First of all the ambiance of the restaurant is so beautiful and Mexican! The service is always wonderful and happy! And the FOOD omg the food is simply the best! I love their Horchata De Mazapan and Cinnamon Tea so much, it's so delicious read more

Love this family owned place! Been here a couple times before moving away 3 years ago and now that I am back , it was a must return to restaurant. You walk in and just feel festive and happy- - the colors are bright and the place is clean and full. We were there on opening so it was a bit loud to be able to visit easily but we were there to eat so did not bother me much. The service super friendly and fun- from being greeted and seated to the table set ups and getting asked if you want your coffee to go at the end- no detail left out. Now- the food? Fantastic every time. This time , I had chorizo and eggs - and loved it. I also had the hot Mexican coffee - yum! Highly recommend! read more

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Newish family restaurant on N 1st. Previously it was a gas station. Extensive menu with all the favorites. Excellent service. Clean bathrooms. The Mexican coffee is special. Be prepared to wait, they do not take reservations. Just Que up. read more

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This is the definition of an adorable cafe. The waitress was so sweet and welcoming. The cafe is homey and cozy with simple but beautiful styling. I started with a cafe de olla, which was served with galletas and a tiny pitcher of cream. Delicious. We were then offered chips and salsa. Not sure if I've ever had a basket of chips and salsa for breakfast but it's a train I can get on. The salsa was so good that if I lived here I would get a job at Buendia just to find out how they make the salsa and then I would probably keep working here because it seems so lovely. Next, I tried their famous breakfast poblano con montado and holy moly it is worth the hype. I'm not even a tamale person but I could eat this constantly. It didn't even need the egg to be amazing but the extra protein was probably good for me. My dad tried the chilaquiles with eggs, and I thought they were also very tasty (these guys have their sauces and salsas dialed!). Personally, I like more toppings on chilaquiles and this dish felt a little simple. You could add chicken to it if you want but I think that would make the cost of the meal pretty excessive for what it is. That being said, it tasted very good. Once we were happily stuffed, we were brought our check in a tiny Buendia tote bag with candies. Are you kiddin!! I love it. The real topping on the cake was a free to-go refill on my coffee. My heart and belly was full. I would send everyone I know here for a wonderful breakfast. Service was fast and we were treated like familia. I hope I get to come back for more. read more

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This is the kind of place I would come back and eat at over and over again if I lived closer. It was soo good! The chips they brought out could've been hotter, but the salsa was very interesting! I can't remember the name of the pepper, but they let me ground more myself when I wanted it to be hotter, which was fun. We tried their Chilaquiles Divororciados and their famous BUENDIA Breakfast Poblano. The chilaquiles were good, but you definitely need to add eggs to it so it's not too monotonous in flavor. I do wish they provided some avocado as well. The red salsa was good until you take a bite of their green salsa, which just hits it out of the park in deliciousness! There was a clear winner on which one was better. As for the poblano, first bite will make it obvious why they are famous for it and why they are on the Yelp Top 100 list. It was TO DIE FOR! The rice was plain, but I was thankful for that because eating it with the sauce was exquisite! My guy and I agreed next time we would each get our own. It's that good! They really do stuff it and every bite will knock your socks off. Guaranteed! As we were leaving, my guy decided he just had to try their Horchata de mazapan. I am soo glad he did because it was delicious! I couldn't stop drinking it and really wished I could have this more often. It's the only horchata I've ever liked so I was shocked. Cannot recommend this place enough! Was absolute heaven to eat here. Great service and great atmosphere with prices that are not unreasonable. The only thing I didn't get was why 2 eggs added to the chilaquiles was more expensive than adding 2 eggs for the poblano. read more

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Don't pass on the poblano breakfast - it's to die for! Very friendly staff that pretend to sprinkle love on your food. A sweet touch. read more

Buendia Breakfast & Lunch Cafe - Poblano breakfast. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

The atmosphere is very traditional Mexican and the staff is extremely friendly. I was not too excited when I received my dish. I love some good chilaquiles and was anxious to try the divorciados from here. Sadly the corn tortillas were just chips with salsa poured over it and my egg was raw I ordered over medium. I rarely leave my food on the plate. The 4 stars is for the staff and experience not the plate I ordered. read more

