Cheap, good food, delivered fast and in HUGE portions. Great drinks. Cool atmosphere. Roomy. Good music. OPEN 24 HOURS (thank God there is SOME place in this town). Perfect.
(5)
Luis S.
UPDATE: PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THE MANAGER HAS CONTACTED ME REGARDING THIS REVIEW AND INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS NOT HOW THEY DO BUISINESS AND THE OFFENDING EMPLOYEE, TAYLOR, IS NO LONGER WORKING THERE (NOT BECAUSE OF THIS REVIEW, THANKFULLY). As a big supporter of local owned businesses, I really wanted to love this place. Unfortunately though this place goes beyond mediocre food and bad service. My last experience there was downright immoral. After being a regular customer for the last six years, I stopped in last night to buy three meals and three drinks for a homeless family who had gone out to celebrate their daughter's 5th birthday in the park, and not been able to make it back to the shelter in time before the doors were closed. This family has been left homeless when their home recently underwent a rent increase, and did not have enough money to pay the deposit on a different apartment. It was close to freezing last night, and I wanted to buy them a hot meal. When the guy behind the counter (which I believe is named Taylor) found out that the meals were intended for them, he said "you're feeding bums?" My jaw dropped to the floor. I tried to explain the situation, but he interrupted me to let me know that "I won't feed bums. If you feed them, they'll keep coming back" as if we were talking about a pack of javalinas or stray dogs. I am curious to find out if the rest of the "members" of this coop would find this statement in keeping with the image they want to portray or if turning down a $30 sale was common practice, but my phone calls went unanswered and my on line messages and mail went without a response. In conclusion, my review is based not only on the service, but also on a sentence on their own website: "Therefore, we feel that if all businesses operated this way, society as a whole would be better off", so I will end this review the same way I ended my visit with Taylor last night: "Merry Christmas" (you know...the season of goodwill towards mankind?)
(2)
Chantage B.
Delicious strong coffee...for me this is the epitome of a downtown coffee shop. The employees are great, very friendly. The music is at a good level and different every time I go in. Nice art on the walls. The food is good too. The bagel with salmon plate is my favorite, it comes complete with capers, cream cheese, red onion, and everything else you would need. The crowd is mixed but friendly. A great place to go for a quiet moment with a book or a conversation with a friend.
(5)
C B.
24/7! There are only a few places in cities that are 24/7. And this place has all kinds of tea options, almond/soy/milk, coffee, and pastries. They don't accept Amex. They have wifi, a smoke room, couches, and cardboard boards that have postings on local events such as concerts, runs, festivals, etc. Totally recommend this place if you need to find caffeine to pull an all nighter.
(5)
Corey D.
I want to go in there with a hose and blast the heck outta the place and wash away years of grime and hipster (no offensive hipsters, but the place kinda reeks) but it's open at all hours and I haven't found an opportune time. Coffee is usually ok, nothing crazy outta the box good, but good. I avoid food at all costs. I haven't heard anything remarkable, and frankly the inside scares me a touch, I can't fathom consuming something that large organs in my body need to go to work on. Any thoughts on their eats?
(3)
Aletheia W.
whilst living in Tucson for a few months, I dragged my friends here a couple of times for a really really good (albeit slightly pricey) dirty chai latte. equally delicious and satisfying hot AND cold. the baristas are super nice. it definitely has that alternative edge to it... and for you fancy folks, i would recommend going while there is still some sunlight. it gets a bit grungy at night with some homeless (or perhaps just super super hippies? that don't shower? and carry sleeping bags with them?) and other questionable-looking folk hanging out; which personally doesn't bother me, but did make some of my friends feel really uncomfortable. during the day, i've seen plenty of young UofA students here studying. haven't tried the food, but i'd hold off on the pastries, as the cookie that i sampled from my brother was NOT good. and they keep cigarettes in the same display case.... yup. not a fan of THAT. $5 min on credit card purchases!
You hear often of dive bars....well this is a dive cafe!! and it is open 24/7!! For food they have good variety and you can modify the orders according to your needs. I had the scrambled eggs with chorizo and I didn't mind they run out of tortillas, as this was dinner. My friends had the tuna melt (rated with a 9/10) and the vegetarian with an extra of chicken (very solid sandwich). I liked it a lot! but could you guys make a slight effort in terms of cleaning?? Bathrooms are HORRIBLE, even roaches lounge around there. And if a roach is happy walking in the bathroom, you can only imagine there are more back in the kitchen. The free wifi makes it a magnet, and they even have 2 computers for ... creeps? We had an old guy checking porn pics (???). All in all, this is a place you have to stop by and give it a try.
(3)
Jessica H.
Bottom line: being able to get a coffee bolt at 2am can't be beat. Shot in the Dark is as quirky place where the music isn't too loud and the staff is down to earth. I don't feel like I'm not "hip" enough and there's always an interesting crowd. Like all coffee places in the world, I find it to be a bit overpriced, but I am a broke as heck activist with a non-existant budget. I can excuse going here once MAYBE twice a week, but it's always a treat.
(4)
Marisa C.
This place is okay, but they should really up the decor. You kinda feel like you are eating in a diner, which is not how a downtown/near a university/open all night coffee shop should be.
(2)
Jace M.
In a universe that shriveled and died a couple decades ago there were these places called coffee shops. You were as likely to meet a chain smoking Russian genius as you were to meet a homeless vet with a crooked look in his eye. These "coffee shops" sold more than coffee to the wanderers, the weirdos, the thespians, the punks, the tree huggers, the crapulent, the corpulent and the other generally interesting people that have been driven away. If you're looking for Good food, good coffee, good vegan coffee cake, good prices and good people, and you're trying to avoid going somewhere you have to change your clothes to enjoy, look no further. (tangent: when I asked for a bagel at one of the snobbier local coffee shops I enjoy, the girl behind the counter said, in a snotty, valley girl way, "this is a coffee shop, not a BAGEL shop." You won't get that at cafe Quebec, err cafe Q, I mean, shot in the dark).
(5)
Laura D.
Have I really not reviewed SitD before? Huh. Anyway, super good coffee, open all the time, delicious food and some of it super cheap. The rice and beans is a big bowl of good, healthy food for very little money. Sometimes there's kind of bad music happening, but sometimes there's really amazing music happening, and in between the music it's a great place to study/get some work done. There's always local art on the walls, too. My biggest complaint is that sometimes you can stand at the counter for some time before anyone says boo to you. But I always find myself there when there's time to hang out, not in a rush, and it's great for that.
(4)
Mindy S.
My favorite espresso drinks in town - they offer almond milk as well as soy (not easy to find at a coffee shop), and the 24-hour access is good, especially when you're running out of cigarettes or need a bottle of water at 2 a.m. Nice atmosphere and employees, good menu & a smoking room with booths - what more could you ask for? I liked this place as Cafe Quebec, and it seems like they've kept a similar vibe while improving the seating and the menu. Hooray, Shot in The Dark!
I've been here only a few times after moving in Armory Park. I have ordered regular coffee and some of their lattes only. I haven't tried anything else. The coffee in this cafe is either average or slightly below average. Half the time I've been there, the barista is NOT at their place - in the front counter. So I have to wait awhile for service. I gave it a two star because it's open 24 hours and has a very nice cafe setting inside. I'd go to this place if you live close by, want to get a quick drink while socializing with someone otherwise it's worth it to go someplace else.
(2)
Daphna R.
I just moved to Tucson. I drove blindly towards the tallest buildings and ended up downtown. I went into a random boutique and asked a hipsterish looking girl where to get coffee. She said, there's a "dark, artist space cafe with terrible coffee" and an "upscale, local roaster who put their all into every cup". I couldn't decide where to go first ;) Shot in the Dark, my friends, is the "dark, artist's space", thus I did not order coffee. I got an Early Grey tea with a little milk and I have no complaints. It wasn't loud, it wasn't dirty, and each booth was occupied by one person working hard on something., Open 24 hours and there was free WiFi to boot!
(4)
Jezebel V.
they don't have the best coffee but if you are taking coffee to wake you up then they might as well be hooking you up to a car battery with every cup of java.. cause I always leave wired.... in a good way. The staff is overall friendly and their food is not bad.
(5)
Sasha S.
This place has an amazing location. It has a open and tall interior and even though I don't smoke, I like that it provides a place for people who do. Their coffee is also actually decent, something that is very rare in any establishment these days. It's not as strong as I'd like it to be, but it's also far from hot water. What is with their espresso though? They have good prices, giving you a "quadruple shot" for something around 2.93. For some reason though, their quadruple shot amounts to barely one single shot that you can get from other places. It's been a while since I've been a barista, but I remember that there are different standards regarding shot sizes. Okay. Well they should be using American standards, in other words, give us bigger shots. A quadruple shot of espresso should be about one cup. They should just give up on making baked goods. Either they don't care or they don't know that they're awful at it. They make some interesting coconut macaroons, which are good for taking off the chocolate shell and eating just that. Otherwise, it's just a ball of shaved coconut pulp and sugar. They also make various brownies, blondies, and cakes. Avoid. The blondie was dry and didn't have enough sugar. They usually have peanut butter brownies that look pathetic - it looks like they just spooned some peanut butter on top of them before baking. As for their food, no thanks. I've had one of their breakfast scrambles and while it was certainly edible, almost good even, it was lacking considering the price. They do serve a pretty nice bowl of pasta salad. I'd like to complain that it could be better, but at its cheap price I doubt it. This is another one of those places that force their customers into entering the bathroom with a key. Booo! Although here it may actually be necessary, since I have seen weird people who come in here looking for a free bath. All in all, if you're coming here you probably don't even care about what this place doesn't do right. The ambience is good and will probably keep me coming. So there you have it.
(3)
Len T.
Regular of their grilled cheese and home fries, hummus and tabouli plate, great cup of cafe americano and open any time of day and night.
(4)
Ray L.
One of the employees rode his bicycle into me while I was standing inside the restaurant. Seriously. He rode out of a back room, careened around a few tables, failed to make a corner and crashed into me with some incoherent mumbling before forging ahead through the front door. This was definitely the high point of my visit. The server who was not bicycling around the room was, to his credit, friendly and helpful. As for the food, I am still unsure whether they actually served me a breakfast burrito or a salt lick--you could do worse, but you'd have to try. Sadly, with the closure of The Grill, Shot in the Dark is your only option for 24 hour food downtown. While it might be a good place for teens to hang out and act cultured, I'll fall asleep hungry before returning.
I go to this place all the time when working in Tucson. Gotta love the free wifi and they have a good selection of food. I'm not a smoker but if I was this would be the place. They seem to cater to smokers and have a separate patio for them that does not spill into the non-smoking section. If you're not a smoker, you don't have to worry about inhaling any non-welcomed cigarette fumes. What's nice is they let you make substitutions on any dish they have. Great for lunch and the coffee is decent. The place is a co-op and has a very granola feel to it. I spent some time in the bay area and there are lots of places like this in San Francisco. If you're looking for that quasi hippie artsy place with a totally random music selection this is your place.
(3)
Michael C.
