What Is Arizona Known For Food | Culinary Tourism Exploring The Desert Delights

Jan 22, 2025

Last Updated on: Jul 4, 2025

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The land of the Grand Canyon! The Grand Canyon State! Ask anyone about what is Arizona known for, or search #Arizona on Instagram. With 26.1m posts on Instagram, you will find the Saguaro National Park, Grand Canyon, and desert landscape ruling the scenario. 

However, if you are done with #desertdreaming in Arizona, it’s time to check out how the desert delights are making their presence felt on your plate. 

#arizonafood is doing well on socials, and I get to see a lot of steaks, honey garlic shrimp, fried chicken, street tacos, and BBQ. This vividness in Arizona food, of course, comes from the most eclectic Mexican, Native American, and Sonoran desert influences. 

Again, Arizona is known for its farm-to-table cuisine. Places like Scottsdale and Flagstaff are celebrating this food mantra of Arizona to the fullest, and last November, we had Chef Tamara Stanger coming back to Shift in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Shift
Address: 107 North San Francisco St, #2, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Contact Number: (928) 440-5135

So, this is the best time to visit Shift and other celebrated eating points in Arizona to indulge in the ultimate desert delight. This Tour and Travel blog is a humble food tour and a guide on what Arizona is known for food.

What is Arizona Known For Food | History Of Arizona Cuisine

What is Arizona Known For Food History Of Arizona Cuisine

If we want to decode what Arizona is known for food, we must learn its history. Food in Arizona has three major influences: Native American, Spanish, and Mexican. Of course, modern evolution is there in making Arizona food what it is today.

Tucson in Arizona is the first UNESCO City of Gastronomy in the USA. It earned the designation in 2015. This shows how the state of Arizona fuses the history of at least 4000 years with the most innovative or new takes.  


One thing visitors will notice is that this deep food heritage is not frozen in the past, but is very much alive. Not only can they sample outstanding versions of traditional dishes of the region, but in our many chef-driven restaurants they can also taste new takes on old favorites and creative new dishes using heritage ingredients.

 Jonathan Mabry, Executive Director, Tucson City of Gastronomy Organization

1. Native American Influence On Arizona Food

Native American people like Hopi, Navajo, and Apache brought the use of corn, squash, and beans. They even introduced using desert plants and their various parts in their cuisine. For example, the fruits of prickly pear cactus were widely loved and even those were used as cooking pads. 

Again, flour for bread came from grinding mesquite pods. Moreover, saguaro cactus fruits were used in making wines and syrups. 

Further, today, when you have Navajo tacos, you must know that the origin goes back to many years. The Native American tribes made these fried breads for survival during the reservation days. 

With the passage of time, these fried breads have emerged as the cultural symbol of the state. 

Hope’s Frybread is a happening place for having Navajo Taco in Arizona. It is located at 144 S Mesa Dr E Ste E Mesa, and you can contact them at (480) 465-2666. 

The Stand, on N Alma School Road, Scottsdale, is another great place for having Navajo tacos. Call them at (480) 519-1108 before your visit.

2. The Mexican Influence On Arizona Food

The Mexican Influence On Arizona Food

Today, everyone swoons over Sonoran Hot Dog. This one and many other Sonoran Desert delicacies came to Arizona and grew in popularity with the Mexican fusion. 

The use of carne seca and a lot of cheese, the signature of Mexican topping, changed the cuisine of Arizona for the better.  

3. Spanish Influence On Arizona Food

Spanish influence became prominent in Arizona Food via the Mexico route. In other words, when Spanish people came to Mexico in the early 20th century, they brought a lot of layering techniques. 

Further, they introduced the use of citrus fruits and wheat in food.

What is Arizona Known For Food | Famous Dishes You Must Try 

Arizona food comes with quintessential Southwestern influences! So, the flavors are bold, and a touch of spice gives that extra zing. 

Again, when the peppers and spices add that heat, the desert elements like cactus pads balance the dishes with their neutral taste. 

Nevertheless, these are some of the must-try dishes if you want to know what is Arizona known for food.

