Located just 40 minutes east of Phoenix, Apache Junction is a growing community with friendly residents, plenty of sunshine, and lots of nearby recreational activities. The town, which has around 42,000 residents, is still remarkably
affordable, especially considering the quality of life it has to offer. Whether you are looking to retire or want to live in a laid-back community while commuting into Phoenix for your career, you can’t do better than Apache Junction. Planning to start the search for Apache Junction real estate? Make sure you spend some time in the community and get to know the people, amenities, and lifestyle you’ll be able to expect when you make the move. As you look for homes and attend showings, make some time to also check out the local eateries to get a feel for the cuisine and find your go-to spot! Here are some of the best options.
Top-notch service and mouth-watering food are in store for you when you make plans to dine at The Mammoth Steakhouse. Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, Mammoth not only serves up fantastic steaks and sides, but it also has street entertainment, gun shows, and seasonal gun fights on weekends and holidays if you want to take in a show with your dinner. If you do plan to eat at Mammoth while you’re in the area to look at homes for sale in Apache Junction, make sure you bring your appetite. The menu options, such as their famous Mammoth Burger, pork tenderloin sandwich, deep-fried cod filets, and 12-ounce rib-eye, are very filling, plus you’ll want to save room for their homemade apple dumpling served with ice cream.
There’s nothing like a good pub when you want to get a cold drink and some chow after spending a full day looking at Apache Junction real estate. Fortunately, you won’t have to look far as the Handlebar Pub & Grill has everything you need. If you stop in for Brewsday Tuesday, you can take advantage of $4.75 pints, while Wine Wednesday features $17 bottles of wine with your meal. As far as food goes, you can nosh on smoked wings, dry-rubbed smoked ribs, southwest paninis, grilled eggplant, and wild Alaskan salmon. The Handlebar also has regular live music, which is frequented by both visitors and locals alike who are on the hunt for a night of entertainment.
Do a frozen margarita and fresh Mexican cuisine sound like the perfect way to end your day? Then put Los Gringos Locos on your list! The festive atmosphere is ideal for enjoying a Corona, specialty margarita, or another one of the restaurant’s signature drinks. And when it comes time to eat, the offerings at Los Gringos Locos can’t be beaten if you love spicy food! Start out with a mini chimi platter before diving into an order of fajitas, carne asada tacos, or seafood enchiladas. Bringing a picky eater with you? The restaurant also has burgers for those with a less adventurous palate.
Down-home fare is pretty much the name of the game in Apache Junction. If you want white tablecloths and on-hand sommeliers, you’ll likely be better off heading into Phoenix. However, this fun little town does down-home better than pretty much anywhere else, a fact that is showcased at Dirtwater Springs. This is a local favorite and a frequent gathering place for those who want to visit with neighbors while enjoying a drink and some great pub food. You’ll love the nostalgic décor and the rustic interior made up of brass bar fixtures and wood plank floors. You’ll also love the brisket sandwich, selection of gourmet burgers, and Mama’s Meatloaf. Dirtwater Springs also serves a great breakfast from 8-11 a.m. every day with selections like Spanish omelets and country-fried steak and eggs.
Start your day off right or take a break from looking at homes for sale in Apache Junction with breakfast or lunch at Toast Gio’s. Known throughout the state as one of the best breakfast and lunch spots in Arizona, Toast Gio’s serves delicious food from 6:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. every day except Tuesday. Breakfast options include a selection of breakfast tacos, burritos, and sandwiches, as well as their signature farm-fresh scrambles. Lunch features chicken club sandwiches, wedge salads, and classic burgers served with pickle spears and fries. Toast Gio’s also has an affordable children’s menu with kid-approved choices like pancakes for breakfast or grilled cheese and fries for lunch, so this is a great place to keep in mind if you plan to move to the area with your family.
You simply can’t relocate to a new town without having a go-to pizza place in mind prior to the move. That’s where Fatman’s Pizza comes in. Offering dine-in, carry-out, and hot delivery, Fatman’s has been voted “Best Mom and Pop Pizza” in the East Valley. Not only does it offer pizza (the Chicago “SMOG” and Meat Lover are local favorites), but it also serves Italian dinners like fettuccine alfredo, sandwiches, salads, and appetizers. Make sure you also try out the pizzeria’s desserts, as their homemade cannoli, sugar nuggets, and brownies are the perfect way to end any meal.
Apache Junction is the ideal town for those who want to live a low-key lifestyle but still be close to all the amenities that Phoenix has to offer. If you plan to be in the area to look at homes and see if this might be a good place for you to buy, make sure you stop into one (or all!) of these local restaurants. You’ll get a feel for the people and the food and may just find your new favorite hangout. Don’t yet have someone to help you with the home search? Reach out to Apache Junction real estate agent
Stephanie Mitchell for guidance.
