Category: Home Cooked Food

Appetizer, Dining Out, Food Opinion, Home Cooked Food, Living, Things-to-Do

Bobo’s Restaurant: The Best Breakfast in Tucson: Why Bobo’s Is Worth the Wait

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The Best Breakfast in Tucson: Why Bobo’s Is Worth the Wait

Tucson, Arizona is not just a place we drive to for concerts or a quick getaway, it’s also home to one of the best breakfast spots we’ve ever experienced, Bobo’s Restaurant.  During one of our trips, I searched for “the best breakfast in Tucson,” and Yelp led us straight to this charming gem.  With nearly a five-star rating, we knew we had to check it out.  Spoiler alert: it did not disappoint.

The Drive to Tucson

Getting from Phoenix to Tucson is an easy 95-mile drive, taking about an hour and a half.  Whether you are headed there for a specific event or just passing through, you will definitely want to make time for a stop at Bobo’s.

First Impressions

We first visited Bobo’s on a Sunday morning around 11:30 AM. It is a very small, yellow brick building sitting off a main road, that otherwise I would have driven passed.  When we arrived, about 10–15 people were already waiting outside. Pro tip: if you are not a fan of waiting, plan your visit strategically.  The wait for a table can take about an hour during peak times, but we have also visited later in the day, about 40 minutes before closing, and got seated immediately.

What’s On the Menu

Let’s talk about the food, because it’s why you go to Bobo’s, and it’s what makes the wait 100% worth it.  Over a few visits, we have tried several dishes:

  • Apple Upside-Down Pancake:  My husband says this is a breakfast masterpiece that’s equal parts sweet and filling.
  • Buttermilk Pancake: Fluffy perfection every single time. Cutting your pancakes like this makes them taste even better.
  • Chicken Fried Steak with Eggs & Fried Potatoes: Comfort food at its finest, with rich gravy. I usually put it on the side, because you cannot trust everyone’s gravy. I eventually put it on my food, since it passed the taste test. The potatoes I can have live without.
  • French Toast with Eggs & Bacon: The French toast is done how we used to make cinnamon toast in the oven as kids.

The consistency of the food is outstanding.  It is clear why Bobo’s has earned its loyal following and stellar Yelp ratings.

Cost & Value

If you do not know by now, I am always about value, and for the quality and portion sizes, Bobo’s offers unbeatable value.  Whether you are craving something hearty or sweet, you will leave both satisfied and full without breaking the bank.

Better Than Mom’s Cooking?

Bobo’s tagline is “Just like mom’s cookin’,” but honestly, they might need to tweak it to “Better than your mom’s cookin,’ at least for breakfast.  Sorry, Mom!”  It is that good.

Plan Your Visit

Location:  Bobo’s Restaurant, 2938 E. Grant Rd. Tucson, AZ 85716

Pro Tip: If you want to skip the wait, aim for non-peak hours (like just before closing or early morning).

Whether you are heading to Tucson for a concert, a day trip, or even just passing through, Bobo’s Restaurant is a must-visit for breakfast lovers.  Trust me, it is worth every mile and every minute of the wait.

Your Favorites & Recommendations

What is your go-to breakfast spot when you are on the road?  Share your favorites in the comments.  I am always looking for my next great meal!

At Home Family Dinners, Easy Dinners, Easy Family Dinners, Family Dinners, Home Cooked Food, Homecooked Meals, Homemade Food, Quick and Easy Dinners, Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner, Quick Dinners, Quick Family Dinners

Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner Gyro Recipe for Families

sharondashariee

Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner Gyro Recipe for Families

Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner Gyro Recipe

If you are anything like me, when it comes to dinner and weeknights, you are looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner recipe for your busy family that you can prepare in less than 30 minutes.  This quick and easy dinner idea will satisfy everyone at the table, or almost everyone.

Look no further because I have you covered with a mouthwatering gyro recipe using Costco precooked Daphne’s Beef and Lamb.  This recipe is not only easy to make but also bursting with flavor, making it a perfect choice for a weeknight quick meal.

So, let us dive in and learn how to whip up these delicious gyros step-by-step.

Ingredients:

  • Pita bread
  • Tzatziki Sauce
  • Red Onion, diced
  • Romaine Lettuce, shredded
  • Fresh tomatoes, diced
  • Feta cheese, crumbled
  • Costco precooked Daphne’s Beef and Lamb

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

Fresh Ingredients for Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner Gyro Recipe

Gather all your ingredients together. I chopped the lettuce, tomatoes, and onion first and put them in a Ziploc bag so any leftovers would be ready to store right after dinner.  I took out Hannah’s Tzatziki Sauce.  You can use any brand, but Hannah’s is one of the best I have tasted.  The same goes for feta cheese.  Any brand will work.  Make sure to have everything ready before you prepare the beef and lamb to make the gyro assembling process smooth and efficient.

Step 2: Heat Up the Costco Precooked Daphne’s Beef and Lamb

Since the Daphne’s Beef and Lamb from Costco are precooked, you will just need to heat them up through in a skillet on the stovetop until warmed through for approximately four minutes.  I wanted our beef and lamb a little browner, so I heated them for about 10 minutes.

Costco’s Daphne Beef and Lamb Slices for
Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner Gyro Recipe

Tip:

If you have a family member whose preference is chicken or vegan, this recipe is just as great using chicken instead of beef and lamb or using all vegies instead of meat.

