Taste of Marana: What’s New & Delicious at Local Restaurants

Updated December 29, 2025

Your Go-to Guide For Marana, AZ Restaurant Updates.

CreditThe Highlands at Dove Mountain
New Restaurants
Asian Spice: A Chinese American Dream
Now Open! Eden's Echo
One of the Best Taco Places in the U.S.
Taste of Marana STANDOUT Award Winner

Now Open and Coming Soon!

Thai Chili 2Go - Now Open

Thai Chili 2Go is an Arizona-local, rapidly-growing, fast-casual Thai restaurant, with several locations in the Phoenix area. The local chain recently opened their first Tucson-area location in Marana, in the Gladden Farms Marketplace (near Fry's and Black Rock Coffee). Thai Chili 2Go serves a variety of Thai noodle and rice dishes, curries, soups, appetizers, and more. While we don't have a firm opening date yet, Thai Chili 2Go is putting the finishing touches on their restaurant, so it should be opening soon! It will be located at 11370 W. Tangerine Rd. #101.

Ciao Down Kitchen - Early 2026

Local restaurant Ciao Down, famous for the Ciao Down Pizza Bus (which has appeared at several Marana events throughout the years) and Ciao Culinary Studio, will soon be opening Ciao Down Kitchen in Marana! Ciao Down is known for its creative, gourmet, hand-crafted pizzas, Italian-style desserts, and more. Ciao Down Kitchen will be a full-scale restaurant extension of their current culinary concepts. The restaurant will fill the former Monsoon’s Tap & Grill location at 6781 N. Thornydale Rd. #261 in southern Marana.

Kirin Asian Bistro - Coming Soon

While we don't quite have information on an opening date or additional details yet, Kirin Asian Bistro is coming soon to the Arizona Pavilions Shopping Center at Cortaro Rd. & I-10, in the former Barro's Pizza building, 5884 W. Arizona Pavilions Dr.

Peachwave Frozen Yogurt & Gelato - Now Open!

Peachwave is now open in Marana; in the Gladden Farms Marketplace (near Fry's). They offer a variety of gelato and frozen yogurt flavors (including several low-sugar and non-dairy options), where you can create your own delicious frozen masterpiece in a bowl, or have it blended into a smoothie or shake. Top it off with fresh fruit, whipped cream, or baked waffles!

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

A national chain serving up smoothies, açaí and yogurt bowls, wraps, flatbreads, and quesadillas, all with tastes "as fresh as the tropics" will soon be opening in northwest Marana, in the Gladden Farms Marketplace (near Fry's).

Award Winning Restaurants & News Updates

Asian Spice: A Chinese American Dream

Asian Spice restaurant has been serving up delicious Cantonese-style food for 10 years in Marana's Continental Ranch neighborhood. Head chef and owner Phillip Tan worked at the 5-star Nan Hai Hotel in Shenzhen before moving to the United States, and that expertise is reflected in Asian Spice's dishes today.

In 2024, Asian Spice was named as one of the Top 100 Chinese Restaurants in the United States, based on Yelp user-submitted reviews and rankings. Local food photographer and author Jackie Alpers recently wrote an article for Tucson Foodie titled Asian Spice: A Chinese American Dream. In it, chef Phillip Tan is interviewed, where he talks about coming to the United States and founding a beloved and eventually award-winning restaurant. As a bonus, one of Tan's recipes is featured in the article.

Read the full article here

CreditJackie Alpers

Eden's Echo: Now Open!

Agriculture, farming, and cowboy culture has always been a major part of Marana's identity. This identity fits perfectly into Marana's newest local shop, open just in time for the Holiday shopping season: Eden's Echo Country Store!

The owners of Eden's Echo are originally from Marana, and moved to St. David, AZ several years ago to start a farm. The family started selling their simple, farm-made products at a farmer's market in Benson, and that has now grown into two locations - one near Downtown Benson, and the latest location, in Marana, in the Gladden Farms Marketplace (near Fry's).

At Eden's Echo, you can find hand-crafted, farm-made favorites like candied pecans, goat milk soaps and lotions, whipped tallow cream, dog treats, natural cleaners, jewelry, Christian gifts, and much more, all celebrating simple, clean farm living. Faith, family, and wholesome living all come together at Eden's Echo.

Learn More

CreditEden's Echo Country Store

Taco Rico Named one of the Best Taco Places in the U.S.

Southern Marana's Taco Rico was recently ranked #12 in the Nation on Yelp's list of the Top 100 Taco Spots for 2025. This list is based on ratings and reviews by Yelp users. Several other Arizona restaurants also made the list.

Taco Rico is a taco truck that serves up delicious, authentic Mexican street food classics! You can get tacos, quesadillas, and burritos with classic meats such as carne asada, chicken, and chorizo; but Taco Rico offers several other options! Try the suadero (brisket), pastor (marinated pork), or cabeza (beef cheek), and birria tacos, quesadillas, and ramen on Saturdays and Sundays.

Taco Rico is located near the Ina Road & I-10 interchange; 4500 W. Ina Rd. They are typically open from 10 AM - 8 PM every day. They have a second truck so they’re at many events and festivals in and around Marana in addition to their permanent location.

Check out the list here!

Al Gusto Coffee Company: The Latest Taste of Marana STANDOUT Award Winner

Congratulations to the beloved coffee cart-turned full service mobile coffee bar Al Gusto Coffee Company on being named the latest Taste of Marana STANDOUT Award Winner. It was nominated for the prestigious award by avid cyclist and friend of owner Aldo Boccaccio, Rick Leeman. Leeman has been a loyal customer of Al Gusto from the very beginning.

Aldo Boccaccio's passion for coffee led him to open Al Gusto Coffee Company in 2020. What started as a humble coffee cart has since turned into a full-service coffee shop on wheels, operating out of a Sprinter van wrapped in artwork showcasing Marana's landscapes. Al Gusto Coffee Company can be found at festivals, events, and farmers' markets all over Marana, sharing the hospitality Marana is known for in every cup.

The Taste of Marana STANDOUT Award was presented to Aldo Boccaccio at the Marana Chamber of Commerce's Annual Meeting on August 14th, 2025.

Read More

PicturedAl Gusto Coffee Company receiving the Taste of Marana STANDOUT Award. Pictured from left to right (Stefanie Boe, Rick Leeman, Mr. & Mrs. Boccaccio, Curt Woody, Amanda Wiggins)

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