Barbecue restaurants in Flagstaff (Updated 01/11/10)

As a Texas native, barbeque is an essential meal in my rotation. Going without those slow cooked, tender meats smoked for hours with love would just be a shame. So it’s no surprise then that for me nothing says summer more than great barbeque eaten outdoors on a picnic table. While Flagstaff’s barbeque restaurants don’t actually have outdoor seating, you can still find that down home feeling in their food.

Big John’s Texas BBQ
1740 E Rte 66 (just east of Enterprise)
Call ahead for hours at 928-699-2707

I was so excited when I found Big John’s Texas BBQ. He’s not an official restaurant by any means. Big John runs his joint from a movable trailer with a giant smoker attached. He parks his rig-slash-movable restaurant on Route 66 just east of Enterprise three days a week (usually). Most Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays when the weather is good, you can smell that sweet, sweet smoke in the air as you drive near. And the taste of Big John’s brisket is even better. He takes is B-B-Q-ing seriously and you can taste that careful slow cookin’ in every bite. Big John’s also serves up ribs, pork, great potato salad, barbequed baked beans, and Texas sweet tea. Mmmm Mmmm good! You can buy the meat by the pound (which is how I like to do it for a great family meal) or you can get a sandwich.

Flagstaff BBQ & Catering Co. (Formerly known as Pig in a Poke BBQ)
9001 North Highway 89 at Silver Saddle Rd
About eight miles from downtown sits the modest Flagstaff BBQ (formerly known as Pig in a Poke BBQ). Next to a gas station/ convenience store – this place has that southern barbeque feel as you drive up. Flagstaff BBQ cooks up Kansas City style que. It’s the place to come for a great deal and great tasting barbequed chicken dinner. For just $5.99 you get a half chicken and two sides. Their onion rings and curly fries may add to your thighs but they taste great and compliment the chicken nicely. The brisket sandwich is too try for my liking so I’d opt for Big Johns or The Smokehouse if that’s what you’re craving. Flagstaff BBQ is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Big Foot Bar-B-Q
Basement of the Old Town Shops, downtown Flagstaff at Leroux & Birch
Menu at: bigfootbbq.com
Big Foot has been rated the best barbeque restaurant in Flagstaff for several years running. But truth be told, they really haven’t had much competition until recently. Big Foot boasts on its menu that their “truck stop creations” are “influenced, inspired and outright stolen from some of the most auspicious gas stations across the south.” I’ve eaten at many of those gas stations they compare their grub to and Big Foot doesn’t come close. Still, Big Foot does have a lot to offer. The best things here are the sides. I don’t think I’ve tasted better onion rings or fried okra anywhere in town and they could definitely give some of the sides at real southern joints a run for their money. Their brisket and ribs are in need of moisture but the sauce is sweet and tangy and definitely spices up the meat enough to make a good meal. The atmosphere at Big Foot is really casual and relaxed. You never feel rushed and you leave feeling happy and full, definitely adding to the charm.

Satchmo's
129 E Arrowhead, just of Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ
Menu online at: satchmosaz.comSatchmo's is a KC barbeque meets Louisiana style of joint and has lots of loyal eaters. They're claim to fame here: the pulled pork bbq sandwich. Ribs are also a fan fav and can sell out. (They're only made one day a week). In my experience the portions are smaller than advertised and not as tasty as the hype machine would have you believe. The barbecued turkey tastes more like Thanksgiving turkey than the traditional smoky barbecued turkey but its nice and moist.  The meat has a nice flavor. Sauces are okay. Read my full review of Satchmo's HERE.


The Smokehouse (Updated 1/11/10)
3510 E. Route 66
website (but no current menu) at: simplythebestbbq.com 

The Smokehouse is a far cry from its successful, moist, flavorful tasty roots. They were among my fav Flag bbq joints, but no longer. The meats we've gotten on our last few trips here (ever since opening in the new location) are really dried out tasting. The meats are served cold - like they've been reheated but not well and they're dried out, again like they've been reheated over and over. The sauces are the best thing about The Smokehouse. They're homemade and lean towards sweet more than spicy. You can see how good they used to be at the bottom of this review. It's sad to see how far down the rung they've gone.
UPDATED AGAIN 09/2009: We ate at the Smokehouse at its new location and were disappointed. The food wasn't as good (and a little cold, not fresh out of the smoker), portions were smaller and it costs a few bucks more per entree. The service was poor as well and the location isn't as charming as the old trailer. I hope these were just some kinks and not the future of The Smokehouse.
UPDATE 08/2009: The Smokehouse has temporarily closed down its trailer at the Museum Club and will be opening a brand new real restaurant along Route 66 in September. Watch for an updated review of The Smokehouse at that time, because it's worth waiting for!)
The Smokehouse has been around for about two years but only recently came into my world – and I’m so glad. Their meats melt in your mouth and are slow cooked in the back of this trailer-turned-smokehouse restaurant. Like Big John’s there’s nowhere to eat at The Smokehouse itself. It’s drive up and go – which makes for a great picnic. The owner/ chef – who hails from Austin, Texas - makes both the tasty and tangy mild and spicy sauces himself in the back of the place, along with his cole slaw and spicy pinto beans, and, of course, all the meats which are smoked up there too. The choices here are plentiful – and like all the best Texas barbeque spots – makes sliced turkey brisket, along with other classics like beef brisket, sausage, pork, ribs and more, if you can believe it. For the back of a trailer this place serves up lots of great stuff!

Satchmo's barbecue in Flagstaff

• Satchmo's
  
• 129 E Arrowhead, just of Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ
• Menu online at: satchmosaz.com

The Food (taste/flavor/quality of food & drinks)
>>>= good, but not great

The Atmosphere (environment, wait staff, comfortableness)
x= if the food’s good enough, still worth going, otherwise forget it

Price (what to generally expect to pay per person per entree)
$$ $10

Value (what you get for your money)
* = overpriced period, food isn’t good enough to make up for the cost

Satchmo's is a relative newcomer to Flagstaff, located just off of Route 66 a few miles east of downtown, in a small building with a drive thru and walk up window. There are two tables outside to sit at if you opt to "dine in." They have limited hours/days they're open - Wednesdays thru Saturdays from 11am-2pm and 4-7pm.

Satchmo's serves up barbequed sandwiches and pork ribs plus gumbo and jambalaya. The ribs are only available from 4-7pm on Saturday nights. They say they do run out, so go early if you're craving ribs. The sandwich options include pulled pork and beef plus smoked turkey. Sides include Kansas City Pit style baked beans, red potato salad, cornbread and slaw.

Satchmo's has a lot of hype, so it is a place I had to try. But ever time I've gone I've left feeling hungry and disappointed. I've tried their large beef sandwich, large turkey sandwich and small jambalaya. I asked the difference between the small and large sandwiches besides the $1.50 price - I was told the small was 1/4 pound of meat and the large was 1/2 pound. So I was expecting a nice size sandwich for my $7 a pop -no sides included, but that was not the case. The portions were far from generous and our large sandwiches looked much closer to a quarter pounder. (For only $12 you can get a full pound of meat over at Big John's down the street. And his pound of meat is way more than double of what's on Satchmo's large sandwich.)

As far as taste goes, the beef has good flavor on its own. It is seasoned well and a touch towards the salty side. But the sauces don't add much. The sweet barbeque sauce is thick and the better choice here, as the spicy sauce doesn't taste like barbeque sauce at all. It tastes more like chili powder in a watery tomato base. The turkey was tender and good. But again I was disappointed because it tastes more like Thanksgiving turkey than the smoky flavor of barbequed turkey.

