Flagstaff Arizona’s Restaurant Scene: The Most Overrated & Underrated Choices
The Toasted Owl Cafe
The Toasted Owl serves up the freshest breakfast in town at affordable prices. On the menu, you will find all your traditional favorites such as omelets, burritos, and pancakes, along with a few specialties (gluten-free and dairy-free ginger buckwheat pancakes, vegan corn cakes, and veggie burritos to name a few). The menu is very allergy friendly, so even if you have a picky eater in your party, they will do just fine here (they even have gluten-free toast and tortillas, so nothing is really off limits).
The highlight of the breakfast menu is a make your own taco selection, where you get to pick 4 toppings to go along with the scrambled eggs and corn tortillas (cheese and salsa included). Along with potatoes and fruit, this is a pretty hefty serving, making it a great option pre or post hike! I also love the bottomless coffee special (at just 2 bucks, it’s the cheapest in town), which is a delicious dark roast organic brew from Cave Creek Roastery.
Like all Flagstaff restaurants, you can expect large crowds on weekend mornings. Fortunately, in the rare case of The Toasted Owl, the great food, coffee, and setting actually make the crowds a bit more tolerable. I am not sure why The Toasted Owl has so many poor reviews as they offer terrific food (nice sized portions too) at affordable prices, offer a cute local setting and friendlier service than most downtown establishments, and they also offer a great outdoor patio for the summer season. It is one of the better brunch places in town – do not let the poor reviews convince you otherwise!
The unique dining room (owl decor everywhere) and an old-fashioned diner appeal make the Toasted Owl a cozy, relaxed choice for weekend brunch. The decor is quite interesting and not at all chain like. I like the unique ambiance, which makes it feel more cozy and local.
Overall, The Toasted Owl is one of the better breakfast options in town. I cannot see anyone being dissapointed in the food, pricing, or service here (especially if you have ever tested out any other restaurants downtown). So before embarking on one of the many outdoor adventures Flagstaff has to offer, treat yourself to a hearty breakfast at Toasted Owl: you will need the extra energy before any high altitude adventures!
La Fonda Mexican Restaurant
La Fonda is your best bet in town in terms of authentic Mexican food. While Salsa Brava tends to get all the attention because it was featured on the Food Network, La Fonda also serves wonderful Mexican food. The 1/2 lb veggie fajitas and Chicken Chimichangas are awesome! While the setting isn’t as colorful and exciting as nearby Salsa Brava and Agave, the great food more than makes up for the less-than-ideal atmosphere. Overall, La Fonda surpasses other Mexican dining choices in town due to a winning combination of great pricing, huge portions of tasty food, not to mention the best sopaipillas!
Be aware – this restaurant is very popular with locals, so you may be waiting for a seat, even on a weekday!
