Sara J. Benson - Explorers Guide the Four Corners Region: Where Colorado, Utah, Arizona & New Mexico Meet: A Great Destination (Explorers Great Destinations)

Writing this book would not have been possible without the wealth of regional information generously shared by those I met and talked with along the winding highways and back roads of the Four Corners region. Their local expertise, timely advice, and insights proved invaluable, especially in helping me to share with you what makes any visit to the Four Corners inspiring.

As theyve done before on other successful book projects, professional photographers and writers Kim Grant and Michael Connolly Jr. contributed ideas and images that bring these pages to life. Whether they were shooting canyon landscapes or Native American dances, talking with local artisans, or recommending local chefs eateries, their in-depth regional knowledge and artistic sensibilities give my work a more vivid sense of place. I was lucky to have them as road-trip companions and hosts, and without them I would have been lost, figurativelyand sometimes literallyspeaking.

While researching and writing this guidebook, I was impressed by the strength and resilience of the Four Corners multicultural fabricwoven of Native American, Mexican, and European threadsthat wraps around this remote corner of the nation. With the weight of a troubled and yet triumphant history balanced on their shoulders, the peoples of the Four Corners carry on rituals from past centuries as they create new traditions to bind together contemporary communities. I am honored to have been a guest in their lands.

I trust that the words I have written in this guidebook will treat the people who live in this unforgettable place with dignity and respect.

Sara Benson

American/Mexican

Homesteaders,

Kips Grill and Cantina,

American/New American

937 Main; Ken & Sues Place,

Bent Elbow, The,

Brickhouse Cafe & Coffee Bar,

Carver Brewing Co.,

Dolores River Brewery,

Durango Diner,

Farrago Market Cafe,

Kennebec Cafe and Bakery, The,

Natalias 1912 Family Restaurant,

Palace Restaurant & Quiet Lady Tavern, The,

Pickle Barrell, The,

Seasons Rotisserie & Grill,

Barbecue

Serious Texas Bar-B-Que,

Cajun/Creole

On the Bayou,

Eclectic

Absolute Bakery & Cafe,

Pangaea,

European

Old Germany Restaurant, Lounge & Beer Garden,

Fusion

East by Southwest,

International

Alley House Grille,

Italian

Mamas Boy,

Mediterranean

Cyprus Cafe,

Mexican

Franciscas Restaurant,

Seafood/Southwestern

Dry Dock Restaurant & Pub,

Southern

Dogwood Cafe,

Southwestern

Metate Room Restaurant, The,

Southwestern/Mexican

Steamworks Brewing Co.,

Steak/Seafood

Millwood Junction,

Western/Southwestern

Handlebars,

American

Brandys Restaurant & Bakery,

Jacob Lake Inn,

Miz Zips,

Sage House Grill,

Californian/Mexican

Black Bean Burrito Bar,

International

El Tovar Dining Room,

Mountain Oasis,

Whistle Stop Caf,

Pan-Asian/Sushi

Monsoon on the Rim,

Southwestern

Grand Canyon Lodge Dining Room,

Southwestern/American

Bright Angel Restaurant,

Southwestern/Steakhouse

Arizona Room,

Thai

Swaddee Thai,

American/New American

Andrea Kristinas Kafe,

Earls,

Stagecoach Dining Room,

Three Rivers Eatery & Brewery,

Deli

Main Street Bistro,

Italian

Strombollis,

Mexican/American

Fiesta Mexicana,

Mexican/New Mexican

Los Hermanitos,

Olympic Kitchen,

Rubios,

Mexican/Southwestern

Blue Corn Restaurant,

Southwestern

Dam Bar & Grille,

Steaks/Southwestern

Ranch Kitchen,

Thai

Boons Family Thai BBQ,

Western/Steakhouse

Cliff Dwellers Lodge,

American/German

Westside Lilos Cafe,

American/New American

66 Diner,

Oatman Hotel,

Pine Country Restaurant,

Red Raven Restaurant,

Road Kill Cafe & OK Saloon,

Seasons Rotisserie & Grill,

Slate Street Cafe,

Standard Diner,

Bakery/American

Flying Star Cafe,

Diner

Old Smokeys Restaurant,

Eclectic

Ambrozia Cafe and Wine Bar,

Mexican/American

Pancho McGillicuddys,

New Mexican

Range Cafe,

Southwestern

Turquoise Room, The,

Yaaka Caf,

Steakhouse

Butterfield Stage Co. Steak House,

El Rancho Restaurant,

Gruet Steakhouse,

Mesa Italiana Restaurant,

Western

Dambar Steakhouse,

Western/Southwestern

Hubbs Brunswick Bistro,

Western/Steakhouse

Typhoon Saloon & Restaurant,

American/New American

Bear Paw Coffee Company,

Blondies Diner,

Brinks Burgers Drive-In,

Bryce Canyon Dining Room,

Bryce Canyon Pines,

Center Cafe, The,

Cow Canyon Trading Post,

Cowboy Blues,

Esca-Latte Internet Cafe & Pizza Parlor,

Houstons Trails End Restaurant,

Jailhouse Cafe,

Milts Stop & Eat,

Moab Diner,

Painted Pony, The,

Pastry Pub,

Rim Rock Restaurant & Patio,

Twin Rocks Cafe,

Zax Pizza,

American/Southwestern

Moab Brewery,

Barbecue

Cowboys Smokehouse Cafe,

Deli

Three Bears Creamery Cottage, The,

Trailhead Cafe & Grill,

Eclectic/Southwestern

Cafe Diablo,

Hells Backbone Grill,

European

Cosmopolitan Restaurant,

Fusion

River Grill, The,

International

Boulder Mesa Restaurant,

Capitol Reef Cafe,

Italian-American

Zion Pizza & Noodle Co.,

Mexican

Las Dos Hermanas,

Miguels Baja Grill,

Mexican/American

Oscars Cafe,

Mexican/Southwestern

Nedras Too,

Southwestern

Bit & Spur,

Bucks Grill House,

Buffalo Bistro,

Desert Bistro,

Olde Bridge Grill, The,

Red Rock Grill,

Rocking V Cafe, The,

Spotted Dog Caf & Pub,

Southwestern/Deli

Cafe Soleil,

Steakhouse

Rays Tavern,

Swingin Steak , The,

Steakhouse/Seafood

Milts Stage Stop,