We're staying about 2 miles from the South Rim entrance. Any suggestions for restaurants in the area?

El Tovar Hotel restaurant, in the Park, right on the Rim. Affordable based on what is ordered from the menu. Nice dining room.

South Rim entrance is a drive from actual South Rim. You are likely staying in an area with multiple chain motels and comparable chain restaurants. Depends on what your schedule will be - El Tovar is good (not great) as is steakhouse in lower level of Bright Angel lodge. But these will be near Grand Canyon and not that close to your hotel.

I remember a pizza "joint" that was pretty good and probably close to where you are staying It would be on the right side of the road if you were going toward the park. Other than that, it was pretty much non-discript.

Any chance you could get a room within the park? I've stayed both inside and out, and inside is SO much better--not the rooms themselves, but the ambiance of being in the park amidst the natural setting at the rim and not in that sort of strip mall atmosphere that exists just outside the park.

Check https://www.hubx.com/hotelsite/reser...=3&pDestSrch=1 for availability.

If you want to eat in the park, I highly recommend the Arizona Room, it was great!

While staying at the Grand Canyon back in April, I had several dinners at the El Tovar. Everyone in my party enjoyed their food and raved about the ambiance. You can't go wrong there. On the other hand, avoid the Coronado Room at the Best Western near the South Rim entrance. Very mediocre food and indifferent service.

Another vote for El Tovar. Great atmosphere and I had the best steak and chicken fajitas I've ever tasted there. Reasonably priced as well.

Keith

BostonGal, what is the dinner food and surroundings like at Arizona Room? We are going to reserve for son's birthday at end of Dec. Thought I would do El Tovar but am curious now about Arizona room- can you give more info please?

Jo1023,

We just returned from the Grand Canyon, and I can vouch for the Arizona Room. Surroundings are nice but not too nice, primarily featuring large picture windows that look out over the Rim Trail and the canyon. The food was good, the service was speedy and friendly, and we enjoyed our meal there. The food was basic American-style. I had the trout with herb butter and a baked potato, a chicken and corn chowder, stuff like that. However, the Arizona Room does not take reservations, so plan on having dinner early or a little late to avoid a wait.

We also ate once outside the Canyon, probably quite near to where you are staying. The resturant was called the Yippee-Ei-Oh. It was very campy, with lots of cowboy decor, but the food was great and there was alot of it!

You can make a dinner reservation up to 30 days in advance (since you aren't staying there). There's a form and/or email address on our website at www.grandcanyonlodges.com
As Bradshawgirl mentioned, the Arizona Room doesn't take reservations. They do take a waitlist once they've filled up, so you don't have to just stand around and wait if they're busy. I like the prime rib. Depending on what time of year you're here, the Az Room has a terrific lunch menu too.

I think OO was talking about "we cook pizza". Our office has pizza from there every couple of weeks.

As Gail mentioned, if you're staying in Tusayan (2 miles from entrance), you're actually about 8 miles from the rim.

El Tovar is also great for breakfast and lunch. Or if you just want an early start with coffee and a danish, the Bright Angel Lounge has that in the morning. Really convenient for a rim walk.

And for those with kids, there is a McDonalds and a Wendys in Tusayan.