Whenever we travel, one of the things we miss most about home – besides family and the awesome weather – is the food. Since most of us grew up here in the Southwest surrounded by Indigenous and Latino communities, you can guess our palate is heavily influenced by those foods and the cultures surrounding them. Here’s a look at some of the iconic foods in Arizona you have to try at least once:
- Cheese Crisps
Charles Haynes/Flickr This is different from a quesadilla as it is baked on a pan and served open face.
- Chimichangas
jeffreyw/Flickr A deep fried burrito, a good chimi will be the perfect combination of flavorful, crispy, and surprisingly less heavy than you would expect.
- Navajo Tacos
Tom Pavel/Flickr This is essentially a tostada served on fry bread and is a (not so) guilty pleasure.
- Piki Bread
Alan Levine/Flickr This Hopi bread staple is corn-based and a light, crispy food.
- Posole
jeffreyw/Flickr This spicy soup uses hominy, which look like large corn kernels, as its main ingredient.
- Red Chile Stew/Red Chile Colorado
The Fry Bread House/Yelp Bright red and spicy, this dish is found in O’odham and Pueblo communities.
- Salsa
Warren Layton/Flickr Is this exclusive to Arizona? No, but we love it enough to host several salsa festivals throughout the year.
- Sonoran Hot Dogs
Mr.TinDC/Flickr Move over, Chicago and New York-style hot dogs! It’s impossible to turn down this chile-flavored, bacon wrapped hot dog.
- Sun Tea
Becky Johns/Flickr We grew up watching mom make sun tea pretty frequently, especially in the summer, and the flavors come out more mellow than through traditional brewing methods.
- Tamales
Fred Rockwood/Flickr When cooked properly, these are moist and spicy enough that you don’t need toppings.
Which of these foods is your favorite? What food is AZ known for in your book? Are there any others you would add to this list? Tell us your thoughts in the comments, and if you have any restaurant suggestions for us, let us know by filling out this form.
Charles Haynes/Flickr
This is different from a quesadilla as it is baked on a pan and served open face.
jeffreyw/Flickr
A deep fried burrito, a good chimi will be the perfect combination of flavorful, crispy, and surprisingly less heavy than you would expect.
Tom Pavel/Flickr
This is essentially a tostada served on fry bread and is a (not so) guilty pleasure.
Alan Levine/Flickr
This Hopi bread staple is corn-based and a light, crispy food.
This spicy soup uses hominy, which look like large corn kernels, as its main ingredient.
The Fry Bread House/Yelp
Bright red and spicy, this dish is found in O’odham and Pueblo communities.
Warren Layton/Flickr
Is this exclusive to Arizona? No, but we love it enough to host several salsa festivals throughout the year.
Mr.TinDC/Flickr
Move over, Chicago and New York-style hot dogs! It’s impossible to turn down this chile-flavored, bacon wrapped hot dog.
Becky Johns/Flickr
We grew up watching mom make sun tea pretty frequently, especially in the summer, and the flavors come out more mellow than through traditional brewing methods.
Fred Rockwood/Flickr
When cooked properly, these are moist and spicy enough that you don’t need toppings.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
What Food Is AZ Known For? September 29, 2022 Tori Jane What food is Arizona known for? Arizona is known for a large array of amazing cuisines, fabulous appetizers, and so much more. It’s a unique place in the United States with its own flare and being right next to New Mexico (home of New Mexican cuisine, which is something quite beloved in Arizona) it’s got plenty of inspiration. Some of the most awesome AZ foods there include things like Red Chile Colorado, an amazing stew that consists of slow-simmered chunks of beef (or sometimes pork) in a red chili-based sauce, and cheese crisps are another thing anyone who’s experienced life in Arizona will tell you is a classic. What are some of the best restaurants for Arizona cuisine? Arizona has a few long-time restaurants that have become classics in many ways. Many of those restaurants in Arizona are Mexican food restaurants (and New Mexican food restaurants) serving up some of the best southwestern fares in the world. Some classic Arizona restaurants serving up some of the best Arizona food in, well, Arizona include gems like Carolina’s Mexican Food, which got its start in central Phoenix and now has numerous locations across the Phoenix area. Another amazing Arizona classic is Vaquero’s Mexican Food in Jerome, Arizona, which serves up what we dare call the epitome of AF food. What are some popular foods in AZ? Naturally, the list goes on – there are plenty of AZ foods that pretty much SCREAM “life in Arizona” - so much more than just cheese crisps and red chile. You’ll also fall in love with enchiladas, Indian fry bread (and Navajo tacos), green chile stew, chicken and waffles, Cajun food… the list goes on. There are so many amazing hidden gem restaurants in Arizona, and plenty of amazing places to eat in Phoenix and the surrounding area (as well as statewide). The possibilities are only as limited as your palate – exploring Arizona as a foodie is a treat and a half!
