First time in Phoenix
 

This will be my first trip to the greater Phoenix area, staying in Tolleson and attending a NFL game in Glendale. I'm interested in any input on the dining in the area, or anything else I need to know! Thanks :)

There are acres of mediocre chains in Phoenix but no really fine dining (couple of exceptions in Scottsdale, but at high prices -- think USD 200 per person). Otherwise every possible chain is represented, and some are OK (Papadeaux, Outback, etc.). There is a pizza place in downtown which is one of the best in the US (Bianco). In Glendale there is a pretty good Mexican small chain, which makes Mexico City style food, called La Perilla Suiza (on Peoria and 35th). So there is reasonably good food to be found, but not easily.

Not sure when you are comin gbut its 115 degrees out now - so all we care about is airconditioning and for me , when is my next trip out of here ;)


A search on the word Phoenix or Scottsdale will bring up lots of information

If you are staying in Tolleson I assume you are staying with someone you know? I say that because Tolleson is a very small bedroom community in a not very interesting part of Phoenix. If being close to the stadium is important and you are staying in a hotel recommend moving to one of the hotels in the vicinity of Loop 101/Bell Rd, in Peoria. Tons of restaurants (albeit mostly chains) and a mall nearby. A very popular local restaurant in the area is Dillons (BBQ). Very good.

Have fun at the game, I live 5 miles from the new stadium and I've got my season tickets!

More info from "first time"
 

Should have mentioned that I am coming from Alaska and know absolutey nothing about the area. We are staying at an Econo Lodge in a suite for a decent price. Dec 8 to Dec 11.

If you haven't already, plan on renting a car. Everything in the Phoenix area is spread out, and the mass-transit system is less than adequate. When renting that car, tack on approximately 45% for taxes and fees.

I agree that Tolleson is not a premiere portion of the Valley.

I would recommend you go to Mill Ave area in Tempe. It is the adjacent to the ASU campus (and the stadium where the Cardinals used to play) There are a bunch of restauranrts, bars and shops. Good place to park the car and just walk around for the evening. It is about 20 miles or so from where you are staying but all highway.

Another option is the Old Town area of Scottsdale (Scottsdale Road and Indian School Road). Some decent restaurants and galleries. This may be 25 - 30 miles from Tolleson.

WHAT!!!!!

Someone's going to a Cardinals game???
I haven't heard that since..............ever!!!!! :D :D


Joking aside, I believe the other posters here have summed up some of the bright spots of Metro Phoenix, unless you're looking for something else.

There are some wonderful artsie things in the Scottsdale area.

I agree on the rental car.

If you are that close, take a drive to Sedona as a minimum, Grand Canyon for a day if you can. If you can do that, go for the train ride up and back from about half way.

About half of the way to Sedona, there is a place where the native Americans carved huts in the side of a mountain, state park. Great find.

Drink lots and lots of water.....

No, I am not going to a Cardinals game, I am going to a Seahawks game but I can't stand Seattle!!!! LOL

Well I hate to admit this- but I had to google to find out where Tollison is :D

Now that I did that - there is literally nothing there. I second the suggestion to stay up around the 101/Bell intersection in Peoria - there is a lot more going on and it is less than 15 miles from the new stadium.

If you are a flying buff - Glendale Airport is at the intersection of the 101 and Glendale - you can go out and watch the private planes. Luke Air Force base is not too far either - but it is a closed facility.

jennifer h,

What is the "decent price" you are paying at this establishment. A lot of the folks (my self excluded) are *experts* on finding great deals for air/hotel/car, etc. Betcha they can find you something better for less.

There are also some good hotels in the Goodyear area (HiEx, Wingate, Best Western, Residence Inn, and others that are escaping me at the moment), and a nice resort (the Wigwam) in my hometown of Litchfield Park. (In fact, I can see the Cardinals stadium from my house). I got a hard-hat tour of the stadium last week- it is a _really_ nice facility.

my recommendations:
1] rent a car, you'll need it. We're building a Light Rail system, but it isn't done yet.

2] The Stadium is up the Loop 101 on the west side of Phoenix. You can see it from the highway. The big entrance is around the 101 and Bethany Home/Glendale Ave.

3] go visit Sedona or the Grand Canyon if you get a chance. The Canyon is a drive, but Sedona can be done (roundtrip) in a day if you start early.

4] There are also a lot of chain restaurants in Goodyear, at I-10 & Dysart and I-10 & Litchfield. Just keep in mind that Dysart had the "red light running" cameras at the major intersections-- so... be sure to make a full stop on red.^ Goodyear & Avondale are perhaps 5 miles west of the I-10/101 interchange. Other restaurants are up by the mall at L-101 and Bell, north of the Stadium.

