Best veggie burgers in Flagstaff

Whether you’re trying to eat healthier, love vegetables, are a vegetarian or just a lover of all types of burgers, veggie burgers fit the bill. Here’s a look at some of the best veggie burgers in Flagstaff…

Pita Jungle
320 South Regent Street
Pita jungle makes some of my favorite sandwiches and pitas in town. They have a veggie burger and a black bean burger on their menu. Both are tasty and fresh but my favorite is the black bean burger, which is topped with roasted red bell peppers, mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers and onions. It’s got a nice level of flavor and spiciness. Gives a kick and is really filling and comes with a side of their deliciously different garlic new potatoes.

Diablo Burger
120 n. Leroux St
Diablo’s “The Netzky” is their take on a veggie burger. It’s made with locally sourced products including farm-fresh eggs, produce, and heirloom legumes. This veggie burger is dairy- and wheat-free and super high in protein. Add jalapeno jack cheese, grilled onions and guac on top for a feast. And yes it comes with the awesome DB fries. What’s not to love!

Mountain Oasis
11 E Aspen
Mountain Oasis is another haven of yummy veg entrees. Their home-made black bean burger is served on a toasted bun with lettuce, tomato, onions and sprouts. Top it off with cheese, grilled mushrooms and grilled onions for a juicy, satisfying lunch.

Morning Glory Cafe

115 S San Francisco

Morning Glory has the market corned on a hemp take on the veggie burger. Their Hemp Burger Deluxe is made with a hemp-based vegan patty that is topped with organic greens, tomato, onion, avocado, and cheese or tempeh. It’s a reason to go vegan.

Taverna

2420 S Woodlands Village
Taverna’s Lentil burger give a Greek twist to Flagstaff’s veggie burger market. They house-make a lentil patty and top it with lettuce, tomatoes, avocado and onion plus a tomato vinaigrette sauce.

Check out some of Flagstaff's best non-burger veggie sandwiches HERE.

(This article was originally written by Angele for Flagstaff Live!)

Where to celebrate September food holidays in Flagstaff

Mmm mmm mmm. September is National Breakfast Month. Plus it includes an homage to bacon (with International Bacon Day falling on September 3rd), a whole week for waffles (the second week of the month), a month of celebrating biscuits plus another (September 26^th) and it wouldn’t be complete without a day dedicated to coffee, the breakfast beverage of choice (September 29^th). Flagstaff has so many good spots for celebrating breakfast (La Bellavia, Brandy’s, Martanne’s, Mike and Rhonda’s all pop to mind instantly). Here’s a look at more food holidays this month and where to celebrate them in Flagstaff…

September 5: Cheese Pizza Day

New Jersey Pizza Company (2224 East Cedar Ave.), despite the incredibly long wait that seems to come with ordering from them, has the most delectable cheese pizza with house-made, hand pulled mozzarella. I often ignore the wait because it is just so mouthwatering! For a different take on this classic – try Pizza Furiosa’s (2500 S Woodlands Village Blvd) cheese pizza which includes mozzarella, asiago and parmesean cheeses. Delish and different!

September 10: TV Dinner Day

Who says a TV dinner needs to be frozen and subpar? Not me! Make it much better with a delivery from Hot Wok Express. (1000 N Humphreys St -928-226-1007). The Chicken Lo Mein, Orange Chicken, Moo Goo Gai Pan and Broccoli Beef are can’t fail options. Order up and plop down on the couch with some college games on the tube – and you’re good to go!

September 13: National Peanut Day

Thai peanut sauce lovers go crazy… celebrate national peanut day with your favorite peanutty dish. My choice – Chicken Pad Thai level three with a side salad at lunch at Dara Thai  (14 S San Francisco) for just $6.95. Hard to beat all around!

September 15: National Linguine Day

Go for Cottage Place’s (126 W. Cottage) “Twilight Menu” for some ultimate linguini. They’re serving up a smoked salmon linguini and a beef stroganoff over linguini –on this special menu, served between 5pm and 6pm.

September 16: National Guacamole Day

Who says you have to go Mexican for delish guacamole. I love Oregano’s (605 W Riordan Rd) Guaca Tony. It’s an Italian take on this classic mushy green dish made with basil, roasted garlic and avocado. It’s served in a heaping mound on their pizza crust 'chips.' It’s a meal or an app and it’s G-O-O-D!

September 18: National Cheeseburger Day

No question I my mind – make the trip to Diablo Burger (120 N Leroux), the joint that made me a true lover of burgers. Order up a Marilyn (aka cheeseburger) with one of the many cheeses on hand – from Pepper Jack to Swiss.

