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.

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*

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!)

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]

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.

Mama Burger

Mama Burger

By Angele Sionna

• 112 E. Route 66 (in the former downtown Fratelli's location, next to AZ Music Pro)


• (no website, but you can find their full menu at the bottom of this review!)


• Note: Mama Burger has limited hours, only open Monday thru Saturday from 10:30 am - 2:30 pm.

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)
***** = superb -lots of quality/taste for what you pay

If you're looking for a good burger at a decent price, then you're going to want to try the new Mama Burger downtown Flagstaff. This is literally a hole in the wall with only a few stools at a bar shoved up against a little window. (So I opted to eat my feast in my car.)

Mama's has a basic menu: burgers and fries (plus soft serve ice cream and shakes). If this isn't what you're looking for, then at least you don't need to ponder whether or not to go. If you *are* in the burger mood, it's perfect and probably the best priced local combo you're going to find in downtown Flagstaff. You can get a double cheeseburger with all the fixings, fries and a fountain drink soda (with free refills) for just $7.95. That beats Beaver Street's $10+ burgers with fries but no soda, but then there's really no service or atmosphere so to speak at Mama Burger. And if you're just looking for a burger, you can get the Mama Burger (with no cheese) for just $3. That's a bargain (and probably as close to In-N-Out Burger as you're going to find in town).

Mama's burgers are simple but quite tasty. They kind of have an old fashioned flare. The toppings aren't deluxe by any means (they use plain old iceberg lettuce, for example) but they get the job done. We really enjoyed our meal and left feeling satisfied.

The fries are handcut and thin and quite good as well. Again, nothing fancy but quality. You can jazz them up by ordering cajun-style (at no extra cost). But I liked the plain ones more, quite frankly. I wouldn't order a side of fries by themselves though, as they're quite pricey for the little bag you get at $3. (I think french fry prices in Flagstaff need a reality check for sure. And not just at Mama Burger.)

The shakes are good though priced on the high side at $3.75. I ordered their strawberry. It's made with soft-serve ice cream and fresh strawberries and topped with whip cream. But I would skip their plain soft serve ice cream cone at a ridiculous $3.

The folks work hard and fast and are friendly at Mama's- but do check your order. My burger came without onions, though I ordered it "mama's way" with all the fixings they have, and we were missing one of our fries, which they quickly corrected, of course, but still. I like to trust that I'm getting what I ordered without having to check. They were super-packed when I stopped by this week for lunch though, so I'm going to cut them a little slack on that.

All in all, Mama Burger is a contender for best burger in Flagstaff. It wins the prize on burger value for sure. And while this is not a place to take the fam for lunch, it would be a great spot to pick up and bring home or over to the park for a tasty treat. We'll definitely be stopping by Mama Burger again!

Mama Burger's Menu

MamaBurger……………………………………$3.00
with cheese……………………………$3.30
DoubleMama……………………………….. $4.00
with cheese……………………………$4.60
Mama’s way: lettuce, tomato, onion, sauce, mustard
Or the highway: choose from any of the above
Hand cut Fries: we cook em’ in pure peanut oil!…….$3.00
Cajun or Regular
Shakes…………………………………………………………. $3.75
Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry
add Oreos for 50 cents
Cones……………………………………………………. $3.00
Chocolate, Vanilla, Twist
Dipped in Chocolate……………….. $3.50
Sundaes……………………………………………………………… $4.25
Hot fudge or Strawberry
with or without peanuts
Sodas……………………………………………………………………………. $1.81
Mama’s shoe throwin’ Combos
number 1: MamaBurger, Fries, and a soda…………………………. $6.95
number 2: DoubleMama, Fries, and a soda………………………… $7.95
Free cheese on Combos. Sub a shake for $1.75

Diablo Burger

Read the February 2010 update HERE.

• Downtown off the main square with alley entrance behind Pesto Brothers (no street)
• diabloburger.com
• Cash Only

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

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

Diablo Burger opened up this week in downtown Flagstaff. It's a funky little joint tucked away in a little nook behind Pesto Brothers off the main square downtown. It's what one might call a hole in the wall, but with style and a hip feel.You might think they had outside seating because DBs is tucked behind the patio for Pesto Brothers, but I asked and that is Pesto Brothers patio only. Though DBs does plan on getting a picnic table to put outside somewhere soon, which will really be great.

