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!)

Where to find some good cocktails in Flagstaff

There are so many places in Flagstaff to kick back and liven your spirits. Here’s a look at some sweet spots, many of which are close together so you can enjoy them on a walking tour of the downtown area and avoid having to drive anywhere.

Picazzo's Organic Italian Kitchen
1300 S Milton
What’s not to love on the drink menu at Picazzos, especially during their awesome happy hour when their organic cocktails (and apps) are half off! That’s a reason to celebrate right there. The drinks are made with organic ingredients – from the liquor to the fruit – and they taste goooood. I particularly have enjoyed the Watermelon Mint Mojito with silver rum, lime juice, watermelon and mint leaves and the Raspberry Lavender Limonade with big juicy raspberries and a delightful lavender lemonade vodka. The floral bouquet comes alive in your mouth. Another popular option- the Ginger’s Hot with Corazon Reposado Tequila, fresh ginger, agave nectar, lime juice and the kicker –fresh jalapeños. If a spicy twist is what you’re after, consider the Mango Tango with honey mango vodka, mango puree, lime juice and jalapeños. This one is for anyone who enjoys a mango salsa. The taste buds get the sweet and the throat gets the afterburn. The menu goes on and on with interesting concoctions, which is just what summer is calling for.

Tinderbox Kitchen
34 S San Francisco
Dust and delays on San Francisco adding to frustration? Pull over, cool off and chill out with a Shandy or two from Tinderbox. Traditionally a shandy is a mix of ale and lemonade (I fell in love with the shandy at the famous Hoffbrauhaus in Germany. Delightful!) TBox’s Shandy puts a twist on traditional, as per their norm, instead serving up 4 Peaks Sunbru with fresh lemon juice and a shot of Tru Organic Vodka. Good stuff to make those construction pains fade away.

Salsa Brava
2220 East Route 66
Salsa Brava has a large selection of margaritas to meet your desires. Many come in regular and super grande sizes for those days you need a little extra relaxation. Among the choices you’ve got your traditional house specialty Salsa Brava Margarita with or without fruit. Or try the Agavero Cadillac made with Hornitos Reposado and Agavero Tequila, which is made with a flower known to be an aphrodisiac. They also have several mojitos from the classic to peach, mango, raspberry and strawberry options. Of course, one of their Pina Coladas will also go a long way to help you chill on a hot summer day. And not to be left out, the house made Sangria crafted the traditional way with burgundy, citrus fruit, and brandy.

Criollo Latin Kitchen
16 N San Francisco
Making a name for themselves on the happy hour circuit is Criollo with their sangrias and margaritas a plenty. These margs are particularly addicting, so make sure someone else is driving. You’re going to want to keep ordering them and there’s no skimping on “the goods.” They don’t even have a blender I’m told, so don’t ask for a frozen one. Their red sangria is smooth, tangy and goes down fast. All signs point to excellent bartenders.

Lumberyard Brewing Company
5 S San Francisco
While you’re probably tempted to go for a good ol beer to beat the heat at the Lumberyard, seeing that it is a brewing company and all… consider the refreshing change of the unique white sangria instead. This house made concoction features white wine with red grapes, lemon slices and a splash of apple juice. They also offer a twist on a traditional sangria sans brandy but instead has blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and a splash of lemon-lime soda.

Altitudes Bar and Grill
2 S Beaver
Sit back and relax on the patio at Altitudes and catch a summer breeze while sipping on one of their popular cocktails. Ones to try… Coconino Lemonade with Bacardi, razz rum and fresh squeezed lemonade and the Orange Crush with vodka, triple sec, freshly squeeze orange juice and a splash of Sierra Mist.

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!)

Where to find good summer cocktails in Flagstaff, Arizona

What would summer be without a refreshing cocktail to help relax in the shade and beat the heat? There are so many places in town to kick back and liven your spirits. Here’s a look at some sweet spots, many of which are close together so you can enjoy them on a walking tour of the downtown area and avoid having to drive anywhere.

