Everything here is decent except the fries. It's also a self serve style restaurant. We came on a Wednesday evening as a large party. I ordered the impala with 2 patties and tried the Tucson beefsteak too. Food: (3.5/5) The impala burger comes with 1 patty normally but I added another for $6.95. The patties were apparently made of 70/30 grass-fed ground beef with shiitake mushrooms. They were very juicy, tender, and flavorful. These patties were also cooked perfectly with crispy edges and a juicy center. The impala burger also came with bbq sauce and crispy onions. Besides the patty, the rest of the burger was pretty standard. However, the fries were horrible. They came lukewarm while the burger was served hot, and the fries had no texture. They were soggy and chewy, like frozen fries that were microwaved for 15 seconds. The Tucson beefsteak was quite nice, and the meat was juicy and the dip it came with made it even more juicy. The mini chimis banderas were very mediocre. They had a severe lack of flavor. It just tasted like fried dough. Service: (N/A) The restaurant is mostly self serve except that they bring you the food. This means you get up and get the water and place the order yourself. They also don't charge gratuity or tip. Ambiance: (5/5) The interior was decorated and music was playing. The place just has a nice vibe to it. When I came, it wasn't very busy or loud. Overall I would recommend this place for the vibe and because the burger patties are so good and the Tucson beefsteak is so juicy, but just be aware that the fries can be pretty bad. read more

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Wonderful, quick stop on a beautiful May afternoon just days after U of A graduation, so the heat was high but the people were fewer. Sat outside under the shade of umbrellas and had fun as packs of motorcycles roared past. The carne seca pizza is a hit! read more

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Tonight we were looking for a place downtown prior to our show at the Fox theater. We tried to get into the Italian Bistro 2 doors down from the Theater but there was an hour wait. Another time... Fortunately for us we ended up at the Monica diagonally across from the Fox. They have an extensive menu with pasta, salads, entrees like steak & frites and sandwiches. The food was excellent! Sue had the tortellini with a sage butter sauce with the addition of chicken scaloppine. I had the spicy chicken sandwich on a brioche bun with cabbage slaw and hot honey sirracha sauce. The chicken was crunchy and moist. The sauce was sweet and spicy but not overly spicy. I upgraded to the sweet potato fries and they were crispy just the way I like them. At the Monica you order your food at the counter. They give you a number and then they bring the food to your table. Even though it was a Friday and very busy, it was easy to find a table. read more

Sweet first visit to The Monica. Excited to return to try other eats on the menu. Restaurant is self serve. So you get seated at a table then stand in line to order & pay. Ambiance is open, fun, great music! Seating is kinda tight indoors. Fun spot. read more

The Monica - Street view - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

I was nearby so I decided to get a drink and a pastry just to chill for a little bit. I love their outside sitting area today's a perfect day for it. The service was good as always. Always a conversation starters since it seems like different types of people come here. read more

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The Monica is... the symbol of what Tucson is all about! A place where everyone gathers to enjoy good food, good drinks, good stuff, and lots of it! We came here twice during our stay in DT Tucson in November this year, dinner and brunch, and both times, we enjoyed it a lot. The Monica is an open space concept where you can order from the QR code on each table, or just order from the bar, or the counter. Open concept is great for sharing and networking with people, but it's also a cue for shouting convos, whether with friends or strangers. Both times we left feeling pretty exhausted from shouting at each other to talk, but I'm not complaining. We had desserts here and OMG, their desserts were bomb! I especially loved their banana pudding, WOW! Their breakfast was pretty standard but you can taste how fresh the ingredients are. The brioche French toast was sooo good though I could've used more of the whipped cream. Overall, you have to give them at least a try if you're in the area. It's such a fun place to meet people! read more

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Waited 25 minutes for this....and paid 16.95 for 13 noodles .... Very disappointing. Will not be returning anytime soon. read more

The Monica - This is the Tortellini Pasta & Sage....paid 16.95 for this...very disappointed. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Get the vegan burger! It is so good, and beefy. They use the impossible burger. I'm never disappointed coming here. Usually come before a show at the Fox or Rialto Theatre. It's across the street from the Fox. It's often pretty crowded, but they're quick. You can order at the counter or with the QR code at the table and they will bring you your order. There is outdoor seating but it's often booked with a private party at least every time I've been there. Decent vegan options something for everybody. Coffee, alcohol, sodas, etc. Great spot! read more