September 28: Drink Beer Day

Only one day dedicated to beer (what a shame) and it’s on a Wednesday. But go on a pub crawl anyway (with a designated driver in tow, of course) from the Flagstaff Brewing Co. (16 E. Rte. 66) to Beaver Street Brewery (11 S Beaver St) and on over to The Lumberyard (5 S San Francisco). All make delish house-crafted brewskis to enjoy all day long.

Check out even more food holidays in September at TheNibble.com.

*This story was originally written for Flagstaff Live, also by me!*

Celebrating National Food Holidays in August in Flagstaff, AZ

Everything from s'mores to steak is honored in August. Check out these highlights of where to enjoy national food holidays this month in Flagstaff...

National Mustard Day: August 6 (1^st Saturday)

Perfect day to try RisingHy Honey Mustard. It’s made right here in Flagstaff. You can buy it at the local Farmer’s Markets or enjoy it at several local eateries. Find a bunch of RisingHy’s recipes that incorporate their devilishly hot mustard on their website.

National Zucchini Day: August 8

Celebrate your favorite squash variety with the tasty stylings of Buster’s (1800 S Milton) zucchini muffins that come in their yummy baskets of bread! They’re reason enough to go to Buster’s. Or go the opposite route, by getting this green veggie fried right up at the Ski Lift Lodge (6355 N Hwy 180). Their fried zucchinis are so fresh and delish. Perfect “disguise” for getting your veggies in.

National Filet Mignon Day: August 14

If you’re looking for the best steak in town, head to the Cottage Place (126 W. Cottage Ave) and order up the filet mignon. The aged tenderloin cut of beef is always perfectly prepared with bearnaise sauce and is accompanied by fab whipped potatoes. Truly mouthwatering.

National Potato Day: August 19

All hail to this most delicious day, celebrating a hardy and often under-appreciated but never under-consumed edible tuber. Some of the best potatoes in town are found fried up and tossed in herbs at Diablo Burger (120 N Leroux). Chef Richard Fernandez’s housemade potato chips at the new Pizza Furiosa (2500 S Woodlands Village Blvd) are another good way to enjoy your taters today. They come with all of his paninis.

Eat a Peach Day: August 22

Prepare for both Eat a Peach Day and National Peach Pie Day (two days later) by doing some shopping at the Flagstaff Market (Sundays 8am-noon in the City Hall parking lot, Wednesdays 4-7pm at 2257 E Cedar Ave). Biting into a juicy peach is just about as close as you can get to natural perfection. But it never hurts to bake them up in a pie a la mode, either!

Banana Lover’s Day: August 27

“Go, go bananas! B-A-N-A-N-A-S!” Treat yourself to some of Wildflower Bread Company’s (530 East Piccadilly Dr.) banana bread in celebration of Banana Lovers Day. This sweet, sticky bread will have you cheering. Another must-stop for banana lovers – Jospehine’s (503 N. Humphrey’s). Their brunch menu includes Brioche French Toast with Bananas Foster (bananas drenched in a rum brown sugar sauce and flambéed).

Eat Outside Day: August 31

Wrap up the summer by celebrating this day outdoors at one of the best patios in town. There are several good ones to choose from along San Francisco. You can never go wrong with Café Ole’s (119 S San Francisco) laid back oasis. Tinderbox (and The Annex) (34 S San Francisco) has a nice outdoor space – perfect for enjoying one of their delightful Shandys. Just up the street you can take in the sun at The Lumberyard (5 S San Francisco) while sipping one of their homebrews or sangrias with fresh fruit. Head up the street a bit more and tuck into the small, secluded patio of Brix (413 N San Francisco). Where you can wine, dine and toast the end of another fabulous Flagstaff summer.

Where to celebrate July's food holidays in Flagstaff

Right in the heat of the summer comes a variety of food holidays with such varied tastes. July is National baked Bean Month, Bison Month, Culinary Arts Month, Grilling Month, Hot Dog Month and Ice Cream Month. It’s also home to the following food holidays…

July 6: National Fried Chicken Day

Get some finger lickin in on Fried Chicken Day at Louie’s Chicken Shack (2116 E Rte 66). They made their own unique batter that makes for juicy chicken strips. Mmm mmm good.

July 9: National Sugar Cookie Day

Sugar Mama’s (116 S San Francisco) has your sugar cookie fix for today. They make a mean sugar cookie with royal icing. Perfect for an afternoon snack break along with a cup of coffee to really get your energy levels going.