5] There is a Goodyear swap meet out at I-10 and Cotton lane (aka: Loop 303) which is open on the weekends. It would be on the Northwest side of the intersection (from your point of view on the highway). You'll see it from the highway if you get out that way. You'd probably be able to get some nice authentic desert souveniers out there.

6] We have a great set of county and state parks in AZ. If you take I-10 to the Loop 303 North to the intersection at Olive Ave and then head west, you'll hit the White Tanks Mountain park. $5 per car to get in. A great place to go to hiking and escape the city, and immerse yourself in the desert. Unfortunately, it's a bit hot here for that during the day this time of year ;-)

7] If you are coming soon and if you have not heard the news, don't walk alone late at night. (We've got two serial killers out there sniping at folks who walk or bike, alone, at night - typically along major thoroughfares. [We've also got an entire police deparrtment working overtime to catch them....]).

The last one is bad, but it really is a great place to live...

You can find some interesting deals at some of the nice hotels because of the summer. I'm not sure when the football season starts (Sept?), you might find the Wigwam in Litchfield Park at a decent price ($100-$120).

There are some decent places in West Phoenix to eat (The Original Garcias Mexican food restaurant - 35th ave and Osborn), but lots of chain places.

Just a reminder of the OPs visit dates...

Dining in Phoenix
 

We had an excellent meal at T. Cooks in the Royal Palms Resort. It's on east Camelback near the Phoenician.

We also enjoyed Barcelona in Chandler - less formal, less expensive. They feature excellent tapas and although it's in a nondescript shopping mall, the atmosphere is quite pleasant and they have music frequently.

We also like T. Cooks, and the restaurant at the Sanctuary resort in Paradise Valley, Elements. Vincent's on Camelback in Phoenix hasn't disappointed in several visits, and I absolutely agree with an earlier poster about Pizza Bianco - just be prepared for a long wait. It is tiny, not fancy, but wonderful. We sat at the bar next to the prep area and chatted with the chef-owner during dinner (he is from NYC too).

Just so that the OP does not get confused, the last 2 restaurant recommendations (T. Cooks and Elements) are a bit on the expensive side (think cost of a meal equal to a week's worth of her motel accomodation). I managed to spend USD 100 for lunch at Elements without trying hard, and dinner is double that.

Don't forget at I-10 and Dysart.

In-n-Out Burger!!!!

=m

Aren't there a dozen In-n-Out Burger locations in PHX? Seems to be all over the place when I visit PHX. However they also seem to be not quite as good as at LAX (but then the locations in northern california aren't quite up to LA standards fwiw).

It's a nice place and the best pizza I've had anywhere and not too expensive, but a four hour wait for some cheese and dough (we arrived 45 minutes before doors opened) is not worth it in my opinion, but then I don't like to wait in lines for clubs either which some will wait all night for. It was nice to do once, but never again.

We went late spring, so the weather wasn't bad, but this wouldn't be an option in the summer. Also wouldn't go with a large group as this place is tiny and getting that many people together is going to require some doing.

if you're into the outdoors, I'd go for a hike up camelback or maybe hit the botanical gardens although I'm not sure what condition the plants will be in.

Update - Barcelona in Chandler is now closed. They also have a restaurant in Scottsdale, but I have not been there and cannot offer an opinion.

Nearer the new stadium than most of the above suggestions, head north on the Loop 101 to Bell Road, then turn east into the Arrowhead mall area. Tons of restaurants - many chains.. Abuelos is one of my favorites.

A few more to research here: http://phoenix.about.com/od/restwest/

Price of Lodging
 

The price is $89 per night for a queen suite with kitchenette, smoking. If you come up with something better, as far as quality and comfort go, let me know. Also, I would be willing to spend a bit more for something cool

speed cameras
 

If you are driving around the Loop 101 in the Scottsdale area watch your speed. They have speed cameras triggered by strips laid in the roadway and the time taken to cross them is used to work out your mph..(so radar detectors don't help). The locals know where they are and you will find the traffic slows somewhat in those areas. Also Scottsdale police use a nondescript white van parked by the side of the road in urban areas, with a camera operating out of a rear window . Again most locals are familiar with it so watch for brakelights as cars in front of you spot it.

Exraf

And don't forget the "red light cameras" all over town. :mad: :o

BTW, if you get a photo-radar ticket in the mail, your best bet is to simply ignore it.

I got one 3 or 4 years ago, and just ignored it. I need to fix my tail light, so they don't have a reason to pull me over. :)