Tusayan exists merely to serve Grand Canyon travelers, and you’ll find numerous dining choices here. For quick meals on a budget, Wendy’s (928/638-6484), Pizza Hut Express (928/638-4629), and McDonald’s (928/638-2208) are all represented in Tusayan, along with local options like Jennifer’s Bakery and Internet Café (928/638-3433) and Carvel Ice Cream and Bakery (928/638-0101).

One of the most dependable midrange choices is Café Tusayan (928/638-2151)—although, as in most Tusayan eateries, “midrange” can creep up to $20 for a dinner entrée. If you crave something spicy, Sophie’s Mexican Kitchen (928/638-1105) serves favorites like burritos and fajitas.

Three local hotels offer buffet or off-the-menu breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, including JJK’s, inside the Canyon Plaza Quality Inn (928/638-2673), and the Western-themed Canyon Star (928/638-3333), at the Grand Hotel. A longtime local favorite is the Coronado Room (928/638-2681) at the Best Western Squire Inn.

In Valle, 20 miles south of the South Rim at the junction of Highways 180 and 64, the Grand Canyon Inn (928/635-9203) has a reasonably priced full-service restaurant, serving American-style food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you’re looking for something fast and inexpensive, Fred’s Diner (928/635-2600, 6 a.m.–8:30 p.m., shorter winter hours), located in the Flintstones-style campground, has sandwiches and burgers. The gas station/convenience store has snacks and sandwiches to go.

If you’re traveling to the canyon from the east, the Cameron Trading Post (1 mile north of the junction of Hwys. 89 and 64, 928/679-2231 or 800/338-7385) is a must-stop. It’s more than 50 miles from here to Grand Canyon Village, with only the Desert View snack bar standing between you and hunger pangs. If you want to fill up before a long stretch of sightseeing, the trading post restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner—mostly traditional American selections, along with some really tasty Southwestern fare.

What you won’t find on the menu is alcohol: The trading post is on the Navajo reservation. Breakfast and lunch are inexpensive to moderate, but you can go whole hog at dinner ($8–23) with steak, shrimp, or prime rib. The Navajo taco ($9) is made with fry bread, a favorite of regional-food junkies.

If you’re in a hurry to get to the park, the trading post’s market has snacks and sandwiches to go, as does the deli at Simpson’s Market (928/679-2340, 6 a.m.–9 p.m. summer, 7 a.m.–8 p.m. in winter), a mile south on Highway 89.

The Anasazi Inn at Gray Mountain (42 miles north of Flagstaff on Hwy. 89 near milepost 457, 928/679-2214 or 800/ 678-2214) has a restaurant that serves breakfast ($5–8), lunch ($7–13), and dinner ($15–25), either buffet-style or from a limited menu. Beer, wine, cocktails, and package liquor sales are available. Hours are seasonal. Box lunches can be arranged, which you can enjoy at one of the East Rim’s viewpoints, an hour or two away.