Cheap Tucson Breakfasts (6 Under $6)

Posted on | March 29, 2009 | 4 Comments

We looked for breakfast spots not just cheap, but fun, too. Here are 6 Tucson breakfast spots under $6 (more or less).These cheap eats are not in any particular order:

1. Gus Balon’s, 6027 E. 22nd St., Tucson (520) 747-7788.

Michael Stern (the famous food critic) LOVES the HUGE cinnamon roll. It’s $2.25–Stern calls it a scenic wonder. Or you can get a #7 platter (3 buttermilk pancakes) for $4.75. Or a slice of delish pie (if you have a sweet tooth at breakfast) is $2.25. On top of this, Kelly (3rd generation owner of Balon’s) offers a daily b’fast special for $6.25. To find out what’s smokin’ hot on the special list today, call (520) 748-9731.

2. Viv’s Cafe 8987 E. Tanque Verde, Tucson 85749 (520) 760-8622. (This one is hard to find. It’s in the shopping center on the NW corner of Tanque Verde & Catalina Highway. Viv’s is 1/2 block off the Catalina side.)

Fun, FUN FUN place to eat. Always packed. One friend says it’s the best breakfast in Tucson. Order a full stack of pancakes for $3.99. The strawberry shortcake isn’t on the menu, but ask for it because it’s GOOD. It costs $2.99 and works well if you like a sweet breakfast. They also offer a special on Mon.-Fri. Lots of choices–eggs or pancakes and bacon or sausage, biscuits. You get the idea. This special costs $4.99.

3. Le Buzz, 9121 E. Tanque Verde, Tucson 85749 (520) 749-3903.

All the locals gather here, especially bicyclists. Lots of fun, with cool owners who let your dog sit on the patio. Get a nice-sized quiche (comes with a roll) for $5.95. Or a bowl of oatmeal comes in at $4.87. We ADORE the cinnamon rolls, which run about $3.00 and are large. A mug of coffee is $1.93, BUT if you take your own mug, it’s only $1.

4. Frank’s 3843 E. Pima St. Tucson, 85716 (520) 881-2710.

Pretty much a Tucson institution here. People love to go, just to hear Candace yell, “You’d better know what you want” when you walk in. They offer two eggs for $3.50 or a bacon/egg combo plate for $4,60. The really special deal comes if you get there before 9:00 AM Mon.-Fri. You’ll get 2 eggs any style, home fries or hash browns, and a choice of biscuit, toast, or tortilla. It’s $1.50. Coffee costs $1.60. Btw, at night this cute, funky little place turns into Francisco’s.

5. Eclectic Cafe, 7053 E. Tanque Verde, Tucson 85715 (520) 885-2842.
You can get a couple of eggs, any style here for $4.75. Comes with potatoes or chilaquilas or sliced tomatoes or refried beans, and choice of biscuit or toast. The Saturday-only b’fast special (from 8:00 AM-10:00 AM) consists of 2 eggs, potatoes, and a biscuit for $2.75. Coffee is $2. They also offer a weekend b’fast deal. Buy one entree, and get the second (of equal or lesser value) for half price.

6. Alice’s Restaurant, 5416 E. Pima St., Tucson, 85712 (520) 325-3151.

And here we have another Tucson institution, described by some as tiny but very cute and clean, with home-style cooking. Get here before 10:00 AM and order the Early Bird Special. You’ll get eggs, homemade potatoes, and toast for $2.79. But you can make other choices. They have TWO b’fast specials that change daily. One costs $4.65 and features eggs, but the offering changes daily. The other breakfast special is always an omelette (although the flavors change) and it costs $4.85. Coffee is $1.60.

7. Ghini’s French Cafe, 1803 E. Prince Rd., Tucson, 85719 (520) 326-9095.

Ok, ok. This one barely made the list because it is a teensy, tiny bit pricier than we wanted. But, hey, we said six restaurants, and this is the seventh, so don’t whine. But we love, love LOVE Ghini’s. It’s in a shopping center on Campbell Ave & Prince, and has a cute little bakery, too. You can get two eggs (any style) for $5.95.  I love the cafe au lait with one croissant–that costs me $5.25. Sit on the patio. Watch the world go by. This is a good place with nice character.

So, here you have one list of six . . . or seven . . . cheapo (but fun) breakfasts in Tucson.

(By the way, if you happen to be looking for some cheap (but good) Tucson lunch spots, go right here.)

Now I want to hear from you. What’s your fav cheapo breakfast stops? Let us know.

–Posted by Hortense P. Tightwad.

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