Dirtwater Springs
586 W Apache Trl, Apache Junction, AZ, 85220
Dirtwater Springs Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Apache Junction for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
586 W Apache Trl
Apache Junction, AZ, 85220 - Phone (480) 983-3478
- Website https://www.dirtwatersprings.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Danielle B.
Went there for our anniversary. Great potato skins that I ended up leaving there. Bartender hands down rudest woman she threatened us when we complained about our drinks our server laughed then acted like she didn't know what we were talking about. Never again
(3)Taerra D.
Great food and real people. Being from the Midwest, I've been homesick for a restaurant that had a true blue fish fry and down to earth service. From the taxidermy on the walls to the amazing fried cod and waitress who called me "hun", I felt truly at home. Thanks! We will be back!
(5)Katie W.
This place has become a bit of a tradition on my family. Whenever someone comes to visit, we always make sure to bring them to Dirtwater. The food is always great, we've never been disappointed! When they're busy, you might wait a little longer than usual for you food, but you can be sure it will come out hot and fresh!
(5)Stan L.
Eat here on Thursday night. Ate early to avoid waiting. Serve was still slow and the food was not the best. Two of us had the Cod (all you can eat) special. I had a hamburger. The burger was good, and the cod was ok, but the French fries should have been sent back. They were under cooked, limp, and cold. I won't be back.
(1)Cierra S.
This place has awesome food no matter what you order its always good! Staff makes u feel so welcome and the environment is cool. There is so much history in the restaurant. Happy hour is cool beers cheap and appetizers are half off! All around great place!!!
(5)Mark X.
Can't beat their happy hour (2-6pm every day) - $1.50 for a mug (draft only, but they got Alaskan Amber and Blue Moon). I recommend the vegetarian for vegetarians and the vegetarian minus cheese for vegans. Love this place. Great hangout place after a tough hike or a bike ride.
(4)Bob K.
Went here in a big group. This place gets busy so be sure to get here early! The ambiance and non-commercialized feeling of the restaurant/bar is great!! Its nice to go somewhere with some character. Service was friendly and quick. Even with 7 people all our food arrived at the table together. There is no music on inside the restaurant and sometimes it got awkwardly quiet like the table of old people next to us were purposely evesdropping. Music would help! Blue Moon on draft...yep...that will only be $1.50!!! Prices were average on the food and so was the quality. I would go back for sure and try different items while having a few beers. The crowd is a little older but I had a good time! Filly's roadhouse has better food and music.
(3)Brad W.
Gotta love the name of the place and the old school waiting room complete with girl scout cookie sales and all the local brochures and magazines you can read. We just randomly showed up during primetime on Valentine's day and only had to wait 30 minutes for a table (bar was available). They had about five Vday specials and we tried the 10oz Ribeye ($22) and the Baked Chicken breast with Risotto for $14.50. The chicken was crispy and succulent and the risotto was prefectly cooked as was the steak. The only miss was the twice baked potato which was prepared with only half the potato. The free chips and salsa hit the spot and the salad dressings seemed homemade based on taste. The place has some interesting decorations on the wall and alot of memories and regulars. If in the area I would return again.
(5)Jean V.
This is becoming a habit! Amanda is terrific & the owner Dick is such a nice guy. The Rippin Chicken has become my favorite. Be sure to get their preferred customer card and build up points and get $$$ off future meals. My husband really likes the Turkey burger w/green Chile..a must try.
(5)Michelle W.
We've been here many times since I'm a local. We love to stop in for lunch. My daughter loves the burgers, my mom is a fan of the prime rib at dinner time. I'm pretty easy going and like just about everything on the menu. The service is good and the prices are just right!
(4)Donovan C.
Good food, friendly people and good service at a reasonable price. I would recommend the restaurant to anyone...
(5)Kat P.
