Kid's Center, Tucson - the Anti-Big-Box

Every time I come to Tucson, which is at least once or twice a year, I discover a new treasure. Sometimes, I re-discover a place I've known about since I was a teenager growing up here. A place I've loved, not since I was young, but since my son was a toddler, is called Kid's Center. This is a magical little toy store where we used to go to get parts for his Brio train set. Now, I guess, you can get them at Target, maybe even Walmart, but they used to be found only at higher-end toy shops because they were high-quality wooden trains and tracks from Sweden; these days, the company seems to have gone mega-corporate.

Anyway, I hesitate to mention those two evil big-box stores, Walmart and Target, because they don't belong anywhere near a sincerity blog. Especially when this particular blog post is about is about one of the most charming, sincere, mom and pop stores I know of in Tucson. I stopped by there today, six days before Christmas, to look for things that were on my niece and nephew's Christmas lists. I remember the year I did go to Target in Queens, NY to find things on their lists, and came out nearly sobbing with frustration and disgust. I've never set foot in one again. What a different experience today! I called ahead to find out if they had Sea-Monkeys and Art Kits, which of course they did, and not only was each item well under twenty bucks, but the art kit was %20 off today only. The lady in the store guided me to the higher quality kits, still only $16, and then I had fun picking out adorable and unique stocking stuffers that you wouldn't find anywhere else.

At Kid's Center they gift wrap for free, their toys are mostly educational or at least well-made, and the ladies who work there know exactly what they have and for which age kids, and are super-friendly. They also have a great selection of children's books. As I breezed by Walmart on my way home from successfully accomplishing my Christmas shopping for the kids, I stuck my tongue out at it and all the suckers slogging their way through that made-in-China, small town-killing nightmare. Do yourselves a favor people, find those sincere, local gems in your own towns and give them a chance again.

Kid's Center
1725 N. Swan Rd.
Tucson, AZ 85712
520-322-KIDS

www.e-KidsCenter.com

Palatiano's Family Restaurant, Benson, Arizona

We were on a mission. The whole family went out to the Wilcox Dry Lake in Arizona to scatter some of my dad's ashes. Why there? Why that middle of nowhere, big, dry mud flat that stretches mile after bleak mile? Because he loved it, loved to photograph it, loved the "reticulated" mud as he called it. We climbed up to the train track that runs through the vast expanse, and after a train rumbled by, we took a moment, offered him to the earth and sky in English and Cherokee (thank you, Susan!), and threw his remains to the whistling wind.

On our way back to Tucson, hunger decreed that we stop for lunch. My mom suggested a place in this little cow-town called Benson, though she could neither remember the name of it nor its exact location - just that it was "Italian sounding." No problem - there's only one main street in Benson. We were about two blocks along that thoroughfare, when we saw a sign for Palatianos Family Restaurant, Italian, Greek and American Food. That had to be it.

You never know what you're going to find in an "international" diner in the wilds of southeastern Arizona. But what we did find was a modest little place that accommodated all fourteen of us without question. Our  smiling, good-humored young waitress patiently took our orders, adhering to all requirements of food allergies and separate checks, and in less than ten minutes served us our chicken fried steak, green chile cheeseburgers, etc., in huge portions. Everything was exceptional, and what we found lacking, like mustard or an extra pickle, the waitress retrieved in a blink.

We didn't try the Greek or Italian specialties, 'cause when you're in a place that isn't exactly known for its ethnic food, it may be best to steer clear. But based on the bite I had of my niece's plain linguini with meatballs, you probably wouldn't be sorry if you did. And just as you'd expect in the middle of nowhere, the prices were cheap!

New York City diners, you've got nothing on Palatianos! (except maybe location). I'm sure dad would be tickled to echo that sentiment.

