The Cafe
3280 Highway 82, 1433, Sonoita AZ 85637
$
American
Adam Puckle is a bona fide local. He was born at Fort Huachuca in 1987.
He went to school at Elgin Elementary, and graduated from Patagonia Union High School in 2005. He attended NAU with a focus in HRM, then decided to further focus on food and attended Pima College's Culinary program.
He started A.P.E. Dining to do dinner events in 2009, and added The Cafe operations in 2010.
Chef Adam's natural sense for food provides guests with approachable, comfortable, appetizing offerings designed to provide a tasty and price-valued dining experience.
He selects his staff to have an innate gift for supporting an enjoyable guest experience.
Reservations
Booking Notes:
Welcome to The Cafe
Business Info
- Address: 3280 Highway 82, 1433, Sonoita AZ 85637
- Cross Street: HWY 83
- Cuisine: Fusion | Hamburger | Pasta | Southwest | Steak |
- Cost: | Very Inexpensive
- Category: Casual Dining
- Star Rating:
- Reservations: Recommended
- Dress Code: Casual
- Meals Served: Lunch | Dinner |
- Parking: Private Lot |
- Payment Options: VISA | MasterCard | Discover | Cash |
- Corkage Fee: N/A
- Website: http://www.cafesonoita.com
- Phone: (520) 455-5044
- Features: Catering Services, Live Entertainment, Outdoor Seating, Takeout Available, Wheelchair Access, Happy Hours, Healthy Options,
- Occasion: Child Friendly, Dining Alone, People Watching, Special Occasion, Vegetarian, Dog Friendly, Trendy / Hip,
Photos
Business Hours
Reservations Available
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- Closed
- Thursday
- Closed
- Friday
- Friday Evening Music 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
- Saturday
- Coursed Dinners 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
- Sunday
- Closed
Customer Reviews & Ratings
4.74 out of 5 stars based on 371 votes
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 29, 2024
Rosann C.
Adam & his staff are wonderful, pleasant, hospitable & always accommodating! I enjoy Jim’s Front Porch Show on Fridays & look forward to seeing everyone.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 19, 2024
Marsha B.
We love coming to have dinner and hear Jim Koweek perform. The food is good, service is good and it’s a wonderful local Western evening.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 21, 2024
Rosann C.
The Cafe is a true gem, from Chef Adam’s wonderful cuisine to the excellent servers who take such great & personal care of everyone…thank you, Allison!…to Jim’s Front Porch Show on Fridays! It is the highlight of my week! Jim is a fun & talented musician in his own right, then he brings other fun & talented musicians to sit in with him & it’s like sitting around your own front porch listening to a family jam session. Such a wonderful experience! As Jim says, “Let’s make these the good old days”…
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 10, 2023
Rosann C.
We love The Cafe! Chef Adam’s food is top notch, our server is incredible & Jim’s Front Porch Show is always fun, lively, funny & just the best. Tim & Oliver were outstanding this week!!! We love you guys…
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 05, 2023
Candace & Weldon G.
We thoroughly enjoyed our lunch at The Cafe! The server was attentive, the food was delicious and the view was lovely!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 28, 2023
Jerome M.
Food and music were wonderful as always. Grassland Band is great entertainment. Server was not as attentive as I would have liked. We traveled from Pinal County and will be back.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jan 14, 2023
Rosann C.
My favorite night of the week is Thursday at The Cafe, for music & wonderful food!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 08, 2022
Kenya R.
What a great find! Great food and service, all reasonably priced!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
May 07, 2022
Michael M.
Perfect. Some of the best pasta in the world (including Italy).
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 13, 2022
John V.
Everything excellent, great food great service warm and cozy atmosphere!!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jan 23, 2022
Rosann C.
My friends & I love The Cafe any time we get to eat there. We especially enjoy the live music on Thursday evenings with Jim Koweek & friends. It is truly a local gem!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jan 15, 2022
John T.
Top notch!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jan 09, 2022
Pete G.
Awesome! Excellent food and service
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 21, 2021
Bud A.
Chef Adam does a great job. This is a great place to go when in Sonoita/ Elgin area.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 17, 2021
Carol S.
Had excellent shrimp tacos and sweet potato fries. The other two meals got rave reviews. Perfect in every way!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 11, 2021
Rick F.
Views of beautiful rolling hills, great local music, pleasant staff, good menu, food was well prepared and nicely presented...We look forward to doing it again.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 10/10
May 29, 2021
Debra A.
Loved loved loved my APE burger. Great food. Great service. Fix the slightly wobbly table and it would be perfect!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 10/10
May 19, 2021
glen m.
Great food and a couple of lovely waitresses.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 9/10
Apr 12, 2021
Krisanne L.
We are many times over repeat visitors to The Cafe. Would love the ability to make reservations for the patio, where we much prefer to sit!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 07, 2021
Pete G.
Excellent food and service. Very clean. We will be back.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 15, 2021
Cheryl S.
It's always a good experience, with good service and great food.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 08, 2020
JERRAD T.
It was very nice to try something new :)
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 02, 2020
Arlene M.
Always excellent food and service. Will be back
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 02, 2020
Jayson N.