There are not a tons of eateries on the AJ side of town that are not chain. Dirtwater Springs is a countrified joint in the north side of Main, the old main route through town before the freeway. I imagine that back when it opened, it was great. Now it's a bit...well, tired. The fare is nothing special, but is always good. You can get a burger, fish and chips or a sandwich and have a consistently good meal. The iced tea tastes like dirt, and the water a mixture of dishwater and chlorine. Opt for a soda or beer to stay safe. I'm quite olfactory driven, so the weird smell in here always turns me off. I can't quite place it. A musty outhouse, unkempt tack room? I dunno. Its just a shame because the food is pretty good and the service always exemplary.
(3)Joseph M.
Quaint and quirky, on the sight of what may be a haunted gas station... We thought that the photos on Yelp looked OK, and we were looking for something different, It was "different"... Seated promptly, the staff was very nice, and courteous, that is the best part of our experience there... Ordered a coke and a beer, perused the menu... it seemed like the prices were a bit high for what was what we thought a roadhouse/bar experience, but we rolled with it and figured the food was going to be home cooked possibly a hidden gem, something special in an unexpected place... I had the cod special, 17.95 it was ok the cod was cooked nicely and it was piping hot, the fries.. not so much, the first batch was past their useful life as they were warm and stale tasting and a bit soggy, I do have to be fair and say the following fries were good hot and crispy, why they weren't like that to begin with is still a mystery... What can I say about the cole slaw... tepid... bland I tried a bite and felt something soft... cole slaw shouldn't have a "soft" component to it... was that fruit? pineapple maybe a grape... Whatever it was it fell outside the boundaries of the cole slaw that "SHOULD" be served with cod fillets. ok nothing special, almost reminded me of VFW quality or military "chow hall" grub... but not worth 17.95 by any stretch of the imagination... The 16.50 "new recipe" fried chicken dinner... an unmitigated gastronomic failure, as the wife cut into the thigh... If you have seen National Lampoons Christmas Vacation the scene where the turkey gets cut and basically pops open with no meat inside... it was like that... it was dry, possessed no kind of flavor whatsoever, tasted like despair... the ghost was most likely the cook of this dish. The twice baked potato was baked twice... messy and tasted like processed cheese and bacon bits... NASTY, The half of corn on the cob was purchased frozen probably for pennies and cooked all day long... It was like creamed corn on the cob... is that possible... anything like that is possible at Dirtwater Springs.... Avoid this one Yelper's Epilogue: As we were driving away we marveled at the crappyness that sixty dollars can purchase, we reminded ourselves that for twenty five more bucks, we could have had a lovely time at the keg where we had also an appetizer and cocktails, with our meals...
(1)Dani D.
We had a large group and called ahead. The woman checking people in seemed disoriented. A manager came out while we were asking about timing until we were seated and she was pretty dismissive. The water was absolutely disgusting. Our waitress didn't seem to know the menu. Food was pretty eh.
(2)Freddie H.
I really like this place. The fried cod is buttery, crisp, and flaky. The hot wings are big and the grilled chicken is juicy. I wish the chicken fried steak came with country gravy instead of chicken gravy or brown (yuck). They keep the free chips and salsa coming and the service is usually good. I have been here for holiday dinners and the price can't be beat. The Thanksgiving turkey was all you can eat and they even let me take what I could not finish home. That was very much something to be thankful for. Try this place at least once, it is a western atmosphere that you can take out of town family to visit.
(4)Teresa S.
We had family visiting from out of State. So Rawhide is closed on Monday and Tuesday now days. I guess they are not doing to well lately. So instead we went somewhere that I have never been either. A Ghost town out in Apache Junction. I never knew ,but it is a real Gold mine. Anyway, back to the restaurant. This place was recommended to us by the Train conductor. We were so glad that we listened. It was a very cool little place with an interesting history. They too claim that it is haunted by the past owner of an old Shell station that used to be there. That is a fun little story that you can read about while there. The menu has a lot to offer ,all sorts of different choices. They have something for everyone. The server comes to your table with chips and salsa and your drinks. We all got something a little different and all of it was really good. They have a full bar ,and even chocolate milk for the younging we had with us. (She was very happy). We had the Philly with steak, Hamburger, Cheeseburger, and Prime Rib. Everyone really liked all the food. They even have a child's menu. After the kids are through eating they bring them a Vanilla ice cream cone. AWESOME! The prices are very reasonable as well. Plenty of parking in the front and the back. Decorated with lots of cool old things and it is clean in there as well. A major plus for an older place. I would go back any time. In fact we are looking forward to it.
