I'm visiting AZ for the first time. My itinerary:
Arrive Flagstaff Sunday, drive to Grand Canyon. Mon-Tuesday, sightseeing along rim. I have a reservation for El Tovar Tue evening.
Wednesday- drive to Petrified Forest on most scenic route available. Hike in forest and Painted Desert. I have a hotel reservation in Flagstaff.
Thursday: explore Flagstaff, Route 66 area, maybe visit Lowell Observatory.
Very early Friday: depart on Amtrak Southwest Chief.
I'm seeking recommendations for good local food and places of historic/cultural interest. I'm starting with a daily food budget of $100, to be adjusted as necessary. In the spirit of exploration, I'm willing to compromise on food standards, eg I won't object to a mediocre burger in an establishment that looks like exactly as it did in Route 66 glory days .
I'm not very knowledgeable about southwest or Native American cuisine in the 4 corners. I don't like black beans, but I will keep an open mind if a dish comes highly recommended. I live in the Detroit area, if that helps with recommendations. I am traveling solo, so I don't have to accommodate anyone else's tastes.
Eating in the Grand Canyon reminds me of eating at any tourist destination. El Tovar really reminded me of fine dining in the 80s. It's lame. But what can you do, you're trapped, order your wine and make the most of it. If it's nice weather, sit outside at El Tovar. When we left the Grand Canyon Park we stopped at a little place for coffee R.P.'s Stage Shop, they have breakfast sandwiches and you can order sandwiches to take while hiking. I enjoyed that the most. I would have been happier eating there everyday. I also love eating lunch food for breakfast, so I was really happy to have a loaded turkey on rye with my coffee! The Grand Canyon is totally worth it, tourist food and all!! And driving around by yourself will be amazing!!!!!
If you're up for an hour drive down Route 66, Delgadillo's Snow Cap Drive-In is a classic milkshake/burger joint that hasn't changed much since 1953. Really quirky place with lots of funny signs and old 1950s cars that were part of the inspiration for the Disney "Cars" movie.
In case your trip is still to come - I thought of writing earlier, to mention the Museum of Northern Arizona, but it has been so many years since my visit that I never quite did that. https://musnaz.org/
Today, however, I ran across a post about places in Oak Creek Canyon, which is another happy memory near Flagstaff, and which gives specific, up to date ideas for restaurants there. See www.chowhound.com/post/sedona-oak-cre...
If it's not too late, El Tovar's breakfast is better than its dinner, but you're going for its historic value, not the food. In fact, the Grand Canyon is the only reason to go, and the food is quite incidental. There's a good burger place in Flagstaff called Diablo Burger, but it's modern, not historic. We stayed there for 3 days and mostly bought stuff at the store and picnicked (it was summer). It's a magical place, though - have fun!
Simple question "Where do locals eat Mexican in Flagstaff ?"
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