Buendia Breakfast & Lunch Cafe - Cafe de Olla - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Parking is tight. Ambiance/Cleanliness-Looks like a sketchy saloon from outside...little nicer on the inside...Ambiance is not the strong suit. Clean enough-3 stars. Service-Diana was a rock star!! Super nice and helpful, checked in regularly. Made solid recommendations. 5 stars Food. Good food, fair price! I got the ham and egg burritos (2 small per order) added cheese. Came with very good beans. Diana offered house made chipotle sauce, which was excellent. Complimentary chips and salsa...some of the BEST chips. 4 stars read more

Buendia Breakfast & Lunch Cafe - Complimentary chips and salsa - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Visiting out of state. We order a bbq pork sandwich and a smoothie, they didn't have any pineapple or mangos, we did different smoothie with coconut, just ok, too watery. Sandwich didn't have any jalapeño, instead cucumbers. We order this sandwich often, so I was surprised how it was prepared differently. read more

Went for breakfast and had to order the Cafe De Olla and the Buendia Breakfast Poblano it was so good. We went at around 8:30 am just before the Saturday breakfast rush and the food and service were just so good. Wish I lived closer. Everything is so fresh and made with love you there. Definitely give it a try if you can. read more

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Came with a friend! Service was great very attentive. I ordered the Buendia breakfast poblano special which was a poblano pepper stuffed with a green chile and cheese tamale topped with cream poblano sauce. The tamale was PERFECTION and had this delectable cheesy center. The cream sauce I could have drank!!!! It was balanced and not spicy. Side of beans hard pass I did not like them at all. Watery and no flavor. They messed up my order a few times but man was my food delicious when they finally got it right. I asked for extra sauce but did not realize it was a $4 up charge. That is exorbitant and I wish the server would have confirmed if I was ok with that. We did get a free rice pudding due to all the mistakes and run around which I appreciated. read more

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What a wonderful lunch we had here! Prices are reasonable, and the portions are generous. Our servers were friendly, knowledgeable, and always checking in to make sure we had everything we needed. I ordered the tacos dorados (crispy, flavorful, and perfectly spiced). My partner went for the Buendía Lunch Poblano (stuffed with shrimp and cheese ,absolutely delicious!). We also tried both the Queso soup and the Tortilla soup, and they were equally tasty. Don't leave without trying their café de olla , it's the perfect sweet and aromatic finish to your meal. We went on Day of the dead, everything was beautifully decorated for this special day. read more

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I was so delighted to find Buendia today as I mourned the closure of Mestizos, a prior restaurant owned by this couple, after their brief existence on St Mary's just prior to the Covid lockdown. Happily, Buendia is thriving on First Ave, just north of Grant. The space is colorful, welcoming and BUSY! We were lucky to find a table immediately and then the tough part...... what to order. I went with their house special, roasted stuffed poblano covered in a rich creamy sauce served over rice with side of beans. Incredibly delicious. My partner opted for the maple pancakes. Equally delicious. The owners, who are married, both stopped by to welcome us and acquaint us with their menu. They were smiling, helpful, and friendly. I loved the sprinkling of alegria over our table, a symbolic dash of happiness. The restaurant filled up quickly with happy families so there was an abundance of alegria all around. Prices were reasonable and portions were large. They serve breakfast and lunch only, so get there before 2:00 pm! I'm so delighted that this restaurant is successful and the owners hung in there to achieve their dream. The food is inspired, fresh, crafted with love and joyfully presented. Gracias Buendia! read more

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We love this place for brunch! There is usually a wait, but it moves quickly and you can order a drink while you wait ( I highly recommend their Cafe de Olla). I have tried a few different menu items over various visits and my favorites are the empanadas and tacos (especially the marlin and rajas) and the stuffed poblano dish. My dining companions enjoyed the molletes, burritos, and tacos. Cafe de Olla was ordered all around and everyone loved the sweet and cinnamon flavors of the coffee. This visit service was a little slower than usual, we weren't able to get coffee or water refills, but it was also a busy Sunday morning. I'll still return for that stuffed poblano dish and the coffee! read more

Buendia Breakfast & Lunch Cafe - Stuffed poblano, molletes, burrito - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

One of my favorite chilaquiles place with excellent service and positive ambiance. Positive experience every time. read more

Buendia Breakfast & Lunch Cafe - Chilaquiles verdes with fried eggs - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

