Guatemalan road trip - Need suggestions for the Arizona / New Mexico segment

[rworange]

I'll be driving from the SF Bay Area to Guatelmala and would like some suggestions for the segment driving route 10 in Arizona and route 180/10 in New Mexico.

Here's the info:

- The closer to the route the better

- We like anything as cliche as that sounds

- We will be in travel clothes, so dress up places probably are places we wouldn't go

- This trip will take place anywhere from October 2009 to April 2010 and we could hit any town on any day.

- I have no say ... none ... in the route

My husband is Gautemalan. I'm adopting his children and it depends on the US and Guatamalan governments at this time as to when those papers go through. No kids on way down. Three teenagers on the way back up.

Of course, the objective is to get there and back ASAP, so unless something is amazing I wouldn't want to get too far off the main roads.

While my husband and his family have taken this drive a number of times over the years, one side of his family are NOT Chowhounds. Cheap Chinese or other buffets are their idea of good eats. I don't want to spend this time eating in 7-11 type of places or fast food.

My husband's and his side of the family have the tastebuds and he has enjoyed being introduced to delicious food outside of his culture ... he particularily enjoys excellent baked goods.

This is an important segment of the trip for me. It will set if I get to make food choices on the rest of the trip. If early on I can amaze and delight him with deliciousness, he will be more open to my suggestions as the journey continues. Please, please don't abandon me to KFC on this trip.

Because of the fluid time line, anything would be fine ... special festivals, fairs or markets that have great food and are a quick stop. Any time of day.

Deliciousness first. Proximity next. TIA.

[DebitNM]

What an amazing journey you will undertaking! I wish I could help you with this [you have provided me with help with San Francisco requests] but my beat is more around ABQ and Santa Fe.
"Via Con Dios"
Deb

[Jen76]

Do you mean I-10 through Phoenix, Tucson and on into NM?

There's a Ranch Market (the one with Tradiciones restaurant next door) not too far off I-10. They have a sort of food court inside with all kinds of Mexican delights, including baked goods. The sweet croissant looking things in the bakery cases are my favorite. I've never eaten in the sit-down restaurant, be we venture over to that location for the Mexican Coke, bakery and food court.

Further South-East, and somewhat off the 10 (though not hard to find and it won't take long to get there) is Lee's Sandwiches (cash only). It's a Vietnamese sandwich place also with a small selection of baked goods. Their croissants are ginormous. Their sandwiches come on French bread or croissants which are both baked fresh daily.

There's Miracle Mile Deli - again, it's a short jaunt off the 10, but relatively easy to get to/find. My husband loves this place. I think it's decent. Not much atmosphere. Very cafeteria style (the place is huge). But they make a good pastrami sandwich.

Carolina's is right off the 10 also. I've never eaten there myself, but it is a legendary restaurant in Phoenix.

[rworange]

Yes, I-10

Thanks. I started a list of places mentioned
http://www.chow.com/lists/15047

My husband loves croissant things, Mexican or French. The cafeteria thing is good since that would fit his style. Guess it depends on when we drive thru the area and how much we want to eat.

I wonder if Lee's is the same as the chain in California. That's interesting. I got my husband interested in baguettes, but he's never had a bahn mi. I bet he'd love that and it is good road food.

I'm going to be doing research myself, adding to the list and asking questions. However, I wanted to get this thread started so I can start compiling ideas.

[hohokam]

Welcome, rwo. I think the Phoenix Ranch Market food court might be up your alley too, given your fondness for places like La Plazuela. Definitely close to the freeway, and likely to have enough options to satisfy everyone in the crew.

For Mexican food in a more polished and relaxing setting, you could hit Gallo Blanco Cafe in the Clarendon Hotel. They're relatively new on the scene, but I'm already a fan. The restaurant is definitely short-and-sandal friendly, so don't let the "polished" description scare you off.

For lunch involving satisfying baked goods, you might consider Pane Bianco (about 3 miles north of I-10), the lunch-only sandwich joint owned and run by Chris Bianco of Pizzeria Bianco. It's a little pricey, and you have to sit outside, but it's oh so good.