You know, I think I like this place a lot despite it's faults. It's one of the few places in Tucson where I've seen people of differing countercultures mingling with the mainstream and one another. For that alone, it gets five stars. On any given night, you will see guys in ties, passed out homeless folks, punks, hippies, hipsters, maybe even a yo yo gang banger. Much more inter-table conversation than your average coffee house. There's always someone interesting around, even when the place is empty. And it's open 24 hours, a huge plus, with free wifi and communal computers for the technologically impaired. A great place to work at night. The food ranges from quite good to fair, depending on what you order. Coffee is acceptable, no more, no less. The employees always seem friendly to decent people, but don't tolerate a lot of crap. I like this. Crap should never be tolerated. That's why we have indoor plumbing. This place is 24 hours, downtown, and run by young people. A lot of crap comes their way. We should celebrate their informed lack of tolerance. I disagree with the reviews of poor service at any hour. Lots of people hang out for a while before ordering. If you want something, ask for it. You'll get it. Always tip your server or counterperson. This is an employee owned collective. Good. I hope they are successful. Negatives: Some of the furniture is a bit uncomfortable, as other have noted. I hope that the business proves profitable enough to improve this. Coffee is not great. Why not? We have the finest roaster in America a short distance away in Bisbee. He ships overnight mail for free the day the beans are roasted! Any other problems with the brew can be easily fixed with a little repair to machines and training for the staff. This is a simple and inexpensive change that could really improve their business. Music, as others have noted. Heavy on the Tom Waits, this I like. It fits the feel of the business. I've heard some good jazz here, blues, bluegrass, gypsy music, 80s music, soul, funk... I loved the tribute to George Carlin when he died, playing his stand up routines. But occasionally the live music can be extremely loud and out of place. Some of the stereo selections are from bands that don't have the talent to tune their instruments or voices. I'm not saying they should tame the music, but a little quality control wouldn't hurt from time to time. There's nothing wrong with -any- style of music, just pick the best of each genre! All things considered, might be the best hangout spot in Tucson.
(4)
Angie Lyn C.
I absolutely love A Shot In The Dark Cafe! i end up there a few times a week. close to the congress bars and open 24/7, it's perfect. I regular the place enough to have made friends with the people who work there who are all pretty awesome people. the coffee is good and the food is very good! and way better for you then the carls jr. down the street or anything else that might be open at two am. there is a smoking room and free wifi. it doesn't get much better :)
(5)
Becki G.
Hallelujah, they've got A/C now!
(5)
Ferdinand B.
Relaxed, frazzled, alternative joint which has dirty tables that the employees haven't cleaned in ages. I walked in, some awful music was playing, they switched to jazz later. Coffee is over-priced, average. Restrooms look like puke closets. Clientele is composed of art snobs, weirdos, bike hippies and homeless bob's. It's not the worst joint I've seen but it certainly doesn't have the calm ambiance necessary for writing or reading a good Jean-Paul Sartre book. Open 24 hours so use it if you can. Barely edible sandwiches, burritos & cold drinks. At least it's there folks. What the hell is it with the top notch prices??? ($7.63 for a cheap burger, etc). They should can the ambient industrial music blasting too loud at night. Bike stand out front. Carry a hammer & Lysol can with you if you go in the after "Midnight" hours. Customer service goes down the toilet after 11pm, as if it was any better earlier, as in getting some actual customer help/attention, plus you have to deal with the drug headed jerks hanging around the place, rather creepy unless you have a shotgun in your front pocket.
(3)
Chelsea L.
Dirty Chai and a Tuna Melt are you serious?? Yes... Yes I am. I am not a tuna melt kind of girl, but its by far the best ive ever had. (and believe me ive been around) The place could use a good scrubbing a bottle of bleach or 5, but it gives it character. You might have to share your space with a bunch of nerdy kids playing magic the gathering, but its an interesting time all around. Another perk is that it is always unnaturally hot in there so you wont have to hit that sauna that day to sweat it out!
(3)
Andy M.
I like SITD's coffee and their staff is always good to me @ 6 in the morning!!
(4)
Jen W.
I barely remember the ambience though I know it was dark inside in the day time. **Get the dirty chai!** I love chai and I love coffee - best combination ever. Best drink in Tucson!
(5)
CJ F.
Nice enough coffee shop. I got a mocha, and I enjoyed it. It was a nice place to sit and chat. I'll be back when I'm in the area.
(4)
Adam S.
I really wanted to like Shot in the Dark. I recently moved to Armory Park and often get irritated having to drive for a decent late-hours coffee shop. The Shot has serious potential to tap into the after-hours crowd, but lacks decent coffee and comfortable seating to keep people around for more than a half hour. On the upside, it's spacious... and for the smokers, an indoor air-conditioned smoking patio. Most of the crowd seems to be on that side of the cafe.
(2)
Phil C.
Shot in the Dark Cafe, previously "the Cafe," previously "Cafe Quebec," previously different, the same, relaxed, stiff, what have you, is a good place to grab a cup of no frills (and no problem) drinks at any time (used to be 24 hour, then wasn't, then was, then wasn't, now is again), with a casual staff ready to make food just as much as conversation. Each employee from what I understand also has a stake in the business, they're all co-owners, and that might say something about it, it's run by people for people, by schmucks for schmucks, by artists for artists, etc. Depending on the time, can be empty and quiet, could be loud and obnoxious. Small shows are on almost every night and there's a decent open mic with a few regulars (Shot in the Dark has a lot of regulars - it can be daunting if you've just walked in from the street), and the smoking patio is a joy for smokers who want to sit inside, on a couch, near a painted table and chair with a stencil of Hunter S. Thompson. The wall art is revolving, and for sale, little post-cards and such near the counter are made by local artists as well, and it wouldn't be that bad of a starting point for anyone that would want to play in front of a small group or get some photos on a wall - they support local Tucsonans, or, I could be wrong, and perhaps they only support employees that want their photos on the walls. I'm not really sure. It's pretty silly. I've always liked the food - the George Carlin veggie burrito is, I'd say, fantastic, and I don't know where else I can get a decent Italian soda or Chai Frappe, nor any cafe where at one point I could sit down and borrow the cafe's guitar and play some Dylan. Maybe I just like it because it's not Ike's - the people are interesting usually, the employees are slightly warped, but the atmosphere is colorful and calm, erratic and busy, talkative and alive or dead and muted, whatever you can say, it can be a contradicting place, I've had a lot of occasions where silence begot loud sweeping conversations through everyone around. The music choice on the speaker system is usually perfect for the scenario, with old jazz and blues, or electro punk, or... well, like I said, it changes. The place changes. I wouldn't want it any other way. Plus there's almost always someone willing to play some chess over a cigarette. They might be "frazzled," almost definitely, but they'll still play.
(4)
Emmy S.
You can't beat a coffee place that's open 24 hours!! I love going there - cool employees and a funky atmosphere. It's off the beaten path in downtown Tucson. I'm looking forward to grabbing a table outside on my next visit.
(5)
Lisa W.
I stopped in here with a friend for some after-hour, after-dancing munchies. It's a great spot to get away from the crowd. The potatoes maximus are delicious, and the portion is huge! Very chill, very awesome.
(5)
Hannah B.
This place is a co-op. And it looks and operates like one. Service isn't great, though one guy there seems to be pretty ontop of things. Kitchen staff is a little surly and spend some of their time hanging out with friends on the patio. This place is (i think) open 24 hours, so that's cool. Not that I have ever taken advantage of this... The breakfasts there are pretty average, but hit the spot when you just want some eggs and toast or a breakfast burrito. Coffee is nothing to write home about. The interior decoration makes me shudder usually. Bad Art. Sorry, but it is. Imagine crappy furniture, black, bright colors, and hideous art. But hey, if you don't mind maybe you'll enjoy the place.
(3)
Vince S.
I work out at O2 fitness three times a week and a come here after the gym. This place is different, kind of arts and artists, free Internet, and unique people, all kinds of different people but everyone is nice and friendly and treat one another with respect. I bought a cool shirt for $10.00 has a skeleton sitting drinking coffee and smoking a cigarette and says I sat down one day & never left and it glow in the dark, they are open 24 hours a day I have there eggs 3 times a week and order a double burger with lettuce wrap and a pickle, the will substitute anything and sell vegan and assorted homemade pastries and much more its a cool and different atmosphere and I like it there coffee is Organic and roasted local at roasters X,
(4)
Leo B.
Good coffee 1st and foremost. Artsy/creepy atmosphere. I like the commingling of cultures but could do without the creepy people outside. Great young art on the walls which is why I actually went there in the first place.I am a bit too old for its demographic but I will not hesitate to go back for a coffee when I am downtown.
(3)
Candyce T.
Great coffee from a small local venue serving fair-trade organic coffee, PLUS live music in the evenings AND open 24 hours - so so sweet! Felt like i was back home in Berkeley and the folks were friendly. also serve what appears to be great breakfasts as well.
(5)
Yogi B.
Shot in the Dark Cafe Just found this downtown gem on a trip back to Tucson. Really found the staff friendly and the atmosphere funky! It's a very grunge crowd today, but also fairly diverse. My iced mocha was pretty darn good. I haven't tried anything else, yet. Free WiFi and a computer with internet in the back corner is nice.
(4)
Ramin S.
Shot in the Dark is a flourishing independent coffee shop on Broadway (a block from Congress). It is relatively large, with a bunch of tables and some comfy chairs. (They also have a smoking room, but I haven't been in it.) Their coffee is tasty, and they have a bunch of cold beverages too. A big glass of OJ can be refreshing here as you cool off from the Arizona sun. They also have a bunch of sandwiches and snacks, but I have not yet tried them. There are a bunch of interesting paintings by local artists on the walls. Finally, they occasionally have shows here. This is probably the best cafe in the neighborhood, and I recommend it.
(5)
Buddy H.
Open at all ridiculous hours of the night and the Gabacho is the best burrito I've ever had.
(4)
Jonathan K.
Hard to put my finger on what makes this place so great. Reasonable prices? Lack of pretension? Pretty good food? Eccentric folks who hang out there? Yes, yes, and yes.
(4)
Catherine N.
Good music, good burrito (try the George Carlin) and a comfortable atmosphere. "Its awesome having a place like this open 24 hrs," says to my sister who took me here when I was visiting her.
(4)
Kaity J.
Shot in the Dark has a very old school feel while still having espresso and coffee beverage options that are up to current standards for those who frequent trendy coffee shops. First of all...major points for being open 24/7. Super rare, and I'm sure this place is appreciated by U of A students who need a place to study into the night. It's also a cafe with a full food menu, so I would imagine after the bars a few blocks away close, it could be quite the popular late night spot. I ordered an iced almond milk (yay for them having it!) latte, and it was delicious. The barista was fantastic. Solid coffee spot.
(4)
Lauren K.