(5)Gene B.
A true Apache Junction gem. Don't let the outside deceive you, this place has good small town atmosphere and excellent food. This place is packed in the winter with the snowbirds (unfortunately) but any other time the wait is always reasonable. Locals know of this place but if you're visiting, it's worth the stop.
(5)Kim M.
I really was looking forward to going here since it had a 4 star rating but ewwww!! The food was terrible, the water tasted like the name of the restaurant. The service is ok but the taste & quality of food really takes away from everything else. Highly NOT recommended. Bummer.....
(1)Dana B.
Service was good. Chips and salsa were welcome as we hadn't eaten all day and were quite hungry. The salsa was very bland (ala Pace picante sauce). The club sandwich was fresh and tasty. The burger was also very large and flavorful. My personal favorite was the coleslaw made with pineapple. Very refreshing on a hot day. I always enjoy reading/hearing stories of reportedly haunted sites. I wouldn't rush back but wouldn't hesitate to stop by if we were in the area.
(3)Kayla K.
We ate here last night with my grandparents. It was right at peak supper time and it was all you can eat Alaskan cod night, so I wasn't surprised there was a bit of a wait. Their waiting area was nice and spacious. We only had to wait approx 10-15 minutes which wasn't bad at all. We ended up having to wake up our 18 month old son to take him into the restaurant since he had fallen asleep on the way over. When we were seated, he was not a happy camper, but the staff brought him a plate of French fries, a coloring book and crayons, and a mini ice cream cone to try to make him happy. Unfortunately he was just tired (and sick), but I was extremely impressed with the attention and effort they made. As far as the staff's attention to the rest of us...it had its highs and lows. They were quick to get our drink orders, but then took quite a while to come back to get our order (10-15 minutes). We ran out of chips (complimentary chips and salsa) and never did get any more, but I'm honestly not sure if they were "bottomless" or not, and we didn't ask, so hard to get too critical on that. Grandpa ordered a taco with shredded beef but it came with ground. Again, nothing was said until we left, so they weren't given the opportunity to make it right, which I have no doubt they would've. Grandma and my hubby got the all-you-can-eat Alaskan cod dinner served with coleslaw and French fries. They brought an entire plate full of fish out without any prompting, which was probably more than we needed, but the plate was empty by the time we were done. ;) I don't eat a lot of fish, but the piece I tried I thought was good. The hubby didn't say much other than he ate too much, and Grandma said, "It wasn't anything special." The waitress was attentive enough to see Grandma only ate the two fish originally served to her and only charged her for the 2-piece meal instead of the buffet, which I thought was nice. As far as my meal, I had the Cobb Salad with honey mustard dressing on the side which I thought was very delicious, all the ingredients (lettuce, tomato, avocado, etc) were fresh and tasty. I would certainly go back. And I don't know if it's only a Wednesday night special, but I would definitely take advantage of the $4 Margarita next visit.
(4)Mark S.
Dirtwater has hands down the best food in town, the service at this place is top notch. Servers are really nice and the owner Dick has become a great friend
(5)K U.
I'm a local and really wanted to like this place! However, the food (besides the cod) is not very good. The boneless buffalo wings taste like they were nuked out of a frozen bag. Yucky quesadilla. Bland salsa:( at least the beer is cheap. But I usually go to the dutchmans hide out if I want something that actually tastes good!
(1)Missy B.