As for the jambalaya, I would expect a small for $3 to be somewhat filling, as jumbalyaya is commonly served as a dish on its own in the south. But the small is definitely more of a side dish here. It wouldn't be filling for anyone but a little kid. Makes me wonder how large the large is. The flavor was spicy but was missing the big ol chunks of stuff. Instead the sausage and celery was in really small bits.

All in all Satchmo's was a let down when considering price, portions and taste. The flavorings were decent but there's several places in town with just as good or better taste where you also get more for your money.

Where to find good lunch specials in Flagstaff

Flagstaff lunch specials
By Angele Sionna

Back to school time is here. Time for meeting and greeting new classmates and colleagues… or getting to know the ones you have even better. A perfect way to do so is a nice lunch out on the town. So here's a few places with good grub and lunch specials to maximize your hard earned cash and enjoy friends and food.

El Charro
409 S San Francisco St
About as close to campus as you can get (about 2 short blocks north of the Wall Aquatic Center) is this little family run Mexican dive. It has been a part of Flag for decades. For $7.50 here you get a soda or iced tea, 2 choices of items from the a la carte menu (like a cheese enchilada and a guac tostada - my favs), rice, beans, and a sopapilla or tortilla. The service here is always friendly and attentive to boot.

Fratelli Pizza
119 West Phoenix
A great spot to relax and enjoy a friend or two or five is Fratelli. Fratelli's atmosphere prompts conversation and the staff always has a smile. The lunch special here is hard to beat and served up quick. For six bucks you get a soda, a slice and a side salad or a soda and two slices (I like to get a pesto slice and salad with ranch). You can upgrade to a beer instead of a soda for $1.65 more – tax included!

Hot Wok Express
1000 N Humphreys St (at the far west end of the shopping center)
For about $6, Hot Wok Express- just north of downtown and just south of the hospital- has a lunch special to satisfy and it’s even better if you’re in a hurry. You can call ahead and pick it up at their drive thru window. A total bonus! My favs here are the Moo Goo Gui Pan, Orange Chicken, and Chicken Lo Mein. Along with the entrée you also get soup, fried or steamed rice, an egg roll and crab puffs included in that lunch special price.

Swaddee Thai
115 E. Aspen Ave.
A little bit of paradise tucked inside an unassuming building downtown is how Swaddee Thai feels when you walk in. The lunch specials here are about $8 and include a salad, egg roll, steamed rice (except noodle dishes) and your choice of a chicken, beef, pork, or tofu entrée. Those include red, green, or yellow curry, pad thai and others. And you pick your level of spiciness to suit your palate. Go to swaddeethai.com to check out all the options.

Sakura
1175 West Route 66 (inside the Radisson Woodlands Hotel)
When you think lunch specials you may not think of Sakura, a place known more for date night or a special celebration, but their teppanyaki lunch specials are quite a good deal, considering. For $9 to $12 bucks for the single item entrees you get a mini-feast – consisting of your meat or noodle selection (I rec opting for the grilled hibachi chicken or steak), soup, steamed rice and hibachi veggies plus a little fire show and get to watch the chef make lunch right in front of you... And boy is it yummy! Now don't go there looking for a quick bite, as I’ve found it takes at least an hour - depending on the crowd and number of chefs working that day. You can check out their full lunch menu at sakuraflagstaffsushi.com.

Best sandwiches of Flagstaff

Filled with goodness: Flag’s tastiest sandwiches
By Angele Sionna

They may be among the most basic of meals but the good ones are anything but boring and routine. A great sandwich can be a feast of delectable bites. To get the best ones – you’ve got to have the best ingredients layered in perfect combination. Here’s a look at some of Flagstaff’s tastiest sandwiches…

Crystal Creek Sandwich Company
1051 S Milton Rd Ste A
Crystal Creek is a Flagstaff classic, routinely voted best deli sandwiches by locals and students alike. Among their many beloved is the Grand Rapids with Genoa salami, ham, turkey, roast beef, bacon, avocado, cream cheese, cheddar cheese and provolone cheese –plus mayonnaise, tomatoes, cucumbers, Italian dressing and lettuce. For the vegetarians – try the Crystal Veggie with avocado, cream cheese, walnuts, tomatoes, cucumbers, cheddar, Swiss and provolone cheese, mayo, tomatoes, cucumbers, Italian dressing and sprouts on a wheat roll.

Josephine’s Modern American Bistro
503 N Humphreys St
For lunch, check out Josephine’s unique sandwich selections. So many great choices it’s hard to pick one. My favs - the Po-Boy Crab-Cake Sandwich, which features their yummy-licious Southwestern Crab Cakes with a spicy remoulade, lettuce and tomato on a hoagie, and their Caprese with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil –of course- plus prosciutto and baby greens all on a toasted garlic ciabatta roll with a balsamic reduction and basil infused olive oil. The flavors in these are as special as they are delectable.

Beaver Street Brewery
11 S. Beaver St.
They may be known for their beers and burgers, but Beaver Street makes a mean Rustic Portabello sandwich. This baby is a whole thick, juicy portabello mushroom basted with their “secret, spicy stout sauce” and grilled up, then put on a ciabatta roll with sprouts, tomatoes and an artichoke-olive pesto sauce. Delish. Another fan fav here is their Meat Loaf sandwich made with their “world famous” meatloaf topped with Swiss cheese, salsa mayo and beer mustard. Homey yet oh so much more.

Pesto Brothers Piazza
Old Town Shops at Birch & Leroux
Lunch at Pesto Brothers equals some Italian classic sandwiches. Of particular note - the God Father. Salami, cappacola, provolone, lettuce, tomato & dressing make up this hot sub of goodness. Others to try include their unusual pizza “sangwich” – which is pepperoni pizza served on bread – and the Meatball with Mozzarella and sauce.

Oregano’s Pizza Bistro
605 W Riordan Rd
Oregano’s baked sandwiches are among the favs of sandwich lovers in town – for both meat lovers and veg heads. The Veggie Wedgie is a thick and hearty nutrient and flavored filled choice. It has eggplant, portabello mushroom, and provolone baked on focaccia then stuffed with roma tomatoes, spinach, goat cheese and feta cheese. Plus aioli dressing on the side for a delicious dip. To satisfy the carnivore in you – try the Italian Stuffed packed with pepperoni, capicolla, salami and provolone baked up then topped tomatoes, onions, green peppers, lettuce, black olives and Italian dressing. You can get gigantic full size sandwiches or juniors of both these. Don’t be fooled, junior is plenty big to fill you up.

Pita Jungle
320 South Regent Street (Next to New Frontiers)
On the pita side of the sandwich world, Pita Jungle is a tasty bet. My recs here – the Shawarma (aka Mediterranean Roasted Chicken) Pita. It has hot grilled chicken breast with mixed greens, tomatoes, onions, pickles, garlic sauce and tahini. So different and oh so good. You’ll crave this one! Another goodie - the Philly Steak Pita. It has steak, sautéed onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, and mozzarella cheese all wood-fired in a Greek pita. Of course, they have classic beef gyro pitas and falafel pitas worth a try too.

*This article originally appeared in Flagstaff Live!, also written by myself*

Where to find the best big salads in Flagstaff

Big salad
By Angele Sionna

On a hot summer day when the sun is beating down you can cool off from the inside out (and get in some needed veggies) with a salad. All out big salads a la Elaine of Seinfeld fame are all too often overlooked as deluxe menu items. But that’s not the case at many of Flagstaff’s great restaurants. Here’s a look at some of the best more-than-lettuce creations in town…

Oreganos
605 W Riordan Rd

Oreganos has gigantic salads to suit any appetite. Of those, the one that stands out above the rest - the Southwestern Shrimp Ceasar salad. Oh how delicious it is! Served on a bed of specially made fried noodle crisps, this big boy consists of a mound of crispy green romaine lettuce tossed in just the right amount of their slightly spicy and tangy southwestern ceasar dressing and topped with a fair helping of shredded parmesan cheese and seasoned, grilled shrimp. Makes me hungry for it again just writing about it. Yum!

