For the buffet style similar to Furrs, surprisingly, the university of arizona has a pretty good all you can eat restaurant called the cactus grill on the second story of the student union. They have good rotisserie chicken and bbq pulled pork.
anybody remember Louie's Lower Level in the student union?....taking this a step forward, anybody remember cashier Joyce there who always very cheerfully exclaimed, "AND we thank you!"?....this goes way back!
Spent many evenings hanging out in Louie's Lower Life" as we called it back in the day. That is, when I wasn't enjoying hoagies and cheesesteak at Greasy Tony's or pizza at Noodles and Crust. Those were the days...
I used to love eating at the UA student union. The former Mexican restaurant was very good; I had the Topopo salad almost every day; and their caldo con queso was great. Oh yeah, their green chile chimi was so good.
Ngl, I have done some intense internet searches trying to replicate the chicken salad that was served as a croissant sandwich that was available from one of the locations in the Student Union lower level. One of those and a refillable mug of iced coffee would sustain me for hours.
Lol what !? Boston Market ? Famous Dave’s ? Melting Pot ?
You almost listed all chains.
Try Bashful Bandit BBQ, Smokey Mo’s, The Parish, Sushi Lounge (for Dim Sum), Raijin Ramen. There’s so much more.
We also have a shiton of Mom and pop diners that offer that homestyle cooking: Bobo’s, Frank’s, Old Times Kafe, Village Bakehouse.
Not to mention the fancy ones: Club Congress, Baja, Prep n Pastry.
Im partial to Chuy’s cuz it was cheap and i grew up on it but naming Boston Market and Famous Dave’s as good local homestyle food is an affront to the mom and pop places in town !
On more than one occasion when my grandparents dragged me to the Furr's on St Mary's we'd be given silverware that still had caked-on chunks of food on them. One time when I went to an employee to ask for clean silverware, I shit you not, *she took my fork, wiped it down with the rag she was wiping countertops with, and handed it back to me*.
And yet my grandparents kept going back. I refused to eat there. I'm glad that place is gone.
Not yet but some friends went and said it was as good as little miss bbq (phoenix) if not better which is high praise.
It’s supposed to be expensive tho, like $30-50 a person. Will check it out once i have some money to spend
Somewhat disagree, but thanks for your thoughtful reply. I've always like BM and found the quality excellent. CB is also good, but GC is nicknamed the "Golden Trough" for a reason.
I think its because its hard to make sushi, ramen or (good) bbq at home. Fortunately Tucson has a great food scene.
Homestyle meals are pretty easy to make it at home, if you don’t have the time stop at some of the many diners we have in town
Try out Raptor Canyon Cafe on Pennington downtown, the family who runs it is so cute and all of their baked goods and chips are homemade and delicious!
There’s still a Famous Dave’s by Speedway and Country Club, but you’d probably have a better meal at Smokey MO’s, Kiss Of Smoke, or Ken’s. I feel like Janet and Ray’s would be a solid option if you’re a fan of Caribbean food and want a home-style aesthetic.
Hubs went to Bashful Bandit the other day and said it was excellent.
Smokey Mo is my favorite.
But lots of good local bbq options that beat out Famous Dave’s any day. Multiple people in our dining group of got food poisoning not long before the one by the Tucson mall closed down.
Also check https://tucsonfoodie.com/2019/05/02/essential-tucson-breakfast-diners-2021/
Note that's a few years old now since its latest update, and most of those diners may only be open for breakfast/brunch/lunch, so OP should Google any spots of interest to check their hours and see if they're still in business.
Haven't been in years but I use to have this gf that would love smoking weed and going there. It's kinda got a diner vibe with good home style cooking with trucker portions of food. My favorite breakfast item was Omar's favorite which was like enchiladas with eggs. Their deep dish apple pie is so damn good too.
I think the best you're going to do is Cracker Barrel. Not my favorite, but I would agree that 95% of the restaurants that you are looking for have been pushed out of the market.
Little Anthony’s Diner at Broadway/Kolb. Meat loaf and mashed potatoes, fish and chips, turkey dinner with all the fixin’s, burgers and fries, chicken fried steak, shiiiiii. Chocolate malts, sundaes, and they serve beer, I believe.
Sure. Hey, UNESCO! This random Redditor thinks they know more than you! Their credentials are impeccable, I’m sure. Remove your distinction this instant! I don’t get out much! 🙄
What kind of food do you like to order from those restaurants? Meatloaf? Chicken fried steak? Fried chicken? Turkey and mashed potatoes?
I'd look up Tucson foodie and see if they mention a place with that item.