After passing by Shot in the Dark many times over the last year, we finally decided to give them a try. We literally had to twist each other's arms to make the decision, though. Since we do walk by and drive by often, we've gotten to peek in many times. From the outside, Shot in the Dark looks grungy and dirty. The clientele is sometimes...curious. It just doesn't speak to us. I've been following them on Facebook, though, and learned that they recently closed down for a "deep cleaning". What better time to try a long standing local business, whose business model (breakfast/sandwich/coffee shop) really appeals to me. The first thing we noticed as we were opening the door was the elderly, sorta homeless looking man sitting on a ratty, torn up couch. We almost lost our courage and walked to Hub. But no, we won't be deterred that easily, so we walked in. The rest of the place was surprisingly not filthy. It's quirky with bumper stickers for decorations, but that's what this kind of place is, and I welcome it. There was no smell that I've seen other people reference, at least that I noticed. The walls had chipped paint and stuff, but the tables and floors were mostly clean. The counter was old, but clean. I look meticulously at ice machines/storage areas because they're the least likely things to be cleaned. Shot in the Dark's ice compartment looked perfectly clean from where I was standing. Without trying to be elitist, the dirtiest part of the place was some of the customers. Some interesting people were in there, but they kept to themselves, so overall not a big deal. But I can still see how they would chase away more skiddish people from Shot in the Dark. Ordering was tricky. The woman taking the orders was super nice and accommodating, which is good, because they were out of all sorts of ingredients. They couldn't make some drinks, and they even ran out of eggs. This hurt their profit for sure. Instead of selling a $5+ drink, they sold a $0.92 can of soda. Some people skipped eating because they wanted french toast and there were no eggs to be found. This is really bad, especially since Shot in the Dark has loudly been whining about the street car hurting their profit. They aren't willing to help themselves with a few minute trip to the Safeway down the street, so they shouldn't be passing the blame of their own bad business decisions onto the city. That's shady, plain and simple. The drink I was able to get made with an on-the-whim substitution was the Milky Way, and it was definitely very good. They ran out of caramel sauce, so she stuck a Snickers bar into the blender (again, this had to have cut into profit). It turned out great, and I love that they have soy milk. The food we tried was great! The bagel they used for the egg and cheddar sandwich was huge and fresh. The portion was huge, and the flavors were good. The cheddar cheese was mlld and melted perfectly. For under $5, I don't know where you'll get a better bagel, egg, and cheese sandwich made fresh. Certainly not Brueggar's, with their mediocre bagels and pre-made eggs that sit for hours before being served. We also tried the tuna melt. The tuna was finely chopped, which is my preference for this style of sandwich. It had some white onion in it, which added a little crunch. It could have used a tad more mayo, but I'm sure I like mayo more than the average person. They put the same cheddar on it as the egg sandwich, and it too was melted well and tasted good with the tuna. The bread was fresh and tasty, and overall, it was a really good sandwich. The home fries on the side were the best home fries I've ever had! They were seasoned incredibly well. They were a little crispy on the outside, but not under done on the inside. Sometimes home fries are dry, but not these. They were moist but not greasy at all. Very good! One big overall gripe: They need to take the cigarettes out of the pastry case. That's off-putting and gross for people, especially non-smokers. Overall, I think Shot in the Dark is a pretty good sandwich/coffee shop. The prices are right and the location is great, especially with the new parking deck around the corner. The interior could use a bit (ok, a lot) of a facelift, and they do need to figure out how to appeal to a broader clientele. Unfortunately for them, that may mean they have to discourage the grubbier looking clientele from sitting in a booth all day with a single cup of coffee. If they don't want to do that, fine, but then they also need to realize that the people working in that shiny new office building a stone's throw away aren't going to want to give them a try. And that's where they'll be able to pull in a lot of customers from. Anyway, I would recommend Shot in the Dark. I certainly will be going again, and hopefully they won't be out of so many ingredients next time.
(4)
Tammy M.
This place is appropriately named. When driving from Phoenix to Bisbee or vice versa, I'm often looking to Tucson for a meal spot. I need somewhere that's accessible from the freeway so that I don't spend an hour in traffic. Ok, this is a bit further off the highway than I would like but easy to find. The ambience is well, sort of grunge. If you like that, you'll love it. I had my 70+ year old parents with me who were likely pretty skeptical. It was also fairly empty which seemed like a warning sign. We chatted with the friendly guy working there and asked about some of his favorites. He told us the food was really good and fresh and while we were skeptical, the prices were very reasonable. We took a shot in the dark. Amazing! The wraps, sandwiches, salads were all 5 star worthy - fresh and flavorful. I wish I could remember everything we ordered but the vegetarian wraps were amazing. I will stop here again.
(4)
Matthew D.
Needless to say, the most attractive thing about this joint is that it is one of the few 24/7 spots in this area of Tucson. Beyond this, we were literally taking a shot in the dark. It was reminiscent of some of those places I used to visit in Berkeley about 15-20 years ago, with the requisite number of college students coming in. The food was fairly good, but my wife's sandwich contained a hidden toothpick fragment that ended up stabbing her in the lip. Not cool. The food preparer apparently stuck a fancy toothpick in the sandwich, broke it, and stuck in another without taking the time to look for the broken piece he just left in. That, I guess, was too much trouble. It's one of those things that don't necessarily ruin a restaurant, but you will always remember it. While we will certainly go to the Big Blue House on our next visit to Tucson, this isn't such a certainty with Shot in the Dark.
(3)
Matt L.
Wouldn't recommend, especially because there are a sizable handful of great local coffee shops within walking distance of this place (Sparkroot, Cartel, Exo, just to name a few). I remember ordering pancakes here about 10 years ago when I was downtown to see a concert. The syrup was crawling with ants. But hey, things change, and downtown has certainly seen a sort of revitalization over the last decade. So I gave this place another shot - no pun intended. It was a Sunday morning and the shop was mostly empty. A couple customers eating breakfast. I walked up to the counter and nobody was there. I waited for a few beats. A guy wanders out from the back room and nonchalantly takes my order and pours me a cup of bland coffee that was on par with Denny's or maybe Circle K. I went to use the bathroom and was greeted by vulgar graffiti and a dirty toilet. I don't know, maybe this place is charming to certain people. It certainly has a kind of grungy, "eff-the-world" flare that undoubtedly resonates with some. I mean, they have been around for a long time. At the risk of sounding pretentious...as someone who really enjoys quality coffee and a clean, comfortable environment, it wasn't my cup of tea. Or, uh, coffee...as the case may be.
(2)
Rick J.
First time going to Shot in the dark. Walked in-- lots of people on computers, homeless people on the floor. Lots of smoke in the air. Stand in line for 7 minutes behind a couple that looks high as fuh. Get to the counter and the man/woman behind the counter is loopy as a frikin tucan. He/she takes no less than 10 minutes to prepare a vanilla iced latte. When I finally got the drink I could feel it's subpar values oozing from the plastic cup. It was warm. The espresso and milk were not mixed before the ice was added and the little ice I had left was melting. I'm thinking "Great, watered down latte." But no. Somehow this barista/o had managed to craft the strongest medium vanilla iced latte Tucson has ever seen. It tastes like a was punched in the throat. Shot in the dark? More like shotgun to the throat. Upon getting home I diluted the strange mixture into 7 cups of milk an ice. These tasted great. Thanks Shot in the dark for a weeks supply of espresso in one medium iced latte. This drink was so bad I made this yelp account whilst driving back home. Maybe this place is good in the daytime? The barista was nice to me at least. Sorry. Just an awful waste of money tonight.
(1)
Rachel G.
Want coffee without pretentiousness or overcharging? Best coffee shop downtown. Open 24 hours, unlike everyplace else.
(5)
Mohamed N.
I would give this a 5 star if it wasn't for the wait time. I got a Cesar salad which was amazing, a large salad also got the decaf earl gray which was really good. Nice seating area, came on a Sunday close to midnight. Its open 24hrs
(4)
Gabi M.
I've had mostly iced coffee, lattes, and hot coffee here and really started to dig the place. I came here for breakfast and lunch a few times and it was good but took too long and really wasn't anything special. Their menu is kind of weird actually. I find it hard to pick anything. It's just not that appealing. Their iced coffee is great, and I was coming in for hot coffee in the mornings pretty regularly, but it seems like every time I came in the coffee was less hot until one day it was straight up lukewarm, at which point I was like yeah, not acceptable, and stopped coming. It's great that they're open 24/7 and the servers are reasonably polite. I also heard that it's employee owned which is great. All in all it's not bad place. I like it, but it definitely needs improvement. If your menu and food isn't going to stand out, there's no point in having a food menu. There's lots of places to get lunch around here. Step it up.
(3)
Shanika P.
I ordered an iced americano on a hot summer day and got a cup of lukewarm disappointment. ;( The cup was overfilled and dribbly which is just one of my coffee shop pet peeves... (not a good combo with the white shirt I was wearing!) It had three ice cubes in it. The flavor of the coffee was pretty good on first sip, but the nightmare began when the mess of coffee grounds floated their way to the bottom...I had been here once before and I had a pleasant experience. This time...not so much.
(2)
Mindy G.
Great location next to a brewery that does not serve food. Coffee is wonderful and we had the treehugger. Enjoyed it all.
(5)
Cassandra Z.
I capped off an evening of drinking with friends here and would give it a thumbs up! I didn't actually order anything myself, but my kind companions let me nibble off their plates. One guy ordered a gigantic breakfast burrito loaded with eggs, cheese and potatoes. I had a large bite and would go back to order it for myself. Another friend ordered the bagel with lox; the portion of smoked salmon was very generous and he was pleased with the overall deliciousness. They offered free water for patrons and the bathroom walls are humorously decorated with Tumblr-esque graffiti.
(5)
Paul R.
It's depressing. The cook seems bothered to be here. Very grunge like environment. Food could be better. Coffee is okay. I do like that you can purchase two eggs, two bacon, and a slice of Texas toast for $3.70 + tax
(1)
Maddy H.
Best breakfast burritos I've ever sunken my teeth into. The salsa is also really bomb. My best friend loves their Chai tea variations, and a hot latte on a cold night is a simple pleasure at Shot. For the amount of drunk slobs the staff has to deal with I'm always pleasantly surprised by how unfazed they are. Bullet proof composure is something I envy.
(5)
Bailey H.
It has recently come to my attention that Shot in the Dark has been going through a slight change in regards to its clientele. Some one had stated that new developments in the area are changing the demographic and complaints on food quality and service are becoming the norm. I have never had a problem with service or questioned the quality of food at this establishment. They are a respectful bunch that contribute their free time to ensure you are receiving the best possible service. Does it have a bit of a disheveled appearance? Yes, but that is the way we like it!! So fly a kite you yuppies! Without places like Shot in the Dark, you have places like Starbucks. Is that a world you want to live in? Not I says me.
(4)
Kyla W.
Being from Seattle, I am a bit picky about coffee and enjoy a cup of brew at any time of day. This cafe serves up some awesome americano!
(5)
Richa S.
This place is great... if you want to be motivated to study. It is so dirty and for some reason it suddenly becomes loud and obnoxious past 10pm. It's a great way to get your work done fast so you can leave the germ filled place that's rarely cleaned.
(2)
Jessica M.
I give it four stars mainly in lack of comparison of other places open 24 hours in the area. Barista made an honest effort on my machiato, my friend s frapp tasted wonderful. We had breakfast. Breakfast burrito was delicious and huge! My friend wasn't thrilled with her oatmeal but came with a friendly deliverance and eye pleasing presentation. Place has a decent culture history encased in the decor of the place. Unisex bathroom, - you just have to see it. Smoking and coffee go hand and hand in my book. Nice option. The Luis S. Review below definitely deserves to be read. I bet employment there changes with the seasons but somebody there is accountable for hiring that Taylor dude.
(4)
Levi R.
Coffee isn't great, but it's nice. There is a smoking room. Never seen that before. The whole place smells of a light cigarette smoke. They are not in a rush. Not even a hurry. Not even really concerned with time at all. The food was good. I got the chorizo egg scramble. Great. Over all a nice place. Counterculture time.
(4)
Fiona M.
I'm sorry but if you're looking for an Olive Garden and you go to a place that isn't Olive Garden, you can't give the place a bad review. Shot in the dark is great and its been a part of downtown tucson for years. Long before the wave of well to do flagstaff owned restaurants with stainless steel countertops that constitues our new downtown, shot in the dark was here, same style and place as it is today. Im not dissing on the new downtown, change is fine. Just saying take the old with the new. I think people say that. So I don't know what people mean when they say 'dirty' or they put up their noses to the idea of a smoking room, (which is completely avoidable) or they say the coffee isn't great. It's clean enough. And the coffee is good. It just isn't four dollar pour over served in a weetiny baby cup. A lot of people love this place. Kudos to the kitchen for always doing an excellent job. Like, always. Great portions for a good price.
(4)
Drew P.
