There is a new day rising in central Tucson and the Welcome Diner (my humble prediction) is on it's way to becoming the premier restaurant to visit in the area. I could go on and on about all of the things I loved about the Welcome Diner but I like to keep it simple so here are my three top things to know about the Welcome Diner. 1. Service - From the minute we walked in the door, the customer service was in full effect! Every server and the host was on point. 10 minute wait but no issues because they had free coffee up front for customers waiting to be seated. Once we sat down, our table was visited no less than 7 times in one hour, which included ownership and a couple of servers, including our own. 2. Food - Service isn't worth anything without good food. What do you order? We mixed breakfast and lunch so my reco is any of the chicken biscuits, the posole and the pork belly eggs benedict. All three dishes immediately went to my top 5 list of dishes I love in Tucson. And the bloody mary was actually the best version I have had in years and by far the best version I have had in Arizona (yes, including Phoenix's overhyped foodie scene). 3. Vibe - May not be important for all but for me, it matters. IF you know the area, you know there aren't many "cool" places to grab a bite and chill. If you don't like the hipster scene, don't like millennials and don't like bros with beards, probably not the spot for you. Nothing too pretentious but they do a great job of reminding you that Tucson could have a nice scene if more spots like this opened up. So with The Welcome Diner and Sushi Garden on Broadway, I may not have to venture past downtown again. Oro Valley is on notice - central Tucson and downtown are making moves! read more

Welcome Diner - Breakfast fit for a King! - Diners Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Always fun to sit at the counter and watch all the action. Food is creative and always delicious. Cocktails out of this world. Place gets packed, but as long as is jumping you can get in and out really quick. Scratch kitchen and craft cocktails what could be wrong about that? Not a damn thing!!! Come and enjoy!!! read more

Welcome Diner - Sitting at the bar enjoy a cocktail and the action - Diners Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

The Welcome Diner is one of my favorite restaurants hands down and my favorite in Tucson. I've tried most of the menu which is hard to do because the daily specials are always amazing. When in season the soup (whatever it is that day) is going to be delicious. Fresh local ingredients fill the menu and the chefs are top notch! The cocktails are great as well- I almost always sit at the bar so I can be entertained by the craft cocktail creations going on in front of my eyes. The atmosphere is nice- converted an old diner into a new & happening Welcome Diner. All of the staff are super cool and helpful. I've been at least a dozen times and not a single bad meal or experience. Get your posse on Broadway and roll on over to Welcome Diner- you won't be disappointed! read more

Welcome Diner - Happy hour menu. - Diners Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Came here for the first time for lunch yesterday. They have a nice selection of salads and sandwiches and even breakfast choices for lunch. I had a delicious grilled cheese with tomato jam on sourdough bread. My husband enjoyed his BLT. The homemade ginger beer was good. My only complaint was that at lunchtime when it wasn't really that busy, it took quite a while for our order to come out. There are a good many vegetarian or vegan options on the menu which is a plus. Great Retro decor! read more

Welcome Diner - Heart shaped grill cheese sandwich adorable - Diners Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

First off, everyone who works there is friendly. That's 3 stars right there! Now take that friendliness, and add some really good food and drinks? You're going to end up fine, here. I had a 3-egg scramble, some well-done hash browns (Just the way I like them), a terrific biscuit with butter and jam; then I wrapped it up with a great afternoon cocktail: The Mangollada. I'm not telling you what's in it; but it's really good! I was served by a hip, fun guy named Gabriel. His recommendations were spot on; and they provided me with a great brunch. The place is very, very casual. It seems run by a very cool, eclectic group of people who know what they're doing. It's in a great mid-century building; but it's very casually decorated; as if by a huge bunch of hipsters. If you're around the area, then you'll do well to drop in. Don't get a high-nose and look down on the area. Grab a fork and knife, then dig the heck into some great food. read more

