Arizona has some pretty delicious food, but if you’re looking for a quintessential fried American meal, there’s no better place to get your grub on than in a diner. Since diners are well-known for their grilled and fried fare at a low price, we’re going to take a look at places in the state that offer just that. Here are a few of the star non-chain diners that combine delicious food with comfortable settings.
- 50s Diner Backseat Bar (Cordes Junction)
50s Diner Backseat Bar/Yelp
50s Diner Backseat Bar/Yelp Let’s get this list started with a classic-looking diner that could transport you back in time. Not only does the 50s Diner Backseat Bar get the aesthetics right, but it also offers great food. It has maintained high ratings on Yelp, Facebook, and Google. Address: 19780 Hitching Post Way, Cordes Junction
- 5th Avenue Cafe (Phoenix)
Photo via 5thavenuecafephoenix.com
5th Avenue Cafe FAN/Facebook Located in midtown Phoenix within the Willo Historic District, 5th Avenue Cafe has maintained a presence in the city since the 1950s, a noteworthy achievement in a city that seems intent on constantly rebuilding itself. It’s a great little place to grab a sandwich during your lunch break or, even better, breakfast. Address: 501 West Thomas Road, Phoenix
- Bobby D’s Diner (Parker)
Bobby D’s Diner/Facebook
Bobby D’s Diner/Yelp This cute little place is another option that offers a retro aesthetic with tasty food for breakfast, lunch, or dinner time. The sandwiches and burgers are good; plus, the dessert options will satisfy your sweet tooth cravings. Address: 10230 Harbor Drive, Parker
- Bumsted’s (Tucson)
Photo from bumstedstucson.com
Bumsted’s/Yelp Not only will you find some tasty foods to wash down with a cold drink but the restaurant also regularly hosts game nights and other fun activities that make eating your burger and wings a little more fun. Address: 500 North 4th Avenue, Tucson
- Chase’s Diner (Chandler)
Chase’s Diner/Facebook
Chase’s Diner/Yelp Another great little spot with a 1950s ambience, Chase’s Diner has a full menu of meal options which, of course, includes just what you would expect from a family restaurant. Try any of their omelettes or the rueben sandwich. Address: 2040 North Alma School Road, Chandler
- Dinner Bell Cafe (Prescott)
Dinner Bell Cafe/Yelp
Dinner Bell Cafe/Yelp Breakfast is the meal that really shines here, but you can still find a tasty lunch. Dinner Bell Cafe has been in operation here since 1939 and definitely feels like a little snippet of history when you walk in. Address: 321 West Gurley Street, Prescott
- Greg & Amy’s Twist and Shout 50s Diner (Green Valley)
Greg and Amy’s Twist and Shout 50’s Diner/Yelp
Greg and Amy’s Twist and Shout 50’s Diner/Yelp Yet another great diner with that retro feel we all want in a local diner, as well as food at reasonable prices. The sandwiches are tasty and you won’t want to miss out on their breakfast meals. Address: 720 West Calle Arroyo Sur, Suite 100, Green Valley
- June’s Cafe (Heber)
June’s Diner/Yelp
June’s Diner/Yelp When you visit a small town, most people expect to find that one little diner that serves classic American food. This is that little spot in Heber-Overgaard where the portions are generous and the service is friendly. Address: 1990 Highway 260, Heber
- Little Anthony’s Diner (Tucson)
Little Anthony’s Diner/Yelp
Little Anthony’s Diner/Yelp Craving a burger while listening to some ’50s rock? If you happen to be in Tucson, this is the place to go for just that. The breakfast options are also pretty awesome. Address: 7010 East Broadway Boulevard, Tucson
- MacAlpine’s Soda Fountain (Phoenix)
MacAlpine’s Soda Fountain/Yelp
MacAlpine’s Soda Fountain/Yelp This fun little restaurant sits among several other small, local establishments that will give any chain restaurant a run for their money. MacAlpine’s stands out in part because of its retro look but also for its retro-style food and drinks. Who wouldn’t want to enjoy this? Address: 2303 North 7th Street, Phoenix
- Mel’s Diner (Phoenix)
Mel’s Diner/Facebook
Mel’s Diner/Yelp If you ever watched the old ’70s show Alice you’re probably already very familiar with Mel’s Diner since the show and the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore were filmed here. While the building doesn’t look like much, they serve up a surprisingly good breakfast at reasonable prices. Address: 1747 Grand Avenue, Phoenix
- The Normal Diner (Tempe)
The Normal/Yelp
The Normal/Yelp This location once was an IHOP but was re-imagined as a more local diner that offers a more upscale, urban take on the diner experience. The food is a little pricier, but you can expect a top-notch and delicious meal. Address: 225 East Apache Boulevard, Tempe
- Pappy’s Diner (Tucson)
Pappy’s Diner/Yelp
Pappy’s Diner/Yelp Diners generally translate to a quick meal at a low price–and that is exactly what you will get at Pappy’s Diner. Also, if you like massive pancakes for breakfast, this is the place to get them. Address: 1300 West Prince Road, Tucson
- Road Kill Cafe (Seligman)
Road Kill Cafe/Yelp
Road Kill Cafe/Yelp Hey, this place really does exist! While you won’t find much in the way of roadkill options on the menu, the Road Kill Cafe does carry a wide range of foods, which includes game meat. Address: 502 AZ-66, Seligman
- Tom & Suzie’s Diner (Holbrook)
Tom & Suzie’s Diner/Yelp
Tom & Suzie’s Diner/Yelp My grandma used to work in a little restaurant in Holbrook; this isn’t the same place but I like to think it had a similar atmosphere. Tom & Suzie’s Diner serves up a mean breakfast and they have free wifi! Address: 710 Navajo Boulevard, Holbrook
- Welcome Diner (Phoenix)
Welcome Diner/Facebook
Welcome Diner/Facebook All my fellow night owls know the agony of searching for a restaurant open late that isn’t a fast food chain. Welcome Diner is your new best option. Open from 5pm to 2am, Welcome Diner serves up some tasty meals to better fuel all your late night adventures. Just keep in mind that indoor seating is limited! Address: 924 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix
Have you visited any of these restaurants? Let us know which one is your favorite!
