Whenever we travel, one of the things we miss most about home - besides family and the awesome weather - is the food. Since most of us grew up here in the Southwest surrounded by Indigenous and Latino communities, you can guess our palate is heavily influenced by those foods and the cultures surrounding them. Here's a look at some of the iconic foods in Arizona you have to try at least once:
1. Cheese Crisps
This is different from a quesadilla as it is baked on a pan and served open face.
2. Chimichangas
A deep fried burrito, a good chimi will be the perfect combination of flavorful, crispy, and surprisingly less heavy than you would expect.
3. Navajo Tacos
This is essentially a tostada served on fry bread and is a (not so) guilty pleasure.
4. Piki Bread
This Hopi bread staple is corn-based and a light, crispy food.
5. Posole
This spicy soup uses hominy, which look like large corn kernels, as its main ingredient.
6. Red Chile Stew/Red Chile Colorado
Bright red and spicy, this dish is found in O'odham and Pueblo communities.
7. Salsa
Is this exclusive to Arizona? No, but we love it enough to host several salsa festivals throughout the year.
8. Sonoran Hot Dogs
Move over, Chicago and New York-style hot dogs! It's impossible to turn down this chile-flavored, bacon wrapped hot dog.
9. Sun Tea
We grew up watching mom make sun tea pretty frequently, especially in the summer, and the flavors come out more mellow than through traditional brewing methods.
10. Tamales
When cooked properly, these are moist and spicy enough that you don't need toppings.
Which of these foods is your favorite? What food is AZ known for in your book? Are there any others you would add to this list? Tell us your thoughts in the comments, and if you have any restaurant suggestions for us, let us know by filling out this form.
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