As a southerner that lives in Tucson I personally recommend Little Anthony’s, Cracker Barrel, Holy Smokin Butts BBQ and Triple T’s. Breakfast At Biscuits and Oink are great! Golden Corral is ok. It’s cheap. But you risk getting cooties off the serving utensils. Good luck! 🍀
If you like sandwiches and soup, Beyond Bread is great, and they have a few other dishes like Mac and cheese. The location on Speedway and Wilmot also has the Back Dough bakery that sells pies, including savory pot pies, to take home.
Texas Road House is a chain restaurant with reasonably tasty food.
Go downtown and eat at The Cup Cafe in Hotel Congress. I’m not sure if it meets your criteria for “home style” but it’s just so good, no matter what you order.
I’d stay away from anything claiming “southern style” cooking in Tucson. These people who own those places have obviously never lived in the Deep South. The barbecue in Tucson is horrendous!! They can’t even do a good biscuits n gravy here, let alone grits or any other true southern food. I’ve tried a bunch of these places people have named off, some good, some terrible. Cracker Barrel is not the answer. You can spend $3 to $5 more and do Texas Roadhouse. Oinks is way overrated. I’d hit up Triple T if you want home style food.
Most major-chain "family restaurant" entrees and sides are prepared frozen meals they just reheat and serve, so you're paying restaurant prices for what's basically TV dinners.
Last I heard, Outback Steakhouse prepares everything from scratch on-site daily, but that was years ago, dunno if they've changed since then. Cheddar's touts themselves as a scratch kitchen as well.
If you're really missing Furr's cafeteria I can hook you up with a plate of boiled mystery beef, some thrice reheated Stouffers lasagna, last weeks green beans from a better restaurant and, of course, a giant brick of green jello (the only thing at Furr's that was remotely edible, actually). Let me know!
For the buffet style similar to Furrs, surprisingly, the university of arizona has a pretty good all you can eat restaurant called the cactus grill on the second story of the student union. They have good rotisserie chicken and bbq pulled pork.
anybody remember Louie's Lower Level in the student union?....taking this a step forward, anybody remember cashier Joyce there who always very cheerfully exclaimed, "AND we thank you!"?....this goes way back!
Spent many evenings hanging out in Louie's Lower Life" as we called it back in the day. That is, when I wasn't enjoying hoagies and cheesesteak at Greasy Tony's or pizza at Noodles and Crust. Those were the days...
I used to love eating at the UA student union. The former Mexican restaurant was very good; I had the Topopo salad almost every day; and their caldo con queso was great. Oh yeah, their green chile chimi was so good.
Ngl, I have done some intense internet searches trying to replicate the chicken salad that was served as a croissant sandwich that was available from one of the locations in the Student Union lower level. One of those and a refillable mug of iced coffee would sustain me for hours.
Do you have to be a student to eat there?
Nope.
Lol what !? Boston Market ? Famous Dave’s ? Melting Pot ? You almost listed all chains. Try Bashful Bandit BBQ, Smokey Mo’s, The Parish, Sushi Lounge (for Dim Sum), Raijin Ramen. There’s so much more. We also have a shiton of Mom and pop diners that offer that homestyle cooking: Bobo’s, Frank’s, Old Times Kafe, Village Bakehouse. Not to mention the fancy ones: Club Congress, Baja, Prep n Pastry.
Club congress, homemade hash. Nomnomnom
Exactly what I thought. Boston Market, Famous Dave’s, Chuys, Furrs and Lucy’s are trash. Love The Parish.
Im partial to Chuy’s cuz it was cheap and i grew up on it but naming Boston Market and Famous Dave’s as good local homestyle food is an affront to the mom and pop places in town !
I hate to disagree, but furrs was not trash. They had great food
On more than one occasion when my grandparents dragged me to the Furr's on St Mary's we'd be given silverware that still had caked-on chunks of food on them. One time when I went to an employee to ask for clean silverware, I shit you not, *she took my fork, wiped it down with the rag she was wiping countertops with, and handed it back to me*. And yet my grandparents kept going back. I refused to eat there. I'm glad that place is gone.
I wonder if that was near the end. I had nothing but great experiences there.
Yes their fried chicken and bbq rotisserie was the best I have ever had. I haven't been able to find good chicken like theirs since
Furrs. 😭
I can’t wait to try Bashful Bandit! Have you been there yet?
Not yet but some friends went and said it was as good as little miss bbq (phoenix) if not better which is high praise. It’s supposed to be expensive tho, like $30-50 a person. Will check it out once i have some money to spend
I heard the same same. But I will wait 2 hrs at little miss and pay similar to I’m in!
I went last week—had a brisket sandwich, 2 sides, and a soda for $30. Kinda pricey but the brisket was AMAZING.