C'mon Yelpers! 4 stars?! No way, jose. This place is nothing special and I suggest, if you are looking for a nice local place to eat in Mesa, you MOVE ON! Initially we wanted to try the little bar next door, but being New Year's Day, it was closed so we settled for this place. We walked into a dingy looking restaurant with old, dusty pictures and knick-knacks nailed to the walls and when we were seated, our server was short with us as if they were about to close and she didn't want us there. We all ordered some beer and I opted for the mug to pour mine out of the bottle. When I received it, however, I opted not to pour it into the mug afterall because it was so dirty and cloudy that the very thought of drinking out of it was repulsing. I wasn't very hungry so I figured the potato skins would be a nice smaller meal but boy was I wrong! I was served 2 full sized russet potatoes, halved and carved out for the cheese and toppings. There was so much cheese on these potatoes that I literally had to take 3/4 of it off just to enjoy the potato itself. Also, they were so greasy that even in the short time we were sitting there the grease was piling up on top of the cheese. Did they even strain the bacon bits? I don't think so... Needless to say, I only ate one and lost my appetite. Also to be noted, the silverware was all spotty and looked like they hadn't seen the inside of a dishwasher/sanitizer in quite some time. The only reason I gave this place 2 stars instead of 1 is because in our rush to get the heck out of there, I left my debit card on the table and the waitress chased us outside to return it. I was incredibly thankful for that!
(2)Bradley J.
Took the girls here for dinner. Contrary to recent reviews on this site the Alaskan cod is still the same wonderful flakey fish it's always been. The price seems a little high to some but is worth it for the quality. It comes with tasty hand cut fries. Yum.
(4)Katrina S.
Great food! The service was great as well. Everything on the menu sounded so good. I ordered the pot roast and it was perfect. Super juicy and tender. I have a toddler, so finding family friendly places with good food isn't that easy. We will be back!
(5)Karen P.
Atmosphere and service were great. The haunted history was intriguing. Food was good with free chips and salsa
(4)Nick R.
We have passed this place for years and said we need to try it someday. We finally did and now we regret waiting so long! The food is good and the service is fast and friendly. What more could you ask for? How about a ghostly encounter? Over the years restaurant employees and customers have reported many mysterious events that some believe are attributed to the ghost of a woman who was murdered here back in the late 1940s. Even if you don't spot a spirit, the food is darned good, especially the pork tenderloin sandwich.
(5)Chris J.
Ate at the dirt water last night. I see it got good stars in your ratings so I was ready for decent food. Disappointed to say the least! My patty melt was greasy, the fries were undercooked and greasy- my wife's chicken on her salad tasted like it had been boiled not grilled. Service was good tho. Would I eat there again? There are a lot of restaurants around. Gotta be better ones!
(2)Donna M.
This restaurant is living off it's laurels not it's good food. We were very disappointed several times and will not go back. Service is okay but the food was awful.
(1)Nick B.
Yelp kinda let me down on this one. I was not impressed with this place. The service wasn't that bad but could have been much much better. The silverware and glasses were super dirty and it kinda turned me off to the rest of the mess. The food wasn't bad, in fact it was exactly what I expected from the appearance. It was really greasy and not all that satisfying. In their defense I feel like I should have purchased the Alaskan Cod or a steak but I couldn't take the chance of it being shitty.
(2)Jill P.
Cod was good although I ate too much. The $1.50 Alaskan Ambers were good and cold, and when I had accidentally left my wallet all was in tact when I returned to get it:) people were friendly, place was visually enhancing ... But next time I'm ordering something off the menu... No all you can eat cod for me.. Once was enough. I'd go back because of the service and atmosphere. The Beef Barley soup was excellent even gave a roll w it, and key lime pie was primo!
(4)Shovel S.
With a name like Dirtwater, they have to be good right? I'm not a big fan of taxidermied critters staring me down, but it's a Wild West themed joint and they do a good job keeping up the theme. There's always a kickass special going on, the kitchen knows what they're doing and the service is friendly and accurate every time we dine here. I love the veggie sandwich! So 5 stars is a lot for a little generic eatery out in AJ, right? I just really like this place. Can't put my finger on it, it's just always made me feel good.
(5)Juan D.
Just stopped in for a beer, Place seems dirty ! ha The service was good. Nothing great. The beer was cold. Not somewhere I would frequent especially with pretty much domestic drafts and no craft beer. Didnt eat here so I cant say much about that.
(3)P L.
