After 40 years of serving home-style Mexican food, The Little One closed its downtown doors for the final time Friday, leaving locals reflecting on memories and savoring one last taste of the beloved restaurant.

Lines of patrons stretched out its final days as longtime guests and newcomers shared stories, enjoyed favorite dishes and honored a space long known as a “happy place.”

The outpouring of love, both in person and online, highlighted the deep connection the community had with this downtown landmark.

Owner Marcella Davila-Barley announced the closure of the longtime downtown spot on Instagram on Sept. 8, saying, “It’s time for something new.”

The Little One first opened its doors at 151 North Stone Avenue in 1985 as the original location of Café Poca Cosa. Owners Suzana Davila and her father, Luis Davila, were fueled by a vision to bring home-style Mexican food to downtown Tucson.

Café Poca Cosa's original location became known as The Little One in 1989, after Suzana Davila moved the main restaurant to a larger space.

Sisters Sandra Davila and Marcella Davila-Barley took over The Little One after the move, carrying on the family legacy with The Little One after Café Poca Cosa closed in 2020 during the pandemic.

Both spots were long known for their welcoming environment and and lovingly prepared menu items. This commitment to community and tradition set the stage for the outpouring of emotion that greeted patrons during the restaurant’s final days.

“Without your happy place, where do you go?” customer Toby Squire asked Thursday while sitting down to enjoy his last meal at The Little One.

The business experienced an outpouring of support in its final two weeks, with lines out the door as people waited for their last chance to taste a Tucson landmark.

Photographer Echo Star visited for the first time after hearing about the closing.

“I found out on Instagram,” Star told Tucson Spotlight while waiting in line to order.

Standing in line next to Star was Bardo Daniel Padilla, who remembered a time before downtown began transforming into what it is today.

“This restaurant used to be called The Little Poca Cosa. Then the owners changed it to just The Little One,” Padilla said.

The news of the restaurant’s closure drew strong support both in person and on social media, with more than 170 people commenting on the post on Instagram, many recalling their experiences dining at the beloved spot.

Customer Otis Squire said he first started eating at The Little One with his dad and brother.

But more recently, “My wife and I would go here all the time,” Squire said.

Customers drove in from out of town during the restaurant’s final days, hoping for one more experience.

“My mom passed away this year. We used to come here all the time and it's more of a nostalgia,” said one customer who did not want to provide their name. “This is very sad news to us. I came all the way down from Sierra Vista.”

While The Little One was loved for its home-style recipes and traditional dishes, it was also known for the experience.

“The staff is amazing, very personable. My son, who works next door, would visit here all the time during his breaks,” said customer Joyce Ajvix, who also took a moment to rave about the food. “The mole here is the most popular and best item they have, in my opinion.”

Many guests left the restaurant Thursday with iced coffees and bags of food. It was so busy that strangers were sharing tables, creating a memorable experience for all.

Davila-Barley said the outpouring of love during the restaurant’s final days has been “very overwhelming.”

Looking ahead, she plans to offer homemaking guidance, helping others with cooking and kitchen setups.

“40 years of being downtown (has been) quite an accomplishment for my family and it has been truly an absolute blessing,” Davila-Barley said.

Macy Hernandez is a journalism and business administration major at the University of Arizona and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact her at macyhernandez@arizona.edu.

Tucson Spotlight is a community-based newsroom that provides paid opportunities for students and rising journalists in Southern Arizona. Please consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible donation.