Great food and drinks. One of my favorite spots to go to during my time at U of A. Love their happy hour as well. Their fish burrito is one of my favorites. Highly recommend for a good local college joint! read more

I have always had the best of times at Illegal Pete's! They have the best happy hour in town Being able to finish class and enjoy their delicious variety of margaritas is always something my friends & I look forward to after a hot Arizona day. We met Vanessa who is the bartender and she is incredibly kind, makes awesome drink recommendations and is the fastest person behind the bar. Her expertise and personality are the biggest reason our group exclusively supports Illegal Pete's before we would ever entertain any other bar/restaurant on University. Illegal Pete's is the perfect place to stop for great food & drinks! read more

Illegal Pete's - Bars Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

We were here for Parents weekend at the U of A. It was super crowded with a long line. While this isn't Illegal Pete's fault, the line moved incredibly slow. It's basically just like Chipotle, where you go through and choose everything you want. I'm currently on a strict diet, so I can't eat processed foods. It was a bit disappointing that they wouldn't let me substitute anything for not getting a tortilla and rice. The food was fairly good, but not sure I would go back again. read more

Leaving this until i eat there . Scenery is great , lots of people walking around if you wanna drink a beer and pretend you are on a game show and your the announcer describing people walking by... lol Bar area is cool , we sat outside on a half way rainy day it was great . Good service and price wasnt bad for two beers read more

Illegal Pete's - A coors light - Bars Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

My kid who goes to U of A took us here for lunch knowing my preference on the healthier type of fast food. To my delight I was very pleased. Much like Chipotle Mexican Grill, you pick and choice your style, protein, vegetable and starch. And to boot the really nice perk to this place is that they have a bar, so you can order an ice cold beer among other cocktails to go with your lunch as we did. The 3 of us ordered Bowls with the Grilled Steak, each with different add-ons from the Free Stuff and the "Make it Extra Better" Green Chili with an extra charge. The ingredients all fresh, A lot of steak, Tortilla Chips were really good. Staff and Service were very friendly, places to sit and eat inside. This place must be popular, long lines, but they moved fast, which means the turnover of food is good. I would definitely come here again for a quick lunch. read more

Illegal Pete's - Bowl with Grilled Steak and Free Add-ons - Bars Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

The patio is pleasant enough and dog friendly that's the only reason it has one star.The food was terrible, the flour tortillas had no flavor and were not local mass produced in some factory where they looked like corn tortillas. The staff didn't taste them which made them inedible. I tried to get a cocktail but not at the expense of trying to chase the bartender down. read more

Love their burritos!!! Everything is amazing and recommend trying them for yourself if you are a Mexican Food Fan!

One of my favorite bars on University. I graduated a couple years ago but this is still our go to place whenever we are back in town to meet up with friends. The drinks are priced well and the food is good for snacking or a full meal. It's in a good location the staff is friendly and it's usually a good vibe and atmosphere. Don't ever change illegal Pete's read more

I like illegal Pete's a lot, it's cheaper than chipotle for sure. HOWEVER... I went in to buy a couple burrito bowls. We pay $24 for 2 bowls, which I'm okay with. Went and got home, we come to find out one bowl was missing! I drive 30 min back to illegal Pete's and I tell them "hey you guys forgot to bag my bowl when I paid earlier" the employee goes okay no problem what was it? I then tell her and she starts to make another bowl, BUT SHE GIVES ME HALF OF WHAT I ACTUALLY PAID FOR. SHE MAKES MY BOWL IN THIS SMALL LITTLE SOUP CUP I love illegal Pete's, just please do better is all I'm asking read more

Illegal Pete's - Bars Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Burrito is okay for down the line concept. Line was dirty. Saw employees put on gloves in between handling cash. Gross. I get your busy but do you remember food safety ? The final experience is why I'm leaving a review. Women with red hair and a beanie came across as very rude. Got upset when we told her our food was to go and slammed the dine in tray and rolled her eyes. Sorry we're such an inconvenience? Visiting so I won't be back or recommend to others. read more

Where are all of the bartenders? This place used to have a community feel, but the new management (Sonia) has driven away all of the good ones. What happened to taco Tuesday? What happened to trivia night? In addition, what happened to the food? They are stingy with the queso and have been out of birria on more than one occasion. read more

Steak tacos are meh but the fish tacos are awesome . Also the staff moves quick and is very friendly.its worth a try if you're in the area.

