Savor the journey: The Best Eats on the Road to Saguaro National Park West

Make the drive to and from Saguaro National Park West as memorable as the destination with a stop (or two… or three) at some of Marana’s favorite local eateries along the way.

Whether you’re grabbing breakfast before your hike, cooling off with a cold drink after the trails, or sitting down for a well-earned meal, you’ll find great food along every route to the park.

Choose your route
Route #1: Marana Road/Sandario Road (Exit 236)

Choose your route

At more than 120 square miles, Marana offers multiple scenic routes to Saguaro National Park West from Interstate 10 — each with its own local flavor and great places to eat.

Need help getting your bearings? Check out the Food & Drink map view on our website to see what’s nearby.

Follow along as we explore where to eat along each route to Saguaro National Park West!

Route #1: Marana Road/Sandario Road (Exit 236)

This route features an eclectic mix of food trucks, cafes, and hidden gems in the original heart of Marana — now one of the fastest-growing parts of the community.

After exiting at Marana Road, you’ll quickly find yourself on Sandario Road, a lovely 30-minute drive that passes through farm fields and the quiet community of Picture Rocks before winding into the park. This is a relaxed, scenic alternative to the busier Tucson approaches — perfect for those who like to take the long way and savor the view.

Al Gusto Coffee Company (Mobile Coffee Truck)

Usually parked at the Family Dollar at Grier and Sandario Road each Wednesday — but check their website or social media for the current location.

Get your caffeine fix before you hit the trails with a dark chocolate “Cowboy Mocha” or an Abuelita chocolate, brown sugar, & cinnamon “Mexican Mocha”, and other regionally-inspired espresso drinks, frappes, and iced tea. Be sure to pick up a bag or two of specially-sourced and blended coffee for later.

Fun fact: Al Gusto Coffee Company won the Taste of Marana STANDOUT Award in August 2025.

PicturedStrawberry and Caramel Mochas To-Go
CreditJackie Alpers

Bisbee Breakfast Club (13864 North Sandario Road)

Don’t let the name fool you — Bisbee Breakfast Club isn’t in Bisbee, but it brings a taste of the historic Southern Arizona mining town to Marana. This popular spot serves breakfast and lunch daily until 2:05 p.m., and yes — they even offer cocktails.

Did you know that tomato juice is very hydrating? It's full of electrolytes, so a Bloody Mary, with or without the alcohol, may be exactly what you need after spending time outdoors in the Arizona sunshine.

PicturedBloody Mary with House-Made Spice Blend Rim
CreditJackie Alpers

El Bebo’s Street Tacos and Hot Dogs (Food Truck – 11807 West Grier Road)

High-quality Mexican favorites with a loyal following are available from El Bebo’s food truck parked every day at the Family Dollar parking lot. Be sure to try the homemade quesabirrias (marinated beef that is stuffed in a quesadilla taco), ceviche (a refreshing dish of raw seafood cooked in citrus juice and mixed with fresh ingredients), and horchata (a sweet, creamy drink made from rice and flavored with cinnamon and vanilla).

Pictured3 tacos from El Bebo's Street Tacos & Hot Dogs

German Food Station (Food Truck – 6825 N Sandario Road, next to the Wagon Wheel)

Currywurst, bratwurst with sauerkraut, and Deprecziner sausages made locally by a German master butcher. This truck is owned and operated by Max and Andrea Offermann, who are transplants from Germany – so they know their food!

The couple can generally be found serving up their delicious foods Monday through Friday from 11 am to 3:00 pm. They take each summer off and cater as well, so be sure to visit their website for the most up-to-date information.

Luna Cafe (14075 W. Kirby Hughes Road)

A western-themed café located inside the Marana Stockyards’ livestock auction house. Chef Xavier Luna blends classic American comfort foods and the fresh flavors and traditions of his Mexican heritage to create delicious dishes for breakfast and lunch.

Fun Fact: Witness live cattle auctions every Wednesday at 10:00 AM at the attached Marana Stockyards.

CreditLuna Cafe

Mona's Fry Bread (11755 West Camino Pinos)

Open Friday and Saturday only, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (keep your eye out for the yellow signs along N. Sandario Rd. –that’s when you know they’re open). They serve both sweet fry bread with honey and/or powdered sugar, and savory versions topped with combinations of chile colorado, beans, cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes.