We have been here a couple times. I had chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy. Everything was so salty I couldn't eat much. The next time, we had the all you can eat cod. When the waitress set down our plates, I could see the grease on the fries. They were dark and all soggy and limp. I told the waitress and she said she would bring more. It took quite a long time. We were already done eating the fish before the fries came out. The new fries were crisp and golden. She said they never should have sent them out like that. Later another woman came and apologized for the fries but said that's the way they are and you either love or hate them. Really? Which story was it? Anyway, I would go again for the cod and ask for the regular fries; not the "natural" ones.
(3)Judy N.
We were hesitant when we came by but reviews were good so went on. So glad we did! Starting with the chips and salsa the food was excellent. My husband had the chicken lime Burger and it was so unique and good. I had the pork tenderloin sandwich which was perfect. And dont forget those hand cut fries!!!! Superb place to eat.
(5)Mike C.
We visited on a Friday evening - wow, is it popular! We had a party of 16 but had phoned ahead. They had us seated pretty fast and the service was absolutely great! I had a Ruben Sandwich and it was very tasty, but I really loved the home made tasting Cole Slaw that came with it. I stole some of my wife's French Fries - very yummy! I didn't have a beer, but several others at our table had draft beers delivered in very large frosty mugs ... mmmmm. I had iced tea and it was weak - I like a stronger tea. I will definitely come back again soon.
(5)Erica H.
Delicious Mexican food. Complimentary salsa dip kept coming. Well worth a visit
(4)Micah B.
Dirtwater Springs was a neat place. Animal heads and other steak house type of things adorned the walls. It had the vibe of a great local eatery and watering hole. The free chips and salsa were outstanding. Both were, I think, made in house. Quality free eats always win major brownie points with me. For dinner I ordered the ribeye steak with mashed potatoes. The potatoes were homemade and tasty. Quite good, actually. Some of the best I've had in awhile. The steak, however, left much to be desired. For the price charged (just under $20) I expect to be served something that I cannot make myself in a timely fashion or match in quality. That was not the case with this steak. Any backyard function can provide me with the same quality steak for a fraction of the cost. Service was great and the waitress floated around our table frequently. The others in my party took part in the bottomless fish fry and she was always quick to bring out more cod for their consumption. If I find myself in Apache Junction again around dinner time I would return but I wouldn't get the steak. For too pricey for the quality if you ask me. The menu had plenty of other options and I don't think I'd walk away disappointed.
(3)Peter Q.
Cool little place with a fun atmosphere. Stopped in for lunch and the food was good and the portions were fine as well. Has that old western tourist feel to it with memorabilia on the walls. Friendly staff took good care of us. I'd certainly swing back by if I were in the area, especially at night, the bar looked pretty cool!
(3)Walt P.
We've been eating here for over 20 years...usually come in once a year when my wife and I take my parents to dinner for their birthdays. Everything I have ever tried here is good. The steaks are execellent, the fish fry is out of this world. This last time I had a chimichange...what was I thinking??? However, I was not disappointed. Their chimi was fantastic and was better than a lot of the Mexican places in the valley. Definitely worth checking out!
(4)Guy L.
Great Staff and and variety of food. Brenda the manager runs a tight ship. If something is not to your liking, tell her. She will make it right.
(5)Carol H.
Terrific food ... especially the all you can eat fish! ... The fish has a nice light breading. Good service. There's always a crowd; but it is worth the wait!
(5)Janice B.
Checked on Yelp for a fish fry place and this popped up with 4 stars so decided to try it. WE LOVED IT! We split an Alaskan Cod dinner with salad, baked potato with the trimmings, a corn on the cob and topped it off with a yummy apple carmel nut pie warmed up with vanilla ice cream smothering it. My husband had a beer...our total was under $25!! The cod was excellent and not at all greasy--just perfectly crisp. Cammie, our server, was excellent and friendly. The restaurant was very clean and very interesting decor with a very western flair--without the dust! The booths are very roomy. It is family friendly. Has a tv or two in the bar area. Apache Junction is on Hwy 60 near Superstition Mountain. The restaurant is just off the 88 about 2.5 miles north of the 60. For those who like a challenge, they have a 72 oz steak that will have the cost waived, if you can eat it in under 60 minutes.