Illegal Pete's is a great place to watch a game or meet up with friends, and they make my favorite margarita in Tucson. It's only $4.50 during happy hour (3 p.m.-8 p.m. daily, which is amazing!) and you can even get the prickly pear flavor for the same price. They're strong, tangy and have just the right combo of lime and orange juice. The only downside is that this place is always packed with college students during the UA school year, and the service suffers. Because of that, Pete's is my go-to in the summer and during school breaks when it's less busy. If the weather is nice, they have a large patio and areas to sit on the upstairs balcony. The food is good. During happy hour, you can go up to the counter for free chips and salsa if you buy a drink. I've also had their guacamole, queso and burrito bowls with chicken. All of it has been tasty, and I like that you can get free guac on your bowl/burrito if you forego cheese and sour cream. They also offer potatoes instead of rice if that's more your speed, and the fresh topping options include black olives (yum!). Overall, this is one of my favorite places for a quick bite on University Blvd. read more

Illegal Pete's - The delicious prickly pear margarita is only $4.50 during happy hour. - Bars Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Yes this is a student handout joint located within walking distance of the entrance to University of Arizona, however this college bar and restaurant is just killing it without prepared to order Mexican food. Take a burrito for example - after standing in line and deciding that you'd like a burrito over a bowl or tacos, they will heat the tortilla right in front of you, and start adding the ingredients based on exactly the way you want it customized - chicken or steak, what type of beans and salsa, add guac, etc. It's a super casual atmosphere, and a great spot to grab a quick meal. read more

Illegal Pete's - Chicken Bowl - Bars Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Cafeteria style service for their food. Full bar and they play music. We went around 10 PM on a Saturday. The staff was really nice. They have an upstairs and downstairs part of the building as well as patio tables/seating. We had the tacos and a chicken bowl. Very similar to Chipotle with the cafeteria style service and choosing your toppings. Bowl comes with tortilla or chips read more

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This is one of my favorite bars in Tucson! Went to Tucson for undergrad and this was always a stop during our nights out or after exams! Came back for Homecoming a week ago and decided we had to come back since we loved it so much. I was not expecting much since the margaritas on busy weekends are usually premade and not strong enough...BUT I was pleasantly surprised! They were soo good and very strong! The line was crazy to be expected and the wait to get a drink at the bar was insane. But luckily the margaritas made it all worth it! If you want a good cheap margarita...this is the place for you! Especially during happy hour on the weekdays. read more

After first trying Illegal Pete's in downtown Denver when visiting for GABF, I stumbled across this location as I was looking for a bite to eat/drink before the ASU-UofA football game. Just like the one in DEN, I love the concept of a chipotle-style place with an attached bar. You kill two birds with one stone -- awesome drink specials (happy hour runs LATE compared to other places) and food that is not typical bar food quality. I also love that there's a second story to this location with a bar and rooftop balcony area. I ordered a Baja style fish burrito with a margarita and was in food heaven pre-game. Looks like I've found my spot to get my grub on whenever I have to cautiously tread into the wildcat's lair lol! read more

Illegal Pete's - View from the rooftop balcony area - Bars Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Ok first off this is a review of the place, I did not have food! Why you ask, sorry too many authentic Mexican Restaurants in Tucson, this type of food set up is just not my thing! As for a bar, I love this place! Very nice inside and outside, 2 bars and they open on weekdays at 7am! When you're a shift worker as I am this is nice to have! Wish they opened on weekends that early as well, but oh well! Nice selection of beer, and the girl greeted me with a smile and served me my beer quickly and again with a smile! Definitely coming back! read more

Illegal Pete's - The Koffee Kolsch from Huss Brewing! Delicious! - Bars Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Pete's has the best food on university! It's one of the most popular places for U of A students to grab a quick bite. They also have a full bar, and nothing is better than sitting on the top deck with a Chauncey or prickly pear marg! Highly recommend you try Pete's if you haven't already read more

Illegal Pete's - the front of the restaurant - Bars Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Our first visit was excellent!! We were welcomed by Maricella and Wendy! They were so excited when we told them it was our first visit. Thanks for making us feel so welcome!! We had the breakfast quesadilla and the breakfast bowl. Both were delicious and everything was fresh. We like the atmosphere and all of the TV's for the football games! We will be back! read more

Illegal Pete's - Already enjoying the breakfast bowl and breakfast quesadilla!! - Bars Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Food was great but the service is some of the worst service I've had in Tucson. The employees are very disrespectful which makes me sad because i enjoy the food more than chipotle. But I have never been treated like this at chipotle. read more