Big Foot BBQ
In the basement of the Old Town Shops building, at the corner of Birch & Leroux

Big Foot BBQ has one of the best, most unique salads in town. I know - a barbeque joint with a top salad? But it's true! Their Fried Chicken Salad is fab with fresh crispy lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, toasted pecans, croutons, cucumbers, fried okra, fried chicken and buttermilk ranch dressing. The dressing is creamy and compliments the salads’ other flavors perfectly! This isn’t the healthiest of the salads in town, but you’ll still be glad you went for it.

Pita Jungle
320 S. Regent Street (Next to New Frontiers)

Newcomer to town (and first time out of the Phoenix-metro area) Pita Jungle brings with it some delightful options. The salad menu consists of cold traditional salads with a fresh twist like their Caribbean Salad -that mixes pineapples, oranges, grapefruit, apples, strawberries and bananas with mixed greens topped with coconut, raisins and a strawberry vinaigrette. Plus even more innovative concoctions like the Grilled Vegetable Salad, which is a bed of lettuce topped with freshly sautéed hot veggies including broccoli, squash, carrots, and eggplant all coated with a zesty lemon vinagarette dressing. The height of healthy and quite tasty to boot.

Beaver Street Brewery
11 S. Beaver St.

From small side salads to meal-sized biggies, Beaver Street is another great place to go if you're seeking fancified greens. All their dressings are delightfully divine. One big salad of particular note: the Calypso Chicken Salad. It consists of mixed greens tossed in a walnut raspberry vinegarette dressing, topped with grilled chicken, mandarin oranges, dried apricots, dried cranberries, honey chipotle walnuts, feta cheese and red onions. Super refreshing and it’s really pretty looking too.

Mountain Oasis
11 E. Aspen

Mountain Oasis is a home away from home for many salad lovers. Among the top choices here: the Greek Salad. It combines feta cheese, kalamata olives, red onions, pepperoncini and greens topped with Greek dressing. For an extra treat top it with their Gyro meat to make it even more satisfying.

Flagstaff's Best Hot Dogs

Hot Diggity Dogs
By Angele Sionna

It’s hot dog season! While it may more commonly be referred to as summer, the beautiful weather that is upon is means it’s time for treating ourselves to those tasty franks that satisfy without breaking the bank. If you don’t have time to grill up a dog on any given work lunch hour, then check out the goods at Flagstaff’s top hot dog stops.

Primo’s Hot Dogs
113 S San Francisco St

Primo’s Hot Dogs, just south of the tracks downtown. Boasting Chicago-style dogs, Primo’s is a true hole in the wall joint. The door boasts seating for 1,000, four at a time, i.e. they have four seats lining the wall on the right. That’s it.
Here their standard dog is known as the Easy Dog. The bright green relish contrasted nicely with the crispy, diced white onion... with a little vivid red and yellow of the ketchup and mustard ever so slightly poking thru. The ingredients were fresh. The dog itself was plump, juicy, and flavorful. The perfect proportion of toppings, bun, and dog. And vegetarians take note, Primo’s doesn’t want you to miss out on its goodness. They serve veggie dogs with any toppings for about the same price. In all, Primo’s has 14 types of hot dogs and sausages plus meat lover’s sandwiches and nachos.

Mountain Top Dogs
113 E. Birch

Mountain Top Dogs is a true hot dog stand at the corner of Birch and San Francisco. Only open when the weather’s good and run by the owner, Mountain Top Dogs is in a great location for tourists and business folks for lunch. At Mountain Top Dogs, the hot dogs are flame grilled right in front of you and it’s the only place on this list where you add your own toppings.
The dog was a little less flavorful and not as thick as the ones at Primo’s, but the smoky flavor that comes from the grilling makes up for it. The condiments were standard, just like the ones you’d have at a back yard cookout at home. But you can taste the personal touch and care of the owner in every bite.
Mountain Top Dog has a handful of dog and sausage choices ranging a standard hot dog up to their claim to fame: a hand-wrapped and grilled bacon quarter pound dog.

Route 66 Dog Haus
1302 E. Route 66

The Route 66 Dog Haus is a Flagstaff classic. Right on Route 66 with cars whizzing by their can’t-miss-it red A-frame building, you can walk up and place your order or drive thru. And I do mean drive thru - cars pull up to the window in the center of the building. A novelty that catches kids eyes. Seating is limited to a few cement tables with umbrellas. Their menu includes sides like fries and is much more expansive than the other hot dog joints.
The Dog Haus dog itself was overloaded with ingredients and oozing as I opened the wrapper. The bun was super-soaked and soggy. It did not have the beauty of the Primo’s dog or the flame-broiled smell of Mountain Top but when I took a bite I was pleasantly surprised. There was too much of the overly sweet onions and relish though, ironically making this drive-thru joint the only place where the dog isn’t driver friendly.

Hot Dog Express
1566 S Riordan Ranch St

Newcomer to the hot dog scene is Hot Dog Express. They’re located in the little red and yellow shack surrounded by cheery picnic tables and umbrellas in the west end of the Bookman’s parking lot on the southwest side of town.
Here the choices are walk up or drive up. You can smell the hot dogs cooking on the grill as you do either. That’s such a great smell! Hot Dog Express offers up everything from standard dogs to more fanciful options like the gianormous Cujo dog or the spicy Jalapeño Express hot dog. The dogs comes served in a fresh and flavorful bright yellow bun and loaded with a fair amount of toppings. They also have combos with a soda and chips to make the most of your lunch money. And if you want a little picnicy feel to lunch, consider adding a side of their cilantro slaw or potato salad. For the kid inside, top it off with one of their slushies for dessert.

(Note: This article was origninally published in Flagstaff Live! - written by me too!)

Taco Tour of Flagstaff

Make a run for the border: A taco tour of Flagstaff
By Angele Sionna

Flagstaff is filled with little nook and crannies that are in turned filled with little Mexican dives. Some of these joints are definitely worth stopping in for a satisfying bite with some south of the border flavor. So, join me on a taco tour of Flagstaff’s best, in honor of Cinco De Mayo.

Starting off on the Southwest side of town, working our way North and East… we begin our adventure at …Burritos Fiesta (1530 S Riordan Ranch St # 405C, next door to Bookmans). This place is always packed and has a lot of people sitting at their tables with satisfied grins on their faces. The tacos here are served on corn or flour tortillas and much larger than your average taco dive’s taco. And they serve up a small side of chips on your plate at no extra charge. Taco choices include: shredded beef, steak, fish, shrimp and chicken ranging from $2.50-$3.75 per taco.

Basically across the street, we move into a much smaller little taco joint… Los Altenos Restaurant (1481 S Milton, behind Strombolli’s). Los Altenos is open every day from 8a-9p serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Their taco list is pretty expansive from your standard tacos de pollo (yum) to tacos de tripas – which is intestine with cilanto and onions in a corn tortilla (eew, unless that’s your thing). They also have several types of pork and beef choices, all at $1.99 each.

Moving up Milton, we find ourselves at… Ay Caray! Mexican Grill (1300 S Milton Rd, next to Picazzos) Ay Caray! upgrades their dive status by serving you at your table with fresh, extremely tasty homemade chips and salsa. I really love their chicken taco here. The meat is all white meat and marinated – mmm. They’ve got nine other taco choices too… all are served with salsa or guacamole included for $2.50 each (fish tacos cost $3.25). If you get their to-go menu, there’s a little coupon on the front for 15% off for NAU students or a free ice cream cone for the kids. Nice bonus.

