On a Wednesday in late July 2023, Ms. Karen and I had a business luncheon with an old friend, Tom, at the NEW Hilton Doubletree Inn in downtown Tucson next to the Convention Center. We were able to park right in front of the door that leads to their restaurant called El Mezquite Grill.

At 1:30 PM, the place was empty except for the three of us. Consequently, the service was excellent. Ms. Karen ordered an IPA. I ordered a Margarita as did Tom. Although the glass was small, this was one of the best margaritas I have had recently. Very tangy with salt on the rim.

Ms. Karen noticed an odd object on our table that turned out to be a fly swatter of sorts. It had a horizontal propeller that rotated to keep flies off our table. Very clever. Although we noticed that ours was the only table with such a thing. We only noticed one fly also.

Karen ordered a Caesar Salad ($15). Tom ordered a club sandwich, which was ham, turkey, lettuce, tomato, avocado, applewood bacon, nopales, adobo-dejoaise on sourdough bread ($16).

And I ordered their El Mez Burger which was a half-pound Angus beef patty with bacon jam, poblano Oaxaca cheese, aji-aioli, fresh roma tomatoes, on a fresh bun ($22). It came with a boatload of French Fries. I noticed that my burger was slightly sweet.

Ms. Karen can tell you about her experience.
“Well, I have no complaints. What can you say about a Caesar Salad. It’s a salad. As I recall the lunch menu was limited. Jim’s French Fries were great! It is a pleasant enough restaurant with an outdoor patio for nighttime events and the shoulder seasons. Across the street is the Coronet, which use to be Cushing Street Bar and Grill. I miss that place. The Coronet opened just before Covid hit, so we have not been there yet. I’m waiting to sit outside on a Sunday Brunch with a Bloody Mary. We will probably go when they reopen for dinner with a new menu. ”
” Back to the Mezquite. There is a Saturday Cookout every Saturday through October. All-you-can-eat tacos for $27. Bring your empty tummy. I really don’t have enough information to give it a fair rating, but I would give the french fries a 4.5! ”

Tom said his club sandwich was excellent.

My burger and fries were among the best I have ever had in Tucson, and that includes the ones I had several years ago at Harvest. But not quite as good as the best of the best at Cayton’s Burger Bistro at Dove Mountain.

The decor of this restaurant is definitely upscale. Very chic. And very clean. With a view of the outdoor patio that would be pleasant for dining in cooler weather.

El Mezquite Grill at DoubleTree Inn
280 S. Church Avenue, Tucson
520-372-7100