In the other direction, I'd recommend Pasta Bar. On my visits, I've enjoyed great fresh pastas dressed just right. They offer a changing menu of starters and sides, which the non-pasta eater can combine to make a meal. You might want to hit this one on the way down, as a meal for 5 could run into some serious money.

I'll try to think of some more ideas and add them to the thread.

[rworange]

Ooohhh ... a place with the same owner as Pizzeria Bianco. How sucky tourist excited can I get. By which I mean, it is one of those places many people know about ... and I've read some Chowhound opinions in the past ... but you know you want to try because of the dark the Zagat tourist side in your soul. Ok, so that is high on my list for that exit on the freeway which seems food-rich. Hope we drive by there at the right time.

I want to please my husband ... so I get to pick the food ... but I want to be able to squeeze as much food that I can't get at home as possible. He is good about liking new things if they are delicious.

I'm hoping in New Mexico there is something good and in reasonable distance for New Mexican chili with Hatch peppers. I know the season is now and asking for that is the equivalent of asking for crab in SF in July ... but still. Also I hear McDonald's in New Mexico serves burgers with Hatch peppers. If there's one near the freeway that will give my husband a sigh of fast food relief and satisfy my McDonald's abberation.

[bortukan]

Depending on the time of day you're in NM, you may get stuck in very small towns there. In my experience, your chances of decent food are better in Deming than Lordsburg-- El Camino Real (just off I-10 on the W side of Deming) is decent for Mexican food and will put Hatch chiles on just about anything. I've heard the Adobe Grill in Deming is okay too, but never been. There are a lot of bad places to eat in those two towns too-- even their fast food franchises seem to be subpar a lot of the time.

If you can, hold out for Las Cruces for your NM stop. There's a long thread somewhere on this board I remember admiring on places to eat in Las Cruces and Old Mesilla (the latter is a fun place to stop for a quick walk around to look at historic buildings and pretty adobe houses, too).

In Tucson, there's a Guatemalan restaurant (El Quetzal perhaps?) in the area near the university, not too far from I-10. I don't know Tucson geography very well, but my two favorite places there are El Guero Canelo (burritos, extremely informal) and Cafe Poca Cosa (more upscale, but not a dress-up place). Maybe someone from there will chime in soon.

[rworange]

Thanks. Some of these will have to wait until the Places database is up and can be entered on my list.

Up until this point I haven't ruled out any cuisine but I'm going to rule out Guatemalan cuisine any place other than Guatemala ... for obvious reasons ... we will be having the real thing in a few days ... or had it

Wow, this 2005 thread doesn't give me much hope for Las Cruces
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/95252

It links to a trip report by Jim Leff who said it is "a veritable chow desert" where a "glimmer of competence is like salvation"

I took a look on Yelp for Las Cruces and saw Ruby Tuesday was getting four stars ... not encouraging ... and who knew Ruby Tuesday was still even in business.

HOWEVER, it seems like a good town to pass thru rather than live since the sameness of food gets to residents.

ALSO ... Yelp turned up Caliche's Frozen Custard ... something that we don't have in SF and I miss. They even have green chili frozen custard ... two birds with one stone. Even better, they have dessert ice ... aka Italian Ice ... also rare and not well done in SF. Some of the flavors of dessert ice are mango, passionfruit, horchata. I must plot a stop there. When did I turn into Lucy Ricardo?
http://www.caliches.com/

I just found Yelp has a really useful feature where you can follow a map and it redoes the search of what is nearby.

[bortukan]

Yes, that's the Las Cruces thread I was referring to-- there are a lot of (very opinionated!) reviews of many places in that thread. I've visited Las Cruces a bunch of times but never stayed more than a night or two. I personally like La Posta and Peppers in Mesilla (both are indeed touristy, but not in a bad way, and the plaza there is a touristy place after all). It sounds like there are a lot of other options for Mexican food in particular, all loved by some and hated by others! I'm very interested to see where people send you in SW NM...

Also, Blake's Lotaburger is I think a NM-only chain? They are pretty common in that area and (if I remember correctly) will also put green chile on burgers for you. I don't personally like burgers and and can't comment on how good theirs are, but it might be a good compromise on the McDonald's issue.

[kittimeow]

Okay. I know this thread is old, but because it comes up in searches and people review old threads for suggestions, I have to put in my two cents.
I lived in Las Cruces, NM and Mesilla, NM for 15 years and still have lots of family there so visit often.

