Extreme Alfresco?

Today I’m going to write about how much I’ve come to love eating outside. Maybe it was the whole Covid thing. Maybe it wasn’t something I had done all that much of, until I realized that I really like eating outside. There is something about it that makes for a better experience. Don’t get me wrong if a restaurant is known for its ambiance or cliental or if the weather isn’t cooperating then inside is the place to be. I remember as a kid I ate outside a lot without thinking about it. We would grab a sandwich and a drink and go sit in a neighbors yard or in one of our forts in the desert. Families also did a lot of picnicking and camping. Being in nature helps me to focus more on the food and the company than eating inside. During the lockdown I found myself taking lunch onto the porch and enjoying it very much. Many of us have backyards that go unused for things such as gatherings and meals. I know in some parts of the country the bugs can be a major deterrent, and for some even the heat. Here in Tucson I have been having lunches with my sisters every now and then and we’ve chosen to eat outside even when the temperatures have reached 100. The places we chose to go to have a couple of things in common. They either have a very shady spot, they have fans or they have misters or in some cases portable evaporative coolers on wheels that can be moved around to cool off the places where people are sitting.

The misters are a very simple yet effective tool for cooling a patio off as much as 5 – 10 degrees. They spray a fine mist of water above or towards the patrons , then the heat helps to evaporate the water creating a much cooler spot. A place with good shade and misters makes for a pleasant outdoor dinning experience. One of the places we like to go is The Eclectic Cafe, off Sabino Canyon road. They have a wide range of food from salads to heavier Mexican fare. They also have the trifecta, shade, fans and misters. The ambiance is only ok because it is in a strip mall but the food more than makes up for it.

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The Guadalajara Grill on Kolb road has an amazing walled in patio that looks very much like you could be in Mexico. The best shade is under a giant Mesquite tree. Unfortunately their misters are in a bright sunny spot where they really don’t work as well. The day we went the misters were also broken. I have seen this many times, so if you’ve ever wanted to start your own business, move somewhere warm and start a mister installation and maintenance biz. I think if more restaurants had these more people would love to eat outside. When I was in Austin, they had packed patio’s in almost every restaurant. Austin, loves Alfresco!

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Poco and Mom’s is another place we love to go that has a beautiful patio. Their patio has shade and misters and a tiered fountain that also helps to cool down the surrounding area. The patio is located in a court yard with many different types of plants that attract hummingbirds and doves. The food at Poco’s is New Mexican style, so heavy on the green chili’s. If you’ve been reading my blog awhile you know how much I love green chilis! It’s for that reason I need to give a shout out to Poco and Mom’s , Messy Las Cruces Burger. Sometimes you just need a burger covered with house made queso dip (cheese) , house made green chili sauce and bacon on a toasted brioche bun. It’s so good you’ll find yourself slowing down halfway through because you don’t want the experience to end!

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There are many places with outdoor dining and I’m hoping to take advantage of more of them as time goes on. Two other great place to eat in Tucson with outdoor seating are Ghini’s, I wrote about them here, and The Iron Door on Mount Lemon, find the post here. If you have a favorite restaurant that has outdoor seating please let us know about it by writing in the box below. If you have any questions or comments please leave those in the box below too. I hope you get outside for more dining as much as possible. Until next time, Boone Appétit!