Picazzos Organic Italian Kitchen
1300 S Milton
What’s not to love on the drink menu at Picazzos, especially during their awesome happy hour when their organic cocktails (and apps) are half off! That’s a reason to celebrate right there. The drinks are made with organic ingredients – from the liquor to the fruit – and they taste goooood. I particularly have enjoyed the Watermelon Mint Mojito with silver rum, lime juice, watermelon and mint leaves and the Raspberry Lavender Limonade with big juicy raspberries and a delightful lavender lemonade vodka. The floral bouquet comes alive in your mouth. Another popular option- the Ginger’s Hot with Corazon Reposado Tequila, fresh ginger, agave nectar, lime juice and the kicker –fresh jalapeños. If a spicy twist is what you’re after, consider the Mango Tango with honey mango vodka, mango puree, lime juice and jalapeños. This one is for anyone who enjoys a mango salsa. The taste buds get the sweet and the throat gets the afterburn. The menu goes on and on with interesting concoctions, which is just what summer is calling for.

Tinderbox Kitchen
34 S San Francisco
Dust and delays on San Francisco adding to your summer heat frustration? Pull over, cool off and chill out with a Shandy or two from Tinderbox. Until that construction is completed, they’re serving up these bad boys “two for one.” Traditionally a shandy is a mix of ale and lemonade (I fell in love with the shandy at the famous Hoffbrauhaus in Germany. Delightful!) TBox’s Shandy puts a twist on traditional, as per their norm, instead serving up 4 Peaks Sunbru with fresh lemon juice and a shot of Tru Organic Vodka. Good stuff to make those construction pains fade away.

Salsa Brava
2220 East Route 66
Salsa Brava has a large selection of margaritas to meet your desires. Many come in regular and super grande sizes for those days you need a little extra relaxation. Among the choices you’ve got your traditional house specialty Salsa Brava Margarita with or without fruit. Or try the Agavero Cadillac made with Hornitos Reposado and Agavero Tequila, which is made with a flower known to be an aphrodisiac. They also have several mojitos from the classic to peach, mango, raspberry and strawberry options. Of course, one of their Pina Coladas will also go a long way to help you chill on a hot summer day. And not to be left out, the house made Sangria crafted the traditional way with burgundy, citrus fruit, and brandy.

Criollo Latin Kitchen
16 N San Francisco
Making a name for themselves on the happy hour circuit is Criollo with their sangrias and margaritas a plenty. These margs are particularly addicting, so make sure someone else is driving. You’re going to want to keep ordering them and there’s no skimping on “the goods.” They don’t even have a blender I’m told, so don’t ask for a frozen one. Their red sangria is smooth, tangy and goes down fast. All signs point to excellent bartenders.


Lumberyard Brewing Company
5 S San Francisco
While you’re probably tempted to go for a good ol beer to beat the heat at the Lumberyard, seeing that it is a brewing company and all… consider the refreshing change of the unique white sangria instead. This house made concoction features white wine with red grapes, lemon slices and a splash of apple juice. They also offer a twist on a traditional sangria sans brandy but instead has blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and a splash of lemon-lime soda.

Altitudes Bar and Grill
2 S Beaver
Sit back and relax on the patio at Altitudes and catch a summer breeze while sipping on one of their popular cocktails. Ones to try… Coconino Lemonade with Bacardi, razz rum and fresh squeezed lemonade and the Orange Crush with vodka, triple sec, freshly squeeze orange juice and a splash of Sierra Mist.

You can also find good mojitos at Rendezvous and good margaritas on the rocks at Cafe Ole.


**This article was originally written by me for Flagstaff Live!*

Salsa de Mayo

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Celebrate with a fiesta in your mouth courtesy of salsa.
Salsa is the number one condiment in the US. It overtook catsup a few years back and for good reason. It’s so versatile and can bounce the taste of even boring food up a notch. The best salsas are in themselves a feast of flavor. The perfect combination of tomatoes, onions, peppers and other fresh ingredients create a fiesta in your mouth worthy of celebrating this Cinco de Mayo or any other day really. Here’s a look at some of the most noteworthy salsas in Flagstaff.