Yelp, while I love it, sucks for cities that are new to it so I suggest not using it unless you see a lot of reviews for major restaurants. For instance, it's amazing in San Francisco Bay, but does not even list most restaurants in downtown Sacramento.

Things you cannot miss - Get a sopapilla (La Posta and Roberto's are good choices for this). What other people in other places call sopapillas are NOT sopapillas!

Hatch green chile - if you hit this town at the right time of the year, you cannot pass a grocery store without the smell of roasting chiles delighting your pallate (and burning your nose and eyes). There are few places you go in Cruces/Mesilla that do not have green chile as an option on burgers and such.

Old Mesilla specific
La Posta - Mexican - Pretty good food, excellent prices, nice atmosphere. Yes, it is touristy, but locals still go here because the food, price, and service are excellent.
Lorenzo's (see Cruces/Mesilla) - Italian

El Comedor - Mexican - Nothing fancy to look at once you get inside, but the best fajitas in town. Good food, decent price. If it's cold out, do not sit in the first room.

Double Eagle - Mexican/Steak - excellent atmosphere and service, good food, over-priced. It's a tourist trap with local architecture and a ghost story. La Posta (a different kind of touristy) is just as good if not better food at a better price.

Cruces/Mesilla
Mesilla Valley Kitchen - Southwest/Mexican - breakfast and lunch only. FAVORITE ALL TIME RESTAURANT. They have Mexican breakfasts like Huevos Rancheros, old stand bys done very well like guacamole burgers, and unique things like their amazing biscuits (Thursdays only) and their lunch quesadilla.

Lorenzo's - Italian - Exquisite food and a nicer atmosphere than most of Las Cruces eateries. There are two main locations (University and in Old Mesilla) and at one time there was a cafe version for lunch but I'm not sure if it's still open. Their bread is fresh made daily and divine and I cannot get enough of their salads.

Sonic - The chain was started in Las Cruces and the owners still live there. Excellent fast food and good prices with a variety in their menu you would not expect (especially if you are a West Coaster and here this equated to In-and-Out).

Caliche's (formerly known as Scoopy's) - Amazing ice cream shop.

Farley's - American/Southwest - One of those "throw your peanut shells on the floor" kind of funky sports bar feeling places. Owned by the same folks who have Cattle Baron (see below), but it is not a chain despite the level of interior design that might make you think so. They have pool tables and juke box and trivia. But the highlight is the food. Happy hour has great appetizers like green chile wontons. The Turkey Jack (green chile turkey sandwich) is my favorite. My brother favors the Cobb Salad. My father loves the pasole (traditional Mexican soup). They also have an surprisingly excellent tequila list.

Cattle Baron - The place you take a first date you want to impress in this town. It is by no means a five star establishment, but they have good food and an excellent happy hour even if it is a little pricey and nothing really special.

Dick's Cafe - If you want a heartt attack inducing burger and fries (and who doesn't on occasion) this is the perfect place for it.

Roberto's - Makes of the Guiness Book of World Records largest enchilada (on an annual basis at the October Whole Enchilada Festival), the look and feel is of a fast food chain, but this one-of-a-kind restaurant is good cheap, fast Mexican eats. They make all their own tortillas and chips and are the default catering for most get togethers in the area (including weddings).

International Delights - international - An eclectic international foods grocer with a cafe. Excellent desserts.

Smokehouse BBQ - This place is attached to auction barn and there's not much else near it, but it is right off the highway. The auctioneer decided there was no good brisket in town and so opened up a restaurant so his wife could make him some. And it is good.

Little Nellie's - This place is fantastic. Best chile relleno I've ever had. They are family run so often closed around major holidays and only open for lunch. If you go at noon on any day, expect a wait. The place is clean, but nothing fancy. AMAZING food. You will not stumble across this place as it is off a non-major street, but it's worth tracking down. Good price.

Ranchway BBQ - Mexican food and BBQ. Queso Fundido is a delicious appetizer. The brisket sandwich is delicious. Family operated so open for lunch only, often closed around holidays. Good price.

