Food & Drink
Best Asian Restaurant
GMG Chinese Bistro
10370 N La Cañada Dr #190
797-8383
www.gmgchinesebistro
GMG Chinese Bistro is a family owned restaurant in Oro Valley that provides quality Chinese cuisine that attracts fans from all over Tucson. Their goal is to deliver a memorable dining experience to you and your family, along with excellent service. Last year’s winner, GMG has a number of different lunch specials as well as their Chef’s Specialties.
Second Place: Golden
Dragon
Third Place: Grain River
Best Bakery
Village Bakehouse
7882 N. Oracle Road
531-0977
Village Bakehouse offers a variety of artisan breads baked fresh daily. Village Bakehouse specializes in one-of-a-kind wedding cakes and made-to-order cookies and cakes for all occasions. In addition to a large assortment of made-from-scratch pastries, muffins, pies and specialty treats, a friendly staff can suggest alternatives, including healthy, transfat free, vegan, low sugar, flourless or even eggless selections.
Second Place: Breadsmith
Third Place: Kneaders
Best Barbecue
Dickey’s BBQ
7077 N. Thornydale Road
638-8030
Although Dickey’s is a national BBQ chain, this franchise is owned by a 25-year Army veteran who had to go through a lengthy training process to learn the art of barbecue. Dickey’s specializes in slow-smoked meats, tangy barbecue sauce, home-style sides and even has free ice cream to cap off a meal. They offer daily specials and free kids’ meals every Sunday.
Second Place: Bubb’s Grub
Third Place: Brushfire
Best Breakfast
Grumpy’s Grill
2960 W. Ina Road
297-5452
The family-friendly diner is also open for breakfast. They have all of your traditional breakfast favorites, including a wide variety of omelets, Pancakes, French toast and more. They also have specialties like their breakfast sandwiches, eggs benedict, the green chili egg platter and chicken fried steak and eggs.
Second Place: The Views
Third Place: Bisbee Breakfast Club
Best Burger
Grumpy’s Grill
960 W. Ina Road
297-5452
Family-oriented with a penchant for the sporting a University of Arizona décor, nobody beats GrumpyFs Burgers, as the menu says. Whether sporting a hunger for a traditional burger, patty melt or something more adventurous like peanut butter, Grumpy’s has it covered.
Second Place: In & Out Burger
Third Place: Colts Taste of Texas
Best Catalina Restaurant
Sammy’s Mexican
16502 N Oracle Road
818-2424
Authentic Mexican cooking with recipes that have been handed down from generation to generation, just like grandma used to cook. The family owned business is close enough to Oro Valley, but also on the way to Saddlebrooke, Florence and even East Phoenix. Specialties include the nachos supreme, Sammy’s Burritos and Georgie’s, a double-wrapped 2-pound burrito.
Second Place: Bubb’s Grub
Third Place: Mi Tierra
Best Date Night Dining
Wildflower
7037 N. Oracle Road
219-4230
foxrc.com/restaurants/wildflower-american-cuisine
One of the popular Fox Restaurant Concept locations, Wildflower American Cuisine, located in the beautiful Casas Adobes Plaza, makes for a romantic dining experience with a comfortable atmosphere and seasonal menu to go with a fine drink selection.
Second Place: The Keg
Third Place: Harvest
Best Deli Sandwich
Baggin’s Gourmet Sandwiches
11015 N. Oracle Road
(multiple locations)
547-2839
Better known as Tucson’s favorite locally owned sandwich shop since 1984, Baggin’s has been baking its bread and slicing its own meat in-house in order to continue providing customers with the highest level of product available across all nine locations.
Second Place: Jersey Mikes
Third Place: Grumpy’s Grill
Best Coffee House
Starbucks
Multiple locations
Starbuck’s mere presence on seemingly every corner is a prime example of just how in-demand it is with coffee lovers. Not only well known locally, Starbucks is one of the most popular national and international coffee chains out there.
Second Place: Roadrunner
Third Place: Village Bake House
Best
Cocktails
The Views
1555 E Rancho Vistoso Blvd.
825-3277
The restaurant at the Views Golf Club in Sun City is not only a great place to get a great meal, but they also pour a great cocktail. They not only have great happy hour specials, but weekend happy hour entertainment.
Second Place: Grumpy’s Grill
Third Place: Fox & Hound
Best Dessert
Dominick’s
8330 N Thornydale Road
744-2002
Don’t fill up on the great Italian food or pizzas, because you will miss a great dessert spot. Their homemade Tiramisu is topped with by a dusting of Ghiradelli cocoa and dark chocolate, while the thick and creamy cheesecakes are sure to please, especially their white chocolate raspberry cheesecake. No Italian restaurant can truly be authentic without a top notch Cannoli, and Dominick’s are proud of theirs.
