Taste of Marana: What’s New & Delicious

Updated August 7, 2025

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

CreditThe Highlands at Dove Mountain
Sky Rider Cafe wins the Taste of Marana STANDOUT Award
humo cocina mexicana
Toss Fried Chicken & Ramen
del rancho carniceria & tacos
sophia's mexican food
big dawgs italian beef
black rock coffee
world margarita championship
8 unique takes on sonoran hot dogs
New ice cream shop in Marana!
Coming Soon

Sky Rider Cafe: the latest Taste of Marana STANDOUT Award Winner

Congratulations to Sky Rider Cafe, a long-running staple of Marana Regional Airport, on being named the latest Taste of Marana STANDOUT Award Winner. It was nominated for the award by Marana Regional Airport staff, and was presented with the custom, hand-crafted trophy on June 20, 2025; the same day that the new “Wings Over Marana” public art installation was unveiled.

This iconic coffee, breakfast, and lunch spot was founded in 1982 by Barb Abrams, who turned her tradition of hosting Sunday cookouts for pilots into a welcoming eatery, grounded in warmth and community. Barb, her daughter Jenny, and son, Gary, continue to keep the spirit of Sky Rider alive over 40 years later.

Read the Press Release Here

PicturedTourism & Marketing Manager Stefanie Boe, and Marana Regional Airport Superintendent Galen Beem present the Taste of Marana STANDOUT Award trophy to Barb Abrams, the founder of Sky Rider Cafe, and her son, Gary.

New Restaurants in Marana

Over the past few months, Marana has welcomed FIVE new restaurants!

Coincidentally, there are four spaces on a Dine & Discover Challenge Card! Visit four of these restaurants and win a prize!

Watch: Five New Places to Eat in Marana

La Bufadora

Known for serving some of the most mouth-watering fish and shrimp tacos in Southern Arizona, La Bufadora is ready to bring bold, fresh flavors to our community. Whether you’re craving a quick lunch, exploring new tastes, or planning a special event, their tacos are sure to impress. Hosting a corporate gathering, private party, or community celebration? Let La Bufadora handle the catering and treat your guests to an unforgettable taco experience.

Humo Cocina Mexicana

Local chef and James Beard Award semifinalist Jose Contreras (of Amelia’s Mexican Kitchen) recently opened his second restaurant, Humo Cocina Mexicana, in southern Marana! Humo Cocina Mexicana brings the rich, smoky flavors of authentic Mexican cuisine to life with a creative twist, fusing spice, heat, and savory deliciousness. They serve a wide variety of authentic Mexican dishes, plus fusion favorites such as their Mole wings.

Humo Cocina Mexicana participated in the 2025 World Margarita Championship, and tied for first overall in the Judge’s Choice category with their Mole Enchilada Bites!

Keep reading to learn more about other Marana spots that participated in the competition.

CreditHumo Cocina Mexicana

Toss Fried Chicken & Ramen

Local chain Toss Fried Chicken and Ramen has brought its unique fusion of traditional Japanese ramen and Southern-style fried chicken to Southern Marana! Toss Fried Chicken & Ramen serves up an array of fried chicken entrees and sandwiches that pair perfectly with their flavorful ramen.

The new location (the chain’s third) is right next to Two Hands Corn Dogs, at Ina Rd. & Thornydale Rd. intersection.

Del Rancho Carniceria & Tacos: Worth the Wait!

If you frequent the Ina Road & I-10 area, you’ll have noticed a building under construction across the street from the Circle K for several years, and probably wondered, “what’s going in there?” Well, it’s been worth the wait, when the end result is Del Rancho Carniceria & Tacos, Marana and all of northwest Tucson’s first carniceria!

Enjoy incredible authentic Mexican flavors, from tacos, chiles rellenos, burritos, Mexican-style soups, and more, all made fresh. Or, bring some home to cook yourself! Their full-service carniceria has a wide selection of meats and cheeses, house-made salsas and guacamole, fresh vegetables, Mexican candies and drinks, and much more.

Sophia’s Mexican Food – Have you Tried It Yet?

There’s a new taco truck on the block at Marana Rd. & I-10! Sophia’s Mexican Food is located in the parking lot of the Chevron right at the Marana Rd. exit, and serves up all of the Mexican street food classics! Stop by for sizzling and fresh-grilled tacos, Sonoran Hot Dogs, burritos, chimichangas, quesadillas, breakfast burritos, desserts, combination plates, and more.

Each of the three taco trucks in the area has something to set them apart, and Sophia’s is no different – try their Adobada pork in a taco, burrito, or chimichanga, or their desserts!

CreditSophia's Mexican Food

Big Dawgs Italian Beef

Craving a taste of the Windy City? Big Dawgs Italian Beef is serving up Chicago-style classics right here in Marana.

From savory Italian beef sandwiches (dry, dipped, or loaded with hot peppers) to authentic Chicago Dogs and juicy burgers, this spot has all the flavor to hit the spot.

Find Big Dawgs in southern Marana, just off Thornydale Road and I-10.

Black Rock Coffee

Keeping you cool and caffeinated, Black Rock Coffee has officially landed in Marana!

Now open in the Fry's Plaza in Gladden Farms, they are serving up all the sweet treats—from classic hot coffee and refreshing iced lattes to teas, energy drinks, and quick breakfast bites.

New here? Be sure to ask about their secret menu for even more delicious drink options.

Marana Restaurants Participated in the World Margarita Championship

On the evening of June 14th, mixologists and chefs from around Southern Arizona gathered at the Westward Look Resort & Spa for the World Margarita Championship, squaring off to see who could create the best Signature Margarita and Best Bite.

Three Marana establishments participated: Bisbee Breakfast Club (with 2 Marana locations) and Ray Ray’s Sonoran Spirit Tea in the Signature Margarita category, and Humo Cocina Mexicana in the Best Bite category.

Marana continued its tradition of showing out at the competition this year! Humo Cocina Mexicana tied for first prize in the Judges’ Choice - Best Bite category with their Mole Enchilada Bites, and Bisbee Breakfast Club was runner-up in the Judges’ Choice category for Signature Margarita with their Blackberry Blaze margarita!

PicturedBisbee Breakfast Club's award-winning entry, the Blackberry Blaze Margarita.
CreditSAACA

Discover 8 Unique Takes on Sonoran Hot Dogs

It’s Southern Arizona’s signature street food, and can be found at taco trucks and sit-down restaurants across the area, including in Marana! While the basic components of the hot dog, bacon, mayo, mustard, and pinto beans are always featured on a Sonoran Hot Dog, restaurants put their own unique spin on this Borderland classic.

Check out this blog, written by local food photographer and cookbook author Jackie Alpers about 8 local restaurants in and around Marana and how they take this regional classic and make it their own.

CreditJackie Alpers

New Ice Cream Shop in Marana: Scrumdiddly Ice Cream

Scumdiddly's in Dove Mountain is now open and serving up serious smiles with award-winning Wisconsin ice cream and ooey-gooey, stuffed cookies made in small batches.

This fun, family-owned Marana gem has tasty treats for everyone, including gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, and no-sugar-added options.

Flavors rotate often, so there’s always something new to drool over.

Scrumdiddly's is located at Tangerine and Dove Mountain Blvd, next to Amore.

Coming Soon

Ciao Down Kitchen - Summer 2025

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.


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