River City Grill, Yuma, Arizona

River City Grill interior, from TripAdvisor

I've been traveling with my business partner, Jim, to Yuma since 2006, and we've been dining here since practically our first visit. River City Grill is one of Yuma's finest restaurants (and it happens to be within walking distance of the Best Western Coronado Motel, which provides our accommodations. How convenient!)

Experience

This is one of the hippest places in Yuma that doesn't try to be too hip. In addition to the colorful and eclectic inside dining room, there's a lovely patio for outdoor dining in winter months.

Elote Cafe, Sedona, Arizona

From the Kings Ransom Website

If I have a guest visiting and they are willing to drive a little bit for dinner, I try to take them to Elote Cafe in Sedona, which has rightfully earned the reputation of being one of the best restaurants in northern Arizona.

Experience

Located at the Kings Ransom Sedona Hotel, you can tell that this used to be a much more modest restaurant until former Scottsdale star chef Jeff Smedstad decided to take root here. They emphatically do not take reservations: it's first come, first served, starting at 5 pm. During busy times, the wait can be 2 hours, but on weekdays, I have usually waited 30 minutes to an hour. While you wait, you can get a margarita or other libation, munch on their tasty spiced popcorn, and look out over the beautiful pool, if the weather is nice. Be patient, and you will be rewarded.

Tacos Mi Rancho (aka Tacos Mi Ranchito), Yuma, Arizona

Exterior, photo from Yahoo

It's not a trip to Yuma for GoalBusters without a meal at Tacos Mi Rancho. Located right next to our home away from home, the Best Western Coronado, Tacos Mi Rancho has very tasty tacos and a good selection of Mexican beers. We like the "little Mexico" feeling of this place, and the fact that we can gorge ourselves on tacos for almost no money. The first time we went here, we ordered one of every taco on the menu. Our server thought us a little strange, which we are.

Experience

Back dining room, photo from Yahoo

The small, L-shaped dining room is decorated with Mexican kitsch typical of a family run restaurant. Find a seat and one of the very prompt servers will bring you water, chips and salsa almost immediately. The service is usually very quick and attentive enough. The menu has a collection of the usual combo platters, but we tend to order a la carte. There is a very inexpensive senior menu, though, for the hordes of winter visitors who come to Yuma between November and March every year, and at lunch time, anyone can order from the senior menu.