Tanque Verde Swap Meet is about to become food truck central.
If all goes according to plan, a 40-pad food truck venture will go up at the 30-acre, south-side swap meet, creating a foodie oasis.
The swap meet’s Denver, Colorado-based owner, United Flea Markets, is waiting on county and city permits to begin construction of Comida Park at Tanque Verde Swap Meet, says President/CEO Rob Sieban.
The venture, which will be located inside the swap meet grounds, is expected to be finished in late April or early May. Though the shopping side of the market will remain a weekend operation, Comida Park will be open seven days a week.
Admission to the swap meet, at 4100 S. Palo Verde Road, is free except on Friday and Saturday nights, when admission is $1 for adults, free for kids 11 and younger.
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Sieban said they are accepting applications from food truck operators and will look for a variety of cuisines “that you can’t get in a single location†if you were just going to a restaurant.
“Everybody has their own tastes and wants something different,†said Sieban, who bought the swap meet from the original owners in 2018.
Comida Park at Tanque Verde Swap Meet will include covered picnic areas, a stage for live entertainment and a center court bar that the swap meet will own and operate.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ will be the second of United Flea Market’s 15 properties nationwide to get a food truck park. The first, outside Houston, is expected to open in mid-February.
Sieban said they received 125 applications for the 42 available food truck spots at the Texas market, and he anticipates he will get a similar response in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
“We think that the synergy between the flea market and the food truck park is a natural,†he said.
Applications will be screened for quality of food based on social media reviews and the applicant’s following in the community.
“We really wanted to make sure our customer has great diversity and a great and wide selection,†said Sieban, who started his company in 2007 when he bought the Mile High Flea Market in Denver. The company now has properties throughout the southeast including four in Florida and locations in Georgia, Alabama, Ohio, North Carolina and Kentucky.
In addition to the initial 40 food truck pads — Sieban said there will be room for the venture to grow — Comida Park at Tanque Verde Swap Meet also will include covered picnic areas, a stage for live entertainment and a center court bar that the swap meet will own and operate.
“ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ is one of my favorite markets to go to,†said Sieban, who launched United Flea Markets after a dozen-year career in specialty retail. “People just come out to have a good time, and it’s a fun place.â€
40+ new restaurants and bars ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ welcomed in 2021
Barrio Charro
The Barrio Santa Rosa, $9.95, from Barrio Charro features Don Guerra's pan levain bread with ripe avocado, pickled red onions, cotija and queso fresco cheeses and balsamic vinegar.Ìý
, 3699 N. Campbell Ave., was brought to ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ by a "culinary marriage" between the minds behind El Charro Café and Barrio Bread.Ìý
Toast 101
, 4699 E. Speedway Blvd., is the place to go for familiar brunch options served in a trendy atmosphere.Ìý
Fun fact: co-owner when the singer competed in the popular NBC show in 2019.
Transit Tea
Tea lovers can visit the »å°ù¾±±¹±ð-³Ù³ó°ù³Ü,Ìý2645 E. Speedway Blvd., for a wide selection of drinks including tea sodas, tea lattes, chai teas and slushy-like "tea snows."
Bella's Gelato Shoppe
started as a local food truck but now has a stand-alone shop ²¹³ÙÌý2648 E. Speedway Blvd.
The menu of a dozen gelato and sorbet flavors, plus smoothies, coffee and floats, should cool down anyone in search of a summer treat.Ìý
Chicago Bar
A ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ favorite for decades, announced it would close permanently in 2020, but it reopened this April under new owner Yongsoo Seo.Ìý
Chicago Bar, 5954 E. Speedway Blvd., no longer has a restaurant, but Seo hopes to get food trucks on site for nights that feature live music.
Edna's Eatery
The patio area at Edna's Eatery features lots of natural shade trees and lush plants.Ìý
, 2150 N. Alvernon Way, was formerly Café Botánica inside the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Botanical Gardens.Ìý
The name may have changed, but visitors can still grab a drink and something for breakfast or lunch while enjoying the gardens.Ìý
El Mezquite Grill and Taqueria
The confit of pata de pato, or duck confit, $24, is paired with potatoes, plantains and bacon.Ìý
, 280 S. Church Ave., and its gourmet Mexican, Spanish and French dishes can be found downtown at the new DoubleTree Hilton next door to the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Convention Center.
Flora's Market Run
The Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sando at Flora’s Market Run includes apple and brussel slaw, a hot honey mustard and pickles.