July 10: National Pina Colada Day

If you like pina coladas and getting caught in the rain, this day falls at the perfect time for Arizona residents, usually in monsoon season this time of the year. Refresh as you watch the rain sprinkle down from the patio at Picazzo’s (1300 South Milton) with a tropical tasty pina colada in hand. They’re not technically on the menu there, but you can order one anyway made with their organic liquor.

July 13: National French Fries Day

Without any hesitation whatsoever, head to the best spot in Flag for fries: Diablo Burger (120 N Leroux St). Theirs are scrumptiously cooked and tossed with Herbs de Provence for the perfect aromatic presentation for your nose, mouth and tummy.

July 20: National Hot Dog Day, National Ice Cream Soda Day and Fortune Cookie Day

Hope you’re hungry today with all these food holidays. Start off with a plump juicy dog with your favorite condiments from Primo’s (113 S San Francisco). Then head over to the Galaxy Diner (931 W Rte 66) for an old fashioned Ice Cream Soda (Go for the Brown Cow). For dinner, get your Chinese on at Golden Dragon (2730 East Lakin Drive) and finish up your meal with a fortune cookie.

July 24: National Tequila Day
With over two dozen tequilas in house, Plaza Bonita (1551 South Milton) is the place to go for a tequila taste testing party tonight. Whether you’re looking for silver, reposado, anejo or gold, they have the full spectrum of price points for all tequila lovers to enjoy including top shelf favorites like Don Julio, Tres Generaciones and others.

July 27: National Crème Brulee Day
Celebrate this sweet holidays with a desert stopover at Jospehine’s (503 North Humphreys). They make some of the best crème brulee around. Their creamy sweet cup of heaven tastes even better with a cup of coffee out under the stars on their relaxing patio.

July 24: National Lasagna Day

Celebrate lasagna day a little early and head to Frank’s Daily Bread (1490 Riordan Ranch Rd) on Wednesdays when lasagna with meat sauce is the lunch special of the day. For $7 you get a big slice of lasagna, side salad, garlic bread and a drink. It’s the only day lasagna is available there.

July 30: National Cheesecake Day

Beautiful Leaf Bakery (2028 North 4th Street) makes over a dozen varieties of cheesecake from their most popular traditional and strawberry cheesecakes to unique blends like Black Forest, Peanut Butter, Mint Chocolate, Lemon, German Chocolate, White Chocolate Raspberry, and many others. Plus, they’ll make any other flavor you desire. All are available in 3-9” sizes.

Check out more food holidays happening in July from TheNibble.com.

(Note: This article was written, also by me, for Flagstaff Live!)

Where to celebrate April food holidays in Flagstaff

Pasto's Portabella & Eggplant Fries

Did you know April is national grilled cheese month. A whole month dedicated to this comfort food that can be so very different, depending on how deluxe you make it – that’s awesome! This month is also national soy foods month, soft pretzel month and garlic month. Now let’s take a look at the more food holidays and where to celebrate them in Flagstaff…

April 12: Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day – So not only is this the month of grilled cheese, but April 12 is also the official grilled cheese eating day of the year. That means you have to head to Diablo Burger (120 N Leroux St # 112) and try their Uncle Dee’s grilled cheese done right with three cheeses, pesto, grilled tomato, fresh basil and a fried egg, if you so desire. And they come with those scrumptious DB fries!

April 16: National Eggs Benedict Day – This day calls for going to none other than La Bellavia (18 S. Beaver St). They have more than a dozen types of eggs benedict. Here they serve up eggs poached on an English muffin topped with hollandaise sauce plus a pancake or country potatoes (hard choice!) with all sorts of toppings choices from avocados to artichokes to Canadian bacon and so much more.

April 16: Day of the Mushroom – Right in the middle of the month is a day devoted to mushrooms. They’re so versatile and so good. If you too love mushrooms, check out Beaver Street’s (11 S Beaver St) juicy rustic portabella sandwich, Pasto’s (19 E. Aspen) light and airy portabella and eggplant fries served with a balsamic butter sauce, Cuvee 928’s (6 E. Aspen Ave) baked mushrooms with farmer’s cheese, truffle oil and grilled bread, and Salsa Brava’s (2220 East Route 66 ) grilled portabella fajitas and portabella and spinach enchiladas.

April 22: Earth Day – It’s Earth Day, so respect the earth and its offerings and head to Picazzos (1300 S. Milton Rd) where you can get organic cocktails, organic salads, organic pastas, and even organic pizzas. They serve local and sustainable foods, use recycled stuff as well as recycling stuff. Perfect for celebrating the Earth!