I've passed by Buendia many times and finally had an opportunity to stop in for breakfast. This is a cute little restaurant. I love the interior space. They were able to seat me right away, even with limited space. The staff was very friendly, I was greeted when I arrived, then remained attentive throughout the meal. I love that they offer cafe de olla. I don't drink coffee but will if this particular drink is on the menu. I also ordered the chorizo and egg breakfast burritos. They were very good and even though small, they were filling. It comes with two burritos. I was able to take one home and make another meal out of it. Very happy to have found this spot. The warmth of the staff and the cafe de olla will have me returning! read more

I love this place. My first visit was a few weeks ago with a Yelp event, but yesterday it was lunch for 4, and for the other 3 it was their first visit. I had the stuffed poblano at the Yelp event so I knew how terrific that was, and someone else at that event told me how great their chorizo was so I had the egg and chorizo burritos. It really is good. My wife had the steak fajita bowl which she said was great but could have used a little more heat. Next time she'll douse it with hot sauce. One of our other companions had the fish tacos made with smoked marlin, which he thought was excellent. One of the employees came around with a platter of empanadas for sale. We bought a bag of 5 and had the caramel one for desert at dinner that night, and I loved the texture of the dough. The people here are really wonderful, that's what really makes this place special. They make you feel so welcome. We really like the decor. We had been to the same location several times back when it was Wild Garlic, so we had been in the building prior to the remodeling the Buendia folks have done and its a huge improvement. This place is definitely now on our "regular" list even though it's a 30 minute drive from Oro Valley. read more

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07/13/2025 Sunday 10:45 am. The service and ambiance amazing. So friendly and genuinely hospitable. The cafe de olla, the best thing I have had in a long time! Just a hair sweet but still phenomenal. Started with guacamole. It was good, mixed in a bit if the green salsa and It complimented well. My sister ordered the chillaquillas which had the same green sauce as my enchiladas. They were okay. The chile con carne burritos, the beef was very good and juicy. The chicken in my enchiladas was unfortunately dry and the enchiladas themselves weren't not hot. Surprising for how busy they were! The red and green sauce, lacked depth of flavor. White rice was just that, white rice. The refried beans had a bit of the red sauce it tasted like. So not your average refried beans. Would I come here again. I loved the service and genuine friendliness, but I don't think I would return. read more

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Services was great here! It's an intimate spot with limited waiting room area, and it was very busy on a Saturday morning, understandably. The wait was not bad at all for 2 people, about 30 minutes. We ordered the tacos Dorados & the breakfast burritos. It was simple but effective! Other tables got the chilaquiles and they looked delicious. Complementary chips and salsa for the first route then it's paid, but the first round was enough. Salsa was alright, wish they had a spicy option but a great spot for a casual breakfast with focus on Mexican breakfast dishes! read more

Buendia Breakfast & Lunch Cafe - Tacos Dorados with all toppings & side of beans! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Not my first time and not my last time either. There is a reason this gets voted on the top places to eat... because it is! As usual, my favorite is the breakfast poblano but every other dish is just as good. The huevos rancheros was delicious and my dining partner scarfed that up! The food is made from scratch and fresh. The cafe de olla was super delicious and you can add cream if you want. As usual, service was great... despite being busy and all tables occupied, we got our food quickly and was checked on often, of course the meal is not a meal unless you shake a little bit of alegria (joy/ happiness) on your food. read more

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My favorite is the poblano pepper stuffed with a green corn tamale and the delicious green sauce. I could eat anything with the green sauce. Service is always so friendly and fast. They added another dining area which was needed with the popularity of this restaurant. Don't forget to order the cinnamon tea, it's delicious. read more

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Great place for great food and their special gift of love and joy. I would recommend the Café de Olla. Very tasty. Maybe the best mole sauce in Tucson. Clean restaurant. Great service. read more

Buendia Breakfast & Lunch Cafe - Great coffee - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Similar to the "unassuming" comment someone wrote, Buendia's outside is in fact plain and not particularly eye-catching. Yet, my daughter and I felt we were in someone's home as soon as we stepped foot in here. The prompt "Buendia" greeting, the eye contact, the genuineness, the comforting feel, the welcoming atmosphere are all here at this Mexican restaurant in Tucson. From burritos, huevos rancheros, etc- to the basic pork, poultry, seafood proteins, Buendia has something for everyone. I'm not sure what Buendia is known for- but this family certainly has tasty food at reasonable prices. My breaded fish tacos and my daughter's fish and veg were all savory. The presentation is straightforward and ingredients, are wholesome. But it was my fresh limenade, that was EVERYTHING. I love the personal touch and "homey" feel here. Food might be simple- but it's hearty. read more