Second Place: Village Bake House
Third Place: Michelangelo’s
Family Friendly
Dining
Grumpy’s Grill
2960 W. Ina Road
297-5452
Kick back, get some wings or a burger and enjoy some time with the family in a relaxing and inviting environment at Grumpy’s Grill. Whether coming together to celebrate a birthday, or to watch the big game, Grumpy’s offers a great venue.
Second Place: Dominick’s
Third Place: Sullivan’s Eatery
Fine Dining
Vivace
6440 N. Campbell Ave.
795-7221
www.vivacetucson.com/menu.html
This Scordato restaurant really is about making people happy with flavorful traditional Italian dishes and other Daniel Scordato creations. There is a lunch and dinner menu, a wonderful seasonal wine list and desserts that you will say yes rather than not tonight. Our favorites on the dinner menu: penne with sausage. The lunch menu: grilled ham and fontina cheese sandwich. And remember, dessert: tiramisu.
Second Place: Harvest
Third Place: Michelangelo’s
Gourmet Food Store
AJ’s Fine Foods
2805 E. Skyline Drive
232-6340
Whether interested in procuring a fine cheese, delectable baked goods or freshly made sushi, AJ’s Fine Foods is the premier place for gourmet ingredients and high quality goods. Situated in the La Encantada Shopping Center, AJ’s is known for excellence.
Second Place: Sprouts
Third Place: Whole Foods
Best Greek Food
Pappoule’s
7475 North La Cholla Blvd.
544-5551
Pappoule means grandfather in Greek. Mike and Bea
Cotsones invite you to visit and enjoy authentic, homemade Greek food including famous Gyros and Pita sandwiches, Mezz’as, Greek salads, desserts and traditional side dishes.
Second Place: Opa
Third Place: It’s Greek to Me
Best Indian Food
Saffron Indian Bistro
7607 N. Oracle Road #101
742-9100
www.tucsonindianrestaurant.com
Tandori seared lamb chops. We could leave it at that and encourage you to get yourself to this wonderful Oro Valley treasure, but there are many options if lamb isn’t your thing (it should be). Keep in mind that this place has a great lunch buffet that always has tandoori chicken, and a few curry options and vegetarian offerings. There’s also a great rice pudding perfect to end the meal with before you roll back to work.
Second Place: Flavor of India
Third Place: Taste of India
Best Italian Food
Dominick’s Real Italian
8330 N. Thornydale Road
744-2002
This is a mom and pop place with a New York vibe, from delicious traditional Italian offerings to New York-style pizzas. Great pasta and seafood offerings, like the shrimp scampi. Another favorite that’s great for a small crew is the 16-inch Margherita pie with fresh mozzarella, basil, tomatoes, garlic on a perfect thin crust.
Second Place: Bianchis Italian
Third Place: Carrabas
Valley Restaurant
The Views Restaurant
The Views Golf Club of Oro Valley
1565 E. Rancho Vistos Blvd.
433-9977
This restaurant is perfect after a round of golf, but it’s also a great place to see one of the best views in Tucson of the Catalina Mountains and have a great late afternoon meal. Casual American fare, with an amazing chicken pot pie. The grill closes at 3 p.m., but the full-service restaurant remains open.
Second Place: Harvest
Third Place: Olive Garden
Best Pizza
Dominick’s Real Italian
8330 N. Thornydale Road
744-2002
Dominick’s may not be solely a pizzeria, but they do pizza right. They Margherita pie with fresh mozzarella, basil, tomatoes, garlic on a perfect thin crust, gets a lot of love from customers, but you can’t go wrong with a White Pie, a Meat Lovers or even Dominick’s Spicy. They have thin crust and gluten free options.
Second Place: Z pizza
Third Place: Mamas
Best
Sports Bar
Monsoons
6781 N. Thornydale Road #261
219-0301
Where the food is warm and the hospitality is warmer. Easygoing tavern featuring plenty of craft beers on tap, comfort food & TVs tuned into sports. Monsoons has something for everyone, with reasonably priced food ranging from traditional bar food to things like lasagna, salads and seafood. Monsoons boasts eighteen beers on tap and fourteen televisions. It is truly a Sports Restaurant, where families are welcome.
Second Place: Colt’s Taste of Texas
Third Place: Grumpy’s Grill
Best
Steakhouse
Colt’s Taste of Texas
8310 N. Thornydale Road 572-5968
Bringing you back to the heart of Texas has never tasted so good. The staff here at Colt’s Taste of Texas creates an enjoyable atmosphere that will make you feel just like you’re at home with family and friends. Their western themed restaurant is one for the whole family to come and enjoy as they watch their dinner prepared and cooked and fired up on our mesquite charcoal grill. Their beef is hand selected and cut by an in house butcher, sure to give you the best quality steaks.
Second Place: Texas Roadhouse
Third Place: The Keg
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