Salsa Brava
2220 East Route 66
How could a story about salsa not begin with this famous Route 66 restaurant. The salsa bar is the best in town with flavors that spin your taste buds through a savorlicious journey.
Habanero pineapple, pico de gallo, tomatillo salsa verde. They have them all here and they are all done right. My fav is to combine the pico with the regular then alternate chip dips between that and the tanginess of the verde and sweet punch of the pineapple.
All are good and none give more fire than a trained mouth can handle. A must visit for every salsa connoisseur.

Las Gorditas Mexican Restaurant
2900 N. West St, Suite 4 (near Cedar)
This hidden gem family run restaurant has been open four years. It’s home to six salsas, all made by "mom" Santana. Some recipes are her own. Others have been passed down for generations from family in Jalisco.
The guacamole salsa is an avocado infused delight. Nothing like your typical guac yet it beckons you to take another bite. It’s a touch creamy with a bold flavor, much more like a typical salsa than guacamole. The salsa verde is drinkable. It has a peppery taste that I swear hints to star of anise. I asked but the recipe is top secret. Only mom knows what's in there. It is sure to cure sinus congestion. There are also three types of red sauces to boot.

Cafe Ole
121 S San Francisco
The salsa at café ole has a different edge then others in town. There’s a fire-roasted zing that drives the uniqueness. It comes off spicy but goes down so smoothly. It’s one to savor. You’ll want to add it to anything and everything on the menu. But never fear, it’ll satisfy with just chips along side a nice marg or mojito.

Criollo Latin Kitchen
16 N San Francisco
Criollo’s Latin-inspired salsas take chips and dips to a whole new level. The veggies in all three of the salsas here are all Arizona grown organically and sustainably. An order comes with all three of their handcrafted, made fresh daily salsas: pico de gallo, a tangy, tart tomatillo salsa verde (perfect to compliment fish tacos) and mesquite smoked chili with the triple threat of serranos, jalapeños and habaneros.
The mesquite smoked is surprisingly sweet at first taste but goes on to light up in the back of your mouth with spiced up smoky rich fire essence. A standout in the hot “hot sauces” of the city.

Black Bean Burrito Bar and Salsa Co.
12 E Route 66 (In the square across from Flagstaff Brewing Company)
The Black Bean is known for burritos and hand crafted salsas. The sauces here have the coolest names and range on the heat scale from mild to hotter.
The chili de arbol Red Hotty tops the scale along side Habanero Heaven (pineapple with habaneros). Next down the scale is the three star hot Garlipeno which adds fresh garlic's uniqueness. Then comes my Black Bean favorite - the tropical Mango Pineapple with fire roasted tomatoes and chipotle chilis. Rounding out the scale at the mild end are the traditional Casa Roja and Pico de Gallo plus Smoked Sweet Tomato, which feels more Italian than Mexican and is a nice change of pace for a salsa.

Also worth a mention…
Burritos Fiesta (1530 S Riordan Ranch St # 405C, next door to Bookmans) This place is always packed and has a lot of people sitting at their tables with satisfied grins on their faces. The salsa options here are just hot or mild. Both are winning choices.
Tacos Locos (2 S. Beaver St. Suite 170 on the Phoenix Ave. side of the building). Tacos Locos has several special-crafted homemade salsas, which include a salsa verde, traditional salsa and a spicy “chile de arbol” sauce.

*This article was originally written for Flagstaff Live's April 29, 2010 issue*

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.

Salsa Brava Fresh Mexican Grill

By Angele Sionna

• 2220 East Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ
  


• menu online at: salsabravaflagstaff.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Salsa Brava's Chicken Stuffed Sopapillas

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

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