a facelift. I would sum up this review with the following comments - restaurant facilities are old, rundown, and dated - needs some updating, food was good (fries were exceptional and cinnamon rolls are outstanding - we took one home), service was good, lot of parking out front, and prices are good. I give this a 3 overall with the food being a 4 - some restaurant remodeling needed. read more

Went here for the first time since I've been to Tucson and it was awesome. Quickest service great food and surrounded by the older crowd of Tucson. They definitely know what's up with this place. We were in and out in 20 minutes no joke. I felt like I was getting a fast food restaurant service at how quick it was but the quality of food was way better. We ordered the french toast and the breakfast burger. I'm not a fan of french toast but it was delish. The breakfast burger is definitely what you'd want Mcdonald's breakfast sandwiches to taste like. but that'll never happen. Of course we had to get the cinnamon roll that every keeps raving about and yes it was amazing as well. I can't wait to go back! read more

Well well well... that was he best breakfast I've had in probably 3 years. In town for a wedding and about to shoot a traveling food show, so we decided to stop by here after hearing all the rave reviews, and wow does this place exceed the hype. BEST French Toast I've ever had, and I'm a French Toast guy and I've traveled the country several times over and eaten more great French Toast than any man ever should in his lifetime and Gus Balon's takes the cake. 1st place, by a strong mile. The Scrambled Eggs were wonderful, great American Fried Potatoes, Home-made Toast was incredible, and the bacon was perfect (crisp, but not too lean or skinny). Can't wait to come back tomorrow for the Cinnamon Rolls and some pie. This is my new favorite restaurant in the southwest. read more