(5)mark g.
three stars is a little generious but 2 is harsh because the place i wanted to go nextdoor was closed i drifted in here they give you chips and salsa (which was a little more like a bad marinara and half the chips were borderline stale) the women working the bar was pleasant the menu seamed a bit pricey i ended up having a pattymelt which was decent and a few bluemoon in nice frosty mugs.the interior is typical old arizona/western style
(3)Stephen G.
Steaks and Prime Rib were tops and at a fair price. Desserts great too. Plan to return on our next trip to Canyon Lake.
(4)Laura B.
Yum! Went with a friend who raved about the salsa, and it was very good. I had a cheeseburger and fries and could only finish about half of my meal; the servings were huge!
(4)M D.
Love it! A local bar/restaurant with lots of character. You know the kind - lots of interesting knick knacks on the walls, shelves, ceiling. Distinctive local western decor. Not fancy by any stretch of the imagination meaning you will not have to spend a lot of money for food. Speaking of food, the green chili is about as good as it gets. I would return again and again just for the green chili. Menu has variety ranging from Mexican food (fabulous!) to American (Burgers, steak, seafood - Cod). Complimentary chips and salsa - excellent . You'll find tourists and locals eating side-by-side (95% local, 5% tourists :-). A large bar area with a few TV's and a dozen or so bar stools and 5-6 dinner tables and a back room just for dining with a mix of tables and booths. Fine for families.
(4)Donna M.
This restaurant is living off it's laurels not it's good food. We were very disappointed several times and will not go back. Service is okay but the food was awful.
(1)Nick B.
Yelp kinda let me down on this one. I was not impressed with this place. The service wasn't that bad but could have been much much better. The silverware and glasses were super dirty and it kinda turned me off to the rest of the mess. The food wasn't bad, in fact it was exactly what I expected from the appearance. It was really greasy and not all that satisfying. In their defense I feel like I should have purchased the Alaskan Cod or a steak but I couldn't take the chance of it being shitty.
(2)Donovan C.
Good food, friendly people and good service at a reasonable price. I would recommend the restaurant to anyone...
(5)Kat P.
There are not a tons of eateries on the AJ side of town that are not chain. Dirtwater Springs is a countrified joint in the north side of Main, the old main route through town before the freeway. I imagine that back when it opened, it was great. Now it's a bit...well, tired. The fare is nothing special, but is always good. You can get a burger, fish and chips or a sandwich and have a consistently good meal. The iced tea tastes like dirt, and the water a mixture of dishwater and chlorine. Opt for a soda or beer to stay safe. I'm quite olfactory driven, so the weird smell in here always turns me off. I can't quite place it. A musty outhouse, unkempt tack room? I dunno. Its just a shame because the food is pretty good and the service always exemplary.
(3)Stan L.
Eat here on Thursday night. Ate early to avoid waiting. Serve was still slow and the food was not the best. Two of us had the Cod (all you can eat) special. I had a hamburger. The burger was good, and the cod was ok, but the French fries should have been sent back. They were under cooked, limp, and cold. I won't be back.
(1)Jean V.
This is becoming a habit! Amanda is terrific & the owner Dick is such a nice guy. The Rippin Chicken has become my favorite. Be sure to get their preferred customer card and build up points and get $$$ off future meals. My husband really likes the Turkey burger w/green Chile..a must try.
(5)Michelle W.
We've been here many times since I'm a local. We love to stop in for lunch. My daughter loves the burgers, my mom is a fan of the prime rib at dinner time. I'm pretty easy going and like just about everything on the menu. The service is good and the prices are just right!
(4)Joseph M.
