Where to Eat in Tombstone
If wondering where to eat in Tombstone the decision won’t take long as there are a limited number of dining options but they do include western-style saloons!
There are plenty of places to stay in Tombstone and lots of things to do and see, but only a limited number of places to eat. Here in alphabetical order is a list of your options for where to eat in Tombstone. All are within a few minutes’ walk of the center of town with most being on the main drag, E. Allen Street.
Where to Eat in Tombstone
Big Nose Kate’s Saloon
This place is naturally a big draw and we love eating here for its Wild West atmosphere, live music, costumed wait-staff… and its great burgers! Our favorite is the Boothill with green chiles, though there are several others, even a plant-based burger for vegetarians. They also make good margaritas and have an impressive range of Arizona and other beers, including some from Tombstone’s own Tombstone Brewing Company. The bar is authentic from the 1880s, and back then this was The Grand Hotel where people including Wyatt, Virgil and Morgan Earp, Doc Holliday, and the Clantons all visited. If you’ve got kids then the staff are happy to let them get dressed up as cowboys and cowgirls and have their photo taken for free. 417 E. Allen Street.
Crystal Palace Saloon
We’ve eaten here and when we take visitors to Tombstone it’s a toss-up between this place and Big Nose Kate’s for that western atmosphere. This saloon dates back to 1879 when it was the Golden Eagle Brewery. It was also a saloon and Wyatt Earp ran the Faro games. Upstairs his brother Virgil had his US Deputy Marshall’s office, and you don’t get much more authentic than that if you want western history. They also do good burgers and as we like ours spicy we usually go for The Sombrero, with sautéed jalapeños. 436 E. Allen Street.
The Hitching Post Café
This is more of a grab and go place if you want something lighter like a sandwich, although there is also indoor and outdoor seating if you want to linger a while. They also do soft drinks, ice creams, salads, nachos, and hot dogs, including that tasty Arizona speciality, the Sonoran dog. 339 S 4th St.
The Longhorn Restaurant
The Longhorn can claim to be the oldest continuously-operated restaurant in Tombstone. While the building was being constructed in 1881, shots from inside were fired at Virgil Earp as he walked down the street. He survived the attempted murder but lost the use of his left arm. The original building burned down in 1942 but was replaced by an authentic-looking replica. They have an extensive menu including Mexican dishes, prime rib, New York steak, BBQ pork ribs, and fish and vegan dishes too. We come here when we’re really hungry! 501 E Allen St.
O.K. Café
At the junction of E. Allen with S 3rd Street opposite Tombstone City Park, this is a small and homey place that’s open for breakfast through to usually about 2pm. They serve salads and soups, chili and hot dogs, burgers, sandwiches, soft drinks, and a few dessert options. Friends who had breakfast there said it was awesome! 220 E Allen St.
Puny John’s BBQ
Round the corner from the OK Corral, you know what you’re getting from this place – the best BBQ in town. They do a great pulled pork sandwich, as well as pork ribs, family meals, a kids menu, a small selection of beer and wine, and is a good choice if the bigger places on the main street are busy… as they sometimes can be. 11 S 4th St.
Frommer’s Arizona and the Grand Canyon
This is our recommended guide for Arizona and the Grand Canyon, if you’re thinking of planning a visit. The two authors both live full-time in Arizona and the book is therefore based on lifetime experiences of the state. It has 86% 5- and 4-star ratings on Amazon.