The Monica there's a restaurant that I've been going to for many years. I actually had my wedding reception in the outdoor space of the Monica. It is part of the El Charro family of restaurants. There's a big open dining area, where you can look to see what foods are available such as pizzas and then you order what you want at the register. They'll give you a number and take it to your table. Lately they have the QR codes at your table and you can just order from a seat and they'll bring it to your table. It's one of my mom's favorite places to go before going to one of the many theaters around Congress. They offer burgers they offer Mexican dishes they offer salad. There's a wonderful variety of options. Check it out. read more

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Every thing was good but the rice for the chipotli bowl was alittle hard. tons of flavor and the steak was tender and its so cool outdoors so much is good about this place come and check it out read more

The Monica - Me and my friends on the patio. Eating breakfast burritos it's amazing. I highly recommend this. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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I have only been to the Monica once before, so once we acclimated to the circuit to order and get food/bevs, all was good. We spent a long time chatting & catching up & there is nothing like a pre-Christmas Friday lunch, is there? Despite a good crowd, it was never too noisy in their indoor/outdoor lovely space. I ordered the El Charro Christmas Tamal plate, and my friend ordered one of their many fresh salads and shared what must have been a Mexican Hot Chocolate cake. I don't know because he ordered it! LOL We tore into our food before we could take pics, but know that you can't go wrong with any of the Flores family establishments! Thanks and Happy Holidays! And shout out to the cashier who was doing it all--my one criticism is that she could have used a helper!!! read more

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Excellent choice for a wide variety of cocktails, mocktails, apps, meals and snacks. There are plenty of seating options indoor or outdoor. There's even a space for choosing and playing board games. I ordered a sangria and asked if it was made in house, but it was definitely a lot of juice instead of a true handmade sangria. It was okay but I don't recommend. The steak and frites were decent, but slightly overcooked when I requested medium rare. The wings and Brussels were great! Staff members were friendly enough, but for a practically empty space on a Tuesday afternoon we had to ask twice for silverware, an extra dip, and the check. I would visit again and give the a chance to improve service for 5 stars! read more

The Monica - Sangria that is definitely juice with wine instead of handcrafted - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Beauty is on the Inside: The Monica - F Went to The Monica for lunch with my girlfriend while we were exploring more spots in downtown Tucson. We've been on a really good streak lately with restaurants here, so we were excited to try this one, especially with the location and the look of the place. In a lot of ways it should have been great. Instead the whole experience just felt strangely off, and most of it came down to service and the overall atmosphere. First impression is honestly really good. The building is cool, tons of natural light, art worked into the space, and a really nice downtown vibe. It feels modern without being fake about it, and it's the kind of place you walk into expecting the experience to match how good the space looks. The food was good. We got the pepperoni pizza and the chicken sandwich, and both tasted fresh and well made. The sandwich had great crunch, good spice, good sauce, and the pizza felt lighter than most places in a good way. Portions are a little small for what you pay, but the quality itself was there. I got the chili on the side and it was actually really good, just tiny. Like four bites. I'll probably get fries next time. Where things started getting weird was the service. The place runs mostly on QR code ordering, which is fine, but it felt really unorganized. The codes on our table didn't work, then the replacement didn't work either, and the interaction was basically just "don't use that one, use this one" with no explanation, no water, no anything. Not rude, just zero hospitality. And the menu isn't simple enough to fully justify that setup. There are add-ons, different versions of things, sides, desserts, all stuff you might reasonably have a question about. My girlfriend actually had to go up to the counter to ask the difference between the two banana puddings, and the response she got was basically "doesn't matter, we're out of both." That kind of summed up the tone the whole time. We also never got napkins, never got silverware, and never got asked if we needed anything. Not once. And it wasn't just us. The tables on both sides of us were having the same experience, looking around trying to get someone's attention and getting nothing. The part that stood out the most was the energy in the place. Nobody working there looked happy, nobody even smiled, and the whole room had this weird high-stress feeling without any actual reason for it. Employees everywhere, food coming out, people at the counter, people on the floor, but no sense of organization or hospitality at all. It honestly felt more like a management issue than anything else, like the staff didn't know what they were supposed to be doing or how they were supposed to interact with people. The one moment that actually made me laugh was near the end when an employee tried to take my chili while I was still eating it. Didn't ask, didn't say anything, just grabbed for the bowl while I literally still had the spoon in my hand. I had to tell her I wasn't done yet. To be fair, the one genuinely good service moment was at the beginning when the hostess let us sit outside and start an order while the inside was full, then moved us in when a table opened. She was accommodating and that stood out, mostly because it was the only moment that felt like normal hospitality. Overall, the food is good, the space is great, and the idea of the place works. But even with a no-contact ordering system, there still has to be service, especially when the checkout screen is asking for a tip. Right now it feels like a restaurant with good food and a cool concept that just isn't being managed in a way that makes the experience enjoyable. Food: 7.5 / 10 Service: 2 / 10 Ambience: 7 / 10 Price: 7 / 10 Overall: 5.9 / 10 F I'd go back for the food, but the atmosphere and lack of hospitality make it hard to actually want to sit there and spend time there. read more