There are four copper topped tables and a bar, all with tall stools. You walk up to the counter and place your order and pay on the spot - cash only. (They say cash only because a British study found that using cash tends to support local markets, while credit cards send money other places.) There's no real waiters and waitresses but everyone there is very friendly and welcoming and makes sure you're enjoying everything.

The menu is simple but still deluxe. The focus is on local with their beef coming from the Diablo Trust Ranches in Northern Arizona. They have burgers and fries and a few other tidbits like Homemade Holy Guacamole (which I didn't try this time but will on another occasion). They also have a chili and a seasonal vegetable soup of the day (but sadly when I ate there tonight they didn't have soup).

The fries are fabulous and definitely going to be added to my best fries of Flagstaff list. They're $4.25 for a basket and come with a special homemade dipping sauce of your choice. I went for ranch which was fab. Other choices include Hatch Chile Mayo and pesto.

Now to the burgers. They all come with the yummy fries and are served on an english muffin and range in price from $6.50 for their Monk, which is a basic burger... on up to $9.25 for the Blutarsky, served blackened with bacon, sharp cheddar and holy guacamole. You can also build your own burger for $7.50 for a two topping to $9.25 for a four topping burger.

To come is a veggie burger - which I really look forward to trying. Though I feel like they're teasing me with it there on the menu. They do have a super fancy Grilled Cheese but I just can't muster up to buying a grilled cheese at a restaurant for adults, unless it was to come with freshly made tomato basil soup.

Oddly enough all this focus on local is absent in the beers part of the menu. No Arizona beers are on the menu, even though we have some fab brews right here in Flagstaff and Sedona. Instead beers are all from California's North Coast Brewing company. That's kinda disappointing with their local focus.

And if you're one of those Coke-a-holics who love a Coke or Pepsi, you might wanna ask if you can bring your own cause there's nothing like that high fructose corn syrupy, bad for you carbonated goodness served at DB. They do have the better for you alternative - Hansen's sodas.

Not to be left out - the dessert menu. It has milkshakes made with hormone-free whole milk and Strauss Family Creamery ice cream for $4.25 and Simply Bread's chocolate chip cookies with a scoop of ice cream for $4.25.

Note to parents and families: DB doesn't have high chairs yet (though they told us they plan on getting one). So bring a stroller. The chairs are all tall stools so tiny tots that would normally need a booster aren't going to be accomadated either. My three year old was fine on the stool but she wasn't in a squirmy mode.

All in all this is a place worth trying. Cut them a little slack cause they just opened this week. You'll be glad you did.

Beaver Street Brewery & Whistle Stop Café

By Angele Sionna

11 S. Beaver St, Flagstaff, AZ
menu at: www.beaverstreetbrewery.com

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

Beaver Street Brewery is the kind of place that everyone in town always ends up. It’s got a friendly, warm, and comfortable atmosphere with possibly the friendliest wait staff in town and something even for the picky eaters on the menu. That means all of our friends and family who come to visit leave their vacation with fond memories from Beaver Street. The menu has upscale bar food with an Arizona twist of flavor, so the choices are anything but ordinary.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="240" caption="Beaver Street's patio/beer garden"][/caption]

Whether you are a tourist or a local, this is a great spot to hang out, especially if the patio is open and it’s a sunny afternoon. They make several types of award-winning, seasonal beers ($3.50 half-pint, $4.50 pint, $5.50 Imperial 20 ounce, $14 pitcher, $15.50 filled to-go growler). My favorite for summer is the Hefe Weizen. And I’m not alone. This bold brew won the gold prize for best "South German Style" out of 60 competitors at the Great American Beer Fest in 2007. In winter, I recommend the Bramble Berry Brew. Both remind me of beers I had while vacationing in Munich, Germany a few years back at some of their most famous beer halls.

But it’s not only all about the beers at Beaver Street. Equal attention is paid to quality food that leaves you wanting to go back for more. All the salad dressings are homemade. The salads themselves are fantastically fresh and crispy. They don’t scrimp on even the side salad, which comes with fresh mushrooms and mixed greens. On a warm, sunny day, I like to grab a side-salad ($3.95) with ranch dressing and Hefe and kick back in the beer garden.

The Arizona Quesadillas ($8.95) are a nice change of pace. They bring some heat without being overpowering and are served with tortilla chips, guac, salsa, and pico. Great for sharing as an appetizer or as an entrée. Honestly, I haven’t had better quesadillas in Flagstaff. They come in chicken, grilled flank steak, smoked salmon, or black beans.