Nico’s Mexican Food (11855 W. Marana Road)

Southern Arizona is famous for drive-through joints that serve giant breakfast burritos (also called burros) available practically 24/7. Nico’s Marana location, which is currently open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., fulfills that niche – and more – by also offering tacos, nachos, enchiladas, and a wide variety of other Mexican/American favorites that blend the best of Mexico and the Southwestern United States.

PicturedGiant Breakfast Burrito with Red & Green Salsas
CreditJackie Alpers

R & R Pizza Express (13905 North Sandario Road)

A popular family-owned pizza parlor serving Marana since 1996. This local favorite has daily lunch specials, so you can grab a slice if you’re in a hurry. If you’re looking for a sweet treat, they also have Snow Mountain Creamery right inside – with 16 rotating flavors of ice cream!

CreditR & R Pizza Express

Sophia's Mexican Food (Food Truck – 13960 N. Sandario Road)

It’s rare for a food truck to offer a full menu …and Sophia’s does just that! From 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday, they serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, and fun street food snacks that include Hot Cheeto Fries, Super Tots, and a Hot Cheeto burrito in addition to Sonoran-style burritos, combo plates, and tacos.

PicturedSonoran Hot Dogs, Carne Asada Taco, Burritos, and Super Fries
CreditSophia's Mexican Food

Sky Rider Cafe (11750 West Avra Valley Rd)

You can practically fly right into this aviation-themed café at the Marana Regional Airport. Watch the planes in action while enjoying homestyle breakfast and lunch classics, including country-fried steak, patty melts, and chili dogs.

Sky Rider Cafe is another Taste of Marana STANDOUT award winner. Read more about their origin story here.

Taqueria Plaza's (Food Truck – 13865 North Sandario Road)

A food truck with a fierce local following at the intersection of Sandario Rd. and Marana Main St. in Downtown Marana, open Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 6 PM.

Taqueria Plaza's has a classic menu featuring tacos with your choice of meats, burritos, tortas, chimichangas, Sonoran hot dogs, and some house specialties. The ingredients are really fresh, the portions are really generous, and the flavors are purely Sonoran (such as the unique differences between the creamy green avocado salsa and the sharp spice of the red chile salsa).

You can order your food to-go from the truck or take it with you to the seating tables provided to indulge in the deliciousness.

PicturedTaqueria Plaza's tacos and Sonoran Hot Dog
CreditNatalie Moe

Coming soon!

We're working on additional food options along the other routes.

This itinerary/blog post showcases local businesses in our community. We feature partners that serve food and drink, offer recreational opportunities, places to stay, and shopping. We value accuracy, fairness and balance in our advertising and marketing. We would love to showcase your business to our visitors. These advertising and marketing opportunities (social media, articles, website, and ads) are open to all businesses within Marana and the designated two-mile “Pima County Tourism Partner Zone” around the town limits that meet this criteria. If you want to be featured on our website or in social media, please contact us at MaranaInfo@Maranaaz.gov.

Jackie Alpers

Author

Jackie Alpers

Writer/Photographer/Recipe Developer

Jackie Alpers is a Tucson, Arizona based professional advertising and editorial food photographer and cookbook author who was named the world's most famous food photographer by Shotkit and Art in Context, and the #7 best food photographer in the world by Great Big Photography World. She cooks, styles and photographs food and recipes in her natural-light studio, and documents food, chefs and restaurants on location. Jackie Alpers has won the prestigious American Photography award nine times. She was inducted into the 2025 Taste Awards Hall of Fame for food and beverage photography.
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Related Content:

Nico’s Mexican Food

A locally-owned and local favorite taco joint with three Marana locations! Enjoy large tacos piled high with fresh-grilled meats, burritos which have been named as the best in Tucson, loaded Carne Asada fries (a local favorite dish in Southern Arizona), quesadillas, tostadas, breakfast, and other authentic Mexican classics!

Enjoy Nico's near Downtown Marana, Continental Ranch, Dove Mountain, and Southern Marana!

Northwest/Downtown Marana: 11855 W Marana Rd, Marana, AZ 85653

Continental Ranch: 7850 N. Silverbell Rd, Marana, AZ 85743

Dove Mountain: 12090 N. Thornydale Rd, Marana, AZ 85685

Southern Marana: 4231 W Ina Rd #141, Marana, AZ 85741

Learn More