Arizona Has Options Galore for Dining Out

Whether you are visiting for the first time, spending the high season here, or living in Arizona full-time, one thing is for certain: if you are hungry, you will have no trouble finding a fabulous place to eat. From Flagstaff to Bisbee, Phoenix to Tucson, restaurants serving up virtually every type of cuisine in every price range are in abundant supply.

Of course, thanks to our proximity to the border, Mexican food is practically a fine art here, and if you step off the beaten path, you can find some of the most delicious Mexican food in some of the most unlikely places. For example, in Phoenix, Barrio Cafe on North 16th Street is renowned for its tasty dishes from central and southern Mexico. Veering away from the traditional tacos and enchiladas, Barrio Cafe features palette-pleasing dishes like chicken with Oaxacan black mole, or cochinita pibil, a to-die-for slow-cooked pork flavored with
achiote.

Locally famous Carolina’s Mexican Food on Mohave Street in Phoenix provides its guests with authentic food in generous proportions. The cavernous warehouse-style building isn’t much to look at, but you’ll be too busy savoring your burrito or enchilada on one of Carolina’s legendary paper-thin flour tortillas to notice. Take a pint of machaca and a dozen steaming-hot tortillas home; you’ll be glad you did.

Sam Fox’s collection of boutique restaurants can be found throughout Scottsdale. These include Blanco, The Greene House, Olive & Ivy and much more, however, if you prefer seafood, be sure to check out Mastro's Ocean Club Fish House, Tommy Bahama's Restaurant & Bar and Wildfish Seafood Grille, also all located in Scottsdale.

At The Phoenician Resort in Phoenix, guests can choose from about ten different dining options. Il Terrazzo is well-known for its progressive menu of Italian fare featuring many specialty dishes, while J&G Steakhouse offers – what else? – steakhouse favorites in a gorgeous setting.

Up north in Page, near Lake Powell, Fiesta Mexicana Family restaurant boasts scrumptious food in a friendly atmosphere and with outstanding service. Page may be a small town, but even here you can find a good selection of restaurants including a locally-owned Italian place with enormous calzones. Meanwhile, in the southern Arizona city of Tucson, The Lodge at Ventana Canyon is a luxurious location for enjoying a delectable meal. If you prefer casual dining, visit the lodge’s Catalina dining room or the laidback ambience of the Ventana Bar and Grill.