Step 3: Prepare the Pita Bread

While the beef and lamb are warming, heat the pita bread. You can do this the conventional way by wrapping the pita bread in foil and placing them in a preheated oven for a few minutes until they are nice and warm. Alternatively, if you want to keep the quick and easy weeknight dinner idea in mind, you can do what I did and throw the pita bread on a microwaveable plate and put them in the microwave for about 15 seconds.

Papa Pita Greet Pita Breads for
Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner Gyro Recipe
Hannah’s Tzatziki Sauce and Feta Cheese for
Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner Gyro Recipe

Step 4: Assemble Your Gyros

Lay out your warm pita bread, then spoon some of the heated Costco precooked Daphne’s Beef and Lamb onto each pita bread. Next, top the meat with diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, diced red onion, crumbled feta cheese, and add tzatziki sauce.

Assembled Costco’s Daphne Beef and Lamb Slices for
Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner Gyro Recipe

Step 5: Fold, Serve, and Devour

Once you have added all your desired toppings, it is time to simply fold the sides of the pita bread over the filling, serve, and devour.

Folded Costco Daphne’s Beef and Lamb Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner Gyro Recipe

With this quick and easy weeknight dinner gyro recipe, you can whip up a delicious dinner for your family in no time.  So, next time you are craving something flavorful and satisfying, give this recipe a try using Costco’s precooked Beef and Lamb.  You will not be disappointed! Happy cooking!

Have you made gyros before? Do you plan to give this quick and easy family dinner a try?

Sign up below for my email list for more quick and easy dinner ideas.

Appetizer, Food Opinion, Home Cooked Food, Homemade Food

How to make Easy Salsa Verde

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If you thought making salsa was hard, I am going to show how to make easy salsa verde in 20 minutes.

Here is what you will need:

1lb of Tomatillos
1 White Onion
1 Serrano or Jalapeño Pepper
1 Garlic Clove
1/2 cup of Cilantro
Salt to taste

Makes about 2 cups.

Instructions:

Tomatillos have an outside layer, called a husk. Shuck the husk of the tomatillo and leave the tomatillo whole. Discard the husk, you will not need it. 

Line a baking sheet with foil and spread the tomatillos out on the baking sheet. Cut the onion in four pieces and place on the baking sheet.

If you like a lot of heat in your salsa roast the serrano pepper along with the tomatillos and onion without removing any seeds. For less heat, use a jalapeño, and remove half or all of the seeds.

Make sure the top rack in your oven is about six inches from the broiler. Slide the baking sheet in the oven and let the vegetables roast, turning them over every 5-6 minutes until all sides are roasted.

When finished, transfer everything, including the juices to a food processor or a blender. Add the fresh cilantro, garlic clove, and blend.

Add salt to taste, grab some tortilla chips, and enjoy!

Easy Salsa Verde in 20 minutes or less.

What is your favorite kind of salsa, red or green? 

Let me know in the comments.

Food Opinion, Home Cooked Food, Home DIY, Homemade Food, Living

Bacon Ranch Macaroni Salad

sharondashariee

I was craving macaroni salad.  I am the only person in my house who eats it, so I rarely make it.  I decided to try a different version, Bacon Ranch, to see if I can persuade the family to give it a try.  I got the recipe from Pinterest (Pinterest User: LifeInTheLoftHouse.com) and my 10-year-old daughter asked if she could make it.  She whipped it up in no time. She only needed help with boiling the noodles.  She could probably do this part as well, but I have not relinquished boiling or frying to her, yet, for obvious reasons.  I asked my husband to take care of the noodle boiling, and she went from there.

The Bacon Ranch Macaroni Salad was a hit with everyone. We will definitely be adding this to our menu of optional sides, especially when we grill.

Recipe:

  • 1 package (12 ounces) tri-color rotini pasta
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 package (1 ounce) dry ranch dressing/seasoning mix
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 8 slices of cooked bacon chopped (The recipe suggested using pre-cooked bacon, just threw in the microwave and done.  Best advice ever! Also, if you do not eat pork, just skip the bacon. Turkey bacon will not do this recipe justice).
  • 1 large tomato, diced (Most of the house does not eat tomatoes, so we left them out).
  • 1 can (4.25 ounces) sliced black olives, drained
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (We used ½ cup of cheddar cheese).

Instructions:

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add rotini pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain water. Rinse pasta with cold water to cool. Set it aside.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, dry ranch mix, garlic powder and milk. Add pasta, cooked bacon pieces, tomato, olives, and cheese to the bowl. Gently toss to combine everything.
  3. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving. (We ate it immediately, and the next day it was just as good).
Home Cooked Food

Cheese Shell Tacos

sharondashariee

I saw “the cheese shell” around and thought I should try that, so before heading out one day, I prepared the cheese shell taco quickly. I already had ground turkey cooked, so I took it out the fridge and threw it in the microwave.

Get a 13×9 baking sheet or whatever size you have, place parchment paper down, and sprinkle cheese in a circle about 5″ in diameter and about 3″ apart from the next cheese circle. Use whatever cheese you like (I used mild cheddar). Bake on 350 degrees for 7-10 minutes. Let cool slightly, stuff with what you like. In my case, it was the ground turkey, lettuce, sour cream and sugar-free ketchup. Voilà!  So GOOD.