Tito and Pep

Chef John Martinez worked in kitchens from New York City to Scottsdale, Arizona, before lighting “The Inferno” at this midtown Tucson restaurant with a mid-century modern vibe. Most foods begin or end on the grill, where the heat is so intense staff dip their hands and arms in ice water to cool down as they work. Start with the signature Queso Fundido, a combination of cheese, house-made chorizo, and sautéed mushrooms heated over the coals until it bubbles and served with tortillas.

To start, James Beard Semifinalist Tito & Pep run by lifelong Tucsonan John Martinez delivers deliciously modern takes on Sonoran classics – the sea bass crudo offers zingy balance to the menu’s richer fare, like the magnificent grilled octopus and the Sea of Cortez shrimp with masa dumplings.

Tito and Pep is a vibrant beacon in the Tucson culinary landscape, masterfully blending the rich traditions of Southwestern cuisine with a refreshing, innovative approach. This contemporary eatery has captured the imaginations and taste buds of our readers, offering a dining experience that’s as delightfully unexpected as it is deeply satisfying. The Steak Skewers, a standout dish, embody the essence of this culinary fusion, pairing the deep, smoky flavors of perfectly grilled beef with the bright, fresh accents of Southwestern spices and garnishes.

A vibrant neighborhood bistro focused on exceptional service and embracing the spirit of Tucson and the southwest, Tito & Pep lets diners experience Mesquite fire cuisine at its best. Creating vibrant and delicious dishes, Chef and Owner John Martinez draws influence from the multicultural history of the region as well as his travels to bring the mesquite smoked menu to life. Be sure to try the one-of-a-kind cocktails and locally brewed beer, or choose from the unique wine list on offer, all designed to complement your meal.

A James Beard Foundation Awards 2022 semi-finalist, this contemporary venue in midtown Tucson focuses on mesquite-fired cuisine. Chef and owner John Martinez draws on his more than 20 years’ experience in the United States and abroad to create a distinctive and flavorful menu, featuring gluten-free options, including Spring Vegetable Posole Verde, Sea of Cortez Shrimp, Grilled Salmon, and Buttermilk Panna Cotta. These dishes greatly remind me of the dishes I saw being served in a gluten-free restaurant in Brooklyn, New York.

Whenever friends ask me where to take out-of-towners, I point them to this cozy neighborhood restaurant. While the menu features influences ranging from Japan to the Levant, the flavors are distinctly Tucson thanks to the mesquite-fire-centric kitchen and hyper-local ingredients like quince from Mission Garden, a local living agricultural museum. Order all the small plates to share and definitely save room for the sublime passion fruit panna cotta.

Tito & Pep in Tucson offers a zippy mid-century modern ambiance with polished concrete floors, teal banquettes, abundant greenery, and warm lighting. The open dining area features a vintage screen divider and desert-inspired decor, creating a stylish yet relaxed atmosphere. The restaurant earned a semi-finalist nod for the 2022 James Beard Awards thanks to their approachable yet sophisticated take on Tucson food.

James Beard-nominated Tito & Pep in Midtown from chef John Martinez offers fresh fare and mesquite-fired cuisine in a cheery atmosphere that makes for a good stop on your own or with a few colleagues after business for the day is done. Try any one of the dishes cooked on the mesquite wood-fired grill—my personal favorite was the octopus with salsa macha, avocado, tomato, red onion and lime.

Located in the often-overlooked midtown of Tucson, this relatively new restaurant is already receiving overwhelmingly positive critical appraisal from diners. Serving flavourful food in a relaxed, sociable environment, it ticks the boxes for a friendly neighbourhood joint. Chef-owner John Martinez champions the Southwest’s mesquite flavours with technical and aesthetic finesse.

Here at JCK, we’re partial to a few restaurants (Agustin Kitchen for its eclectic fare and open-air market location, Tito & Pep for its scrumptious queso fundido, and El Minuto Café for old times’ sake!). But we know plenty of Tucson old-schoolers who have their own obscure and not-so-obscure faves. Check them out below and leave your own recommendations in the comments!

