Hello---can anyone help with advice on where to dine at the South Rim in April? We'll be there several nights before hiking down into the canyon. We appreciate good food and don't mind paying for it---but it should be good, not just pretend to be. I was thinking of the Arizona Room or El Tovar dining room, but have read very mixed reviews on the food at both. Has anyone eaten there, and what did you think? Thank you.

moving up. . .

We ate at the Arizona Steakhouse on the South Rim which I think is the same as the Arizona Room. It was not as expensive as I suggested, and the food was not spectacular but was good. It was worth it for the view. Get there right when it opens or you're in for a long wait.

They don't take reservations, right?

No reservations at Arizona, but if you are staying at South Rim, no problems since you can put in your name and go stare at the Canyon some more.

I am assuming you are staying at one of the NPS lodging. Your only choices for food are the above mentioned plus a cafeteria and Bright Angel coffee house.

The hotels that call themselves South Rim outside Park are a 20-30- minute drive and are mostly lower-end chains - so I doubt good food their.

We ate at both Arizona and El Tovar - no real complaints about food at either, although if either were just a regular restaurant near my home, probably would not seek either out,

OK--thanks, Gail. That's pretty much what I thought. I guess we'll just try one night at each and if the food isn't great we'll at least enjoy the view---which is why we are going in the first place.