One of my favorite things about a roadtrip is eating in new places. High-brow, low-country, I'll try them all. I've driven the entire historic route of U.S. Highway 89 for my project, a lot of miles, a lot of meals. I want good food after a hard day's photography, and I have found some great places to eat. Here are some of my favorite places:
| Arizona | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tucson | El Charro Cafe | There are four locations, but I prefer the original restaurant in the central district, which has been there longer than the Highway itself. Mole, carne seca, and they will ship tamales. |
| Phoenix | my Mom's | My Mom makes the best lasagne. |
| Yarnell | Cornerstone Bakery | Once on a scouting trip Mom and I stopped here for a coffee warm-up. I now have a standing order to bring her eclairs if I am driving through Yarnell. |
| Prescott | 129 1/2 : An American Jazz Grille | Fine dining, but not too fussy. Menu has changed since my last visit-a reason to get back to Prescott. Might want a reservation, especially later in the evening when the live music gets going. |
| Flagstaff | Beaver Street Brewery | After a full day drive from SLC to Flagstaff (I probably stop more than most), I'm glad to know that this place will be serving good food until at least 11 pm. |
| Page | Strombolli's Restaurant and Pizzeria | I get the Strombolli Calzone, large enough that I eat half and pack the rest for lunch the next day. Strombolli's closes in the winter. |
| Utah | ||
| Kanab | The Rocking V Cafe | The last thing I'd expect in a rural Utah restaurant is an extensive vegetarian menu. It looked good, but I had the elk. I'd stay in Kanab on the way to Zion NP so I could eat here again. Full bar too, not always easy to find in Southern Utah. |
| Springdale | The Spotted Dog Cafe and Pub | Springdale isn't on Highway 89, but it is the main gateway to Zion. The chef at the Spotted Dog is sourcing scallops, salmon, and other gourmet items, and he knows what to do with them. An "eat your fancy food in fleece and flannel" kind of place, one where I feel comfortable eating alone. |
| Panguitch | The Flying M Restaurant | A real coffee shop, full American breakfast. And a full liquor license. Hopefully you won't need both at the same time. |
| Salina | Mom's Cafe | Save room for pie. |
| Salt Lake City | Coffee Garden | Two locations, one in Sam Weller's Bookstore on Main Street. I'm not a coffee drinker, but my husband says the Coffee Garden staff can make the best latte on the planet. (There's one other place in Auckland, but it's not on Highway 89.) If I'm in town, I'll be having one of their pastries for breakfast on Saturday morning. And free wireless. |
| Salt Lake City | Bambara Restaurant | This is our household's special occasion restaurant. Actually, there is a lot of fine dining in SLC, but this is my choice for my birthday and my husband's choice for business dinners. |
| Perry | Maddox Ranch House | People drive an hour from SLC for the chicken-fried steak. It's a must-drive-by in the evening to see the spinning neon creation. |
| Garden City | Hometown Drive In | Highway 89 is lined with shake shacks, but the Hometown Drive In is one of the few open on Sundays. |
| Wyoming | ||
| Alpine | Yankee Doodles Cafe | Everything, EVERYTHING in the place is red, white and blue. Must have been a huge After-the-4th sale at decorating time. Burgers, freedom fries, and plenty of flags. |
| Jackson | Virginian Restaurant | Jackson is a foodie town, but sometimes what I want is an honest American breakfast. You can get it here. |
| Jackson | Jackson Whole Grocer | I'll stop here for a sandwich and snacks on my way into the park. The deli is full-stocked with takeaway foods for the road. |
| Grand Teton National Park | Mural Room, Jackson Lake Lodge | There are several classic national park lodge dining rooms on the Highway 89 tour, like El Tovar and the Old Faithful Lodge. I enjoy the dining experience in all of them, but I like the food at the Mural Room best. |
| Montana | ||
| Livingston | 2nd Street Bistro | Drive the hour north of Mammoth Hot Springs to eat here. I might move to Livingston just so I could eat here. This one is "better than it has to be." |
| Great Falls | Mackenzie River Pizza Company | A small chain of Montana restaurants that doesn't feel like it. The Great Falls location is next to the Missouri River, the patio lovely, the staff charming. |
| Choteau | Log Cabin Cafe | Another fabulous pie place, if you get there early enough. |
| Babb | Cattle Baron Supper Club | Don't be misled by the simple exterior - winters are hard in Montana. The food is inside, big beautiful pieces of beef. This is not a place for light appetites or vegetarians. The waiter tried to interest us in dessert, a comical proposition considering the steak I had eaten. |
These are my recommendations, but keep in mind that I haven't eaten everywhere (yet). If I missed your favorite road food spot on Highway 89, won't you please leave a comment with the details?
Comments (5)
Ann, this cracks me up. For years, my parents have been threatening to compile a book called "Grease on 89" listing all the greasy spoons on Hwy 89. Looks like you've beat them to it!
Posted by Elizabeth Foote | October 22, 2007 6:49 AM
Posted on October 22, 2007 06:49
Ann, I posted my review of Tootsies restaurant that's on Highway 89 in Thayne Wyoming. Here's the link: http://scottosmith.com/2007/11/21/ann-torrence-highway-89-project/
Posted by Scott Smith | November 21, 2007 8:02 AM
Posted on November 21, 2007 08:02
Hello Ann,
Having traveled U.S. 89 many times (and also having lived in Logan, Utah for 17 years) I have to recommend that you try the Bluebird Cafe across from the Mormon Tabernacle in downtown Logan. Ownership changed hands a couple of years ago, but I believe the food is still quite good and the historic soda fountain and candy counter can't be beat!
You might also try the Star Valley Cheese Restaurant in Thayne, Wyoming. (Yes they serve more than cheese!)
Posted by Brian Atkinson | January 30, 2008 3:17 PM
Posted on January 30, 2008 15:17
Oh that photo of Madoxx.... YUM....
Of course if you did not eat the 32 oz porter house you missed out.
Tyler
The best chinese by the way on us 89 I have ever had is a small hole the wall...
Dragon... 3rd and washington (us 89) in Ogden.. I love the Pan Fried Noodles and soups.
Posted by Tyler | March 8, 2009 7:13 AM
Posted on March 8, 2009 07:13
We ate at Strombollis in Page about 3 weeks ago, and truly, the calzone is bigger than anyone's head. Our entire meal was delicious, and so reasonably priced it was ridiculous. Fiesta Mexicana restaurant in Page was named one of the top 25 restaurants in Arizona in their latest issue. We tried it also and had a great meal there as well.
Posted by Bill Haskamp | May 1, 2009 9:54 PM
Posted on May 1, 2009 21:54