“Capital of Gastronomy” facing foodie extinction?

In January 2016 UNESCO added Tucson, to its growing Creative Cities Network. It is the first place in the United States to be honored with the “Capital of Gastronomy” designation. And until Mayor Romero (responding to COVID 19) semi-closed all restaurants limiting service only to take-out . Until then one could find dozens or more restaurants in each Tucson neighborhood, but some now have closed entirely rather than doing take-out.

Some restaurants were chains, of course, but many were locally owned independents. Local owners and local chefs were creating and serving innovative dishes that were often riffs on tradition. Chinese-Sonoran fusion, anyone?

So I decided to take photos of a plaza nearby–one of several in that single block on Campbell–as an example of what the Capital of Gastronomy is like in Tucson. Some restaurants are old, some new, now all are empty.

The Pastiche modern eatery is one of the relative newcomers and its menu is eclectic 21st century American. Deep fried avocado in a panko crust, for example. In the same small plaza as Pastiche there is a Chipotle, again a 21st century food outlet but of a less adventurous kind. Across that same plaza, however, is Casa Molina which, until they closed, served Mexican food the same way they had since 1947.

While the chain/franchise eateries may suffer during the Tucson shutdown, I fear for the future of the many independent cafes and restaurants: COVID-19 may be an extinction event for many of them.

And I regret having missed some great food and hope after this is all over I can feast on the cioppino at Agustin Kitchen, pies at Beyond Bread, killer coffee at Cartel Coffee and enjoy brunch at the Cup Cafe at the Hotel Congress.

I think many of us are going to be fed up with home cookin’ when this pandemic is behind us and eager to taste the food of the talented Tucson chefs again.

Stay safe. Eat healthy. Smile.

If you are planning to move to or visit Tucson, I invite you to follow this blog. I am a newcomer here and am having fun exploring this desert city and will give you a sneak preview of it.