As a student at the University of Arizona, I find myself getting tired of eating the same foods around campus as the year comes to an end, and am sure a lot of students feel the same way as well. Exploring Tucson and finding new, local restaurants is a great way to satiate your appetite for new, amazing food!
1. El Sur
El Sur is an amazing local Mexican restaurant, my personal favorite, that has two locations. One location is on 22nd Street, while the other is on 29th Street. They are both only about a 15 to 20 minute drive from campus! They start off with endless chips and salsa, both mild and hot. Don't worry if you don't like hot salsa, but your friend does, because they bring everyone at the table their own personal bowl to fill everyones' salsa needs! They have a wide variety of foods that range from green chile chicken enchiladas to menudo to the basic cheese quesadilla. And for the 21 and up crowd, they have amazing frozen margaritas and margarita on the rocks. Not only is the staff amazing and super friendly, but the food comes out within 10 minutes or less! This is definitely a must-try for anyone who likes Mexican food!2. Great Village Chinese Restaurant
Great Village Chinese Restaurant is a popular hit for anyone who loves Chinese food. All of my friends that I have brought here absolutely love it! Not only is the food amazing, but it is relatively cheap for the large portions of food that they give you. For starters, they have hot and sour soup for those who like more spicy food, and egg drop soup for those who prefer a more mild flavor. If you go during their lunch hours, the lunch entrees come with any soup of your choice! They have entrees that range from orange chicken to sesame chicken and even mongolian beef. The waitstaff at the restaurants are also some of the nicest, attentative people that I have ever met. Stop by and eat at the Great Village Chinese Restaurant, and I promise you will not be dissapointed.3. Lindy's on 4th
Lindy's on 4th has been featured Food Network's Top Places to Eat! Food Network described the restaurant as a "burger-joint-with-attitude" because of its "rock 'n' roll vibe". The atmosphere here is not only "rock 'n' roll", but it is also very fun and sporty because of the new addition of T.V's that play sports games around the clock. This place is perfect for anyone, but especially students at the University of Arizona because it is just a short walk from campus. Lindy's is home to many unique burgers with equally unique names. They have a burger called the Blue Suede Cow that has a burger between two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and even a burger called Kush that has raspberry preserves, green chiles, bleu cheese, and bacon. If your one who loves a challenge, they also have a Challenge Burger that is 3lbs that you must consume under 30 minutes! Come by and try to finish the Challenge burger!
These 3 restaurants are a must-try for anybody looking for new, amazing, local foods in Tucson!