As we head towards downtown on our taco tour, we stop next at… Tacos Locos (2 S. Beaver St. Suite 170 on the Phoenix Ave. side of the building). This taco shop is a little more, okay a lot more, high tech with free wireless internet. They have a unique menu and style- much more “Californian” than others. Their tacos start at $2.29 for a potato taco and go up to $3.49 for a grilled ahi taco. They’ve even got a weird one called a California Taco that has carne asada, guacamole, lettuce and, yes, french fries. It’s pretty good, actually. Extra bonus: they play cool music and serve beer and margaritas. Menu online at: tacoslocos.com

These next two stops are on the East side, are accessible without leaving the comfort of your car and have lots more than just tacos… Poliberto’s Taco Shop (221 E Cedar Ave.). This quickie stop seems to always have a line, which is what drew me in the first time. They’ve got beef or chicken tacos for $1.99 each or 3 rolled tacos with guac or sour crème for the same price. Fish tacos move up to $2.10 each and specialty ones are $2.45 each. Poliberto’s also has combos that include a drink.

And last but in no way least, our final stop is at… Tacos Los Altos De Jalisco (3650 E. Route 66, off of Fanning Dr.). This joint has drive-thru or sit down options. Los Altos serves hard shelled beef or chicken tacos for $2 each or specialty tacos for $2.25-$2.75. You can also get rolled tacos for 99 cents a pop and mini tacos starting at $1.25. They also have lots of combos, including for breakfast.

If you wanna upgrade…
•To a full-service restaurant: Check out the ever-popular “local’s secret” La Fonda. It’s been in business in Flag since 1958 and has good tacos and everything else. The original La Fonda is at 1900 N. Second St in the Sunnyside neighborhood.
•To a fancy pants taco: I love the pecan-encrusted fish tacos at Josephine’s Modern American Bistro. They’re not always on the menu, but when they are – yum! Great spring and summer lunch choice on their fantastic patio! Josephine’s is at 503 N. Humphrey's Street, just north of downtown.

Note: THis article was firt published in Flagstaff Live! - written by me too!

Best restaurant patios in the Flagstaff area

Best Patios
By Angele Sionna

The weather’s warming up, so take advantage of the beautiful Flagstaff fresh air. Sit under the big blue sky, kick back and relax. There are several spots in Flagstaff to do just that. Here’s a look at the best of the best that add the inviting ambiance of our town.

Café Ole
119 S San Francisco

Tranquil and whimsical. That’s the feeling you’ll get on the courtyard-like patio tucked in the back of Café Ole. This isn’t the biggest or fanciest patio in town, but it’s a favorite of almost everyone who’s been there with its brick floor, large fountain and Mexican pottery and trinkets that add color here and there. The sun warms the area but it never seems hot or too sunny, just comfortable. Turn up the enjoyment with one of their special drinks like blueberry mojitos and pomegranate margaritas. The food is good too. I rec the “make your own combo” platter with 2 cheese enchiladas and a guacamole taco.

Josephine’s American Bistro
503 N. Humphrey’s Street

Josephine’s patio is alluring even from the street. It’s big umbrellas and stone floor surrounded by a rock wall and flowery garden make this a great place to relax and kick back for a nice lunch or dinner. I particularly like lunch here on a warm spring day. My fav to order: the pecan encrusted fish tacos, when that’s on the menu. Josephine does change their menu seasonally, so be sure to check josephinesrestaurant.com to see what they’re serving up right now.

Ski Lift Lodge Restaurant
6355 N Highway 180 (at the base of Snowbowl Road)

Homey is the perfect description of the patio at the Ski Lift Lodge Restaurant. It’s anything but fancy with its plastic tables and chairs. But sitting here on their patio feels timeless. It’s only seven miles north of downtown, but you feel like you’re sitting at a small countryside diner, relaxing in the sun. They’ve got several good beers on tap that add to the experience. The menu has such items as Volcano Caps (which are beer battered fried jalapeño rings), chicken fried steak, pizzas, pastas, sandwiches, even a kids menu. Plus daily specials. You can check out the details at arizonasnowbowl.com/lodging.

Flagstaff Brewing Co.
16 E. Rte. 66 (Downtown)

Flagstaff Brewing Company is the patio for people watching. It’s out in front of the pub’s entrance looking onto a busy little area of downtown. A hot spot in town, Flag Brew’s on tap especially made microbrews and Stink Burger (topped with roasted garlic, swiss cheese and an onion ring) are among their most popular items.

Hotel Weatherford
23 N. Leroux Street

If you’re looking for a beer with a view, you’re going to want to check out The Weatherford’s upstairs bar with its own balcony. They’ve got several beers on tap, plus lots of other tasty beverages. But best yet, it’s a great place to sit and watch all the folks walking around downtown. Maybe you’ll meet some of the hotels famous ghosts while you’re there too.

Junipine Cafe
8351 N. Hwy 89A, in Oak Creek Canyon

While not technically in Flagstaff, on a nice day a drive down through Oak Creek Canyon can be enjoyable on its own. Top that off with a visit to the Junipine Café at the Junipine Lodge. About 20 minutes outside of Flag (10 before you get to Sedona), the open spacious decked patio at the Junipine Café is a great spot to sit an enjoy canyon views, catch some rays and eat one of their signature fish dishes, including some featuring locally caught trout.

(Note: This article first appeared in Flagstaff Live! - written by me too.)

Big John's Texas BBQ

By Angele Sionna

• 1740 E Rte 66 (just east of Enterprise)


• call ahead for hours or catering at 928-699-2707

The Food (taste/flavor/quality of food & drinks)
>>>>= a favorite, can count on it being good every time

The Atmosphere (environment, wait staff, comfortableness)
x= if the food’s good enough, still worth going, otherwise forget it

Price (what to generally expect to pay per person per entree)
$                    under $10

Value (what you get for your money)
**** = worth it – you won’t be disappointed with what you get for your money

You may (or may not) have seen a long black trailer with a big black smoker at one end of it on Route 66. That is all there is to Big John's Texas BBQ. Inside is a tasty treat for barbeque lovers... and I'm talking real BBQ. The kind that doesn't need any sauce to taste good. A real rarity in these parts.

We drove by and talked with John about his movable roadside joint. He's there every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Unless there's high winds like last week, then he might be there on Sunday too. We only had a sample because we'd already had dinner, but my goodness. It was good. Smokey meat that's been cooked the right way. I can't wait for Thursday to come around already.

The menu is simple - beef brisket and pulled pork by the pound or on a sandwich and ribs with beans and potato salad sides. And let's not forget real southern sweet tea. Mmmmmm. The menu has sandwich plates for $8 and brisket/pork by the pound for $12/pound. Stay tuned for a full report!

*UPDATE*

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="307" caption="A pound of the BBQ brisket"][/caption]

Big John's is as good as that sample! We went for lunch this week (at 11 am on Thursday, to be precise!) and stood in line for about 10 minutes for our pound of brisket and side of potato salad. Both were good, definitely the best in Flagstaff. The brisket is shredded, not sliced, unfortunately. But super tender and full of flavor. You can tell Big John doesn't rush his meat. You can taste the hickory smoked goodness in every bite and the smell... mmmm. It's good stuff. Big John's sauce is a bit watery but the taste is there. The potato salad is classic. A single side is $2 and is enough for two people. Unlike most Texas BBQ joints though, there's no sliced bread or pickles served along with by the pound meat here. Luckily the meat is great so I'm going to let that slide and it won't keep my family away.