I came in at 7pm and was meeting a few people for a business meeting. I walked in and noticed one of my guys behind a door to the right when you walk in.. It was full of smoke and not just smokes.. We moved to the mail area and decided on a drinks and some food. I received my skinny Greek salad. I wasn't impressed. They have watered down dressing. Although, my drink the "jammin" was really good. The entire place looked like it hadn't been cleaned in years. I went to the bathroom and to my surprise writing all over the walls and fixtures and then a roach running across the floor. I went back to my seat and what do I see next to the trash can a roach. So, I went to the person at the counter and said you have a roach on the floor and one in the bathroom. He said he knew. Heat brings them out? That was enough for me. I won't being doing the buggy deal again.
(2)
B A.
Their food is unsanitary. This cafe was once my go to place for late night study dates. It has gone down hill so fast. The so called "owners" do not seem to care. They are too busy with their hair. I have had nothing but disappointments from this place since 2012. Before that date I would have given them four stars!
(1)
Sean A.
Not exactly "as good as it gets," but in the 4.8 territory. Shot in the Dark is a staple of any downtown business district. Conveniently located on Broadway south of the Ronstadt Transit Center / The HUB. First and foremost, this place is open 24h. Second, they make some mean sandwiches and lunch items. Third, they are inexpensive. Please try some food when you visit. Going for coffee, you won't be shocked or find anything new. If you are trying to grab a bite or fix at a strange hour, come home to Shot in the Dark. They have cigarettes and pastries also.
(5)
Beau H.
Peanut Butter Mocha is like something that will change your life. Go there! Order this! Your welcome! :)
(5)
Andrew F.
For almost 3 years, Shot was my home away from home, nearly every day. Smoking, great coffee and a solid breakfast, can't beat it. I still find myself stumbling in on the weekends for a quick meal. Staff is great, shout out to Jesse, he'll crack you up if you've got the humor. All in all, Shot will always have a place in my heart, haha, keep Tucson shitty :)
(5)
Kyle H.
The fact they're 24/7 is the one of two reasons they're getting two stars; the other is some of their menu items taste decent. The service here is mediocre. The employees act as if they're too good to serve you. A lot of them put their nose up to you if you're not dressed "hipster" enough. I wouldn't recommend coming here. It's going to be my first and last visit. You're better off going somewhere else.
(2)
Gabriel H.
This cafe has a great, earthy vibe and excellent food. I got the De Jardin wrap and I loved it. The only aspect I would improve is the menu's accuracy; my wrap came with tomato when tomato was not one of the advertised ingredients. No big deal, but a minor fault. All-around great eatery.
(4)
Taralyn R.
Take 1: The "deep cleaning" that Lauren K. mentioned in her review from about a year ago has definitely worn off. However, at 2 am when you are looking for food that actually tastes good (even when you are sober), some good coffee, and a pack of cigarettes to help you make it till dawn, you won't really care. This is my favorite place to be at 2 am with some friends after a night on Congress. Enjoy reading the walls while you go to the bathroom. Take 2: The "deep cleaning" that Lauren K. mentioned in her review from about a year ago has definitely worn off. However, if you sit at a booth for long enough with your laptop, or notebook, or company, you'll adjust to the smell and will go happily about your day patting yourself on the back for being so productive after drinking so much delicious coffee and having a satisfying bite to eat. Just make sure you close your eyes when you go to the bathroom.
(3)
Julie K.
I really liked the food and coffee here. The staff was very knowledgeable and friendly and there was a variety of seating available. Unfortunately, the smoke from the smoke room spreads into the nonsmoking area of the cafe. I had to leave because I couldn't handle the constant smell of smoke and began to experience some problems because I have asthma. Other than that, this place was great!
(3)
Allie D.
This place is a downtown Tucson treasure and your best friend after the bars or in the middle of the afternoon when you need a caffeine boost. Great vegan options too. I've been coming here for years and will continue to do so :)
Smoking room. Cute alt baristas. Loads of douchebags who have boundary problems. I puked there.
(3)
Michael M.
Yummy. Cool staff quality food. Love going therr late night.
(4)
Trynia K.
The food here is great and is served in generous portions. My partner and I usually share the food when we go here which makes it a great deal. We've had a few of the sandwiches and breakfast burritos and have never been disappointed. The staff are friendly and always quirky but attentive. Great iced coffee and chai! There is wi-fi but seating is limited and they have swamp not AC, so going on a muggy day is maybe not the best idea. If you are a smoker and/or have a pet, this is a great place because they have a smoking patio/room and are super dog friendly. Also, if you just want to converse with some nomads, this is the spot for you!
Your "non-trendy" place to have coffee and a bite downtown. I like this place because with all that is new, fancy, and shiny downtown this place is just a normal/nothing special spot to get quality coffee and food at an affordable price. If you're anything like me (and I suspect most Yelpers are) you love to go out, and spend a decent percentage of your earnings at restaurants/bars/cafes. In order to do this, you have to find good value places that offer prices that don't break the bank and food that still tasty. Shot In The Dark totally delivers here. The coffee is quality and they have a great selection of coffee based drinks. Oft overlooked and forgotten here is the great food menu. I have been pleasantly surprised by most everything that I've ordered. It comes out timely and is well prepared. They have a very wide selection of choices as well. My favorite little thing they do is price all of their items so that when tax is added, it comes to a whole dollar or fiftly cents! I've always said if I ever owned a joint, I would do this. Keeps it easy for everyone. It has a pretty heavy beatnik vibe, so if you are turned off by that steer clear. I am not on that scene but I enjoy the people watching! My one knock is on the bacon. I love my bacon and I feel like they could give a little quality upgrade here and not have to raise price too much. It seems like Oscar Meyer to me... All in all though, it's an affordable place with an interesting scene and a great product. A winner in my book!
(4)
Chris W.
My favorite coffee house in Tucson. Haven for the downtrodden, whether smokers or homeless. The old couch is gone now (probably good), but there is still a comfy chair. Quite clean today, but happily not yuppie friendly. Real people work there, no corporate molding too often found these days, in fact it is worker owned and operated (I just found that out). The bookshelf has radical magazines, and dictionaries. Great music chosen by the workers. and yes the food is good.
(5)
Marlys S.
An eclectic cafe across from the streetcar stop. An excellent selection of loose leaf teas. Huge breakfasts for a very reasonable cost. I opted for an egg scramble without the toast and potatoes for just over $5 and still couldn't finish it. My husband said the potatoes were crisp and the toast is about an inch thick so isn't dry. Nice change of pace. The sign says open 24/7.
(4)
Jessica G.
Apparently they serve you when they want to. I was told that the kitchen was closed with a list of reasons when I tried to order. I said that they were supposed to be 24/7 and the barista rolled their eyes and told the "regular staff" about my questions. They ended up taking my order, however it was not worth it. I'm sad to say but in the end I'm never going back (really sad after years of good service)
(1)
Em. C.
Great late night food spot, good coffee and an enclosed smoking patio. I Love It!
(5)
Karla A.
Every time I go to Tucson I stop here at least once. There's something about this place... A certain "Keep Tucson Shitty" appeal. (Which, btw, I don't think means people want Tucson to be literally shitty, but just not another uppity city like every other uppity city.) This cafe is open 24 hours. Gotta love that. The coffee and food are decent. The staff has always been friendly to me. What's not to love?!
(5)
David N.
They have a good menu with a variety of drinks and dishes. Their burritos are outstanding, although I'm tempted to bring my own tortillas with me when I visit since they've been out two times I've stopped in. Their frappes are delicious, especially the reese's peanut butter inspired drink. The shop itself has a decent atmosphere, although the strip of the street on the outside looks a little sketchy with several business that have barred windows. Inside it's very spacious and there's even a pseudo smoking section in a slightly enclosed patio (sealed off from the main dining area though). They have a good rotating selection of local art on the walls as well a few computers you can use to get online.
(4)
Gabriel W.
I was completely unaware of this place until last night. My father was coming through town on his way back to Phoenix and wanted to meet up for coffee or something like it. The catch? Its 12:30 AM. I knew of one or two 24 hour coffee joints in town, but none close enough to the I-10 for his needs. So sure enough, I turn to Yelp and it once again provides the answer: Shot in the Dark Cafe. Brilliant. Didnt know what to expect coming in...whether they served food in addition to drinks, and considering how hungry I was, I was glad to see a pretty extensive menu of some relatively gourmet-seeming items. I ordered a pesto chicken sandwich (thats not what it was called, but I forget their name for it), and got a tea recommendation from the extremely friendly guy behind the counter. The sandwich was solid. A whole chicken breast, cooked really well, a nice flavorful pesto, and all the other standard "burger fixins". Very tasty, overall, but the bun left a little to be desired. It was a good quality, fresh burger bun, and I think because of that and the moistness of the ingredients in the sandwich, it got a little soggy. Would have been a good idea to toast or grill the bun, or just a thought: Ciabatta Roll! Probably woulda given 5 stars for a Ciabatta Roll... The vanilla black tea was excellent. And for only the first or second time ever in my life, was actually served at the right temperature! Hot enough that it warms you from the inside out, and yet no so freakishly boiling hot that it scalds your tongue on first sip. Who'd a thunk it?!? The food here is not quite as gourmet or quite as tasty as at Grill, but the environment more than makes up for it. Its quiet, its medium-lit, its feels like a coffee house should. The music was a little loud and seemed slightly out of place with the feel, but it did not detract too greatly from my experience. Local artists' paintings line the walls and are for purchase. Ive always liked places that do that. Other unique artist creations such as home-made beanies are also available. Its great to know that some businesses support their customers! The reality is that I would go here 9 times out of 10 before going back to Grill since my last experience. Definitely my new 24-hour place to grab some grub in a pinch.
(4)
David F.
Let me start by saying I don't like coffee. Okay, now that that is out of the way, this to me is now the perfect late night food spot (now that the Grill is forever closed). Their burritos and house-made veggie burgers are exquisite, and the fact that their prices are so reasonable for it being all homemade is just that much better. Also, they are totally cool with substitutions in the meals, so don't hesitate to switch things up with them, they are rad like that. Also, a smoking room? Yes please! Seriously a great place to kick the late night buzz, and study. Open 24 hours, so you can pop in at any time and get a coffee, some baked goods, or awesome hot food. Love this place!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Divey Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : No Good for Working : Yes
Kay P.
Cheap, good food, delivered fast and in HUGE portions. Great drinks. Cool atmosphere. Roomy. Good music. OPEN 24 HOURS (thank God there is SOME place in this town). Perfect.
(5)Luis S.
UPDATE: PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THE MANAGER HAS CONTACTED ME REGARDING THIS REVIEW AND INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS NOT HOW THEY DO BUISINESS AND THE OFFENDING EMPLOYEE, TAYLOR, IS NO LONGER WORKING THERE (NOT BECAUSE OF THIS REVIEW, THANKFULLY). As a big supporter of local owned businesses, I really wanted to love this place. Unfortunately though this place goes beyond mediocre food and bad service. My last experience there was downright immoral. After being a regular customer for the last six years, I stopped in last night to buy three meals and three drinks for a homeless family who had gone out to celebrate their daughter's 5th birthday in the park, and not been able to make it back to the shelter in time before the doors were closed. This family has been left homeless when their home recently underwent a rent increase, and did not have enough money to pay the deposit on a different apartment. It was close to freezing last night, and I wanted to buy them a hot meal. When the guy behind the counter (which I believe is named Taylor) found out that the meals were intended for them, he said "you're feeding bums?" My jaw dropped to the floor. I tried to explain the situation, but he interrupted me to let me know that "I won't feed bums. If you feed them, they'll keep coming back" as if we were talking about a pack of javalinas or stray dogs. I am curious to find out if the rest of the "members" of this coop would find this statement in keeping with the image they want to portray or if turning down a $30 sale was common practice, but my phone calls went unanswered and my on line messages and mail went without a response. In conclusion, my review is based not only on the service, but also on a sentence on their own website: "Therefore, we feel that if all businesses operated this way, society as a whole would be better off", so I will end this review the same way I ended my visit with Taylor last night: "Merry Christmas" (you know...the season of goodwill towards mankind?)
