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Editor's note: This story was originally published in 2022 and updated in 2025.

My mom tells me stories of spending her high school years getting bussed an hour and a half each way, from her home in a small housing development pastÌý, where Tanque Verde Road turns into Redington Pass, to Rincon High School, where she was districted.

She tells me about how the weather is wildest when it blows in from the east over the Rincon Mountains, how she would be kept up at night with the sounds of lightning and crazy monsoon winds.

The far-east side of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ has grown a lot since those days, when her neighbors would uniformly wear cowboy boots and many had acreage to back up their outfits. Now there are big developments anchoring that part of town, likeÌý, and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ has pushed its metro borders out farther than my mom ever expected, reaching Marana and Vail.

So a lot of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ans live in areas past Houghton Road now, and want to know where to eat. Truthfully, I had no idea — I live in midtown and the 30-minute drive to the far-east side poses a threat to my understanding of the area. But I wanted to learn, so I asked the experts at theÌýÌýFacebook group, and thoroughly assessed Google Maps photos and Yelp reviews before making a short list of places to check out in person.

I found a handful of gems, places I can’t find even in midtown, alongside a huge index of neighborhood staples, from carnicerias to a local Buffalo wings joint.

Taco Stop on Speedway and Houghton

I first tried this place when driving home from a hike inÌýÌýwith my boyfriend at the time. He was a strict vegetarian and we were both starving, miles from home. The sun had long set over the valley when we pulled up to what felt like the first stoplight in forever, at North Houghton Road and East Speedway. He pulled into the Circle K parking lot with confidence I lacked that he would find a vegetarian option. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Ìýhas since made a name for itself on social media, connecting with vegan foodies likeÌý. While we might have settled for a simple bean burrito, Taco Stop goes above the call of duty with some of the best vegan and vegetarian options in town. The crown jewel of their menu is a flavorful jackfruit birria, which adds spice, tang and substance to their tacos, burritos and quesabirria.

But their humbler — and much cheaper — bean burrito is delicious as well, loaded with all the fixins and especially tasty when topped with their spicy salsa verde and a squeeze of freshly-sliced lime. While the vegan birria is an event worth a trip from midtown, the bean burrito and non-vegetarian options would be lazy-day favorites if I lived in the area.

Location:Ìý

For more information, check out theirÌý.

Sa-Ing Thai at Valencia and Nexus

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ is not known for its bounty of Thai restaurants. You probably have your neighborhood favorite, where you get your standard, inevitably tasty, Pad Thai and rarely deviate from what you know you like. WhenÌýÌýcame to town with their Khao Soi chicken, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ got to experience regional Thai street food.

I love Tuk Tuk, and yetÌýÌýoffers something different: a little less flashy, just as reliably delicious. Users on various review platforms rave about Sa-Ing’s exceptional quality. I’d say that if you love Thai food, you should make the trip to try Sa-Ing to evaluate the restaurant for yourself. If you live in the area, it could become a part of your regular rotation.

I haven’t been able to try everything on the menu, but when I followed the proprietor’s recommendation and ordered the Drunken Noodle for takeout, I was delighted at how well the punchy, multifaceted, tangy-savory-sweet-spicy flavor came through, even after a misadventurous drive home that took over an hour and a half.

It wasn’t as spicy as I’ve had in the past, but I also didn’t make any particular request. I loved their Thai tea as well, which tasted strongly of ceylon and wasn’t as sweet as I’ve had elsewhere (while still sweet enough, you know?).

I’m excited to return to the areaÌýto try more from Sa-Ing’s sizable menu — starting with the other dish the guy behind the counter recommended, their green curry.

Location:Ìý

For more information, check out theirÌý.

Salima’s Central Asian Bakery at Rincon Valley Farmers Market

This is the find that you couldn’t find on your own, without trekking out to the Udall Park or Rincon Valley farmers markets. The family who runs the Salima's food stand is from Uzbekistan and they bring to ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ the really special foods that were innovated at the intersection of Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Everything they make is good.

I took home both their pillowy flatbread, decorated with a quilted pattern and sprinkled with white and black sesame seeds, along with a stuffed flatbread that tasted like gozleme made with flaky layers of laminated dough. Reheated to a chewy crisp in the toaster oven after nearly an hour’s drive home, it was downright heavenly.

Salima’s is available at the Rincon Valley Farmers Market:

Location:Ìý

For more information, check out theirÌý.

(Salima's is also at theÌý.)

Saguaro Corners at Old Spanish Trail and Escalante

When I asked people on Take-Out in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ where their favorite far-east side restaurant is,ÌýÌýbecame the clear favorite. It’s easy to understand why: the location amid the undeveloped east-side desert is as serene and untouched asÌý, and the food is remarkably good.

