For the love of cheese: Must-trys for cheese-lovers in Flagstaff

While it in no way helps meet New Year’s resolutions of dropping fat, cheese lovers can rejoice that this month celebrates National Cheese Lover’s Day (January 20^th). To mark the occasion, here’s a look at where to get your cheese on in Flagstaff…

Taverna Greek Grill, 2420 Woodlands Village

Definitely the best presentation of cheese in town, Taverna’s saganaki doesn’t disappoint. This dish consists of rich imported Kaseri cheese flambéed at your table. It’s served with pita sections for a fancy pants and yummy app that cheese fanatics must try.

Josephine’s Modern American Bistro, 503 N. Humphreys St.

Take your love of cheese first class with the baklava baked brie at Josephine’s. This appetizer wraps brie cheese, pistachios and orange cardamom in a phyllo shell with just the right about of honey. The result is a sweet but creamy treat to start your meal off right.

La Fonda Mexican Restaurant, 1900 N. Second St.

La Fonda’s cheese enchilada weekday lunch special(aka “G”) is a tasty bargain at $7.50 for two of the best tasting cheese enchiladas in town, rice, beans, a soda and sopapilla for dessert. Their enchilada sauce is full of flavor but doesn’t burn your mouth down. It’s a perfect compliment to the cheese melted inside the corn tortillas. It’s a must have weekly in my book.

Brix, 413 N. San Francisco

Enjoy a fine dining experience with the artisanal cheese selections at Brix. Try the French Brillat Savarin, Californian Seascape, Portuguese Palhais or one of the other carefully selected cheeses from across the world.  The plate of three to five of your choices comes with poached apricots and house made lavosh. Add a glass of one of their wonderful wine selections to complete your meal.

Beaver Street Brewery, 11 S. Beaver St.

Beaver Street has several must-trys for cheese devotees, two of which are fondues. The Beaver Street Brewery Fondue is made with sharp cheddar, caramelized onions and their Railhead Red Ale. The Whistle Stop Fondue is a classic Swiss style dish with gruyere cheese, white wine and cherry brandy.  Dip in the beer bread cubes and go to heaven. Beaver Street’s third cheese-centered app of pure creaminess is the pesto cream cheese dip made with fresh basil pesto and cream cheese baked in their wood-fired oven. Mmmm. It’s served bubbling hot with crouton rounds and sourdough bread slices.

Pizza Furiosa, 2500 S Woodlands Village

How could a cheese lovers roundup be complete without a cheese pizza. Pizza Furiosa serves up a classic with a twist to delight those who just want to enjoy melted cheesy goodness. The #8 tops their handmade crust with mozzarella, asiago and parmesan cheeses. The flavors combine perfectly for a salty, gooey gratification for your tastebuds.

October food holidays and where to celebrate them in Flagstaff

Halloween dominates the thought of October, but this month is filled with other holidays in the food arena. For starters, we’re in Eat Country Ham Month, Fair Trade Month, National Apple-Cookie-Dessert-Pasta-Pickled Peppers Month (and that’s just half the “National __ Month” list) and we haven’t even discussed the weeks of honor from American Beer Week (the 2^nd week of the month, which is also National Food Bank Week so be sure to donate while you’re indulging too) to Chicken Soup for the Soul Week (4^th week of October). And now, for the national food holiday days to celebrate this month, take a look at the below Flagstaff suggestions…

October 4: National Taco Day

Treat yourself for 99-cent tacos at the local treasure that is La Fonda (1900 N 2nd St.). They not only have top notch Mexican food, but the service is hard to match. They’re friendly and always on top of everything here. That’s a winning combination.

October 11: National Sausage Pizza Day

Sausage is singled out on the pizza front this month. Two completely opposite but solid sausage topped pies to try: Scott’s Chicago Pizza’s (103 Birch Ave) Southside Classic with Italian sausage, mushroom, onion and bell pepper and Pizza Furiosa’s (2500 S Woodlands Village Blvd) #9 with chorizo and pepperoni The whole month is National Pizza Festival Month – so you might as well go around town and hit up both (and the rest of your pizza favorites), just to be in the spirit of all things cheesy and delicious while you’re at it.

October 17: National Pasta Day

On this day dedicated to a staple of most of our menus –pasta – go for the best pasta in town, the house-made goodness that is Pasto (19 E. Aspen). They’re currently featuring a nice variety like crab maccheroni, corkscrew pastas in a creamy cheese sauce with blue crab; pennette Mediteranea, small penne pastas in a combination of red onion, roasted tomatoes, artichoke, arugula, olives, capers and feta; and the classic and delish spaghettini e popette, which is a thin spaghetti topped with tomato sauce and meatballs.

October 21: National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day

The combination of two wonderful flavors – pumpkin and cheesecake should take you to Beautiful Leaf Bakery (2028 N. 4th St). They make basically every flavor of cheesecake in three to nine inch sizes. A rich, creamy treat you totally deserve, so go for it!

