Tito & Pep

Tito & Pep: mesquite-fired cuisine in Midtown Tucson

Tito & Pep is a restaurant and bar located in Midtown Tucson, Arizona, describing itself as a contemporary neighborhood bistro inspired by the spirit of Tucson and the American Southwest. The establishment offers dine-in or to-go service, with a relaxed and lively atmosphere, and recommends reserving in advance.

Culinary offering

The culinary offering focuses on mesquite-fired cuisine, complemented by unique cocktails and a beverage menu that includes locally brewed beers and a selection of wines. Chef and Owner John Martinez, with over 25 years of experience in the United States and abroad, draws influences from the multicultural history of the Southwest and his travels to create distinctive and flavorful cuisine.

The menu is organized into dinner, lunch, and brunch sections. Featured dishes include queso fundido with mushrooms and chorizo, crispy calamari salt and pepper style with lemon and maggi aioli, steak skewers with chipotle-tomatillo salsa, grilled octopus with salsa macha, kampachi aguachile with grapefruit and avocado, sea bass crudo with cucumber and radish, and various salads such as the T&P green salad or grilled pear and radicchio with blue cheese. Main dishes include grilled salmon with roasted calabaza and green chili dashi, grilled trout with sautéed Swiss chard and fried garlic, striped bass with clams and caldo verde, grilled shrimp with heirloom corn sope, pollo asado with hominy and ancho condiment, grilled pork chop with quince and hazelnut-morita romesco, and beef cuts such as the grilled NY strip with roasted chiles and charro beans, or grilled lamb chops with pistachio-tomatillo salsa.

The lunch menu also incorporates options such as miso glazed steak salad, El Cobb salad with roasted chicken and chorizo, crispy chicken torta with pickled onions and morita-lime mayo, and the T&P burger with avocado and roasted garlic aioli. Brunch, served on Saturdays and Sundays, offers dishes such as warm pastries with whipped butter and pineapple-orange marmalade, fresh fruit plate with chili and lime, T&P granola with yogurt and tropical fruits, huevos rancheros, churro French toast with roasted mango, breakfast torta with eggs and chorizo, and the "Siesta Después" dish with griddled birote, beans, Chihuahua cheese, carnitas, poached eggs, and habanero hollandaise.

Cocktails, wines, and beers

The cocktail menu includes offerings such as Jamaica Dove (reposado tequila, hibiscus, squirt, and lime), Cactus Cooler (vodka, carrot, pineapple, orange, and lime), Catalina Sunrise (gin, raspberry, vanilla, and rosé cava), Sam Hughes (gin, rosé vermouth, grapefruit, and maraschino), Singani Rose (singani, lemon, rose, and egg white), Boulevardier (bourbon, sweet vermouth, and Campari), Conquistador's Mule (blanco tequila, ancho reyes verde, ginger beer, and absinthe mist), Old Tucson (mezcal, roasted pineapple, and falernum), La Ultima Palabra (reposado tequila, maraschino, chartreuse, and lime), and Padre Kino (del bac dorado, brandy, and pedro ximénez).

The wine selection spans labels from California, Italy, Portugal, New Zealand, Argentina, France, Spain, Austria, Oregon, Arizona, and Mexico, with options by the glass or bottle. Among the references are The Fableist Chardonnay, Zenato Pinot Grigio, Sileni Sauv Blanc, Colomé Torrontés, Le Trezin Puligny-Montrachet, Vega de Tera Verdejo, Malat 'Crazy Creatures' Grüner Veltliner, Dr. Konstantin Frank Rkatsiteli, Ovum 'Big Salt', Sand Reckoner Malvasia Bianca, The Seeker Grenache, JP. Chenet Blanc de Blancs, Poquito Moscato, Segura Viudas Cava Brut Rosé, Champalou Vouvray Brut, Laurent Perrier 'La Cuvée', Pierre Gimonnet Blanc de Blancs 1er Cru, Azimut Negre, Padrillos Malbec, Gainey Merlot, Tenuta La Badiola 642°, Planet Oregon Pinot Noir, Ancient Peaks Zinfandel, Juggernaut Cabernet Sauvignon, Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Bouchard Père & Fils Gevrey-Chambertin, Justin Girardin Pinot Noir, La Miraja 'Le Masche' Barbera D'Asti, Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella, Argiano Brunello di Montalcino, Angelo Negro 'Angelin' Nebbiolo, Torremoron Tempranillo, Pesquera Crianza, Bichi Listan, Meinklang, Sean Minor Cabernet Sauvignon, Keenan Cabernet Sauvignon, and Flying Leap Graciano.

The beer offering includes rotating taps, with options such as Pacifico and Dragoon IPA, as well as bottles and cans from brands such as Carta Blanca, Bud Light, Coors Banquet, PBR, Victoria, 805, Fat Tire Amber Ale, Bells Oberon, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Victoria Prima Pilsner, Boulevard Tank 7 American Saison, Founders All Day IPA, New Belgium Voodoo Ranger IPA, Black Butte Porter, Sierra Nevada Otra Vez, Founders Rubaeus, Fireside Walker Nitro Merlin Stout, and Schilling London Dry Cider.

Reservations and establishment policies

The restaurant recommends reserving and applies a 15-minute grace period; if the customer is delayed beyond that time, they are asked to call. Tables are reserved for 1 hour and 30 minutes for groups of up to 2 people, 2 hours for groups of up to 4 people, and 2 hours and 30 minutes for groups of 5 or more. Bar seating is available for additional diners on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to health department regulations, outside food or beverages are not allowed, including birthday cakes or wines. The establishment offers physical gift cards.

Location and contact

4122 East Speedway Blvd, Midtown Tucson, AZ · Phone: 520-207-0116 · Email: matthew@titoandpep.com