Stroll through Tucson, and you'll encounter the delightful smells of mesquite-fired grills, the distinctive sizzle of fajitas and brightly decorated restaurants with piles of tortillas and multi-colored salsas. Tucson is known for its fabulous Mexican and Southwestern cuisine, but we have so much more. 

With a burgeoning culinary scene, Tucson is earning a reputation as a destination for epicures. Ready for a gourmet adventure? Experience the new Southwestern cuisine from one of its creators, Chef Janos Wilder, at Janos, or try one of the award-winning dishes at The Grill at Hacienda Del Sol. For an unforgettable evening, dine on contemporary continental cuisine at the Ventana Room, Tucson's only AAA 5-Diamond, Mobile 4-star restaurant. If it's the traditional Southwestern flavors you're seeking, enjoy carne seca and a margarita at El Charro Café, which has been owned and operated by the same family since 1922.

Don't miss Arizona Restaurant Week, a premier eight-day culinary event (Sept. 19-26, 2009) showcasing the diverse culinary scenes of Tucson and features over 30 dining venues!

Tucson's premiere wine and food event, the Tucson Culinary Festival, is October 1-4 at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort.

Cooking Light magazine named Tucson as one of the top 10 cities that best fits their philosophy to eat smart, be fit, and live well.

Tucson's El Charro Mexican Cafe was named one of the "21 Most Legendary Restaurants in America" by Gourmet Magazine.

For the inside scoop on the Tucson food scene, visit www.azstarnet.com/food.

See the list of restaurants that were voted as Tucson favorites in the Tucson Lifestyle Magazine 2008 Culinary Awards.

Meet the Chef

From the internationally acclaimed gourmets to cooks with a passion for tradition - get to know many of the creative people behind Tucson's extraordinary dining scene.
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