April 22: National Jelly Bean Day – If you need a reason to get on FourSquare on your smart phone, national jelly bean day is it because Brookside Chocolate (120 N Leroux, Suite 103) gives everyone who checks into their shop on FourSquare a free ¼ pound of Jelly Bellys, no purchase necessary. How awesome is that!

April 24: Easter – Okay, not an official food holiday, but you can celebrate with a fine burnch buffet in Little America’s ballroom (2515 East Butler). They’re having roasted prime rib, honey glazed ham, a chocolate fountain and much more.

April 26: National Pretzel Day – This day demands a trip over to Wildflower Bread Company (530 East Piccadilly Drive) for their homemade pretzels. They’re delish!

April 29: National Shrimp Scampi Day – Check out Horsemen Lodge (8500 Highway 89 North) for this food holiday. They have deluxe shrimp scampi sautéed traditionally with fresh garlic and herbs in a white wine butter sauce. (And you can even find a coupon for 20% off on their website: horsemenlodge.com).

For more food holidays this month, check out TheNibble.com.

This article was written by me orginally for Flagstaff Live!

Where to celebrate March Food Holidays in Flagstaff

Here we are to March, as we take our trip through the year looking at national food holidays and where to celebrate them in Flagstaff. Be sure to look out for Chocolate Chip Cookie Week is the second week of the month! Every single day in March actually has some sort of food holiday, so here are just the highlights and where to hit up in town to feast those days...

March 6
National Frozen Food Day is on the calendar, so just heat up lunch in ye ol microwave… or take a different take and go for drinking something tasty and frozen like a frozen margarita at Salsa Brava (2220 East Rte. 66) or one of the delish milkshakes at Diablo Burger (120 N Leroux, on the square), as they both have something frozen in them worthy of your tasting.

March 14
It’s “Pi Day” in math geek circles (as “pi” is 3.141414) so celebrate in solidarity and eat some homemade pie goodness at Miz Zips (2924 E Route 66 ) or the Galaxy Diner (931 W Route 66). Really any reason to celebrate pie is a good one and these two spots make ones worthy of merrymaking.

March 17
Today is Corned Beef And Cabbage Day – of course, as it is St Patrick’s Day! Head to Collin’s Irish Pub (2 N. Leroux St.) downtown. They serve this classic Irish dish up every day slow cooked just how it should be. Down a pint (or two) of Guinness just to be in the spirit of the day while you’re there too.

March 18
Warm your tummy with sweet baked goodness on Oatmeal Cookie Day. Try out the ones at Macy’s Coffee House (14 S. Beaver St.). They don’t do oatmeal everyday, but when they do – mmmmm. You can, however, special order them to celebrate your love of Oatmeal Cookie Day or any other day for that matter.

March 19
Poultry Day should take you to Cottage Place (126 West Cottage Ave.) to dine on the finest birds in town. Opt for their Chinatown duck roasted in an Asian Marinade and served with a plum sauce or try the artichoke chicken for a fancy grilled take on a chicken breast entree.

March 21
National French Bread Day, so you know where to go – The Village Baker (1237 S Plaza Way), home to every type of wonderfully scrumptious bread you can think of made by hand in town.

March 23
It’s National Chip and Dip Day so head for some pita chips and hummus dip at Pita Jungle (320 S Regent St.). They have traditional hummus (made with chickpea puree, tahini sauce, fresh garlic and lemon juice), a roasted bell pepper hummus plus a cilantro jalepeno hummus that adds some extra zing.

March 28
For celebrating Something On A Stick Day, take a trip to the Greek Islands (109 East Phoenix Ave.) and welcome the traditionally delightful flavors of beef or chicken souvlaki (that’s beef or chicken on a skewer stick, if you’re not familiar).

March 31
The month ends on Tater Day. So for some of them good ol’ fried up taters, mosey on over to Satchmo’s (2320 North 4th St.) for tater tots with their secret seasonings and/or Bigfoot BBQ’s (120 N. Leroux in the Old Town Shops basement) tater salad for a lip smacking tater tribute.

Every single day of March has a food celebration. You can check out every single one of them at TheNibble.com, should you desire to do so, then think of your fav spots in town to celebrate them.

(This article was written by me originally for Flagstaff Live!)

