At what point do we decide that being cool is just plain silly? For some, it happens around breakfast time. A road trip requires refueling. And a good café discovered while journeying can prove a blessing.
I personally am a fan of kitschy, off-the-beaten-path spots, but sometimes word of a fantastic diner will go around and I’ll decide to check it out.
Such was the case early one Sunday morning in Tucson when I found myself walking into a certain downtown diner frequented by scenesters as well as everyday joes looking for a decent meal. I quickly decided that the mild amusement of the snarky menu and unpleasant waitress did not compensate for overwhelming complications of a simple breakfast order. We left.
2261 N Oracle Rd Tucson, AZ 85705
(NE corner of Suhuaro and Oracle just S of Grant)
(520) 622-1334
We headed to the Checkerboard Café located at 2261 N. Oracle Rd. Family-owned-and-operated, the Checkerboard serves delicious diner food in a friendly atmosphere, catering to the specific wants of their individual guests. Vegetarian? Avoid downtown joints that disclose that this word in the name of a menu item is "probably vegetarian. Maybe not. Bacon adds flavor.” Cute, I’ll admit. I chuckled a little myself reading through the extensive rules list found on the menu. However, this is not the comfortable breakfast nook one seeks on the road.
Checkerboard let’s you decide what goes into the perfect breakfast for a more than reasonable price. And better yet, the meal you opt for will be brought to you by non-hostile staff. Our waitress, Monet was hospitable despite the morning rush.
Next time you need a decent diner in the Tucson area, check out Checkerboard. It will not disappoint.
