We love Boba CuCue in Marana. They now have a second location on the east side, but this one is the perfect location for us. There might be a slight obsession in this house for them, and we tend to get the same thing each time.

From the moment you walk in, you feel like you were transported right to the heart of Japan. With their colorful menu, full of endless drink options, the adorable shopping they have available, to the claw machine games, we truly love everything they have to offer.

I can’t wait to introduce you to this Marana spot, and hopefully help you find your newest boba obsession.

What to Order on the Drink Menu

They have an extensive menu, but each section is mapped out so you are comfortable understanding what it is they offer. Here are a few frontrunners for their drinks menu:

• Milk Tea
• Smash Fruit Tea
• Tornado Smoothies
• Galaxy Boba Drinks
• Brown Sugar Drinks
• Coconut Bubble

You can choose your level of ice and sweetness. It ranges from No to Extra. You can also choose if you’d like to add a topper and what type of boba you would like: crystal, popping, pudding, or jello. Each drink will also let you know if it is vegan-friendly, contains milk, contains gluten, and if honey is included.

What to Order on the Food Menu

They also have an extensive food menu, and we have had the chance to try the steamed dumplings and various bao. The other options they have are:

• Soup Dumplings
• Steamed Dumplings
• Steamed Siu Mei
• Steamed Bao
• Sweet Steamed Bao
• Waffle Pop- the brown sugar option is our favorite

Our Favorites

We have been many times, and I tend to order the same thing each time. But I did branch out and try the Malaysian White Coffee, and that will be my new go-to. My kiddos love the coco-peach bubble with added mango popping boba, and the Pony Milk Bubble. They do have something for everyone.

Games & Shopping

Boba CuCue has claw machines as well as furry friend games as well. Tokens are $5 each and can be purchased at the register. Aside from that, they have souvenirs to purchase like keychains, pens, stickers, and a large assortment of plushies! My son adopted a purple boba tea squishy the first time we came.

They will often have a furry friend hiding somewhere in the shop, and if you find him you earn a prize!

Where to Find Them

Boba CuCue in Marana is located off Cartaro Farms Road across the road from the Walmart Shopping center. It is right next to Salon Kiro and Nana’s Kitchen. I hope you try them out today, and let me know what you ordered so I can try something new next time!

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Welcome to Hello Tucson Living and thanks so much for stopping by! If you have visited this local Tucson spot, I’d love to hear about it. Share your experience on Instagram with the hashtag #hellotucsonliving and tag me @hellotucsonliving so I can follow along and share your photos on my page/stories. Remember to subscribe before you leave to get your FREE Tucson Eats & Treats Guide. I love you guys, and I’ll talk to you soon.

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Original ChopShop

When I visit a location to try them out for the first time, I always enjoy seeing what the atmosphere is like, and if the place is visually appealing. The moment I stepped into Original ChopShop, my jaw dropped. Not only is it gorgeous with the black and white accents and pops of green, it feels so welcoming.

My favorite part was the welcome mat that said “Hello Tucson”. The staff members were so kind and answered all my questions.

Ordering & Menu

The first thing I did was take a moment to look at the menu. They had 2 large menus to look at, and I knew exactly what I wanted. They also have the option to order with a real person OR on the large vertical screen next to the register. That’s a nice choice in case you are in a hurry.

Once I ordered, I received a number and went to sit down. It did not take very long to receive my items, and when they arrived they smelled and looked delicious.

Not only do they offer fresh salads, they also offer:

• Sandwiches
• Protein Bowls
• Salads
• Superfood Bowls & Parfaits
• Fresh Juice
• Breakfast Items
• Protein Shakes
• and an entire kid’s menu

Next time I go, I’m trying a superfood bowl and some of their breakfast items.

What I Ordered

• Hydrator- cucumber, pineapple, lemon, coconut water, and aloe vera
• Seasonal Dragonfruit Basil-ade
• Thai Coconut Protein Bowl with sweet potato hash, chicken, and quinoa (you get to choose 2 bases)
• Berry Chop Salad (seasonal)- house greens, strawberry, blueberry, golden raisin, smoked almond, goat cheese, strawberry basil vinaigrette

The choices for your base in the protein bowls are roasted veggies, house greens, brown rice, sweet potato hash, forbidden rice, and quinoa (FB and quinoa are $1 extra)

Cactus Rating

I truly enjoyed this restaurant and was so happy to visit. I give Original ChopShop 4 cactus out of 5 ONLY because it is a bit out of my way, therefore I wouldn’t choose it regularly to visit. But If I’m ever on that side of town, it will be my first choice.

Next time you are on Campbell, make sure and stop in to visit Original Chopshop, and make sure to let them know Hello Tucson Living sent you!

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Welcome to Hello Tucson Living and thanks so much for stopping by! If you have visited this local Tucson spot, I’d love to hear about it. Share your experience on Instagram with the hashtag #hellotucsonliving and tag me @hellotucsonliving so I can follow along and share your photos on my page/stories. Remember to subscribe before you leave to get your FREE Tucson Eats & Treats Guide. I love you guys, and I’ll talk to you soon.

