Phoenix & the Valley of the Sun - American Southwest - page 432

432

Fry Bread House Finds NATIVE AMERICAN Fry bread is just what it sounds
like—fried bread—and it's a mainstay on Indian reservations throughout the West.
Although you can eat these thick, chewy slabs of fried bread plain, salted, or with honey,
they also serve as the wrappers for Indian tacos, which are made with meat, beans, and
lettuce. If you've already visited the Four Corners region of Arizona, then you've probably
had an Indian taco or two. Forget them—the ones here are the best in the state. Try one
with green chile. If you still have room for dessert, do not miss the fry bread with
chocolate and butter.
4140 N. Seventh Ave. & 602/351-2345. Reservations not accepted. Main courses $3.50-$6.75. DISC,
MC, V. Mon-Sat 10am-9pm.

MacAlpine's Restaurant and Soda Fountain Finds AMERICAN This is the
oldest operating soda fountain in the Southwest, and it hasn't changed much since its
opening in 1928. Wooden booths and worn countertops show the patina of age. Big
burgers and sandwiches make up the lunch offerings and should be washed down with a
root beer float, chocolate malt, or egg cream.
2303 N. Seventh St. & 602/262-5545. www.macalpinessodafountain.com. Reservations not accepted.
Sandwiches/specials $4.75-$8. AE, DISC, MC, V. Sun-Thurs 11am-7pm; Fri-Sat 11am-8pm.

Tradiciones Finds MEXICAN Sort of a Disneyland of Mexican food, this restaurant
not only serves great Mexican food, but also has strolling mariachis, courtyard dance
performances, vendor stalls, and even clowns to entertain the kids. On top of all this, a
large Hispanic supermarket is right next door. Anything from the courtyard grill is worth
trying, especially the rotisserie chicken, but the “street vendors” tacos are deliciously
authentic. For an unusual taste treat, try a cilantro margarita. On Sundays, there is a
brunch from 9:30am to 1:30pm, and Tuesday through Friday, there's a good happy hour
from 4 to 7pm. By the way, the adjacent supermarket has a great food court and is a good
place to shop for unusual Mexican-cooking ingredients.
1602 E. Roosevelt St. & 602/254-1719. www.tradicionesrestaurant.com. Main courses $9-$17. AE, DISC,
MC, V. Daily 11am-9pm.

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TEMPE & MESA
Expensive
House of Tricks NEW AMERICAN Despite the name, you'll find far more treats
here than tricks. Housed in a pair of old Craftsman bungalows surrounded by a garden
of shady trees, this restaurant seems a world away from the bustle on nearby Mill Avenue.
This is a nice spot for a romantic evening and a good place to try some innovative cui-
sine. The garlicky Caesar salad and the house-smoked salmon with avocado, capers, and
lemon cream are good bets for starters. Entrees change regularly, and lately there have
been a lot of Mediterranean and Southwestern dishes on the menu. Try to get a seat on
the grape-arbor-covered patio.
114 E. Seventh St., Tempe. & 480/968-1114. www.houseoftricks.com. Reservations recommended.
Main courses $8-$12 lunch, $18-$34 dinner. AE, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Sat 11am-10pm.

Moderate
Blue Adobe Grille Finds MEXICAN This restaurant looks like the sort of place
you should drive right past. Don't! Despite appearances, this New Mexican-style restau-
rant serves deliciously creative Southwestern fare at very economical prices. To get an idea
of what the food here is all about, try the Cruz Kitchen combination plate (a tenderloin