The Monica - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

First time at The Monica and was not disappointed. Indoor and patio seating, got a drink at the bar while waiting to be seated. Started with a cold brew and screwball drink, not a bad start to the day! Everything looked amazing on the menu, went with the tamale eggs Benedict and I was very happy. You order on your phone and everything moved smoothly. read more

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I always have an amazing experience every time I come here. The food is consistently outstanding! I've tried several different dishes, and each one has been delicious. My personal favorite is the steak and eggs for brunch. The steak is packed with flavor, perfectly cooked, and pairs so well with the rest of the dish. One of the things I really love about this place is the atmosphere. The combination of indoor seating and a beautiful outdoor patio gives you the best of both worlds, especially on a nice day. I can't recommend this place enough to my friends, definitely a must visit! read more

The Monica - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

This was a really quick stop. I was looking for dessert to take back to the resort and walked past this place that was super lively. A crowd of people were all around, so I back tracked and found my way to the counter where the pastries are. Much to choose from like, cake slices, cookies, brownies and what caught my eye was a Chocolate Chip Cruffin. I had never had one of these before so I got one. It was a nice size at least 2 servings. The cashier asked if I wanted it warmed and I did but I told her no since I had a 30 minute drive back to the resort I was staying at. When I finally was ready for this it was filled with chocolate and what I think was custard. It was pretty tasty. I would like to go back to check out other items on the menu and sit for a bit to take in the environment. read more

The Monica - Cruffin - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Love this place! Great, casual spot for both food and drink. It's an order at the counter place. There is also a bar serviced by bartenders. The outdoor area is large and fantastic in the cooler months. Interior is nice as well. Food is good with the reliable deliciousness you can expect from the Si Charro brand. Most recently my husband and I enjoyed a cocktail outside before ordering food and dining inside. We had the carne seca Brussels sprouts, the mini chimis, and the sunset salad with salmon added. So good! We'll be back! read more

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Stopped by for Sonoran Restaurant Week and place was jumping. Had the Ceasar Salad, sweet potato fries, fresh baked cookie, and Prickly Pear spritz . Great presentation, enough to share. Sat outside....surprised to see a live dj spinning upbeat music to a fairly large crowd. This fast casual restaurant is part of the Si Charro family. Huge following and ever changing fare. Place your order at the counter, pick your spot, enjoy! read more

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Fun Vibes and Hearty Dishes. We finally made it to The Monica, part of the Charro family restaurants. It's a casual setup - order at the counter or scan the QR code at your table, which is friendly and convenient. The space is big and loud, but in a lively, fun-spirited way. The atmosphere fits perfectly for a relaxed downtown hangout. The food was solid. Nicely presented, hearty and satisfying - nothing gourmet, but that's not what we were after. I'd give it a solid 4 out of 5. My only comment: way too much corn in the salad, which seems to be a "cheap filler" - chickpeas could be a great option. That said, my Sunset salad with added salmon was fresh and tasty (aside from the corn overload). The vegetarian Brussels sprouts appetizer was perfect - flavorful and well-prepared. My husband enjoyed his Tucson Beefsteak, and our friends were happy with their dishes as well. Overall, The Monica is a great, casual spot for a chill meal downtown. We'd go again! read more

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Relaxing ambiance little busy indoors. Opted for ordering via QR code at table and pay. When ordering fountain drinks they bring out the cups for you. When sitting outside remember this is Tucson. On an overcast day it was lovely with the breeze. Ordering this way Gave us more privacy in work lunch. Food was on point. I love lots of avocado this was a light amount for me. But it was savory and I could taste it in every bite. Most I would imagine would agree that it's plentiful. I just love lots of avocado. My plant based friend enjoyed the City Bowl as her go to. My other guest enjoys crispy chicken with heat on her chicken ( she added more heat from the salsa in the table). They have their own bakery now, so if you were hoping to purchase Barrio Bread it's not longer there. read more

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The Monica is that downtown spot everyone talks about -- and now I totally get why. I came for an outdoor fitness event and ended up falling in love with the restaurant just as much as the workout. Their menu runs from bright, refreshing açaí bowls to hearty breakfast plates, and they are absolutely vegan- and vegetarian-friendly. The vegan tamale? Divine. Like, don't-skip-it level good. The whole space has this indoor/outdoor vibe that's airy, fun, and effortlessly cool, plus they've got a full bar to round it all out. It's no surprise this place is a local favorite -- I'm officially a fan too. read more