Evaluation: Extraordinarily sincere!
520-586-3523
601 West 4th Street
Benson, AZ
www.palatianosrestaurant.com/

Fourth Ave., Tucson

The window of Pop Cycle on 4th Ave

Tucson is the town of my misspent youth (actually, it was quite well spent, but that doesn't sound as poetic), much of it whiled away on Fourth Ave. It was there that I punked out at dives like Tumbleweeds and Choo Choos, pogo-ing to favorite locals bands such as The Pills, The Pedestrians and The Giant Sandworms. The only "vintage" shops on Fourth Ave back then (always just "ave," not "avenue") was a cavernous thrift shop called Value Village, where you could find used saddle shoes and skinny ties for just a buck or two. There were a couple of good restaurants on Fourth Ave at the time like Caruso's, an Italian eatery, (obviously) and Delectables - too pricey for me and my friends back then. But then there was always the Food Conspiracy Co-op where you could pick up a hummus sandwich for lunch if you could make your way through the homeless hippies in front banging out Neil Young tunes on their busted guitars. Oh yeah, and there was a Dairy Queen.

Now, 4th Ave is a mecca for vintage shopping and excellent, natural-food restaurants. Most of the vintage shops price their stuff appropriately while offering up great finds; the restaurants as well. The Food Conspiracy hasn't changed a whit, hippies and all. (see my blog on it: food-conspiracy-co-op-tucson.html) It's actually amazing that the street has managed to become even more of a destination without losing it's essence, though Tumbleweeds is long gone, and Choo Choos has changed names and owners a hundred times. Caruso's and the Dairy Queen are still there, though Value Village is now Beacons. There are some shops that are obviously trying too hard, like Hippi Gypsy - please! You will also find a few corny western shops, or new-agey places, but there are plenty of  independent stores that are worth popping into, such as Pop Cycle that sells great, unique clothes and other items, as well an amazing music shop, Toxic Ranch Records, just off the Ave on 6th Street that has stood the test of time.

Though the interesting establishments are too numerous to name, it's so satisfying to go there when I'm in town, check them out and find that Fourth Ave feels almost the same as it used to - just a little less scuzzy.

Evaluation: Pretty sincere 

 

http://www.fourthavenue.org/

The Food Conspiracy Co-op, Tucson

Once upon a time, health food stores were dank, dark hovels where you would find bins of mouse-gnawed, burlap sacks harboring bulk quantities of odd sounding comestibles such as "Bulgar Wheat," and "Rose Hips." Or such was my impression back in the '70's when, with trepidation, I set foot with my slightly older hippie friends into the Food Conspiracy Co-op on the hip Tucson strip, 4th Avenue. The bins of bulk were there, as were organic yogurts and "kefir;" loaves of heavy, dark bread and "granola." It smelled like roasted coffee beans and patchouli. I was intimidated and intrigued.

Fast forward a few decades. There the Co-op still sits, defying the Whole Foods and Trader Joe's of the world. It still smells exactly the same but now features items that I recognize and need: agave nectar and Fair Trade organic chocolate. The staff is kind, helpful and rather attractive - the vibe, loving.

In my neighborhood of Queens we have a few, great little health food markets that deserve shout outs: Sai Organics, Fresh Start Organic Market, Vitality and Health Organic Market...but my first health-food-store love is and always will remain that standard bearer and fore-runner of them all, the Food Conspiracy Co-op.

Evaluation: Extraordinarily sincere! 

 
412 North 4th Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85705-8443
www.foodconspiracy.org

El Minuto Cafe

When we go to Tucson, we always go to El Minuto (along with Bookman's) mostly because of the drop dead fantastic Carne Seca Chimichanga, which, by the way, I notice is now listed as Shredded Beef on the menu. No matter what you call it, this the very best of the best. Certainly there are other restaurants in Tucson that are worth going to but this is one of my favorites. The owners and wait-staff are all business but friendly. The service is quick. My father-in-law is fond of the tacos, but clearly he has no idea of what's really good (in spite of the fact of his being a life long resident of Tucson...some people...). Anyway, this little place is located in an older section of the city that's really maintained the feeling of what Tucson must have been like in the early days before the influx of corporations imitating home town America. The people of the neighborhood have every right to be proud of what they have created and El Minuto is the perfect accent for authenticity. It was first opened in 1939 and I would bet that what it was then is pretty much what it is now.

Evaluation: Pretty sincere



elminutocafe.com
354 S. Main Tucson, Arizona
(520) 882-4145 
11am-10pm MON-THU 
11am-11pm FRIDAY/SATURDAY