Quaint and quirky, on the sight of what may be a haunted gas station... We thought that the photos on Yelp looked OK, and we were looking for something different, It was "different"... Seated promptly, the staff was very nice, and courteous, that is the best part of our experience there... Ordered a coke and a beer, perused the menu... it seemed like the prices were a bit high for what was what we thought a roadhouse/bar experience, but we rolled with it and figured the food was going to be home cooked possibly a hidden gem, something special in an unexpected place... I had the cod special, 17.95 it was ok the cod was cooked nicely and it was piping hot, the fries.. not so much, the first batch was past their useful life as they were warm and stale tasting and a bit soggy, I do have to be fair and say the following fries were good hot and crispy, why they weren't like that to begin with is still a mystery... What can I say about the cole slaw... tepid... bland I tried a bite and felt something soft... cole slaw shouldn't have a "soft" component to it... was that fruit? pineapple maybe a grape... Whatever it was it fell outside the boundaries of the cole slaw that "SHOULD" be served with cod fillets. ok nothing special, almost reminded me of VFW quality or military "chow hall" grub... but not worth 17.95 by any stretch of the imagination... The 16.50 "new recipe" fried chicken dinner... an unmitigated gastronomic failure, as the wife cut into the thigh... If you have seen National Lampoons Christmas Vacation the scene where the turkey gets cut and basically pops open with no meat inside... it was like that... it was dry, possessed no kind of flavor whatsoever, tasted like despair... the ghost was most likely the cook of this dish. The twice baked potato was baked twice... messy and tasted like processed cheese and bacon bits... NASTY, The half of corn on the cob was purchased frozen probably for pennies and cooked all day long... It was like creamed corn on the cob... is that possible... anything like that is possible at Dirtwater Springs.... Avoid this one Yelper's Epilogue: As we were driving away we marveled at the crappyness that sixty dollars can purchase, we reminded ourselves that for twenty five more bucks, we could have had a lovely time at the keg where we had also an appetizer and cocktails, with our meals...
(1)Dani D.
We had a large group and called ahead. The woman checking people in seemed disoriented. A manager came out while we were asking about timing until we were seated and she was pretty dismissive. The water was absolutely disgusting. Our waitress didn't seem to know the menu. Food was pretty eh.
(2)Cierra S.
This place has awesome food no matter what you order its always good! Staff makes u feel so welcome and the environment is cool. There is so much history in the restaurant. Happy hour is cool beers cheap and appetizers are half off! All around great place!!!
(5)Mark X.
Can't beat their happy hour (2-6pm every day) - $1.50 for a mug (draft only, but they got Alaskan Amber and Blue Moon). I recommend the vegetarian for vegetarians and the vegetarian minus cheese for vegans. Love this place. Great hangout place after a tough hike or a bike ride.
(4)Bob K.
Went here in a big group. This place gets busy so be sure to get here early! The ambiance and non-commercialized feeling of the restaurant/bar is great!! Its nice to go somewhere with some character. Service was friendly and quick. Even with 7 people all our food arrived at the table together. There is no music on inside the restaurant and sometimes it got awkwardly quiet like the table of old people next to us were purposely evesdropping. Music would help! Blue Moon on draft...yep...that will only be $1.50!!! Prices were average on the food and so was the quality. I would go back for sure and try different items while having a few beers. The crowd is a little older but I had a good time! Filly's roadhouse has better food and music.
(3)Brad W.
Gotta love the name of the place and the old school waiting room complete with girl scout cookie sales and all the local brochures and magazines you can read. We just randomly showed up during primetime on Valentine's day and only had to wait 30 minutes for a table (bar was available). They had about five Vday specials and we tried the 10oz Ribeye ($22) and the Baked Chicken breast with Risotto for $14.50. The chicken was crispy and succulent and the risotto was prefectly cooked as was the steak. The only miss was the twice baked potato which was prepared with only half the potato. The free chips and salsa hit the spot and the salad dressings seemed homemade based on taste. The place has some interesting decorations on the wall and alot of memories and regulars. If in the area I would return again.
(5)Teresa S.
We had family visiting from out of State. So Rawhide is closed on Monday and Tuesday now days. I guess they are not doing to well lately. So instead we went somewhere that I have never been either. A Ghost town out in Apache Junction. I never knew ,but it is a real Gold mine. Anyway, back to the restaurant. This place was recommended to us by the Train conductor. We were so glad that we listened. It was a very cool little place with an interesting history. They too claim that it is haunted by the past owner of an old Shell station that used to be there. That is a fun little story that you can read about while there. The menu has a lot to offer ,all sorts of different choices. They have something for everyone. The server comes to your table with chips and salsa and your drinks. We all got something a little different and all of it was really good. They have a full bar ,and even chocolate milk for the younging we had with us. (She was very happy). We had the Philly with steak, Hamburger, Cheeseburger, and Prime Rib. Everyone really liked all the food. They even have a child's menu. After the kids are through eating they bring them a Vanilla ice cream cone. AWESOME! The prices are very reasonable as well. Plenty of parking in the front and the back. Decorated with lots of cool old things and it is clean in there as well. A major plus for an older place. I would go back any time. In fact we are looking forward to it.