I was once visiting a family friend on the far-east side of town with my uncle who was visiting from LA, and the friend recommended Saguaro Corners. When I read their menu, I didn’t quite understand the menu’s mix of bar food and bistro fare. I didn’t know what to expect. I ordered the Southwest chicken corn chowder, which was delicious, but what I can’t stop thinking about is the pan-seared salmon my health-conscious uncle ordered. It was incredible.

Saguaro Corners makes it with asparagus, which my uncle doesn’t care for, and I got to try it in the lemon-caper-butter sauce. It was some of the best asparagus I’ve had in my life, perfectly tender without being mushy, and with a healthy dousing of the tangy sauce, which is a classic accompaniment for a reason.

Location:Ìý

For more information, check out theirÌý.

Other restaurants to check out on ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s far-east side — near or east of Houghton Road

´¡°ù²µ±ð²Ô³ú¾±²¹²Ô´Ç’s

Red sauce Italian-American eatery.

Location:Ìý

For more information, check out theirÌý.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Pizza Company

Pizza, salads and wings in a casual setting.

Location:Ìý

For more information, check out theirÌý.

The Barnyard Crafthouse & Eatery

Grill menu with pizzas, spacious outdoor seating and a cohesive barn theme.

Location:Ìý

For more information, check out theirÌý.

Bobazona

Boba spot from Phoenix, specializing in boba drinks and gelato, plus sweet treats like Cinnamon Toast Crunch smoothies and taro milk teas.

Location:Ìý

For more information, check out their .

BoMo

Boba tea shop with more than a dozen flavors and mochi doughnuts.

Location:

For more information, check out their .

Charquitas Mexican Food

Mexican food truck with seating near Ace Hardware. Reader Nikki recommends their salsa verde, beef burrito enchilada-style, and their pickled carrots.

Location:Ìý

For more information, check out their .

El Coronado Restaurant

Sit-down Mexican restaurant with margaritas, burgers and chimichangas.

Location:Ìý

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For more information, check out theirÌý.

The Rattler

Bar and grill with a happy hour and kids menu at the Del Lago Golf Club.

Location:Ìý

For more information, check out theirÌý.

Happy Wok

Chinese restaurant with a variety of regional options, from Schezwan chicken to Hunan shrimp, as well as noodles and classic standbys like mapo tofu and Kung Pao chicken.

Location:Ìý

For more information, check out theirÌý.

Hops Sports Grill

Classic sports bar with a made-from-scratch menu, a daily happy hour and gameday specials. Recommended by reader Craig!

Location:

For more information, check out their .

Houghton Meat Market LLC

Locally-owned New-York-style butcher shop, plus ready-made options like meatloaf and bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers.

Location:Ìý

For more information, check out theirÌý.

Luckie’s Thai Asian Cuisine

Thai restaurant that also offers some Chinese standbys.

Location:Ìý

For more information, check out theirÌý.

²Ñ´Ç²Ô³Ù²µ´Ç³¾±ð°ù²â’s

Classic grill menu: burgers, soups, salads, sandwiches, as well as bar fare like mozz sticks.

Location:Ìý

For more information, check out their .

Mr. Toro Carniceria

Mexican-style meat market with a small hot-food menu: combo plates, quesadillas and breakfast burritos, and more.

Location:Ìý

For more information, check out theirÌý.

Papa Locos

Burritos (including the breakfast variety), tacos, Sonoran dogs and chiles rellenos, as well as burgers.

Location:Ìý

For more information, check out theirÌý.

Rancho Rustico

Sit-down Mexican restaurant recommended by many on Take-Out in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.

Location:Ìý

For more information, check out theirÌý.

Rincon Mountain Grill

Bar and grill with pizza, wings and Southwest options, with a patio at the Forty Niner Country Club.

Location:ÌýForty Niner Country Club,Ìý

For more information, check out theirÌý.

Rocking K Market

Deli with draft beers on tap, a rotating kitchen menu and a cute patio.

Location:Ìý

For more information, check out theirÌý.

Serial Grillers

Popular ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ chain for sandwiches, as well as pizza, tots, wings and salads.

Location:Ìý

For more information, check out theirÌý.

Tanque Verde Ranch

Guest ranch with a variety of cowboy-style dining, from a sit-down restaurant to a saloon, as well as plein-air, post-ride options.

Location:Ìý

For more information, check out theirÌý.

Taqueria 2 Hermanos

Sports bar meets taco shop. The menu at this spot is a bounty of drink specials and tasty bar food, with Mexican flair. Is it the most fun restaurant on ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s far-east side? You'll have to go to find out.

Location:Ìý

For more information, check out theirÌý.

Wings on Fire

Local spot for Buffalo wings, with a variety of creative fries and a small selection of chicken sandwiches, salads and hot dogs.

Location:Ìý

For more information, check out their .

Did we miss any of your favorite far-east eats? Let us know at thisistucson@tucson.com!