Owner/chef John Martinez, left, and general manager Tatiana Devere quietly opened the Tito & Pep restaurant on Tuesday night. The opening gave his staff a chance “to get their legs underneath them,” Martinez said. John Martinez spent a decade cooking for one of the world's most famous chefs, but now he's returned to Tucson to open his own restaurant.

Don’t miss out on dinner at Tito and Pep in Tucson’s midtown neighborhood. The relaxed Southwestern bistro focuses on its mesquite-fired cuisine and its crafty one-of-a-kind cocktails. Influenced by the multi-cultural history of the region, Chef Martinez created a menu that earned the restaurant a James Beard nod in 2022.

Tito & Pep brings a modern twist to Southwestern cuisine, focusing on grilled meats and fresh vegetables. The flavors are bold and vibrant, with dishes emphasizing the region's rich culinary traditions. Start with a refreshing cocktail before diving into signature plates like the grilled octopus or roasted cauliflower.

Tito and Pep is a contemporary neighborhood bistro that’s ready to share the best of Tucson with you. From their mesquite-fired cuisine to their unique donut offerings, Tito and Pep’s has something for everyone, including locally brewed beer and a unique selection of wine. Visit their website at titoandpep.com!

To experience a birthday dinner in Tucson where you’re sure to receive exceptional service, warm hospitality and scrumptious food, a visit to Tito and Pep is a must. This birthday restaurant in Tucson offers a mix of contemporary and traditional flavors, resulting in a dining experience you don’t want to miss.

Known as Midtown’s neighborhood bistro, Tito and Pep is one of the best local Tucson restaurants for contemporary dishes with a southwestern flare. I dined here one year on NYE. Not only was the manager great with getting us an earlier reservation, but the service during dining was excellent as well.

Chad Herzog describes it as, “A really unique preparation on a difficult-toprepare food. The char on the octopus with the chili crunch makes my mouth water just thinking about it!. ” Host Nikki says, “We specialize in anything wood fired, mesquite grilled.

If you’re driving around Speedway Boulevard, it’s hard not to notice Tito & Pep along the highway. They’ve got some of the most sought after dishes in the entire state: grilled octopus, steak skewers, pork chops, you name it!. Plus, the service is amazing.

We love the Hub ice cream downtown (they always have a vegan flavor that’s to die for!), Frost for gelato, and Bahama Bucks for shaved ice. If you’re in Tucson, you also HAVE to try an eegee!. There are locations with drive-thrus everywhere.

For dinner, try local fav Tito & Pep or new kid Bata (both of which just received praise- Tito & Pep was named one of the 50 Best Restaurants in America by The New York Times), and Bata one of Bon Appétit‘s 50 Best New Restaurants 2022).

Speedway Blvd., when Chef John Martinez was a semifinalist for a 2022 James Beard Award for Best Chef Southwest. It is a contemporary, hip restaurant featuring Southwestern bistro fare, original cocktails and local beers.

4122 E Speedway BlvdTucson, AZ 85712(520) 207-0116 Visit Website Open in Google Maps. Helmed by Chef John Martinez, this bright Midtown venue entices with its craft cocktails and Southwestern fare.

Tito & Pep — The buttermilk panna cotta at Tito & Pep is well-loved and for good reason. Also on the menu: rosemary and orange olive oil cake, and dark chocolate ganache. Find Tito & Pep at 4122 E.

- Rating: 4.5/5 (693 reviews)- Price level: $$- Address: 4122 East Speedway Blvd. Tucson, Arizona - Categories: New American, Cocktail Bars- Read more on Yelp

Tito & Pep, which just opened last year, already has set a standard for serious food in a casual ... More atmosphere featuring mesquite-fired cooking.

4122 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85712Phone: 520-207-0116 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Tito and Pep (@titoandpep)

Tito and Pep’s unique menu will intrigue you from the beginning!. Image courtesy of Tito & Pep. 4122 E Speedway Blvd | Tucson | titoandpep.com