This is an awesome Downtown Tucson restaurant with a mission, they help train and assist people with employment. They are open days and have a catering program as well. I come here between 1 to 4 times per month and the food is always great lunch fare and at a decent price. AND because they are a NON PROFIT, NO TAXES! You can also order online at their website. They primarily focus on sandwiches, hamburgers, BLT, Gyros. They are very tasty and come with Fries, or hummus or salad options. You can also do soups. Some items are special and may have limited availability but you can check this on the website. Almost every meal comes with a vegan roll. The restaurant has nice homemade teas, fountain drinks and canned. No alcohol. They have about 10-15 small tables so you can combine for a small group of six, but anything larger may be awkward. I just can't say enough about this being a non-profit and community GEM because of how they help their staff. I am very pro employee and they make sure their people are doing great. You can pay with card, and sometimes they have specials like meals for two people for $30. Tipping optional. They also support art with local artists pictures on the walls for purchase. Nice location on a side street, with garages, street parking and lots nearby. read more

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Visiting Tucson, Arizona last week and decided to try some lunch places downtown around Pennington Street. Stopped into Cafe 54 and found the atmosphere to be bright and cheery with plenty of artwork to capture anyone's attention. We ordered the Ceasar Salad with chicken and The Hero's Gyro with grilled gyro beef. Both were excellent with a great choice of Green Tea and fountain drinks. We ordered at the front area where we were met with cheerful employees to take our order. In moments, our food was brought out with a smile along with some of their famous rosemary rolls with butter & olive oil. The prices for their entrees are totally reasonable. Cafe 54 is a great find and they appear to be serving a great purpose for their community here in Tucson. read more

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I work downtown so I've been to this café quite a few times. I've liked everything I've had, from the soup to the burgers and salads. I think it's all excellent and all very flavorful! There's only been one time when I had a minor issue with the service, they took an extra long time with one of my to go orders. But they were very apologetic and gave me a coupon for a free meal, which completely made up for the delay. The only note I would give them would be to have their service staff be a little more friendly. They're not rude by any means, but I've just noticed that the employees aren't often smiling around customers. The cafe itself is also delightful, it's always very brightly lit, they have fresh flowers on each table, and they always have really cool and eclectic artwork on the walls that is also for sale. Lastly, I love the mission of this café! They run an employment training program for adults in mental health recovery. And to spotlight mental health each table number stand has a card, which names a famous individual, and the mental illness that they suffer from. I think this is a great local establishment and I wish we had more like it. read more

I have been to this wonderful restaurant several times over the years, but never took the time to review; however, after a recent visit, I felt compelled to offer my opinion. We went last night, after normal hours, for a special event, hopefully the 1st of many more to come. This is the 20th Anniversary for Cafe 54 and I pray their food and mission will continue for another 20+ years. We were treated to a Gourmet 4 Course Dinner, consisting of an appetizer (Tuna Poke/Pork Belly), salad/soup (Strawberry Green Salad/Carrot Ginger Soup), entree (Mahi Mahi with Crabmeat/Ribeye) and dessert (Key Lime Pie/ Flourless Chocolate Torte). My husband and I each ordered differently in order to sample it all. We were NOT disappointed... every morsel we ate was cooked to perfection. The atmosphere, friendly diners, friendly staff (even the trainees) all created a wonderful evening. The Cafe hopes to continue these dinners in different formats and we pray they do! Thank you for a lovely experience and very full tummies! read more

Not only is this place a nonprofit that is doing good things in the community, it is an outstanding restaurant! From the second we walked in, we were warmly greeted, and assisted with our order. We both ordered the salad niçoise, which was huge and tasty. The salmon was delicious, as was the dressing, which was a mustard vinaigrette, and complemented the other components. There were Kalamata olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, sliced cold potatoes, green beans, and a hard boiled egg. I did manage to finish every bite. We were also offered a roll before our lunches came, which came warm and with butter on the side. We were checked on to make sure everything was okay. Someone even brought my water to me when I forgot my glass up front. I highly encourage checking this place out for lunch. Because they're not open for dinner. read more