, 2513 E. Sixth St., is part grocery store, part restaurant and features a sushi bar, produce from local ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ farmers, a cafe and a deli that will provide you the perfect cuts of meat to make an Instagram-worthy charcuterie board.Ìý
Taqueria La Esquina
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started out as a food truck but has since moved to a storefront ²¹³ÙÌý4876 S. Sixth Avenue, where a variety of tacos, Sonoran dogs and churros can be found.
A full bar is expected to be coming soon, but for now, beer is available for those looking to pair a drink with their Sonoran street food.Ìý
Santorini Greek Cafe
This cafe features all the Greek classics (no, not Homer's "The Iliad"): gyros, lamb skewers, tzatziki, dolmathes and mousakas, to name a few.Ìý
is at 2545 E. Speedway Blvd., a couple doors down from The Screamery ice cream shop.Ìý
Gallery of Food Bodega
, at 2522 E. Fort Lowell Road, had its grand opening this June, despite technically first opening back in October 2020.Ìý
This store, run by Kristine Jensen of the Gallery of Food catering company, sells locally-sourced products and offers grab-and-go meals, all of which can also be .Ìý
Maria Bonita Mexican Kitchen
After its original location closed in 2011, has returned to ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, this time at 2708 E. Fort Lowell Road.Ìý
The menu features popular Mexican dishes like quesadillas, chimichangas, tacos and desserts like flan and tres leches cake.Ìý
Snakes & Lattes
Short ribs, burgers and pozole are a few items on this cafe's menu, located ²¹³ÙÌý988 E. University Blvd. in Main Gate Square.
also offers cocktails, beer, and wine but what makes this Toronto-based chain special is the selection of more than 400 board games available to play while guests sip and eat.Ìý
The Barnyard Crafthouse & Eatery
The Barnyard Crafthouse & Eatery is located ²¹³ÙÌý.
's burgers, pizza, wings and other American staples can be enjoyed in its outdoor dining area or inside the restaurant that was formerly an actual barn house, located ²¹³ÙÌý11011 E. Tanque Verde Road.
Pops Hot Chicken
You may recognize as the popular ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ food truck, but now it has a new location at 600 N. Fourth Ave.
The new shop offers a larger menu, including brunch options like chicken biscuit sandwiches, and a bar.
Five-To-Oh! Coffee
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This small new coffee shop is right under the dome of the historic Pima County Courthouse ²¹³ÙÌý115 N. Church Ave.
, a play on southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s area code, serves hot and cold coffee drinks, teas and daily snacks like hummus and pita, muffins and croissants.Ìý
Fullylove's
shares a marijuana-friendly space with Arte Bella, a "puff-and-paint" studio, located at 340 N. Fourth Ave.Ìý
Burgers, wings and several desserts are a few of the offerings Fullylove's has for anyone with a case of the munchies.
Deliciocho
This is Deliciocho's signature raspado called La Vencindad, which includes every fruit at the shop including strawberry, mango, pineapple, melon, coconut and pecans.Ìý
, 6308 S. Nogales Highway, is one of the newest spots in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ to grab some raspasados on a hot day.
The mom-and-son-owned shop also sells tacos, tortas, Mexican street corn and several desserts...churro ice cream sandwiches, anyone?
Zio Peppe
This new , ²¹³ÙÌý6502 E. Tanque Verde Road, incorporates ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s Southwest flare into its pastas, pizzas and desserts.
Fun fact: Zio Peppe has an all-female pizza crew!
Sakari Sushi
, 2962 N. Campbell Avenue, is one of the newest spots in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ to grab your favorite sushi dish, whether that is an ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ roll or a Red Dragon roll.Ìý
This sushi restaurant also offers several kinds of lo mein, soup and fried rice if those are more your speed.
Dillinger Brewing Company
The former Coronado Hotel, future home of a Dillinger Brewing Company location, 402 E. Ninth St., on the corner of Fourth Avenue.
The former Coronado Hotel has become the 's second taproom in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, located right off Fourth Avenue ²¹³ÙÌý402 E. Ninth Street.
The beers, ciders, wine, cold brew coffee and kombucha offered here can be drank inside or on the patio of the new taproom.Ìý
Fun fact: There is an arcade game table inside the taproom where visitors can play classic games like Pac-Man.
Noodleholics
The Taiwan beef soup has fatty chunks of roast in a lighter beef broth with housemade wheat noodles.
' first shop opened on Grant Road back in 2018 and has since opened an Oro Valley location ²¹³ÙÌý7850 N. Oracle Rd.