(2)Chantage B.
Delicious strong coffee...for me this is the epitome of a downtown coffee shop. The employees are great, very friendly. The music is at a good level and different every time I go in. Nice art on the walls. The food is good too. The bagel with salmon plate is my favorite, it comes complete with capers, cream cheese, red onion, and everything else you would need. The crowd is mixed but friendly. A great place to go for a quiet moment with a book or a conversation with a friend.
(5)C B.
24/7! There are only a few places in cities that are 24/7. And this place has all kinds of tea options, almond/soy/milk, coffee, and pastries. They don't accept Amex. They have wifi, a smoke room, couches, and cardboard boards that have postings on local events such as concerts, runs, festivals, etc. Totally recommend this place if you need to find caffeine to pull an all nighter.
(5)Corey D.
I want to go in there with a hose and blast the heck outta the place and wash away years of grime and hipster (no offensive hipsters, but the place kinda reeks) but it's open at all hours and I haven't found an opportune time. Coffee is usually ok, nothing crazy outta the box good, but good. I avoid food at all costs. I haven't heard anything remarkable, and frankly the inside scares me a touch, I can't fathom consuming something that large organs in my body need to go to work on. Any thoughts on their eats?
(3)Aletheia W.
whilst living in Tucson for a few months, I dragged my friends here a couple of times for a really really good (albeit slightly pricey) dirty chai latte. equally delicious and satisfying hot AND cold. the baristas are super nice. it definitely has that alternative edge to it... and for you fancy folks, i would recommend going while there is still some sunlight. it gets a bit grungy at night with some homeless (or perhaps just super super hippies? that don't shower? and carry sleeping bags with them?) and other questionable-looking folk hanging out; which personally doesn't bother me, but did make some of my friends feel really uncomfortable. during the day, i've seen plenty of young UofA students here studying. haven't tried the food, but i'd hold off on the pastries, as the cookie that i sampled from my brother was NOT good. and they keep cigarettes in the same display case.... yup. not a fan of THAT. $5 min on credit card purchases!
(4)Erik N.
Tucson's one and only truly bohemian café. Has a great atmosphere, very good coffee and other drinks, excellent food and is open 24 hours. It is owned by a number of the people who work there, and the fact that it is a "community-based" coffee shop makes it a comfortable and fun place to hang out, once you get to know people. It's kind of a cross between the Friends' cafe and Portlandia grunge... there is a couch, a smoking room, free internet, free computers (currently out of order) and local art on the wall. I love to hang out here and work!
(5)Ceci G.
You hear often of dive bars....well this is a dive cafe!! and it is open 24/7!! For food they have good variety and you can modify the orders according to your needs. I had the scrambled eggs with chorizo and I didn't mind they run out of tortillas, as this was dinner. My friends had the tuna melt (rated with a 9/10) and the vegetarian with an extra of chicken (very solid sandwich). I liked it a lot! but could you guys make a slight effort in terms of cleaning?? Bathrooms are HORRIBLE, even roaches lounge around there. And if a roach is happy walking in the bathroom, you can only imagine there are more back in the kitchen. The free wifi makes it a magnet, and they even have 2 computers for ... creeps? We had an old guy checking porn pics (???). All in all, this is a place you have to stop by and give it a try.
(3)Jessica H.
Bottom line: being able to get a coffee bolt at 2am can't be beat. Shot in the Dark is as quirky place where the music isn't too loud and the staff is down to earth. I don't feel like I'm not "hip" enough and there's always an interesting crowd. Like all coffee places in the world, I find it to be a bit overpriced, but I am a broke as heck activist with a non-existant budget. I can excuse going here once MAYBE twice a week, but it's always a treat.
(4)Marisa C.
This place is okay, but they should really up the decor. You kinda feel like you are eating in a diner, which is not how a downtown/near a university/open all night coffee shop should be.
(2)Jace M.
In a universe that shriveled and died a couple decades ago there were these places called coffee shops. You were as likely to meet a chain smoking Russian genius as you were to meet a homeless vet with a crooked look in his eye. These "coffee shops" sold more than coffee to the wanderers, the weirdos, the thespians, the punks, the tree huggers, the crapulent, the corpulent and the other generally interesting people that have been driven away. If you're looking for Good food, good coffee, good vegan coffee cake, good prices and good people, and you're trying to avoid going somewhere you have to change your clothes to enjoy, look no further. (tangent: when I asked for a bagel at one of the snobbier local coffee shops I enjoy, the girl behind the counter said, in a snotty, valley girl way, "this is a coffee shop, not a BAGEL shop." You won't get that at cafe Quebec, err cafe Q, I mean, shot in the dark).
(5)Laura D.
Have I really not reviewed SitD before? Huh. Anyway, super good coffee, open all the time, delicious food and some of it super cheap. The rice and beans is a big bowl of good, healthy food for very little money. Sometimes there's kind of bad music happening, but sometimes there's really amazing music happening, and in between the music it's a great place to study/get some work done. There's always local art on the walls, too. My biggest complaint is that sometimes you can stand at the counter for some time before anyone says boo to you. But I always find myself there when there's time to hang out, not in a rush, and it's great for that.
(4)Mindy S.
My favorite espresso drinks in town - they offer almond milk as well as soy (not easy to find at a coffee shop), and the 24-hour access is good, especially when you're running out of cigarettes or need a bottle of water at 2 a.m. Nice atmosphere and employees, good menu & a smoking room with booths - what more could you ask for? I liked this place as Cafe Quebec, and it seems like they've kept a similar vibe while improving the seating and the menu. Hooray, Shot in The Dark!
(5)Seth S.
What can I say.... Dark strange and always an adventure. Went there with my fiancé and had the best time. Food is great and the atmosphere never leaves you wanting. Staff was friendly as were the customers. Loved it!!
(5)Alan B.
I've been here only a few times after moving in Armory Park. I have ordered regular coffee and some of their lattes only. I haven't tried anything else. The coffee in this cafe is either average or slightly below average. Half the time I've been there, the barista is NOT at their place - in the front counter. So I have to wait awhile for service. I gave it a two star because it's open 24 hours and has a very nice cafe setting inside. I'd go to this place if you live close by, want to get a quick drink while socializing with someone otherwise it's worth it to go someplace else.
(2)Daphna R.
I just moved to Tucson. I drove blindly towards the tallest buildings and ended up downtown. I went into a random boutique and asked a hipsterish looking girl where to get coffee. She said, there's a "dark, artist space cafe with terrible coffee" and an "upscale, local roaster who put their all into every cup". I couldn't decide where to go first ;) Shot in the Dark, my friends, is the "dark, artist's space", thus I did not order coffee. I got an Early Grey tea with a little milk and I have no complaints. It wasn't loud, it wasn't dirty, and each booth was occupied by one person working hard on something., Open 24 hours and there was free WiFi to boot!
(4)Jezebel V.
they don't have the best coffee but if you are taking coffee to wake you up then they might as well be hooking you up to a car battery with every cup of java.. cause I always leave wired.... in a good way. The staff is overall friendly and their food is not bad.
(5)Sasha S.
This place has an amazing location. It has a open and tall interior and even though I don't smoke, I like that it provides a place for people who do. Their coffee is also actually decent, something that is very rare in any establishment these days. It's not as strong as I'd like it to be, but it's also far from hot water. What is with their espresso though? They have good prices, giving you a "quadruple shot" for something around 2.93. For some reason though, their quadruple shot amounts to barely one single shot that you can get from other places. It's been a while since I've been a barista, but I remember that there are different standards regarding shot sizes. Okay. Well they should be using American standards, in other words, give us bigger shots. A quadruple shot of espresso should be about one cup. They should just give up on making baked goods. Either they don't care or they don't know that they're awful at it. They make some interesting coconut macaroons, which are good for taking off the chocolate shell and eating just that. Otherwise, it's just a ball of shaved coconut pulp and sugar. They also make various brownies, blondies, and cakes. Avoid. The blondie was dry and didn't have enough sugar. They usually have peanut butter brownies that look pathetic - it looks like they just spooned some peanut butter on top of them before baking. As for their food, no thanks. I've had one of their breakfast scrambles and while it was certainly edible, almost good even, it was lacking considering the price. They do serve a pretty nice bowl of pasta salad. I'd like to complain that it could be better, but at its cheap price I doubt it. This is another one of those places that force their customers into entering the bathroom with a key. Booo! Although here it may actually be necessary, since I have seen weird people who come in here looking for a free bath. All in all, if you're coming here you probably don't even care about what this place doesn't do right. The ambience is good and will probably keep me coming. So there you have it.
(3)Len T.
Regular of their grilled cheese and home fries, hummus and tabouli plate, great cup of cafe americano and open any time of day and night.
(4)Ray L.
One of the employees rode his bicycle into me while I was standing inside the restaurant. Seriously. He rode out of a back room, careened around a few tables, failed to make a corner and crashed into me with some incoherent mumbling before forging ahead through the front door. This was definitely the high point of my visit. The server who was not bicycling around the room was, to his credit, friendly and helpful. As for the food, I am still unsure whether they actually served me a breakfast burrito or a salt lick--you could do worse, but you'd have to try. Sadly, with the closure of The Grill, Shot in the Dark is your only option for 24 hour food downtown. While it might be a good place for teens to hang out and act cultured, I'll fall asleep hungry before returning.
(2)Louie G.
i went to Shot after a overnight shift, so i was pleased that it's open 24 hrs. I already had a bloody mary & a beer at The Buffet, & I wanted to sleep after my meal, so I asked for decaf; was told they don't offer decaf. :( I've tried their hummus plate before & enjoyed it, so I ordered the Treehugger sandwich (hummus, tomato, onion, microgreens & vinaigrette, $7.33) and a large hibiscus tea ($1.89). Great sandwich! The service was prompt & friendly, and I was please at how much reading materials are all around the café & at the entrance. ample seating, with comfy couches & chairs, was well as table seating. overall, a good morning dining experience.
(4)Elias A.
I go to this place all the time when working in Tucson. Gotta love the free wifi and they have a good selection of food. I'm not a smoker but if I was this would be the place. They seem to cater to smokers and have a separate patio for them that does not spill into the non-smoking section. If you're not a smoker, you don't have to worry about inhaling any non-welcomed cigarette fumes. What's nice is they let you make substitutions on any dish they have. Great for lunch and the coffee is decent. The place is a co-op and has a very granola feel to it. I spent some time in the bay area and there are lots of places like this in San Francisco. If you're looking for that quasi hippie artsy place with a totally random music selection this is your place.
(3)Michael C.