Three stars, unfortunately I gave it this due to pricing. The diner is really nice upgraded angry for younger crowds. Or I guess it's good for any crowd. The food was delicious unfortunately the portions were small for the price. I did enjoy the ambiance the cleanliness and the staff friendliness. To get more bang for your buck there are other options near the area and just as tasteful. it is a nice place for a nice breakfast. Something a little bit fancier. Good for couples, family not so much especially with teenagers. You will leave their paying approximately 60 to $70 for breakfast for 3 and drinks. Once again nice place, nice ambience, centrally located. read more

Welcome diner has incredible food, a one of a kind atmosphere, great staff, and possibly the best morning cocktails you will find in town for brunch. I love the mix of classic diner food with southwest fare and take my word for it, their short rib chilaquiles will absolutely change your life. The Welcome Diner menu offers favorites (pancakes/burger) and fare you won't find anywhere else (jackfruit french fries/andouille sausage benedict) Sometimes I wonder if they are too trending a little too far on the hipster end of things as they do not offer diet soda ("We only offer purecane soda"), don't have a kids menu ("just order ala cart or share your food"), and while they talk about being part of the community, they only have two high chairs in the whole place and don't have a baby changing station in the men's room. That all being said, it's a great place to have any meal of the day, they have extended hours, and their full service bar is out of sight. read more

Welcome Diner is one of my favorite new spots in Tucson, and I'm so glad they expanded down here. I appreciate that they kept the integrity of the building, formerly occupied by Chaffin's Diner. It still looks like Chaffin's, but it's a little more bright and cheerful thanks to the white and baby blue accents and the spherical lights above each table. I've had The Big Jim a few times now - it's fried chicken, cheddar, bacon and gravy piled on a fluffy biscuit. It's filling and delicious. I've also tried the brioche. When I went last weekend, it was topped with caramelized pears, almonds and honey whipped cream. It was a little dry, and I wouldn't order it again. I've also had their Blackberry and Lemon pie, which was a perfect mix of sweet and sour. The Hurricane cocktail is also delicious and easy to drink. Welcome Diner is a welcome addition to Tucson, and I'm excited to try more items - even though I really just want The Big Jim. read more

Welcome Diner - The Big Jim with side of hashbrowns - Diners Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Visited family in Tucson and made a small list of Vegan friendly places to eat while there...so happy we stopped in. The food here was amazing! I got the "three sisters burrito" expecting nothing too special but the flavors were so good. Also an appetizer of the jackfruit topped fries to share with my non-veg Aunt and Uncle. They loved it and also loved their dishes (an omelette, and a loaded mac+cheese). They are usually picky eaters so it was great to see them happy with a place I chose, and since they are local they will probably go there often now. Will definitely stop in again when I am back. I am hoping they can add a couple more vegan dishes to the menu by that time! read more

How have I not yet reviewed Welcome Diner? Just love this place - so many people recommended it and it took us months to finally get there. Sooooo good! Before even getting to the food I have to mention the staff, who without exception have been lovely and funny and attentive. Yay WD staff. Now. The food. The BBQ jackfruit fries are amazing, although I'm angry that you can only order them in a large, which means you can only order them when there are 3 or more unless that's all you want to eat. Which I could absolutely do. Don't test me. But maybe I shouldn't. Cocktails are fine although only the sangrita and mezcal cocktail really blows me away. Lots of great local stuff on the menu. Building evidently a remarkable feat of architecture that one should travel from far and wide to gaze upon. In any case a very cool mid-century modern building. You should go here. read more

Best burger in Tucson (so far), with excellent fries. I mean, really -- it's thick, and juicy and flavorful. Blame the beef from Niman Ranch. It's really good. But wait! There's more! BLT (excellent), BLT w/ egg (excellent), kim chee (excellent), Mac & Cheese (pretty good), Banana Pudding in a cup (to die for). My biggest complaint: I'm a big guy, and I don't fit in the booths, but there is plenty of comfy table seating in the back under the rotating disco ball! read more

