I had heard about LaCo, formerly La Cocina, changing its name to JoJos. I seem to recall a story about long-time owner and all around hostess Jo Schneider stepping out of the limelight to let the younger generation in the family take the reins.

Jo had resurrected La Cocina some 13 or so years ago when it was a failing restaurant and bar in Downtown Tucson. It seemed to me at that time, that a restaurant, bar and courtyard like that should easily be a success, especially with the arts and crafts stores surrounding it. But over Christmas shopping that year, it was failing, along with the small local Art shops. I have no idea why except that downtown itself was failing at that time. Jo brought it back to life with good food, entertainment and the constant and consistent hands-on vigilance of its owner. Thank you Jo.

Like everyone else, the pandemic hit La Cocina hard. It closed down for a couple of years, protecting its staff from harm while feeding them and paying them what they could. After La Cocina reopened to the public, it was eventually renamed LaCo and a shorter menu was slowly rolled out, not quite the same but still pretty good. Jo was still hard at work.

Now, after a couple more years, LaCo has changed its name again. It is now JoJos, in honor of Jo Schneider, and headed by a younger group. So last Friday, in honor of my husband and Southern Arizona Guide Jim, who would bring his tours here for lunch, I and friend Rosemary headed downtown to check out JoJo’s new menu. What had been a substantial variety of menu items, Salads, Sandwiches, and Southwest favorites, had been paired down to 6 choices of entrees, and a few sides. You can make it a sandwich or a plate.

Depending on when you show up one of three menus may be presented; Lunch, Dinner or Brunch which is served on Saturdays and Sundays. Dinner may start with PINTXOS. I had to look it up. It is Basque for “Finger Food”. However, the menu also has a variety of entrees and housemade desserts. Jim and I rarely went to dinner out, lunch being our main meal, so I will have to leave it to you do let me know how dinner is.

Now for Monsoons, aka: the Dusty Monk, we are on a wait and see. The website page is not active yet and the bar looks closed. We will keep an eye out.

The Saturday and Sunday Brunch menu looks promising. But I do wish there was more of a choice at lunch besides quick bar food. Just sayin’. We’ll see. We have always loved LaCocina, LaCo, Jojos, even before Jo took over. This place has always had great potential. It is a work in progress. Let’s see what works for these guys. We wish them good times.

Jojos Restaurant
76 W. Washington St.
Tucson, AZ