The post Original ChopShop | Discovering Fresh Eats and Friendly Vibes appeared first on Hello Tucson Living.

When looking for a local coffee shop, I often find myself searching for one that truly understands and appreciates the city it is located in. Having a good grasp of what the local community is looking for is such a positive experience. Roadrunner Coffee Co. knows how to do just that. Not only do they have amazing coffee, but they also have live music as well. So grab a cup of coffee, or a pastry, and enjoy the sights and sounds that Roadrunner Coffee Co. has to offer.

Table of Contents

About Roadrunner Coffee Co.

Roadrunner Coffee Co. has been a locally owned business in Tucson since 2004. With hand-crafted espresso and coffee drinks, smoothies, Italian sodas, sandwiches, pastries, and more there’s something for everyone! When you walk into their Thornydale location, you are instantly greeted with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. You can smell the aroma of their fresh ground beans, and the sounds of the espresso machine frothing up the milk.

They have recently opened 2 more locations to help accommodate more areas of Tucson. They source their beans from Tucson Coffee Roasters and you know you will always get a great cup of coffee. If you want drip coffee, they have a station set up with 4 large carafes of light and dark roasts. Once you’ve ordered from a friendly staff member, your food /drinks are made quickly and effectively and wait for you at the raised ledge. The logo is neatly printed on the side of their cups, with a sticker stopper added to the top.

“It is the mission of Roadrunner to always provide excellent and efficient customer service, offer consistent, quality drinks and foods, support other local, small business, and constantly strive to improve.”— Roadrunner Coffee Co.

Roadrunner Coffee Co. Menu Items

There is something for everyone from espresso, blended, drip coffee, teas, and even smoothies. I suggest trying something new every time you visit. Need a different type of milk or have an allergy to something? Just let your barista know, and they will be happy to accommodate. Besides beverages, they also make delicious food. The breakfast sandwiches make my mouth water every time someone orders one. Here are a few other items they offer:

And for lunch:

• Sandwiches with chips or potato salad

Seating Options Available

With everything happening in our world these days, people’s safety is a big consideration for Roadrunner Coffee Co. Not only do they offer a large indoor seating area at their Thornydale location with plenty of space between each table, but they also offer outdoor seating. At their Wetmore and Alvernon locations, they are a drive-up kiosk, similar to Dutch Bros, and Congress is a walk-up location. That can be very handy if you are on that side of town looking for a quick cup of joe!

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FAQ about Roadrunner Coffee Co.

Where are they located?

Their cafe is located at 9665 N Thornydale Rd Ste. 110 and their drive-up kiosk is located at 1545 W Wetmore Rd. They also have 2 other locations at 1612 N Alvernon Way as well as their newest downtown at 50 W Congress St.

What are their hours?

CAFE: Open M-F 6 am-5 pm Sat/Sun 6 am-4 pm
KIOSK (Wetmore) M-F 6a-6p, Weekends 7am-6pm; Alvernon: 6am-6p M-F; Congress: M-F: 7am-3p & Saturday 9am-4pm

Where are their beans sourced from?

They have locally sourced beans from Tucson Coffee Roasters

Can you order items from them using a delivery service?

Yes, Roadrunner is available on Uber Eats and Doordash. You can also call ahead to order.

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Do they offer wifi?

Yes! They gladly offer it to paying customers

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Welcome to Hello Tucson Living and thanks so much for stopping by! If you have visited this local Tucson spot, I’d love to hear about it. Share your experience on Instagram with the hashtag #hellotucsonliving and tag me @hellotucsonliving so I can follow along and share your photos on my page/stories. Remember to subscribe before you leave to get your FREE Tucson Eats & Treats Guide. I love you guys, and I’ll talk to you soon.

The post Roadrunner Coffee Co: Exploring Tucson Coffee appeared first on Hello Tucson Living.

Each wine tour I take gets better and better. Not only is Arizona Winery Tours an incredible company, but each vineyard you visit also makes you feel like you’ve been transported someplace else.

Did you know some of the best wineries are in Arizona? This was a first for me when I heard about Arizona Winery Tours. I was blown away to learn that Arizona has an incredible wine country. Have you ever taken a wine tour? Let me know down below so we can connect.

About Arizona Winery Tours

Arizona Winery Tours began 7 years ago when the owner Karen couldn’t find anyone to take her to visit local vineyards. There wasn’t anything remotely similar to what she wanted, so she decided to create her own. She started at Sonoran Tasting Tours… and quickly decided to create Arizona Winery Tours, and the rest is history.

They offer an enjoyable and elegant way to experience Arizona’s premier wineries. Guests enjoy charming winery tasting rooms and the beauty of picturesque Arizona wine country.

At each winery, you’ll have the opportunity to sample exquisite wines in friendly tasting room settings. A delicious lunch awaits you at midday. Your relaxing day concludes with complimentary drop-off service and memories that will last a lifetime! 

“Arizona Winery Tours offers private tours. We will help you plan an amazing day out. Celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, bachelorette parties, weddings, graduations, actually anything worth celebrating!”