Cafe 54 - Salad niçoise with salmon - A salad niçoise with salmon, boiled eggs, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, green beans, mixed greens, and a sausage on a black plate. - American Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Great food atmosphere and a very worthwhile institution! Try the Gyros! They also help people get into the work force and succeed in their own lives!Bacon Avocado Cheeseburger read more

A wonderful surprise. My son and I made our first visit today and were delighted. He had the Korean Bowl and I had the Salmon Nicoise Salad and both were outstanding. The salad was beautiful, crisp and cold with a perfectly cooked hot salmon strip. The Korean Bowl was a great combination of flavors and was served hot. Both dishes were generous servings with quality ingredients. Service was friendly and efficient. We were made to feel welcome and valued. Downtown parking can be challenging, but it is worth the effort. We'll be nack. read more

I came in here for a late lunch. I really like the relaxing vibes as I walked in. I ordered a California club on whole-grain with fruit. I chose a nice little corner of the restaurant, which was really nice because I got to look at all the artwork for sale. A waiter and a waitress brought me a rosemary roll with the option of butter or vinegar and oil while I waited for my food. This roll was to die for! I'm not just saying that because I was hungry. My sandwich was pretty good. I'll probably ask for lightly toasted but that's just my preference. The waiter was so kind to check on me. I was interested in getting a half dozen. He checked with the kitchen and they weren't able to because it was not close enough to closing. I can appreciate that they wanted to make sure they did not run out. He did let me know I could call in the morning and preorder. All in all 10/10! read more

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The food was excellent. The prices were great and their mission is awesome! Nice touch with local artists work displayed. Nice location downtown. read more

While I would like to give more stars based on the premise of this place, we didn't have a fantastic experience. When we arrived at lunch time and the place was pretty empty, we wondered if it was because everyone was working remotely or something else. We ordered from the board and I got a salad and the other 3 got burgers. The burgers all were cheese with bacon and your basic toppings. One of my kids ordered a burger with no tomato or onion. When they brought the food, all of them had no bacon, no tomato and no onion. There was lots of confusion and after getting the tomato and onion on 2 of the burgers, they all gave up on getting the bacon. We also had to ask for silverware. The food was really good. I got the mediterranean salad and it was chocked full of kalamata olives as well as other yummy ingredients. The burgers were hot and fresh and the fries were perfect! I realize this is a training place, but if the staff doesn't serve the right food and it's hard to get a correction, nobody will return. We were visiting the area and hoped to have the same experience as the recent reviewers. read more

A friend and I were walking around downtown, and came upon this little eatery. The chalkboard announced the day's specials, which sounded great to us, so we went in to order. Our food (salmon salad for me and a burger for my friend) was beautifully plated, colorful, and delicious, tho' the (perfectly grilled and wonderfully delicious) salmon on my salad could have been just a little larger. It was only after our orders came that I realized that this is a non-profit, training program. As if the yummy food weren't enough reason to support this cafe! read more

Just lovely. I happened upon this place just walking around downtown. It's a great spot to grab lunch and sit outside. I love that they provide employment training for folks. I'm a vegetarian and the menu has just the perfect options for me. If you are super picky, you might not love it, because the menu is small, but I find it to be perfect. Service is great. Adorable ambiance. Might become my favorite downtown spot. read more

The burger was cooked very well, and tasty. The fries were better than Mickey Dees. Nice atmosphere and friendly staff. Will definitely return. read more

Service was very polite and patient. Adorable café with very fresh food. Salad was huge as well as the vegan burger. Iced tea was flavorful. Warm rolls were free and yummy. Love that this place gives back to our community. Cute art for sale on wall. Feels like a hip classy spot. Prices were on point also! Very highly recommend. read more

We stopped by to get some quick lunch for our 8-year old. Loved the concept of the cafe, the beautiful art and the impeccable customer service. The food (Korean bowl) was great, our son loved it. read more

