2220 Historic Rte 66
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
*Disclaimer: We were not paid for this review. All opinions are our own and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Salsa Brava, located along historic Route 66, is Flagstaff's most well regarded Mexican restaurant. It was even featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives with Guy Fieri. Salsa Brava was voted by the Arizona Daily Sun as having the best salsa, due to the variety of fresh selections available on the multi flavor bar.
Salsa Brava is by far your best bet for a fun & delicious Mexican dining experience in the Northern Arizona area. The food is tasty and affordable, the service is always great, and the ambiance is great for a fun night out. I really loved this place! SInce moving to the area, I dine here at least twice a month!
Salsa Brava offers your standard menu of Mexican favorites like burritos, fajitas, enchiladas, tacos, and quesadillas. Most dishes are served with delicious pinto beans and Mexican Rice. They use no MGS or lard, making it a good choice for vegetarians. In addition, those dining gluten-free will be pleased with the variety of options and the convenient menu markings.
You will also find a small selection of specialties and seafood based entrees. The most unique offering is the salsa bar, consisting of a range of mild-extra hot varieties. As I am not a huge fan of salsa, I wasn't that impressed (now mixing in a few flavors of guacamole would have been fantastic!). The chips are nice and crispy, which I always prefer compared to the hard, stale chips some Mexican restaurants use. If you like salsa, you will likely be impressed with the bar as several varieties are available
We have tried numerous entress including a chicken burrito, the farmer's market burrito, the chicken chimichanga, and a Portobello mushroom fajita dish (served with beans, rice, guacamole, sour cream, cheese, and salsa). Everything has always been delicious with the Farmer's Market burrito being my usual go-to.
As far as dinner entrees go, the Stuffed Chicken Sopapilla or Navajo Taco (What Guy Ate) is definitely worth checking out. I have never tested the Navajo taco here due to the pork, but I have enjoyed it at other Native American establishments. This dish typically consists of fry bread topped with lettuce, cheese, pinto beans (Salsa adds roasted pork, sour cream, lime creme, pickled red onions, and pico to theirs.
There are lots of options for everyone at Salsa Brava. Portions are huge, so you will likely be leaving with leftovers. Overall, dining at Salsa Brava is a great value in a touristy town like Flagstaff where everything tends to be overpriced.
Service at Salsa Brava has improved tremendously over the 2 years I have dined here. Servers are now more enthusiastic, friendly, and provide a great experience for tourists. Compared with other restaurants in town, the service is definitely several notches above the rest.
Compared to other restaurants in town, the ambiance is pretty nice. Colors are bright and attractive and the atmosphere is perfect for a fun touristy dining experience. The restaurant is nicely decorated with plenty of seating. Tables are not crowded or cramped.
If you are craving Mexican food on your Northern Arizona trip, Salsa Brava is definitely the way to go. Not only does Salsa offers the best Mexican food in town, it also offers the best ambiance and service out of the bunch. You can't go wrong with a delicious burrito or chimichanga! Just don't fill up on too much chips and salsa!