The OIYS Visitor Center
What Food Is AZ Known For?
September 29, 2022
Tori Jane
What food is Arizona known for? Arizona is known for a large array of amazing cuisines, fabulous appetizers, and so much more. It’s a unique place in the United States with its own flare and being right next to New Mexico (home of New Mexican cuisine, which is something quite beloved in Arizona) it’s got plenty of inspiration. Some of the most awesome AZ foods there include things like Red Chile Colorado, an amazing stew that consists of slow-simmered chunks of beef (or sometimes pork) in a red chili-based sauce, and cheese crisps are another thing anyone who’s experienced life in Arizona will tell you is a classic. What are some of the best restaurants for Arizona cuisine? Arizona has a few long-time restaurants that have become classics in many ways. Many of those restaurants in Arizona are Mexican food restaurants (and New Mexican food restaurants) serving up some of the best southwestern fares in the world. Some classic Arizona restaurants serving up some of the best Arizona food in, well, Arizona include gems like Carolina’s Mexican Food, which got its start in central Phoenix and now has numerous locations across the Phoenix area. Another amazing Arizona classic is Vaquero’s Mexican Food in Jerome, Arizona, which serves up what we dare call the epitome of AF food. What are some popular foods in AZ? Naturally, the list goes on – there are plenty of AZ foods that pretty much SCREAM “life in Arizona” - so much more than just cheese crisps and red chile. You’ll also fall in love with enchiladas, Indian fry bread (and Navajo tacos), green chile stew, chicken and waffles, Cajun food… the list goes on. There are so many amazing hidden gem restaurants in Arizona, and plenty of amazing places to eat in Phoenix and the surrounding area (as well as statewide). The possibilities are only as limited as your palate – exploring Arizona as a foodie is a treat and a half!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Arizona is known for a large array of amazing cuisines, fabulous appetizers, and so much more. It’s a unique place in the United States with its own flare and being right next to New Mexico (home of New Mexican cuisine, which is something quite beloved in Arizona) it’s got plenty of inspiration. Some of the most awesome AZ foods there include things like Red Chile Colorado, an amazing stew that consists of slow-simmered chunks of beef (or sometimes pork) in a red chili-based sauce, and cheese crisps are another thing anyone who’s experienced life in Arizona will tell you is a classic.
What are some of the best restaurants for Arizona cuisine?
Arizona has a few long-time restaurants that have become classics in many ways. Many of those restaurants in Arizona are Mexican food restaurants (and New Mexican food restaurants) serving up some of the best southwestern fares in the world. Some classic Arizona restaurants serving up some of the best Arizona food in, well, Arizona include gems like Carolina’s Mexican Food, which got its start in central Phoenix and now has numerous locations across the Phoenix area. Another amazing Arizona classic is Vaquero’s Mexican Food in Jerome, Arizona, which serves up what we dare call the epitome of AF food.
What are some popular foods in AZ?
Naturally, the list goes on – there are plenty of AZ foods that pretty much SCREAM “life in Arizona” - so much more than just cheese crisps and red chile. You’ll also fall in love with enchiladas, Indian fry bread (and Navajo tacos), green chile stew, chicken and waffles, Cajun food… the list goes on. There are so many amazing hidden gem restaurants in Arizona, and plenty of amazing places to eat in Phoenix and the surrounding area (as well as statewide). The possibilities are only as limited as your palate – exploring Arizona as a foodie is a treat and a half!