Si Senor - Mexican - This place as the feel of a resort - artificial ambiance and somewhat sterile feeling, but the food is good. It's more expensive than some of the other great Mexican, but you will have a good meal in restaurant nice enough to take a first date, but not so nice you have to wear a tie.

Chilito's - Mexican - good food at a good price, but kind of out of the way.
the Farmer's market - Every Saturday in the downtown mall, delcious baked goods, kettle corn, wheat grass, lemonade, and who knows what else.

[rworange]

Ooohhhh ... green chile wontons .... green chile turkey sandwich ... AND a good tequila list ... that sounds so good.

Thanks for the inof about Si, Senor. When I blew into town briefly, it was one of the few places that had lots of cars outside and I was thinking it might be better than you describe.

Sorry for the vague descriptons ... it was my forst time in the error and more of a drive thru ... on the other side of the street from Si Senior a few blocks down in the direction heading away from Sonic was a little Mexican taco or torta shop. It was nothing to look at, but for some reason it seemed to have promise. Any idea of where I'm talking about and if it is any good?

On South Valley Road ... going toward I10 and not too far from Blake's was a bakery that seemed like it could be good. We were in a hurry and couldn't stop ... any promise there if you know what I talking about?

Anyway, thanks for the great post. Will have to seek out Little Nellie's the next time I'm in town.

[rworange]

Thanks to all.

We never stopped in Phoenix and stuck to the road.

It was really grueling to get ready for the trip and we did some intense driving and could not stray far from the freeway.

Anyway, this is to say I was not thinking clearly at that point and got confused. I was thinking green chile stew when I walked into El Camino Real. Got a take out menu and walked out. Looking at the menu after the fact I weep.

On the ... cough ... recommendation of my AAA book we went to the regretable (except for the pie) Grand Motor Inn ... although their green chili burger far outshone Blakes Lottaburger which I would not recommend to anyone. Here are the links
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/7002...

[Jen76]

Yup, it's the same Lee's. It would be great road food! But, so would the Ranch Market. ;) Miracle Mile makes me sleepy. It's very...filling. Ha!

[Jen76]

In Tucson there's a little cafe called Blue Willow. I ate their once with friends when we went down there for a jewelry show. It has a very charming patio and the food was quite good (we had breakfast there).

http://www.bluewillowtucson.com/1.html

[rworange]

Leaving in 2-3 days, any other suggestions?

Given it is the Lenten season ... any bakeries with good hot cross buns or anything else seasonal?

We might be taking route 40 thorugh Arizona, but that isn't in stone yet. Any suggestions along that route?

[Jen76]

If you take I-40 all the way thru AZ, you'll pass through Kingman, Williams, Flagstaff (may want to check the road conditions as they've had a lot of snow this year), Winslow and Holbrook. Here are some threads for you to peruse:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/656777
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/670373
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/638426
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/653953
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/606211

Scargod's/Passadumkeg's recommendation for Kingman (Silverspoon Family Restaurant) starts at post #3:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/618143

[GroovinGourmet]

Assuming you are on your return trip and have not re-entered the US yet, you might want to seek out Chope's in La Mesa, NM. It represents a slight detour off I-10 between El Paso and Las Cruces, but it is well worth. Chope's is a legendary place for chile rellenos and other New Mex Mex dishes. I wouldn't think of being within a few hours' drive and not making the pilgrimage.

[rworange]

Thanks for the suggestion. It will be anywhere from 3-9 plus months before I return, but this is useful info.

[Claudette]

rworange - if you come home via Tucson, let me know so I can give you some recs (also, if you want an inexpensive place to stay, we own a vacation home there - just email me offline). I'm really enjoying your descriptive, informative posts from Guatemala.

[rworange]

Can you offer up a few Tucson recs now? It never hurts to be ready no matter how far in advance. I got busy just before the trip and barely looked at the thread before I left. I was glad most of what I read months before stuck in my mind. I can't imagine that same scenario again, but one never knows. Will email you if we return that way. Thanks

[Claudette]

Gladly - you're a woman after my own heart: never too early to plan and dream about future meals.

