En route from Grand Canyon to Phoenix - delicious bites?

[emilysaraheats]

I'll be traveling from the Grand Canyon to Phoenix in a couple weeks-- we'll be departing the canyon in the morning, and have a flight out of Phoenix airport that night, we'll plan to be there around 9pm.

We're planning some sightseeing/hike stops, but wanted to know if there are any delectable food stops off of 17 that are can't-miss destinations? We are from NYC, so are particularly into things that are unique to the region, and more of the "cheap eats" variety, we are NOT afraid of dives! And then maybe a quick bite in Phoenix proper for before the plane ride.

If anyone wants to add can't-miss sights along that route, too!

Thanks!

[Beach Chick]

Stop in Sedona and have lunch at the stunning Enchantment Resort...make reservations so the guard at the gate will have you on the list..take 89A down from Flagstaff..great scenic drive.
Too bad you weren't hanging in Sedona for at least a night so you can dine at one of the best resto's in AZ..Elote Cafe..only open for dinner...Garland's Lodge is another beauty.
Rock Springs Cafe off the 17 has some awesome pie and a cowboy saloon..very popular.
Carolina's for divey Mex in PHX at the end of the airport runway...some of the best.

www.enchantmentresort.com
www.rockspringscafe.com
www.carolinasmex.com
www.garlandslodge.com

[johnseberg]

Carolina's will probably be closed at the specified time.

[emilysaraheats]

More of a daytime place, hm?

[johnseberg]

I would say more of a Phoenix place than a NYC place (Phoenix is the city that often sleeps!) ;^)

Also, they are closed all day Sunday, so, the day of the week you arrive in Phoenix might also be a factor. Other restaurants in Phoenix might take other days off.

[emilysaraheats]

Alas, it is indeed a Sunday :(

Any other recs?

[johnseberg]

Sorry, the last time I ate at 9:00pm was probably at In-N-Out Burger or Juliobertos. I'm not recommending them. Many will say you need to go to In-N-Out at least once in your life. There are some along I-17 as you come into Phoenix.

I was passing through Flagstaff and enjoyed Diablo Burger. It might not be what you have in mind, but, it was a good lunch for me on a road trip - a little hard to find. It's a burger on an English muffin, but, free range local beef, cooked properly, which can be hard to find, also.

Your 9:00 pm arrival in PHX is probably tied to your flight, but, it might be worth mentioning that AZ does not observe daylight savings time, so, the sun might go down (and come up) sooner than you expect.

http://www.diabloburger.com

http://juliobertos.com

http://www.in-n-out.com

[emilysaraheats]

Dinner can be more like 7/7:30/8-- we'll just have more time to kill before the flight then!

[finlero]

If you're looking for stuff in Phoenix itself, you might want to check the dedicated Phoenix board (http://chowhound.chow.com/boards/69). Although Phoenix doesn't stay open NYC-late, there are plenty of choices open well past 9 on a Sunday.

I'm not in Phoenix that often, but off the top of my head, within 15ish minutes of Sky Harbor:

* Delux Burger is an upscale CA-style burger joint (good salads and other things as well), and is open nightly 'til 2 a.m.
* Richardson's is New Mexican-style Mexican, actually pretty good even by NM standards (I live in Santa Fe), and is open nightly 'til midnight.

http://www.deluxburger.com/
http://richardsonsnm.com/

I'm sure the locals on the PHX board can help you even more. Good luck!

[emilysaraheats]

Yep, I posted on the Phoenix board too. Thanks a lot!

[Beach Chick]

Forgot about that...thanks john!
Maybe Los Dos Molina...is their one closer than Mesa?
Z Teja in Tempe, House of Tricks, Casey Moore's are close to the airport.

[johnseberg]

There is a downtown location of Los Dos Molinos, but, it looks to be closed Sunday (and Monday). The Mesa location closes at 9pm on Sunday.

http://www.losdosmolinosaz.net

[emilysaraheats]

Looks great! Anywhere more off the beaten path than Sedona?

[Beach Chick]

There isn't much in the way of great eats or life from GC to PHX.
Have you ever been to Sedona?
Brunch at L'Auberge...Coffee Pot for omelettes..Wildflower Bread Company.
You can hit up Jerome and dine at the very haunted Grand Hotel at Asylum.