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I need to find a nice restaurant near the Marriot in Mesa (University and Central) for a family--younger adults--dinner. Anyone have a good recommendation? Thanks!

I don't know anything that far west, but Waldo's BBQ in East Mesa (Main Street I believe) is awesome.

rosa's mexican grill on university between alma school and country club

For HOT Mexican food: Los Dos Molinos, 260 S. Alma School Road
For traditional Old Mexico type food (not "Tex-Mex"): Blue Adobe 8th street and Country Club. Fabulous seafood enchildas!

Both are fantastic!

El Salvadoreno on Southern and Mesa Dr. has bomb El Salvadorean food-- although, I recommend someone in your group being able to speak Spanish . They have the best ceviche and papusas in town!

If they are from out of town you could take them to Bill Johnson's on Main st. just east of Horne. I haven't ate there in a long time but it's kind of an Arizona landmark. Now that I said Landmark, there is the Landmark Restaurant on Extension and Main St. hrs 11-7or8. There suppose to have the best salad bar around. Those two are pretty close to Univerity and Center.

Thank you all! Nothing like word of mouth to find a good place.

The Landmark does have a great salad/food bar, you can make that into a meal. While there go downstairs for a look at photograhs hanging in the rooms and walls. There is some great history, some down town Mesa, Apache trail etc.
Cool stuff

not exactly great but for young adults of all ages, the Organ Stop pizza place is fun.
the ages of 7-14 would prolly get the biggest kick out of the place.

"Mesa Restaurant Recommendation"

Start by leaving Mesa... :yuck:

paulhubbard wrote:For HOT Mexican food: Los Dos Molinos, 260 S. Alma School Road fantastic!

Funny, we have a Los Dos Molinos here in Springerville (and there is one in NYC, too--same family.) I have never talked to a single local who likes that place, but out-of-towners love it. I used to take my backpacking groups there before or after the trip. I myself have to ask the waitress for which dishes are less firey, though. I just can't do that lip burn/nostrils burn/throat burn, etc. The one here is not open regularly, either. You have to call to find out, but they have an unlisted number, so you have to get the business card first, in order to call. Sort of a catch-22. Haven't eaten there in years, though.

+1 for Rosas (be sure and go back into the restaurant, not just the taqueria in front). Pork Asada FTW.
+1 Waldos too! Lots and lots and lots of food, fairly expensive though. Amazing dry rubbed ribs.

azbackpackr wrote:Funny, we have a Los Dos Molinos here in Springerville (and there is one in NYC, too--same family.) I have never talked to a single local who likes that place, but out-of-towners love it. I used to take my backpacking groups there before or after the trip. I myself have to ask the waitress for which dishes are less firey, though. I just can't do that lip burn/nostrils burn/throat burn, etc. The one here is not open regularly, either. You have to call to find out, but they have an unlisted number, so you have to get the business card first, in order to call. Sort of a catch-22. Haven't eaten there in years, though.

Ate there once when I was kid, don't remember caring for it. Booga Reds (however it's spelled) was great though. Is that place still there, haven't been through those parts in almost a decade.

hippiepunkpirate wrote: Booga Reds (however it's spelled) was great though. Is that place still there, haven't been through those parts in almost a decade.

I have lived here 11 years vacationed here over the 10 years prior to that. I never liked Booga's much but it is ok--you probably won't die. It is not actually Mexican food, anyway, more the local style of "Mexican." I don't like greasy cowboy food, cream gravy, or any of that crap. It was so amazing to go to Tucson and have decent choices on the menus where I ate.

God I am sick of this place. There is NOWHERE GOOD TO EAT ON THIS ENTIRE MOUNTAIN. So there.

azbackpackr wrote:God I am sick of this place. There is NOWHERE GOOD TO EAT ON THIS ENTIRE MOUNTAIN. So there.

That sounds like a fair statement.

Blue Adobe http://www.blueadobegrille.com
Est. 2000
144 N. Country Club
480.962.1000
They are less than 5 minutes from the Marriot. They have something for everyone and are local. Their chips and salsa are the best in town and bottomless. My wife and I end up going there regularly because every time family and friends come to visit they request to go back.