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Hospital food might be better. I have been here a few times and each time has gotten worse. From an order of extra frys that was delivered almost 30 minutes after the rest of our food, cold, to dry cold toast with no option for jam. Scrambled eggs that taste powered. Half the sodas out. Everything is sticky. The restaurant itself is pretty, but the people there really do not care.... Such a bummer. read more

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Cute cafe, has pastries, coffee, tea, salad, and soup. There is also a bar. We liked the chai and the homemade pastry pop tart. We hope to come back to try the lunch options and maybe sit and have a beer. read more

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Came in tonight for the Day of the Bread. It's an amazing event that celebrates Day of the Dead and local businesses. The samples are great from the local artisans and we bought some of their goods. The space is quaint and a welcoming patio vibe. Super thankful they sponsor a UofA effort with the gardens at schools. read more

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The Monica on Congress is officially my new holiday obsession! The restaurant is beautifully decorated for Christmas -- cozy, festive, and the perfect place to kick off the season. Now the food... WOW. I ordered the Chicken & Riffles, and it was unreal. The billionaire bacon was next-level, the croissant waffle with plum sauce was perfection, and the lightly breaded fried chicken strips with their house syrup tied everything together like a gourmet Christmas present. Absolutely delicious. My son crushed his vanilla bean pancakes with bacon, and the steak & eggs skillet was cooked perfectly and super flavorful. To top it all off, the staff was professional, friendly, and incredibly helpful -- the kind of service that makes you want to come back before you've even left. Highly, highly recommend The Monica on Congress. read more

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I don't even know where to start. In your mind, design a place with a coffee shop, full-on bakery, seriously elevated international kitchen with amazingly fresh ingredients, on-site sit-down bar, library/game room, and - oh yeah - a massive outdoor patio permanently shaded between two buildings with exposed brick everywhere. Make the food RIDICULOUSLY BETTER than it needs to be, make the wine inexpensive, and make the choices at the bar up-scale, but not over-priced. Then add pastries and super-friendly staff. I literally cannot think of a way this place could be any better. read more

Had brunch with family before a family event. Amazing Bloody Mary's ... with help yourself side bar ... olives, celery, carrots, sweet and/or savory bacon. I had Avacado Toast with easy over eggs ... really, really good. My son had a breakfast pizzette ... flatbread with scrambled eggs, bacon, ham, onions, peppers & a white sauce .. he loved it. My daughter had a breakfast tamale .. also great. We also indulged in chocolate croissants This place is high. Bar had full service for food and drink. Then there was order & pay and order delivered to your table. As we were leaving full table service was starting Conveniently located in the heart of the business district, this place has something to offer all Only visiting, so won't be back soon ... bummer, but I'll remember next time I'm in Tucson read more

The Monica - Indoor/outdoor bar - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

My family and I went to the Tucson Meet Yourself festival and while we were walking back to our car, we came upon this place. First off, the layout, decor, and atmosphere is amazing!! Such a chill vibe and when it's nice out, sitting on the porch is top tier. The workers/foodrunners/server are all very nice and welcoming. The food is absolutely delicious! We had the wings, sweet potato fries, cesar salad, pizza, and cake. All were 10/10. We went 2 days in a row! The prickly pear iced tea is one of my favorites. Wish I would've taken pictures of the food so I'll be back! read more

The Monica - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Walked in for a little post walk treat and left so happy. Had the pumpkin spice vanilla latte which was delicious. Also got to try out a couple desserts and every bite was perfection! Sitting at the bar with the bar/garage door opened, enjoying the fall breeze and relaxing vibe. Self was amazing and so friendly. read more

The Monica - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Meh at best. Love the concept but delivery on the concept lacking. Charro breakfast burrito looks nothing like the pic when you order. Chilaquiles was more like a tostada, but great flavor. Cinnamon roll took FOREVER as it was cold when delivered initially... took it back up and after 10 minutes had to go find out where it was. Disappointing experience and on the fence for returning . read more

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I was very excited to try out The Monica and unfortunately the visit was a mixed bag of hits and misses. It's a beautiful space and I loved the patio which seems like a great space to hang out and have food and drinks before the weather heats up. I ordered the spicy chicken sandwhich (pretty good) and fries (under seasoned so they were just okay). I also ordered a drink but sadly never received it as it was not served to me during my meal. I brought it to the attention of a cashier but even after she said she would check on it, it never came out. Finally, after I finished eating, I told a different cashier and asked for a refund for the drink. While the ambience is nice, the service is lacking which is just as important to the overall experience. I don't know that I wouldn't ever return but I would probably check out some other places on my list first. read more