Great ala carte mexican joint just outside u of A in the heart of town. Think fresh rustic chipotle meets Senor Frogs. Lots of sports viewing indoor and outdoor areas for small and large groups to gather. Nice deck overlooking the street filled with blue and red lighted trees and pedestrians. Good prices and two fully stocked bars with ready to go margaritas at a great price. read more

Illegal Pete's an excellent addition to the University Blvd scene. It's clean, hip, and has very friendly service. The venue definitely is a breathe of fresh air to that little corner, next to Frog n Firkin. It's almost like a fancier version of Chipotle, but with alcohol. There's plenty of seating both inside and out on the patio. I love the huge patio umbrellas that offer necessary protection from the grueling sun. My date and I came here for brunch, and were still able to order off of the breakfast menu, even though it was well after 11 am. I ordered the breakfast quesadilla, which consisted of eggs, cheese, and potatoes with a delicious dipping sauce and a side of pico de gallo. Everything was super fresh, handmade, and I could definitely taste the quality in every bite. My date ordered the breakfast bowl with steak, and he almost finished his entire bowl before my quesadilla came out from the kitchen. We were both satisfied and full, and this was a perfect meal after a late night. I can't wait to come back!!! read more

Illegal Pete's - Breakfast quesadilla with eggs, potatoes, cheese - Bars Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Impressive. I complained about something here a week or two ago. The staff person remembered us... that is impressive. Then she made things right. I am re reviewing. I like when businesses fix their errors. Thank you lady at Illegal Pete's. Very sweet. read more

Pete's is back!! Came back here after they reopened to enjoy my favorite bar on University. There's no inside seating but plenty of tables on the patio with misters and umbrellas. You can order your food online and pick up everything you need at the bar window. They require a mask when ordering/picking up at the bar. Of course the food and margaritas are still the best! read more

i just want to be transparent about the fact that i was charged 4 dollars for a fountain with a fountain that was out of every single drink, even water. there is absolutely no ac going on in this 95 degree weather. was also charged for chips without asking for chips. overall i would not recommend read more

I've been hearing about illegal Pete's since I moved to Tucson last year. Finally got to go there for a late lunch today around 3p. I got 3 tacos (chicken, carnitas, steak... on corn tortillas) and my friend got the bowl. They were generous with the meats, which was nice. I got pico, mild, hot and corn salsa on top. The food was decent, but under seasoned. Everything could have benefited from a good pinch of salt. The tortillas got soggy surprisingly fast so they basically fell apart as I ate them. I hear they have a decent bar but we didn't get anything to drink so I can't comment on that. read more

Caleb was awesome, helped me out big time and had an awesome attitude Give that man a raise read more

Great food and seems like a fun party bar. Can't wait to turn 21 to enjoy that. Good tastes fresh.

The girl working in the food line last night (around 7:30pm) is SO rude and disrespectful. She barely puts any toppings on my bowl every single time I come in and always has a snarl on her face like she's smelling dog poo. Someone train her to be nicer. Idc about the toppings because maybe you guys happen to be running out every time she happens to serve me idk, but she is the only person that does this when I come to Pete's. Like putting 3 jalapeños on my bowl is actually a joke. I love Pete's so I will continue to come but please hire someone else!!!!!!!! read more

Beautiful evening here at the busy, bustling University plaza where there's so many places you could try out. This is a first time for me and most likely my last, because: The food was alright, average and not entirely impressive to me. I ordered a bowl with steak. For $8 they give you very little meat and a large portion of everything else. I would've prefer a balance of flavors and it seems like staff is unaware of it. Speaking of staff, the service was less than mediocre. Very rude staff members at the service line. I understand that it's loud, however over a small misunderstanding over tortilla size is not acceptable for a staff member to snap crudely and to yell at a customer. I witnessed at second-hand. There's definitely a lot of loud establishments here in town, you'll find many especially this one. Loud places aren't for me. Low to medium noise level is a preference of mine. If it's also one for fellow readers, I would advise to avoid this place for the noise level. It's hard to speak if soft-spoken, the music and TV's are too much. The interior decor is very modern, it feels grunge for a name like "Illegal Pete's". Decor does not necessarily match the theme, which is picking your own food from the menu, Hispanic food. For the short experience at the food line, to see such rude staff members, the overly-done boisterous environment, and food portions for what you're paying is not worth it. There's less than it meets the eye, Illegal Pete's. read more

Went to illegal Pete's on campus. I had queso and chips. The queso was delish and chips were way above average in taste. Everyone I went with enjoyed their food. There was a full service bar. I purchase a cookie for later which was very good. The only complaint was the Dr Pepper fountain drink was out. I would return for more queso and chips! read more

