Arizona

[spherrod]

My brother-in-law is flying to Arizona from the UK today for a 6 week placement at the University there - any recommendations on good places to eat and drink?

Also - any suggestions for must-see places to visit?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions :beer:

 

[IronWing]

Which university or which town?

 

[hypn0tik]

Originally posted by: spherrod
My brother-in-law is flying to Arizona from the UK today for a 6 week placement at the University there - any recommendations on good places to eat and drink?

Also - any suggestions for must-see places to visit?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions :beer:

Grand Canyon. I went there when I was younger and it was awesome!

As far as food goes, tell him to stay away from McDonalds and Burger King. He should be fine. I haven't the slightest clue though, sorry.

 

[vi edit]

Arizona is a REALLY big state. What city is he flying into? Tucson(U of A) or Phoenix(ASU)?

 

[spherrod]

Originally posted by: ironwing
Which university or which town?

It's Arizona State University

EDIT: Looks like it's in a place called Tempe?

 

[vi edit]

If he wants some very authentic (and spicy!) Mexican Food, hit Los Dos Molino's. There is one down on Central Ave just on the edge of South Mountain Park.

There's another on the corner of Alma School and Broadway. They've got the hottest "house" salsa I've had. Their burritos and flautas are huge.

If he's jonesing for a good draft from your side of the pond, go no further than Rula Bula. It's on Mill street, just south of 3rd street. Here's the website: http://www.rulabula.com/

Alice Cooper's in downtown Phoenix is a good place to grab a burger or rack of ribs.

Oregano's is on University just a little east of Campus. They've got great pizza and sandwhiches. Usually a great place to scope out some err...college scenery. Too bad school is out of session right now. If he's there for six weeks he might catch it just as people are getting in next month.

4 Peaks Brewery has some really good burgers and a very nice selection of micro-brews they make in house. http://www.fourpeaks.com/

If he ever heads for the border (Mexico) be sure to stop in at Tubac(about 30 miles north of the border) and eat at Tosh's. It's a very good mexican restaurant too.

 

[IronWing]

Overall the Valley of the Sun is a culinary wasteland but there are a couple good places.

Take Priest south of Baseline about a mile, maybe less, to Guadalupe. On the west side of the road is a small Mexican restaurant with archs out front and a walk up window. Very good food. EDIT: the name is El Yaqui.

On Rural south of the ASU is a cluster of Middle Eastern restaurants. The Cafe Istanbul on the north side of the street east of the Pita Jungle is very good.

 

[spherrod]

cheers guys, I'll pass those on!

 

[vi edit]

Take Priest south of Baseline about a mile, maybe less, to Guadalupe. On the west side of the road is a small Mexican restaurant with archs out front and a walk up window. Very good food. EDIT: the name is El Yaqui.

Errrm....I don't know if I'd send somebody that has never been to AZ before to Guadalupe. Just my thoughts. I made it a point not to venture south of Baseline on Priest.

And for the record, I lived on Baseline and 32nd.

 

[IronWing]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Take Priest south of Baseline about a mile, maybe less, to Guadalupe. On the west side of the road is a small Mexican restaurant with archs out front and a walk up window. Very good food. EDIT: the name is El Yaqui.

Errrm....I don't know if I'd send somebody that has never been to AZ before to Guadalupe. Just my thoughts. I made it a point not to venture south of Baseline on Priest.

And for the record, I lived on Baseline and 32nd.

You may be right but I've never had any problems there.

On the note of someone from the UK coming to Phoenix in July: It is expected to be 114F (45C) on Tuesday. Tell your bro to bring a broad brim hat, wear long sleeves, wear SPF 30 or higher sunscreen, eat lots of salty food, and drink more water than he thinks is humanly possible.

 

[Nitemare]

Carolina's south of dowtown Phoenix has some pretty good Mexican food.

Has to see the Grand Canyon and the Red Rocks of Sedona as well.

Make sure he stays off Van Buren in DT Phoenix after 10PM

 

[IronWing]

In town:
The Desert Botanical Garden is nice.
The zoo is good.
Camelback and Squaw Peak (just renamed to something I can't spell but the maps probably still say Squaw Peak) are nice desert hikes.

North:
Grand Canyon
Sedona
Flagstaff
Jerome

East: Boyce Thompson Arboriteum (sp)

South:
Tucson: San Xaviar Mission, Arizona Sonora Desert Museum

Way South:
Bisbee - funky old mining town

 

[vi edit]

On the note of someone from the UK coming to Phoenix in July: It is expected to be 114F (45C) on Tuesday. Tell your bro to bring a broad brim hat, wear long sleeves, wear SPF 30 or higher sunscreen, eat lots of salty food, and drink more water than he thinks is humanly possible.