October 25: National Greasy Foods Day

For tasty grease-filled goodness, go to Mountainaire Tavern (110 Mountainaire Rd.). They serve up some mean homemade beer battered onion rings, fried mushrooms, zucchini, cauliflower and broccoli. All served with ranch. Who said you wouldn’t eat veggies today!

October 26: Pretzel Day

Wildflower Bread Company (530 East Piccadilly Dr.) makes yummy oversized pretzels that are perfection for a filling snack or a nice plus with one of their fine soups, like the roasted garlic tomato.

October 31: Trick or Treat for UNICEF Day

While you’re out there getting free candy, trick or treat for UNICEF too. They’ve been doing this fundraiser to help kids since 1950. Find out more at youth.unicefusa.org/trickortreat. Also while you’re out on Halloween, don’t miss out on the city’s annual Halloween Harvest festival of fun downtown.

For more October food holidays – and there are a ton this month – go to TheNibble.com.

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

Where to find great enchiladas in Flagstaff, Arizona

Cafe Daily Fare's gourmet chicken enchiladas

You’ve probably been enjoying these tasty staples at Mexican restaurants for years, but did you know the word “enchiladas” means "filled with chili.” The word enchilada first appeared in print at the end of the 19th century.  The original version of enchiladas were more like the stacked enchiladas you may have eaten at a Mexican restaurant in New Mexico - stacked in layers with a fried egg on top. Modern enchiladas are a hearty meal and perennial Mexican restaurant favorite. Here’s a look at some of Flagstaff’s most noteworthy…

Las Gorditas Mexican Restaurant
2900 N West St, Flagstaff AZ (just south of Cedar in a small shopping center)
Las Gorditas has some of the very best enchiladas in town. They serve Jalisco-style food, all recipes of Mom Santana or recipes passed down for generations in her family. The red sauce is flavorful but not spicy. They're a super bargain at $4.99 for two cheese enchiladas with rice and beans both at lunch and dinnertime. And they're mouthwatering, as are the pork. Be warned, you may become addicted at one bite and be coming back here all of the time.

MartAnne's Burrito Palace
10 N San Francisco
“The House That Chilaquiles Built" also serves a mean enchilada. Traditional, super filling and spicy describes everything at MartAnne's and the enchiladas are no different. You can even get one for breakfast if you want with a big ol fried egg on top (like the Jerry with pork and green chile). And of course everything here is made with love by the hands of owner-chef Anne Martinez, who you'll find working in the kitchen whenever they're open. Give her a wave, a big thanks and a good tip for your delicious enchiladas, if you can break yourself away from the chilaquiles, that is.

Cafe Daily Fare
408 E. Route 66 (behind the Babbitt used car lot, 1/2 block east of Elden St)
www.simplydeliciousflagstaff.com
The eclectic Café Daily Fare serves gourmet enchiladas as part of the "Chef's Playground" part of the menu, which means they make a showing occasionally, though you can always buy them by the pan to serve at a dinner or office party. You’ll find spinach, achiote chicken or ancho pork on the menu. The chicken enchiladas are delightfully different from any other enchiladas in town. These smoky, sweet and spicy bad boys are bursting with flavor, topped with a little cotija cheese and seeds along with a house-made roasted red pepper salsa. They leave your mouth warm and wanting more.

Salsa Brava
2220 E Route 66 (at Santa Fe)
Salsabravaflagstaff.com
The beloved Salsa Brava has quite a selection of enchiladas on the menu. Sour Creme and Chicken, spinach or Enchiladas de Cameron (shrimp) are all topped with a yummy cilantro cream sauce. They also have unique Portobello and Spinach enchiladas with grilled portobellos mixed with spinach and cheeses topped with a red chili sauce. Or you can go traditional with cheese, pork, beef and chicken enchiladas. You can’t go wrong with Salsa Brava’s classic cheese enchiladas with a little homemade salsa on top.

La Fonda
1900 N 2nd St (Just north of Route 66)
Lafondaflg.com
One of the best lunch specials in town revolves around the enchiladas at this locals favorite restaurant: two cheese enchiladas, rice, beans, a soda and a sopapilla al for $7.50. They’re simple and delish. La Fonda also has several other enchiladas any time of day to choose from including chicken, shredded or gowned beef in red or green sauce as well as carnitas enchiladas.

Casa Bonita
1551 S Milton (across from Target)
Casabonitaaz.com
Try Casa Bonita’s Camaron (shrimp) enchiladas with tomatoes, onions and cilantro or Enchiladas de Espinacas (spinach) with fresh sautéed spinach, tomatoes and onions, both smothered with a creamy sauce. They also serve up what they call Enchiladas Deluxe which are your choice of enchilada topped with green salsa, lettuce, guac, sour creme, tomatoes and onions. I love these extra toppings! Other house specialties include Enchiladas de Jaiba which have crab meat topped with a special tomatillo sauce and sour creme and Enchiladas Suizas, which are traditional enchiladas with a tomatillo sauce and sour creme on top.

