Focus On 4th
Staying Power ~ Delectables is 30 years old!
by DT Staff
Back in 1973, Delectables was opened as Maudie’s Pantry and was located across the street from its current location at 533 N. 4th Ave. Six years later, the casual dining gourmet restaurant moved into what was previously Ingram’s Harley Davidson motorcycle shop with the help of its employees, including current proprietor Donna DiFiorie.
The restaurant is known for its smashing food presentation with their aesthetically pleasing and palatable boards, as well as for their friendly service and their wines.
Delectables has a cozy, family environment with original art work on the walls. One of the featured artists, Chrissy Goral, paints old windows and puts Christmas lights behind the painted windows. Her work is perfectly placed and creates a soft lighting that gives the dining room a warm, intimate feel.
It is their food and their atmosphere keeps people coming back. One of the waitresses, Mia, said that there “are a lot of regulars. I probably wait on regulars at least 4 days a week!”
Beyond the regulars, the staff also sticks around. Manager Matt said DiFiore is great to work for.
“Everyone stays here forever,” Mia said, who has been an employee for seven years. She also said “all kinds of people have met and fallen in love here.”
Previous employee Kini Wade met his wife Chris there and DiFoire herself met her husband Mitch at the restaurant.
Beyond serving their clientele, Delectables also gives back to the community by donating to non-profit organizations such as Wing Span, Humane Society and the Boys and Girls Club – to name just a few.
Congratulations and best of luck on another 30 years!
Delectables is open Sunday through Thursday from 11:00am to 9:00pm and Friday and Saturday from 11:00am to 11:00pm. You can check out their web site for menu and directional information at www.delectables.com.
Happy Birthday to Che’s Lounge!
August marks the third anniversary of this popular neighborhood watering hole. The bar features inexpensive drinks and always has $1 beer on tap and hangs artwork of local talent. The bar will celebrate its anniversary on Saturday August 23, with a performance by Spacefish.
4th Avenue Calendar of Events
August
Sat. on 4th: August 2nd
On the 1st Saturday of every month 4th Avenue celebrates with free live music performances, sidewalk arts & crafts, and a variety of other activities.
September
Sat. on 4th & Rendezvous on the Avenue: September 6th. September 6th will combine our “Saturday on 4th” with our annual Rendezvous on the Avenue, a welcome back to Tucson for winter visitors and students. Window shop, dine in 4th Avenue restaurants, and enjoy an evening of free music performances and fashion shows.
October
Sat. on 4th: October 4th, Fall Crawl. Halloween: Saturday, October 25th Expect to see costumed individuals strolling from venue to venue listening to free live music performances.
November
Sat. on 4th & Day of the Dead: November 1st The Day of the Dead is Mexico’s version of our Halloween with costumes, candy skulls to eat, and a nationally recognized costume parade put on by local area artists.
Bike Swap: November 15th. Put on by the Tucson chapter of the Greater Arizona Bicycle Association. If it is about or for bicycles it will be here. From the latest hi-tech racing machines to junkers to antique beach cruisers, if you have an interest in bicycles, bicycle apparel, or bicycle parts, this is the place to be.
December
Sat. on 4th: December 6th, On the 1st Saturday of every month 4th Avenue celebrates with free live music performances, sidewalk arts & crafts, and a variety of other activities.
Street Fair December 12, 13, 14. This is the biggest weekend show in Tucson, and one of the biggest in the country. Ranked 28th by Sunshine Artists, for 33 years the 4th Avenue Street Fair has been bringing together 350,000 people from all walks of life to shop, eat, play, and people watch at this twice yearly get together.