[caption id="" align="alignright" width="240" caption="The Beaver Street Burger"][/caption]

For a main course, my husband will get the Beaver Street Burger ($10.95) nine out of ten times. This burger is made with garlic, fresh basil, and sun-dried tomatoes mixed in with the beef before being flame grilled and served with Havarti cheese and a special signature basil pesto mayonnaise sauce. Juicy and flavorful without being over-powering.

One of the most glowing reviews of all our friends and family came from my Aunt Gail when she bit into the Salmon BLT ($9.95) for the first time. She still talks about this sandwich, complete with a unique tangy lemon tarragon mayo, years later as being the best she’s ever had.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="240" caption="Beaver Street's pizza oven"][/caption]

The wood-fired pizzas are one of my favs. They're cooked in a giant stove that you can see right when you walk in the restaurant. The BBQ Chicken Pizza ($10.85) usually calls my name. It's blend of smoked Gouda and mozzarella cheeses, a sweet and tangy sauce and grilled pieces of chicken breast and red onion pack a flavorful punch. My two-year old daughter also thinks it’s a treat to share this and a side salad with me.



[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="240" caption="Beaver Street's Apple-Ginger Stout Cake"][/caption]

Not to be left out, the Apple-Ginger Stout cake ($4.95) makes a nice way to round off your meal. This little gem is made with gingerbread cake, apples, spices, and Beaver Street’s own R&R Oatmeal Stout. It's served warm, drowned in a thin and not overpowering caramel sauce and fresh whip cream. Yum! This could be the most unique twist to gingerbread yet. Good anytime of the year, but especially great on a cold winter day with fresh snow on the ground. Still, that didn't stop me from ordering it today while sitting on the sunny patio.

Overall, this is my favorite joint in Flagstaff. It's the type of brewery that would hold up in any city in the country for their beers, atmosphere, and food. If you were to travel through Flagstaff on your way to the Grand Canyon as many folks do every summer, I would say a stop into Beaver Street is a must to get some local flavor and leave your stomach satisfied.

More Beaver Street photos HERE.

Josephine’s Modern American Bistro

By Angele Sionna


[caption id="" align="alignright" width="240" caption="503 N. Humphrey's St., Flagstaff, AZ"][/caption]

503 N. Humphrey’s Street, Flagstaff
menu at: www.josephinesrestaurant.com/menu.htm

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)
xxxxx = you'll love it

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

Value (what you get for your money)
Lunch **** = worth it - you won’t be disappointed with what you get for your money
Dinner *** = fair -you get what you pay for, not in a bad way

Josephine’s Modern American Bistro is the kind of restaurant that catches your eye from the moment you drive up. With its dark volcanic rock columns and beautiful, inviting stone patio, it’s a romantic setting anytime of the day. The quaintness increases in the evenings with the twinkling of lights around the historic building. The sense of timelessness is not, however, reflected on the very modern menu, which features bold and flavorful combinations of food to delight both the eye and the stomach. Josephine’s proclaims on their menu to be free of “ethnic constraints.” Instead blending “ingredients and techniques from many different cultures.” This is the type of place you come to have flavors dance through your mouth, popping with originality in their combinations.

The experience at Josephine’s differs depending on whether you are dining for lunch or dinner, as well as seasonally. While the atmosphere, service, and food quality remain the same, the prices vary quite a bit. At lunch, the prices are slightly higher than other top eateries in town with slightly smaller portions. At dinner, Josephine’s is true fine dining with prices that go along with it. Both menus also change seasonally.

On this occasion, my husband and I went to Josephine’s for lunch. We were celebrating our fourth wedding anniversary. The exceptional setting makes it a popular spot for folks to commemorate anniversaries, birthdays, and other special occasions. But it is also a fine place to grab lunch on a regular day out with the family as well, if the mood strikes you. I am partial to eating lunch at Josephine’s. Not only for the better value, but also because on a beautiful summer day when the sun is out and there’s a breeze in the air, it is a relaxing experience to sit on the patio and take in the flowers and other greenery as you wait for your meal.



