Scottsdale restaurants offer a wealth of Southwestern specialties for breakfast and brunch, with chefs putting their unique spin on each dish. There are many choices, but these three stand out: chilaquiles, a traditional Mexican breakfast dish with fried tortilla strips topped with salsa, cheese and eggs; huevos rancheros, a combo of whole fried tortillas, sizzling sauce and sunny side up eggs; and breakfast burritos, egg-filled flour tortillas stuffed with vegetables and cheese. Here are a few local spots to discover this zesty Southwestern fare dished up in some of the best breakfasts in Scottsdale.
Chilaquiles
At Beginner’s Luck in Old Town, Bernie Kantak, one of Scottsdale’s James Beard Award nominated chefs, whips up a soul-satisfying bowl of chilaquiles. He covers corn tortilla chips with shredded, tender slow-roasted pork, queso fresco and micro cilantro, capped with two eggs your way and sliced avocado. He serves the dish with a rich, chipotle-based sauce with smoky and spicy notes.
Stop by The Herb Box for chilaquiles verde, a hearty portion of fried corn tortilla strips crowned by shreds of beef short rib, sprinkles of cotija cheese, bits of cilantro and pickled red onions smothered in a tangy tomatillo sauce. Topped with eggs, this bowl comes with a pair of grilled flour tortillas to mop up every drop of sauce.
The Mission, a modern Latin restaurant with two locations in Old Town Scottsdale and at Kierland Commons, offers chilaquiles two ways: salsa roja pork carnitas (red sauce); or grilled chicken and charred tomatillo (green sauce). Both are served over crispy corn tortilla strips and topped with cotija cheese and fried eggs. Weekend brunch only at Old Town Scottsdale location.
Huevos Rancheros
Rita’s Cantina & Bar at JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa serves up some of the best breakfasts in Scottsdale, including huevos rancheros on a bed of ranchero beans (seasoned pinto beans) and chorizo layered with crunchy corn tortillas, salsa verde and a couple of sunny side up eggs covered with a snowdrift of cotija cheese and buttery avocado slices.
Green chili lovers will swoon over Daily Dose’s chili verde huevos rancheros, anchored by a robust green chili pork and bean salsa, and then topped with sliced avocado, queso fresco and two eggs any style. A folded flour tortilla crowns the dish, which is presented with ramekins of pickled jalapeño and red salsa on the side.
Lon’s at The Hermosa Inn features huevos rancheros with layers of slow-simmered Anasazi beans, locally made Schreiner’s chorizo sausage, fried corn tortillas and two fried eggs flecked with cotija cheese and two house-made salsas: fresh pico de gallo and salsa roja, studded with roasted and charred roma tomatoes. It’s perfection on a plate.
Breakfast Burritos
Known for its healthy, farm-to-table fare, Farm & Craft serves a “Breaky Burrito” loaded with scrambled eggs, potatoes, white cheddar cheese, avocado and a choice of bacon or chicken sausage. Served with a side of fresh tomatillo salsa, the burrito can be made vegan by opting for tofu and vegan cheese.
Start your day at Cobre Kitchen + Cocktails inside the Canopy Hilton Old Town Scottsdale, where the kitchen staff whips up a first-rate burrito with scrambled eggs, healthy, house-made turkey chorizo, potatoes, Monterey Jack cheese and charred tomato salsa wrapped in a locally-made Mama Lola’s flour tortilla.
Celebrate the weekend at F/Sixteen, a casual American diner at boutique hotel The REMI Scottsdale, and order up a hefty breakfast burrito stuffed with scrambled eggs, barbecued pulled pork, seasoned hash browns and melted cheddar cheese blanketed in salsa verde and cotija cheese. Pair with a mocha latte and you’ll be ready to conquer the day.