REVIEW ON DISCRIMINATION AND RACISM EXPERIENCED AT THIS LOCATION Today 04-30-19 2:15 PM I experienced extreme discrimination. More than I have at any establishment. The bartender in question was working downstairs and had on a baseball cap with long hair underneath, wore a baseball tee and pink pinstriped shorts. My friend and I sat at the bar for 20 minutes after being told at 10 minutes we would be attended too. After 20 i called out to the bartender, twice. After the second time he says "I heard you", I Reply " and you just just ignored me?" And he says "yes". After a long day of class this is the attitude I get for wanting to patronize a business? Wow completely and totally disappointed. Immediately after he took a round of shots from a white patron. Wow. His reaction made me feel like less of a human. I will never spend another dime at illegal Pete's, I guess the name really embodies the attitude of the business owner and it's workers: if you're not white don't come here. Never in my life have I been treated with such BLATANT disrespect. There are plenty of classier nicer places with BETTER happy hours such as Elliot's on Congress, with better food. They obviously do not care about the quality of service or the need to train their employees on how to respect people OF ANY ETHNIC BACKGROUND. I will never come back. And neither will my friends. If you are black don't come here they don't respect you, your money or your time. read more

Less than stellar . Thought I was instore for a chipotle like experience until I asked for more cheese and saw the steak looked like it was not freshly made . As take more bites I get angrier . This taste terrible . Into my fifth bite I can't help but want to ask for my money back . If your expecting Chipotle just go to Chipotle because this is a complete miss read more

Illegal Pete's - Terrible - Bars Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Came from Chicago for the weekend and everyone told us this is a must go too. And they are right absolutely fantastic! This is a similar place to Chipotle except Illegal Pete's uses fresh ingredients. The staff is super friendly and there is lots of seating either in the restaurant or the bar. To sum this up, if you are in Tucson is is a must go too! read more

Illegal Pete's - Bars Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

I stumbled across Illegal Pete's during one weekend out with some friends. As I was walking around in the area, I noticed there was a live band playing upstairs. So I decided to check the place out and it was neat since they have a bar upstairs. Getting sidetracked from my hunger, I decided to go downstairs and check out their menu. Their menu is very similar to Chipotle's, so to simple I got myself a burrito. As they were making the burrito in front of me, my first thought was that they were going to make it similar to Chipotle. WRONG, after you decide on your perfect burrito creation. They mix it all together then wrap it, and OMG it tastes sooooo good! To me I would pick Illegal Pete's over Chipotle any day. I wish I remembered to take some photos but I highly encourage you to try this spot out! read more

Having been to the Illegal Pete's in Denver, I decided to checkout the one locally. We happened to go on a really busy Saturday night. So busy, there was a bouncer at the gate outside and heavy security around the property. The time? 6pm. I asked security if it was always this busy and he explained that there were a few day parties which ended at 3pm and the crowd went to Illegal Pete's. With that being said, there wasn't an empty seat in the house. My experience with the location was very different from Denver. There was so many intoxicated people, it was hard to walk and the line to order was out the door. After waiting in line for about 15 minutes, I was finally able to order. The staff was great and the food looked fresh. I ordered a vegetarian salad and I also purchased the vegetarian nachos for my husband. With two drinks, the total was about $20. The food was delicious and was reminded why I love Illegal Pete's. Next time I will have to call ahead to make sure there isn't an event going on or make sure I can stop by during the week. read more

Illegal Pete's - Salad with black beans, cheese, corn salsa, lettuce, and tomato vinegarette. - Bars Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

"what the FUCK do you want?" This is what the bartender said to me after waiting 15 minutes. I understand it's busy but don't treat paying customers that way read more

Illegal Pete's - Bars Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

I went to Illegal Pete's in Colorado when I use to live there. When they moved to Tucson I was so excited. I've been multiple times to watch UofA games, eat, and drink with friends. Not sure what's going on with this location but the culture here is it not the same as Colorado. I have horrible service every time I come here and I'm finally over the BS I get every time. Bar tenders served their friends first even after I had been waiting for 20 plus minutes, poor different level drinks depending on who is ordering and ignore people waiting. Lots of places to choose from on Univeristy to choose from that serve cheap drinks with respect. If there was a rating for service I'd give it a zero. Fish tacos aren't bad so I'll settle for one star. read more

i totally understand the shorten hours on University during the summer, due to the lack of traffic, but the entire bar was full when i went to order a couple drinks and they refused service. it's hard to understand how the most popular place at the time this summer night chooses to close early. i just wish the online close time was relevant to what the bartender was saying. good drinks tho read more