RelicRoad Brewing ~ Winslow, Arizona

First visit: Feb 2021

All was good on the family front, so we left Prescott Valley and began our two day journey back home to Colorado Springs. The shorter route, though not necessarily the fastest, is along a few state highways to the south, rather than through Flagstaff. Arizona is an incredibly diverse state from a landscape perspective, and this drive will illustrate that perfectly. From the moderate temperature canyons of Prescott, to snow covered / large pine tree forests, and then onto the desert landscape of northeast Arizona, this is a drive well worth taking for tourists. Our plan was to enjoy lunch in Winslow, and when I saw they possess a brewpub, it seemed too good to be true.

Winslow itself is one of many towns clinging to their Route 66 nostalgic past. Today it's conveniently located on I-40, which the Mother Road parallels for the towns along its route. There's a state prison nearby which no doubt has kept the town breathing financially. The downtown points to an Old West history, and has a few places keeping it alive. Within this setting is where you'll find RelicRoad.

Walking in, it's a large venue and perfectly restored to remind you of the days of yore. With flat screen TV's of course... We were seated promptly and I anxiously looked for their crafted beers. Ooops. Apparently they're still in the planning stages of that, as the pandemic slowed their ability to secure a local location to brew beer. Sounds like something that will be complete by the end of the year. But they do offer the second best thing, and that's brews from various parts of Arizona (and a few others). I found one I hadn't tried and that's cataloged in the Bier Reise. We then ordered our meal.

Mrs. RJG went for a custom made old fashioned cheeseburger, and I couldn't resist the Canyon Diablo Burger which comes with green chiles and Sriracha slaw. Well done, per Mrs. RJG's very specific instructions. And we both very wisely went for the Relic Chips. 

Once the meal arrived, it's clear the chef must have some sort of culinary training. The burgers were giant, and the meat was expertly seasoned and yes, cooked to order. The green chiles were moderately hot, and the slaw was a new treat for me - something like a Sriracha mayonnaise mixed with shredded cabbage. A high quality pickle spear is always welcome as well. But the real winner here, at least as far as uniqueness goes, are the Relic Chips. Don't miss an opportunity to get these. We've never seen this before, but essentially it's a spiraled potato on a skewer and further crisped to chips. Absolutely delicious. 

So if you find yourself journeying across I-40 on the long road to and from California or other points unknown, be sure to circle Winslow around meal time.

2/20/21 (new entry)