I was just going to post that. He's going to be there smack dab in the middle of the most miserable part of the year Phoenix has to offer. It is going to be miserably warm, especially for him coming from the U.K.

Don't expect to be doing much outdoor activity, at least anywhere south of Flagstaff. Heat stroke isn't exactly a sovenier you want to take back home with you

 

[Vegitto]

Originally posted by: ironwing
In town:
The Desert Botanical Garden is nice.
The zoo is good.
Camelback and Squaw Peak (just renamed to something I can't spell but the maps probably still say Squaw Peak) are nice desert hikes.

North:
Grand Canyon
Sedona
Flagstaff
Jerome

East: Boyce Thompson Arboriteum (sp)

South:
Tucson: San Xaviar Mission, Arizona Sonora Desert Museum

Way South:
Bisbee - funky old mining town

:thumbsup:

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: ironwing
In town:
The Desert Botanical Garden is nice.
The zoo is good.
Camelback and Squaw Peak (just renamed to something I can't spell but the maps probably still say Squaw Peak) are nice desert hikes.

North:
Grand Canyon
Sedona
Flagstaff
Jerome

East: Boyce Thompson Arboriteum (sp)

South:
Tucson: San Xaviar Mission, Arizona Sonora Desert Museum

Way South:
Bisbee - funky old mining town

Tombstone is nice as well

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: ironwing
In town:
The Desert Botanical Garden is nice.
The zoo is good.
Camelback and Squaw Peak (just renamed to something I can't spell but the maps probably still say Squaw Peak) are nice desert hikes.

North:
Grand Canyon
Sedona
Flagstaff
Jerome

East: Boyce Thompson Arboriteum (sp)

South:
Tucson: San Xaviar Mission, Arizona Sonora Desert Museum

Way South:
Bisbee - funky old mining town

If he is already down in Tucson the Pima Air and Space Museum is also well worth the time to visit.

The Queen Mine tour in Bisbee is neat as well if he isn't clausterphobic.

 

[spherrod]

sounds good - I'll forward them all on to him

:beer:

 

[Adul]

i been here forever

Stockyards is a good plce to eat. its on van buren around 50th streat.
Gordan beirsch in downtown tempe is pretty good as well. Its also a microbrewery which should be in walking distance .

los dos minos is great but damn is it hot stuff .

There is another mexican place I found that is pretty good. Carambas, there are several locations around the valley.

For pizza..

Rays pizza. nuff said

oh and there is also Pizzaria Bianco. best pizza I have had ever. though you will be stuck waiting for ever has there wait there can be up to three hours.


Saporo in scottsdale is a good place for tempa yaki. Expect to drop some $$ if you order the kobe :x

 

[CurtisBilly]

Dos Gringos, Four Peaks, Sugar Daddy's

 

[spherrod]

Well, he got there ok - had a great Mexican meal last night and then went to the Library Bar (now that sounds like a great place!). He's really grateful for all the suggestions!

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: spherrod
Well, he got there ok - had a great Mexican meal last night and then went to the Library Bar (now that sounds like a great place!). He's really grateful for all the suggestions!

Where did he go to?

 

[CurtisBilly]

The Library is incredible. The waitresses dance on tables in skimpy outfits.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: spherrod

Originally posted by: ironwing
Which university or which town?

It's Arizona State University

EDIT: Looks like it's in a place called Tempe?

Aha... there is a local brewery in Tempe, pretty big building (2 or 3 stories) but I forgot the name. Good beer and good food.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: K1052

Originally posted by: ironwing
In town:
The Desert Botanical Garden is nice.
The zoo is good.
Camelback and Squaw Peak (just renamed to something I can't spell but the maps probably still say Squaw Peak) are nice desert hikes.

North:
Grand Canyon
Sedona
Flagstaff
Jerome

East: Boyce Thompson Arboriteum (sp)

South:
Tucson: San Xaviar Mission, Arizona Sonora Desert Museum

Way South:
Bisbee - funky old mining town

If he is already down in Tucson the Pima Air and Space Museum is also well worth the time to visit.

The Queen Mine tour in Bisbee is neat as well if he isn't clausterphobic.

The Titan II missile museum is a must see too. Just go south on I-19 close to Green Valley.
Sabino Canyon in Tucson is great.
Collosal Cave SE of Tucson.

 

[FrustratedUser]

The brewery I mentioned is right accross Hooters in Tempe.