{"id":29512,"date":"2025-08-06T13:01:56","date_gmt":"2025-08-06T20:01:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/?p=29512"},"modified":"2025-08-06T13:02:00","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T20:02:00","slug":"chef-aaron-lopezs-ursa-slated-to-open-in-tucson-this-fall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/phoenix-food-and-restaurant-news\/chef-aaron-lopezs-ursa-slated-to-open-in-tucson-this-fall","title":{"rendered":"Chef Aaron Lopez\u2019s Ursa Slated to Open in Tucson This Fall"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>A new chapter in fine dining begins this fall with the opening of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ursadesert.com\/\">Ursa<\/a><\/strong>, the highly anticipated restaurant from classically trained <strong>Chef Aaron Lopez<\/strong>. Set to open its doors on Congress Street in Tucson, Ursa will bring a refined and reverent take on indigenous ingredients to the city\u2019s culinary scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nestled in the newly rehabilitated <strong>Central Block<\/strong> building \u2014 a 1912 landmark restored by <strong>Rio Nuevo<\/strong>, <strong>Peach Properties<\/strong>, and <strong>Dabdoub Investments<\/strong> \u2014 Ursa will seat 60 guests in a space inspired by traditional architecture, earth tones, wood and leather accents, and elements from the surrounding landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121434\/June-and-Aaron.jpg\"><img  loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\"  width=\"1024\"  height=\"819\"  src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABAQMAAAAl21bKAAAAA1BMVEUAAP+KeNJXAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAApJREFUCNdjYAAAAAIAAeIhvDMAAAAASUVORK5CYII=\"  alt=\"\"  class=\"wp-image-29513 pk-lazyload\"  data-pk-sizes=\"auto\"  data-ls-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"  data-pk-src=\"https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121434\/June-and-Aaron-1024x819.jpg\"  data-pk-srcset=\"https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121434\/June-and-Aaron-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121434\/June-and-Aaron-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121434\/June-and-Aaron-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121434\/June-and-Aaron-380x304.jpg 380w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121434\/June-and-Aaron-800x640.jpg 800w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121434\/June-and-Aaron-1160x928.jpg 1160w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121434\/June-and-Aaron-80x64.jpg 80w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121434\/June-and-Aaron.jpg 1500w\" ><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">June and Aaron Lopez. <em>Images courtesy of Ursa<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Lopez and his wife and partner, June, first launched Ursa in the summer of 2024 as a pop-up in his hometown of El Centro, California. The couple always intended to make Tucson the restaurant\u2019s permanent home, drawn by the city\u2019s deep appreciation for <strong>Sonoran Desert<\/strong> flavors and its ties to indigenous foodways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cInitially launching Ursa in my hometown was a dream realized,\u201d said Lopez. \u201cBut June and I always knew we\u2019d find our way to Tucson. Our time in El Centro was shaped by deep connections, shared meals, and a commitment to the land that nourishes us &#8211; something we will continue to honor in our new home.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121444\/Copy-of-_MG_8644.jpg\"><img  loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\"  width=\"1024\"  height=\"819\"  src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABAQMAAAAl21bKAAAAA1BMVEUAAP+KeNJXAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAApJREFUCNdjYAAAAAIAAeIhvDMAAAAASUVORK5CYII=\"  alt=\"\"  class=\"wp-image-29514 pk-lazyload\"  data-pk-sizes=\"auto\"  data-ls-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"  data-pk-src=\"https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121444\/Copy-of-_MG_8644-1024x819.jpg\"  data-pk-srcset=\"https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121444\/Copy-of-_MG_8644-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121444\/Copy-of-_MG_8644-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121444\/Copy-of-_MG_8644-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121444\/Copy-of-_MG_8644-380x304.jpg 380w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121444\/Copy-of-_MG_8644-800x640.jpg 800w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121444\/Copy-of-_MG_8644-1160x928.jpg 1160w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121444\/Copy-of-_MG_8644-80x64.jpg 80w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121444\/Copy-of-_MG_8644.jpg 1500w\" ><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>With nearly 15 years of experience in acclaimed kitchens across Los Angeles and Honolulu, Lopez trained at Le Cordon Bleu and honed his skills under chefs such as Michael Voltaggio, Josef Centeno, and Neal Fraser. At Ursa, the menu pays homage to the four great deserts of the American Southwest: the <strong>Sonoran<\/strong>, <strong>Mojave<\/strong>, <strong>Great Basin<\/strong>, and <strong>Chihuahuan<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The dishes will explore the potential of drought- and heat-tolerant ingredients \u2014 from mesquite, prickly pear, and tepary beans to wild herbs and native seeds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121539\/Copy-of-20241107URSA0247FINAL.jpg\"><img  loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\"  width=\"683\"  height=\"1024\"  data-id=\"29516\"  src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABAQMAAAAl21bKAAAAA1BMVEUAAP+KeNJXAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAApJREFUCNdjYAAAAAIAAeIhvDMAAAAASUVORK5CYII=\"  alt=\"\"  class=\"wp-image-29516 pk-lazyload\"  data-pk-sizes=\"auto\"  data-ls-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\"  data-pk-src=\"https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121539\/Copy-of-20241107URSA0247FINAL-683x1024.jpg\"  data-pk-srcset=\"https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121539\/Copy-of-20241107URSA0247FINAL-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121539\/Copy-of-20241107URSA0247FINAL-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121539\/Copy-of-20241107URSA0247FINAL-768x1151.