Tacos Los Altos de Jalisco
3650 E Route 66 (off of Fanning Dr)
This little drive-thru (or small sit-down) restaurant serves up a mean cheese enchilada. It is smothered in a red chili gravy and topped with a bit of lettuce and tomato. These aren't spicy, just a mouthful of flavor. Tacos Los Altos also has shrimp, beef and chicken enchiladas.

Los Altenos Restaurant
1481 S Milton (Near Cheba Hut)
Grab a bunch of napkins before you bite into Los Altenos' enchiladas. These are served up in an almost soupy state smothered in a ton of chili sauce and melted cheese. They don't skimp on the meat either. You can order two or three cheese, chicken or beef enchiladas with rice and beans for $6 to $7.

Poliberto's
221 E Cedar Ave
Simple, fast, cheap and gigantic describes Poliberto's enchiladas. Here I'd go for the green chicken enchiladas. They are overstuffed with shredded chicken (but no melted cheese anywhere in sight), lightly topped with a thick green sauce that is spicy with a great aftertaste. The order of two comes in at $4. Poliberto's also has cheese, beef and chicken enchiladas topped with a milder red sauce.

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

La Fonda - A Flagstaff local favorite for traditional Mexican food

La Fonda
1900 N 2nd St
menu at: lafondaflg.com

A restaurant for locals in the know is LaFonda. This always busy at luinch Mexican food gem has been around since the 50s. The family later also started several other Arizona Mexican restaurants.
LaFonda has one of the best lunch specials in town. For 7.50 you get a 2 item combo plus rice, beans and a sopapilla.
The food is traditional Mexican. Nothing TexMex about the food here.
My fav here: Lunch special A- a cheese enchilada and chicken picaro. Always fresh and served piping hot rolled up to the table on an old fashioned cart.
The salsa is self serve on the table, as is honey. The salsa is "cure your sinus issues" hot. Mmmm. It's thin and not too chunky.
My kids love that honey is on the table. They put it on their chips and love it.
To finish the meal: a sopapilla. This light, fluffy puffed up tortilla-like dessert is delish with honey drizzled across the top.
All in all, LaFonda is a classic no-frills restaurant with good food and a down-home atmosphere. It's where I go when I want Mexican for lunch in Flagstaff.

Best Mexican restaurants in Flagstaff

Best Mexican
By Angele Sionna

From chips and salsa to tacos and enchiladas, Mexican food satisfies. It’s more than putting ingredients into tortillas. It’s about the sauce, the spices and tasting the love cooked right in, no matter how simple or deluxe the restaurant. We’ve got quite a few great spots to fill those cravings for Mexican food in town. Here’s a look at some of the best…

¡Ay Caray! (next to Picazzos)
1300 S Milton Rd

¡Ay Caray! is a surprising little find in a strip mall along Flagstaff's main drag. The restaurant is nothing fancy, but has friendly service and fab food.
The menu's pretty simple - tacos, enchiladas, tamales, tortas plus some salads and soups - all of which are freshly made, as are the chips and salsa. From the first bite of their chips, you know you’re going to have a good meal.
The enchilada platter is the thing to get here. It comes with sour cream and guac on top plus rice and beans on the side. A filling meal for sure. Be sure to try ¡Ay Caray!'s smooth and flavorful flan for a sweet and rich topper to your meal.

Salsa Brava
2220 East Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ
salsabravaflagstaff.com

This is the place to go in town if salsa is your thing. Salsa Brava has a salsa bar with lots of great choices from the mild but flavorful pico de gallo to a hot salsa plus a tangy tomatillo salsa verde and the sweet, spicy pineapple habanero salsa. All are good and none give more fire than a trained mouth can handle. You really could just eat salsa and chips here with a margarita and go home happy!
The menu features everything from quesadillas and fajitas to more unique offerings like a lobster/shrimp enchiladas, Maui tacos, and stuffed sopapillas. The wide array of seafood dishes combine Arizonan and Baja for a nice twist. There's definitely something for everyone here. It’s no wonder that they were featured earlier this year on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

La Fonda
1900 N. Second St
lafondaflg.com

La Fonda has been in business in Flag for over fifty years. This locals’ favorite is in the Sunnyside neighborhood, tucked away from tourists but not away from the crowds.
Classic Mexican best describes the food flavorings of La Fonda. The menu features dozens of traditional combinations from fajitas to tacos and everything in between. Lunch specials are a good deal too and a great way to sample the flavor of La Fonda.
Just because they’re half a century old doesn’t mean they aren’t hip to new things. You can find out about specials and discounts by following them on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace. Good way to save some money on good food.

Burritos Fiesta
1530 S Riordan Ranch St # 405C (next to Bookmans)

Burritos Fiesta is a laidback kind of joint where you order at the counter and wait for your food. It always seems to be packed with satisfied customers who don’t even need to look at the menu board before ordering… always a good sign.
On the menu here – nine types of burritos (of course) and you can get them served up traditionally, deep fried or enchilada-style with red or green sauce. The ‘Fiesta Burrito’ is number one on the menu for a reason. It’s the best –with charbroiled chicken or steak plus jack cheese, guac and pico de gallo. Other featured items include tacos, tamales, enchiladas, and salads.