Dining family-style in Flagstaff

Dining family-style in Flagstaff
By Angele Sionna

Bigfoot's Kiddie Corral

Dining with the kids can be a challenge. If they’re young – is there anything they’ll eat on the menu? If they’re older, can you all decide on the same thing for dinner? There are several Flagstaff restaurants that help ease that pain and make going out together fun, tasty and not a break-the-bank adventure. Here’s a look at just a few of the best kid-friendly menus in town…

Bigfoot Bar-B-Q
120 N Leroux St, Basement Marketplace of the Old Town Shops
Tucked down in the basement of the Old Town Shops with plenty of room to play in that ab fab “kiddie corral” and splendid for not having to fret about those little noise makers, Bigfoot has to be the number one spot for dining with kids, especially young ones! Add to that awesome days like half price wing basket Mondays and a $3 kids (12 and under) menu that includes hot dogs, corn dogs, chicken strips and grilled cheese – all with fries and a drink. Then toss in buckets of crayons and piles of paper to draw on along with free peanuts that can be thrown willy nilly on the floor. You’ve got a winner. Bigfoot is hands-down the number one place my three tots like to dine.

Café Ole
119 S. San Fransisco
In a time when the economy has left most folks needing any help they can get, Café Ole still has their FREE kids meals on Wednesdays. This is a super (tasty) deal! All day Wednesdays, both lunch (11:30a-3p) and dinner (5-9p), Café Ole serves up a free quesadilla, burrito or taco for sus niños (12 and under). Normally, the kids meals (that include a drink) are $5, still a good price. Plus this little Mexican joint near downtown and NAU has a nice colorful atmosphere that the whole fam will enjoy. Muy Bueno!

Pita Jungle
320 South Regent Street, next to New Frontiers
Ah, choices - they can make a break an out to eat experience with kiddos. Pita Jungle is the place to go for choice. They have a great $5 kids (10 and under) meal – that lets the kiddies pick from nutritious and delicious options. You pick one protein, one green and one carb – plus get a fruit cup and a drink. Proteins range from turkey to tuna to tofu (and many more). Greens include cucumbers, broccoli (make fun all you want but it is my childrens’ fav!), spinach or carrots. Carbs range from pasta to mac and cheese to a pita crisp and more. Quite a feast!

Diablo Burger
120 N Leroux, on the square behind Pesto Brothers
Seating in here is tough for little kids because of the cool high stools, but if they can sit still – Diablo Burger is a great burger joint to take the tots. They have mini versions of their divine grass-fed, locally raised burgers (or a grilled cheese sandwich) with a side of those yummy frittes for around the $5 mark. In nice weather, sitting on DB's outdoor tables and letting the kids play in Heritage square while they as much noise as they want as they burn off that extra energy is an added bonus.

Granny’s Closet
218 S. Milton Rd.
Leave it to ol’ Granny to have a super bargain for kids under six – for just $2.50 they get their shot at that classic soup and salad bar. Pretty sweet. For kids 6 to 12 it jumps up just a bit to $5.50, but still a good reason to go for either lunch or dinner. Add to that those fun booths where kids can watch TV at their table, you’ve got a winner for an entertaining time for all in your party.

Wildflower Bread Company
530 East Piccadilly Drive (Near New Frontiers)
Here’s a little freebie for kids I love – every Wednesday right after school (from 3:30-4pm) you can take the kiddos down to Wildflower for a free milk, cookie and activity. It’s completely free! Wildflower also has a good kids (12 and under) menu for about $4 for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It comes with a small milk (or soda) and at lunch or dinner they toss in a chocolate chip cookie too! Choices range from French toast, pancakes or egg and cheese sandwich at breakfast, sandwiches or meatballs for lunch and pastas for dinner.

Where to find good burgers in Flagstaff

A hamburger by definition is a patty of meat sandwiched between two halves of a bun usually with some toppings. But as every burger gourmand knows, this ever popular American classic (that came to us from German immigrants and their love of Hamburg Steak) is really much more complex than it sounds. The quality of the meat, how it’s seasoned and cooked, along with the types of bread and toppings used makes all the difference (and it never hurts to serve it up with a side of good of fries). Here’s a look at the burger hot spots of Flagstaff…

Tinderbox
34 S San Francisco
Talk about your gourmet burger, this is the place on Fridays when Tinderbox serves up their burger blueplate lunch special. The Big Time Cheeseburger is made from ground sirloin and striploin steak dressed with their house "secret sauce," TBox Signature Steak Sauce, cheese and chopped greens. If you ever see the “Rancher’s Burger” (photo above) come back to the specials of the day menu – get it! That one has lamb, venison and Kobe beef ground up together in an extra juicy melt in your mouth special. When part of the blue plate lunch special, the burgers come with a drink, a side salad and potato salad plus awesome fresh, hot donut holes for dessert, all for $10. Quite a deal!