We love the drive to Sonoita and having a destination for lunch makes it even more pleasant. It was the first time we've made it to the cafe and my husband said the burgers (his had the hatch chilis) were to die for. I'm sure we'll be back!!!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 20, 2020
Brittany V.
We love going to The Cafe. The food is always amazing and the atmosphere is nice. We will continue to make it a priority when we visit Sonoita.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 28, 2020
Barb W.
I thought it was fabulous!!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 14, 2020
Tom L.
Sets the standard for a great lunch where you're in our around Sonoita!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 17, 2020
Tom N.
Loved it all. Always a treat to come here.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 14, 2020
Lorraine J.
good food, good service.
will return again
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 09, 2020
Kaye W.
Everyone throughly enjoyed their lunches. Good choices and an varied selection. Highly recommend a reservation unless you want to sit outside on patio. Adam is a fabulous chef and the wait staff is attentive.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 03, 2020
Michael T.
Food is always good and daily specials keep it fresh. Staff is doing the right thing to keep things safe during this time. Definitely the place to stop!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 20, 2020
Sarah H.
Great service, great food! We loved it.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 11, 2020
Pete G.
Great service, Great Food, Great Place!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 9/10
Jul 07, 2020
George J.
Excellent food, service seemed a little slower than past visits. Good iced tea, best shrimp tacos around. Great coleslaw. They are mindful of covid-19 restrictions which is a good thing. Great place to eat.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 02, 2020
Ted N.
Best hamburgers in Southern Arizona at fair price
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jun 28, 2020
Curt B.
Always amazing food!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jun 20, 2020
Ed S.
Always great food and service!!
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 18, 2022
Dixie L.
G’Day,
Only drawback was the great music was way too loud to hold any conversation at our table. Maybe take it down a notch or two.
Friendly, helpful staff! Katie was a perfect waitress!
Terrific food, everyone was pleased with their order.
Thanks for a marvelous experience.
Cheers, Dixie
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 8/10
Dec 09, 2021
Roland W.
We love The Cafe because it is a wonderful motorcycle ride to get there. And once you are there you have this cozy little place to have lunch at! Nothing bad to say at all. The place looks like a guy decorated it though! Probably need the interior to more closely resemble where you are at: The wild, wild, west! You won't be disappointed regardless!
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 7/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 20, 2021
Mary F.
Food was amazing! Service was slow but it was a very busy evening and they did ok. It was well worth the time.
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 5/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 19, 2021
Jeffrey S.
What shall we say when some other diners left ahead of us and paid for our orders before they left? Thank you to someone who didn't know us, who we didn't know, seems hardly enough; we'll remember to "pay it forward" to someone else soon. It was the first time we'd been inside a restaurant in 13 months, and it was our 38th anniversary, so they made it an extra-special day for us! Thank you again. Our food experience wasn't the best, but the staff was super about making amends.
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 8/10
Feb 17, 2021
Mark E.
Great food and service. Love eating at the Cafe.
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 8/10
Jun 06, 2023
Matt B.
Service could have been more attentive
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 7/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 9/10
Apr 30, 2023
Gene R.
We have going to the Cafe for 25 years, we have gone weekly for the last 10 years or so. It is the gathering place for all our neighbors. it offers a good mix of food, beverages, entertainment and service. Our waitress Alison, always remembers our us, what we want to drink, and our special needs. It is truly "the place where everyone knows your name."
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 8/10
Mar 19, 2021
Christopher Y.
Great food, as always.
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 6/10
- Value: 8/10
Dec 12, 2020
Peter B.
We understand that Covid has created some restrictions and problems necessary for maintaining a clean environment, however the table settings are very stark.
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 7/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 5/10
- Value: 7/10
Nov 07, 2020
Charm B.
Would have preferred softer, lower lighting and maybe some open windows or the AC on. It felt stuffy. I had the catfish and chips. It was good but too much food. I don’t know how feasible it would be to offer smaller portions for lighter appetites but it’s an idea. Staff are attentive and made me feel welcome.
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 8/10
Feb 25, 2025
Vicky K.
We enjoyed the meal and the wine was very good. I was disappointed with dessert to be honest. Thanks for giving us a chance to try quail.
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 4/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 07, 2022
Sheree P.
Food, wine and service were excellent. But while at our table we noticed a strong scent. I thought it was a scent diffuser because it seemed to come and go, but my husband used the men’s room and said the scent was very strong in there. The artificial scent detracted from the rest of the experience.
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 7/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 7/10
Mar 29, 2021
Dennis B.
About 1/4 of the mussels in our appetizer were not opened, therefore were not viable or greatly undercooked. Those that were opened were mealy, so I suspect they had been frozen. I complained about the mussels and they did say "Sorry about the mussels thing," but no adjustment to our bill was offered.
Disappointing first meal out in many months.
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 7/10
- Ambience: 3/10
- Value: 5/10
Jun 14, 2020
Andrea M.
We ate outside and the flies were a constant annoyance and really distracted from the food and atmosphere. When we arrived there was 1 table left inside and outside choices. We did go outside due to the crowdedness inside but didn’t know we’d have that trouble. We enjoyed the food but ate it quickly due to flies. The waitress was getting back into the swing of things after 2.5 mo off so she did an ok job considering that.