In the past several years as Tucson grew, so did Marana. And Marana is vast. Geographically, Marana covers from approximately Trico Road to the west at Orange Grove to the Pinal County border line and east to Dove Mountain including the Ritz Carlton resort, the Tortalita Mountains and an extensive outdoor outlet mall. Restaurants have been popping up at the Pavilions as well as along Silverbell Road from Ina to Cortaro Road and beyond. Of course, some of the old favorites are still there such as the Feedlot Cafe at the Stockyards, the Flightline Grill at Pinal Airpark and Lil Abner’s Steakhouse in a historic stagestop.
There are plenty of chain restaurants in Marana as well; Chili’s, Guadalarja Grill, Chipolte, Cracker Barrel etc. We usually decline to review them as the fare is generally well-known and consistent. Our job is to find the unusual and not-so-well-known.
That said the following is a sample of some of the worthwhile restaurants in Marana that we have reviewed.
Fortune Cookie: A Dining Review
One Friday in late July 2023, Neighbor Roy and I headed North to Marana for a Chinese lunch. We originally planned to go to Asian
Dominick’s Real Italian: A Dining Review
Roy had not been well for many weeks and had lost 30 pounds. And was feeling frail and in need of something hearty to consume.
Barro’s Pizza: A Dining Review
On a Friday in early November 2022, Neighbor Roy and I dined at Barro’s Pizza in Marana. Earlier in the week, I had asked him
La Olla Mexican Cafe: A Dining Review
On a Friday in early December 2021, Neighbor Roy, Friend Gus and I went to La Olla Mexican Cafe on North Silverbell. The address says
Nana’s Kitchen: Dining Mexican in Marana: A Review
On a Friday in July 2021, Neighbor Roy and I ate lunch at Nana’s Kitchen off Cortaro Road across from the Pavilions Shopping Center. I
Mantis Gourmet Chinese: A Dining Review
Not long ago, a reader of our weekly newsletter wrote: “Greetings! One of my favorite Asian restaurants in the Tucson area is Mantis @ 8250
Cattleman’s Cafe, (The Feedlot) Marana: A Review!
“Friendly people, good service, and hearty food at a fair price. Worth the short drive off the highway.” So wrote a Yelper about Cattleman’s Café
Cayton’s Burger Bistro: Does It Have The Best Burgers In Tucson?
In our quest to find the best burger in Tucson, Neighbor Roy & I once again left our respective haciendas nestled high in the foothills of the Tucson Mountains and ventured onto the desert flood plain below. Down there, Hohokam eked out a living along the Santa Cruz River a thousand years ago. In the […]
The Bar @ Ritz Carlton Resort – Dove Mountain
In the summer of 2012, Neighbor Roy and I took off in search of the most expensive lunch in Tucson. We wanted to do our
Lil Abner’s Steakhouse – Marana
This used to be a stage coach stop back in the Old West not so long ago. Full bar. Outdoor seating with live music on weekends. Big BBQ. Good steaks. Better ribs. Lil Abner’s would be a 3.5 Saguaro, but I had to give it a half Saguaro for authenticity.
