The Monica - Tucson, Arizona

Alejandro (.

I recently visited The Monica in Tucson and had a pleasant experience, especially thanks to Ana, who provided excellent service at the bar. She was attentive, friendly, and made sure everything ran smoothly, which really enhanced the dining experience.

I ordered the steak and eggs, and while the flavors were good, the steak was unfortunately overcooked. It didn’t take away from the overall quality, but I had hoped for a bit more precision on the cooking. Despite this, the meal was satisfying.

The ambiance of The Monica is a definite highlight. The atmosphere is relaxed yet vibrant, making it a great place to enjoy a meal or drink. Overall, I’d recommend The Monica for its excellent service and pleasant ambiance, though there’s a bit of room for improvement in the kitchen.

Sa-Tina E.

The Tucson Dining Club had another wonderful meal at the Monica. It is a great place located at 40 E Congress St. You can order your food and drinks at the counter, the bar, at the table using your cell or from one of their friendly crew. Our group of 7 ate a fair representation, and all were pleased. I have now been there for lunch and dinner.

Chris K.

We love the Monica. Even in days like today, or order was wrong and it took a long time to get out good. However, the staff were apologetic and kind and we realized there were about 12 girls volleyball teams who had just finished a tournament and went for food. With that scenario, I was thrilled to get good at all and it really is wonderful!

Michael P.

What an incredible restaurant to start your day. My friend and I dined here earlier for lunch and completely loved everything. It was so convenient ordering from our table using the QR code with our specific table number. We were able to take our time, enjoy the great decor, large windows, people watch and converse. We both ordered a cup of soup (clam chowder and turkey chili). I thoroughly enjoyed my hot Dulce de leche Macchiato, City Bowl with shrimp and my dear friend had the Barrio Goddess Salad with chicken. Each meal was quite delicious, the service was incredibly attentive and both of us will certainly visit again. A huge shout out to the entire staff. We both truly appreciated the efficiency and every wonderful interaction we had with each of you.

Melissa H.

Stopped in here just the other night for date night dinner. I've been here with large groups too. The apps are tasty, with a unique flair that any foodie would love. There's so much for anyone, special diets are welcome. Tonight we had the vegan pasta and a burger. Both were thoroughly delightful. The bartender has great suggestions! It's a laid back vibe in an upscale joint.

Rodney I.

The Monica is a stunning spot with a 5-star atmosphere and decor—definitely a feast for the eyes. I ordered the 40 East breakfast, which was a solid take on a traditional breakfast. Nothing groundbreaking, but it hit the spot. My fiancé had the Mini Chimis Banderas, and while the flavors were delicious, the sauce on top made the chimichangas a bit soggy, which was disappointing. Overall, the experience leaned more on the "mid" side for the food, but the ambiance makes it worth a visit.

Steven B.

I have a hard time reviewing this restaurant because I have some conflicting feelings. First of all these three points:
1 - the staff has been very friendly and welcoming every time I’ve visited (3x in 3 days)
2 - the food has been tasty
3 - they have a really nice outdoor space in the shade with plenty of space to hang out

HOWEVER, what bothers me are the little things that seem to pile up when looked at as a whole.
1 - very pricey for a place without table service as you order at the counter and take a number. You have to fill your own drinks in paper cups and refill them as well in the middle of your meal (leaving your food to the elements like flies and birds as you do so if you).
2 - pretty small portions given the price. I paid almost $35 for my breakfast of Tamales Benedict plus carnitas, a side of toast, and an iced tea. You can see the size of the Benedict in my photo, it presents as more of a small salad than a breakfast plate and you’re paying extra for a protein.
3 - My side of toast down the street came with whipped butter and fresh jam. Here, it came with almost frozen butter balls that I had to ask for after the toast showed up and diner style discount jelly that comes in those little plastic cups with the foil lids that I had to go find by the drink counter.
4 - over the course of 3 days, 5 nearly empty hot sauce jars (Mexico Lindo) of various flavors were never refilled or replaced despite being nearly empty (photo attached).

As stated, it’s these little things and lack of attention to the details that makes me question the value of what I spent on the meal given $5 less spent at another restaurant a block north gave me an experience with table service, and a close attention to the qualities that make a dining experience memorable for good reasons.

EDIT 6 months later:
20 minutes to get a latte in the afternoon when there were maybe 7 customers in the entire restaurant. Also saw a customer get a cold soup and send it back. Every 1 and 2 star review is accurate for what I’ve seen and experienced.
I just don’t get it.

Brian

Appreciate the vibe of this place, nice people watching. We drop in periodically for a quick bite and a pint. Last two visits the pizza pie was tasty and cooked perfectly. Both the pepperoni and the spicy chicken were tasty. I foot stomped my request for extra crispy crust – manager herself cooked the pie – ‘Mission Accomplished’! Also, Staci at the bar is rockstar. We have been fortunate to have her taking care of us during our most recent visits – and I plan to nominate her for next years ‘Reader’s Choice’ Bartender of the year. Thanks Staci and Monica for a nice couple of afternoons. See you soon.