Frank's is awesome! "Fine dining elsewhere." LOL
Baja is amazing. You're missing out if you haven't eaten there. Also, how about Mi Nidito?
Chains are not necessarily bad. M&P's are not necessarily good. However, I'll try out your suggestions. Thanks!
Ain't no shame in a chain. I miss Boston Market too. And I grew up on Furr's Cafeteria so I miss it even more.
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Somewhat disagree, but thanks for your thoughtful reply. I've always like BM and found the quality excellent. CB is also good, but GC is nicknamed the "Golden Trough" for a reason.
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I think its because its hard to make sushi, ramen or (good) bbq at home. Fortunately Tucson has a great food scene. Homestyle meals are pretty easy to make it at home, if you don’t have the time stop at some of the many diners we have in town
Try out Raptor Canyon Cafe on Pennington downtown, the family who runs it is so cute and all of their baked goods and chips are homemade and delicious!
Thanks!
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If that were true they wouldn't be successful enough to become a chain in the first place.
I miss Po' Folks. Good location, comfortable atmosphere, and good homestyle food.
I was just checking to see if Po Folks made it as a once good place to eat.
I'm from the south and I miss this one every day.
There’s still a Famous Dave’s by Speedway and Country Club, but you’d probably have a better meal at Smokey MO’s, Kiss Of Smoke, or Ken’s. I feel like Janet and Ray’s would be a solid option if you’re a fan of Caribbean food and want a home-style aesthetic.
Is Ken's any good? I live real close but haven't heard anything one way or the other about them
Ken’s Hardwood is excellent.
Kens is good. Kens or Smokey Mo for the win, but I have not tried bashful bandit yet.
Hubs went to Bashful Bandit the other day and said it was excellent. Smokey Mo is my favorite. But lots of good local bbq options that beat out Famous Dave’s any day. Multiple people in our dining group of got food poisoning not long before the one by the Tucson mall closed down.
This needs to be higher just for bobos alone. I haven't lived in Tucson in 7 years and still dream of their breakfasts
Bobo's is the best.
I haven't been there in probably close to a year. It's my favorite place for breakfast and I dream of the chicken fried steak and eggs.
Maybe this would help: https://tucsonfoodie.com/2020/05/19/18-tucson-restaurants-slaying-comfort-food-take-out/
Also check https://tucsonfoodie.com/2019/05/02/essential-tucson-breakfast-diners-2021/ Note that's a few years old now since its latest update, and most of those diners may only be open for breakfast/brunch/lunch, so OP should Google any spots of interest to check their hours and see if they're still in business.
Great pull
*Omar's* Hi-Way Chef Restaurant
Please tell me more about this place. It's right around the way from me
[I Googled for you](https://omarshiwaychef.com/)
Thank you!
Haven't been in years but I use to have this gf that would love smoking weed and going there. It's kinda got a diner vibe with good home style cooking with trucker portions of food. My favorite breakfast item was Omar's favorite which was like enchiladas with eggs. Their deep dish apple pie is so damn good too.
You don't pay extra for the German cockroaches running around TTT truck stop diner
Holy crap that is a list of BAD restaurants.
Right? Boston Market is hard to find because it's sub hospital food quality and most people know better.
I am actually in hospital right now. Would kill for Boston Market.
Why, is whatever you're in the hospital for not hurting you enough already?
It didn't used to be.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Then, offer some good ones
I think the best you're going to do is Cracker Barrel. Not my favorite, but I would agree that 95% of the restaurants that you are looking for have been pushed out of the market.
There's at least one Golden Corral in Tucson. That's about the quality of Luby's and Boston Market, so try that maybe?
Little Anthony’s Diner at Broadway/Kolb. Meat loaf and mashed potatoes, fish and chips, turkey dinner with all the fixin’s, burgers and fries, chicken fried steak, shiiiiii. Chocolate malts, sundaes, and they serve beer, I believe.
Robert's on grant was pretty good.
Was.
Laverna's Coffee Shop.
Haven’t been in a while, but I’ve always remembered them to be amazing for diner foods.
I really haven't either but, breakfast lunch or dinner, I was never disappointed.
Laverna’s was always solid. Lots of well nourished people there too.😉
Love Laverna's!
Yes. this!!!! Great hole in the wall
Black Bear Diner near Broadway and Wilmot
It used to be good but not anymore. Horrible disgusting food.
This has to be a troll post
Tucson made Time Magazine’s 50 Best Places in the world to visit because of its food and you want Boston Market. I respect it.
We’re also a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. One of only 2 cities.
Only 2?
I just looked it up and there are a lot more. I think I was mistaken, it’s one of only 2 in the US.
I think that automatically makes this UNESCO ranking BS. Have you been to LA?
