Unearth The Voyage
Arizona’s food scene isn’t just about Mexican restaurants and steakhouses. Hidden across the state are one-of-a-kind eateries serving dishes you simply can’t find anywhere else in America. From bacon-wrapped hot dogs to Korean fried chicken paired with donuts, these spots have earned national attention for their creativity and flavor. Get ready to discover the meals that make Arizona a true food lover’s paradise.
1. The Fry Bread House (Phoenix) – Native American fry bread, sweet & savory
Native American fry bread has been a staple for generations, but few places serve it with as much heart and authenticity as this Phoenix gem. The Fry Bread House earned a James Beard “America’s Classics” award, a rare honor that recognizes truly special regional restaurants.
Family-run and deeply rooted in Tohono O’odham tradition, this spot popularized fry bread throughout the city. You can order it savory-style as a taco loaded with green-chile beef, beans, cheese, lettuce, and tomato.
Or go sweet with a dessert version dusted in powdered sugar and drizzled with honey. Each bite delivers a crispy-on-the-outside, pillowy-on-the-inside experience that keeps locals and tourists coming back for more.
2. El Güero Canelo (Tucson) – The Sonoran hot dog, perfected
Tucson’s most famous street food got its restaurant throne at El Güero Canelo, another James Beard “America’s Classics” winner. The Sonoran hot dog wraps a juicy frank in crispy bacon, then nestles it into a soft bolillo bun.
Pinto beans, grilled onions, fresh tomato, creamy mayo, mustard, and jalapeño sauce pile on top for a flavor explosion. The original South 12th Street location recently closed, but a shiny new flagship opened next door, and other locations across Tucson keep serving this iconic creation.
One bite and you’ll understand why this bacon-wrapped beauty has become synonymous with Tucson itself.
3. Chino Bandido (Phoenix) – Chinese-Mexican-Jamaican mash-up
What happens when Chinese stir-fry meets Mexican carnitas and Jamaican jerk spice? Magic happens at Chino Bandido, a Phoenix original that’s appeared on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” multiple times.
Here, you build your own bowl or burrito by mixing flavors from three continents. The signature Jade Red Chicken—sweet, tangy, and perfectly sticky—pairs beautifully with pork fried rice and Cuban black beans.
Add carnitas, jerk chicken, or any other combo your taste buds desire. It sounds wild, but somehow every ingredient works together in delicious harmony. This quirky fusion spot proves that breaking the rules in the kitchen can lead to unforgettable meals.
4. The Thumb (Scottsdale) – BBQ… inside a gas station
Pull up for gas, stay for award-winning barbecue. The Thumb operates inside a gas station and car wash, yet serves some of the best smoked meats in Arizona.
Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” featured this unusual spot, and for good reason. The brisket stack melts in your mouth with perfect smoke rings, while the ribs fall off the bone with barely a tug.
Early risers can grab a massive breakfast burrito before hitting the road. Part convenience store, part gift shop, all delicious—The Thumb proves you can’t judge a restaurant by its location. Stop in and see why locals rave about this hidden barbecue treasure.
5. Welcome Chicken + Donuts (Phoenix) – Korean-style fried chicken meets gourmet donuts
Fried chicken and donuts together? Absolutely. Welcome Chicken + Donuts near Phoenix’s airport pairs crispy Korean-style fried chicken with inventive, handmade donuts under one humble roof.
Order a half bird tossed in gochujang glaze for a spicy-sweet kick, or try the honey Sriracha for milder heat. The chicken stays incredibly crunchy thanks to a double-fry technique borrowed from Korean cooking traditions.
Then balance all that savory goodness with a seasonal donut—maybe maple bacon or fruity pebbles, depending on the day. Open Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays), this quirky combo shop has become a must-visit for adventurous eaters craving something completely different.
6. Rock Springs Café (Black Canyon City) – Century-old pie legend
Since the early 1900s, travelers along I-17 have stopped at Rock Springs Café for one reason: pie. This historic spot bakes thousands of pies during the holiday season alone, and locals swear by every slice.
Bourbon pecan delivers rich, nutty sweetness with a hint of warmth. Banana cream offers silky custard piled high with fluffy meringue. Seasonal fruit pies showcase Arizona’s harvest throughout the year.
You can buy a slice to enjoy with coffee or take a whole pie home for later. Open daily, Rock Springs Café has become a beloved tradition for generations of Arizona families and road-trippers seeking a sweet break from the highway.
7. Barrio Bread (Tucson & Gilbert) – Heritage-grain artisan loaves
Bread might seem simple, but Don Guerra turned it into an art form worthy of a 2022 James Beard Award for Outstanding Baker. At Barrio Bread, he revives regional heritage grains like White Sonora wheat, which nearly disappeared from Arizona fields.
These ancient grains produce loaves with deeper flavor, better nutrition, and a connection to the land’s history. Lines form early each morning because bread sells out fast—serious bakers know quality when they taste it.
Try a heritage-grain country loaf with a crackling crust and soft, airy interior, or the signature pan de kino. Check the website for current hours and locations in Tucson and Gilbert before you go.
