Make this summer truly original.

Tucson's favorite independent restaurants offer $20 summer specials. Who needs to cook?  Contact each restaurant to find out when their $20 special starts.

Acacia at St. Philip's - 4340 N. Campbell Ave; 232.0101

Try this sizzling hot summer deal from Acacia - a house salad, summer-size cioppino and a luscious dessert for $20. 

Barrio - 135 S. 6th Ave; 629.0191

$20 gets you a plate of "Cheffrey's Desserts" complete with chocolate strawberries, Kahlua truffles, chocolate caramel custard, crème brulee and berries anglaise, paired with a the chef's choice coffee drink. How sweet it is and perfect for after a movie at the Fox or downtown entertainment.

Central Bistro - 400 N. Toole Ave (in the historic Depot); 623.1955

Get a half salad plus batter-fried jumbo oysters, tri tip kabobs or cornmeal crusted calamari plus a glass of wine for $20. Please note that Central Bistro will be closed from July 1 - July 22. 

Chad's Steakhouse & Saloon - 3001 N. Swan Rd; 881.1802

At Chad's this summer, get a cool deal on a rib eye dinner, a glass of wine (your choice) and a dessert for only $20.

Cup Café - 311 E. Congress St; 622.8848

Enjoy Cup Café's delicious pasta of the day and a glass of the red or white Portuguese house white for $20. 

Cuvee World Bistro - 3352 E. Speedway Blvd; 881.7577

Create your own summer special at Cuvee with the happy hour 2 for $20 special. Choose any two glasses of wine (under $10/glass) and any two bar menu appetizers for just $20. Happy hour is available daily from 4 -7 p.m. and 10 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.  Noshing Around says that this is Tucson's best happy hour deal!

Dakota Café - 6541 E. Tanque Verde Rd; 298.7188

Treat yourself to mouthwatering soft shell tacos with lobster, avocado salsa and spicy cherry tomato salad served with a slice of fresh lime pie - all for $20 available during the dinner hour: Monday - Thursdays, 5 to 9 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays 5 to 10 p.m. 

Eclectic Café - 7053 E. Tanque Verde Rd; 885.2842

Beat the heat at Eclectic Café with two iced teas and two warm salads for $20.

El Charro - All Locations

Two can celebrate the summer Mexican style at El Charro with two Bahia tacos each, one Tecate each, and one dessert tamale to share for $20. 

Elle, a Wine Country Restaurant - 3048 E. Broadway Blvd; 327.0500

Elle takes us on a tour of the world this summer offering a $20 two-course meal specialized to one of five regions.  The excursion starts in Mexico (May 29-June 17), then progresses through Argentina (June 18-July 8), Veneto (July 9-July 29), Washington State (July 30-August 19), and Portugal (August 20-September 9). For an additional $9, enjoy the wine pairings.  The summer long wine package is available for $145. 

Feast Restaurant - 4122 E. Speedway Blvd;  326.9363

Enjoy a 3-course summer "feast" for only $20.  Start with a mixed green salad, choose your favorite menu entrée and top it all off with any dessert.  Noshing Around says, "What a deal!"

Francisco's - 3843 E. Pima St; 881.2710

Francisco's is giving couples a chance to share in summer fun with two chicken, beef or shrimp fajita specials and two beverages for $20. 

Intermezzo - 5350 E. Broadway Blvd. # 130; 748.8100

Get a fresh start on summer with Intermezzo's $20 dinner for two which includes a Caesar or organic mixed greens salad plus an entrée with choice of chicken parmesan, eggplant parmesan or prime rib sandwich.  The special is available from 4 to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.  No other discounts or coupons may be used with the special.  

Janos - 3770 E. Sunrise Dr; 615.6100

Enjoy a summer sampler of 3 main courses of your choice for just $19.95.   Janos and J-Bar are also offering lots of other specials. Call the restaurant or check the website for details. 

Jonathan's Cork - 6320 E. Tanque Verde Rd; 296.1631

Jonathan's Cork offers a summer savings surf and turf, 5 oz. filet and four shrimp for $20.  The bar opens 3 p.m., Monday thru Saturday, dining starts at 5 p.m. every day. 

Lodge on the Desert - 306 N. Alvernon Way; 325.3366

Lodge on the Desert is offering three choices for the $20 summer special: Enjoy a house salad with choice of wild mushroom tamale, shrimp linguine or pan roasted chicken on Sunday - Thursday from 5-9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 5 - 10 p.m.  

Magpie's Gourmet Pizza - (All Locations)

Dine in, take out, or have this fabulous special delivered piping hot in a pizza box.  Magpie's offers 1 large 1-topping pizza, a large garden salad, and garlic breadsticks for $20 (not including tax or delivery charges).

Papagayo - 4717 E. Sunrise Dr; 577.6055

Spice up your summer with chicken, beef or combo fajitas for two, and 1 bottle of house chardonnay or cabernet sauvignon for $20. 

Pastiche Modern Eatery - 3025 N. Campbell Ave; 325.3333

Pastiche combines two of their signature dishes to create a succulent summer special for only $20. Baby greens and thyme-crusted sea bass are the perfect way to chill out after a hot summer day.

Red Sky Café - 2900 N. Swan Rd. # 100; 326.5454

Check out Red Sky's summer steal of herb-crusted prime rib dinner with Yukon gold potato gratin, summer vegetables and red wine sauce; accompanied by the soup de jour, Caesar salad, California green salad or spinach salad, all for $19.95 per person.  

Ric's Café - 5605 E. River Rd. #121; 577.7272

Enjoy a full rack of barbeque ribs, corn on the cob, potato and glass of house wine for $20 all summer long. 

Roma Caffé - 4140 W. Ina Rd; 744.2929

Try the 14 oz. sterling silver premium rib eye steak dinner with a side of pasta and vegetables and your choice of soup or salad.  This special is available for $20 only with the purchase of a beverage. 

Sauce - 3 locations (Campbell/Glenn, Broadway/Williams Center, Oracle/Ina)

Sauce will offer the popular $20 summer sampler. Two people share a pizza and a salad and each get a glass of Pinot Grigio or Chianti for $20.

Terra Cotta - 3500 E. Sunrise Dr; 577.8100

Starting on May 24, Terra Cotta is offering a $20 classic entrée with choice of a demi-sized chocolate-peanut butter madness or crème brulee.  The classic entrée offering will change weekly.  For an additional $5, guests can add a classic appetizer as well.  

Zivaz Mexican Bistro - 4590 E. Broadway Blvd; 325.1234

Bring a friend to share this Zivaz special as $20 will get you one platillos Zivaz entrée, one dessert, and your choice of two margaritas or half bottle of wine.

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