— Arizona Winery Tours

All-Inclusive Wine Tour

On the day of your tour, they will pick you up in one of their large black vans along with the others scheduled to tour that day. Thankfully the vans are spacious enough to accommodate quite a few groups without it feeling too crowded.

Once on board, you will enjoy complimentary snacks and water as we make our way out to wine country. They visit Sonoita, Willcox, and Sedona and have a wide variety of vineyards they work with.

You stay about an hour at each vineyard, and the second is where lunch will be served. It is included with your tour, so make sure and decide what you’d like to have when the email with the choices is sent to you.

After you have visited all three wineries that day, they will drive you back to where they picked you up and you can head home. Groups of 4 or more can choose the exact location they’d like to be picked up. Otherwise, you will coordinate with the driver and meet somewhere in town.

Favorite Vineyards

Here are my top Sonoita and Willcox vineyards, so make sure to mention that you’d like to visit these:

Sonoita Vineyards

• Autumn Sage– This vineyard feels like you’ve stepped right into a Hallmark movie. It is called the ‘Napa Valley of Sonoita’.
• Rune– This location is completely off the grid and feels like you’ve walked into a futuristic vineyard. Make sure you snag a seat outside under their sunshades for the best view of the mountains.
• Callaghan– This is the very first vineyard in the area and has lived up to its reputation. Love Muffin Red is my favorite wine of theirs.

Willcox Vineyards

• Aridus– From the moment you walk in you are greeted with the sounds of a very popular tasting room. They are very knowledgeable about their wines and it is easy to pick up a bottle or two.
• Carlson Creek– This location is new, and you have a beautiful view of their vines. If you visit in the spring/summertime, they are bright green and vibrant!

Book Your Wine Tour Today

Now that I hopefully have your attention and you can’t wait to book your first tour, you can visit their website or call (520) 338-9302 for Tucson and (480) 843-4941 for Sedona. They will make sure you visit three of the best vineyards and keep coming back time and time again to visit them all. Make sure to mention that you read about them in this post and use code KF10 for $10 off!

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• Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch
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• Roadrunner Coffee Co

FAQ

Let’s stay connected! Join our newsletter for more local Arizona businesses and tips and tricks to enjoy the most of this desert we call home. Plus, I sprinkle in some freebies just for you. Sign me up!

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Welcome to Hello Tucson Living and thanks so much for stopping by! If you have visited this local Tucson spot, I’d love to hear about it. Share your experience on Instagram with the hashtag #hellotucsonliving and tag me @hellotucsonliving so I can follow along and share your photos on my page/stories. Remember to subscribe before you leave to get your FREE Tucson Eats & Treats Guide. I love you guys, and I’ll talk to you soon.

The post Arizona Winery Tours: Wine Tasting Through the Sonoran appeared first on Hello Tucson Living.

Bandicted Restaurant in Tucson

I will try anything once, and if I love it I will continue to return. I had the chance to stop into Banhdicted on Orange Grove in Tucson to try a few menu items a try. They offer fresh pressed juice, boba tea, smoothies, and Vietnamese sandwiches, and they also have vegan options available!

Stop in today and mention Hello Tucson Living OR this blog post to receive 10% off!

Vietnamese Sandwiches

The Shrimp sandwich (Con Tôm) is what I ordered. I love anything with seafood, so I knew I had to try it. The spicy mayo is what made it my favorite. Their Traditional Banh Mi is what sets them apart from other Vietnamese sandwich shops in Tucson, AZ.

“Sauteed Shrimp Marinated in our secret cajun sauce, Mayonnaise, Pickled Daikon & Carrots, Cucumber, Jalapenos, Fresh Cilantro topped with Banhdicted Lemongrass Spicy Mayo”- Banhdicted

They also offer a large list of different sandwiches for you to try. Head over to their site to check out the menu.

Pressed Juice | Boba Tea | Smoothies

With my banh mi, I had to get a pressed juice and a Taiwanese milk tea. I ordered the Desert Cooler and the coconut milk tea with lychee jellies. I opted for medium sweetness but you can go as sweet or not as you would like. The juice was packed with orange, cucumber, pineapple, lemon, kale, and spinach.

Bandicted’s New Location

The next time you are in Tucson off Orange Grove, stop into Banhdicted and give one of these items a try! And look out for their second location on E. Sunrise Dr. opening later this summer! Banhdicted is taking over the Sonoran desert and I can’t wait to see all they accomplish!

You can read more Tucson-inspired content on my blog page. Let me know in the comments which post was your favorite.

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• Roadrunner Coffee Co.
• Arizona Winery Tours
• Rooster Cogburn

Pin to Your Favorite Pinterest Board

Hover over the image below to pin it, and come pin with me!

Welcome to Hello Tucson Living and thanks so much for stopping by! If you have visited this local Tucson spot, I’d love to hear about it. Share your experience on Instagram with the hashtag #hellotucsonliving and tag me @hellotucsonliving so I can follow along and share your photos on my page/stories. Remember to subscribe before you leave to get your FREE Tucson Eats & Treats Guide. I love you guys, and I’ll talk to you soon.

The post Authentic Vietnamese Sandwiches at Banhdicted in Tucson appeared first on Hello Tucson Living.