Restaurant Reivew
Blue Willow
Blue Willow is a favorite Tucson breakfast spot amongst both locals and tourists. The covered outdoor patio, large menu, and convenient location nearby local attractions makes it a good starting point prior to all your Tucson adventures.
Food
Blue Willows serves homemade traditional American and Southwestern specialty dishes. They are well known for their fresh bakery selections which includes all sorts of muffins, cupcakes, coffee cakes, cookies, and pies made in-house.
Breakfast is the most popular time to dine at Blue Willow, and there is often a lengthy wait just to get in. Lots of omelet combinations, pancakes and French toast, Quiche, Benedicts, Burritos and more comprise the menu. We tested out the Huevos Rancheros and the Omelet. Both were very good, although I would probably go with the Quiche next time, which looked absolutely delicious!
All egg dishes are served with potatoes, beans, or brown rice and also toast or tortillas. It's a great value and you will definitely leave stuffed, thus making it a good choice for anyone planning a lengthy hike in the desert.
If you are in town during one of their specialty holiday brunch buffets, they really are a great deal, although very crowded so you must make a reservation.
Those following a specialty diet will be glad to know that they offer an entire menu of gluten-free and vegetarian meals.
Service
Service was one of the downsides of our visit to Blue Willow. Our waitress was surly, inattentive, and slow. I recommend Blue Willow hire friendlier, more efficient waitstaff.
Atmosphere
The patio at Blue Willow is great because it is covered, and thus, can be used year-round even on the sunniest of days. This garden is lush with lots of trees and there is even a fireplace to warm you up during the winter season. Attached to the restaurant is a cute little gift shop where you can pick up all sorts of Southwestern themed souvenirs and knick knacks.
Final Remarks
Blue Willow is a nice affordable place to enjoy breakfast in Tucson. There are lots of choices here for everyone in your party, even the pickiest eaters. Because it is located by a number of great local attractions (the Mini Time Museum, the Tucson Museum of Art), it's a great stop before or after exploring these great museums and other city attractions.