For Arizona, it's pretty good..but compared to California food - 3 stars. This place helps adults diagnosed with a mental illness by employing them as busboys/waiters. I honestly didn't know but I had visited the website before going here. You can tell if you observe them, but if you were enthralled in current company, you would probably never know. The food is decent. I definitely ordered the wrong thing that day; spaghetti squash with this squarish corn thing. It had tomatoes, asparagus, and a large mushroom. I thought everything was wayyyy too oily and it was a little bland for my taste. I should've ordered the turkey & bacon sandwich. Drinks are $1.50 and they give you free bread. I noticed everyone around me had steak salads. Bright atmosphere, great service, and a decently cute lunch cafe (not as cute as the ones in LA). read more

Great food great prices great service !!!yummy sandwich and salad - greens were fresh salad dressing was homemade and extremely tasty!

This is the kind of place I would want to support just because of their mission. However, it is ALSO the kind of place I'm happy to support because they serve tasty, healthy food at a reasonable price. The constantly shifting and changing menu is a delight - they have some standard favorites, but you'll never get bored with what they're offering. Not only is it seasonal, but allows them to explore lots of different ethnic and regional flavors. So go for great burgers, then return for a warm curry the next week or a delicious lasagne the next. All dishes are flavorful and filling without being massive or guilt-inducing. They always have good vegetarian options. The service is sometimes unpredictable, but I'm willing to give so much more latitude given the nature of the business. I've even been there when the servers were so attentive that I wanted to just hang out and sip tea all afternoon. Atmosphere is relaxing and decidedly Tucson - not at all like some of the newer high-end places coming to downtown trying to bring big-city sensibilities to our dirty pueblo. Its classy and arty enough to not embarrass you with out of state clients, but grounded enough to be comfortable with kids. Love this spot! read more

Good food, service and above all their mission is what sets this place apart. This eatery is actually a Non-profit, Alan a cafe with a cause that provides adults recovering from mental illnesses job development and training. Additionally the cafe is filled with art and recently they launched a good truck. This place is just awesome. You can go here and grab a fresh lunch- mostly salads and sandwiches and know that you're supporting a business that is making a difference in the community. read more

This is my absolute favorite place for lunch downtown. The menu is in constant rotation and there is always something amazing to try. The quality of ingredients in every dish is just amazing and Words just cannot describe my happiness when eating the Greek Beef Salad. And best of all, there is no tax! $9.50 for the Greek Salad is $9.50 out the door! Throw in a Squirt (Yes, there is Squirt in the Fountain) for a buck and you are good to go! You cannot go wrong eating at this place, especially considering that you are helping a organization aimed toward the training of those recovering from a mental illness. read more

Cafe 54 is a great place with a wonderful mission. They provide jobs to persons who need to learn restaurant skills in the hopes they can eventually get a job in another restaurant. They work with the mentally ill population to help them become employable and self-sustaining which is great! The food is really tasty and the prices cannot be beat. The service has always been great and every staff member has been kind and attentive. It's always been easy to get seated and everything about the place makes it worthwhile to support. If you're downtown and seeking lunch, this is the place to go. read more

Awesome awesome awesome! It's so refreshing to see people who genuinely want to do a great job. We had the daily special which was a bacon avocado cheeseburger. It was delicious!!! My vegetarian sister had the black bean burger which she also loved and my mom had the green salad. It was pretty standard. The burger was cooked perfectly. read more

I really, really love Café 54. First and foremost, I love the the mission behind the organization. The café is an award-winning employment-training program for individuals with mental illness, funded by CPSA, RSA, and private donors. They also have an art foundation, allowing participants a creative outlet. You will see some of this art hanging along the walls. They also host art shows exhibiting these works on occasion. The café is a quaint little spot, open only for lunch, and offers tasty daily menu specials (including sweet treats). The meals are tax-free, as this is a non-profit. The spicy black bean burger is one of my staple menu faves -- it is so moist and flavorful. You can get it crumbled over a salad, instead of with a bun, if you prefer. The chicken Caesar salad is one of my favorites in town, and I often order it to-go. Catering and box lunches are also available from the café, and I have called on them (with wonderful results) when in need. The catering team is incredibly nice, and have very graciously (you guessed it) "catered" to my sometimes last-minute requests. I will most likely continue to patronize this jewel of a place as long as I am in Tucson. read more

