Best Tucson Breakfast Spots
Northwest Tucson is famous for its golf courses, mountain hikes, and delicious array of local dining. Breakfast deserves the best, and Oro Valley’s got it three-fold.
Leave the plain-Jane chain restaurants in the desert dust, and spend the same money or less at one of Oro Valley’s three unique tasty treasures.
Caffé Torino
Tucked quietly into the shopping center at the southwest corner of Lambert Lane and La Cañada, Caffé Torino beckons folks in for leisurely breakfast under their red and black patio umbrellas, or in their quiet, cozy dining room. Several items are quickly served for easy take-out too.
Their Torino, Italy regional flare is quite natural, since the owner, Daniela Shouse, hails originally from Italy. From the Lavazza brand caffé and espresso to their version of a breakfast croissant, which is not a croissant at all, but luscious ciabatta bread with egg, rosemary ham, and provolone cheese, served with fresh fruit or potatoes for $7.25, the caffé embraces the senses and satisfies every taste. Uova Al Prosciutto, with two eggs, Swiss cheese, and Prosciutto di Parma are sensational, as are everything on the Torino menu. Breakfast items $9.25 and under. Prices subject to change.
Torino’s: Ratings and Information
(1=low and 5=high) Service = 5.0, Setting = 4.5, Food = 5.0
Caffé Torino breakfast 8am-11am, lunch 11am-2pm, Monday-Saturday, and Sunday breakfast only 8am-12:30pm. Location: 10325 N. La Canada, Oro Valley, AZ 85737, Ph. 520-219-2994. Come back for dinner right next door, to the sister southern Italy restaurant, Spice Bistro, also owned by Chef, Daniela Shouse. Spice Bistro serves lunch Wed-Fri 11:30-2:30, dinner Mon-Sat 5pm to 9pm.
Down Home Delights®
Indeed, delights await the hungry souls crossing into the home of Down Home Delights®. For those needing to fulfill their email or internet-fix while eating breakfast, Down Home Delights® is the place to be for free customer Wi-Fi. Patrons have been known to drop in for breakfast, get settled into a task on their computers, and stay to enjoy the lunch menu too.
Locals once had to wait for the once-a-week Oro Valley Farmer’s Market, where owner/chef, Bonnie Quinn, sold her tasty homemade biscotti. Now, regulars, snowbirds, and occasional visitors, all enjoy her fresh biscotti six days a week in the welcoming comfort of the Down Home Delights® café. Of course, an array of barista drinks from coffee beans from local Tucson roasters, brewed teas, and other quenching beverages are now readily available to compliment her famous biscotti.
Down Home Delights®’ breakfasts include a kids menu, five special breakfast scramblers, nine breakfast unique breakfast entrées, as well as a la carté, and a decadent pastry selection. The Tucson Scramble is a local favorite of two eggs, chorizo, mild white cheese, and cilantro, with fresh salsa on the side. For the hearty appetite, the Vegas Scramble satisfies with “the whole buffet, “ as their menu says, with three eggs, diced bacon diced sausage, ham, onion, cheddar cheese, and tomato. Scrambles are accompanied by toast and a choice of home fries or fruit. Breakfast items $8.99 and under. Prices subject to change.
Down Home Delights: Ratings and Information
(1=low and 5=high) Service = 5.0, Setting = 4.5, Food = 5.0
Down Home Delights® breakfast 8:30am -11am on Monday-Friday, 8:30am-Noon on Saturday, 8:30am-2pm on Sunday. Open for lunch Monday-Saturday , 11am-2pm. Sunday is breakfast only. Location: 10110 N. Oracle Road, Suite 180, Oro Valley, AZ 85704, next door to the Holiday Inn Express, phone 520-219-9300. They also cater.
Gyro’s Café
For those loving breakfast at suppertime with a smile, Gyros Café is the choice in Oro Valley. Torino’s and Down Home Delights put away the eggs and pancakes by 11am, but Gyro’s keeps the griddle hot all day. Gyro’s Café is a quiet, out-of-the-way spot, where the food is always homemade, fresh, and consistent. Like Down Home Delights, Gyro’s Café offers free Wi-Fi access for customers.
Download a coupon off their website for savings on any of Gyro’s Greek, Kurdish, or American menu items. For breakfast, enjoy various quiches, omelets, pancakes, eggs, and more. Portions are hearty and it is not unusual to need a carry-out box. Of course their excellent gyro meats, sauces, pita bread, and homemade pastries like baklava and sharia are always on the menu. The Gyro Omelet bursts with eggs, gyro meats, feta cheese, bell pepper, black olives, and onion, with pita bread and fruit on the side. Kurdish Plow is the signature dish, and well worth the $12.99 price, the highest on the menu. Prices subject to change.
Gyro’s: Ratings and Information
(1=low and 5=high) Service = 5.0, Setting = 4.0, Food = 5.0
Gyro’s Cafe serves breakfast (and lunch and dinner) Monday-Saturday, 7am – 8pm, and Sunday 8am-2pm. Location: 11143 N. La Canada, Suite 101, Oro Valley, Arizona 85737, just south of the corner of La Canada and Naranja, Phone 520-742-2921