I'd recommend packing a full picnic basket, stopping by to pick up your BBQ from Big Johns and heading to a local park, unless you live around the corner. That way it'll still be hot and fresh when you eat it! Perfect for a spring or summer day. I just wish Big John's was open every day so that if I get the craving for good BBQ in town, I'd be able to get it every day. Here's hoping Big John's is a success and can expand soon.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="446" caption="Big John's Potato Salad"][/caption]

Ay Caray! Mexican Grill

By Angele Sionna

• 1300 S Milton Rd (next to Picazzos), Flagstaff, AZ


• No menu online, but they have to go menus with coupons on their counter (run in and check it out before sitting down to order!)

The Food (taste/flavor/quality of food & drinks)
>>>>= a favorite, can count on it being good every time

The Atmosphere (environment, wait staff, comfortableness)
xxx= good but could be improved

Price (what to generally expect to pay per person per entree)
$                    under $10

Value (what you get for your money)
**** = worth it – you won’t be disappointed with what you get for your money

Ay Caray!, formerly known as Ay Carrumba! (they had to change their name the owner tells me because Ay Carumba was trademarked and they had to change it), is a surpring little find in a strip mall along Flagstaff's man drag. Next to Picazzos and August Moon, sits this little gem with super friendly service and fantastic food. Don't mistake this little joint for some of the other taqueria-type places in town. It has several tables and the owner waits on you himself. He's great at check on you ad your satisfaction and about making sure your drinks are filled up. It's nothing fancy, but feels relaxing.

The menu's pretty simple - tacos, enchiladas, tamales, tortas plus some salads and soups - all of which is freshly made, including the chips nad salsa. I knew it was going to be a great meal as soon as I took my first bite into their chips. So good and so fresh. These could quite possibly be the best in town. The salsa is spicy and flavorful but doesn't burn the tongue.

For my lunch today I ordered up a chicken and guacamole taco ($2.50) and a green chile chicken tamale ($2). Both were good but the taco was outstanding. The chicken isn't dry and stringy like at a lot of other joints in town. And its flavored well. It's served in a double corn tortillas. Yum. The tamale is a different type than I've had before. The masa is much more fluffy than most, but the taste was decent and fresh. Though after eating the fantastic taco, I wish I'd just ordered two of those. My husband has the asada enchiladas. Unlike most enchiladas, there was barely any cheese inside (if any) and were stuffed with grilled beef and cheese on top. His came with sour cream, guac, rice and beans, all of which were quite tasty and plentiful. I always like it when places don't go crazy on their upcharge of guac. It's not *that* expensive to make fresh, so the fact that it just comes with the tacos and enchiladas was a great surprise and on top of that it tasted fab to boot!

Mexican joints are not a place I think of when I think great deserts, but Ay Caray's flan is excellent. If you ask, they'll let you sample the differnt flans of the day. Today I tried the plain and the coffee. The coffee I must recommend. It was smooth and flavorful, and let's not forget sweet and rich. The presentation was nice too - served on a plate with chocolate drizled across it and a cherry sliced into a flower on top. I'll be getting that again.
All the food here tastes like the chef back in the kitchen really cares. That is the sign of a fabulous restaurant, no matter how simple and small. I think I've found my new favorite Mexican food in Flagstaff!

Salsa Brava Fresh Mexican Grill

By Angele Sionna

• 2220 East Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ
  


• menu online at: salsabravaflagstaff.com

The Food (taste/flavor/quality of food & drinks)
>>>= good, but not great

The Atmosphere (environment, wait staff, comfortableness)
xxxx= comfortable

Price (what to generally expect to pay per person per entree)
$$                 $10

Value (what you get for your money)
*** = fair -you get what you pay for, not in a bad way

If you're not careful, you may pass by Salsa Brava without even noticing. (I do this accidentally almost every time we go there). In a nondescript orangey colored building built right on top of the sidewalk on Route 66, sits Salsa Brava. (Find out about Salsa Brava being featured on The Food Network HERE.)

This is the place to go in town if salsa is your thing. They have a salsa bar with lots of great choices from the mild but flavorful pico de gallo plus a hot salsa (which is like many regular salsas) plus a tangy tomatillo salsa verde, and the sweet with a spicy backlash pineapple habanero salsa. All are good and none give more fire than a trained mouth can handle. You really could just eat salsa and chips here with a margarita and go home happy.

The menu features everything from quesadillas and fajitas to more unique offerings like a lobster/shrimp enchiladas, Maui Tacos, and stuffed sopapillas. They have lots of seafood items which is a nice twist combining some of the Arizona style Mexican flavors with Baja style. There's definitely something for everyone. Even the kiddos - with a $4.95 kids menu, including a drink, with items like a cheese enchilada or a build your own burrito.

I got the chicken stuffed sopapilla on my visit tonight topped with the green chile enchilada sauce. The menu says spicy but it's not really. It's gigantic and best described as a Navajo taco meets smothered burrito. All in all pretty good and very carby and filling. Something you need to be in the mood for for sure cause this one's gonna stay with you all day or night.

On this trip, my husband got the steak fajitas. Not a generous portion, so they definitely aren't for splitting, and they only come with two tortillas. You can get two extras for 50 more cents). The meat is tender. Though I would say it needs a bit more saltiness if you eat it on its own but tastes pretty good with all the fajitas fixings.

One weird thing about the menu - they have what they call signature black beans, but they're not served with any of the entrees. You have to add them for 50 cents extra. Kind of a weird thing when it's their signature item I think.

Salsa Brava is worth a visit for sure and among Flagstaff's best Mexican restaurants.

Salsa Brava's Chicken Stuffed Sopapillas

The Food Network recently featured Flagstaff's Salsa Brava in the opening segment of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives' Route 66 tour. They also included a how-to make Salsa Brava's signature chicken stuffed sopapillas. Yum! Check out the episode HERE. More about Salsa Brave HERE.

Diners, Drive-ins and Dives is also featuring Flagstaff's Brandy's in this week's episode of the show. You'll be able to see that HERE or catch the show tomorrow night at 7. It replays Mondays at 10pm and 10:30pm, Fridays at 9pm and 9:30pm and Sundays at 3pm and 3:30pm. More about Brandy's HERE.

Junipine Cafe

By Angele Sionna

• 8351 N. Hwy 89A, in Oak Creek Canyon (about 30 minutes from Flagstaff and 10 minutes from Sedona)


• No menu online (but they will fax you one if you call and ask)


• JunipineCafe.com


• Call for reservations: 928-282-7406

The Food (taste/flavor/quality of food & drinks)
>>>= good, but not great

The Atmosphere (environment, wait staff, comfortableness)
xxxxx= you’ll love it

Price (what to generally expect to pay per person per entree)

breakfast $ -$10

lunch $$-$$$ - $10-15

dinner $$$$-$$$$$ - $20-$30

Value (what you get for your money)
**** = worth it - you won’t be disappointed with what you get for your money

Junipine Cafe is located in a beautiful location in the midst of Oak Creek Canyon, just north of Slide Rock State Park. It's the perfect spot for a quick getaway for locals and a nice rest stop of tourists. (And it's a part of the Junipine Resort hotel, which is a nice location for visitors who want to check out Flagstaff, Sedona and the Grand Canyon without staying at a place that feels super touristy, though I can't speak to the rooms because I've never stayed there.)

The cafe has a great patio with views of the towering trees and red rocks in the canyon. The sun shines down through the trees, leaving it warm but not too hot, though it can get windy. But its a very relaxing feeling and the premium place to sit at the restaurant when its sunny out. Inside has a very woodsy, cabin feel with oak paneling and furniture.