You know, I think I like this place a lot despite it's faults. It's one of the few places in Tucson where I've seen people of differing countercultures mingling with the mainstream and one another. For that alone, it gets five stars. On any given night, you will see guys in ties, passed out homeless folks, punks, hippies, hipsters, maybe even a yo yo gang banger. Much more inter-table conversation than your average coffee house. There's always someone interesting around, even when the place is empty. And it's open 24 hours, a huge plus, with free wifi and communal computers for the technologically impaired. A great place to work at night. The food ranges from quite good to fair, depending on what you order. Coffee is acceptable, no more, no less. The employees always seem friendly to decent people, but don't tolerate a lot of crap. I like this. Crap should never be tolerated. That's why we have indoor plumbing. This place is 24 hours, downtown, and run by young people. A lot of crap comes their way. We should celebrate their informed lack of tolerance. I disagree with the reviews of poor service at any hour. Lots of people hang out for a while before ordering. If you want something, ask for it. You'll get it. Always tip your server or counterperson. This is an employee owned collective. Good. I hope they are successful. Negatives: Some of the furniture is a bit uncomfortable, as other have noted. I hope that the business proves profitable enough to improve this. Coffee is not great. Why not? We have the finest roaster in America a short distance away in Bisbee. He ships overnight mail for free the day the beans are roasted! Any other problems with the brew can be easily fixed with a little repair to machines and training for the staff. This is a simple and inexpensive change that could really improve their business. Music, as others have noted. Heavy on the Tom Waits, this I like. It fits the feel of the business. I've heard some good jazz here, blues, bluegrass, gypsy music, 80s music, soul, funk... I loved the tribute to George Carlin when he died, playing his stand up routines. But occasionally the live music can be extremely loud and out of place. Some of the stereo selections are from bands that don't have the talent to tune their instruments or voices. I'm not saying they should tame the music, but a little quality control wouldn't hurt from time to time. There's nothing wrong with -any- style of music, just pick the best of each genre! All things considered, might be the best hangout spot in Tucson.
(4)Angie Lyn C.
I absolutely love A Shot In The Dark Cafe! i end up there a few times a week. close to the congress bars and open 24/7, it's perfect. I regular the place enough to have made friends with the people who work there who are all pretty awesome people. the coffee is good and the food is very good! and way better for you then the carls jr. down the street or anything else that might be open at two am. there is a smoking room and free wifi. it doesn't get much better :)
(5)Becki G.
Hallelujah, they've got A/C now!
(5)Ferdinand B.
Relaxed, frazzled, alternative joint which has dirty tables that the employees haven't cleaned in ages. I walked in, some awful music was playing, they switched to jazz later. Coffee is over-priced, average. Restrooms look like puke closets. Clientele is composed of art snobs, weirdos, bike hippies and homeless bob's. It's not the worst joint I've seen but it certainly doesn't have the calm ambiance necessary for writing or reading a good Jean-Paul Sartre book. Open 24 hours so use it if you can. Barely edible sandwiches, burritos & cold drinks. At least it's there folks. What the hell is it with the top notch prices??? ($7.63 for a cheap burger, etc). They should can the ambient industrial music blasting too loud at night. Bike stand out front. Carry a hammer & Lysol can with you if you go in the after "Midnight" hours. Customer service goes down the toilet after 11pm, as if it was any better earlier, as in getting some actual customer help/attention, plus you have to deal with the drug headed jerks hanging around the place, rather creepy unless you have a shotgun in your front pocket.
(3)Chelsea L.
Dirty Chai and a Tuna Melt are you serious?? Yes... Yes I am. I am not a tuna melt kind of girl, but its by far the best ive ever had. (and believe me ive been around) The place could use a good scrubbing a bottle of bleach or 5, but it gives it character. You might have to share your space with a bunch of nerdy kids playing magic the gathering, but its an interesting time all around. Another perk is that it is always unnaturally hot in there so you wont have to hit that sauna that day to sweat it out!
(3)Andy M.
I like SITD's coffee and their staff is always good to me @ 6 in the morning!!
(4)Jen W.
I barely remember the ambience though I know it was dark inside in the day time. **Get the dirty chai!** I love chai and I love coffee - best combination ever. Best drink in Tucson!
(5)CJ F.
Nice enough coffee shop. I got a mocha, and I enjoyed it. It was a nice place to sit and chat. I'll be back when I'm in the area.
(4)Adam S.
I really wanted to like Shot in the Dark. I recently moved to Armory Park and often get irritated having to drive for a decent late-hours coffee shop. The Shot has serious potential to tap into the after-hours crowd, but lacks decent coffee and comfortable seating to keep people around for more than a half hour. On the upside, it's spacious... and for the smokers, an indoor air-conditioned smoking patio. Most of the crowd seems to be on that side of the cafe.
(2)Phil C.
Shot in the Dark Cafe, previously "the Cafe," previously "Cafe Quebec," previously different, the same, relaxed, stiff, what have you, is a good place to grab a cup of no frills (and no problem) drinks at any time (used to be 24 hour, then wasn't, then was, then wasn't, now is again), with a casual staff ready to make food just as much as conversation. Each employee from what I understand also has a stake in the business, they're all co-owners, and that might say something about it, it's run by people for people, by schmucks for schmucks, by artists for artists, etc. Depending on the time, can be empty and quiet, could be loud and obnoxious. Small shows are on almost every night and there's a decent open mic with a few regulars (Shot in the Dark has a lot of regulars - it can be daunting if you've just walked in from the street), and the smoking patio is a joy for smokers who want to sit inside, on a couch, near a painted table and chair with a stencil of Hunter S. Thompson. The wall art is revolving, and for sale, little post-cards and such near the counter are made by local artists as well, and it wouldn't be that bad of a starting point for anyone that would want to play in front of a small group or get some photos on a wall - they support local Tucsonans, or, I could be wrong, and perhaps they only support employees that want their photos on the walls. I'm not really sure. It's pretty silly. I've always liked the food - the George Carlin veggie burrito is, I'd say, fantastic, and I don't know where else I can get a decent Italian soda or Chai Frappe, nor any cafe where at one point I could sit down and borrow the cafe's guitar and play some Dylan. Maybe I just like it because it's not Ike's - the people are interesting usually, the employees are slightly warped, but the atmosphere is colorful and calm, erratic and busy, talkative and alive or dead and muted, whatever you can say, it can be a contradicting place, I've had a lot of occasions where silence begot loud sweeping conversations through everyone around. The music choice on the speaker system is usually perfect for the scenario, with old jazz and blues, or electro punk, or... well, like I said, it changes. The place changes. I wouldn't want it any other way. Plus there's almost always someone willing to play some chess over a cigarette. They might be "frazzled," almost definitely, but they'll still play.
(4)Emmy S.
You can't beat a coffee place that's open 24 hours!! I love going there - cool employees and a funky atmosphere. It's off the beaten path in downtown Tucson. I'm looking forward to grabbing a table outside on my next visit.
(5)Lisa W.
I stopped in here with a friend for some after-hour, after-dancing munchies. It's a great spot to get away from the crowd. The potatoes maximus are delicious, and the portion is huge! Very chill, very awesome.
(5)Hannah B.
This place is a co-op. And it looks and operates like one. Service isn't great, though one guy there seems to be pretty ontop of things. Kitchen staff is a little surly and spend some of their time hanging out with friends on the patio. This place is (i think) open 24 hours, so that's cool. Not that I have ever taken advantage of this... The breakfasts there are pretty average, but hit the spot when you just want some eggs and toast or a breakfast burrito. Coffee is nothing to write home about. The interior decoration makes me shudder usually. Bad Art. Sorry, but it is. Imagine crappy furniture, black, bright colors, and hideous art. But hey, if you don't mind maybe you'll enjoy the place.
(3)Vince S.
I work out at O2 fitness three times a week and a come here after the gym. This place is different, kind of arts and artists, free Internet, and unique people, all kinds of different people but everyone is nice and friendly and treat one another with respect. I bought a cool shirt for $10.00 has a skeleton sitting drinking coffee and smoking a cigarette and says I sat down one day & never left and it glow in the dark, they are open 24 hours a day I have there eggs 3 times a week and order a double burger with lettuce wrap and a pickle, the will substitute anything and sell vegan and assorted homemade pastries and much more its a cool and different atmosphere and I like it there coffee is Organic and roasted local at roasters X,
(4)Leo B.
Good coffee 1st and foremost. Artsy/creepy atmosphere. I like the commingling of cultures but could do without the creepy people outside. Great young art on the walls which is why I actually went there in the first place.I am a bit too old for its demographic but I will not hesitate to go back for a coffee when I am downtown.
(3)Candyce T.
Great coffee from a small local venue serving fair-trade organic coffee, PLUS live music in the evenings AND open 24 hours - so so sweet! Felt like i was back home in Berkeley and the folks were friendly. also serve what appears to be great breakfasts as well.
(5)Yogi B.
Shot in the Dark Cafe Just found this downtown gem on a trip back to Tucson. Really found the staff friendly and the atmosphere funky! It's a very grunge crowd today, but also fairly diverse. My iced mocha was pretty darn good. I haven't tried anything else, yet. Free WiFi and a computer with internet in the back corner is nice.
(4)Ramin S.
Shot in the Dark is a flourishing independent coffee shop on Broadway (a block from Congress). It is relatively large, with a bunch of tables and some comfy chairs. (They also have a smoking room, but I haven't been in it.) Their coffee is tasty, and they have a bunch of cold beverages too. A big glass of OJ can be refreshing here as you cool off from the Arizona sun. They also have a bunch of sandwiches and snacks, but I have not yet tried them. There are a bunch of interesting paintings by local artists on the walls. Finally, they occasionally have shows here. This is probably the best cafe in the neighborhood, and I recommend it.
(5)Buddy H.
Open at all ridiculous hours of the night and the Gabacho is the best burrito I've ever had.
(4)Jonathan K.
Hard to put my finger on what makes this place so great. Reasonable prices? Lack of pretension? Pretty good food? Eccentric folks who hang out there? Yes, yes, and yes.
(4)Catherine N.
Good music, good burrito (try the George Carlin) and a comfortable atmosphere. "Its awesome having a place like this open 24 hrs," says to my sister who took me here when I was visiting her.
(4)Kaity J.
Shot in the Dark has a very old school feel while still having espresso and coffee beverage options that are up to current standards for those who frequent trendy coffee shops. First of all...major points for being open 24/7. Super rare, and I'm sure this place is appreciated by U of A students who need a place to study into the night. It's also a cafe with a full food menu, so I would imagine after the bars a few blocks away close, it could be quite the popular late night spot. I ordered an iced almond milk (yay for them having it!) latte, and it was delicious. The barista was fantastic. Solid coffee spot.
(4)Lauren K.
