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Krar says Pizzicletta's SS-145 pizza combination of Gorgonzola, charred kale, and lemon juice atop a perfectly charred crust is a masterpiece.
Krar says Pizzicletta's SS-145 pizza combination of Gorgonzola, charred kale, and lemon juice atop a perfectly charred crust is a masterpiece. (Photo: Courtesy Pizzicletta)

Rob Krar’s Perfect Day of Food in Flagstaff, Arizona

How the ultrarunner chows down in his hometown

Published: 
Krar says Pizzicletta's SS-145 pizza combination of Gorgonzola, charred kale, and lemon juice atop a perfectly charred crust is a masterpiece.
(Photo: Courtesy Pizzicletta)

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In the past five years, Flagstaff, Arizona, has undergone a culinary revolution. For years, restaurants in the mountain town and endurance athlete mecca catered to tourists, and the city suffered from what some might call 鈥淭he Cheesecake Factory Effect鈥濃攎assive menus that included everything from burgers and pizza to tacos and seafood pasta, a classic quantity-over-quality dilemma.

But no more. 鈥淭here鈥檚 been a lot more specialization happening,鈥 says Caleb Schiff, a longtime Flagstaff resident and owner of , a local pizza joint. 鈥淩estaurants are really minimizing their menus and focusing on doing those things really well. It鈥檚 elevated the whole scene.鈥 Now, walking through downtown Flagstaff, you have to choose whether you want authentic Mexican, high-end steaks, wood-fired pizza, or true Italian-style pasta.

With so many new spots to eat鈥攊ncluding a whole new foodie section of town called the South Side鈥攚e hit up local guide Rob Krar, who hosts out-of-towners at his ultrarunning camps, to show us around. After waking up at 5 a.m. and running two laps of 鈥渢he mountain,鈥 a loop around the , here鈥檚 how Krar refuels and relaxes.


Breakfast: MartAnne鈥檚 Burrito Palace

鈥淚 only hit after a big morning on the mountain, because the portions are huge,鈥 Krar says of this downtown institution on Historic Route 66. But if you鈥檝e earned it, he recommends the chilaquiles done 鈥淐hristmas style.鈥 The dish is essentially scrambled eggs meets nachos, with seared tortillas topped with eggs, cheese, beans, and rice and finished with ladles of red and green chile. The coffee is good, too.

Groceries: The Flagstaff Farmer鈥檚 Market

happens every Sunday and every second Saturday at City Hall. 鈥淭he best time to go is chile-roasting season. The smell of the freshly roasted chiles wafts throughout the market, and you have your choice of spicy or sweet to take home and enjoy.鈥

Lunch: Tourist Home Urban Market

If you find yourself hungry at noon, roll south across the railroad tracks to , a vegetarian-friendly spot in a beautifully restored historic building. Krar often orders a veggie burger but says you can鈥檛 go wrong with the fresh salads, creative hashes, hearty burritos, or scratch-made doughnuts and pastries.

Afternoon Snack: Macy鈥檚 Coffee

Drop by this if you want a great cup of joe and the chance to run into a local Olympic hopeful. (Krar鈥檚 not sure why runners are always at Macy鈥檚, but it鈥檚 probably because 别惫别谤测辞苍别鈥檚 always at Macy鈥檚.) He orders a Caf茅 Viennese, a luscious cappuccino topped with cinnamon, clove, and all-spice-spiked whipped cream.

Dinner: Pizzicletta

Krar鈥檚 favorite pie, the SS-145, is named for the road in Italy where the restaurant owner had a bike-ride-induced epiphany to open Krar says the 145鈥檚 combination of gorgonzola, charred kale, and lemon juice atop a perfectly charred crust is a masterpiece you won鈥檛 soon forget.

Drinks: Wanderlust Brewing Co.

You鈥檒l need to drive or hop on a bus to get from dinner to , but the trek is worth it. The 928 Local, a farmhouse ale with American and Czech hops, local wild yeast, and a touch of honey from a nearby beekeeper is Krar鈥檚 favorite pint, but for those craving something darker, the vanilla coffee stout practically counts as dessert.

Nightcap: The Annex Cocktail Lounge

If tomorrow鈥檚 a rest day, stay out late and sink into a plush couch at this while the bartender mixes you a Turmeric Tonic or Peach Julep. If, for some bizarre reason, you are still hungry, the Annex shares a kitchen with Tinderbox, one of Flagstaff鈥檚 most critically acclaimed restaurants, meaning its bar fare is spectacular.

Lead Photo: Courtesy Pizzicletta

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