Roadtrip-DeathValley, Utah, GrandCanyon, Albuquerque, St.Louis
I tried to be very specific in my title! My friend and I are embarking on a three-week roadtrip at the end of September.
We will be leaving from her place in Berkeley and heading to Death Valley, then going to the Grand Canyon for 3 nights before heading to Zion National Park (Hurricane, UT) for 2 nights.
From there we go to Bryce Canyon (Panguitch, UT) and Arches National Park (Moab, UT) for a night each.
Then we head back to the Midwest, via Albuquerque and Lubbock, TX for a night each. Then Springfield, MO and St. Louis and Chicago!
We are on a budget but still like to eat good food, of course. Love the local joints that have the best food no one outside of town knows about. We have friends in Lubbock, Springfield, St. Louis and Chicago, so I am mostly worried about the tourist areas (especially around the Grand Canyon and Utah parks) that might focus more on "familiar" fast food, so help us out! I'm particularly excited to eat lots of good Mexican flavors.
Suggestions between towns are also welcome! Here is a link to our route.
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29 Comments:
In Cortez, CO: Nero's Italian restaurant and Tequila's Mexican restaurant are both delicious. If you're going to the Four Corners National Monument (which actually is in the wrong location by a couple of feet, I believe), have some Navajo fry bread with local honey. In Albuquerque, there is a local chain called Weck's which has amazing breakfasts and pretty decent New Mexican-Mexican food. Looks like a fun trip!
MrsJohnson at 9:28AM on 08/12/09
It sounds like a great trip!
The food in the Grand Canyon is terrible though.
El Tovar hotel is OK, and it's beautiful. I'd try that.
If you make it through Sedona at all, go to Elote Cafe. Amazing Mexican. Seriously beautiful food!
Silvia at 11:16AM on 08/12/09
St. Louis:
Crown Candy Kitchen
Niche
Sidney Street Cafe
Neveria Vallesana (amazingly delicious and cheap Mexican on Cherokee Street)
Dewey's Pizza (or Pi)
lizaj at 11:37AM on 08/12/09
Are you backpacking in the Grand Canyon or camping on the rim? If you're not backpaking it, I highly suggest dipping down to Flagstaff for a day or so. You can easily check out Wupatki National Monument, Sedona, and the San Fran peaks, plus get some great food in Flagstaff (limited but totally there if you know where to look and FAR better than what you are going to find in southern Utah).
joyyy at 12:57PM on 08/12/09
@joyyy: We are moteling it. We considered camping, but since I am the one with equipment and also the one flying in for this road trip, it was just too complicated. So we will also only be doing day hikes cause, DAMN, Phantom Ranch is expensive.
inothernews at 2:07PM on 08/12/09
@inothernews - yes, and you'd need reservations for staying overnight below the rim as well. 3 days at the Grand Canyon spending each night in a lodge on the rim might actually get kind of um, boring by the third day. I highly suggest checking out other northern Arizona gems, as Sedona is not to be missed and Flagstaff is really quite a treat as well (I'm biased because I live here, but seriously, it's close enough that you should totally check it out!).
If you do make it down to Flag, try Pato on San Francisco for Thai, Diablo Burger in the square for great, local grass-fed beef burgers and awesome fries, Mountain Oasis on Aspen by the square for an eclectic and veg-friendly menu, Late for the Train for coffee (San Francisco St), and Cafe Espress or MartAnn's for breakfast (all of these are right downtown). Then hit New Frontiers, the smancy organic and beautiful but expensive grocery store for the best road-trip goodies you're going to find between Berkley and ABQ.
Also, what route are you taking to get from Bryce to Arches to Albuquerque? If it's possible to drive through Monument Valley, do it! Seriously beautiful stuff. I'll stop rambling now, though it's difficult since southern Utar/northern Az is collectively about my favorite place on the planet.
joyyy at 2:59PM on 08/12/09
Albuquerque-
El Pinto Restaurant
Barelas Coffee House
Sadie's Mexican Kitchen
Rudy's Barbeque
soozm32 at 4:08PM on 08/12/09
We made a similar trip 2 summers ago. One of my favorites was the green chili at Goulding's Lodge in Monument Valley. Most memorable were the picnics within the parks. Pack sandwiches and enjoy dining in the grandeur of the park. Or enjoy eating at the historic park lodges. Sometimes it is not all about the food, and the privilege of visiting these parks is one of those times.