Diablo Burger
120 N. Leroux St
Diablo Burger has ten different burger options on the menu plus an infinite number of combos you can make up to order. All of their burgers are medium-rare char-broiled out of open range-raised, antibiotic-free and growth- hormone free beef from the Diablo Trust ranches of Arizona. They’re served up on a unique DB branded buns (aka a toasted english muffins). Topping options all have fun names like the Wrigley Field with homemade sauerkraut, bacon, swiss cheese and a spicy honey mustard or The Cheech with their house made Holy Guacamole, pepper jack cheese, and jalapenos. Added bonus: the burgers here come served with a side of some of the best fries in town.


Beaver Street Brewery
11 S Beaver St
Beaver Street is known for their beer and burgers. Of special note – the Beaver Street Burger. This bad boy is a half pound of ground angus beef with garlic, fresh basil and sun dried tomatoes mixed in then grilled up and topped with havarti cheese and basil pesto mayo plus lettuce, tomato and red onions all served on a nice fresh bun. My husband has a hard time not ordering this baby every time we go. No kidding. I think maybe once or twice has he departed from this favorite. Worth a try even if you’re dedicated to another standard on their menu.

Josephine’s
503 N Humphreys St
Josephine’s has good food, always with a flare of some sort. Their burgers are no exception. They use freshly ground 80/20 chuck, then you can dress it a variety of ways. The one to try here that is among the best in town: The Flagstaff Burger with roasted poblano peppers, red bell peppers, caramelized onions, smoked gouda cheese, applewood smoked bacon and ancho mayo on a toasted Kaiser roll. Josephine’s owner Chef Tony says his fav is the Tillamook Cheddar with a yellow mustard mayonnaise sauce, shredded iceburg, sharp cheddar cheese and caramelized onions.


Criollo
16 N San Francisco
At lunchtime, Criollo features an Arizona-raised criollo beef burger topped with pickled red onion, watercress and their secret zinger chipotle aioli sauce that makes it mmm mmm good. It’s really the only non-Latin inspired thing on their menu but it’s worth veering out of their norm and sinking your teeth into. The Criollo Burger comes with a side of fries. It goes nicely with one of their tasty margaritas too.

Mama Burger
12 E. Route 66
Mama's burgers are simple but quite tasty. They have an old fashioned flare with downhome goodness reminiscent of what I imagine burgers from the glory days of Route 66 (on which they reside) must have been like. The toppings aren't deluxe by any means (though the house made thousand island dressing is a nice touch) but they get the job done. Mama Burger is easy on the wallet too. You can get a single (with no cheese) for just $3.

Bun Huggers
901 S. Milton Rd
A Flagstaff classic, Bun Huggers has been serving charbroiled burgers (aka “hugs”) cooked up on their big mesquite charcoal fired grill for years upon years. Order up a little (about ¼ pound), regular (1/3 pound) or big (1/2 pound) hug or seven different styles of hugs from a Hula Hug (a burger topped with ham, swiss cheese and pineapple) to a Philly Hug (a burger topped with grilled bell peppers, onions, garlic and swiss cheese). Then add what you like at their topping bar.


It’s About Coffee: The Factory Restaurant and Coffee House
2620 N Steves Blvd.
It’s not really all about the coffee at this small eastside joint. They might just surprise you with their popular burgers for lunch or dinner. They have two types: a 1/3 pound American Kobe Beef Burger or a ½ pound Balsamic Infused Angus Cheeseburger. Both have their charms. Whichever you decide, get the combo with the hand-cut red potato fries to make it a feast.

Ode to the french fries of Flagstaff

Oh the glory to the mouth when you take a bite of a good french fry. Crispy exterior with the perfect amount of salt, seasoning and slight oiliness. Then your teeth enter the smooshy, light fluffiness that is the potato’s core. That’s a hard to beat sensation.
Fries have been pleasing American taste buds since the 1800s, though they didn’t take off until after World War I. (The horror that we waited so long to appreciate this beloved side.)
There are plenty of spots in northern Arizona to find fantastic frittes. Here’s a look…


Diablo Burger
120 N. Leroux St (Downtown off the main square with alley entrance behind Pesto Brothers)
At the DB they’re committed to quality and the fries are no exception. The “Frites,” as they call them here, are double cooked in peanut oil Belgium-style and tossed with fresh rosemary. They smell as delightful as they taste! A true piece of poetry for the watering mouths of hungry fry appreciators. These fries also come with a special homemade dipping sauces. I like the ranch. Other choices include Hatch Chile Mayo, spicy honey mustard and pesto.

Oregano’s Pizza Bistro
605 W Riordan Rd
I often get a basket of Oreganos waffle-cut fries as an appetizer because they are irresistible. They’re lightly salted plus seasoned and crispy without being overly cooked. These bad boys are light and fluffy deep-fried goodness.

