Flagstaff: A Homesteading Past Breeds a Pioneering Food Future
Three big industries — railroad, lumber, and ranching — loom large in Flagstaff, home to Mt. Humphreys, Arizona’s highest peak. Despite playing starring roles in the mountain town’s origin story, the influence of those three industries are still felt today in a city that has seen many seasons — from a pioneer outpost, a college enclave, to a destination known for its premium real estate and acclaimed culinary experiences.
While Sinagua, Anasazi, and Cohonina tribes lived on the land now known as Flagstaff long before it earned its name, their Indigenous influence is also still felt in a city that now boasts nearly 80,000 residents.
As a town that popped out of the mountain West, due to the incoming development of the railroad — and later by the vitally important Route 66 artery — Flagstaff’s history brings together the hardworking, the hustlers, and even the heroes that created a distinct atmosphere that is uniquely its own.
At 7,000 feet in elevation, Flagstaff is a glorious, four-season getaway for desert dwellers. Just two hours from Phoenix, Northern Arizona University offers a just-far-enough-from-home college experience for Phoenix-raised students. Saloons popular with rail workers have given way to joints offering food craved by college kids, which have now made room for exquisite culinary craftsmanship that draws on its local livestock and provisions. With its thriving local food community, propped up by a number of craft breweries and plenty of pioneering chefs, Flagstaff has recently come into its own as a vibrant destination for foodies — earning comparisons to Boulder.
Flagstaff’s local food scene, like the city itself, knows how to evolve.
Farm-to-Table: Flagstaff
Sourcing local ingredients used to be the avenue of necessity, back when pioneers began settling in the area that would become known as Flagstaff in the 1800s. Before tracks were laid for the railroad, the then-remote area was essentially cut off from outside sources. And, at the very least, transporting goods was not easy.
Now, as modern-day pioneers of the culinary world establish themselves and add delicious value to Flagstaff’s foodie scene, sourcing local ingredients is a promise that local eateries are making to support a sustainable, conservation-focused future.
At Brix, for example, its mushrooms are cultivated locally. And, at Proper Meats + Provisions, owned by the same people who founded Brix, meats and goods are sourced from several local farmers, including those in Camp Verde, Paulden, Flagstaff, and Chino Valley – creating a true farm-to-table dining experience. Diablo Burger, Tinderbox Kitchen, and Criollo Latin Kitchen are also part of Flagstaff’s culinary food scene, offering diverse flavors, exciting renditions, local ingredients, and the same pioneering spirit of its early days.
Established restaurant favorites still offer down-home comforts like those found at Bun Huggers, Miz Zip’s (which has been around since 1952), and Shift, offering some of the best fries you’ve ever tasted paired with beautifully-crafted entrees as part of an ever-rotating menu.
It goes without saying that any visit to Flagstaff would be incomplete without a visit to one of its local breweries. From Mother Road Brewing Company, named in reverence to Route 66, to Lumberyard Brewing Co., Beaver Street Brewery and beyond, Flagstaff is home to an enviable selection of home-grown, freshly-tapped brews.
Where the Cuisine Embodies Flagstaff’s Food Roots:
Pizzacletta: A simple menu that focuses on local ingredients and offers traditional neapolitan pizza and authentic starters, such as warm olives or rosemary focaccia.
Flagstaff Brewing Company: A casual pub featuring local beer, burgers, and a robust selection of whiskey.
Josephine’s: A modern American bistro offering a fine-dining experience that emphasizes fresh ingredients, a regularly updated menu, and in-season seafood.
Dark Sky Brewing Co.: This bustling microbrewery draws inspiration from the stars, comets, and planets that can be seen in the country’s first International Dark Sky city.
FLG Terroir: A wine bar that offers light bites, such as oysters, meatballs, and brussel sprouts, that pair nicely with an impressive selection of boutique wines.
Grand Canyon Brewing & Distillery: A pub with a five-barrel brewhouse serving beer and distilled spirits alongside a comfort menu that includes pretzels, wings, ribs, burgers, and sandwiches.