I know that you know enough to search old Tucson threads for local upscale and casual recs: http://search.chow.com/search?query=tucson&search_board_id=6&search_boardgroup_id=3&sort_mode=newest&type=Topic&from_date=1+year+ago

So, I'll just briefly summarize my favorites that are uniquely Tucsonian (remember, I only visit 4 or 5 times/year, so I don't have time to explore all of the great local dives, but I have been to all of the upscale venues which might not be appropriate for your three kids, depending on their tastes. (My teenager likes upscale food, but not the time it takes for service.

)

Our #1 rec: Cafe Poca Cosa, which is not truly kid-friendly, but if each adult orders the Plato (chef's choice of 3 different entrees each) you will not be disappointed. The chef has over a hundred different recipes, and her moles are unbelieveably unique and delicious.

Our other #1 rec: If you're here during the winter, book a rez at the Ocotillo Cafe at the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum - the food is fabulous. Even if the cafe is not open, do not miss the opportunity to take your kids to that museum, which is really more of a education center/preserve and the best attraction in Arizona for tourists and locals alike (besides the Grand Canyon).

Zinburger: our favorite burger joint. It's clean, fun, has upscale options (turkey, Kobe, and ahi burgers, sweet potato and zuke fries) with a great selection of well-priced wine, beer, and real ice cream shakes. Their banana cream pie is almost as good a mine.

El Guero Canelo for authentic Sonoran hot dogs (you have to try one for bragging rights) and the best carne asada tacos anywhere. Cheap, fast, delicious - you can't beat it.

Primo - Melissa Kelly's upscale Italian resto in the JW Marriott StarrPass resort. Not cheap, but less expensive than the other top-tier places in Tucson. Go Tues to Fridays for Happy Hour 5-6pm, and you can order fantastic apps and their wines by the glass for just $5-10 each! (only $5 for a $15 cab!)

If you want to go all out, I like Janos (now that the Ventana Room is closed); if the lamb tongue tacos are on the tasting menu, do not pas it up. $80 prix fixe/$125 with wine pairings are well worth it.

B-Line Cafe for excellent biscuits (weekend mornings only), coffee, fish tacos, pies and cakes.

Blue Willow Cafe for breakfasts, coffee, and kid-friendly gift shop.

Other terrific non-chain recs: Feast, Jax Kitchen, Harvest.

Janos: http://www.janos.com/janos/tastingmenu.php
Primo: http://primo.jwmarriottstarrpass.com/
Harvest: http://www.marketrg.com/
Zinburger: http://www.foxrc.com/zinburger.html
Ocotillo Cafe: http://www.desertmuseum.org/visit/ren...

Have fun!

[JK Grence the Cosmic Jester]

I think the Little Poca Cosa would be more kid friendly than the big one. It's cheaper too. The mole negro there has spoiled me for life on all other moles I've tried. Oh, if you go, bring cash, they don't take plastic.

[rworange]

Just a note to myself for the possible trip home. Wolfe's Bagels in Albuquerque sells green chile and green chile parmesean bagels. They also sell at markets such as Whole Foods and Raleys
http://www.wolfesbagels.com/cafel.html

Have to have a green chile bagel

[finlero]

Not to be too much of a naysayer, but I wouldn't get your hopes up, really not much of a fan of Wolfe's. Not tough enough outside, not enough chew inside, just kind of bland and bready. NY Deli in Santa Fe is nominally better, but still not awesome. Huge fan of green chile in general, and green chile bagels are a phenomenal idea, but I haven't found a real-life chowish version yet.

[rworange]

Thanks. I didn't have expectations on getting a real bagel. When a place gets into flavors ... well, seriously ... I can't think of one place like that which produces a really authentic bagel ... more of a bagel-shaped roll inspired by a bagel. As long as it doesn't suck, like something from Sarah Lee, I'm up for the novelty factor ... but I won't go out of my way to seek it out.

How's the coffee at Wolfe's? The website makes a big deal about it.

[finlero]

Coffee is also underwhelming; not abhorrent, just unremarkable. The only place I've found in town that makes truly excellent coffee is the Grove.

It sounds like you have your expectations perfectly calibrated for the bagel; framed like that, you'll easily be able to enjoy it.

For a really, truly good chow experience in the vein of "green chile in a NY-style food", it's all about a green chile pizza from Giovanni's.

[rworange]

That pizza sounds great. Thanks.