Bison Witches

Combination pub & sandwich shop known for hefty portions, bread-bowl soups & happy-hour specials.

About Bison Witches

Bison Witches Bar & Deli is a Tucson combination pub and sandwich shop located on the city's famous 4th Avenue. The business describes itself as the original Bison, founded in Tucson in 1995. Its menu centers on gourmet deli sandwiches, bread bowl soups, salads, appetizers, and a broad selection of beer and wine. With two full-service bars and tableside service, Bison Witches brings together a casual deli menu and a pub setting in one Tucson destination.

Sandwiches are available as half or whole portions and come with a bag of chips. Guests can choose white, wheat, or marble rye bread, along with regular, jalapeno, barbecue, or salt and vinegar chips. Every sandwich is steamed, toasted, or heated in some manner. The menu includes familiar combinations such as the Club, BLT, Reuben, grilled cheese, ham and cheese, and roasted turkey, alongside house creations including the Wildcat, Tucson, Bison Witches Philly, and Beef and Brie. The sandwich selection also includes a Veggie option with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, green peppers, artichoke hearts, black olives, avocado, sprouts, several cheeses, and mayonnaise.

The kitchen's other offerings include several bread bowl soups, each served with a choice of chips. Options listed on the menu include cream of potato bacon, cream of broccoli, Wisconsin cheese, Boston clam chowder, and chili. Salads range from a simple side salad to veggie, chef, Greek, Cobb, chicken Caesar, spring, chop, and tortilla chicken salads. Most salads come with a side of buttered and toasted bread. Appetizers include homemade chili con queso, spinach artichoke dip, hummus with tzatziki sauce, chips and salsa, and several styles of nachos. The website notes that the in-house salsa is made daily with fresh vegetables.

Bison Witches also maintains a full beverage program. Draft selections listed by the business include Barrio Vienna Lager, Dragoon IPA, Guinness Nitro, Kona Big Wave Ale, and other beers, including local choices. The larger beer menu includes craft and import beers, ciders, wheat ales, lagers, pale ales, pilsners, porters, stouts, seltzers, and sour beers. Wine is available in white, red, and rose varieties, with choices such as chardonnay, pinot grigio, merlot, cabernet, malbec, and shiraz or syrah. The bar menu also lists nonalcoholic selections, including BrewDog Punk AF Hoppy Ale and Heineken 0.0.

The original Tucson Bison Witches is on North 4th Avenue and offers dine-in service with tableside attention as well as takeout ordering. The website lists service from Sunday and Monday, and Wednesday through Saturday, with a seasonal note that the restaurant is closed Tuesdays during the summer. Visitors can expect a menu built around generous deli sandwiches, soups served in bread bowls, cold salads, appetizers, chips, and a selection of drinks. Takeout orders can be arranged directly with the restaurant.