A Tucson Tradition
For years we've talked about heading down to Caruso's for a bite to eat, but somehow we never did. That is, until now. I guess that the long delay is due, in part, to us being on 4th Avenue during the day, and Caruso' being open only for dinner.

This past Thursday we made it down for dinner, and while there were a significant number of vegetarian items on the menu, we settled on dinners that were almost identical. One of us had the cheese manicotti, the other cheese manicotti and eggplant parmigiana. Both dishes came with a choice of homemade soup, salad, or a side of spaghetti; we went with salad.

The salad arrived promptly, with a house italian dressing that was pretty good, and it was a reasonable size. About the time we finished the salads, Caruso's really started to fill up with patrons, so we were gald we got there a little early.

The main courses arrived soon after, and were pretty much what one would expect for cheese manicotti: manicotti stuffed with cheese, covered with marinara and a bit more cheese, and baked. The eggplant parmigiana consisted of two wedges of eggplant served up in a similar style. Overall, everything was good, but not really exceptional.

The really good thing was that the portions were of a reasonable size, not the typical stomach busting specials found at those places that specialize in quantity over quality.

The one noticable downside was that the dinnerware looked like it came from one of those chain steak houses. You know, the rectangular aluminum platter for the salad, the metal plate placed in the melamine tray, that kind of thing. It just didn't match the rest of the decor.    [08 Nov 2003 14:38:09]

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Recommended Dishes: Cheese Manicotti

     ­Tucson's Local Couple (www.tucson.halversen.com)   

Don't miss out on this one
The eggplant parmesan is to die for. It is nice you can rely on one place in town for being consistint. I recommend Carusos to all of my family and friends. It is my favorite place to eat in Tucson.    [10 Sep 2005 21:06:15]

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Recommended Dishes: Eggplant Parmesan

     ­Anonymous   

Beware-the dark atmosphere is hiding the dust!
It's very disappointing to realize that one of our traditional places to eat for "memorable occasions" is not what it once used to be!

To celebrate the beginning of Father's Day weekend, we chose to have a late dinner at Carusos. We were delightfully surprised when our visit began the moment we walked though the door (there wasn't a wait for a table). From then on, however, things went downhill!

Our waitress had no personality whatsoever and she acted as if we were brothering her by our presence. The food was so-so and the galic bread had a stale taste to it.
While eating my dinner, I reached for my sweater which I had placed on the back of my chair. Being seated in the corner next to 2 walls, it brushed against them. Dust went flying! I then looked up and noticed a thick layer of dust on the chandelier that was over the middle of our table. My appetite was gone and my sweater filthy!

When the bill came, I wrote a note to "please dust!" Was it acknowledged? NO. Now I wonder what the kitchen is like.    [17 Jun 2006 02:41:10]

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     ­Anonymous   

Insights into the cooking-from experience
I used to cook at Caruso's, which was very memorable. I know the food there quite intimately although I wouldn't want to give away any of Whitey (Zagona)'s secrets.

The majority of the food there is homemade or at least, assembled from the best/most appropriate ingredients available (again, just like at home, at least in an Italian/American family). It is not spectacular (it seems they haven't changed anything so don't expect prosciutto, mozzarella balls drenched in olive oil or a bakery on the premises selling cannellones) but it IS solid, at least if it is not wrecked by inexperienced kitchen help, which could be possible just like almost anywhere that serves a decent volume of customers.

Work with your server to transmit your desires to the chef if you want the food tweaked in some way (make sure they specify al dente for example). Try to get a patio table if weather permits. Fridays and Saturdays they get slammed.    [27 Oct 2007 16:09:28]

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Recommended Dishes: Pizza; Marinara and Pesto sauces, eggplant, lasagne

     ­Anonymous, Los Angeles