Barrio Anita

This week I took a little adventure down to Barrio Anita, located between Stone and I-10 and between Drachman St. and St. Mary's Road.

The first thing I noticed upon entering Barrio Anita is that it has a very different look from some of the other Barrio's I visited, such as Barrio Viejo. The design and style is not as distinctive. For example I didn't see the bright colors that surround Barrio Viejo.

One thing that Barrio Anita is famous for is the Anita Street Market. Located at 849 Anita Ave. this market makes amazing homemade tortillas and is open six days a week. According to one customer they are fresh, warm, and mouth watering.

I think part of what makes the Anita Street Market so unique is its quaint atmosphere. Nestled in the midst of a residential neighborhood, this small grocery store/restaurant has an outdoor patio to sit and enjoy the delicious food.

Another unique element of Barrio Anita is the "Bicycle Church" as it is called. This metal artwork display is made out of bike pieces and serves as a memorial to all those killed on the streets of Tucson while bike riding. However, the memorial can also be a place of celebration as they occasionally have weddings or star gazing at the sight.

The memorial itself is gorgeous with stained glass pieces and various items of religious symbolism. If you ever travel down to Barrio Anita, make sure you stop and take a glance, it stands alone on the side of the road and is easy to spot.

While Barrio Anita is different from Barrio Viejo in a number of ways, it has its own unique elements and is definitely worth a visit.

Click here to check out a YouTube video about the Barrio Anita Bicycle Church!