Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [202]
Williams' most expensive restaurant (case in point: a $53 rib steak known as the Big Chief) is quickly earning a reputation as the best in town. Not only does it serve mouth-watering organic aged Black Angus beef, but the upscale, country atmosphere is the most inviting around. In addition to the choice steaks, which you can select from a case and then see cooked on an open mesquite grill, Winchester serves delicious beef ribs in homemade whiskey barbecue sauce. Everything, including sauces, dressings, and desserts, is made on-site. The wood and flagstone dining room sits in a former dairy barn, and a grand juniper-wood staircase ascends to a second-story bar that mimics an Old West town. This area, which is especially popular for weddings, has a stage-set hotel, marshal's office, blacksmith, general store, and ceremonial jail. The upstairs bar often has karaoke or live music on weekends.
KANAB, UTAH
Escobar's Mexican Restaurant
373 E. 300 S. ☎ 435/644-3739. Reservations not accepted. Lunch $2.50–$6; dinner $5–$13. No credit cards. Sun–Fri 11am– 9:30pm. Closed mid-Dec to mid-Jan. MEXICAN
You'll find the tastiest Mexican food in town at this ultracasual Kanab favorite (indeed, there are sometimes as many kids as adults in the dining room). Big burritos come stuffed with beef, chicken, pork, carne asada, or veggies, and a variety of combination dishes let you mix and match tacos, enchiladas, chile rellenos, or tostados at will. The guacamole is prepared with fresh avocados, and the beer is served as it should be—in a frosty mug.
Houston's Trails End Restaurant
32 E. Center St. ☎ 435/644-2488. Breakfast $4.20–$8.50; lunch $4.95–$9.50; dinner $4.95–$19. AE, DISC, MC, V. Daily 6am–10pm. Closed mid-Nov to Mar 15. STEAKS/BURGERS/SEAFOOD.
For a taste of Kanab's traditional fare, head for Houston's. While country music plays, waitresses wearing toy (we hope) sidearms serve up meaty courses such as the house special, chicken-fried steak, and baby-back ribs slathered in barbecue sauce. The soup is made fresh daily, as are the enormous yeast rolls that come with each dinner. Breakfast includes a choice of omelets, and lunch consists primarily of burgers and sandwiches.
Matty McPhatts
365 S. 100 E. ☎ 435/644-8300. Reservations not accepted. Lunch $4.99–$7.99; dinner $6.99–$16. AE, DISC, DC, MC, V. Mon–Thurs noon–10:30pm; Fri-Sat noon–11pm; Sun noon–9pm. AMERICAN.
Decorated with college and professional sports memorabilia, Matty McPhatts— known colloquially as "McPhatty's"— serves the best barbecued ribs in town. At dinner, the ribs come with baked potato, rice, or mashed potatoes, plus homemade coleslaw, barbecue beans, and fresh rolls. You can also order the ribs with a crab combo. Every imaginable kind of barbecue sandwich appears on the lunch menu; the barbecue pork is my top pick. Burgers and salads are also available. Like other Kanab eateries, McPhatty's is very casual.
Rocking V Café
97 W. Center St. ☎ 435/644-8001. Main courses $6–$9.50 lunch, $9–$30 dinner. V, MC. Daily 11:30am–9:30pm. ECLECTIC.
In 2000, Vicky Cooper left her stressful job as a TV news reporter to open this cafe, easily the best restaurant in Kanab. If you're here at dinnertime, start with bruschetta—house-baked focaccia topped with freshly sliced Roma tomatoes, slivered garlic, basil, and olive oil. Then indulge in chicken and mushroom Alfredo—a creamy Alfredo sauce atop spinach fettuccine, sautéed mushrooms, and grilled chicken. Or try charbroiled filet mignon encrusted with portobello mushrooms and surrounded with a thyme port demiglace. Finish with raspberry almond torte. The restaurant, which also serves lunch, occupies a glass-fronted 1892 building that has seen duty as a general store, mortuary, grocery, and bank. The wine cellar is in the safe, which seems to make sense in Utah.
Picnic & Camping Supplies
If possible, stock up on camping items at a grocery store in a large city, such as Flagstaff.