Chela’s Latin Cuisine (Tucson, Arizona)

Named after the matriarch of the Meija family that owns and operates this restaurant, Chela’s Latin Cuisine is new to the downtown Tucson scene, opened in 2024. It’s a mercurial place that serves brunch on the weekends and dinner throughout the week, has a fine bar, and transforms into a nightclub on the weekends.

The large, open space in which I was seated features high ceilings with exposed beams, exposed brick walls, and blue and purple lighting throughout. The friendly wait staff, one of whom confessed he had never seen a skyscraper until he came to my hometown of New York, helpfully explained the menu items with which I was unfamiliar. The menu itself combines recipes from the Mexican state of Sonora with those from Honduras, creating a delightful Latin blend.

Try This: If you’re not in the mood for a cocktail, just order a Mexican soda, or a “Mexicoke”—Coca-Cola that’s made in Mexico with cane sugar, rather than high fructose corn syrup, and comes in a glass bottle. Make sure to ask about the pescado del dia, the fish of the day. Mine was a delicious swordfish, served with lime, a big pile of rice, a generous topping of corn and tomato salsa, and a side order of corn elote guisado—cooked fresh corn mixed with spices and a flavorful sauce, served in a ramekin.