[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="240" caption="Josephine's Pecan Encrusted Fish Tacos"][/caption]

And that’s just what we did. The weather was perfect, so we sat back in the comfortable chairs on the patio and placed our orders. I had a hard time deciding what to get. I narrowed it down to either the Pecan Encrusted Fish Tacos "with roasted tomato salsa, cabbage slaw, avocado and ancho mayo” ($11.50) and the Po-Boy Crab-Cake Sandwich with a spicy remoulade ($11.50). The tacos won out because they were so fantastic the last time I was here. And they didn’t disappoint this time either. The fish is lightly breaded in a slightly sweet pecan crust. The flavors of the toppings blend nicely for a tangy taste with a kick.

My husband ordered the Caprese Sandwich ($10.25). It is served on garlic toasted ciabata bread with tomato, mozzarella, fresh basil, Prosciutto, and a balsamic reduction. It’s also available as a vegetarian sandwich without the ham for $9.25.

All of the menu items are intriguingly different, which in itself makes you want to come back again. Among the most unique: the Baklava Baked Brie ($9.50), which is “Phyllo wrapped Brie with pistachios and peach fig chutney” and the Diablo Shrimp Macaroni and Cheese, which is pasta smothered in a “smoked Gouda ancho chili cheese sauce” and topped with spicy diablo shrimp ($10.50 as an appetizer or $22 as a dinner entree).

Also of note, the wine menu is expansive with something to compliment every dish. Check out the hundred plus choices on their wine menu online. Not a wine expert? No worries. Josephine’s chef has already done all of the work for you with a recommendation for each dish printed right on the menu.

Josephine’s is owned by a brother and sister who named the restaurant after their mother. One is the award-winning head chef. The other runs the business side of things. You can tell that this family establishment takes great pride in each and every thing they serve. It is reflected in the menu as well as the wait staff. Each time we’ve visited Josephine’s we have had spectacular service to compliment the setting and the food. While this spot can be a budget buster, especially in the evening or if you order wine, it is the experience that you are paying for along with the food. I say, treat yourself. Stop by Josephine’s. You’ll be glad you did.

More Josephine's photos HERE.

The Search for Flagstaff’s Top Dog

By Angele Sionna

Hot Dogs Tested:
Primo’s Hot Dogs, 113 S San Francisco St
Mountain Top Dogs, 113 E. Birch (Hot Dog Stand on Northwest corner of Birch and San Francisco)
Route 66 Dog Haus, 1302 E. Route 66

The Food (taste/flavor/quality of food & drinks)
Primo’s Hot Dogs >>>>> = always great, unique, and flavorful no matter where you're from
Mountain Top Dogs >>> = good, but not great
Route 66 Dog Haus >> = mixed bag, can be good but can be bad, can’t count on it

The Atmosphere (environment, wait staff, comfortableness)
Primo’s Hot Dogs xxxxx= you'll love it
Mountain Top Dogs xxxxx= you'll love it
Route 66 Dog Haus x= if the food's good enough, still worth going, otherwise forget it

Price (what to generally expect to pay per person per entree)
Primo’s Hot Dogs = $ (Under $10)
Mountain Top Dogs = $ (Under $10)
Route 66 Dog Haus = $ (Under $10)

Value (what you get for your money)
Primo’s = ***** superb - lots of quality/taste for what you pay
Mountain Top Dogs = **** worth it - you won’t be disappointed with what you get for your money
Route 66 Dog Haus = *** fair -you get what you pay for, not in a bad way

With empty stomachs and a brown bag filled with two sodas, a water, and Poore Brother’s chips, my daughter, husband, and I loaded into the car on a mission: find the best dog in town. The stops on this two-mile road trip: Primo’s Hot Dogs, Mountain Top Dogs, and Route 66 Dog Haus. All three are known as the best in Flagstaff. But we wanted to know which was superior. To even the playing field, we opted to order the same “standard” all-beef hot dog at each location topped with mustard, ketchup, relish, and onions.

First up: Primo’s Hot Dogs, just south of the tracks downtown. Boasting Chicago-style dogs. Our hopes were really high. We used to live in Chicago and ate many a dog there. It would be hard to satisfy us.
Primo’s is a true hole in the wall joint. The door boasts seating for 1,000, four at a time. When you walk inside, you see what they mean. Four wooden bar stools line the wall on the right, a big menu board on the left.

I walked up to the counter and ordered the Easy Dog (mustard, relish, and onions) plus ketchup for $3 plus tax. It looked good. 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. It was pretty. So much so that it could be mistaken for a fake dog. But not too pretty to dive right in.

The ingredients were fresh. You could tell the bread was made today. The dog itself was plump, juicy, and flavorful. Just as it should be. Not soggy or dripping. The perfect proportion of toppings, bun, and dog. It exceeded the high expectations of our taste buds.