After passing by Shot in the Dark many times over the last year, we finally decided to give them a try. We literally had to twist each other's arms to make the decision, though. Since we do walk by and drive by often, we've gotten to peek in many times. From the outside, Shot in the Dark looks grungy and dirty. The clientele is sometimes...curious. It just doesn't speak to us. I've been following them on Facebook, though, and learned that they recently closed down for a "deep cleaning". What better time to try a long standing local business, whose business model (breakfast/sandwich/coffee shop) really appeals to me. The first thing we noticed as we were opening the door was the elderly, sorta homeless looking man sitting on a ratty, torn up couch. We almost lost our courage and walked to Hub. But no, we won't be deterred that easily, so we walked in. The rest of the place was surprisingly not filthy. It's quirky with bumper stickers for decorations, but that's what this kind of place is, and I welcome it. There was no smell that I've seen other people reference, at least that I noticed. The walls had chipped paint and stuff, but the tables and floors were mostly clean. The counter was old, but clean. I look meticulously at ice machines/storage areas because they're the least likely things to be cleaned. Shot in the Dark's ice compartment looked perfectly clean from where I was standing. Without trying to be elitist, the dirtiest part of the place was some of the customers. Some interesting people were in there, but they kept to themselves, so overall not a big deal. But I can still see how they would chase away more skiddish people from Shot in the Dark. Ordering was tricky. The woman taking the orders was super nice and accommodating, which is good, because they were out of all sorts of ingredients. They couldn't make some drinks, and they even ran out of eggs. This hurt their profit for sure. Instead of selling a $5+ drink, they sold a $0.92 can of soda. Some people skipped eating because they wanted french toast and there were no eggs to be found. This is really bad, especially since Shot in the Dark has loudly been whining about the street car hurting their profit. They aren't willing to help themselves with a few minute trip to the Safeway down the street, so they shouldn't be passing the blame of their own bad business decisions onto the city. That's shady, plain and simple. The drink I was able to get made with an on-the-whim substitution was the Milky Way, and it was definitely very good. They ran out of caramel sauce, so she stuck a Snickers bar into the blender (again, this had to have cut into profit). It turned out great, and I love that they have soy milk. The food we tried was great! The bagel they used for the egg and cheddar sandwich was huge and fresh. The portion was huge, and the flavors were good. The cheddar cheese was mlld and melted perfectly. For under $5, I don't know where you'll get a better bagel, egg, and cheese sandwich made fresh. Certainly not Brueggar's, with their mediocre bagels and pre-made eggs that sit for hours before being served. We also tried the tuna melt. The tuna was finely chopped, which is my preference for this style of sandwich. It had some white onion in it, which added a little crunch. It could have used a tad more mayo, but I'm sure I like mayo more than the average person. They put the same cheddar on it as the egg sandwich, and it too was melted well and tasted good with the tuna. The bread was fresh and tasty, and overall, it was a really good sandwich. The home fries on the side were the best home fries I've ever had! They were seasoned incredibly well. They were a little crispy on the outside, but not under done on the inside. Sometimes home fries are dry, but not these. They were moist but not greasy at all. Very good! One big overall gripe: They need to take the cigarettes out of the pastry case. That's off-putting and gross for people, especially non-smokers. Overall, I think Shot in the Dark is a pretty good sandwich/coffee shop. The prices are right and the location is great, especially with the new parking deck around the corner. The interior could use a bit (ok, a lot) of a facelift, and they do need to figure out how to appeal to a broader clientele. Unfortunately for them, that may mean they have to discourage the grubbier looking clientele from sitting in a booth all day with a single cup of coffee. If they don't want to do that, fine, but then they also need to realize that the people working in that shiny new office building a stone's throw away aren't going to want to give them a try. And that's where they'll be able to pull in a lot of customers from. Anyway, I would recommend Shot in the Dark. I certainly will be going again, and hopefully they won't be out of so many ingredients next time.
(4)Tammy M.
This place is appropriately named. When driving from Phoenix to Bisbee or vice versa, I'm often looking to Tucson for a meal spot. I need somewhere that's accessible from the freeway so that I don't spend an hour in traffic. Ok, this is a bit further off the highway than I would like but easy to find. The ambience is well, sort of grunge. If you like that, you'll love it. I had my 70+ year old parents with me who were likely pretty skeptical. It was also fairly empty which seemed like a warning sign. We chatted with the friendly guy working there and asked about some of his favorites. He told us the food was really good and fresh and while we were skeptical, the prices were very reasonable. We took a shot in the dark. Amazing! The wraps, sandwiches, salads were all 5 star worthy - fresh and flavorful. I wish I could remember everything we ordered but the vegetarian wraps were amazing. I will stop here again.
(4)Matthew D.
Needless to say, the most attractive thing about this joint is that it is one of the few 24/7 spots in this area of Tucson. Beyond this, we were literally taking a shot in the dark. It was reminiscent of some of those places I used to visit in Berkeley about 15-20 years ago, with the requisite number of college students coming in. The food was fairly good, but my wife's sandwich contained a hidden toothpick fragment that ended up stabbing her in the lip. Not cool. The food preparer apparently stuck a fancy toothpick in the sandwich, broke it, and stuck in another without taking the time to look for the broken piece he just left in. That, I guess, was too much trouble. It's one of those things that don't necessarily ruin a restaurant, but you will always remember it. While we will certainly go to the Big Blue House on our next visit to Tucson, this isn't such a certainty with Shot in the Dark.
(3)Matt L.
Wouldn't recommend, especially because there are a sizable handful of great local coffee shops within walking distance of this place (Sparkroot, Cartel, Exo, just to name a few). I remember ordering pancakes here about 10 years ago when I was downtown to see a concert. The syrup was crawling with ants. But hey, things change, and downtown has certainly seen a sort of revitalization over the last decade. So I gave this place another shot - no pun intended. It was a Sunday morning and the shop was mostly empty. A couple customers eating breakfast. I walked up to the counter and nobody was there. I waited for a few beats. A guy wanders out from the back room and nonchalantly takes my order and pours me a cup of bland coffee that was on par with Denny's or maybe Circle K. I went to use the bathroom and was greeted by vulgar graffiti and a dirty toilet. I don't know, maybe this place is charming to certain people. It certainly has a kind of grungy, "eff-the-world" flare that undoubtedly resonates with some. I mean, they have been around for a long time. At the risk of sounding pretentious...as someone who really enjoys quality coffee and a clean, comfortable environment, it wasn't my cup of tea. Or, uh, coffee...as the case may be.
(2)Rick J.
First time going to Shot in the dark. Walked in-- lots of people on computers, homeless people on the floor. Lots of smoke in the air. Stand in line for 7 minutes behind a couple that looks high as fuh. Get to the counter and the man/woman behind the counter is loopy as a frikin tucan. He/she takes no less than 10 minutes to prepare a vanilla iced latte. When I finally got the drink I could feel it's subpar values oozing from the plastic cup. It was warm. The espresso and milk were not mixed before the ice was added and the little ice I had left was melting. I'm thinking "Great, watered down latte." But no. Somehow this barista/o had managed to craft the strongest medium vanilla iced latte Tucson has ever seen. It tastes like a was punched in the throat. Shot in the dark? More like shotgun to the throat. Upon getting home I diluted the strange mixture into 7 cups of milk an ice. These tasted great. Thanks Shot in the dark for a weeks supply of espresso in one medium iced latte. This drink was so bad I made this yelp account whilst driving back home. Maybe this place is good in the daytime? The barista was nice to me at least. Sorry. Just an awful waste of money tonight.
(1)Rachel G.
Want coffee without pretentiousness or overcharging? Best coffee shop downtown. Open 24 hours, unlike everyplace else.
(5)Mohamed N.
I would give this a 5 star if it wasn't for the wait time. I got a Cesar salad which was amazing, a large salad also got the decaf earl gray which was really good. Nice seating area, came on a Sunday close to midnight. Its open 24hrs
(4)Gabi M.
I've had mostly iced coffee, lattes, and hot coffee here and really started to dig the place. I came here for breakfast and lunch a few times and it was good but took too long and really wasn't anything special. Their menu is kind of weird actually. I find it hard to pick anything. It's just not that appealing. Their iced coffee is great, and I was coming in for hot coffee in the mornings pretty regularly, but it seems like every time I came in the coffee was less hot until one day it was straight up lukewarm, at which point I was like yeah, not acceptable, and stopped coming. It's great that they're open 24/7 and the servers are reasonably polite. I also heard that it's employee owned which is great. All in all it's not bad place. I like it, but it definitely needs improvement. If your menu and food isn't going to stand out, there's no point in having a food menu. There's lots of places to get lunch around here. Step it up.
(3)Shanika P.
I ordered an iced americano on a hot summer day and got a cup of lukewarm disappointment. ;( The cup was overfilled and dribbly which is just one of my coffee shop pet peeves... (not a good combo with the white shirt I was wearing!) It had three ice cubes in it. The flavor of the coffee was pretty good on first sip, but the nightmare began when the mess of coffee grounds floated their way to the bottom...I had been here once before and I had a pleasant experience. This time...not so much.
(2)Mindy G.
Great location next to a brewery that does not serve food. Coffee is wonderful and we had the treehugger. Enjoyed it all.
(5)Cassandra Z.
I capped off an evening of drinking with friends here and would give it a thumbs up! I didn't actually order anything myself, but my kind companions let me nibble off their plates. One guy ordered a gigantic breakfast burrito loaded with eggs, cheese and potatoes. I had a large bite and would go back to order it for myself. Another friend ordered the bagel with lox; the portion of smoked salmon was very generous and he was pleased with the overall deliciousness. They offered free water for patrons and the bathroom walls are humorously decorated with Tumblr-esque graffiti.
(5)Paul R.
It's depressing. The cook seems bothered to be here. Very grunge like environment. Food could be better. Coffee is okay. I do like that you can purchase two eggs, two bacon, and a slice of Texas toast for $3.70 + tax
(1)Maddy H.
Best breakfast burritos I've ever sunken my teeth into. The salsa is also really bomb. My best friend loves their Chai tea variations, and a hot latte on a cold night is a simple pleasure at Shot. For the amount of drunk slobs the staff has to deal with I'm always pleasantly surprised by how unfazed they are. Bullet proof composure is something I envy.
(5)Bailey H.
It has recently come to my attention that Shot in the Dark has been going through a slight change in regards to its clientele. Some one had stated that new developments in the area are changing the demographic and complaints on food quality and service are becoming the norm. I have never had a problem with service or questioned the quality of food at this establishment. They are a respectful bunch that contribute their free time to ensure you are receiving the best possible service. Does it have a bit of a disheveled appearance? Yes, but that is the way we like it!! So fly a kite you yuppies! Without places like Shot in the Dark, you have places like Starbucks. Is that a world you want to live in? Not I says me.
(4)Kyla W.
Being from Seattle, I am a bit picky about coffee and enjoy a cup of brew at any time of day. This cafe serves up some awesome americano!
(5)Richa S.
This place is great... if you want to be motivated to study. It is so dirty and for some reason it suddenly becomes loud and obnoxious past 10pm. It's a great way to get your work done fast so you can leave the germ filled place that's rarely cleaned.
(2)Jessica M.
I give it four stars mainly in lack of comparison of other places open 24 hours in the area. Barista made an honest effort on my machiato, my friend s frapp tasted wonderful. We had breakfast. Breakfast burrito was delicious and huge! My friend wasn't thrilled with her oatmeal but came with a friendly deliverance and eye pleasing presentation. Place has a decent culture history encased in the decor of the place. Unisex bathroom, - you just have to see it. Smoking and coffee go hand and hand in my book. Nice option. The Luis S. Review below definitely deserves to be read. I bet employment there changes with the seasons but somebody there is accountable for hiring that Taylor dude.
(4)Levi R.
Coffee isn't great, but it's nice. There is a smoking room. Never seen that before. The whole place smells of a light cigarette smoke. They are not in a rush. Not even a hurry. Not even really concerned with time at all. The food was good. I got the chorizo egg scramble. Great. Over all a nice place. Counterculture time.
(4)Fiona M.
I'm sorry but if you're looking for an Olive Garden and you go to a place that isn't Olive Garden, you can't give the place a bad review. Shot in the dark is great and its been a part of downtown tucson for years. Long before the wave of well to do flagstaff owned restaurants with stainless steel countertops that constitues our new downtown, shot in the dark was here, same style and place as it is today. Im not dissing on the new downtown, change is fine. Just saying take the old with the new. I think people say that. So I don't know what people mean when they say 'dirty' or they put up their noses to the idea of a smoking room, (which is completely avoidable) or they say the coffee isn't great. It's clean enough. And the coffee is good. It just isn't four dollar pour over served in a weetiny baby cup. A lot of people love this place. Kudos to the kitchen for always doing an excellent job. Like, always. Great portions for a good price.
(4)Drew P.
I came in at 7pm and was meeting a few people for a business meeting. I walked in and noticed one of my guys behind a door to the right when you walk in.. It was full of smoke and not just smokes.. We moved to the mail area and decided on a drinks and some food. I received my skinny Greek salad. I wasn't impressed. They have watered down dressing. Although, my drink the "jammin" was really good. The entire place looked like it hadn't been cleaned in years. I went to the bathroom and to my surprise writing all over the walls and fixtures and then a roach running across the floor. I went back to my seat and what do I see next to the trash can a roach. So, I went to the person at the counter and said you have a roach on the floor and one in the bathroom. He said he knew. Heat brings them out? That was enough for me. I won't being doing the buggy deal again.
