Vol. 34, No. 37
Best of Tucson® 2017
Creature Comforts
By Jim Nintzel
Danehy
Tom recalls the days of real un-American activity—and it wasn’t football players who take a knee during the National Anthem
By Tom Danehy
Uneasy Street
Supervisor Steve Christy seeks tax increase to fix critical county roads
By Danyelle Khmara
Single Mom Scholars
Helping Hands Tucson integrates with Interfaith Community Services
By Tirion Morris
Parr in the Park
Children's author and illustrator reminds us It's Okay To Be Different
By Emily Dieckman
Alt vs. Indie
A solar-powered Democrat is facing an independent firefighter in Ward 3
Saving Sisley
Phoenix MMJ scientist Sue Sisley needs PTSD patients for her study
By Nick Meyers
Come to an Adios
By Gustavo Arellano
Editor's Note
Best Wishes
The Skinny
Police Dispatch
A Very Bad Trip
By Anna Mirocha
Throw the Book at Him!
Towering Inferno
Only the Brave tells the story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots
By Bob Grimm
Reel Indie
Arcane Soundscapes
Reclusive Tucson producer Altrice steps into the spotlight
By Isaac Kirkman
Know Your Product
Stars Pick Their Top 5! This week: Rosetta
By Brett Callwood
Vintage Vinyl
Don Hinson and the Rigamorticians
By Lee Joseph
TMA Transformation
Tucson’s “Guggenheim” reopens after first museum-wide renovation in over a decade
By Margaret Regan
Creepy and Kooky
Pay a call on The Addams Family at Arizona Repertory Theatre
By Sherilyn Forrester
Fermented Tranquility
Starr Pass uses cold beer to ease into moonlit mindfulness
Mother Knows Best
In the ongoing battle for boasting the best breakfast burrito, a little corner coffee stand just became a contender
By Mark Whittaker
Best Art Museum
Tucson Museum of Art
Best Actor
Lucille Petty
Best Art Classes
Best Dance Studio
Shall We Dance
Best Dance Company
Ballet Tucson
Staff Pick: Best Alternative Gallery
Tales from the Trash
Best Visual Artist
Diana Madaras
Best Theater Company
Gaslight Theatre Company
Best Author
J.A. Jance
Best Gallery
DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun
Best Movie Theater
Roadhouse Cinemas
Best Musical Instrument Store
Chicago Music Store
Staff Pick: Best Variety of Films
The Loft Cinema
Best Marijuana Dispensary
Downtown Dispensary
Staff Pick: Best Temporary Office Space
Connect Coworking
Best Charity Event
El Tour De Tucson
Best Annual Festival
4th Avenue Street Fair
Best Farmers' Market
St. Phillips Plaza
Best Place to Donate Your Time/Money
Humane Society of Southern Arizona
Best Gym
Jewish Community Center
Best Yoga Studio
Yoga Oasis
Best Bowling Alley
Lucky Strike Bowl
Best Sex Toy Shop
Fascinations
Best Auto Repair
BrakeMax
Best Plant Nursery
Mesquite Valley Growers
Best Computer Repair
SWS Electronics & Computers
Best Place to Get Your Pet Groomed
Broadway Grooming
Best Veterinarian
Valley Animal Hospital and Emergency Center
Best Hotel
Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa
Best Place to Buy a Car
Jim Click
Best Farmers' Market Vendor
Barrio Bread
Best Alternative Health Center
Tucson Acupuncture Co-Op
Best Photographer
Jade Beall
Best Place to Get a Massage
Rubs Massage
Best Thrift Store
Casa de los Niños Thrift Store
Best Animal Supply Store
OK Feed & Supply
Best Smoke Shop
Moon Smoke Shop
Best Music School
Staff Pick: Best Midtown Hotel