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Ranked No. #38 on Yelp's list We came for brunch at 9am but I was eyeing some of their lunch items. Our lovely waitress said they were all available to order. The pic of their tortilla soup sold me. It will be my first time having it as well as a Cafe de Olla. Cafe de Olla - I always thought it would be really strong coffee but it was not. I loved that it didn't make me feel jittery. My son had it iced and it comes in a huge plastic cup. The cookies that came with reminded me of something I had as a kid. I could eat 12 more. Tortilla Soup - O...M...G!!! Are you kidding me?? This blew me away. My son said it was phenomenal and I agree with him. Our young waitress said it's one of her favorites as well. GET IT!!! Poblano - pepper stuffed with corn tamale and cheese served with rice & beans (what they are known for). Another winning dish. There was a little glass jar filled with colorful mini pom poms with a sticker "alegría" on it. The waitress pretended to sprinkle happiness all over our food. This was such a cute gesture. I got a kick out of it and it made me smile. Definitely say yes to their complimentary fresh chips and homemade salsa. That salsa!! This place got packed by the time we left at 10am. You will be welcomed like family. I didn't catch our young waitress's name but she was absolutely AMAZING!!!! Plenty of parking. read more

Decided to try this place out. It had me really looking forward to the food. The chips were cold and felt old. The salsa was fine, different from the norm but not better. I always order a basic ground beef burrito at any new Mexican place because it's simple and easy to mess up. If you can do a simple ground beef burrito then the rest of your menu might be pretty good. This one was not good. It was barely filled and the filling was meat and some vegetables, but neither was doing anything to make it taste better. The refried beans also tasted funky but not in a good way. My partner enjoyed her meal, but what I tried of it it to was bland. All the good reviews makes me think I caught the kitchen on a bad day. The only reason this isn't a 2 star review was the great service and the Dela Rosa peanut horchatta which was fantastic. Maybe I'll try it again someday. read more

Buendia Breakfast & Lunch Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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I had tried to come here previously, but there were no parking spaces, so come early! The ambiance is super sweet and cozy. We were greeted and seated promptly as well. Don't skip out on the Cafe de Olla, served in specialized mugs with little cookies on the side. It's sweet, spiced with cinnamon, and very flavorful. I got the rancheros which hit the spot, and my hubby got the stuffed poblano. Both were delicious, but his was especially good. Beans and breakfast potatoes were also tasty, and nothing was overly greasy or oily. The salsa was not too hot but definitely had a kick, and everything was made fresh. We will be back! read more

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Fun spot. Just a few tables and a unique twist on most other Mexican spots in Tucson. Great guacamole, super salsa and an interesting menu. I had the masa stuffed relleno and it was great as was the service and decor. read more

Food: I had the Mole Chicken Enchilada and carne con chile empanada -- both of which were FANATASTIC. It was my first time trying mole and I loved Buendia's recipe! It wasn't too chocolatey or sweet; it held a perfect balance of sweet and savory. The carne con chile empanada was also delicious -- nice and moist -- and it came with house made chipotle sauce as well as pickled onions and salad! Not pictured but I also had the Cafe de Olla -- a cinnamon flavored and sweetened coffee. WHEW -- I've never had anything like it but I can tell you this is a big winner on the menu!! Service: Wow. The service and genuine hospitality of Buendia employees is what keeps you wanting to stay! These folks are great at making you feel welcome and inviting you to enjoy Mexican culture and food for a couple of hours. Ambiance: The decor at this restaurant is certainly one of my favorite aspects of dining here. Buendia is so carefully curated -- one part Mexico and one part Southwest USA. If I could give them 6 stars, I would! read more

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A very enjoyable brunch with my family. Incredibly kind staff that accommodated my militant toddler with toys and helped with his messses. The play area was nice, too. We had a large combination of entrees and everything was hot and fresh. The place was recomended by another similar restaurant across town, so you know it's good when the insiders recommend it. They did a nice job sprucing up this old building. read more

Sooooooo cute ! This place is packed . Prepare to wait . Food was good & they have many vegan & vegetarian menu items . I ordered the nopales ranchero , personally too bland and everything lacked spice . I would definitely come back but bring your own hot sauce ! read more

