Southwest Cuisine: Sun-Up to Sundown

The vibrantly colored, richly flavored fare of the Southwest need not be showcased only at lunch and dinner.

BREAKFAST AT THE RANCH

Barbacoa Beef Breakfast Enchiladas
Z’Tejas, multiple locations
Beef barbacoa layered between tortillas with green chile sauce, cotija cheese, green chile rice and black beans, topped with two eggs cooked any style
Spinach & Mushroom Chilaquiles
Marix Tex Mex Café, Santa Monica and West Hollywood, Calif.
Corn tortilla strips simmered in macho salsa scrambled with eggs, sautéed mushrooms and spinach, topped with melted Jack cheese and crema Mexicana and served with refried beans.
Irma’s Special
Irma’s Southwest Grill, Austin, TX
Chorizo, bacon, potatoes and pico de gallo
Southwest Breakfast Wrap
Paradise Bakery, multiple locations
Scrambled eggs, bacon, black beans, roasted corn, jicama and Cheddar cheese, wrapped in a chipotle tortilla and served with picante sauce
Crab Benedict
Feast, Chicago
Two poached eggs and crab cakes over jalapeno-Cheddar corn bread with chipotle hollandaise and Feast potatoes
Baked Polenta and Eggs
The Knick, Milwaukee
Chorizo and Southwestern-seasoned polenta topped with two eggs and baked in a muffin tin, served with a side of fresh fruit

SAVORY SOUTHWEST STARTERS

Buffalo Brochette
The Silver Saddle, Sedona, Ariz.
Grilled marinated buffalo skewers paired with Southwestern peanut sauce and cilantro flatbread
Southwestern Eggrolls (r.)
Chili’s Grill & Bar, multiple locations
Smoked chicken, black beans, corn, jalapeno Jack cheese, red peppers and spinach wrapped in a crispy flour tortilla, served with avocado-ranch dipping sauce
Fire-Roasted Artichokes
South West Grill, San Mateo and Mountain View, Calif.
Served with rice and a roasted-tomato cream
Shrimp Taquitos
Desert Fire Southwestern Grill, Redmond, Wa.
Crisp corn tortillas stuffed with marinated shrimp and served with salsa ranch dressing, pepita vegetable slaw and cotija cheese

MAIN-PLATE ROUNDUP

Nacho Burrito
Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, multiple locations
Chicken, Jack and Cheddar cheeses, black or pinto beans, rice, Smokey Queso Fundido, jalapenos and Salsa Crema
Fat Sam Fajitas (r.)
Moe’s Southwest Grill, multiple locations
Choice of fajita steak, chicken, ground beef or tofu with peppers and onions, shredded cheese, pico de gallo, lettuce, sour cream and guacamole
Cheyenne Steak Sandwich
Tumbleweed Restaurants, multiple locations
Mesquite-grilled USDA Choice 6-oz. sirloin covered with mushrooms and Jack cheese, served with a side of mild horseradish sauce
Maple-Ancho Pork Tenderloin
Blue Mesa Grill, multiple locations
With mashed sweet potatoes and Southwest Succotash
Squash Blossom
The Yavapai Restaurant at the Enchantment Resort, Sedona, Ariz.
With vegetable ratatouille, forbidden rice, carrot and golden-raisin broth

SWEET ENDINGS

Chocolate Chipotle Cake
Geronimo Bar & Grill, New Haven, Conn.
Topped with Cinnamon Ice Cream
Southwest Sundae
Sonora Café, Los Angeles
Glazed bananas, chopped toffee, hot fudge and cajeta sauce
Chocolate Turtle Empanadas
On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, multiple locations
Flaky pastries filled with chocolate, caramel and pecans, rolled in cinnamon sugar and served warm with vanilla ice cream
Prickly Pear Cheesecake
Cowboy Club, Sedona, Ariz.
Raspberry Flan
Geronimo Restaurant, Santa Fe, N.M.
With fresh berry pudding and strawberry sorbet