Mother Hubbard’s Cafe embraces Tucson’s rustic personality while providing food that tastes just like mom used to make it.

At first glance, Mother Hubbard’s looks like a “dive” cafe with older fixtures, wooden tables and booths and a slightly messy, unorganized look. However, these features draw in customers who are looking for a “home-cooked” breakfast. 

Around 10 a.m. on a Saturday, Mother Hubbard’s was pretty crowded, but customers were being seated quickly because of the large amount of seating.

The laminated menus looked outdated and were smeared with syrup—something the waitress could have cleaned up before placing them on the table.

However, the menu’s lack of style quickly took a back seat to Mother Hubbard’s large selection of food.

The menu included traditional options like eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns and fruit, as well as dishes inspired by Tucson’s Southwestern flavors like the pueblo green-corn waffles, which are spicy, fluffy and served with eggs, red chili and house-made sausage.

Other one-of-a-kind dishes included the Calabacitas scramble, which tasted fresh and savory as it was made with corn, squash, tomatoes and a sliced, ripe, green avocado. The dish was topped with homemade salsa and presented a fresh, healthy and delicious vegetarian option. 

One of the most memorable parts of the entire meal was the crispy, thick-cut bacon. Its sweet aromas filled the entire restaurant—just like being home and waking up to the smell of bacon simmering on the stove. 

However, Mother Hubbard’s did fall short in a couple of areas.

The place could use a good makeover. Although it does give off a homey feel, at times Mother Hubbard’s just seemed outdated and old—not the description of a place you’d want to eat food from. The food did taste fresh, though, and the restaurant itself looked clean and sanitary. 

In terms of pricing, customers will usually pay $10 or less for a meal at Mother Hubbard’s. Even though the food is delicious, one might consider eating in a newer, more modern environment for that price. Mother Hubbard’s needs either a new style or to lower its prices a tad to match the restaurant’s laid-back breakfast vibes.

Overall, Mother Hubbard’s is a comfortable, local and delicious brunch stop with a friendly environment and great food. Customers can expect to find unique dishes, especially ones that provide a bit of spice to start off the day. 

This cafe is the perfect place to get a local, home-style breakfast. It is located only a few minutes away from campus, at 14 W. Grant Road,  making it the perfect weekend stop for students.

Feeling homesick? Stop by Mother Hubbard’s to get a quick taste of comfort mixed with rich, spicy and savory flavors.

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