The new Oro Valley spot has a larger kitchen and a patio dining area for noodle-lovers in the area who might not want to make the trek down to midtown.
Tuk Tuk Thai
Khao Soi chicken is a popular dish from Northern Thailand, with crispy egg noodles bathed in a rich coconut curry with chicken and pickled vegetables.
The Oro Valley Marketplace got a taste of Thai food in May when Tuk Tuk Thai opened its new location ²¹³ÙÌý12125 N. Oracle Road.Ìý
This new store features the same menu items as Tuk Tuk Thai's 2990 N. Campbell Ave. location, such as the Khao Soi coconut curry noodles, which ThisIsÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s Andi Berlin said "are a must."
La Estrella Bakery
La Estrella Bakery is opening its third location at 901 N. Grande Ave. in the Barrio Hollywood neighborhood.
opens its third ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ location on July 31 ²¹³ÙÌý901 N. Grande Ave.Ìý
The Franco family, who opened their flagship bakery in the '80s, is putting this new location in Barrio Hollywood where their ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ roots began.Ìý
Transplant Pizza
Transplant, a Detroit-inspired pizzeria has opened next door to Craft, A Modern Drinkery taproom on East Speedway.
This new pizzeria "born in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, inspired by Detroit" at 4603 E. Speedway Blvd. comes from the minds of William and Travis Miller, the brothers behind ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s Serial Grillers.Ìý
The duo opened the doors of this summer right next to Craft, A Modern Drinkery, a taproom which they also run.Ìý
Reilly Craft Pizza & Drink
Reilly's pizza oven is being seasoned in preparation for the opening of the newest Reilly Pizza on the northwest side.
You may be familiar with 's popular downtown location ²¹³ÙÌý101 E. Pennington Street, but now you have the chance to grab a pie and a cocktail up north.
Reilly's second location opened Aug. 1 on ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s northwest side ²¹³ÙÌý7262 N. Oracle Road.
Salad and Go
has over 30 locations in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ and now ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s first is open at 5501 E. Speedway Blvd.
Although the name says "salad," you can also grab breakfast burritos and seasonal soup there. Another ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ location is planned to open later this year at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Marketplace.
Buena Vida
This luchador-themed spot at 919 N. Stone Ave. had its grand opening at the end of August, which featured a car show and live wrestling.
's menu offers a variety of tortas, loaded "Lucha Fries," Sonoran dogs, and salads with a Mexican cuisine-inspired twist. They have indoor and patio seating and offer carry out as well.Ìý
Noble Hops
The popular Oro Valley gastropub, , opened up a new location this summer at the DoubleTree by Hilton at Reid Park, 445 S. Alvernon Way.
Noble Hops's new spot offers mostly the same menu items as the original location, in addition to craft beers and cocktails.Ìý
Perché No Italian Bistro
Krissy and Bruno Girardi plan to reopen the space that once housed Caffé Milano as Perché No, which means “why not?†in Italian. The Girardis say they fell in love with ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ while on a cross-country road trip.
Meaning "why not?" in Italian, opened this fall in the former °ä²¹´Ú´ÚéÌýMilano space downtown ²¹³ÙÌý46 W. Congress St.
Some of the new Italian bistro's menu items include pesto ravioli, lamb lollipops, spaghetti puttanesca, and calamari fries.Ìý
Black Rock Coffee Bar
The new Black Rock Coffee Bar at 1821 E. Broadway will be the first of at least four ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ locations for the boutique coffee chain.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ recently welcomed a store ²¹³ÙÌý1821 E. Broadway Blvd., where customers can stop in or use the drive-thru to grab their favorite javas, teas, energy drinks, and smoothies.
This is the first of at least four locations the Portland-based company plans to open in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.Ìý
EspresSoul Cafe
This new coffee truck opened just in time for pumpkin spice latte season and you will most likely see it at various locations across ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
EspresSoul Cafe's honey lavender espresso, cookies and cream frappes, and fruit smoothies are some of the items available at the traveling cafe. To see where they will be stopped next, check out the
Bubbe’s Fine Bagels
Bubbe's Fine Bagels brings east-coast style bagels to the east side of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
If you have been looking for a locally-owned place to grab a bagel and schmear, look no further than ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s newly-opened ²¹³ÙÌý1101 N. Wilmot Road.
If you happen to come across the framed photo of Barbra Streisand inside the shop, make sure to say "Hello, gorgeous" before chowing down on a bagel sandwich.
Thunder Bacon Burger Co.
The Thunder Classic burger is two patties topped with bacon, American cheese, thunder sauce, lettuce and a pickle.