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121539\/Copy-of-20241107URSA0247FINAL-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121539\/Copy-of-20241107URSA0247FINAL-1366x2048.jpg 1366w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121539\/Copy-of-20241107URSA0247FINAL-380x570.jpg 380w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121539\/Copy-of-20241107URSA0247FINAL-800x1199.jpg 800w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121539\/Copy-of-20241107URSA0247FINAL-1160x1739.jpg 1160w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121539\/Copy-of-20241107URSA0247FINAL-80x120.jpg 80w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121539\/Copy-of-20241107URSA0247FINAL-53x80.jpg 53w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121539\/Copy-of-20241107URSA0247FINAL.jpg 1500w\" ><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121537\/Copy-of-_MG_8601.jpg\"><img  loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\"  width=\"819\"  height=\"1024\"  data-id=\"29515\"  src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABAQMAAAAl21bKAAAAA1BMVEUAAP+KeNJXAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAApJREFUCNdjYAAAAAIAAeIhvDMAAAAASUVORK5CYII=\"  alt=\"\"  class=\"wp-image-29515 pk-lazyload\"  data-pk-sizes=\"auto\"  data-ls-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\"  data-pk-src=\"https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121537\/Copy-of-_MG_8601-819x1024.jpg\"  data-pk-srcset=\"https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121537\/Copy-of-_MG_8601-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121537\/Copy-of-_MG_8601-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121537\/Copy-of-_MG_8601-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121537\/Copy-of-_MG_8601-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121537\/Copy-of-_MG_8601-380x475.jpg 380w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121537\/Copy-of-_MG_8601-800x1000.jpg 800w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121537\/Copy-of-_MG_8601-1160x1450.jpg 1160w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121537\/Copy-of-_MG_8601-80x100.jpg 80w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121537\/Copy-of-_MG_8601-64x80.jpg 64w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121537\/Copy-of-_MG_8601.jpg 1500w\" ><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121538\/Copy-of-_MG_8432.jpg\"><img  loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\"  width=\"819\"  height=\"1024\"  data-id=\"29517\"  src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABAQMAAAAl21bKAAAAA1BMVEUAAP+KeNJXAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAApJREFUCNdjYAAAAAIAAeIhvDMAAAAASUVORK5CYII=\"  alt=\"\"  class=\"wp-image-29517 pk-lazyload\"  data-pk-sizes=\"auto\"  data-ls-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\"  data-pk-src=\"https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121538\/Copy-of-_MG_8432-819x1024.jpg\"  data-pk-srcset=\"https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121538\/Copy-of-_MG_8432-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121538\/Copy-of-_MG_8432-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121538\/Copy-of-_MG_8432-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121538\/Copy-of-_MG_8432-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121538\/Copy-of-_MG_8432-380x475.jpg 380w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121538\/Copy-of-_MG_8432-800x1000.jpg 800w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121538\/Copy-of-_MG_8432-1160x1450.jpg 1160w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121538\/Copy-of-_MG_8432-80x100.jpg 80w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121538\/Copy-of-_MG_8432-64x80.jpg 64w, https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06121538\/Copy-of-_MG_8432.jpg 1500w\" ><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Many ingredients will be picked by the Lopezes themselves or sourced through partnerships with Indigenous communities, including <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ramonafarms.com\/\">Ramona Farms<\/a><\/strong>, an Akimel O\u2019odham-owned operation known for ethical and sustainable practices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ursa <\/strong>will feature a robust beverage program of craft cocktails, beer, and wine made with local spirits and desert flavors, aligning with the restaurant\u2019s zero-waste philosophy that emphasizes full ingredient utilization and preservation. The eatery is slated to open in Fall 2025. Learn more and stay up to date by visiting <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ursadesert.com\/\">ursadesert.com<\/a><\/strong> or following along on Instagram @<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/ursa_desert\/\">ursa_desert<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Ursa features a design and menu inspired by indigenous foods, traditional architecture and the surrounding landscape.\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":29518,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[17373,17372,4971,16453,15131,17371],"class_list":{"0":"post-29512","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-phoenix-food-and-restaurant-news","8":"tag-central-block","9":"tag-chef-aaron-lopez","10":"tag-featured","11":"tag-tucson","12":"tag-tucson-dining","13":"tag-ursa","14":"cs-entry","15":"cs-video-wrap"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Chef Aaron Lopez\u2019s Ursa Slated to Open in Tucson This Fall<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Ursa features a design and menu inspired by indigenous foods, traditional architecture and the surrounding landscape.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/phoenix-food-and-restaurant-news\/chef-aaron-lopezs-ursa-slated-to-open-in-tucson-this-fall\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Chef Aaron Lopez\u2019s Ursa Slated to Open in Tucson This Fall\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Ursa features a design and menu inspired by indigenous foods, traditional architecture and the surrounding landscape.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/taste\/phoenix-food-and-restaurant-news\/chef-aaron-lopezs-ursa-slated-to-open-in-tucson-this-fall\" \/>\n<meta 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