Tucson became the first city in the United States to be named a "world city of gastronomy" by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in 2015 as part of the Creative Cities Network programme. Mission Garden, a living agricultural museum showcasing the crops and trees that have been farmed in the region for over 4000 years, is one example of the city's emphasis on food.
In Tucson, the Sonoran hot dog is very popular. Grilled bacon-wrapped hot dogs are served on bolillo-style hot dog buns with extra toppings, such as mayonnaise, mustard, jalapeño salsa, pinto beans, onions, and tomatoes.
Tucson also makes a compelling, although debatable, case for being the chimichanga's birthplace. Though these are famous, the doughnuts here are no less, try these doughnut shops when visiting.
7 Doughnut Places In Tucson
1. Amy's Donuts
Amy's Donuts is a vibrant doughnut shop focusing on odd flavours, including banana fudge, andes mint and nutty bars. The doughnuts are delicious and freshly made, and the shop's interior is filled with intriguing artwork. Since the store is always open, you can grab a snack whenever needed. The doughnuts here are very delicious, soft and fluffy. Come on over; you won't regret it!
Location: 101 E Fort Lowell Rd, Tucson, AZ 85705, United States
Timings: Mon-Sun: 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
Must-Try Dishes: Banana fudge, andes mint
Price for 2: $50 approx.
2. Prep & Pastry
Prep & Pastry is a wood-beamed restaurant with a high ceiling that offers gourmet breakfast dishes and homemade pastries. Both of their venues are crowded with patrons. Bloody Marys and Benedicts are on the menu, but Prep & Pastry's main attraction is its extensive selection of delectable foods that appeal to all palates—from sweet to savoury! You can also order donut cakes in the shop, which is one of a kind.
Location: 2660 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719, United States
Timings: Mon-Sun: 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
Must-Try Dishes: Choco Donuts, Berry Donuts
Price for 2: $50 approx.
Image Credit: Prep & Pastry
3. Village Bakehouse
In the broader Tucson region, Village Bakehouse is a bakery and cafe with a patio serving sandwiches, pieces of bread, pastries, and desserts. With more than 20 years of experience, the bakery provides a range of flavours for personalised wedding cakes. Their meals are thoughtfully prepared and well-balanced, and they have an extensive drink option for early risers. They also provide pies, coffee, and breakfast foods.
Location: 7882 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85704, United States
Timings: Mon-Sun: 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
Must-Try Dishes: Red Berry Donut, Macha Donut
Price for 2: $50 approx.
4. Barrio Bread
Loved by locals as "Barrio Bread," Don Guerra's bakery is a favourite destination for bread lovers in the Phoenix region. Most days, the tiny shop with a queue out the door opens at first light and closes by midday. Legend says Guerra started small, baking out of his garage and selling bread out of his van before relocating to his current position a few miles east of the city centre.
Location: 18 S Eastbourne Ave, Tucson, AZ 85716, United States
Timings: Mon-Sun: 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
Must-Try Dishes: Donut Bite, Glazed Donuts
Price for 2: $50 approx.
5. Nadines Bakery
Customers can fully customise their orders with customisable cake and pastry combinations at Nadine's Bakery, a legendary Tucson bakery with decades of experience crafting cakes and pastries. The employees were joyful and kind. You can place your order online in advance. As they suggest different pastry creations, they also go over all of your parameters in case you decide to have a custom order prepared.
Location: 4553 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85711, United States
Timings: Mon-Sun: 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
Must-Try Dishes: Banana Truffle Donut, Shortcake cinnamon donut
Price for 2: $50 approx.
Image Credit: Nadines Bakery
6. Wheel of Donuts
Donut Wheel's classic and consistently excellent doughnuts have won them a devoted fanbase. Despite their simple appearance, these doughnuts are made with care and are now a well-liked option for office parties in Marana. The bakery's distinctive pink boxes and vintage doughnut shop atmosphere give it an air of charm. They truly have excellent doughnut selection and service. One should be prepared to see it crowded on weekdays.
Location: 675 W Valencia Rd, Tucson, AZ 85706, United States
Timings: Mon-Sun: 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
Must-Try Dishes: Cocoa Coffee donut, Jam sugar Donut
Price for 2: $50 approx.
7. Batch Bar and Cafe
It's one of the few trendy doughnut shops in Tucson. Although Batch Cafe is mainly a whisky bar, they also provide a small menu of freshly made donuts and a tonne of grilled cheese selections for sandwiches. "The Stud," their signature donut, includes bourbon maple Bavarian cream filling, bacon pieces, and chocolate frosting. Another option is "The Homer," a traditional donut topped with sprinkles, white chocolate frosting, and churro donut. These doughnuts are all quite delicious and hard to go wrong with.
Location: 118 E Congress St, Tucson, AZ 85701, United States
Timings: Mon-Sun: 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
Must-Try Dishes: The Stud, The Homer
Price for 2: $50 approx.
Now, when you are visiting these famous places you need to keep in mind to plan beforehand as it can get crowded. Ordering before pickup is a great idea to avoid it too. The doughnuts and the desserts in all these places are undoubtedly splendid. Keep exploring!