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The menu consists of sandwiches and salads. They have interesting and creative daily specials such as an open face kimchi cheese burger on ramen. read more

Cafe 54 - Ramen burger - American Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

The burger I had there was really good. Excellent service and friendly employees. Bread was great and I enjoyed the meal, the scenery was nice too. I recommend the restaurant to anyone who is looking for a good lunch. However the food is a little pricey, but I'm ok with it since it's for a good cause. read more

I finally got to have lunch here today, I've been wanting to go, but I work when they're open. Today I was downtown for a seminar at the library, and I got the chance! It was very good! I had the veggie burger and the quinoa salad, and they were full of flavor and the burger was piled with delicious veggies! The best part was the awesome sourdough roll that it came with MMM! I haven't had rolls that good since I was a kid. Now I want to try the other baked goods. The service was friendly, and fast! Nice experience. It's cute inside too! read more

As I walked towards the cafe I was greeted by their specials brightly displayed on a black chalkboard, the vibrant colors followed me into the cafe itself. The atmosphere here is very low key, relaxing, peaceful. The menu is also displayed on a chalkboard of larger proportions. I ordered lunch for work, for four and relaxed at a table viewing the lovely art as I waited. My dish, the Seafood Ceviche, was robust and yet subtle. The crab was shredded, the scallops just right, and of course their was shrimp. The sauce was a wonderful light tomato mix with fresh veggies and herbs but with a little kick so it wasn't overly earthy. This comes with tortilla chips and while I only partook in a few the crunch and added salt from the chip was a party in my mouth. The serving is 12oz, great for a light lunch. Another order was the turkey club wit a side of fruit, the consumer of this meal said it was good... Nothing special but good. The disappointment came with the two orders of Caesar Salad with an add on of Chicken. There was little more than a handful of romaine lettuce and maybe 2-3 oz of chicken. At $10 a salad I can get twice that at other establishments, that was disappointing. Lastly each was served with an herb dinner roll that had a lovely thick outer layer, not too chewy though, and fluffy inside. I will be back, I'd like to see what's next on the menu. Note: they DONT change it daily read more

Cafe 54 - Seafood Ceviche - American Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

This is a good place. I love their buffalo chicken salad!!. They give free samples of bread. they have nice artwork beside too. It's downtown so the parking is not that great. I worked downtown during the summer and it was a great place to grab a quick lunch. I've had their salads and sandwiches. They also sell desserts and they differ day by day read more

7/5/11 - Quiche (grilled onions & Swiss cheese), side salad, herb roll, water. All very tasty. You place your order at the back of the restaurant and then find a table. A server brings your food when it's ready. The noise level is loud because there's lots of echo in the two rooms that have high ceilings and cement floors. read more

Great tamarin chicken salad that was a healthy portion, so I will have it as a side tonight with dinner! Friend I was dining with had the salmon salad special with beet pasta, which she let me sample, and we both liked. She had leftovers as well. It's a nice place to stop for lunch on a hot day downtown, which is almost every day in Tucson! read more

Limited variety, but what is here is good. I'd recommend checking their menu online prior to coming here, they offer a handful of sandwiches and salads along with one or two entrees. It is kept updated on a daily basis, so if you don't see something you like, check tomorrow. Portion sizes are not particularly big. Side dishes are generally 4-6 ounces and they're reasonable lunch portions, although hardly the place to go if you're starving. Drinks are small but soft drinks are on unlimited refill. They do offer bread with your meal regardless of what you get. The food you do get however, is very good. The style of entrée changes up constantly and the quality is always consistently high. I've had burgers, Thai, Italian, etc. that have all been done quite well. Pricing is 10-12 for a meal and drink. Note that they do NOT charge tax as they are considered legally to be a non profit entity. For those who do not care about their goal to help train, employ, and provide skills to workers who otherwise may not acquire them, this is the practical side of it for you. For those also curious, artwork from local artists is on display and I believe it is purchasable, but I've never inquired further. I have never been blown away by the food at Café 54, and it's never been a particularly great value for me given the smaller portion sizes, but if you see something on the menu that strikes your fancy, I can tell you that you will enjoy it and that it's going to support a very worthy cause. Disclosure: I am friends with one of the staff here from prior to their employment with Café 54. I have received no benefits of this friendship as it pertains to the restaurant. read more