50s Diner Backseat Bar/Yelp
Let’s get this list started with a classic-looking diner that could transport you back in time. Not only does the 50s Diner Backseat Bar get the aesthetics right, but it also offers great food. It has maintained high ratings on Yelp, Facebook, and Google. Address: 19780 Hitching Post Way, Cordes Junction
Photo via 5thavenuecafephoenix.com
5th Avenue Cafe FAN/Facebook
Located in midtown Phoenix within the Willo Historic District, 5th Avenue Cafe has maintained a presence in the city since the 1950s, a noteworthy achievement in a city that seems intent on constantly rebuilding itself. It’s a great little place to grab a sandwich during your lunch break or, even better, breakfast. Address: 501 West Thomas Road, Phoenix
Bobby D’s Diner/Facebook
Bobby D’s Diner/Yelp
This cute little place is another option that offers a retro aesthetic with tasty food for breakfast, lunch, or dinner time. The sandwiches and burgers are good; plus, the dessert options will satisfy your sweet tooth cravings. Address: 10230 Harbor Drive, Parker
Photo from bumstedstucson.com
Bumsted’s/Yelp
Not only will you find some tasty foods to wash down with a cold drink but the restaurant also regularly hosts game nights and other fun activities that make eating your burger and wings a little more fun. Address: 500 North 4th Avenue, Tucson
Chase’s Diner/Facebook
Chase’s Diner/Yelp
Another great little spot with a 1950s ambience, Chase’s Diner has a full menu of meal options which, of course, includes just what you would expect from a family restaurant. Try any of their omelettes or the rueben sandwich. Address: 2040 North Alma School Road, Chandler
Dinner Bell Cafe/Yelp
Breakfast is the meal that really shines here, but you can still find a tasty lunch. Dinner Bell Cafe has been in operation here since 1939 and definitely feels like a little snippet of history when you walk in. Address: 321 West Gurley Street, Prescott
Greg and Amy’s Twist and Shout 50’s Diner/Yelp
Yet another great diner with that retro feel we all want in a local diner, as well as food at reasonable prices. The sandwiches are tasty and you won’t want to miss out on their breakfast meals. Address: 720 West Calle Arroyo Sur, Suite 100, Green Valley
June’s Diner/Yelp
When you visit a small town, most people expect to find that one little diner that serves classic American food. This is that little spot in Heber-Overgaard where the portions are generous and the service is friendly. Address: 1990 Highway 260, Heber
Little Anthony’s Diner/Yelp
Craving a burger while listening to some ’50s rock? If you happen to be in Tucson, this is the place to go for just that. The breakfast options are also pretty awesome. Address: 7010 East Broadway Boulevard, Tucson
MacAlpine’s Soda Fountain/Yelp
This fun little restaurant sits among several other small, local establishments that will give any chain restaurant a run for their money. MacAlpine’s stands out in part because of its retro look but also for its retro-style food and drinks. Who wouldn’t want to enjoy this? Address: 2303 North 7th Street, Phoenix
Mel’s Diner/Facebook
Mel’s Diner/Yelp
If you ever watched the old ’70s show Alice you’re probably already very familiar with Mel’s Diner since the show and the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore were filmed here. While the building doesn’t look like much, they serve up a surprisingly good breakfast at reasonable prices. Address: 1747 Grand Avenue, Phoenix
The Normal/Yelp
This location once was an IHOP but was re-imagined as a more local diner that offers a more upscale, urban take on the diner experience. The food is a little pricier, but you can expect a top-notch and delicious meal. Address: 225 East Apache Boulevard, Tempe
Pappy’s Diner/Yelp
Diners generally translate to a quick meal at a low price–and that is exactly what you will get at Pappy’s Diner. Also, if you like massive pancakes for breakfast, this is the place to get them. Address: 1300 West Prince Road, Tucson
Road Kill Cafe/Yelp
Hey, this place really does exist! While you won’t find much in the way of roadkill options on the menu, the Road Kill Cafe does carry a wide range of foods, which includes game meat. Address: 502 AZ-66, Seligman
Tom & Suzie’s Diner/Yelp
My grandma used to work in a little restaurant in Holbrook; this isn’t the same place but I like to think it had a similar atmosphere. Tom & Suzie’s Diner serves up a mean breakfast and they have free wifi! Address: 710 Navajo Boulevard, Holbrook
Welcome Diner/Facebook
All my fellow night owls know the agony of searching for a restaurant open late that isn’t a fast food chain. Welcome Diner is your new best option. Open from 5pm to 2am, Welcome Diner serves up some tasty meals to better fuel all your late night adventures. Just keep in mind that indoor seating is limited! Address: 924 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix
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