Suzzanne at 8:45PM on 08/12/09
Agree with @joyyy about Mountain Oasis in Flagstaff...so good. Also we ate dinner at the Beaver Street Brewery and loved it! Flagstaff is a great place, we were there in May and I was blown away...such a nice community. We stayed in Williams for three nights--closer than Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon. Williams is funky, not great food, but decent...there seems to be music coming from every corner. Pancho McGillicuddy's was recommended but we didn't get there. In the Grand Canyon, definitely try the El Tovar for lunch (cheaper than dinner). The Appetizer portion of chili was more than enough, also one of the best chilis I have ever eaten . Lovely room and great service. Also, I say yes to Wupatki and Sedona if you can...Sliding Rock Park just outside of Sedona looks like great fun...we tried to go, but it was totally full on a Saturday afternoon.
jsd517 at 1:09PM on 08/13/09
In St. Louis:
Lorenzo's, on the Hill
Cunetto's, on the Hill
Ted Drewe's Frozen Custard
portail32 at 1:48PM on 08/13/09
If you want something different in Albuquerque try La Provence Brasserie. Good food. I can give you more recommendations if you go to Santa Fe.
My parents are friends with the owners of Thai Thai and Bangkock Thai in Lubbock and they are fairly good. Also Saigon is decent. The 50 Yard Line used to be a good place to get a steak in Lubbock, not sure if it still is.
aurorab at 4:44PM on 08/13/09
@soozm32 is spot on about restaurants in Albuquerque. I HIGHLY recommend Sadie's Mexican Restaurant and El Pinto Restaurant if you want genuine, delicious New Mexican cooking. It can be a bit spicy so ask the waiter about the heat. If you want a delicious green chile cheeseburger (a New Mexico specialty), try the Owl Bar and Cafe in Albuquerque. If you come down I-25 for about 1 and 1/2 hours, you'd get the best green chile cheeseburger EVER. It's Manny's Buckhorn in San Antonio, NM and he beat Bobby Flay in a throwdown this spring.
old_desert_rat at 6:56PM on 08/13/09
We're driving our son down to Las Cruces for college this weekend and are looking forward to having a Buckhorn Tavern burger on the way!
Very psyched...
About the burger, not about the son leaving :(
soozm32 at 7:48PM on 08/13/09
Nothing but good views at the Canyon. Meanwhile, if you go to Sedona there is Oxaca on the main street in Uptown. Great drinks and authentic Mexican. There is also Tamale Mamas and I think they are on CoffeePot Drive. Incredibly fresh. We were there three years ago and would suggest avoiding Havalina Cantina-chain. As far as Zion, we drove through there on the way to Page. Though we only went for the drive through we saw a small, but attractive town nearby that had eateries and motels/b&b there. Very inviting. Zion is majestic. Wish I was on your trip. Be safe.
janaatwg at 9:14PM on 08/13/09
In St. Louis, skip Dewey's, go for Pi..
Go for Ted Drewes..
There will be lots of things on the Hill..
Your happiness with the food will largely depend on where your friends are and how well they know the city. It's easy to eat a bunch on stuff that sucks here.
MoEats at 10:12PM on 08/13/09
As an Albuquerque native and frequent returner, I must third Sadie's for dinner. If it's busy (and it often is), drive up the street to Casa de Benavidez. El Pinto is good but kinda touristy, and Rudy's is great but it's actually a chain based in Texas. If you find yourself in a hurry, Bob's Burgers and Blake's Lotaburger will give you all you could want out of a green chile cheeseburger.
Weck's is awesome, but Frontier, Vic's Daily and Flying Star are all fantastic breakfast choices too. Again, if time is an issue, you can get great breakfast burritos to go at Dos Hermanos or (seriously) Golden Pride Chicken.
Endymion at 1:00AM on 08/14/09
Do not miss Lambert's, Home of Throwed Rolls, in Ozark, just south of Springfield, Missouri. As the Michelin Guide would say, it is "worth a special trip". Lines can be long, but move fast. I recommend arriving early or late for the shortest wait. Bring cash; they do not take credit cards.
The yeast rolls come out hot and fluffy and literally are thrown to you by pot-holder wearing servers. Grab a paper towel from the roll on the table and top with butter and honey (or sorghum if that is your thing). The fried okra and other "pass arounds" (free extras such as fried potatoes and onion and macaroni and tomatoes) will follow shortly.
