Tucson’s Hotel Congress opened in 1919, and in January 1934, it caught fire. Gangster John Dillinger happened to be staying there by accident—his intended lodgings had just had its floors waxed, and Dillinger and a couple of his cohorts checked into the hotel to avoid the fumes. When the fire broke out and the hotel was evacuated, Dillinger tipped a fireman $12 to rescue their luggage. The fireman did so, but his suspicions about the excessive concern for the luggage, and the heavy weight of the bags, and the generous tip, led to a little investigation. A few days later, Dillinger and his gang were arrested.

It’s stories like this that always capture my interest. I learned about this one while seated at a table in the Cup Café, just off the lobby of Hotel Congress, through the doorway topped with the neon sign announcing the café’s location. Opened in 1990, the café is a no-nonsense eatery with seating inside and out. If you’re inside, make sure to note the wine-bottle chandelier while you’re waiting for your abundant breakfast to arrive.

Try This: Order a giant glass of pineapple juice, complete with lime wedge. Then select a breakfast that will keep you content far past lunch: a huge Congressional Omelet stuffed with avocado, mushrooms, and cheddar cheese, along with a couple of strips of Asadero bacon, a mound of roasted potatoes, and lightly buttered whole wheat toast.

 

 

 

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