This new burger joint at 621 N. Fourth Ave. is the newest venture of Lindon "Lindy" Reilly, who founded Lindy's On 4th.Ìý
Several of 's burgers feature the flavors of the Southwest, specifically roasted green chiles and chorizo, and of course, they all have bacon.Ìý
Little Love Burger
The BarBQtie at Little Love Burger includes swiss and cheddar, bacon, tomato, arugula, pickled onion and barbecue sauce.
Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ welcomed another burger-centric restaurant this fall, this time ²¹³ÙÌý312 E. Congress St.
, brought to us by the minds behind Playground Bar & Lounge and Hub, opened in October in the former Diablo Burger location.
In addition to burgers, the menu here offers hot dogs, chicken sandwiches and a full breakfast menu.
8 Degrees Ice Cream and Cookies
If you get a sweet tooth while shopping at St. Phillip's Plaza or grabbing a drink in the center courtyard, is just a few steps away.Ìý
The new ice cream shop at 4320 N. Campbell Ave. gives you several options of ice cream flavors, toppings and cookies (including vegan-friendly ones) to design your own ice cream sandwich.
You can also choose one off the menu or buy cookie dough to bake at home.
Meyer Avenue Cafe
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opened Sept. 20, 2021 on the same property as the offers reimagined brunch staples, pastries, and an array of coffee and other beverages.Ìý
The attached Mercantile, 353 S. Meyer Ave., offers homemade goods and gifts, including beer and wine selections.Ìý
Wow Wow Lemonade Stand
Wow Wow Lemonade Stand started in Maui in 2012 and opened a stand this week at 7705 N. Oracle Road.
This Hawaii-based all-natural lemonade shop, which has a drive-thru, recently opened ²¹³ÙÌý7705 N. Oracle Road in Oro Valley.
Some of 's colorful lemonade flavors include strawberry mint, lava flow, and lavender blackberry. The menu also features health-conscious treats like smoothie bowls, avocado toast, and flatbread sandwiches.Ìý
The Jackrabbit Lounge
Kaitlyn Mills and Chris Vick line up a shot with the backgrounds, tripods and lights set-up in the Instragram hallway at The Jackrabbit.
This new retro-themed bar is bringing drinks, live music, drag-queen-hosted trivia nights, karaoke, and an Instagram-worthy atmosphere to 2000 N. Oracle Road.Ìý
Adult bourbon-infused milk shakes and Old Fashioneds can be found on , along with shareable dishes like cauliflower fritters, mac 'n' cheese, and spicy Korean-style meatballs.Ìý
Flaps and Racks/Acai Paradise
Jeffrey Flores, left, and Auxi Navarro at Flaps and Racks and Acai Paradise, 3253 E. Valencia Road.
Jeffrey Flores and his wife/business partner Auxi Navarro are bringing twin restaurants Flaps and Racks and Acai Paradise to 3253 E. Valencia Road.
will offer bone-in and boneless chicken wings and Korean-style barbeque ribs, while ²õ±ð°ù±¹±ð²õÌýhousemade oatmeal and acai bowls and fruit smoothies.Ìý
Ding Tea
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This Taiwanese tea house opened as ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s first location in September ²¹³ÙÌý2739 E. Speedway Blvd.
Ding Tea offers trendy milk and boba teas, as well as fruity, flavored teas and slushies. Their full menu can be .
Fiesta Filipina
Thelma Ward, owner of Fiesta Filipina, talks with friend and longtime customer Beth Jacobsen while preparing Jacobsen's order.Ìý
Fiesta Filipina got its start as a food truck a few years back, but now has a spot inside the Park Place Mall food court, ²¹³ÙÌý5870 E. Broadway Blvd.
Filipino food can be hard to find in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, but offers some classic dishes like lumpia, pancit rice noodles, chicken and pork adobo, halo-halo and dinuguan, a pork blood stew.Ìý
Buendia Breakfast & Lunch Cafe
Buendia’s poblano pepper is stuffed with a fresh green corn tamale.
Buendia Breakfast & Lunch Cafe opened two months ago ²¹³ÙÌý2530 N. First Ave., where the now-closed Asian Sofrito used to operate.
feature a range of burritos, huevos rancheros, nopales, tacos, soup, seafood, and vegetarian and vegan-friendly options.
Contact reporter Cathalena E. Burch at cburch@tucson.com.
On Twitter @Starburch
Cathalena E. Burch
Reporter
Explore the world one bowl of soup at a time at these ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ spots