Been waiting for welcome diner to reopen after the covid shutdown. Sounds like they waited until they would be comfortable to make sure they could manage safely. We only do take out now and try to support local businesses. Welcome diner can be ordered online ahead of time from their instagram bio page or calling ahead, We ordered a Friday night online for a Saturday noon pickup. Easy to get to even during construction on Broadway, parking is plentiful and they have 3 curbside spots for to go order. We got ours and headed out for a picnic lunch. Lil bird (chicken, biscuit and cheese) sandwich with lots of chips. Very tasty. Also got a bumble sandwich with a side of delicious Brussels. Everything well packaged and transported great. Just as delicious as before. Highly recommend. His place gets it right. Remember support local and tip well (even with takeout). read more

Mid century modern diner in blue and white, just east of downtown. Hipster staff and locally sourced upscale casual fare. Eclectic cocktail menu with a good selection of wine and craft brew. Open 7 days a week from 7am to 2am. Serves food til 2:00am. That's special for Tucson. Face it, Tucson is an older town and most of the folks hit the early bird special and are tucked in by 9:00pm. So being able to get food late from other than a chain or fast food joint is special. We shared the Mac N Cheese with Andouille for an apply and got the Jambalaya and No Way Jose burger, also ordered a side of Brussels Sprouts for our entrees. All delish. In addition to the menu items, there are daily drink and food specials; and a Happy Hour. Awesome! We want to try this place for breakfast. Love the vibe, love the food. This place is special. read more

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I love their food, and the restaurant has a great diner feel! Their service is a bit spotty. Some of the people are super nice, others seem to wish you weren't there. I'm not saying that everyone should be chipper and wearing tons of flair, but a smile would be nice. On multiple occasions there has been hair in the food, and I've only gone 4 times. So, that is pretty gross. My friend didn't eat his hairy food but they still charged him for it. I would like to give the place 4 stars, but I'm subtracting one for the hair and another for making someone pay for it. I really want them to do well, because it is a cool place, but I can't get over the hair. The image is burned into my mind because it was a clump of like 3 hairs. ..nasty. read more

Food was burnt and service was bad. So...if you are ok with terrible service this is the place to go! Will never go again. read more

I wrote a little about this place on one of the pictures I took of here. First, the atmosphere really plays to that 50'diner. It's very clean inside and the staff is extremely friendly but not overbearing at all. The menu has a good selection of food but not to the point where you have 100 burgers to choose from and can't decide. They do use local farmers for certain items which I always appreciate. For my meal I got a burger "no way Jose" it was juicy with a perfect amount of spice, it has a nice toasted bun and a nice helping of arugula in addition I got the french fries and hash browns (yes I was committing carboside). Hash browns had the perfect amount of crisp on the outside and cooked well on the inside. So down to the nitty gritty... Would I go back-yes Would I wait for a seat if an 30 minute wait-no Is the price reasonable-yes read more

Different. Limited menu is good. B'fast n lunch. Diner could use 1 more employee on busy holiday weekend. Price reflects a resort tourist area. Most B'fast items are ala cart, including jam/butter. Decor is simple/good. An extra, abundant amount of flies to distract you trying to enjoy your meal! That's Ghetto. read more

Stopped by for brunch just to try something new (to us) I'm not a vegetarian, but the 3 sisters burrito looked so good on somebody else's plate that I had to try it. So good, go hungry or take a friend ! I recommend it to everybody who asks where to get breakfast! My husband was thrilled with his chilaquiles as well. Somehow we managed to stuff in chocolate death-on top of all that! We will definitely be back! read more

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The best food ever. They are local and all their products are made locally even their plates. The service never disappoints and the food always tastes home cooked. I will frequent this place :) read more