If choosing plates, go for the veggie plate (all southern style), the ham and beans (where the ham steak takes up an entire pie plate), or the chicken fried steak. Accompany with sweet tea in 32 ounce mugs (available for purchase and sure handy on float trips!). Be sure to get a "hubcap" cinnamon roll to take with you for breakfast the next day.
I am hungry just thinking about it. Wonder what it would take to get my coworkers to blow off the day and drive the 2 1/2 hours to the Sikeston location . . .
Website here: http://www.throwedrolls.com/
Mizbee at 10:04AM on 08/14/09
In Albuquerque , I would highly reccomend a trip, to Powdrell's bbq on central, I've literally had Q all over the us, and tried every type but white, and I gotta say, the sauce at Powdrell's is superior in taste to anything out there(IMHO,anyway!) it's hoot n sweet with chipotele, and a hint of citrus....killer stuff!, go for the brisket!
jword2001 at 10:55AM on 08/14/09
My last post should read :" hot n sweet", someday I'll remember to use spell check.
jword2001 at 11:17AM on 08/14/09
Hi there!
What a good trip. Ok, so I am from Albuquerque and often go back, and if you want awesome and authentic NM food, you should try El Patio in the University district--their green chile stew is cheap and second to none. For the very best red chile, go to El Modelo--it's a hole in the wall place in the South Valley that is takeout only (but they have seats outside), and the carne adovado burrito will blow your mind. If you can make it up to Santa Fe, The Shed is a must, and also in Albuquerque, a big sweet roll and breakfast burrito at The Frontier is a classic thing to eat.
Good luck!
rachelcooks at 1:02PM on 08/14/09
In Moab, I highly recommend Miguel's Baja Grill, which is on Main Street. Try the fish tacos. They are great.
lo82070 at 1:21PM on 08/14/09
In Albuquerque, do NOT miss the Frontier. Green chile stew, green chile cheeseburger, the ever popular sweet roll, soft chicken taco with more more more green chile. . . It's the best. You could even have the chef salad and be happy. And have I mentioned the onion rings, the huevos rancheros, and the many fine paintings of John Wayne?
vscharff at 1:27PM on 08/14/09
Forgot about El Patio in Albuquerque
We ate there recently after not going for many years. It was still yummy.
We also ate at Olympia cafe and had great gyros!
Garcia's is also very popular though I haven't been there in years.
soozm32 at 6:37PM on 08/14/09
@soozm32 - If you want a Manny's Buckhorn burger, get there EARLY! They open at 11:00 am and there was already a line outside when we got there at 10:50 am. I've been enjoying their green chile cheeseburgers for years but since his throwdown win, lines are common. It's a great cheeseburger and worth the wait, but if you can avoid it, do!
old_desert_rat at 8:15PM on 08/14/09
Your friends in STL might know about this, but if they don't you should take them! Pappy's Smokehouse for fantastic bbq. They are award winning bbq folks! www.pappyssmokehouse.com
And for the record, I think most Italian food is really, really weak in STL. Save it for chicago, much better up there.
jardin32 at 10:42PM on 08/14/09
It's not cheap, but Seasons Rotisserie and Grill is fantastic in Albuquerque, all fresh, local food, in season. Worth your money. 2031 Mountain Rd NW Albuquerque, NM 87104. We were only there once, but it was memorable.
lambowner at 11:43PM on 08/14/09
After lurking for a very long time, I finally joined SE for the express purpose of making sure Lubbock wasn't too woefully underrepresented...
I second the recommendation for 50 Yard Line for a nice steak dinner. For something more casual (read: west Texas grub) you should grab a chopped beef sandwich (or 2) from Tom & Bingo's on 34th st. Just follow the smell of the hickory pit. Day Break coffee is a good place for caffeine and a pastry.
Also, I go to school in STL and would practically insist upon Ted Drewe's. Do whatever is necessary to save room for dessert when you're there.
espritdescalier at 11:52AM on 08/15/09
Very near Alb ,up the river in Bernalillo is the Range . See www.rangecafe.com . New Mex ,Tex Mex and American food .
jfitz at 7:48AM on 08/17/09
These suggestions are AWESOME. Thank you everyone! @mizbee: when my friend pitched the idea of the trip to me, the place that throws rolls was one of her pitching points! So we are definitely going there. =)
@espritdescalier: Yay for repping Lubbock! Honestly, I wasn't initially super thrilled with that stop idea, but I think it will still be fun =)
inothernews at 1:04PM on 08/17/09