The claim to fame at Junipine are their fish dishes, they say. They use locally caught trout and fly in other fish fresh from the coast. The lunch menu includes blacked or season fish specials, fish tacos, several salads, burgers, sandwiches and a soup of the day. Dinner has many of the same items plus steak, fajitas and more fish selections... all at higher prices of course. They also serve up breakfast, with items like trout and eggs, waffles and pancakes on the menu.

We ate at Junipine today for lunch, celebrating my daughters birthday. The perfect time to try something new. We've driven by so many times and always wondered what their food was like but never stopped and their menu isn't online so we had no idea what to expect. But it's such a nice day, we figured why not. And it was a good choice.

For an appetizer, we got the calamari. It was very good, nice light crust and very flavorful, and among the best we've had in this area, though the dipping sauces weren't very exciting at all. I got the blacked fish special with a side ceasar salad. They don't make any of their own dressings and you could tell. It was just average. The fish, however was perfectly cooked, though almost too seasoned, but full of flavor and something I'd order again. My husband and dad ordered the sandwich special of the day - the Reuben with fries. The fries were very good and the Reuben was also tasty and worth getting. Junipine also serves a turkey reuben daily for those who don't eat beef. And for vegetarians, they have a garden burger. My step-mom ordered the Junipine burger which was really small and had an okay taste, but nothing special. For my daughters - chicken nuggets and fries from the kids menu. The kids menu says the meal comes with a beverage - all for $5, but they charged us an $2 extra for that on the bill, so be sure to ask before you order so you don't have any surprises. On the desert front, we tried the apple cobbler a la mode- which was homemade with a nice flaky crust and fresh apples, but not too sweet- and the chocolate lava cake with a scoop of ice cream. My daughter really loved that. Though we were there for her birthday and informed our waitress, they didn't give her a complimentary desert nor did they put a candle in her cake or sing to her. All of which was fine, but kind of surprising being most of this area's nicer places offer a complimentary birthday desert with a candle to blow out, so we were a bit disappointed.

Prices are inline with Flagstaff and Sedona restaurants at about $10-$15 per person for lunch, so they're more expensive then they should be for each entree but what you would expect for this nice location. And dinner puts them up into the expensive range at closer to $20-$30 per person. If you have a party of six or more - even if some of your party are babies that don't order - they take it upon themselves to add a 18% gratuity. That's also unheard of in this area, where most places don't include kids in their party totals when automatically adding gratuity. When we asked about it our waitress was really snippy and rude and quite frankly it ruined the nice, relaxing experience of our lunch today. She also got defensive when I asked why she charged us for milk that the menu said came with the kids' meal. They're also not on top of things when it comes to drink refills. So I wouldn't say service is their string point but all in all Junipine is a nice change of place and really feels like a nice getaway, even though it's just down the road.

Check out the menu in the below gallery:

[gallery orderby="ID"]

Black Bart's Steakhouse, Saloon and Musical Revue

By Angele Sionna

• 2760 E Butler (Just off I-40)


• Full menu at: BlackBartsSteakhouse.com


• Open only for dinner

The Food (taste/flavor/quality of food & drinks)
>>= mixed bag, can be good but can be bad, can’t count on it

The Atmosphere (environment, wait staff, comfortableness)
xxxx= comfortable

Price (what to generally expect to pay per person per entree)
$$$$ $20

Value (what you get for your money)
** = okay - overpriced for quality/taste

Black Bart's is a unique Flagstaff restaurant. It's located at an RV park just off I-40 on the east-central side of town. It's claim to fame is its singing waiters (who are all music students from NAU).

The theme is western and very comfortable. They take reservations but in general you can make them the day you go and probably don't need one if you go when they open at 5pm. I've never been there when it was packed. The service is always good and friendly and they're on top of things because all the singing waiters help each other out.

The menu too is western themed with steaks, barbequed ribs and chicken, fish, salads plus some pastas. The prices are on the higher side, but that does include your entertainment. Black Bart's is kid-friendly and has a kid menu. My children love to see the singers and clap after each performance.

The food is decent but nothing to rave about. The steaks aren't very flavorful (and we've tried their prime rib, filet and sirloin steaks all on different occasions and all with the same boring taste). The barbequed chicken is pretty good and the way I recommend to go. If you like fries, ask if you can get curly fries instead of steak fries. They serve curly fries with the kids meals so they always have them, they just normally serve adults the steak fries. The baked potato is pretty small and plain tasting but again a decent choice. Their ribs are an okay option but they're kind of tough and don't fall off the bone but the flavor is good. Everything here tastes like its missing a real chef. All the entrees do come with a salad and biscuits, both of which are really quite tasty and my favorite parts of the meal.

Black Bart's is worth going to at least once for the experience and a good place to take out of town guests who really want to do something with a "western"-ish feel. That's when we always go because someone always has heard about it and wants to check it out while they're here. But it's not really good enough to keep going back to for the food. The good news for locals is you can always find a 10% off coupon or a 1/2 of dinner (with purchase of another dinner and two beverages) coupon in the Money in the Mail monthly coupons that show up in your mailbox.

The Best Irish Pub Food In Flagstaff for St Patrick's Day or Anyday

Collins Irish Pub

By Angele Sionna

• Route 66 and Leroux, downtown Flagstaff


• Full menu at: collinsirishpub.co

The Food (taste/flavor/quality of food & drinks)
>>>= good, but not great

The Atmosphere (environment, wait staff, comfortableness)
xxxxx= you’ll love it

Price (what to generally expect to pay per person per entree)
$$                 $10

Value (what you get for your money)
**** = worth it - you won’t be disappointed with what you get for your money

(This article was first published in Flagstaff Live! on March 12, 2009, written by me of course!)

Sláinte! Pick up a mug of Irish goodness (a.k.a. beer) and toast your friends and family in this month of St. Patrick’s Day. Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and the one who lovers of all things brewed have taken to celebrating in March. In Ireland, St. Patty’s Day is really more a day of religious observance than here in America, where we tend to enjoy the party side of things. I’ve been to Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day on two occasions and was surprised to learn that the festival there isn’t quite like in the States … though they are embracing the tourism dollars more and more and have upped the party attitude in honor St. Patrick’s American devotees.

[caption id="attachment_240" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Collins' Black & Tan Onion Rings"][/caption]

You may not think Irish when you think Flagstaff, but we do have one little joint where you can feel a wee bit o’ the Irish charm everyday of the year and celebrate Éirinn go Brách (a Gaelic saying meaning “Ireland forever”).
That’s Collins’ Irish Pub.
Collins’ Irish Pub is an Americanized Irish pub in a century-old downtown building at the corner of Route 66 and Leroux. When you walk inside you get the feeling of many pubs in Ireland. It’s nothing overly flashy, but it is warm and welcoming with a wooden bar and lots of big tables—though I’ve never been to any Irish pub with the great booths of Collins’. They’re roomy and comfortable, perfect for conversing.
The everyday menu has many traditional Irish pub selections, and some they’ve invented themselves. In the appetizer realm, they serve up Irish nachos made with homemade “Irish potato chips,” and black and tan onion rings made in a Guinness and Bass beer batter. The onion rings are really good, though pricey at about $9. The main menu includes pub grub like homemade Newcastle beer-battered fish and chips, Molly’s corned beef stew, Guinness and beef stew and corned beef and cabbage (of course), all at about $10 per entrée. The food has the same flare and flavors of many of the Irish pubs I’ve visited across the pond. Collins’ also has a friendly wait staff that adds to the enjoyable atmosphere.
Of course, if you’re looking to celebrate American-style on St. Patrick’s Day here in Ire-zona with an all-out beer fest, Collins’ is good for that too with both Guinness Stout and Harp on tap, plus many other fine beer choices. You can find a full food and drink menu online at www.collinsirishpub.com.
In honor of St. Patrick
The flavors of Ireland may not get an everyday showing on the menus of many restaurants around town, but on St. Patrick’s Day Beaver Street Brewery is making an exception. All day on St Patty’s Day, they’ll be serving up a traditional corned beef and cabbage entrée. I’ve never had anything sub par at Beaver Street, so I’m sure this dish will be one to try as well.

