Dining

Stir Crazy

Let Tucson’s chefs create delicious takeout dishes for you

BY VALERIE VINYARD

8| MAY 2020

“Quarantine” is de ned as “a state, period or place of isolation in which people or animals that have arrived from elsewhere or been exposed to infectious or contagious disease are placed.”

More simply, quarantining can be a mind-numbing existence where even simple activities seem impossible or at least detestable.

And to some people, cooking falls under the “impossible” or “detestable” category.

In regular times, many people have their favorite  ve or so meals that they rotate at home, and then mix it up with trips to restaurants. Unfortunately, that’s not possible for now, so takeout and delivery have replaced going out to eat.

Luckily, Tucson’s designation as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy—i.e., an incredible city of restaurants—apparently extends to its takeout o erings. In other words, we live in a pretty tasty place to hole up. Plus, even talented home cooks need a break sometimes.

We’ve highlighted  ve of our favorite restaurants that o er fabulous takeout that rises above the competition.

Feast 3719 E. Speedway, 326-9363, eatatfeast.com

To many customers, Feast appeared to transition to a takeout and delivery restaurant more smoothly than most.

The restaurant’s original name, after all, was Feast – Tasteful Takeout when it opened in 2001.

According to owner Doug Levy, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Levy details Feast’s travails and successes in a once or twice daily email to its 4,500-plus list, which provided a much-needed connection to many of its patrons.

“We’ve been extremely fortunate on

Tavolino Ristorante Italiano. (Submitted photo)

a number of di erent fronts,” Levy says. “Since we opened with the intention of being primarily a carry-out restaurant, and since so many of our crew have been here since those days, we were able to pivot pretty quickly after the shutdown.”

Within two days, Levy and company had changed Feast’s menu into something more takeout friendly, and within another week, they had developed systems that made pickup and delivery run more smoothly. Soups and specials change frequently, and the monthly changing menu remains a delightful, inventive array of interesting ingredients and unusual combinations that always seem to work.

“Once we had systems in place, we were able to devote time to creating new ways to connect with people,” says Levy, noting that his employees now make periodic delivery runs to parts of town that don’t fall within Feast’s normal delivery range at various “delivery hubs.”

That includes hospital runs to feed front-line workers and weekly wine tastings via Zoom, with people either picking up or having delivered samples of the four featured wines. Feast also o ers vacuum-packaged meals for people to enjoy at their leisure.

“When we opened in 2001, the intention was to do primarily carry-out and to be closed by 8 p.m., and that way to have some semblance of a normal life,” Levy notes.

“I guess two out of the three isn’t so bad.”

www.LovinLife.com

Jonathan’s Tucson Cork 6320 E. Tanque Verde Road, 296-1631, jonathanscork.com

Jonathan’s Cork is the place you go for birthdays and other special occasions. The restaurant is known for its quality Southwest cuisine that includes ostrich,

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bu alo and steaks.

There’s also normally a lively bar that shows sports and o ers happy hour deals on such appetizers as bacon shrimp, sautéed mushrooms and blackened calamari.

Now, hungry foodies should call Jonathan’s after 1 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays to order from the full menu. Discounted prices include 15% o entrees and happy hour prices all day for appetizers, with pickup between 2 and 8 p.m.

“Doing takeout is providing some money for my sta and keeping us in the business of making great meals,” says Jonathan Landeen, owner of Jonathan’s. “We have adjusted our hours back to more traditional times and are keeping the meatloaf, green chili pork and enchiladas as our specials. The regular menu is available for curbside pickup. One day at a time. Thanks to all of our Tucson restaurant supporters.”

www.LovinLife.com

Rocco’s Little Chicago 2707 E. Broadway Boulevard, 321-1860, roccoslittlechicago.com

With the recent closing of the Old Chicago franchise, the places to savor a legitimate deep-dish pizza have dwindled to Rocco’s.

Thank goodness. Rocco’s Little Chicago chef and owner Anthony DiGrazia, a former Chicago resident, makes each pie, whether it’s deep-dish or thin crust, with love.

Whether it’s the Fungus Humongous, a grilled mixture of portobello and white mushroom with onions and garlic, or the Great Chicago Fire, with Italian sausage, fresh jalapenos, green pepper and onion, we can’t wait to get one to go. Heck, the way we’re feeling right now, even the Heart Attack Special, with sausage, pepperoni, roast beef and extra cheese, won’t give us pause.

The restaurant also is known for its tasty barbecue wings. The regular menu includes soups, salads, appetizers, sandwiches and pastas.

After taking some time o , DiGrazia recently returned to the takeout and delivery game on April 27.

“Most of the full menu will still be offered,” DiGrazia says. “Look for meal kits, lots of takeout beer and mixed drink options, and a new line of customer-requested grocery items we’ll be o ering in a safe and quick takeout patio environment.”

Sam Fox Restaurants Locations throughout Tucson, foxrc.com

Sam Fox is a Tucson native who opened his  rst restaurant, Wild ower American Cuisine, in 1998.

Over the years, Fox opened over a dozen di erent restaurant concepts. His empire of restaurants was sold for over $300 million in July 2019 to the Cheesecake Factory Inc. In Tucson, Blanco Tacos and Tequila; North Italia; Zinburger – Wine and Burger Bar; and Wild ower all o er a variety of takeout specials.

Zinburger. (Submitted photo)

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For example, Zinburger o ers a family-pack meal for $25 on Mondays that includes four diner burgers; onion rings; crinkle cut fries; and four chocolate chip cookies. Orders must be made by 5 p.m. Sunday. Half-priced beer and wine is available for purchase.

As each restaurant o ers di erent specials, check out the website for more information.

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9MAY 2020 |

Tavolino Ristorante Italiano 2890 E. Skyline Drive, 531-1913, tavolinoristorante.com

Tavolino is an authentic Italian restaurant that has morphed into a bustling takeout mecca that features its full menu along with some specials.

Like many of the restaurants, Tavolino is allowing customers to take home alcohol, often at a discount.

Perhaps the best current special is the choose two, three or four items on the menu ($15-$25). The menu items can change, but for now, customers can select from the following items: margherita pizza; farinata, crispy garbanzo bean “French fries” with sea salt and tru e oil and lemon aioli; arancini, which are fried mushroom risotto balls stu ed with mozzarella and served with spicy tomato sauce; and spaghetti al pomodoro, which is served with tomato and basil in a white wine garlic sauce. This special is available from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. If you order all four items, it will satisfy three or four people.

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