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Buendia is still one of my favorite restaurants and their dining room addition with a kids play area keeps them at the top of our list! Our daughter absolutely loves it and we do too! We can enjoy our meal while she plays and runs back and forth from the play area to our table. It's a great family dining experience that's wholesome at the same time. We adore Julio and Jael and the entire family. Our favorite items to order are the tocino burro, the machaca, tacos dorados, and the pancakes. You can't go wrong with anything in the menu. It's all good and homemade. read more

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Great food, great service. Very kind staff you thinks get there early because it can get packed sometimes

Buendia is a Tucson gem! I ordered their signature dish--a poblano stuffed with a green corn tamale and cheese, topped with two perfectly cooked eggs--and it was absolutely delicious. The flavors were rich and comforting, with just the right balance of heat and sweetness - seasoned by our server with alegría (happiness). We also had an order of guacamole that was fresh and flavorful, and the Mexican coffee with cinnamon and spices was the perfect cozy finish. Parking can be a little tricky and there was a fifteen minute wait, but it was well worth every minute. The food, atmosphere, and warm service made it a standout dining experience. Highly recommend Buendia! read more

Buendia Breakfast & Lunch Cafe - A poblano stuffed with a green corn tamale and cheese. So good. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

The food and service are always excellent! The cafe de olla is always a must and never disappoints. The food is always fresh and delicious. We got the chilaquiles divorciados and they are not like other restaurants, here the fried tortilla chips are crisp and the sauce is so delicious. We did not order eggs but there is an option to have the dish topped with eggs, any style. All dishes are served with Alegría, happiness, which makes the food extra special and yummy! read more

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Cute place with nice decorations, a play area for kids and pac-man game machines! It does get crowded on Sundays. I enjoy their red and green chile sauces but they are not spicy. I like to have them on the potato empanadas. I think the food could use more spice but I do like the red and green chile sauces and the salsa. I also enjoyed the frijoles de la olla. Their refried beans ate flavorful, watery/ smooth terms of texture. I enjoyed their nopal burritos and the red nopal plate too. I think some of the items are pricey for the amount of food but I enjoyed trying their various vegetarian items. Their red chili sauce is nice and creamy and their green has nice tartness. read more

Buendia Breakfast & Lunch Cafe - A cup of frijoles de la olla and a Christmas potato empanada - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Let's start off with the vibes of this place!! As soon as I walked in I was greeted and honestly it felt like my uncle telling me to come and eat. Respectfully of course. Everyone was so nice and that welcoming feeling was a cherry on top! Parking lot is small but some were parking across the street. I was placed on a waiting list and didn't wait long maybe an out 15mins on a Saturday. I ordered their most requested dish but also the chorizo mulletas and their cafe de olla. The food came out fast and the waitress sprinkled alittle bit of alegria from a jar with a happy face that was on the ya le. It was such a cute gesture. Prices are decent. And the portions are huge and enough to share. The Chile with the tamal de elite inside was a good combo, sweet from the table but flavorful with the chile and sauce. You do receive a round of chips and salsa for free than the next will be paid but one round is good. The beans are good!! I now am aware of why this place is a must when visiting Arizona!! And I agree 100%'n read more

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The girlfriend and I stopped by Buendía Breakfast & Lunch Cafe one morning right when they opened, since it gets busy quickly. I had the chile con carne breakfast, and she had the lunch poblano stuffed with shrimp and cheese -- both were fantastic. The chile con carne had a generous portion, wasn't too spicy, and just rich with flavor. Her stuffed poblano was fresh and the green sauce was amazing. Of course, we also enjoyed the delicious café de olla. I hadn't been there in a while, and it was great to see the new addition in the back with more seating and a little play area for the kidos. The place is always busy, and it's easy to see why -- the food is consistently delicious, the atmosphere is inviting, the space is clean, and the service is always friendly. Can't really ask for more from a local Tucson gem. In my opinion, this spot is a must and is destined to become a Tucson staple. read more

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I was visiting Tucson from out of town, and I was craving a really authentic Mexican-style breakfast. Buendia delivered in spades! Delicious huevos rancheros on a nopal paddle, great French press decaf coffee, just wonderful. Service was attentive and gracious, and the ambiance was welcoming and hospitable. Give this place a try, I don't think you'll be disappointed! read more

Service is always great, food ok. I ordered chicken tortilla soup (almost $18) it was very bland and parking is horrible.

Service was great, chilaquiles were not as good as we thought. Should have ordered another breakfast plate. Maybe consider chairs with cushion, place is very colorful and clean. read more