Thursday, March 23, 2006

Cheap Eats: Shot in the Dark Cafe

You can't miss with Shot in the Dark Cafe

JENNY HUNSPERGER

Tucson Citizen

What: Shot in the Dark Cafe

Address and phone: 121 E. Broadway, 882-5544

Hours: 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays

Specialty: Espresso drinks

What was ordered: Breakfast burrito ($3.25), zucchini-mushroom lasagna ($5.95), peanut-butter mocha ($3.50), "Al Green" smoothie ($4.65)

Comments: The Shot in the Dark Cafe is exactly the sort of place you'd expect to see in Tucson: It's homey, it's healthy and it's a little bit quirky. For example, a sign on one of the bathroom doors reads, "Free speech zone: if you think you might be offended use the other one." And the soap is in a ketchup bottle.

As for the atmosphere, Shot in the Dark is cute and comfy in a shabby-chic sort of way. The '70s-motif furniture is mismatched and the brightly painted walls add to the concept. The coffee-shop atmosphere is more Safehouse than Starbucks, but the place has all your typical espresso drinks and some seemingly odd ones (a peanut-butter mocha?). The restaurant style is a little less defined, and the menu is a bit hard to follow, but the barista/waiter was patient in explaining what everything was.

This is the latest incarnation of a shop that in less than a decade has been Cafe Quebec, Cafe Q and most recently The Cafe.

And, like that trio, Shot in the Dark's food was surprisingly good considering initial impressions. The portions were absolutely huge and the lasagna even came with a salad - for $6. Now that's a Cheap Eat. There were plenty of veggies in the lasagna, and the vinegarette dressing on the salad was excellent. My friend was a huge fan of the breakfast burrito and the unusual but tasty peanut-butter mocha. My "Al Green" smoothie was great, especially considering what was in it: orange juice, banana, carrots, cucumbers and spinach. I loved it.

Service: You order everything at the bar, so there wasn't much in the way of service, but the man who helped us was very patient and knowledgeable. It did take a while to get our drinks, though.

Bar: no

Vegetarian options: yes

Dessert: yes

Currency: cash and credit

Takeout: yes

Children's menu: no

Most recent health inspection: Shot in the Dark Cafe has not received a health inspection since July 2004, when the restaurant had different owners, because inspectors are in short supply, according to the Pima County Health Department.

TAKE A COFFEE BREAK

Tucson is chock-full of cafés, and everybody loves a good one. Here are a few to try:

JOEL'S BISTRO, 806 E. University Blvd., 529-7277

Hours: 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays

Have a crepe with your morning coffee.

CLAIRE'S CAFE, 16140 N. Oracle Road, 825-2525

Breakfast hours: 5:30 a.m.-2 p.m. daily

Go for the food AND the attitude!

TOOLEY'S CAFE, 299 S. Park Ave., no phone

Hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays

The most expensive thing on the menu at this cafe with a Mexican spin is $6.50!

SON'S BAKERY CAFE, 5683 E. Speedway Blvd., 885-0806

Hours: 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Mondays

Best egg-salad sandwich in the city.

DELECTABLES, 533 N. Fourth Ave., 884-9289

Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays

Try any of the fresh deli platters with French bread and you won't be disappointed.