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Claire's Cafe for the food and the views
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Claire's Cafe on North Oracle Road in Catalina
For Tucsonans who like to take little daytrips in search of picturesque deserts and towering mountain vistas, the perfect start to such a sojourn is a meal at Claire’s Café in Catalina. The food is terrific and the surroundings are a visual delight.
Located about 12 miles north of Tucson on Oracle Road (16140 North Oracle Road), Claire’s is open for breakfast and lunch and offers a menu of classic American, Mexican and special ethnic dishes. You might want to call ahead (520-825-2525) to check on the specials for that day.
Claire and Steve Johnson have been in business with the Café since 1986. They bring a wealth of experience in the culinary arts. Claire is an executive chef from Chicago who came to Tucson in 1980. She was involved in opening the restaurant at Ventana Canyon Resort and later C.B. Rye. Steve hails from Portland, Oregon and fills the “expert in all other things” function.
The people at Claire’s – cooks, waitresses, and kitchen staff – are very loyal and bring in an abundance of experience from working at Country Clubs around southern Arizona. Even the dishwasher who recently retired logged 22 years with Claire’s. It is a family environment; strong on cooperation where egos are checked at the door.
All the food at Claire’s is made from scratch, largely from organic sources and strictly without food coloring or dyes. The restaurant will cater to special dietary requests. The presentations are beautiful; they kind of make you sad to mess up the plate.
Virtually every entrée on the menu currently goes for under $9.00. Mexican specialties include the Frittata, “sautéed corn tortillas and green chilies in scrambled eggs, topped with jack and cheddar cheese, served with a flour tortilla” and the Huevos Rancheros, “two eggs, corn tortilla, refried beans, cheese and a flour tortilla.” The red chili beef served with two eggs, beans and a tortilla is truly exceptional. Traditional breakfasts include a bevy of tasty omelets, two eggs with all the usual meats, and Eggs Benedict, served on Sunday, with a Hollandaise sauce that is, according to Claire, “the best.”
The lunch menu includes items “From the Grill,” “South of the Border,” “Burger Corral,” and “Healthier Choices.” The Healthier Choices Garden Rueben is an interesting change of pace featuring “swiss cheese, kraut, 1000 island dressing on grilled rye.” Among the South of the Border offerings in the most expensive item on the menu at $10.95, a “HUGE” Chicken Quesadilla “loaded with chicken, green chili, chopped tomatoes, black olives, jack and cheddar cheese.”
From the interior, the restaurant appears to be a nicely converted home. It was designed to appear that way. You have to go back outside to realize the restaurant is part of a small mall with other businesses. Do-It-Best Hardware is to the right and Darlin’s flowers to the left. Claire’s provides both inside and outdoor seating and a patio that is “dog friendly.”
When inside Claire’s it is like being in an art gallery immersed in spectacular Arizona imagery. The art work includes photography, painting, sculpture, pottery, clay images and kachinas. The restaurant proudly displays the work of Sandy and Don Libby of Iron Creek Photography; Shoofly, the first pencil artist in the Cowboy Hall of Fame; and Desert Penguin frame work. Also featured are creations of local artists Rose Collins, Karen Warner and Risa Waldt.
At Claire’s you get the whole package. You’re greeted by a smiling owner, served with a professional attitude, provided a delicious and healthy meal, and surrounded by beautiful art. All you need to do is bring along that special person you most enjoy dining with!
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