Make this summer truly original.
Tucson's favorite independent restaurants offer $20 summer specials. Who needs to cook? Contact each restaurant to find out when their $20 special starts.
Acacia at St. Philip's - 4340 N. Campbell Ave; 232.0101
Try this sizzling hot summer deal from Acacia - a house salad, summer-size cioppino and a luscious dessert for $20.
Barrio - 135 S. 6th Ave; 629.0191
$20 gets you a plate of "Cheffrey's Desserts" complete with chocolate strawberries, Kahlua truffles, chocolate caramel custard, crème brulee and berries anglaise, paired with a the chef's choice coffee drink. How sweet it is and perfect for after a movie at the Fox or downtown entertainment.
Central Bistro - 400 N. Toole Ave (in the historic Depot); 623.1955
Get a half salad plus batter-fried jumbo oysters, tri tip kabobs or cornmeal crusted calamari plus a glass of wine for $20. Please note that Central Bistro will be closed from July 1 - July 22.
Chad's Steakhouse & Saloon - 3001 N. Swan Rd; 881.1802
At Chad's this summer, get a cool deal on a rib eye dinner, a glass of wine (your choice) and a dessert for only $20.
Cup Café - 311 E. Congress St; 622.8848
Enjoy Cup Café's delicious pasta of the day and a glass of the red or white Portuguese house white for $20.
Cuvee World Bistro - 3352 E. Speedway Blvd; 881.7577
Create your own summer special at Cuvee with the happy hour 2 for $20 special. Choose any two glasses of wine (under $10/glass) and any two bar menu appetizers for just $20. Happy hour is available daily from 4 -7 p.m. and 10 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Noshing Around says that this is Tucson's best happy hour deal!
Dakota Café - 6541 E. Tanque Verde Rd; 298.7188
Treat yourself to mouthwatering soft shell tacos with lobster, avocado salsa and spicy cherry tomato salad served with a slice of fresh lime pie - all for $20 available during the dinner hour: Monday - Thursdays, 5 to 9 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays 5 to 10 p.m.
Eclectic Café - 7053 E. Tanque Verde Rd; 885.2842
Beat the heat at Eclectic Café with two iced teas and two warm salads for $20.
El Charro - All Locations
Two can celebrate the summer Mexican style at El Charro with two Bahia tacos each, one Tecate each, and one dessert tamale to share for $20.
Elle, a Wine Country Restaurant - 3048 E. Broadway Blvd; 327.0500
Elle takes us on a tour of the world this summer offering a $20 two-course meal specialized to one of five regions. The excursion starts in Mexico (May 29-June 17), then progresses through Argentina (June 18-July 8), Veneto (July 9-July 29), Washington State (July 30-August 19), and Portugal (August 20-September 9). For an additional $9, enjoy the wine pairings. The summer long wine package is available for $145.
Feast Restaurant - 4122 E. Speedway Blvd; 326.9363
Enjoy a 3-course summer "feast" for only $20. Start with a mixed green salad, choose your favorite menu entrée and top it all off with any dessert. Noshing Around says, "What a deal!"
Francisco's - 3843 E. Pima St; 881.2710
Francisco's is giving couples a chance to share in summer fun with two chicken, beef or shrimp fajita specials and two beverages for $20.
Intermezzo - 5350 E. Broadway Blvd. # 130; 748.8100
Get a fresh start on summer with Intermezzo's $20 dinner for two which includes a Caesar or organic mixed greens salad plus an entrée with choice of chicken parmesan, eggplant parmesan or prime rib sandwich. The special is available from 4 to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. No other discounts or coupons may be used with the special.
Janos - 3770 E. Sunrise Dr; 615.6100
Enjoy a summer sampler of 3 main courses of your choice for just $19.95. Janos and J-Bar are also offering lots of other specials. Call the restaurant or check the website for details.
Jonathan's Cork - 6320 E. Tanque Verde Rd; 296.1631
Jonathan's Cork offers a summer savings surf and turf, 5 oz. filet and four shrimp for $20. The bar opens 3 p.m., Monday thru Saturday, dining starts at 5 p.m. every day.
Lodge on the Desert - 306 N. Alvernon Way; 325.3366
Lodge on the Desert is offering three choices for the $20 summer special: Enjoy a house salad with choice of wild mushroom tamale, shrimp linguine or pan roasted chicken on Sunday - Thursday from 5-9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 5 - 10 p.m.
Magpie's Gourmet Pizza - (All Locations)
Dine in, take out, or have this fabulous special delivered piping hot in a pizza box. Magpie's offers 1 large 1-topping pizza, a large garden salad, and garlic breadsticks for $20 (not including tax or delivery charges).
Papagayo - 4717 E. Sunrise Dr; 577.6055
Spice up your summer with chicken, beef or combo fajitas for two, and 1 bottle of house chardonnay or cabernet sauvignon for $20.
Pastiche Modern Eatery - 3025 N. Campbell Ave; 325.3333
Pastiche combines two of their signature dishes to create a succulent summer special for only $20. Baby greens and thyme-crusted sea bass are the perfect way to chill out after a hot summer day.
Red Sky Café - 2900 N. Swan Rd. # 100; 326.5454
Check out Red Sky's summer steal of herb-crusted prime rib dinner with Yukon gold potato gratin, summer vegetables and red wine sauce; accompanied by the soup de jour, Caesar salad, California green salad or spinach salad, all for $19.95 per person.
Ric's Café - 5605 E. River Rd. #121; 577.7272
Enjoy a full rack of barbeque ribs, corn on the cob, potato and glass of house wine for $20 all summer long.
Roma Caffé - 4140 W. Ina Rd; 744.2929
Try the 14 oz. sterling silver premium rib eye steak dinner with a side of pasta and vegetables and your choice of soup or salad. This special is available for $20 only with the purchase of a beverage.
Sauce - 3 locations (Campbell/Glenn, Broadway/Williams Center, Oracle/Ina)
Sauce will offer the popular $20 summer sampler. Two people share a pizza and a salad and each get a glass of Pinot Grigio or Chianti for $20.
Terra Cotta - 3500 E. Sunrise Dr; 577.8100
Starting on May 24, Terra Cotta is offering a $20 classic entrée with choice of a demi-sized chocolate-peanut butter madness or crème brulee. The classic entrée offering will change weekly. For an additional $5, guests can add a classic appetizer as well.
Zivaz Mexican Bistro - 4590 E. Broadway Blvd; 325.1234
Bring a friend to share this Zivaz special as $20 will get you one platillos Zivaz entrée, one dessert, and your choice of two margaritas or half bottle of wine.
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