This place is super cool! Nice lunch place that employs people with barriers to employment. Simple but delicious, great service by people who are being trained to give good service. Maybe even more training than your average server? In any case, an all-around good, happy experience and what better lunch could you ask for than goodness and happiness? read more

This place is pretty interesting. They employ people with mental disabilities to help serve, which I think is really admirable. The bread they serve is really good too, but I thought the gyro I got was a bit plain for the price. read more

Cafe 54 - Gravlax Caesar salad - American Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Excellent management! We chatted under the watchful eye of the trainees and observed the fabulous lighting last holiday afternoon. I mean the street took the direct sun and the full glass facade at entrance combined with downtown ambiance was classic. Then, there was the food inexpensively priced but fresh. I remember a breaking supervisor stopped on her way back to kitchen to remind me that it was rosemary that the rolls served before the meal were infused with. Yes, that was the scent that caught my attention. Also, we shared a butternut squash soup and a blueberry muffin. The attention to detail reflects off of the walls inside, too, with so many select paintings absorbing that soft backlight from the street. I was so impressed that we will definitely return for another gander... read more

Good food! Great service and friendly people. I definitely recommend the flour-less chocolate cake (with a glass of milk of course). I really appreciate and support the good work this company/restaurant does. read more

What I like about this place is that they are helping bring awareness and support to people with mental illness through the artwork displayed in the space and with employment. There was also a good selection of veggie/vegan dishes on the menu which can sometimes be hard to find. The misses for me: the space is small so parties larger than 4, prepare to feel crammed. There was also a strange odor coming from what I believed to be the soda fountain-bad smells can really kill an appetite for me. Lastly the food, try the butternut squash mac and cheese. read more

I stopped in for lemonade. A few weeks ago, the cafe had offered samples outside, and it was awesome. This time, the recipe was different--syrupy and not as good. I requested a to-go cup and was presented with a clear plastic cup, worth approx. $0.05 retail. I was told that this cup would cost me an additional $0.50. I asked the cashier whether that is the price the cafe pays for those cups. He said that he didn't know. I asked whether he felt this cup was worth the price. He declined to answer. I asked him and another cashier whether they think that their customers are stupid. Still no answer. Frankly, not only is this poor service, but the pricing insulted my intelligence. read more

Just scarfed down their lobster salad.... hmm delicious, its more like a lobster+surimi (think california roll crab filling) salad... nonetheless it was great, especially with fresh lemon wedges.. It comes with a mustard dressing, which wasn't really needed because it was great just with the lemon. Again their portion size of take-out was smaller than if I sat down and ordered, but oh well.. just really wanted more greens to even out the "lobster". Maybe I should stop complaining about their take out portions, because I just don't really have the time to sit down and get waited on during a busy lunch hour, but seriously I wish they could make sure that their to go orders get the same amount of food as their sit down meals.. Today's special came with a side of cous cous which is amazing... I spy cilantro, green bell peppers, red onions, tomatoes, and cranberries in it =D.. delicious hmmm hmm, and of course everything comes with a fresh rosemary dinner roll! read more

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I am a huge fan of Cafe 54's rotating menu of delicious, reasonably priced sandwiches, salads, and entrees. Although I have been disappointed once or twice in the past, 54's laudable goal of helping mentally ill individuals to become independent is worth the fifth star. The turkey BLT (a BLT with turkey, not a turkey-bacon BLT) is the best sandwich of its ilk I have ever eaten. read more

Great food ad atmosphere. I loved the vibe of the restaurant. Local artists work hanging on the walls. The staff was so nice and friendly. Definitely will be back read more