Best soups in Flagstaff

*Note this article was written by me and originally published in the Jan 22 issue of Flagstaff Live!*

Soups are among the oldest meals of mankind. Heat a pot of water, throw in vegetables, spices and leftovers, and you’ve got soup. The recipes have advanced over time and now come in many varieties from chowder to chili, gazpacho, bisque, borscht, gumbo, goulash, consommé and more. Whether an entrée or appetizer, a good soup is hard to beat.
The first thing that comes to mind when I think of soups is Seinfeld’s famous “Soup Nazi,” a character known for his fantastic soups and bad attitude. Every time that episode airs, I’m overcome with the need for some really good soup. Northern Arizona may not have a little shop that exclusively serves up soups that people line up for everyday, but it does have some great places with fantastic soups to warm you up on a cold winter’s day.

Beaver Street Brewery and Whistle Stop Café
11 S. Beaver
Beaver Street comes through once again in the soup category. Their choices change daily and usually include a chili of the day plus a soup of the moment. All I’ve tried are satisfyingly tasty, but of particular greatness—Beaver Street’s Southwestern corn chowder. It’s spicy, thick and creamy. Pair it with a side salad for the perfect winter meal. Call 779-0079 for the soup and chili specials of the day.

Buster’s Restaurant and Bar
1800 S. Milton, Ste. 111
At lunch, Buster’s has a great soup and salad combo that is perfect for a chilly afternoon. Their soups of the day rotate, but always available is the baked French onion soup. It’s made with a dash of sherry and topped with a large crouton and melted Swiss cheese. Call 774-5155 to see what’s being served up today.

Brandy’s Bakery and Restaurant
1500 E. Cedar, Ste. 40
Brandy’s offers a soup of the day served by the cup or bowl. Their recipes go beyond the normal choices like chicken noodle soup. One of the weirdest-sounding but best-tasting I’ve tried was a mushroom artichoke vegetable parmesan soup. It was creamy and flavorful and great with a side of fries for lunch. Find out what’s on the menu at 779-2187.

Macy’s European Coffeehouse, Bakery and Vegetarian Restaurant
14 S. Beaver
A cozy little spot to grab a cup of coffee, a bowl of soup and a sweet treat is Macy’s. The friendly and relaxed atmosphere compliment the warm goodness of the soup. They usually have two types each day and their pepper corn chowder is particularly good. It’s basically a potato soup with red peppers and corn—hearty and delicious. Call 774-2243 for the soup of the day.

Mountain Oasis International Restaurant
11 E. Aspen
Mountain Oasis is an upscale yet relaxed restaurant in the heart of downtown Flagstaff. They serve up two, from-scratch soups per day. The one to get here: the New England Clam Chowder—a classic soup, Flagstaff-style. Check to see what the soup of the day is at 214-9270.

Chi’s Cuisine
114 N. Cortez St., Prescott
For the best Wonton soup in northern Arizona, a drive is in order. Chi’s Cuisine in downtown Prescott has a great version of this Chinese restaurant favorite. A big bowl of what they call “Wor Wonton Soup” filled with wonton noodles, shrimp, pork, chicken, bok choy, carrots and broth is served up hot and fresh. This is not the tiny appetizer you get at many Chinese restaurants. It’s a full meal in itself. Find out more at 928-778-5390.

Best cookies in Flagstaff

[*NOTE: This article originally appeared in Flagstaff Live! on 12/25/08, I am the author*]

It’s a Christmas tradition—leaving cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve. Whether it’s for a bribe or a thank you, you’re gonna want to leave something scrumptious there by the tree for old St. Nick (wink, wink). Here’s a look at a few Flagstaff spots to find fantastic cookies for Santa and yourself. Macy's European Coffeehouse, Bakery and Vegetarian Restaurant 14 S. Beaver Macy’s has been a Flagstaff must for coffee since 1980, but if you’ve never tried their sweet treats you’re missing out. Macy’s serves several types of cookies everyday, and the type depends on who’s in the kitchen. Their pièce de résistance are the chocolate chip cookies, made with a recipe from one of the chefs’ moms. But their peanut butter cookies melt in your mouth and are not to be missed either! Copper Coyote Café Flagstaff Mall This little mall joint has 10 different cookie choices everyday. Coyote’s most popular is chocolate chip (not a shocker). But the ones to try here are the mint chocolate chip. They’re perfect for the holidays. Santa would definitely appreciate some of these refreshing goodies under the tree. Other options every day at the Coyote include classics like oatmeal raisin and sugar cookies, and more unique choices like gingersnap and sugar cookies with M&Ms. Malone’s Bakery and Deli 1490 S. Riordan Ranch Road Malone’s has several types of cookies everyday. Chocolate chip is a regular, of course. But Malone’s claim to fame: snickerdoodles. They’re soft and chewy. If you haven’t tried snickerdoodles—they’re basically a sugar cookie with a cinnamon twist of flavor—be sure to try the ones that Malone’s bakes up fresh in their ovens. Yum. Café Express 16 N. San Francisco Café Express is another coffee house, bakery and breakfast joint that serves up ambrosial delights. They usually have four to choose from: oatmeal, oatmeal raisin, peanut butter and their best cookie of the bunch, the shortbread with raspberry filling. My grandma used to make cookies like this as a treat—oh so good! It’s a unique choice that you should try next time you’re walking around downtown. Josephine’s Modern American Bistro 503 N. Humphrey's If you’re looking for an upscale cookie that is more than just a sweet snack and bridges into full-on dessert territory, then Josephine’s “Half-Baked Peanut Butter Cookie” is for you. The ooey-gooey peanut butter and chocolate chip cookie is serve hot (and only partially baked as the name implies) with vanilla ice cream melting on top. It’s reason enough to head to Josephine’s for a nice after-dinner treat, even if you just ate your meal somewhere else.

Chi's Cuisine Chinese & Thai Food

Chi's Cuisine Chinese & Thai Food

114 N Cortez, Prescott, AZ

The Food (taste/flavor/quality of food & drinks)
>>>>= a favorite, can count on it being good every time

The Atmosphere (environment, wait staff, comfortableness)
xx= nothing to write home about

Price (what to generally expect to pay per person per entree)
$$                 $10

Value (what you get for your money)
**** = worth it - you won’t be disappointed with what you get for your money

Chi's is a little whole in the wall Chinese restaurant in downtown Prescott. It has a few simple tables on two floors. The food is the best I've had in Northern Arizona.

Prices for dinner entrees are around $10, but the portions are generous. During the week Chi's has lunch specials too. For $6, you get to pick to of the items of the day plus get fried rice and lo mein.

While the name says Thai food, don't go looking for Thai. There's not much Thai on the menu. But the Chinese is plentiful with lots of variety. Particularly of note: the orange chicken and chicken lo mein.
Other items I've tried and like include: spring rolls, garlic broccoli, green beans, beef broccoli and wonton soup.

Chi's has changed management in the past year and the waiters and waitresses can barely speak English but the food is still great, full of flavor and not too salty. I wish they had one of these in Flagstaff!

