Sometimes the heat gets to be too much and you need a break. Luckily, there’s Bisbee — the historic mining community that sits a mile high and is about 10 degrees cooler than Tucson. It’s also been voted one of the best cities for hippies.
I have a special place in my heart for Bisbee.
Many — OK, add another many — years ago I was born and raised there. The small colorful town perched in the hills has always had a warm welcoming feeling for its homegrown that extends to visitors, especially in the town’s smattering of restaurants.
I’ve come up with seven of my favorites, and none of them were open when I was growing up in Bisbee. They aren’t just my favorites; locals and tourists recommend them as well.
Bisbee Breakfast Club, 75 Erie St., 1-520-432-5885; 7 a.m.-3:05 p.m. daily. This is the place you go for more than eggs over easy. This is where the locals share gossip over a cup of Joe in what was once the Lowell Drug store. BBC also has locations in Tucson and Mesa.
Screaming Banshee Pizza, 200 Tombstone Canyon, 1-520-432-1300; 4-9 p.m. Tuesdays-Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursdays, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays; closed Mondays. If Bisbee is having a themed event, you will be sure to encounter it here over a wood-fire pizza.
Thuy's Noodle Shop, 9 Naco Road, 1-520-432-6169; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. So, I know what you are thinking a Vietnamese restaurant in Bisbee? No kidding, this place has the best beef noodle soup.
Santiago's Restaurant, 1 Howell Ave, 1-520-432-1910; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The best part of eating the scratch-made Mexican fare is washing is down with spirits made from the 50 agave varieties.
Jimmy's Hot Dog Co., 938 AZ Hwy. 92., 1-520-432-5911; 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. This is the place for your Chicago food fix because sometimes you just need a Vienna Beef hotdog and a great side of fries.
Cafe Roka, 35 Main St., 1-520-432-5153. Seasonal hours; call for reservations. With live jazz every Friday night, locally sourced ingredients and a wine-paired menu, this is the most sought after restaurant in town.
Tacho's Tacos, 1335 S. Naco Hwy., 1-520-432-7811. 8 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. Every small town has to have that "go to" for a quick Mexican food fix. With 99-cent tacos and homemade soup, this is the place in Bisbee.