Was in town for the Baja Beer Fest, and had to swing through here to check out Phoenix's sister diner. It was the perfect spot to finish up our day trip down to Tucson. Vibe felt spot-on in comparison to the Phx location, only this location is HUGE with a cool little 'living room' styled seating area in the back with a projector tv. Also has an inviting, roomy outdoor section out back too. We started off with the Banh Mi French Fries which had amazing flavor, but probably could have used some more sauce - maybe some pickled veggies and cilantro too. And the main dish we split was the chefs special that night, the Big Jim, a fried chicken sandwich but sub'd the normal bacon gravy for chorizo gravy. So so so delicious. Definitely check it out. If you're into neon lighting, you'll dig this place. read more

Welcome Diner - Diners Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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My boyfriend and I came here to eat breakfast and we didn't wait much to be seated but our order did take forever to get it. We waited for our food 50min and our pancakes to taste straight up egg literally like an omelette. First time coming here and last time. read more

My husband and I are all for local eats and feel strongly about supporting restaurants that advocate for farm to table and organic produce. But at the end of the day it's still a diner serving mainly eggs, breakfast sandwiches and biscuits for breakfast/brunch. I ordered the omelette and added sausage and grilled vegetables, came with a side salad of leafy greens only and four cubes of watermelon. Omelet was very small. My vegetables were carrots and beets which don't typically belong in an omelette. I had only a few pieces of sausage. The total cost for my omelette was $20!! My husband's chicken sandwich was more like a half sandwich. I ordered a biscuit to try and was charged $4 without them giving me the toast that automatically came with my omelette. Farm to table should not mean overpriced and skimpy on portions. Hopefully they will modify. read more

Far and away the best 'diner' in Tucson. What makes the 'Welcome Diner' different? Let me start by saying that the food is outstanding--the kind that makes you think that they were thinking of you when creating the menu--and it's all made from scratch, even the orange juice is fresh squeezed. Cocktails? Yes, please. At breakfast time? Why not... You have to try the Welcome Diner, but get here early 'cause they will probably be busy! read more

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After I came here, I found out that there is also a Welcome Diner in Phoenix. What better place to start my trip in Arizona than at the Welcome Diner in Tucson though. The surroundings to get here is kind of gritty so this is a welcome view in the flat desert. The outside is photo-worthy and it's a large space. There is the diner area as you'd expect in the front but an open, airy space with tables in the back that doesn't quite match the decor of the front. I didn't see anyone back there that afternoon though. I got the biscuit with fried chicken, mustard, and honey. The biscuit was one of many in a plastic box, which I assumed held all the pre-baked biscuits. Sadly, the biscuit was hard and dense. Otherwise the chicken was fantastic, beyond what I expected for the West. The service and ambiance was nice, and I would come back for some of their other menu items. read more

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Welcome Diner is inviting, charming, and an upgrade from a regular diner. Their staff is very friendly (although when busy, service is a little slow). The fried chicken dishes, fried green tomato and breakfast items are among my favorites. The burgers are average in my opinion. The roasted butternut squash salad was very light and refreshing (tons of arugula). The Brussels sprouts didn't have much flavor and were subpar unfortunately. Don't forget to stick around for dessert! I spent about $45 for 2 including 1 alcoholic beverage and 1 dessert. I learned they change their menu occasionally. I like the layout of the restaurant as well as the decor. Enjoy! read more

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This retro establishment is right in the heart of Tucson, which is great since the "eats" here are fantastic. Come here for an early breakfast, you will find friendly service and wonderful meals. You can order something light or heavy depending on your breakfast preferences, but I prefer something light, and was not disappointed in the least. I have not had anything on the lunch menu yet and anticipate my next visit... read more

Welcome Diner - Wooh baby, guacamole toast! - Diners Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Best orange juice EVER! Service was amazing and food was even better. You can tell a lot of work was put into this place to make the atmosphere welcoming to its customers. This is a MUST try. I guarantee you will come back! read more

