Kino Sports Complex – Dining

Kino Sports Complex is a hub of athletic activity in Tucson, Arizona. Spanning 155 acres, it’s the largest facility of its kind in all of Pima County.

Highlights of Kino Sports Complex include Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium, a ballpark with seating for up to 11,000 spectators, and the 3,000-seat North Stadium soccer field. Other features include smaller, additional baseball and soccer fields, a full-service clubhouse, a parking lot with more than 3,000 spaces, and nine ramadas. To top it all off, the complex boasts panoramic views of the Santa C atalina Mountains.

Because Kino Sports Complex is such a multifaceted facility, there are a number of reasons why you could be visiting. One thing’s for certain, though: you’re going to want to grab a bite to eat after spending the day there. Sure, there’s a number of concession stands located around the complex, but the food they serve probably won’t be enough to fill you up.

Good thing there are plenty of restaurants nearby! Whether you’re in the mood for a big, juicy burger, a hearty breakfast, or an authentic Sororan hot dog, Tucson has got you covered. Here are some of the best restaurants around Kino Sports Complex.

In-N-Out Burger

While fast food might not seem like that much of a step up from the food you can get at the concession stands at Kino Sports Complex, In-N-Out Burger isn’t your average fast food joint. For those unfamiliar, In-N-Out is a restaurant chain based on the West Coast that’s known for their; yep, you guessed it; burgers.

If you’re visiting from somewhere that’s nowhere near an In-N-Out, which is most of the U.S., don’t pass up this opportunity to get your hands on some of their delicious food. The nearest one is only a five-minute drive from Kino Sports Complex, after all.

Featuring only burgers, fries, beverages, and shakes, In-N-Out’s menu might seem small at first glance, but they’ve got a secret menu too; or, as they call it, a “not-so-secret menu.” On it you’ll find unconventional burger variations, such as the Protein Style burger, which comes wrapped in cool, crisp lettuce in place of a bun. There’s also a grilled cheese option for those who don’t eat meat.

Another option on the not-so-secret menu is to get your burger and fries done Animal Style, which is what most diehard In-N-Out devotees do. An Animal Style burger comes with extra Thousand Island spread, pickles, grilled onions, and mustard fried right onto each patty. Animal Style fries, on the other hand, are topped with a layer of melted cheese, spread, and grilled onions. Both are as delicious as they are messy.

Sunny Daze Café

With palm trees and bright pink flamingos everywhere, Sunny Daze Café brings a little slice of the tropics to Tucson. It’s definitely not the kind of place you’d expect to find in the arid Arizona desert, that’s for sure. This offbeat eatery is located two and a half miles from Kino Sports Complex, so the ride over should take no more than 10 minutes.

Don’t let Sunny Daze Café’s kitschy décor fool you; the food there is seriously legit. Their breakfast menu runs the gamut from sweet to savory, with dishes like French toast, biscuits and gravy, and huevos rancheros.

If you stop by later in the day, try the green chile sauce-smothered Daze Burrito or the Cali Burger, topped with sliced avocado, crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickle, Swiss cheese, and mayo. For something on the lighter side, go with one of their fresh, delicious salads.

Oh, and don’t leave without treating your sweet tooth to a basket of their signature Sunny Puffs. These little, powdered sugar-coated fritters are served fresh out of the fryer, ensuring that they’re still piping hot once they hit your table. No wonder customers love them!

El Guero Canelo

You’ve probably had a hot dog at least once in your life, but how about a Sonoran-style hot dog? If not, a visit to El Guero Canelo is a must while you’re in town visiting Kino Sports Complex. This local chain is known for serving some of the best, most authentic Sonoran hot dogs around, and the one closest to Kino Sports Complex is only a little more than four miles away.

There are quite a few things that set Sonoran hot dogs apart from their more common counterpart. First off, the dog is always bacon-wrapped and grilled. Always. A fluffy, bolillo-style bun is another must. Toppings vary from place to place, but at El Guero Canelo they top theirs with beans, raw and grilled onion, tomato, mayo, mustard, and jalapeno sauce.

Sonoran hot dogs aren’t El Guero Canelo’s only specialty, however. They’re also known for their flavorful, no-frills beef tacos, which you can get in either a flour or corn tortilla. Also on the menu are burros, a Sonoran spin on the classic burrito, as well as quesadillas, tortas, traditional Mexican desserts, and more.

Barrio Brewing Co.

If you’re an adult visiting Kino Sports Complex with a gaggle of rambunctious, little athletes, chances are you’re going to be craving an ice-cold beer or two by day’s end. Lucky for you, Barrio Brewing Co., Arizona’s longest-operating brewery, is headquartered less than four miles from Kino Sports Complex.

Like all good breweries, Barrio Brewing Co. has a restaurant on site. The menu consists mostly of pub grub go-to’s, such as Buffalo wings, burgers, and big soft pretzels. For something more out of the ordinary, try the Veg Head Panini. This sandwich is piled high with eggplant, fire-roasted red bell peppers, fried onions, braised spinach, basil pesto aioli, and Havarti cheese.

Of course, good food is only half the reason why you should stop by Barrio Brewing Co. after spending the day at Kino Sports Complex. The other half, obviously, is beer. They can have up to 12 on tap at a time, so there’s bound to be a brew that’s perfect for you.