Hey all, I'm going to Tempe, Arizona at the end of March to catch a Spring Training game. It's going to be a rather short trip - arrive on a Friday afternoon, leave Sunday - and I'll be driving. I'm looking for some good restaurants for dinner/breakfast. When I made the plans I had completely missed the fact that the weekend I'll be there is Easter, too, so perhaps that is something to keep in mind.

We have distant relatives in the Phoenix area who we will meet up with (most likely) Saturday evening after the game, and I'm not sure what/where they will suggest. They are heavy smokers and we do not smoke, so eating in their home is not really an option. However, I'm interested in places for Friday night and Sunday morning (yeah, Easter morning - I sure know how to plan these things!).

I won't have "dress up" clothes, so places that are more casual would be best. I'll try anything, but my mother would probably feel more comfortable with a good steakhouse, rib place, or bar-b-que. Any ideas?

Also, and this might sound a bit strange, but are the restaurants in the Phoenix area smoke-free? Or do they have non-smoking sections? My mother is very allergic to cigarette smoke, so it would be nice to know beforehand.

Thanks, all!

all restaurants in Tempe are smoke free. Virtually every restaurant in the Phoenix area that isn't required to be smoke free has a large non smoking area. The only exceptions are a few in Mesa that have a sign on the door stating that they do not have a no smoking area.

I recommend Longitano's on the SE corner of McCLintock and ELlioit as a very nice family Italian reataurant.

We take our family to "Sweet Tomatoes," just west of McClintock on Southern. Immense salad bar, soups, Italian baked breads, pizza, pasta, desserts. Help yourself. Very informal. Something for everyone. Great for families.

Z Tejas has delicious food and good Mango Margaritas.
Also, El Paso BBQ has good food. It is in Scottsdale.

I would choose Carlsbad Tavern in south Scottsdale, approximately Osborn and Hayden Roads....you can eat outdoors which helps the smoking situation and the food is excellent, southwest, different, casual and very popular. Easter Sunday, El Chorro on Lincoln Drive approx. 50th St......has been here for 60 plus years, can eat outside, takes reservations, an old establishment, popular, can be casual outside eating.

Wow! Fabulous! I've taken these down and will check them out.

Thanks again, Fodorites! I knew I could count on you all!