I am not an Arizona native in the slightest. I am proud of the fact that I was born and raised in Orange County, California, and I have resided there ever since. With that being said, hauling all of my belongings to Tucson last August was a pretty big step in my life. I was excited to embark on my college journey and to be soon exposed to all the new faces and places that this new town had to offer.
It wasn’t long after my move before I began exploring the parts of Tucson that were close to campus. In fact, one of my friends in my sorority invited me to tag along with her to Time Market one Wednesday afternoon. Enthused and intrigued, I accepted her invitation, eager to see what this place was all about. It was one of the first off-campus locations I had visited since becoming a student at the University of Arizona.
When I walked in for the first time, I was struck by its pleasant vibe. The decor was simple yet complex all at once. The LED lights that spell out “Time Market” around a clock hanging in the back of the store caught my attention right away. I later learned that the building was originally bought by Peter Wilke in the 90s, and he transformed the place into what it is today. It was clear to me that the actual “market” occupied the left side of the building, whereas the cafe and “restaurant” were located on the far right. Little did I know that I was soon to become a big Time Market fan.
Time Market quickly became one of my favorite spots in Tucson. It’s close to campus, the food is great, and the employees are friendly and personable each time I go. It turned into my spot for weekly Sunday morning confessionals—I often find myself waltzing through its doors with friends for brunch after a Saturday night out. Over coffee and pizza, we unpack all our woes and whims on the sun-screened patio while enjoying the beautiful Tucson weather.
The Food … and the Phig!
My go-to Time Market order is a slice of the “Phig” pizza—it’s delicious and you can’t go wrong with it. It gives off a traditional pizza aroma with a twist in its flavor. Personally, I’m not much of a topping gal, but the 16″ Phig Pizza whose combo of ricotta, fig, onion, and arugula is simply divine. The flavors are incredible and I’m especially in favor of the ricotta on this pizza—to me, it makes all the difference.
They also offer a variety of meals and dishes besides their wide range of pizzas. One Time Market staff member who worked there for four years, Jordan, told me that the Portobello sandwich was her personal favorite, and that she believed the fried chicken sandwich to be super popular amongst guests. She also explained to me that the menu has been “crafted with intention” and that every item on it has its own purpose—ultimately, there’s nothing random or coincidental about the menu. Its creators carefully built a menu full of countless delicious items so that they could appeal to a broad range of tastes.
I’m a student and I don’t have a car!
No problem! Time Market’s just a short SunLink ride away from the UArizona campus — but it’s also a totally walkable distance. Jordan explained to me that Time Market is a top spot for commuters, definitely due to its accessibility by foot or bike.
To me, Time Market is an absolute token of Tucson. Its warm hospitality, amazing menu, convenient location, and relaxed atmosphere are just a few of the qualities that reel me back in every time. With each visit I make, I can always anticipate high-quality customer service, a delicious meal, and nothing short of a pleasant experience. You can most certainly catch me munching on a slice of the Phig on a Sunday morning—I just can’t seem to stay away!
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Nicolette Turner is a pre-business major and a Spanish minor, and she is studying within the Honors College.