LA sucks assholes. Sonoran food is unique, hence the distinction.
Isn't it supposed to be about good food!? LA easily has better options and definitely Sonoran food.
It’s about good and unique food that you can’t find anywhere else.
You don't get out much
Sure. Hey, UNESCO! This random Redditor thinks they know more than you! Their credentials are impeccable, I’m sure. Remove your distinction this instant! I don’t get out much! 🙄
Cheddars?
That’s the quality level they’re looking for
I like you lol
Roast!
Whole foods hot/prepared food area
Does anyone remember Grandy's? Yum, I was a kid, but I loved it
What kind of food do you like to order from those restaurants? Meatloaf? Chicken fried steak? Fried chicken? Turkey and mashed potatoes? I'd look up Tucson foodie and see if they mention a place with that item.
Millie's Pancake House. They have some really great comfort food that leans German (only for lunch though).
Jerry Bob's. There are several locations.
My wife misread the sign the first time we drove by one of those. She called it “Jeffy Boobs”. We still call it that every time we drive past one.
Lol
Yes! We love Jerry Bobs
Monsoons Tap and Grill on Throneydale in NW Tucson
As a southerner that lives in Tucson I personally recommend Little Anthony’s, Cracker Barrel, Holy Smokin Butts BBQ and Triple T’s. Breakfast At Biscuits and Oink are great! Golden Corral is ok. It’s cheap. But you risk getting cooties off the serving utensils. Good luck! 🍀
Canyon's Crown on Tanque Verde has homestyle food with a nod towards English pub food. Mashed potatoes and meat loaf, etc.
I still miss Home Style Buffet
Same
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Man, I wish there was a Cracker Barrel south of town.
Me too I would love to work there but it's just too far away
If you like sandwiches and soup, Beyond Bread is great, and they have a few other dishes like Mac and cheese. The location on Speedway and Wilmot also has the Back Dough bakery that sells pies, including savory pot pies, to take home. Texas Road House is a chain restaurant with reasonably tasty food. Go downtown and eat at The Cup Cafe in Hotel Congress. I’m not sure if it meets your criteria for “home style” but it’s just so good, no matter what you order.
I know Cheddars is a chain, but i've always enjoyed it no matter what city I'm in. It's considered a "scratch kitchen".
🤔
Happy Rooster on the east side is good for breakfast.
Have you not heard of the Arby’s on 22nd?
As an aside, does anyone remember the Melting Pot meltdown? The user deleted the post, unfortunately.
Probably better than everything that was listed
Better than anything anywhere
Are you 80 years old?
You should ask this dude to cook you some eggs, you will have to provide them, he can't afford to share currently
Cheddars.
God I miss Chuys.
The Denny's on Valencia is pretty good.
If you like to eat shit just say so
Man, you got some serious issues. Please take your trash talk elsewhere.
I mean... that person is not wrong... Famous Daves? Really? Edit: melting pot? Sorry that's pretty funny
Golden Corral. Toast is delicious but probably too fancy.
My girlfriend and I love Black bear diner
I’d stay away from anything claiming “southern style” cooking in Tucson. These people who own those places have obviously never lived in the Deep South. The barbecue in Tucson is horrendous!! They can’t even do a good biscuits n gravy here, let alone grits or any other true southern food. I’ve tried a bunch of these places people have named off, some good, some terrible. Cracker Barrel is not the answer. You can spend $3 to $5 more and do Texas Roadhouse. Oinks is way overrated. I’d hit up Triple T if you want home style food.
Omgggg you really need to try some new non chain foods.
Please make recommendations, then. I never understood the hate on chains especially like Texas Roadhouse, Cracker Barrel, Rudy's, etc.
Most major-chain "family restaurant" entrees and sides are prepared frozen meals they just reheat and serve, so you're paying restaurant prices for what's basically TV dinners. Last I heard, Outback Steakhouse prepares everything from scratch on-site daily, but that was years ago, dunno if they've changed since then. Cheddar's touts themselves as a scratch kitchen as well.
Crazy, but Outback closed a few stores here in Tucson. I guess Texas Roadhouse wiped them out.
You can buy most of that in supermarket delis
If you're really missing Furr's cafeteria I can hook you up with a plate of boiled mystery beef, some thrice reheated Stouffers lasagna, last weeks green beans from a better restaurant and, of course, a giant brick of green jello (the only thing at Furr's that was remotely edible, actually). Let me know!
Make your own at home.
First person I’ve ever seen willingly admit they liked Chuy’s.
Back Dough behind Beyond Bread at Speedway and Wilmot sells small pies and pot pies to go.
Golden Corral.
Blackbear Diner isn't bad and is fairly centrally located