My going out to Scottsdale AZ this weekend with my boys and they love what we serve here as “Mexican.” We have some good places but I’ve been to Mexico and Southern California and have had food that is considerably better. I’ve never been to Scottsdale or the area before though but I know there are going to be great places there.
The “boys” are 17 and 18 so not little kids. They are pretty adventurous but may balk at Tacos de Sesos. Any suggestions for Scottsdale or the area? We’ll have a rental car so can get somewhere a bit further if it is worth it. We’re flying into Phoenix around noon on Saturday so anything between there and Scottsdale would be a great start to the trip.
There is a Tilted Kilt close to the hotel so considering the boys age I need something special to pry them away from there.
Also any other things to do in the area are appreciated (I’ve been told we should drive the Apache Trail and grab a bite at Tortilla Flats).
Donde es “med tex”? Tex Mex I’m quite familiar with, but I thought the point of going someplace different was trying new things. Otherwise, I’m sure they have plenty of chain restaurants. I tend to look at yelp or other reviews and weed out the variables. In that part of the country, I’m being you could find a good grief or roasted chicken place with rice and beans and a variety of sauces. And now I’m hungry.
Thanks, but I can get really good “grief” here. I’m “being” it is as good as anything I could get there. And I was asking about the Mexican cuisine typical in the Southwestern states, not about “med tex” which I assume is a health care system in Texas.
Be careful teasing someone’s slip up.
Ok, I first wrote “Mexican” but I’ve traveled a lot in Mexico and know that there are many different types of “Mexican” food. I’ve even had some of the best French food in Mexico City. I thought I would specify which type and simply changed the end of what I typed which accidentally switched them. Sue me. I never said anything about wanting a chain restaurant, and I’m aware of Yelp. I’m surprised you didn’t suggest I Google it. My boys like the “Mexican” we get here which is Tex Mex so I’m looking for something along those lines but kicked up several notches.
I’ve been here a long time and have gotten some great recommendations from the posters here and thought it would be nice to get a first hand opinion from people I trust.
I just noticed you said Tortilla Flats. That’s quite a haul from Scottsdale. But if you’re going, I can recommend more Mexican restaurants in Mesa. Snooty Scottsdale socialites and proper Phoenicians look down on Mesa. Their loss.
Los Dos Molinos is the best New Mexico-style food in the valley. It’s fiercely spicy, though, so maybe not the best choice for kids. If you are near Tilted Kilt (on Tatum and Cactus), the best Mexican is probably Habaneros on Scottsdale and Shea. It’s a hole-in-the-wall, but they have excellent food.
ETA: There’s a new place we really like on 7th st. and Bethany Home called OtroCafe.
Also: Gadzooks is a MUST VISIT! Best Enchiladas around!
So, Beowulff since you live right there, how long will it take to get out to Barrett Jackson? Also, are there things to do right in the area of the hotel? The boys both drive but I’m not sure if I can get the 18 year old on as a driver of the rental or not, and they may want to hang out by themselves some.
We’re getting in Sat around noon to Phoenix. Sunday all day will be Barrett Jackson, and then fly out of Phoenix Monday around 5 or so. That gives us an afternoon and evening on Sat, and part of the day on Sunday. What would everyone recommend. I looked it up and it does look like Tortilla Flats and the Apache trail may be a bit of a haul so that is likely out.
Barrett Jackson is around 15 - 20 minutes away.
What do the boys like doing? There’s great hiking just down the road from your hotel.
I have other restaurant suggestions if you want.
Go for it… we probably won’t want Southwestern for every meal. We get breakfast at the hotel but lunch, dinner, and snack places are great.
The boys are easy… they like hiking and I do too. A have a bit of a bad knee though so nothing too strenuous. They also like just seeing new places. We’ll probably have to hit Old Town or whatever it is called just because it is a requirement I think. Of course they are teen age boys which is why I’m worried they will want to go to Tilted Kilt all the time (and it ain’t because of the food). Art museums and the such are probably out, but if there is something sciencey or sports related they may be interested.
How about Escape the Room? It’s in Old Town Scottsdale and basically the idea is you have to use clues to escape an apartment. There’s also a challenge where you have to rob an Old West type bank and escape in an hour. I think it’s pretty new but I’ve heard some good things about it. I’m excited to try it sometime.
There is the Arizona Science Center, Japanese Friendship Garden, and Irish Cultural Center there in Phoenix. Scottsdale has a relatively new place called Butterfly Wonderland.
For food - Chino Bandido is really good. I don’t know why their website doesn’t have their Phoenix location (the Chandler one is closed) but it’s at 15414 North 19th Avenue in Phoenix. Also, Fajitas: A Sizzlin’ Celebration (sounds like a book but it’s so good with tons of food), MacAlpine’s Soda Fountain (for the atmosphere). Like Just Asking Questions I’m more well-versed in Mesa, but I like all of those places.
We really like CafePino in Scottsdale (close to BJ). Excellent artisan pizza.
Soi 4 has great Thai.
Tandoori Times is our go-to Indian place.
My favorite place for lunch is Breadcrafters, which is walking distance from the Embassy Suites.
And, I’ll say it again: Gadzooks is not to be missed!
Hiking: Phoenix Mountains Preserve and Echo Canyon (up to the top of Camelback) are both very close to your hotel.
The activities mentioned above all good. Your sons might want to drive down to Tempe and hang out with all the pretty ASU girls…
The Escape Room sounds perfect… I’m just not sure if you have to book ahead or if you can drop by since we won’t be on a rigid schedule. I’ll look into it further tomorrow.
It looks like we will have to fit in both Los Dos Molinos and Gadzooks somehow. The artisan pizza place would also be good but I have to admit we have an excellent one very close to our house here. I’ll put the other two at the top but keep this in mind.
Funny you should mention ASU… the excuse I’m using for the boys to miss school on Monday is that we will be doing some college visits. This could fit the bill very well.
I agree on MacAlpines but it’s not in their part of town, and Mary Coyle’s just closed I think But Sugar Bowl, 4005 North Scottsdale Road, is a close choice and would fit the bill for an old fashioned ice cream parlor.