And vegetarians take note, Primo’s doesn’t want you to miss out on its goodness. They serve smart brand 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. Enough choices to make everyone in the family happy and perfect for grabbing and going on a picnic on your way to the Grand Canyon if you’re just passing thru town. If you’re a local, Primo’s satisfies taste buds into the wee hours. They have hours late enough to pick up after the bars close for the college kids at Northern Arizona University down the street.
Primo’s may be a hole in the wall, but at least it has walls. Mountain Top Dogs, however, does not. It’s a true hot dog stand at the corner of Birch and San Francisco downtown about half a mile up the street from Primo’s. 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. Across the street is the old courthouse with a nicely manicured lawn and benches. Perfect for grabbing a seat and munching down a dog, which is what we did.

At Mountain Top Dogs, the hot dogs are flame grilled right in front of you. It’s the only one of the three places we tried that cooked the dogs on an open flame. Nice touch. It’s also the only place where you add your own toppings. That’s something that makes this stop fun for the kids. We loaded up our dogs and plopped down under a tree in the grass across the street.

The dog was a little less flavorful and not as thick as the one we had a Primo’s minutes before, but we liked the smoky flavor that comes from the grilling. 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.

My daughter loved her dog and sitting in the grass to eat it. (Grass being something we don’t have a lot of up here in northern Arizona.) But it’s a good thing we had baby wipes in the car. Not surprisingly, she got enough mustard and ketchup all over herself to need six of them and we forgot to pick up napkins at the hot dog stand. Still, she finished the whole thing lickity-split... something that doesn’t happen often with this picky little eater.

Mountain Top Dog has a handful of dog and sausage choices ranging from $2 for a standard hot dog up to five for a hand bacon-wrapped and grilled quarter pound dog. A claim to fame for Mountain Top. And you can upgrade to a combo for a buck and a half more. The prices are definitely a plus for families!

On to our final stop. The Route 66 Dog Haus is about a mile and a half east of downtown. It’s a little outside of the tourist hub and in a louder location with lots of cars quickly whizzing by, but we’d read good things about this place. We were anxious try it out and had saved enough room to have one more dog split between us.

The Dog Haus is housed in a red A-frame building. It looks like it could be one of those old buildings that the Wienerschnitzel fast food chain uses. 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. Though with it being on the busy Route 66, it’s not very inviting or safe for small children.

We chose to drive thru and had to wait ten minutes for about three cars to get their orders in front of us. Too long in my opinion. With gas costing what it does these days, I opted to turn the car off instead of idling for so long.

When it was our turn to order, the woman on the other end of the speaker seemed to know less about the menu then I did. I decided to try fries with our dog and wondered how much larger the large was. To that she replied, “The large has more fries.” Oh, thanks. No help there. I went for the small with our all beef hot dog and the same toppings as the other places. But I was already feeling iffy about this one.

When we finally got to the window. The cashier had the wrong total and was confused. When I asked how much the hot dog by itself cost, she said, “I don’t know we just raised the prices. I don’t eat hot dogs anyway.” Not reassuring. The total ended up being $4.03. The dog itself, according to the receipt, was $2.35 plus tax. We exchanged money for the food and drove off to eat in the parking lot to chow down.

We opened up the bag and the hot dog packaging, to find ingredients oozing all over the place. The bun was super-soaked and soggy. I was not expecting much when I bit in at this point. It did not have the beauty of the first dog or the flame-broiled smell of the second. I took a bite and was pleasantly surprised. It wasn’t as good as the first two, but it tasted much better than it looked. You could tell that this one was just thrown together by people who don’t take much pride in their work. There was too much of the overly sweet onions and relish... ironically making this drive-thru joint the only place where the dog isn’t driver friendly.

With the sogginess of our dog and down right bad service, the Dog Haus is now in our doghouse. We may go back to try their breakfast burritos, which are supposed to be great. But, we heard all that before. That’s for another time and another article.

Overall, the mini road trip to Flagstaff’s most acclaimed hot dog spots proved that Primo’s lived up to its name. It’s the priciest dog, but it’s also the best one. We’ll definitely be stopping back in next time we’re in the mood for a classic Chicago experience. Mountain Top Dogs comes in at a solid second in taste but it’s probably the best of the three places we tried to take the family for dogs.

For more photos from these hotdog joints, go HERE.

