As someone who is a food lover and ridiculously impatient, there’s nothing more frustrating than visiting a restaurant only to find a long line of other prospective diners waiting to be seated. Do you add your name to the hour-long wait list and hope the food is worth the time? Or do you just leave for another place that can seat you a little sooner?
Well, if you happen to be visiting one of the restaurants below, then you should definitely stay in line! These restaurants are notorious for crowded spaces and long wait times but they serve meals that are ridiculously delicious.
- Carolina’s Mexican Food, Phoenix
Carolina’s Mexican Food/Yelp
Carolina’s Mexican Food/Yelp We’re starting this list with a Phoenix favorite that tends to get especially crowded during lunch hours. The food is simple yet tasty with an amazing sauce and meals are always served in to-go containers, making it an easy choice if you want to dine in or back at the office. There are several locations around the Valley but we have a soft spot for the location near 7th Street and Buckeye. Address: 1202 East Mohave Street, Phoenix
- Elote, Sedona
Elote Cafe/Yelp
Elote Cafe/Yelp Known for longer than usual wait times, you won’t want to miss getting a meal at Elote. The award-winning restaurant serves up a round of delicious Mexican meals (yes, including elote) rich in flavor and seasonal ingredients. Address: 771 State Route 179, Sedona
- MartAnne’s, Flagstaff
MartAnne’s Cafe/Yelp
MartAnne’s Cafe/Yelp This famous breakfast joint is known for their amazing chilaquiles but also the relaxed atmosphere despite the long lines and packed tables. It will be a mistake to leave for another restaurant! Address: 112 East Route 66, Flagstaff
- Matt’s Big Breakfast, Phoenix
Matt’s Big Breakfast/Yelp
Matt’s Big Breakfast/Yelp Although Matt’s has several locations around the Valley now, we’re talking about the central Phoenix location today. This breakfast restaurant is always packed and the line to get in often winds around the building but biting into that thick, peppered bacon or perfectly cooked waffles makes all that time worth it. Address: 825 North 1st Street, Phoenix
- Mi Nidito, Tucson
Mi Nidito/Yelp
Mi Nidito/Yelp Long lines and big portions are what you’ll find at this Tucson Mexican restaurant. The food is tasty and if you want to avoid waiting too long, try arriving after the lunch or dinner rush—2pm to 5pm or 7pm to closing time are usually a bit slower for any restaurant. Address: 1813 South 4th Avenue, Tucson
- Oreganos, State-wide
Oreganos Pizza Bistro/Facebook
Oreganos Pizza Bistro/Facebook This popular Arizona-based restaurant chain serves deep dish pizzas that will put most others to shame. You can find locations all around the state and, chances are, you’ll find long lines at each of them where you may wait an hour (or longer!) but it’s definitely worth it. Locations: Website
- Pizzeria Bianco, Phoenix
Pizzeria Bianco/Yelp
Pizzeria Bianco/Yelp If you prefer a thinner pizza in a more urban atmosphere then you might want to give Pizzeria Bianco a try! The wait is long but you can definitely taste the freshness with each bite of your pizza pie. Address: 623 East Adams Street, Phoenix
- Rosa’s Pizzeria, Prescott
Rosa’s Pizzeria/Facebook
Rosa’s Pizzeria/Facebook If you’re looking to check out a restaurant other than those located along Whiskey Row, this is one you definitely need to get in line for! The wait is long but that will give you time to hopefully decide what you want to eat from the expansive menu. You’ll have a difficult time choosing one entrée! Address: 330 West Gurley Street, Prescott
- Screaming Banshee Pizza, Bisbee
Screaming Banshee Pizza/Yelp
Screaming Banshee Pizza/Yelp Don’t let the name of this pizza joint or the long lines deter you from getting a meal here because, holy moly, the food is good. Make it simple with a margherita pizza or go for something a little more adventurous, like the bloody screaming banshee pizza. Address: 200 Tombstone Canyon, Bisbee
Have you had a chance to visit any of these restaurants before? Are there any additional restaurants you think are definitely worth waiting for? Let us know what you think in the comments section below or on our Facebook fan page!
Carolina’s Mexican Food/Yelp
We’re starting this list with a Phoenix favorite that tends to get especially crowded during lunch hours. The food is simple yet tasty with an amazing sauce and meals are always served in to-go containers, making it an easy choice if you want to dine in or back at the office. There are several locations around the Valley but we have a soft spot for the location near 7th Street and Buckeye. Address: 1202 East Mohave Street, Phoenix
Elote Cafe/Yelp
Known for longer than usual wait times, you won’t want to miss getting a meal at Elote. The award-winning restaurant serves up a round of delicious Mexican meals (yes, including elote) rich in flavor and seasonal ingredients. Address: 771 State Route 179, Sedona
MartAnne’s Cafe/Yelp
This famous breakfast joint is known for their amazing chilaquiles but also the relaxed atmosphere despite the long lines and packed tables. It will be a mistake to leave for another restaurant! Address: 112 East Route 66, Flagstaff
Matt’s Big Breakfast/Yelp
Although Matt’s has several locations around the Valley now, we’re talking about the central Phoenix location today. This breakfast restaurant is always packed and the line to get in often winds around the building but biting into that thick, peppered bacon or perfectly cooked waffles makes all that time worth it. Address: 825 North 1st Street, Phoenix
Mi Nidito/Yelp
Long lines and big portions are what you’ll find at this Tucson Mexican restaurant. The food is tasty and if you want to avoid waiting too long, try arriving after the lunch or dinner rush—2pm to 5pm or 7pm to closing time are usually a bit slower for any restaurant. Address: 1813 South 4th Avenue, Tucson
Oreganos Pizza Bistro/Facebook
This popular Arizona-based restaurant chain serves deep dish pizzas that will put most others to shame. You can find locations all around the state and, chances are, you’ll find long lines at each of them where you may wait an hour (or longer!) but it’s definitely worth it. Locations: Website
Pizzeria Bianco/Yelp
If you prefer a thinner pizza in a more urban atmosphere then you might want to give Pizzeria Bianco a try! The wait is long but you can definitely taste the freshness with each bite of your pizza pie. Address: 623 East Adams Street, Phoenix
Rosa’s Pizzeria/Facebook
If you’re looking to check out a restaurant other than those located along Whiskey Row, this is one you definitely need to get in line for! The wait is long but that will give you time to hopefully decide what you want to eat from the expansive menu. You’ll have a difficult time choosing one entrée! Address: 330 West Gurley Street, Prescott
Screaming Banshee Pizza/Yelp
Don’t let the name of this pizza joint or the long lines deter you from getting a meal here because, holy moly, the food is good. Make it simple with a margherita pizza or go for something a little more adventurous, like the bloody screaming banshee pizza. Address: 200 Tombstone Canyon, Bisbee
If you want to check out some more fantastic restaurants around Arizona, be sure to read Here Are 13 Iconic Restaurants Along Arizona’s Route 66 That You Need To Try.
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