The Arizona Inn
Best Place to Take a Phoenician
Eegee’s
Best Car Wash
Mister Car Wash
Staff Pick: Best Local Circus Freaks
The Strange Family Circus
Best Clothing
Buffalo Exchange
Best Resale Clothing
Best Jewelry
Silver Sea Jewelry
Best Florist
Inglis Florists
Best Day Spa
Canyon Ranch
Best Home Furnishings
Sam Levitz
Best Hair Salon
Gadabout
Best Tattoo Parlor
Black Rose Tattooers
Best Tattoo Artist
Lisa Cardenas (Haunted Hands)
Best Local Clothing Designer
Laura Tanzer (Laura Tanzer Designs)
Best Barber Shop
The Men’s Room
Best Eyeglass/Optical Retailer
Alvernon Optical
Best Place to Get Pierced
Straight to the Point
Best Vintage Shopping
Best Dog Park
Reid Park
Best Bike Riding
Rillito River Path
Best Hike
Sabino Canyon
Best Backpacking Trail
Mount Lemmon
Best Campground
Best Park
Staff Pick: Best Place to go Running
The Loop
Best Public Garden
Tucson Botanical Gardens
Staff Pick: Best Place To Take an Instagram Photo That Will Make All of Your Friends Think You Have a Green Thumb
Harlow Gardens
Best Golf Course
Ventana Canyon Golf and Racquet Club
Best Outdoor Recreation/Sporting Goods Store
Summit Hut
Best Bike Shop
Ordinary Bike Shop
Best Day Trip
Best Playground
Staff Pick: Best Place to Have Some Pizza While the Kids Play
Bear Canyon Pizza
Best Way to Entertain Kids During the Summer
Children’s Museum
Best Restaurant With a Kids’ Menu
Little Anthony’s Diner
Best Children’s Entertainer
Mr. Nature’s Music Garden
Best Fun for the Whole Family
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Best Public Pool/Splashpad
Brandi Fenton Memorial Park
Best Place for a Children’s Party
Get Air
Best Toy Store
Yikes Toys
Best Kids’ Clothing Store
Twice as Nice
Best Storytime
Bookmans Entertainment Exchange
Best Bookstore
Best TV Newscast
KVOA Evening News
Best Local Weatherperson
Erin Christiansen
Best Radio Station for News
KUAZ, 89.1 FM
Best Radio Host
Shannon Black
Staff Pick: Best Radio Talk Show Host
Bill Buckmaster
Best Video Store
Casa Video
Best Comic Store
Heroes and Villains
Best Video Games Store
Best Blog
Tucson Foodie
Best Local Twitter Feed
@tucsonfoodie
Best Local TV News Anchor
Guy Atchley
Best Local Sportscaster
Paul Cicala
Staff Pick: Best Downtown Bookstore
Antigone Books
Best Radio Station for Music
KXCI, 91.3 FM
Best Place to Get a Slice
Brooklyn Pizza
Best Casual Dining
Blue Willow
Best Ice Cream
HUB Ice Cream Factory
Best Tea
Seven Cups
Best Specialty Food Store
AJ’s Fine Foods
Best Fresh-Baked Bread
Beyond Bread
Best Delicatessen
Dickman’s Meat & Deli
Best Diner
Best Barbeque
BrushFire BBQ
Best Caterer
El Molinito
Best Smoothies/Juice Bar
Xoom Juice
Best Burger
Zinburger
Best Veggie Burger
Staff Pick: Best Place to Eat Way Too Much Food And Not Even Feel Bad About It
Frank’s/Francisco’s
Best Pizzeria
Brooklyn Pizza Company
Staff Pick: Best Iced Coffee Options
Black Crown Coffee
Best Hot Dog
El Guero Canelo
Best Food Truck
Fat Noodle
Best Place to Get a Sandwich
Best Sandwich (the actual sandwich)
Unforgettable (Baggins)
Best French Fries
Best Place to Get a Salad
Choice Greens
Best Donuts
Donut Wheel
Best Desserts
Frost Gelato
Best Cafe Hangout
Cafe Passe
Best Wings
Magpies Gourmet Pizza
Best Drive Thru
Best Coffee
Raging Sage Coffee Roasters
Staff Pick: Best New Restaurant on 4th Ave.