Big Foot Bar-B-Q

By Angele Sionna
Basement of the Old Town Shops, downtown Flagstaff at Leroux & Birch
Menu at: bigfootbbq.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

The first time we ate at Big Foot Bar-B-Q was when we moved to Flagstaff from Dallas, Texas two years ago. Coming from the state with arguably the best barbeque in the world, my first impressions of Big Foot were not good. I don’t know if my tastes or standards for barbeque have changed or I just started ordering better entrees, but I really like grabbing lunch there now.

Big Foot has been rated the best barbeque restaurant in Flagstaff for five years running. But truth be told, they really have no competition. (The closest competitor is a relatively new joint, Pig in a Poke BBQ, just north of town.)

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 too (my fav being the original Rudy’s BBQ in Austin, Texas which is really at a working gas station) and Big Foot doesn’t come close. But it’s hard to live up the flavors of fresh, slow-smoked-on-an-open-flame meats at a true Texas legend. Still, Big Foot is decent and has the best barbeque I’ve had in Arizona.

The best things at Big Foot are the sides. In fact, I don’t think I’ve tasted better onion rings or fries anywhere in town and they could definitely give some of the sides at real southern joints a run for their money. And speaking of fries they have several kinds, regular, garlic, and sweet potato, all of which are fantastic. The onion rings have the perfect salty-sweet combo of flavors and melt in your mouth. And the fried okra is good too. It’s a good thing their meat platters are served with your choice of any two sides! And you can also get a “veggie” platter of three sides for just $5, though it will definitely increase the size of your thighs.

Their brisket and ribs are a little too dry for my liking and the sauce is sweet and tangy but average yet the flavors make for a good meal if you’re in the mood for some barbequing. Make sure to order the sliced brisket platter ($10) and not the pulled meat, which is really more like a “sloppy joe” scooped out pre-mixed with too much sauce and not attractive looking at all.

My personal favorite on the menu is the Fried Chicken Salad ($8). It consists of fresh and crispy romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, spinach, croutons, toasted pecans, fried chicken breast strips, and fried okra. I order it with their creamy ranch dressing. There is something about the way those flavors all blend together that really make me crave going to Big Foot every so often. It may not be the healthiest salad in town but it is the best one hands down.

Not to be missed is their truly southern style sweet tea. It’s perfectly sweetened just like grandma used to make back home. Also on the drink menu keeping with their trailer trash inspired motif is Pabst Blue Ribbon beer.

The atmosphere is really casual and relaxed, maybe a bit too much for some folks’ likings. I wouldn’t take my neat freak grandmother there for instance, but my kids love it. And so do I. You never feel rushed and you leave feeling happy and full, definitely adding to the charm!
Bigfoot is located in the basement of the Old Town Shops in the heart of historic downtown Flagstaff. Only a wire fence separates it from the Aveda salon and clothing store that share the basement. The décor is fun and laid back. It’s a total white trash motif, complete with inflatable beer racing cars hanging from the ceiling, rusted car doors lying around, and guns, hubcaps, deer heads, and cowhides attached to the walls. And feel free to dump the peanut shells on the floor. Its part of the down home decoration.
You stand in line to place your order at the counter before taking a seat and you’re given an old license plate to mark your order number so they can find your table. Seating is at long picnic-style tables with vinyl tablecloths and miss-matched chairs. They have a “Kids Korral” for the young tikes to entertain themselves while you wait for your food to be served, complete with a TV and old toys. They also have a little bar/lunch counter if you come in on your lunch break by yourself or just want to have a beer. Speaking of lunch, on weekdays this place keeps really busy, but the wait for your order to be ready isn’t ever too long.

The manager is always friendly and tries to make customers happy. But I have to say to watch your order total, as the cashier has gotten it wrong in their favor on several different occasions. Also, the menu lists tea and soft drinks as costing only a buck, but we got charged $1.50 at today’s visit. The cashier also charged us for sides separate instead of coming with the brisket platter, but corrected it after we asked about the total. If this hadn’t happened on several other visits I would have just thought it a fluke, but I mention it because it seems routine. They do make it right when you ask though, sometimes will even throw something in for free or give you an upgrade to make up for it.

All in all, I’d recommend Big Foot to both tourists and locals alike. Its in a great location, has a fun atmosphere, and is priced about the same as most other casual eateries in Flagstaff. The food is consistently good, though not great. Still, it’s a place my family regularly requests to go.