(2)B A.
Their food is unsanitary. This cafe was once my go to place for late night study dates. It has gone down hill so fast. The so called "owners" do not seem to care. They are too busy with their hair. I have had nothing but disappointments from this place since 2012. Before that date I would have given them four stars!
(1)Sean A.
Not exactly "as good as it gets," but in the 4.8 territory. Shot in the Dark is a staple of any downtown business district. Conveniently located on Broadway south of the Ronstadt Transit Center / The HUB. First and foremost, this place is open 24h. Second, they make some mean sandwiches and lunch items. Third, they are inexpensive. Please try some food when you visit. Going for coffee, you won't be shocked or find anything new. If you are trying to grab a bite or fix at a strange hour, come home to Shot in the Dark. They have cigarettes and pastries also.
(5)Beau H.
Peanut Butter Mocha is like something that will change your life. Go there! Order this! Your welcome! :)
(5)Andrew F.
For almost 3 years, Shot was my home away from home, nearly every day. Smoking, great coffee and a solid breakfast, can't beat it. I still find myself stumbling in on the weekends for a quick meal. Staff is great, shout out to Jesse, he'll crack you up if you've got the humor. All in all, Shot will always have a place in my heart, haha, keep Tucson shitty :)
(5)Kyle H.
The fact they're 24/7 is the one of two reasons they're getting two stars; the other is some of their menu items taste decent. The service here is mediocre. The employees act as if they're too good to serve you. A lot of them put their nose up to you if you're not dressed "hipster" enough. I wouldn't recommend coming here. It's going to be my first and last visit. You're better off going somewhere else.
(2)Gabriel H.
This cafe has a great, earthy vibe and excellent food. I got the De Jardin wrap and I loved it. The only aspect I would improve is the menu's accuracy; my wrap came with tomato when tomato was not one of the advertised ingredients. No big deal, but a minor fault. All-around great eatery.
(4)Taralyn R.
Take 1: The "deep cleaning" that Lauren K. mentioned in her review from about a year ago has definitely worn off. However, at 2 am when you are looking for food that actually tastes good (even when you are sober), some good coffee, and a pack of cigarettes to help you make it till dawn, you won't really care. This is my favorite place to be at 2 am with some friends after a night on Congress. Enjoy reading the walls while you go to the bathroom. Take 2: The "deep cleaning" that Lauren K. mentioned in her review from about a year ago has definitely worn off. However, if you sit at a booth for long enough with your laptop, or notebook, or company, you'll adjust to the smell and will go happily about your day patting yourself on the back for being so productive after drinking so much delicious coffee and having a satisfying bite to eat. Just make sure you close your eyes when you go to the bathroom.
(3)Julie K.
I really liked the food and coffee here. The staff was very knowledgeable and friendly and there was a variety of seating available. Unfortunately, the smoke from the smoke room spreads into the nonsmoking area of the cafe. I had to leave because I couldn't handle the constant smell of smoke and began to experience some problems because I have asthma. Other than that, this place was great!
(3)Allie D.
This place is a downtown Tucson treasure and your best friend after the bars or in the middle of the afternoon when you need a caffeine boost. Great vegan options too. I've been coming here for years and will continue to do so :)
(5)Veronica M.
I came here one weekend to grab some late-morning coffee for myself and several co-workers. The barista was outside smoking and followed me inside. She was friendly enough and I got through my list of orders easily and quickly. When I got back to work I tasted my dirty chai and it was great! So the next day I came back to exactly the same scenario; barista follows me inside, I order drinks for my co-workers, and then request a dirty chai for myself. The only difference today is that I asked for a bigger size. (Because, duh, it was so great I needed more!) I got back to work, tried my drink... and almost spit it out because it tasted like dirt. I was completely and utterly baffled at how this could have possibly happened. Same barista, same drink, twenty four hours apart... I didn't give up on it though, because wasted caffeine is nothing short of a sin. So I kid you not, I carried that drink around with me all day. I kept it all through work (even tried to pawn it off on a friend, but he wasn't having that nonsense either), took it shopping with me after work, kept it close by all through my second job, tried icing it down to dilute the dirt taste, took it home with me on a forty five minute commute, tried pawning it off again on my boyfriend who is always down for a caffeine fix, and all to no avail. As I'm sure you can imagine, my DIRT chai only got worse with time. I found it spilled on the floor the next morning and my dog hadn't even licked it up. It was seriously that bad. Long story short: Shot in the Dark Café is a hole in the wall place that I believe totally belongs downtown. Tucson is all about diversity and we need places like this as much as we need the swanky cocktail lounges nearby. For a place that is literally open 24/7, they are doing just fine. If I'm hungry or in need of coffee at three thirty in the morning I would totally love to stop in and give this place the second chance it deserves. If I need a consistently good cup of joe to satiate my caffeine addiction during reasonable business hours, I'll be looking around for something more consistent and reliable.
(3)Brianne G.
Smoking room. Cute alt baristas. Loads of douchebags who have boundary problems. I puked there.
(3)Michael M.
Yummy. Cool staff quality food. Love going therr late night.
(4)Trynia K.
The food here is great and is served in generous portions. My partner and I usually share the food when we go here which makes it a great deal. We've had a few of the sandwiches and breakfast burritos and have never been disappointed. The staff are friendly and always quirky but attentive. Great iced coffee and chai! There is wi-fi but seating is limited and they have swamp not AC, so going on a muggy day is maybe not the best idea. If you are a smoker and/or have a pet, this is a great place because they have a smoking patio/room and are super dog friendly. Also, if you just want to converse with some nomads, this is the spot for you!
(4)Chris K.
Great little hipster café! Had a breakfast burrito and it was on point! First time customer definitely will head back there.
(4)Trevor C.
Your "non-trendy" place to have coffee and a bite downtown. I like this place because with all that is new, fancy, and shiny downtown this place is just a normal/nothing special spot to get quality coffee and food at an affordable price. If you're anything like me (and I suspect most Yelpers are) you love to go out, and spend a decent percentage of your earnings at restaurants/bars/cafes. In order to do this, you have to find good value places that offer prices that don't break the bank and food that still tasty. Shot In The Dark totally delivers here. The coffee is quality and they have a great selection of coffee based drinks. Oft overlooked and forgotten here is the great food menu. I have been pleasantly surprised by most everything that I've ordered. It comes out timely and is well prepared. They have a very wide selection of choices as well. My favorite little thing they do is price all of their items so that when tax is added, it comes to a whole dollar or fiftly cents! I've always said if I ever owned a joint, I would do this. Keeps it easy for everyone. It has a pretty heavy beatnik vibe, so if you are turned off by that steer clear. I am not on that scene but I enjoy the people watching! My one knock is on the bacon. I love my bacon and I feel like they could give a little quality upgrade here and not have to raise price too much. It seems like Oscar Meyer to me... All in all though, it's an affordable place with an interesting scene and a great product. A winner in my book!
(4)Chris W.
My favorite coffee house in Tucson. Haven for the downtrodden, whether smokers or homeless. The old couch is gone now (probably good), but there is still a comfy chair. Quite clean today, but happily not yuppie friendly. Real people work there, no corporate molding too often found these days, in fact it is worker owned and operated (I just found that out). The bookshelf has radical magazines, and dictionaries. Great music chosen by the workers. and yes the food is good.
(5)Marlys S.
An eclectic cafe across from the streetcar stop. An excellent selection of loose leaf teas. Huge breakfasts for a very reasonable cost. I opted for an egg scramble without the toast and potatoes for just over $5 and still couldn't finish it. My husband said the potatoes were crisp and the toast is about an inch thick so isn't dry. Nice change of pace. The sign says open 24/7.
(4)Jessica G.
Apparently they serve you when they want to. I was told that the kitchen was closed with a list of reasons when I tried to order. I said that they were supposed to be 24/7 and the barista rolled their eyes and told the "regular staff" about my questions. They ended up taking my order, however it was not worth it. I'm sad to say but in the end I'm never going back (really sad after years of good service)
(1)Em. C.
Great late night food spot, good coffee and an enclosed smoking patio. I Love It!
(5)Karla A.
Every time I go to Tucson I stop here at least once. There's something about this place... A certain "Keep Tucson Shitty" appeal. (Which, btw, I don't think means people want Tucson to be literally shitty, but just not another uppity city like every other uppity city.) This cafe is open 24 hours. Gotta love that. The coffee and food are decent. The staff has always been friendly to me. What's not to love?!
(5)David N.
They have a good menu with a variety of drinks and dishes. Their burritos are outstanding, although I'm tempted to bring my own tortillas with me when I visit since they've been out two times I've stopped in. Their frappes are delicious, especially the reese's peanut butter inspired drink. The shop itself has a decent atmosphere, although the strip of the street on the outside looks a little sketchy with several business that have barred windows. Inside it's very spacious and there's even a pseudo smoking section in a slightly enclosed patio (sealed off from the main dining area though). They have a good rotating selection of local art on the walls as well a few computers you can use to get online.
(4)Gabriel W.
I was completely unaware of this place until last night. My father was coming through town on his way back to Phoenix and wanted to meet up for coffee or something like it. The catch? Its 12:30 AM. I knew of one or two 24 hour coffee joints in town, but none close enough to the I-10 for his needs. So sure enough, I turn to Yelp and it once again provides the answer: Shot in the Dark Cafe. Brilliant. Didnt know what to expect coming in...whether they served food in addition to drinks, and considering how hungry I was, I was glad to see a pretty extensive menu of some relatively gourmet-seeming items. I ordered a pesto chicken sandwich (thats not what it was called, but I forget their name for it), and got a tea recommendation from the extremely friendly guy behind the counter. The sandwich was solid. A whole chicken breast, cooked really well, a nice flavorful pesto, and all the other standard "burger fixins". Very tasty, overall, but the bun left a little to be desired. It was a good quality, fresh burger bun, and I think because of that and the moistness of the ingredients in the sandwich, it got a little soggy. Would have been a good idea to toast or grill the bun, or just a thought: Ciabatta Roll! Probably woulda given 5 stars for a Ciabatta Roll... The vanilla black tea was excellent. And for only the first or second time ever in my life, was actually served at the right temperature! Hot enough that it warms you from the inside out, and yet no so freakishly boiling hot that it scalds your tongue on first sip. Who'd a thunk it?!? The food here is not quite as gourmet or quite as tasty as at Grill, but the environment more than makes up for it. Its quiet, its medium-lit, its feels like a coffee house should. The music was a little loud and seemed slightly out of place with the feel, but it did not detract too greatly from my experience. Local artists' paintings line the walls and are for purchase. Ive always liked places that do that. Other unique artist creations such as home-made beanies are also available. Its great to know that some businesses support their customers! The reality is that I would go here 9 times out of 10 before going back to Grill since my last experience. Definitely my new 24-hour place to grab some grub in a pinch.
(4)David F.
Let me start by saying I don't like coffee. Okay, now that that is out of the way, this to me is now the perfect late night food spot (now that the Grill is forever closed). Their burritos and house-made veggie burgers are exquisite, and the fact that their prices are so reasonable for it being all homemade is just that much better. Also, they are totally cool with substitutions in the meals, so don't hesitate to switch things up with them, they are rad like that. Also, a smoking room? Yes please! Seriously a great place to kick the late night buzz, and study. Open 24 hours, so you can pop in at any time and get a coffee, some baked goods, or awesome hot food. Love this place!
(4)