TallBoys
Best Breakfast
Prep & Pastry
Staff Pick: Best Chicken and Waffles
The Drunken Chicken
Best Chinese
Golden Dragon
Best Greek
Athens on 4th Avenue
Best Seafood
Kingfisher
Best French
Ghini’s French Caffe
Best Indian
Saffron
Best Brunch
Best Contemporary Restaurant
Cafe Poca Cosa
Best Italian
Caruso’s Italian Restaurant
Best Japanese
Sushi Garden
Best Steakhouse
Pinnacle Peak
Best Place to Eat Gluten Free
Gourmet Girls Gluten Free Bakery/Bistro
Staff Pick: Best Downtown Happy Hour
Maynard’s Market
Best Thai
Bangkok Cafe
Best Vegetarian/Vegan
Lovin’ Spoonfuls
Best Upscale Restaurant
Best African Food
Zemam’s
Best Chef
Janos Wilder
Best Vietnamese
Miss Saigon
Best Place to Eat Lunch Downtown
Bison Witches
Best Downtown Restaurant
Best Northwest Restaurant
Wildflower
Best Central Restaurant
Best Eastside Restaurants
Poco & Mom’s
Best Southside Restaurant
Mi Nidito
Best Foothills Restaurant
Vivace
Best Middle Eastern
Zayna Mediterranean
Best Korean Food
Takamatsu
Best New Restaurant
Stray Dogs
Best Westside Restaurant
Teresa’s Mosaic Cafe
Best Sushi
Best Salsa
Guadalajara Grill
Best Tortillas
Alejandro’s Tortilla Factory
Best Panaderia
La Estrella Bakery
Best Carnicería
El Herradero Supermarket
Best Dulceria
Best Burrito
Nico’s Mexican Food
Best Birria
Mi Nidito Restaurant
Best Michelada
BK Tacos
Best Tamales
Tucson Tamale Company
Best Menudo
Best Torta
Best Guacamole
Best Margarita
Best Empanadas
Best Elote
Café Poca Cosa
Best Raspados
Oasis Fruit Cones
Best Tacos
BOCA Tacos y Tequila
Best Musical Act
Calexico
Best Neighborhood Bar
Che’s Lounge
Best Beer Selection
Tap & Bottle
Best Pool Hall
Red Garter Bar & Grill
Best Cocktail Menu
Sky Bar
Best Place to Get a Glass of Wine
The Living Room
Best Liquor Store
Plaza Liquor & Fine Wines
Best Gay Bar
IBT’s
Best Sports Bar
Trident Grill
Best Happy Hour
Union Public House
Best Country Western Bar
The Maverick
Best Locally Brewed Beer
Tucson Blonde
Best Brewery
Barrio Brewing Co
Best Comedian
Chris Seidman
Best Comedy Night
Laffs Comedy Caffe
Best Bartender
Barb Trujillo
Best Dive Bar
The Shelter Cocktail Lounge
Best Bar Menu
DOWNTOWN Kitchen + Cocktails
Best Jukebox
Danny’s Baboquivari Lounge
Best Place to Sing Karaoke
Shooter’s Steakhouse & Saloon
Best Strip Club
Curves Cabaret
Best DJ
Kidd Squidd
Best Drag Queen
Tempest DuJour
Best Burlesque
Black Cherry Burlesque
Best Folk
Ryanhood
Best Jazz
Pete Swan Trio
Best Cover Band
80s and Gentlemen
Best Reggae
Neon Prophet
Best Punk
Foxx Bodies
Best Venue for Live Music
The Rialto Theatre
Best Nightclub
Club Congress
Best Rock
Mute Swan
Best Hip-Hop Act
Lando Chill
Best Country Act
Blue Monsoon
Best R&B
Bad News Blues Band
Staff Pick: Best Burlesque Show Featuring Men
Manly Manlesque Show
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