Cafe Ole

By Angele Sionna

119 S San Francisco, Flagstaff, AZ

(no menu online)

The Food (taste/flavor/quality of food & drinks)
>>>= good, but not great

The Atmosphere (environment, wait staff, comfortableness)
xxxxx= you’ll love it

Price (what to generally expect to pay per person per entree)
$$ = $10

Value (what you get for your money)
*** = fair -you get what you pay for, not in a bad way

The relaxing atmosphere is everything at Cafe Ole. The outside patio is more of a courtyard and is the best in town. You feel comfortable from the moment you walk in. There's a giant fountain at the back and plants all around with Mexican pottery scattered about. On the weekends, you'll often catch a live music performance to set the mood as well.

The food and drinks at Cafe Ole are creative. The special drinks of the night have included blueberry mojitos and pomegranate margaritas. Both were good, though there seems to always be too much ice in the mojitos and margaritas here and they only serve them on the rocks. They're a little watered down tasting as a result.

My favorite thing on the menu is the "make your own combination" platter. They're served in one, two or three item portions with rice and beans. I like to do three item combo with two cheese enchiladas and a guacamole taco. It is the perfect size to share with my toddler. The special enchilada dishes are often intriguing choices and I recommend them as well.

The service is generally slow but very friendly but the atmosphere makes up for any negatives here.

All in all, this is the best Mexican restaurant in town to take out of town friends or go on a date. The food is quality and the surroundings really put you at ease and in a talking mood.

For more photos of Cafe Ole, click HERE.

New Jersey Pizza Company *Updated- Again!*

By Angele Sionna

2224 E. Cedar #6
NEW website with updated menu as of August 22, 2009 pizzaflagstaff.com

The Food (taste/flavor/quality of food & drinks)
>>>>>= always great, unique, and flavorful no matter where you’re from

The Atmosphere (environment, wait staff, comfortableness)
xx= nothing to write home about

Price (what to generally expect to pay per person per entree)
$= under $10

Value (what you get for your money)
***** = superb -lots of quality/taste for what you pay

What a refreshing change of pace New Jersey Pizza Company is! Not only do they have great tasting pizza, but they use locally grown and organic ingredients and don’t charge you extra for that (like so many other businesses that seem to think organic means adding an extra $5 to the cost for customers)!

“Our efforts are dedicated to the small family farmers, ranchers, artisan cheese makers, laborers and cooks of the world, whose endless work, wisdom, and passion make it possible to bring this food to the table,” their menu boasts. Now that’s the kind of motto I like to see on the front of the menu. Someone with a passion for food who also cares about how it’s grown and the people who grow and make it. That motto shows in the taste of the pizza.

My daughters and I went to New Jersey Pizza Company for the first time this week. We were the only sit down diners, but a few other people stopped in to pick up food while we were there. The building is painted with a giant mural of Italian favorites on the outside – from soccer to the Roman Coliseum. Inside the décor feels like a new (but old fashioned) Italian farmhouse kitchen: very open, a satillo tile floor, colorfully painted walls. You walk up to the counter that doubles as a refrigerated food display and order. Fresh tomatoes of varying colors are on big plates on the counter. Behind the counter you can see the full kitchen (which looked very clean), where they were making their own Mozzarella cheese. That was impressive. I’ve never eaten at a pizza joint before so dedicated to the taste of their food that they made their own cheese (at least not that I know of).

We ordered a small (12 inch) Classic Cheese Pizza ($8). For a dollar more you can get fresh pulled Mozzarella, though I didn’t realize that at the time, as I didn’t browse the menu before placing my order. I just assumed all of the pizza was made with the cheese they were making, as that would make more sense. The kid that took my order was very nice, but didn’t tell me that was the case. He did however tell me about all of their foods, their use of organics and local products when possible. Though some of their organics are shipped in from California, I’m told. Even found out that their chickens are brought in fresh from somewhere in the South. They used to use local chickens but apparently that chicken farm as since gone out of business. Interesting. As nice as he was, he also forgot to get me a drink, but brought one out as soon as I asked. But never came back to refill it.

We sat down in the small dining room, separated from the entry and kitchen by an arched doorway. There are only a few tables and there’s no air conditioning so it was a little stuffy despite the front doors being propped open. I wouldn’t want to come here on a really hot day.

Note to parents of babies: New Jersey Pizza just got in one high chair. It usually isn't packed with families with babies, so chances are you'll be fine, but you may want to bring a stroller just in case.

Also for kids... New Jersey Pizza has special colorful plastic plates for the little ones to eat on. (Sometimes you have to ask for them, but some servers automatically bring one out.) I was glad to see that they didn’t use throwaway products like NiMarco’s does. Something else that detracted from a pleasant atmosphere (which I’m sure is not the case on other occasions), the owner was arguing very loudly with a supplier or other business associate about money. Unprofessional to do with clients in house, even if it was just me and my two girls. I felt like I was back in New York.

The sauce was fantastic! Flavors of fresh tomatoes and spices blended well together to make an almost creamy sauce. Thin but plentiful. The cheese was also generously doled out. Salty but not overly so. The crust is very thin and crispy. I expected more of a New York-style thin crust, which is really flimsy, not crispy, almost hard to hold they’re so loaded down with sauce and cheese. I really enjoy that type of pizza. I was spoiled when I lived in New York and had so many options all around. But that is not the type the New Jersey Pizza Company makes. You get lots of cheese and lots of sauce but the crust is crunchy. Our pizza was a little over cooked, though. When one of the guys working in the kitchen brought it out, he apologized for it have a dark spot on the crust and said the chef will gladly make a different one. I declined. It tasted fine. It was nice of them to offer though. And it still tasted great.

New Jersey Pizza has other enticing items on their menu. Some of the most interesting are: Caprese Salad with Arizona grown tomatoes and house pulled Mozzarella (market price); two sizes of Calzones with two types of cheese, your choice of three other ingredients, and sauce on the side ($8 regular, $11 large); Olive Plate (market price); Cheese Breadsticks with extra virgin olive oil, mozzarella, Parmesan Reggiano, and your choice of homemade sauce ($3.50 regular, $6 large); homemade lemonade and fruit sodas, all made with unrefined organic sweeteners; and many homemade deserts. I wanted to get a Farmhouse Ricotta Cannoli, but was told they won’t be making those again until the fall. I’ll definitely be trying that when the time comes and report back here!

All in all, the service may not be so great at New Jersey Pizza, but the good food makes up for it in my book. They knocked Fratelli Pizza down to my second favorite in Flagstaff, though the atmosphere and customer service (and air conditioning) are far superior at Fratelli.

[caption id="attachment_103" align="alignleft" width="180" caption="Cheese Breadsticks"][/caption]

**Update: My family went to New Jersery Pizza again tonight and had the Cheese Breadsticks ($3.50) and two different Calzones ($8) - one with tomato, mushroom and their fresh pulled mozzarella, the other with ham, salami, mozzarella and ricotta cheese. Each tasted fresh from the garden and the oven.

[caption id="attachment_104" align="alignright" width="180" caption="Calzone"][/caption]

Both the breadsticks and the calzones were served with a cold tomato sauce that tasted like it was just picked off the vine in the hot house. Flavorful because the tomatoes used to make it were flavorful, but I would have preferred a heated sauce with a few more seasonings. Still I enjoyed the meal very much. But would recommend the pizza over the calzone.

Again the service was kind of slow but at least the waiter couldn't be any nicer. I was hoping to try a desert but they were all sold out. Guess I'm going to try to get to the Farmer's Market early this weekend and hope they're serving desert there. New Jersey Pizza sells their fresh fruit juices, homemade mozzarella ($9/pound), and other items every Sunday at the Farmer's Market. (Click HERE for more info on Flagstaff's Farmer's Market.

For more photos of New Jersey Pizza Company, click HERE.
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