Welcome diner is a funky breakfast spot. At first blush it seems like a classic diner but it has funkier twists the closer you look. The food was really good and the drinks looked interesting, although I didnt feel like drinking the morning I went. I had the short rib chilaquiles, which were really good! The chips where the right balance of crisp and soggy and the short rib was perfectly cooked. Overall Welcome diner is a classic diner with modern twists. read more

Absolute magic. Yesterday we took our friends visiting from DC and they were blown away. The biscuits were flakey, buttery and made perfectly. The greens were garden fresh and service was on point. Welcome has a fantastic selection of choices and caters to food allergies and vegan/vegetarians. The atmosphere is always quirky and fun. I absolutely love this Tucson spot! read more

Delicious and many vegetarian options. I had the three sisters burrito in October and I'm still thinking about it. A great mix of flavor, crunch and healthiness. Should probably go back. read more

Welcome Diner - three sisters burrito - Diners Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Remember those diners you used to go to with your parents when you were a kid? There was one in Wikieup, AZ that my parental units would stop at for lunch on our way to Las Vegas to visit my sister in the late 70's. I loved when we'd stop there! It was my favorite part of the drive. Welcome Diner takes those diners of old and kicks the theme up a notch...or 10! My sister from another mister was recently in town from Racine, WI (home of Johnsons Wax) and we were looking for a place to eat on her final evening in town and she chose Welcome Diner. I'd wanted to try it since it opened, but hadn't had a chance...until now. The interior is reminiscent of the late-70's diners I remember (Sambo's comes to mind, but don't hold that against me). Dimly lit, brown and dark amber tones with blue and green here and there. We visited on a Monday after 6:00 PM, so there were only a few other patrons in the dining room. We started our meal with Poutine ($9.50). The fresh cut fries were super tasty, the chorizo gravy thick and creamy with the perfect amount of spice. Only one thing we wished was different...thicker fries! How can we be expected to sop up all of the glorious cheddar and gravy with thin fries?! I ordered the Bumblebee Chicken Biscuit Sandwich ($12.00) and my BFF ordered the Big Jim Chicken Biscuit Sandwich ($14.00), and we both chose the Mac and Cheese as our side. Lordy! That sandwich was a fine example of a chicken and a biscuit! Fresh chicken breast dipped in a perfectly seasoned batter and fried to juicy precision! A nice dollop of whole grain mustard and drizzled with delicious honey made this sandwich downright deviant! But that Mac and Cheese!!!! How can I do it justice with words? There was so much gooey cheese that strings of viscous cheddar and a secret variety of other fromage attached my fork to the pasta in the bowl! It was a life-changing experience! Our plates came with a few cubes of yellow watermelon that was utterly devoid of flavor, and we wish there had been a vegetable side, but we were celebrating our week-long visit and these were minor concerns. Verdict: I'm going back for more!! While I can't make Welcome Diner a regular stop for mealtime (girlish figure and all) I will make it a monthly treat to myself! Thank you, Welcome Diner! What a great place to relive childhood (and adulthood) memories! read more

Welcome Diner - Diners Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

My cousin was here from out of town and I figured we would try this new place together. I had my two daughters with me (both under 3) never realized this was not a kid friendly place. I got weird looks from a male waitress, made me feel unwelcome. Food is overpriced in my opinion Paying over $15+ for a small BLT and the staff looks dirty. Cooks are sweating and non of them wear hair nets. Waitress look dirty as their clothes appear dirty and all they do is chitchat about their personal stuff. Floors appear to be very dirty and the place has a weird smell. read more

