Southwest Salad. photo: Jamie Manser
Just west of 6th Avenue on Speedway Boulevard is a Tucson fixture, The Garland Bistro. Established in 1974, the 3-room restaurant is nestled in a quaint house and is a cozy place to get some satisfying eats.
To say the menu is eclectic is almost an understatement; the menu is huge and offers over 60 items to nosh on. I can’t image a person who couldn’t find a plate to enjoy as options abound for herbivores, omnivores and carnivores. This is the place my body cries for when I need a big helping of veggies to nourish my body, mind and soul.
As a creature of habit, I generally make a meal of the house salad. Piled high on an oval plate are mixed greens, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, mushrooms, hard-boiled eggs, and cheddar and feta cheeses. It also comes with the option of picking two more items from these four: chicken or tuna salad, hummus, avocado.
While I’m mostly a fan of lunch and dinner fare, The Garland is well-known for their scrumptious breakfasts. They serve everything from fruit, granola, French toast and crepes to pancakes, waffles, eggs, omelets, and colossal egg-based platters – all of which can be substituted with tofu.
There’s also sandwiches, soups, burros, enchiladas, pasta, Vietnamese cuisine, sushi, and of course appetizers and desserts. The day Zócalo writer Kelly Lewis and I went, we couldn’t resist a slice of German Chocolate cake. It was sinful, yet heavenly.
Bear in mind, The Garland is better suited for the leisurely diner as there typically is only one server taking care of customers.
The Garland Bistro, 119 E. Speedway Blvd., is open Wednesday-Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Take-out orders are available by calling 882-3999. View the menu online at GarlandTucson.com.
