Phoenix History of restaurants, bars, hotels & buildings

HISTORY OF PHOENIX RESTAURANTS, BARS, HOTELS & BUILDINGS

"PHOENIX TIME MACHINES"

This is obviously not a comprehensive survey of old places in Phoenix (and Tempe and Scottsdale). This is what I could find during a mere weekend stay. Like all pages on this site, hopefully it will grow. Phoenix, Tempe & Scottsdale - nice cities! Sure is easy to get around (beats the heck out of Eastern Cities!). While the pickin's are a bit slim for true "Time Machines" by my definition, I did find a few gems (including what may be the best time machine I've found so far!). Feel free to send me suggestions for my next visit (hopefully not like my last nine year hiatus).

DURANT'S Restaurant, 2611 N Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004 602 264-5967 ( since 1950 ) T T T T T T - six out of five aint' bad!	Well as I said, the pickin's are slim on time machines in Phoenix but this place may be the most perfect time machine of them all (in my limited travels at least). This is exactly how I would imagine someone would have been treated at a upscale Hollywood restaurant in the 50's. Not only is the ambiance and interior design perfect, but the food is wonderful and above all the true art of service is practiced here. While Musso and Frank's may have an edge on history, this place is the whole package. Not inexpensive, but fine dining never is and careful ordering won't break the bank. Wonderful fresh bread served with an addictive topping. This is an absolute "must see" in Phoenix. Central Avenue is currently completely chopped up with construction, so avoid as much of it as possible. Another great quirk of this place is that you enter in the back through a very busy kitchen with all the staff greeting you in any event. If you're on a budget, at least stop in for a drink. It would be insane for Phoenix to ever let this place go and since the place was packed when I went, there seems no danger of this happening!
El Chorro Lodge, 5550 E Lincoln Dr Paradise Valley, AZ 85253 480 948-5170 T T	I had breakfast here. Not inexpensive but good for a splurge. This is the kind of old fashion place that locals go to for generations for nostalgia reasons. In a very beautiful area sandwiched between two mountains. Lot's of Western history here, the place started out as a girl's school in 1934. The stars here during breakfast are their fresh baked sort of unraveled cinnamon rolls and other pastries that come with the meal. Fairly remodeled but still with an old feel, especially the bar area. Very good service. I won't get into why "El Chorro" has a rather ironic connotation in Mexican slang.
Grady Gammage Memorial Auditorium, Arizona State University Tempe Campus, 1200 S Forest Ave. Tempe, AZ 85281	One of Frank Lloyd Wright's last designs. Built in 1964. I guess I'll pretend that I know something about architecture and be judgmental here. If Wright's Taliesin West is the equivalent in creativity to Paul McCartney's "Eleanor Rigby", then this building parallel's "Live and Let Die" (a nice song) - at least the exterior. Few geniuses retain the same level of creativity to the end. Just compare Akira Kurosawa's "Dersu Uzala" and his film "Dreams", Albert Einstein's "Theory of Relativity" and his "Cosmological Constant", Jerry Springer on his original show and on "America's Got Talent".
Mac Alpines Soda Fountain, 2303 N 7th St, Phoenix, Arizona 602 262-5545 since 1928 T T T T	This is another standout in the time machine field in Phoenix. Pure nostalgia. Similar to the St. Francis Fountain & Candy Store in San Francisco (although the St. Francis is in a little more original condition). Every kind of soda fountain drink you can imagine, Egg Creams, Phosphates. Even the Coca Cola here somehow tastes better. Milkshakes made the only true way there is. Thank heavens this place has survived. A great place to take kids to teach them about the "good old days". A very dedicated and friendly staff. Highly recommended.
Monti's La Casa Vieja, 100 S Mill Ave. Tempe, AZ 85281 480 967-7594 since 1954 T T	Incredibly historic restaurant in Tempe which apparently may be endangered by development. Hard to believe the city would consider changing this place in any way even for a minute. Very old, classic Western feel. Good food. Tempe's always a fun place to visit, although the city did not seem as clean as I remembered it years ago. The restaurant is housed in an 1871 adobe hacienda. Long term Congressman Carl Hayden was born in this adobe.
The Stockyards Restaurant & 1889 Saloon, 5009 E Washington, Phoenix, AZ 85034 602-273-7378 since 1954 T T T (bar area)	Very nice bar with an old Western saloon back bar similar to the one's in Virginia City. If I understood the bartender correctly I believe he said the back bar was hand carved on site when the place was opened rather than being an antique one brought in from elsewhere. Could have fooled me. The original restaurant the bar was attached to burnt down and was rebuilt, but apparently the bar survived. Lot's of great old murals that have only been slightly touched up in a recent remodel. Very friendly bartender who was rightly proud of his place. I didn't get to eat in the restaurant, but the reconstructed one still has a nice old feel.
Trader Vic's, 6850 E Main St. Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (480) 421-7799	Trader Vic's has returned to Scottsdale, and this one is very nice! Unlike the new Trader Vic's in Las Vegas, this one is closer to the Tiki origins of the company. Very hip, very mid-century modern just like its Valley Ho Hotel location. Still has the classic Trader Vic's libations. I'm not sure what the official label is for the style of music they play in the background is (sort of a cross between new age and classic lounge - I tend to call it Buddha bar music since that's the first place I've heard this style). While I would prefer old school lounge, this music is also very relaxing. I think they have once again struck a nice compromise between old school tiki and modern hip. Incidentally, you'll see I always include Tiki places on the site even if they are not old. I made the rules, so I can break them! This place alone merits a trip out to Scottsdale. Get directions before coming. It's a little hard to find just by looking for the address.
Hotel Valley Ho, 6902 E 1st St # 200, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 602 248-2000	This historic hotel has been wonderfully remodeled in an ultra hip mid-century modern style, much like the wonderful style of Shawn Hausman's Standard Hotels in Los Angeles. Having Trader Vic's on the premises (along with a very attractive hotel restaurant and lounge of their own) makes this a Modernism mecca and of course a must see (and stay!). The hotel was first built in 1956, and has a Frank Lloyd Wright influence since it was originally designed by his student Edward L. Varnay. I was totally in awe of the whole place. What a great idea.