Manager at Welcome Diner threw my party of six out of the restaurant, referring to us as "you people." She didn't want us to order for a 7th, who was on her way. I've been there a number of times, and never had such a terrible experience. I really assure you, reader, that she was itching for a fight and felt she could pick on us. I don't know why. She was mad that we asked to be seated even though we were missing ONE of our party. Then when we tried to order for her, she threw a fit This manager was the worst. UPDATE: The server lied about being manager. The real manager called me and apologized for the treatment by the server. She no longer is employed there, not so much because of us, but because of other, similar issues. I think she knew it was her last day and took it out on us in a very bad way. The real manager, Shanna, said the event did not reflect their values and invited us back on a night she was there so she could make sure we had a good experience. She also said she talked to the rest of the staff, emphasizing customer service skills. I do think if the server was trouble in the past, she should not have been in a public facing position in her last shifts, but that's just my opinion. I understand it is very difficult to run a restaurant and I am appreciate that the manager reached out and attempted to correct the situation. I'll revise my rating after my next meal there! read more

Loud music and acoustically "hot," with lots of conversions echoing in the dining area. I wish more restaurants made it easier to talk and hear. But the food and the service were both first rate. I came in for lunch and ordered the morning breakfast, I think, with a side of sausage and a side of gravy. Around $15 with tax. So delicious. I'll be back, when I'm alone and not trying to have a conversation. read more

Came here on a whim while looking for a lunch place in Tucson, it was so good! Brussel sprouts were amazing and my cold brew was excellent. Service was friendly, helpful, and on top of things. Not sure when I'll be in Tucson again, but my experience here made me really want to check out the Phoenix location. read more

Had the short rib chilequiles and the flavors were crazy on point for a cute quaint Lil diner in Tucson. Two perfectly poached eggs accompanied the layered fried corn tortilla pieces doused in a very tasty Verde sauce. Rather large portion but it was super tasty and I will be munching on this later... Minus the eggs... I ate those the first round. Will be returning for sure. read more

Welcome Diner - Diners Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Love this place! It does get pretty busy but so far the wait never seems to be too long if there is one. I highly suggest their Benedicts, my personal favorite bring the option with sausage which come on some of the best biscuits I've ever had but everything on their menu is pretty good. This place is worth stopping in to and has a fun atmosphere and some good drinks. read more

Food was nothing special and was overpriced. The chicken and dumplings was overly spicey and had no taste besides that. I am giving 2 stars because the only good part of our meal was a delicious corn soup. The worst part of our experience was the service. The hostess was unwelcoming and rude. Our server barely checked on us despite it not being too busy. She was not friendly at all. I have worked in restaurants and I would never treat customers that way. read more

The place is cool and funky. Reminds me of Palm Springs, the music and food was great! Bloody Mary was on point and delicious! The food was incredible. We had the fried green tomato sandwich, three sisters burrito, and the biscuit eggs Benny. All delicious. read more

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My boyfriend and I craved a savory local farm to table brunch so we came here. Having attended a dinner here, we knew the food would be delicious yet pricey with ok sized portions. What we were not ready for was hit or miss staff attitudes. The girl who greeted us upon arrival was all smiles and good conversation. Our server, on the other hand, couldn't care less about us and apparently his impacting words. I ordered a basic eggs and hash dish with no cheese (an intolerance) and asked if there was any substitute for the cheese since they cater to vegetarian and vegan populations alike. He literally told me he didn't know and didn't want to ask the cooks because "they're so busy and I don't want to bother them." We had to hide our astonished faces. I tacked on a Bloody Mary after the comment and bit my tongue; I wasn't looking for a free side but a simple 'we don't do substitutions' would have sufficed. My boyfriend ordered the vegetarian burrito and we changed the subject of discussion. 20 min later, my forgettable Bloody Mary arrived. We waited about 10 min more for our food but the wait was worth it. We ended up sharing our food bc we didn't want the other to miss out. My basic dish included perfectly cooked, fluffy eggs and a biscuit I'll never forget. The only thing it lacked was more watermelon; it was served with 4 small cubes. The vegetarian burrito was absolutely amazing! The only downside being it was slightly bigger than a Hot Pocket and came with no side. It was a small burrito in the middle of the plate. We are fans of Welcome Diner and all the local fares they offer but will not be regulars anytime soon. A strong, specific craving would be the only thing to bring us back. read more