Phoenix’s Best Western-Style Restaurants

As the home of the “west’s most western town” (Scottsdale), Arizona is full of fun, western-style restaurants. This family-friendly crop of restaurants celebrates our state’s good old days–so don your cowboy hats and break out your boots!
Rawhide Steakhouse This steakhouse dishes up “cowboy-size” portions of hearty eats, like mesquite-grilled steaks, barbecue chicken, veal chops, lamb and more. Rawhide’s most unique menu item: battered and pan-fried rattlesnake. Those who partake in trying the snake are even awarded a certificate of bravery. You have to try everything once, right? To really get you into the western spirit, live music accompanies your meal. 5700 West North Loop Rd., Chandler, 480.502.5600, http://www.rawhide.com/.
Greasewood Flat Hot dogs, bowls of chili and burgers, burgers and more burgers will satisfy your beefy appetite. Seating at the 30-year-old restaurant is outdoors where you can tap your toes to live music and warm up near the toasty campfires (when it’s not blistering outside). 27375 N. Alma School Parkway, Scottsdale, 480.585.9430, http://www.greasewoodflat.net/.
San Tan Flat Saloon & Grill Enjoy delicious fare under a blanket of stars–cowboy cook-out style–among old wagon wheels at this family favorite in Queen Creek. Though the likes of ribs and burgers are on the menu, so is a salmon salad, lobster and much more. End your alfresco feast with s’mores. 6185 W. Hunt Highway, Queen Creek, 480.882.2995, http://www.santanflat.com/.
Stockyards Restaurant & 1889 Saloon My yummy meal at Phoenix’s Stockyards restaurant is still fresh on my mind, especially the wild boar and venison sausage. Visit the historic site to catch a glimpse of Arizona many, many years ago–and there’s no time like the present, thanks to the $18.89 saloon summer dinner specials. 5009 E. Washington St., Phoenix, 602.273.7378, http://www.stockyardsrestaurant.com/.
Pinnacle Peak Patio Steakhouse Don’t even think about wearing a tie at this Scottsdale eatery. Since Pinnacle Peak Patio first opened in 1957, the restaurant has claimed more than a million neckties thanks to its strict no-tie policy. What you can do, though, is order entrees that are aptly called the Cowgirl, Wrangler, and Cattleman. Don’t forget the microbrewed root beer float to wash it all down with. 10426 E. Jomax Rd., Scottsdale, 480.615.1113, www.pppatio.com.
Mining Camp Restaurant Unfortunately, the Mining Camp restaurant–which is modeled after an old mining camp–is on hiatus until November (it’s located near the Superstition Mountains, so no one wants to be in a hot car for that long of a drive anyways). However, when it does reopen, stop by for a family-style dinner of steak, baked beans, fresh rolls, raisin bread and Mining Camp prospector cookies. 6100 E. Mining Camp St., Apache Junction, 480.982.3181, http://www.miningcamprestaurant.com/.