Arizona is certainly known for its Mexican fare, which is served Sonoran style with beef, a slight preference for flour tortillas, and favorite dishes like chimichangas and cheese crisps. But Arizona is also known for being an ideal spot to get fry bread, a deep fried tortilla that, when cooked right, is golden brown, fluffy, and has just the right amount of crisp for dipping in soups, sopping up the leftover sauces, or topped with beans and meat.

Although it’s not the healthiest dish, fry bread is a link between the past and present for many indigenous peoples. The bread was initially created as a survival food from government rations given to tribes during internment on reservations when it wasn't possible to prepare traditional meals. These days, however, it has become a beloved side dish for meals and you’ll find each tribe has their own slight variation on the bread, whether it’s the ingredients used or how the bread is made.

Personally, I think the best place to find fry bread is at Mom or Grandma’s house, but a restaurant or food truck is the next best place. Here’s a look at a few places where you can find some ridiculously good fry bread prepared by the people who know it best!

1. Amigo Cafe, Kayenta

This Navajo family-owned restaurant has been in operation since 1983 and serves a wonderful menu of Mexican, American, and Navajo dishes. We recommend trying the fry bread à la mode with a hot cup of coffee! Check out their Facebook page for details. Location: The intersection of US Highway 163 and Canyon Drive in Kayenta.

2. Cafe Santa Rosa, Tucson

Owned and operated by a Tohono O’odham family, this restaurant serves up hearty meals that will leave your tummy and heart feeling full. The fry bread here is large, fluffy, and perfect with a hot bowl of red chile stew. Check out the Cafe Santa Rosa website for details.Address: 3303 South 12th Ave., Tucson

3. Emerson Fry Bread, Phoenix-metro

You can find this food truck driving through and parked in various areas in the Phoenix metro area. Don’t pass up a meal here! Owned and operated by a family with roots in Quechen, Mohave, and Navajo tribes, the fry bread here feels like a gourmet meal with fresh ingredients that perfectly complement the fried aspects of the dishes. You can find details and track the truck on the Emerson Fry Bread Facebook page.

4. The Fry Bread House, Phoenix

A winner of the James Beard Award, the Fry Bread House is one of the many places to find a tasty meal in the Melrose District of Phoenix. We suggest ordering the red chile taco, which is a basic Indian taco served with a spicy serving of beef in a red chile sauce wrapped in a large, perfectly crisp piece of fry bread. Check out our previous feature article here for more details. Address: 4545 North 7th Ave., Phoenix

5. Jeri J’s Indian Fry Bread, Payson

When you’re headed up to Rim Country to escape the heat this summer, you’ll want to stop by Jeri J’s food truck, which is typically parked near the Mazatzal Casino just outside of Payson. Owned by a member of the Tonto Apache Tribe, you’ll find the fry bread here is thin yet crispy and perfectly golden brown. Check out the Jeri J’s Indian Fry Bread website for details.

6. The Stand, Scottsdale

Don’t confuse this food stand with the Scottsdale burger shop by the same name. Located on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, The Stand is not only a rustic spot to find tasty fry bread but also a bowl of red chile, menudo, fresh tortillas, and even pickle slushies (affectionately called a "Piccadilly") that have become a favorite snack on many Arizona reservations. Plus, you won’t have to spend more than $10 for a complete meal here! Address: 3996 North Alma School Road, Scottsdale

Do you have any other favorite spots to get some incredibly delicious and impeccably cooked fry bread in Arizona? Let us know about your favorite place to eat this dish and we may feature it in a future article!

Wondering about other foods that Arizonans absolutely love? Read 8 Foods Every Arizonan Craves When They Leave Arizona for a list of some of our favorite dishes.