Great ambiance. Waiters and waitresses when good. I had the tortellini with shrimp. The shrimp were very salty and tough. The pasta seemed like it had been sitting for a while. Some of them were overcooked. The sauce was lukewarm. I would not order again. My wife had the salmon. It was burned to a crisp on one side so bad she had to cut off. It was a very small portion. The accompanying quinoa, corn, sweet potato was fine. read more

This is my favorite restaurant downtown. The vibes are always top notch. The staff and service is always the best. I came here for dinner and was so impressed with the menu items. For dinner we ordered the charcuterie board, le margherita pizza, salad, and whipped feta and honey appetizer with bread. Everything always tastes so fresh and the wine selection was also very good. I refined to come here for date night or girls night if you're looking for a great spot the Monica will exceed your expectations. read more

The Monica - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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We stopped in prior to an event at the Fox, which essentially is across the street. The restaurant was very busy, but we had no trouble placing our order and finding an indoor table. Our food came out pretty quickly too. I had the salmon citron with mashed potatoes and greens. The salmon was well seasoned and cooked perfectly. The potatoes were good, as were the greens. My partner got the spicy chicken sandwich with sweet potato fries and really enjoyed his dish too. The Monica is a fun place to eat or enjoy a beverage. There is indoor and outdoor seating. Televisions have games on for those who are interested, We'll be back when we have another event downtown. read more

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Interesting restaurant concept almost right across the street from the Fox Tucson Theater. The food was good basic American restaurant food with a bit of everything like pasta, wings, pizza, salad, an Asian bowl and burgers. Vegetarian options too You order food either by going through the cafeteria style line or by using the QR code at your table. The staff brings your food and utensils and busses the tables. You get your beverages from a little station. Alcohol is at the small bar and you get it yourself. We sat at small tables inside on epically uncomfortable metal and wooden chairs. The outside patio has fake grass, murals, heaters, and bistro lights strung overhead. Cute. Restroom is quasi unisex with a big area for sinks and fully closed stalls marked for men or women. I would recommend for a super casual meal and a drink before a show but not for a cozy impressive date. Owned and operated by the same folks as El Charro. read more

I should have known better! I dont eat much but was impressed by the online menu. We were greeted by a super irate hostess she gave us a 45 minute wait time, its mother's day so we waited and waited and waited and waited. Watched everyone who arrived after us be seated. We approached the hostess who by now was another lady who was less irate than the first one. She said she had texted us, turns out the first angry bird took down our number incorrectly. We were finally seated after a 90 minute wait and then informed brunch was ending in 30 minutes. Not impressed so far. Will do a 2nd review of the food. Right now Im not expecting much read more

Find me gluten free app told us about this hidden gem. Everything looked amazing. I had clam chowder and chicken tenders with a mountain of fries. Spiced nice and the chowder was excellent. Ron had steak bites with sweet potato fries and those were tasty as well. read more

I always see this place in downtown Tucson and decided to give it a shot. I have to say it's alright and here are my reasons why: Burger: I ordered the Impala burger. The burger flavor is great and the meat is juicy. However the bacon is burnt. I never gotten a burnt bacon at a burger spot let alone this spot is supposed to be fancier food spot. I paid $17.95 for the burger with sweet potato fries and my 2 strips of bacons are burnt entirely. I was a bit disappointed Sweet potato fries: I think it's a meh! It's over fried and dried. I don't think I would ordered this anymore I recommend prob getting burger not at this spot read more

The Monica - Good burger with flavor but the bacon is burnt - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Food is not that great and overpriced! Nearly $20 for a slice of turkey, a slice of bacon, diced lettuce and some tomato on a grocery store croissant- come on!! French fries were cold. Service was slow. This place used to be really good but I won't be going back! read more

I'm going to give this place 4 starts, it could have 5 but the prices are a little high here so unfortunately for us this adds up to a considerable bottom line for a family outing. The breakfast options were all very delicious, actually all the options here are very delicious. The make pizza which is quite large for one person, I ordered the Birria pizza and it was delicious but had a little bit too much of the aioli "drizzle". The breakfast pizza is really good too. The space is great, lots of seating and very high ceiling, and there's an outdoor space too. It's an order at the counter place, or you can order on your phone and there's a bar area too. It's definitely a favorite in Tucson, if we're ever back here we'll visit again for sure! read more

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