Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [201]
Monsoon on the Rim
6 E. Aspen (at Leroux). ☎ 928/226-8844. Main courses $7.50–$11. AE, MC, V. Sun–Wed 11:30am–9pm; Thurs–Sat 11:30am–10pm. NEW ASIAN.
A sharp-looking waitstaff, dressed in black, dashes around the dining room. The restaurant's energetic environment and downtown location enhance the unusual flavor combinations here, a fusion of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Pacific island fare. Highlights include scallops on crispy spinach, and Thai spicy shrimp with green beans in brown sauce. Monsoon also serves as a sushi bar and martini bar. Come evening, this is a wonderful place to start off with a drink (the martini bar stays open until 11pm weekdays, 1am weekends).
WILLIAMS
Cruisers Cafe 66
233 W. Rte. 66. ☎ 928/635-2445. Reservations not accepted. Main courses $7.95–$18. AE, DISC, MC, V. Daily 4–9:30pm (may vary seasonally). AMERICAN.
Built in an old Route 66 gas station, this restaurant is jammed with gas-station memorabilia, including stamped glass, filling-station signs, "Sky Chief" gas pumps, and photos of classic stations. Served up with plenty of napkins as well as drinks in unbreakable plastic mugs, the roadhouse-style food will fuel you for days. Start with the sampler of appetizers—wings, chicken strips, mozzarella sticks, and fried mushrooms—served on a real automobile hubcap. The burgers are delicious, but the best choice, if you really want to fill up, is the ribs.
Pine Country Restaurant 107 N. Grand Canyon Blvd. ☎ 928/635-9718. Breakfast $3.95–$6.95; lunch $4.50–$6.95; dinner $7.95–$13. AE, DISC, MC, V. Daily 5:30am–9pm. AMERICAN.
Many locals who dine at this no-frills, mom-and-pop restaurant in downtown Williams eat their pie first. One taste of any of the 31 varieties of fresh-baked pie, including unusual varieties such as banana–peanut butter and strawberry–cream cheese, will convince you that the pie-eaters have their priorities straight. But pie is just a slice of the offerings. Dinner entrees such as roast beef, pork chops, and fried shrimp cost under $7 and taste like meals your mother should have made. The lunch menu consists of mostly burgers and hot sandwiches.
Rod's Steak House
301 E. Rte. 66. ☎ 928/635-2671. Main courses $9–$29. AE, DISC, MC, V. Mar–Sept daily 11:30am–9:30pm; Oct–Feb Mon–Sat 11:30am–9:30pm. Closed 1st 2 weeks of Jan. STEAKS.
If you're a steak lover, brake for the cow-shaped sign on Route 66 as you would for real livestock. This landmark restaurant, sprawling across a city block between the highway's east- and westbound lanes, has hardly changed since opening in 1946. Printed on a paper cutout of a cow, the menu is only about 6 inches across—more than enough space for its laconic descriptions. You can choose nonsteak items such as "beef liver grilled onions and bacon" and "jumbo fantail shrimp tempura battered"; or prime rib in three sizes, from the 9-ounce "ladies lite cut" to the 16-ounce "cattleman's hefty cut." But the stars of the menu are the mesquite-broiled steaks that have made this place a hit for a half century.
Rosa's Cantina
411 N. Grand Canyon Blvd. ☎ 928/635-0708. Main courses $8–$14. AE, DISC, MC, V. Tues–Thurs 11am–9pm; Fri–Sat 11am–10pm; Sun 11am–8pm. MEXICAN.
Unless you thrill to the sight of inflatable beer bottles hanging from the roof of a former bowling alley, don't come to this restaurant for its ambience. But come anyway, for traditional Mexican food that, given the surroundings, deserves a score of 300. Never mind that a local might just tell you which lane you're sitting in. Concentrate on the delightful fajitas, enchiladas, and chile rellenos. The best dish is Steak Diablo, an 8-ounce New York strip served with rice, beans, and a devilish jalapeño sauce. Cool down with one of the 13 colorful margaritas. Happy hour is Tuesday through Saturday from 4 to 7pm.
Winchester
301 N. 7th St. ☎ 928/635-2220. Main courses $19–$53.