Citizen Staff Writer
POLLY HIGGINS
Metromix
We’ve hit 100 degrees. Triple digits, people.
That translates to many lifestyle changes (getting up early or switching to a vampire schedule, saying adios to pants, embracing that “dewey” look), not the least of which is when we get our food.
For many of us, the thought of eating dinner when the sun is still up is simply unappetizing. Uncivilized, really. But, we’re also not New York; this is the Baked Apple, a city that does sleep, which means that most of our restaurants are shuttered by 9:30 p.m., if not earlier.
Thankfully, some kind establishments are there for you, Night Owl, and we’ve culled. This being Tucson, we’ve defined late-night dining as serving food at least until 11 p.m. In some cases that’s true seven nights a week, in others, just one or two.
For a complete listing, go to Metromix.com/Tucson.
Barrio Food & Drink, 135 S. Sixth Ave. – You don’t have to enjoy those delicious cocktail creations on an empty stomach: Barrio serves its full dinner menu until midnight Fridays and Saturdays. That means the dry-rubbed venison ($22) or mixed greens salad with fresh fruit and pistachios ($9.50), fish tacos ($14.50) or chicken breast marinated in honey-chipotle barbecue sauce ($17) with your Hemingway daiquiri or one of their many other inventive drinks.
Cup Café in Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress – Open until midnight Fridays and Saturdays, the Cup switches to its late-night menu at 11 p.m., and it’s filled with favorite starters like the heartbreaker ($9, with roasted garlic cloves, brie, artichoke hearts, apple slice and a baguette) and shrimp and melon ceviche ($6). If you’re feeling healthy, you have green options (the Nicoise salad is $12) and eight sandwiches (the popular Maximilian, $8, is a roasted-turkey melt with green chiles on a croissant).
Delectables, 533 N. Fourth Ave. – Fridays and Saturdays, eat off the regular menu until 11 p.m. Choose from nine salads ($4-$14); a number of vegetarian options, like the white bean hummus plate ($10); and the bistro plates, including prosciutto, asiago cheese melon and grapes ($12). (That last one would be perfectly paired with a red wine flight.)
Grill, 100 E. Congress St. – Grill is always open late, because it’s always open. The full menu is offered 24/7, and it’s a civilized approach to diner food with such favorites as the pesto-provolone omelet, chocolate-chip pancakes and “DB” (aka the death bomb, a spicy, fried ravioli appetizer). You’ll also find steak, salads and a full bar.
Ike’s Coffee & Tea, 3400 E. Speedway Blvd. No. 121 – Ike’s has it right: The coffee-drinking crowd includes night owls, so they serve it up seven days a week until midnight. “It” is an array of pastries, sandwiches and salads (the chopped salad, with garbanzo beans, radish and cheese is a bargain at $5.50), as well as whatever fancy coffee or tea drink you need to fight off the tireds.
Jonathan’s Cork, 6320 E. Tanque Verde Road – Wednesdays through Saturdays, the East Side fine-dining staple serves up a late-night menu from 10 until midnight. Dine inside or al fresco, on signature items – jalapeño-bacon-wrapped shrimp ($7.95), escargot ($6.95) – as well as new ones – mac and cheese with parmesan crust ($6.95), baby back ribs ($8.95), and more.
Maynards Market & Kitchen, 400 N. Toole Ave. – The stars of the late-night menu, served until midnight Thursdays through Saturdays, are the stone-baked pizzas. You get four options ($9-$10), three of them vegetarian, plus the pizza of the week. Or, order some “snacks” – fries, flatbread, grilled apple bruschetta with brie, arugula and prosciutto. “Reverse happy hour” starts at 10 p.m., with $2 off all drafts and premium wines.
Thunder Canyon Brewery, 7401 N. La Cholla Blvd. in the Foothills Mall – The locally owned brewery keeps its kitchen open until 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Give us a Baja burger (with green chiles, chipotle mayo, avocado and pepper-jack cheese, for $9.29). The extensive menu also has lots of pub fare (brats, $8.99, and chicken pot pie, $8.49) and all the usual bar food you require. And then there are those brews, up to 13; those you can enjoy until midnight Fridays and Saturdays.