Disclosure: I won a trip sponsored by Allegiant Air and Visit Mesa in which travel, accommodations, and tickets were provided in exchange for sharing my honest opinion.
Last month my husband and I traveled to Mesa, Arizona and honestly I feel like we at the whole weekend. I just wanted to try everything and we had some fabulous restaurants all right there in (and near) Mesa. We also had tons of adventures in Mesa, so yes I did get some physical activity in!
The restaurants we visited all had a little of everything, but yet not what we’d get back in home in Chicago. My husband, who dreams about being one of the guys on tv that travels the world and eats, was in his glory with all the food choices available to us.
First stop, Postino East Wine Café for drinks and appetizers.
Postino East Wine Café, in the newly-developed and bustling downtown, guests can expect nearly 40 hand-selected unique, approachable wines paired with simple, delicious food that’s served to share. The warm, inviting space was designed for lingering and the friendly staff of up-and-comers are so well-tuned on their wine selections that you simply can’t go wrong with white, red or rose.
- 302 N Gilbert Rd #102
- Gilbert, AZ 85234
This restaurant was set in the downtown area, but it was not like a downtown we’re used to with huge skyscrapers. It was a trendy, open, cosy restaurant in Gilbert’s downtown area. It was beautiful there! It had an open lawn area with games and everyone looking like they were enjoying themselves. I wish we had time to go back and sit outside and just relax out there.
Next up was Joyride Taco House, which was conveniently right next to Postino East Wine Café.
Reinventing the typical street taco experience. This funky fresh house of tacos offers a fantastic vibe. The unique menu is filled with delicious tacos with a twist, and creative salads, sides, and desserts.
- 302 N Gilbert Rd
- Gilbert, AZ 85233
I may be bias about Joyride since I love Mexican food but this restaurant had amazing food. Set right in downtown Gilbert, it was such a relaxing and fun atmosphere.
The next day we headed to Queen Creek Olive Mill (read more about my Queen Creek Olive Mill experience).
Queen Creek Olive Mill is Arizona’s only family-owned and operated working olive mill and farm. Here, olives are grown and pressed for the production of high quality extra virgin olive oil. Locally grown olives are milled for tapenades, pestos and sauces as well as more than a dozen infused and flavored olive oils. Their restaurant, del Piero at the mill is a Tuscan-inspired eatery. You can eat inside or in the olive grove.
- 25062 S Meridian Rd
- Queen Creek, AZ 85142
Since it was Mother’s Day they had a special menu with some amazing choices. I had to get their signature sandwich, the “Kalamata” which was actually featured on the Food Network’s “Best Thing I Ever Ate.” I pictured this sandwich with kalamata olives falling out of it but they were actually ground into the meat! Queen Creek Olive Mill is not a sit-down fancy restaurant but rather you go up and order your food and sit where you’d like inside or out. Don’t think though that they are like a fast food restaurant, I learned that since they serve around 1,000 people a day they just can’t function as a sit-down restaurant with waiters. The food and atmosphere was amazing and I highly recommend the 30 minute Olive Oil tour as well! Oh and throughout the Olive Mill inside there is a huge store with fresh olive oils, olives, and so much more – even tons of samples you can try! Yes most of the food involves olives or olive oil, but if your not a fan don’t worry there are other choices as well!
For dinner this night we headed to TQLA Agave Bar & Southwestern Kitchen.
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo! The fusion dining experience is a new addition to Mesa combining the elements of Southwest and Mexican cuisine. Fulfill your appetite with their intriguing complex flavors and combinations, and your social side with the upbeat environment. Let’s not forget to mention that if you are a tequila lover you might have just found your sanctuary. Offering 80 varieties of tequila, many of which are on tap and “hyper-cooled” to 5 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s a must to opt for a tequila flight or a handcrafted margarita. Or, lean on the suggestions of their “Master Mixologists” on hand to create your specialty cocktail.
- 1758 S Val Vista Drive.
- Mesa, AZ
A tequila bar with tequila on tap, yes please! Okay so I didn’t actually do any tequila shots but I did order a fabulous drink, Prickly Pear Margarita. Here we had appetizers that were fabulous in presentation and tasted even better. Seriously this is food I never get to eat when I’m out with my kids so I was all about trying everything. The restaurant was open, trendy, but still relaxing and inviting. I loved everything about it and wish I wasn’t so full from appetizers that I got to try an entree!
Overall, eating in Mesa, Arizona was fabulous. I have nothing but good things to say and I will definitely be hitting these restaurants up again if I make my way back out to Mesa. For now though I will just have to dream of Prickly Pear margaritas and Kalamata olive sandwiches.
Want to read more about my Mesa experience? Check out my “A Trip to Arizona – More Than Just a Desert…” post!
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phil rush says
I would love to travel to AZ to different restaurants trying out new foods