Flagstaff restaurants featured on ‘Check, Please! Arizona’

Whether you’re a Flagstaff local or a Valley resident escaping the heat, we’ve got restaurant recommendations for you from our local program “Check, Please! Arizona.” Want to join in on the fun? Complete this form to appear on the show!

Shift Kitchen and Bar

Shift Kitchen and Bar pitches itself as approachable fine dining, with a versatile menu that is constantly updating to provide you with community-eating-focused dishes. The owner, Dara Wong, highlights the head chef Christian Lowe, whose food is described by Wong as “comforting” with “Southern charm.” Their most popular dish is their crispy pickle fries, and you can pair them with a wide assortment of wines and cocktails available at the bar.

“Check, Please! Arizona” guest Randy McCrane highlighted the excitement of the changing menu and how you never know what to expect from your dining experience at Shift. From beef tartar to cooked bison, Shift Kitchen and Bar will provide you with a unique and memorable meal.

You can visit Shift Kitchen and Bar at 107 N. San Fransisco St. #2, Flagstaff, AZ, and you can visit their website for more information.

Forêt

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day at the charming French cafe, Forêt. The owner, Sam Greenhalgh, is trained in classic French cooking with a focus on using quality ingredients and finding a way to make the food shine. Forêt puts a nontraditional twist on popular breakfast dishes, such as their avocado toast and their French pastries, and they ensure you can partner their dishes with a quality cup of coffee that will help you start the day off on the right foot.

“Check, Please! Arizona” guests recommended the classic French omelet, the eggs Benedict and the homemade croissants. One guest describes the restaurant as the “lovechild of a college coffee place and a French bistro.”

You can visit Forêt at 2 S. Beaver St. #170, Flagstaff, AZ, and you can visit their website for more information.

Fat Olives

Fat Olives stands as one of only four VPN (Vera Pizza Napoletana) certified pizza places in Arizona, delivering an authentic taste of Naples in the heart of the state. The wood-fired oven, imported from Italy, adds to the traditional charm that sets this pizzeria apart.

Fat Olives offers more than just pizza. Lasagna and other pasta dishes grace the menu, providing a variety that complements the pizzeria’s main attraction. Pamela Carter, a guest on “Check, Please! Arizona,” ordered the cannoli and expressed sheer delight, stating that “the filling was absolutely delicious.”

You can visit Fat Olives at 2308 E. Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ, and you can visit their website for more information.

MartAnne’s Breakfast Palace

MartAnne’s Breakfast Palace is a family-owned cafe that serves delicious Mexican breakfast dishes. The interior has a unique and eclectic design that provides you with a fun dining experience on top of a hearty meal. The restaurant is a staple of Flagstaff and is best known for its chilaquiles, homemade red and verde sauces and fresh selection of salsas.

“Check, Please! Arizona” guest Wayne Ranney recommended the masa chips, describing them as delicious. “They taste like tamales, but on the inside, they have melted Oaxaca cheese,” he said. 

You can visit MartAnne’s at 112 E. Route 66, in Flagstaff, AZ, and you can visit their website for more information.

Josephine’s Bistro

Josephine’s Bistro is a casual fine-dining experience, located in the heart of downtown Flagstaff. The building itself is historic, but the interior is cozy and charming. Manny Ramirez, the Chef de Cusine at Josephine’s, said, “Everyone is family here.”

Their most popular dishes are the Diablo Shrimp, the Mac and Cheese, and the Chicken Saltimbocca, but “Check, Please! Arizona” guest Rhonda Mathis raved about the French onion braised short ribs. “The meat is just so tender and juicy, and the sauce it’s cooked in is just really delicious,” she said. All of the guests enjoyed the restaurant’s atmosphere and considered it an ideal date night spot.

You can visit Josephine’s Bistro at 503 N. Humphreys Street, Flagstaff, AZ, and you can visit their website for more information.

Proper Meats + Provisions

Proper Meats + Provisions is a locally sourced butcher with a selection of delicious sandwiches. Owner Paul Moir emphasizes the shop’s attention to detail and their desire to not only bring you a good meal but also products that you can take home to your family.

This episode’s guest, Ara Lee Nowak, described it as her ideal lunch spot, highlighting their fresh bread and tender meat. “I like that there’s never a wait, and it’s a great place to go after work,” Nowak said. The guests also noted how large the portions are, leaving you with more than enough for your meal.

You can visit Proper Meats + Provisions at 110 E. Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ and you can visit their website for more information.