This Just In ...

Visit Arizona-Part 15

Posted by Kevin Fischer on May 12, 2010

From the Arizona Restaurant Association:

Our thoughts on Arizona's New Immigration Law:

Arizona has gained a foothold as one of the top dining destinations in the United States by offering a variety of culinary options that have achieved national acclaim. From items as simple as pizza to more unique chef creations utilizing Arizona’s culinary ingenuity, Arizona is a growing hotspot for food lovers and tourists. Restaurants across this state enjoy tourists frequenting their restaurants and appreciate the many other added benefits visitors bring to our communities.  

The immigration legislation signed into law recently has once again placed Arizona front and center in the immigration debate and brought with it state boycotts, national criticism of our state leaders and negative media attention. While this attention is to be expected, we should also expect our leaders in the United States Congress in tandem with other federal officials to bring about fundamental reform to our immigration laws which haven’t occurred in over two decades. The Arizona Restaurant Association stands ready to work with our elected leaders to bring about immigration laws that apply to the 21st century. 

We strongly encourage our domestic and international guests to still visit Arizona and play a part in supporting our $8.6 billion dollar economy and 256,000 employees. We pledge to have your favorite meal ready. 


The best dining spots, according to Frommers.com:

·  Cowboy Ciao (Scottsdale; tel. 480/WINE-111): Scottsdale may not have many real cowboys anymore, but it has great cowboy chow. Forget burned steaks and chili; this place serves the likes of buffalo carpaccio and blue-corn elk tostadas.

·  Vincent's on Camelback (Phoenix; tel. 602/224-0225): Chef Vincent Guerithault has made a career of merging classic French culinary techniques with the robust flavors of the Southwest. The results, for many years, have been absolutely unforgettable.

·  Fry Bread House (Phoenix; tel. 602/351-2345): Unless you've traveled in the Southwest before, you've probably never had a fry-bread taco. This stick-to-your-ribs dish is a staple on Indian reservations throughout Arizona. The fry-bread tacos at this Phoenix restaurant are the best in the state.

·  Blue Adobe Grille (Mesa; tel. 480/962-1000): This nondescript restaurant in an otherwise forgettable area of Mesa serves some of the best Southwestern fare in the state. Meals are flavorful (without being too spicy), prices are great, and there's even a good wine list.

·  Barking Frog Grille (Sedona; tel. 928/204-2000): This Sedona restaurant has a split personality. One side of the restaurant is a very sophisticated dining room serving the best Southwestern fare in the city. The other side of the restaurant offers casual family dining with an emphasis on creative Mexican dishes.

·  The Turquoise Room(Winslow; tel. 928/289-2888): This restaurant conjures up the days when the wealthy still traveled by railroad. Rarely will you find such superb meals in such an off-the-beaten-path locale.

·  Janos/J Bar (Tucson; tel. 520/615-6100): Serving a combination of regional and Southwestern dishes, Janos has long been one of Tucson's premier restaurants. While Janos is as formal a place as you'll find in this city, J Bar is a more casual bar and grill.

·  Café Poca Cosa (Tucson; tel. 520/622-6400): Forget the gloppy melted cheese and flavorless red sauces. This place treats south-of-the-border ingredients with the respect they deserve. It's Mexican food the likes of which you'll never find at your local Mexican joint.

·  The Gold Room (Tucson; tel. 520/917-2930): The main dining room at Tucson's Westward Look Resort combines Southwestern-inspired flavors with a view that just won't quit. Although prices are quite high at dinner, there are reasonably priced lunches.

·  Terra Cotta (Tucson; tel. 520/577-8100): Terra Cotta was one of Arizona's pioneers in the realm of Southwestern cuisine, and continues to serve creative and reasonably priced meals at its beautiful, art-filled restaurant in the Tucson foothills.