Fun Tucson Food and Drink During the Gem Shows

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We love traveling to the Tucson gem, bead, mineral, fossil shows—and we enjoy exploring the amazing variety of restaurants, bars, and attractions this amazing city has to offer. Here is a taste of some delicious places to eat and drink.

Savor Homestyle Cooking with a Twist

At El Chinito Gordo, authentic Mexican food is inspired by Central Mexican recipes passed down through generations. Enjoy everything from chimichangas to enchiladas, and more. Ten different inventive margaritas include prickly pear guava. This is Mexican homestyle cooking at its most flavorful. El Chinito Gordo invites you to stop by and nourish your belly and your soul.

Mon-Thurs 11am-9am, Fri-Sat 11am-9:30pm, Sun 10am-7pm. 2920 N Oracle Rd.

Desert Diamond Casinos in Tucson — Casino games with restaurants, dining, and nightlife. | Photo courtesy of Desert Diamond Casinos.

Stay and Play

Desert Diamond Casinos is an enterprise of the Tohono O’odham Nation, the hotel and casinos invests into its own tribal enterprises to foster economic development while simultaneously maintaining control over the enterprises’ impacts on the environment, natural resources, and tribal cultural values.

Visit Desert Diamond Casinos for individual venues and times. 7350 S Nogales Hwy in Tucson, plus locations Sahuarita, Why, and West Valley.

Jack Rabbit Lounge in Tucson — Enjoy the eclectic vibe while you imbibe. Photo courtesy of The Jack Rabbit Lounge.

Relish More Than Food and Drink

Located at the historic south end of Oracle, The Jack Rabbit Lounge is a retro-style lounge. Soak up the atmosphere along with crafted cocktails and shareable plates. Events include live music, karaoke, monthly discos, variety acts, burlesque, drag shows, and more. Tucson local Julie Rose says, “It’s good food and drink mixed in with all the fun and frolic.”

Open every day 4pm-2am. 2000 N. Oracle Rd.

Monterey Court in Tucson — Shop, listen, eat, and drink at this Tucson gem. Photo courtesy of Monterey Court.

Enjoy a Year-Round Patio

The vintage Monterey Court Motel is now host to eclectic live music, shops, food, and drinks. You can browse year-round shops, grab some comfort food, try one of the rotating local craft beers, or enjoy a glass of wine or hand-crafted cocktail while visiting musicians rock the patio. Listen and dance to your favorite bands no matter the weather on the heated, covered patio.

Open Tues-Wed 4pm-9pm, Thurs-Sat 11am-10pm, Sun 9am-9pm. 5050 W Miracle Mile.

Silver Saddle Steakhouse in Tucson — Check out this local, family-owned steakhouse. Photo courtesy of Silver Saddle Steakhouse.

Try an Old-School Steak

Silver Saddle Steakhouse is regularly voted “Tucson’s Best Steakhouse.” This family-friendly steakhouse uses native mesquite wood for unmatched flavor. Reasonable prices, an unpretentious atmosphere, and consistent quality have made this a favorite since 1984. But word has gotten out—celebrities such as Adam Sandler include it on their visits to Tucson.

Open Wed-Fri 11am-8pm, Sat 2pm-8pm, Sun 1pm-7pm. 310 E Benson Hwy (On the Frontage Road beside 1-10E).

What are your favorite places for food and drink in Tucson? Let us know in the comments!

Get Your Tucson Show Guide

Be sure to download your copy of the Tucson Show Guide for information on all the shows and many more things to see and do in Tucson. In the Tucson Show Guide, the Around Town section features restaurants, attractions, and year-round jewelry supply shopping including the advertisers included here. Do you have a favorite place to eat, drink, or shop? We would love to hear about it! Tell us in the comments.