Bigfoot BBQ
120 N. Leroux St
Bigfoot has some of the best sides in town hands down. Their garlic romano fries are tasty without being overpowering. So you can easily munch and still give your sweetie a big old smooch after lunch. These fries in particular compliment Bigfoot’s tangy barbecue sauce. As good as those are, the sweet taters are my fav here. They are cooked up with a crispy, lightly salted outside and warm sweet soft inside.

Ski Lift Lodge Restaurant
6355 N Highway 180 (at the base of Snowbowl Road)
The Ski Lift Lodge Restaurant may be more known for its fab chicken wings and relaxing patio, but the fries are a must order. They’re airy on the inside and crunchy on the outside with a touch of salt. I like to order these with wings and dip them in the wing sauce and ranch dressing.

Mama Burger
112 E. Route 66
Mama’s fries are made fresh throughout the day. These old fashioned goodies are thin and cooked just right. Nothing fancy but quality. You can jazz them up by ordering cajun-style (at no extra cost).

Sidebar: Mexi Fries
Stop the presses – a not to be missed spot for some fry goodness is Sedona’s Javelina Cantina. Yes. That’s right. Normally just on the menu to please picky kids, the fries at this Mexican joint rock.
Speaking of a taco and fry combination. Check out the California tacos and burritos at Flagstaff’s Tacos Locos. This taco has fries inside it, along with carne asada, guacamole, and lettuce.



(This article was originally written by me for Flagstaff Live in May 2010)

Eco-eateries: Where to eat "green" in Flagstaff

This month is the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Celebrate by making Earth Day everyday from here on out. A simple way to start – support local restaurants who strive to use/serve local, organic, pesticide free products. Open Green Map has made it easy to find eco-friendly businesses and activities around the world, including here in Flagstaff. Here’s a look at the Flagstaff eateries that made their list…

Diablo Burger
120 N Leroux (on the square behind Pesto Brothers)
The DB is all about local. “We try to be as ecologically sustainable as we can be, and we consider sustainability, local benefits, and eco-friendliness in all of our management decisions, big and small,” says Derrick Widmark, owner of Diablo Burger.
They do this by serving open-range beef raised here in Northern Arizona, not using a dishwasher to save water, and recycling used fryer oil for bio-diesel plus other things.
The local beef is more than tasty. “Supporting the producers of that beef sustains the stewardship of almost half a million acres in our very own backyard, and perpetuates the long-term health of ecosystem services like healthy watersheds and wildlife habitat that are critical to the quality of life we enjoy here in the greater Flagstaff area. The same goes for our decision to buy as much of our produce from local and regional farmers,” Widmark adds.

Brix Restaurant & Wine Bar
413 N. San Francisco
Again local, homemade, sustainable foods are at the heart of this upscale Flagstaff restaurant. The meats come from smaller farms. The seafood is all wild, line-caught in domestic waters. Most of their produce is organically grown between Flag and Phoenix. “This not only serves to reduce the amount of carbon used to grow and transport the food, it is a healthier product for both people and the environment. In addition, the economics of using local foods and supporting local farmers/growers is such that the money spent stays within the local economy rather than moving out to other regions/countries,” says Paul Moir, co-owner of Brix.
Brix uses rice oil when frying then donates it to a local bio-diesel producer. They use no processed, pre-packaged products. Everything is house-made including cured meats, pastas and pastries. 
The same folks own the new Criollo Latin Kitchen (16 N. San Francisco) down the street. Criollo uses the same farmers/growers as Brix plus The Hook/Spear Cattle Company outside of Wickenburg which raises 100% grass fed, range raised Criollo Beef. They’re not on the Green Map yet, but I’m sure they will be there soon.

New Jersey Pizza Co.
2224 East Cedar Ave.
New Jersey Pizza has some of the freshest, most delish pizza you’ll find in town. It’s saucy, cheesy and super thin. They use local and organic ingredients when possible and even make their own mozzarella cheese. “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 their foods.

Morning Glory Café
115 S San Francisco
Morning Glory has a 25 year legacy of eco-friendliness. This vegetarian/vegan restaurant has zero waste – donating all good food and composting everything else. Even their serving/dishware is compostable or recyclable. Morning Glory uses Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) to buy, sell and support local farmers/growers. 80% of their offerings are organic as well. Morning Glory has a hip vibe and sustainable goodness in their meals which is why customers keep coming back year after year.