1. Sonoran Hot Dog

Best Place To Have: Jack in the Box

Address: 1194 E Florence Blvd Casa Grande

Contact Number: (520) 836-0304

If Chicago has deep-dish pizza, Arizona has Sonoran hot dogs. The dish’s origin goes back to the 1940s, and the twist lies in the use of bolillo (a roll with a split top) instead of a bun. 

The filling of pinto beans in the blanket of bacon tastes out of the world with jalapenos, mayo, tomatoes and onions. The ultimate desert delight, it is! 

2. Chimichanga

Best Place To Have: Rito’s Mexican Food – Mesa

Address: 1033 N Dobson Rd Ste 101 Mesa

Contact Number: (480) 264-0966

A burrito, when deep fried, becomes chimichanga. Here, the wrap of golden brown tortilla comes with a filling of beans, meat, and cheese. 

The toppings of these delicacies have sour cream, cheese sauce, and guacamole. Can you imagine the delicacies, just melting in your mouth?

3. Prickly Pear Delicacies

Prickly Pear Delicacies

Prickly pear delicacies encompass many beverages, desserts, and mains in Arizona. Using prickly pear fruits in the dishes adds a subtle flavor and taste. Further, the bright pink color of the fruits makes the dish look more tantalizing. 

The fruits, thanks to their “sweet-tart flavor,” are also popular in ice cream, jellies, and candies. Even wines and tonics get flavors from these fruits. 

4. Cheese Crisp

Best Place To Have: Ghost Ranch: Modern Southwest Cuisine

Address: 1006 E Warner Rd Ste 102-103 Tempe

Contact Number: (480) 474-4328

Do you love quesadilla? You will love cheese crisp, its open-faced form even more. The roasted and crisp tortilla in this dish tastes heavenly with layers of cheese. If you want it a little spicy, you can always ask to add some green chilies. 

Cheese crips are cut into slices before serving. They are like a simpler form of pizza. 

5. Pie

Best Place To Have: Pie Snob Chandler

Address: 250 S Arizona Ave Ste 4 Chandler

Contact Number: (480) 855-1019

If you want to try desserts from the desert, you must try the classic pie. It has seasonal fruits and has a distinct Spanish influence. 

Other desserts you can have in Arizona are sopapillas (with honey) and chocolate chili cakes. 

6. Green Chili Stew

A lot of roasted green chilies and chunks of pork simmered in it! That’s green chili for you. This is another prominent example of how Mexican influence is massive on the food of Arizona. 

You can have green chili stew with tortilla or bread on a winter day and feel the warmth. It’s a comfort food and you can have it better at any Arizona home than restaurants. 

7. Steak And BBQ

Best Place To Have: Maddie Jo’s BBQ

Address: 5388 E Skyline Dr, San Tan Valley

Contact Number: (480) 625-1131

When it comes to southern or southwestern BBQ, we all know that the rub makes all the difference. Paprika, garlic and onion powder, chili powder, brown sugar, and a hot of herbs infuse the right flavors and taste into the steaks and BBQs. 

The steakhouses and BBQ joints in Arizona await with all these smoky delicacies if you are ready to taste the best of Arizona. 

Trying The Best Of Farm-To-Table Cuisine In Arizona | Living What Is Arizona Known For

Arizona has a reputation for its farm-to-table culture. This state enjoys year-round production of fresh veggies and fruits. There are dedicated farmers’ markets and restaurants to celebrate the farm-to-table food culture of Arizona. 

Some popular farm-to-fresh restaurants in Arizona are:

RestaurantAddressContact Number
Farm Provisions148 N Montezuma St Prescott(928) 776-3001
Farm & Craft4302 N Scottsdale Rd Scottsdale(480) 568-8980
Arcadia Farms Cafe7025 E 1st Ave Scottsdale(480) 941-5665

Overall, the farm-to-table concept makes the food experience in Arizona truly unique! 

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Meet Sibashree Bhattacharya, a travel enthusiast who has a decade-long experience in transcending virtual barriers with her words! Her deep love for travel is apparent from her travel escapades to the mountain, often taking her readers on a journey, her words acting as Portkey! Fun fact: Sibashree loves to dive deep into the history of the places she is about to visit, making her travels even more wholesome. If you were wondering how her articles are not short of time travel, this answers it!

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