Best Of Tucson®

Best Specialty Foods

AJ's Fine Foods

Pity the poor cliff-dwellers for whom AJ's is the neighborhood grocery store. They'll never be able to savor the delicious indulgence of grinding up the hill in their 1989 Honda Civic for the perfect aphrodisiac dessert for a romantic dinner; or an extravagant assortment of beer and snacks for a 21st-birthday party; or illicit, solitary indulgence in a fresh baguette and a couple of expensive, unfamiliar cheeses. There's no getting out of there in less than an hour of rubbernecking aisle-cruising. Everything is so lovely that it's a wonder they don't have weddings there.

Runners up:

2. Trader Joe's

Various locations

traderjoes.com

3. 17th Street Market

840 E. 17th St.

792-2588, treasureshidden.com