Pesto Brothers Piazza
120 N Leroux
Pesto Brothers is a little shy about bragging about their commitment to local. But this quaint restaurant serves classic rustic Italian food using as many local, pesticide-free products as possible in their dishes. Pesto Brothers also serves up some of the best tasting Arizona-made wines, including my fav Arizona Stronghold's Mangus. The food here is so fresh and delectable you can tell it’s made by people who care about our food, our area and the planet. Even if they’re not one to boast about it I sure will!
UPDATE: The owner of Pesto Brothers just got back with me about all of the "green" things they do. They include:

• recycle glass, cardboard & oil for bio-fuel
• use corn based bio-degradable to go containers
  no ice in their water
• use local products when available

Simply Delicious Full-Service Catering and Daily Fare
408 E Rte 66
Located in a small and really cool rock-walled building on the outskirts of downtown you’ll find this small eatery and its catering companion. They specialize in eclectic seasonal cuisine… the kind of things you won’t find too many places like duck tacos, quail or lamb. Almost all the foods at Daily Fare Café and Simply Delicious catering come from within 150 miles of Flagstaff and all of their to-go ware is biodegradable or recyclable.

These coffee houses also made the Flagstaff Green Map:
•Flagstaff Coffee Co
16 E Rte 66
•Macy's European Coffeehouse, Bakery &Vegetarian Restaurant
14 South Beaver Street
•Late for the Train Coffee
107 N. San Francisco
1800 Fort Valley Road
1200 N. Beaver

*Note: I originally wrote this article for the April 8, 2010 of Flagstaff Live!*

Diablo Burger in Flagstaff update (February 2010)

Diablo Burger's basket of fries with pesto for dipping

Flagstaff's eco-friendly burger joint Diablo Burger has been satisfying locals and tourists alike for almost a year now. I took my family back today (February 15, 2010) to see how they compare to when they first opened. (Read my original report from March 4, 2009- during their opening week- HERE.) The good news - the food is still quite tasty, fresh and enjoyable.

• Downtown off the main square with alley entrance behind Pesto Brothers
• menu at diabloburger.com
• Cash Only 

Ziggy Stardust 3 topping burger & fries

Over the last year prices have gone up some... fries now being $4.50 for a basket (was $4.25), the Monk burger (the basic burger and the cheapest one) now being $7.50 (was $6.50 when they opened). They now also charge 50 cents for a side of their dipping sauces if you want that with the fries that come with your burger though it doesn't say that anywhere on the menu nor did the guy taking our order tell us. We found out looking at our receipt. That's one of my pet peeves - restaurants charging for small extras without saying they do upfront. Though your choice of sauce still comes with a regular order of fries.
Those fries are still GOOD stuff! Seasoned with fresh herbs, double cooked in peanut oil. Among the best ones in town. YUM!
The burgers are smaller than last year, at least on this visit. My husband specifically commented that last year the burger could barely fit in his mouth because it was so thick, though it was still a small patty in width. This visit -no prob with fitting in his mouth- it wasn't that thick at all. They still taste uber fresh and are satisfying to the taste buds but the burger's just not big enough for someone like my hubby even though it comes with a side of fries. This is the biggest disappointment for a real burger lover. He wants to eat what he enjoys and the DB burgers are tasty but not enough. And at $9 or so a pop he wants more burger to feast on. Sidenote: Diablo is now branding their english muffin buns with a cool "db" logo (see photo).

Tomato soup with cilantro and cream

No veggie burger has made it to the menu though it is still being promised. There's still no Coke or Pepsi as its not in line with their principals but it would taste SO good with those fries.
They're also not serving Arizona beers. Still the ones from Cali- they may be tasty but that's still not in line with the "local" focus, and there are some great beers made in Arizona.
I got the soup of the day as well as fries on my visit today - a tomato soup with cilantro and cream. Spicy and flavorful. But not creamy at all. Tasted freshly made, as you'd expect from Diablo. Though I think I'd go for the burger over this particular soup.

DB's kids' Junior Marilyn burger

Diablo now has a nice kids menu - $4.50 for a 1/2 size burger and fries. Add 50 cents for cheese on that. Or kids can get a junior grilled cheese and fries for $4.75. These kid-sized burgers are the perfect size for kids and all served well done.
Diablo Burger has added some super cool outdoor picnic tables with umbrellas. Can't wait to sit on those (and bring along a can of Coke, shhh don't tell) when it warms up! They've also added some great high chairs that attach to the bar-height table tops- good news for parents. My baby approved of those- see photo below.

New baby seats

All in all - Diablo Burger is still great stuff with a cool atmosphere despite those few issues I have. You can feel good about dining here with their focus on fresh eco-local foods. Read my review from last year for more details about all the rest of the stuff on their menu.

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.