(5)Gene B.
A true Apache Junction gem. Don't let the outside deceive you, this place has good small town atmosphere and excellent food. This place is packed in the winter with the snowbirds (unfortunately) but any other time the wait is always reasonable. Locals know of this place but if you're visiting, it's worth the stop.
(5)Missy B.
C'mon Yelpers! 4 stars?! No way, jose. This place is nothing special and I suggest, if you are looking for a nice local place to eat in Mesa, you MOVE ON! Initially we wanted to try the little bar next door, but being New Year's Day, it was closed so we settled for this place. We walked into a dingy looking restaurant with old, dusty pictures and knick-knacks nailed to the walls and when we were seated, our server was short with us as if they were about to close and she didn't want us there. We all ordered some beer and I opted for the mug to pour mine out of the bottle. When I received it, however, I opted not to pour it into the mug afterall because it was so dirty and cloudy that the very thought of drinking out of it was repulsing. I wasn't very hungry so I figured the potato skins would be a nice smaller meal but boy was I wrong! I was served 2 full sized russet potatoes, halved and carved out for the cheese and toppings. There was so much cheese on these potatoes that I literally had to take 3/4 of it off just to enjoy the potato itself. Also, they were so greasy that even in the short time we were sitting there the grease was piling up on top of the cheese. Did they even strain the bacon bits? I don't think so... Needless to say, I only ate one and lost my appetite. Also to be noted, the silverware was all spotty and looked like they hadn't seen the inside of a dishwasher/sanitizer in quite some time. The only reason I gave this place 2 stars instead of 1 is because in our rush to get the heck out of there, I left my debit card on the table and the waitress chased us outside to return it. I was incredibly thankful for that!
(2)Bradley J.
Took the girls here for dinner. Contrary to recent reviews on this site the Alaskan cod is still the same wonderful flakey fish it's always been. The price seems a little high to some but is worth it for the quality. It comes with tasty hand cut fries. Yum.
(4)Katrina S.
Great food! The service was great as well. Everything on the menu sounded so good. I ordered the pot roast and it was perfect. Super juicy and tender. I have a toddler, so finding family friendly places with good food isn't that easy. We will be back!
(5)Karen P.
Atmosphere and service were great. The haunted history was intriguing. Food was good with free chips and salsa
(4)Nick R.
We have passed this place for years and said we need to try it someday. We finally did and now we regret waiting so long! The food is good and the service is fast and friendly. What more could you ask for? How about a ghostly encounter? Over the years restaurant employees and customers have reported many mysterious events that some believe are attributed to the ghost of a woman who was murdered here back in the late 1940s. Even if you don't spot a spirit, the food is darned good, especially the pork tenderloin sandwich.
(5)Shovel S.
With a name like Dirtwater, they have to be good right? I'm not a big fan of taxidermied critters staring me down, but it's a Wild West themed joint and they do a good job keeping up the theme. There's always a kickass special going on, the kitchen knows what they're doing and the service is friendly and accurate every time we dine here. I love the veggie sandwich! So 5 stars is a lot for a little generic eatery out in AJ, right? I just really like this place. Can't put my finger on it, it's just always made me feel good.
(5)Juan D.
Just stopped in for a beer, Place seems dirty ! ha The service was good. Nothing great. The beer was cold. Not somewhere I would frequent especially with pretty much domestic drafts and no craft beer. Didnt eat here so I cant say much about that.
(3)Judy N.
We were hesitant when we came by but reviews were good so went on. So glad we did! Starting with the chips and salsa the food was excellent. My husband had the chicken lime Burger and it was so unique and good. I had the pork tenderloin sandwich which was perfect. And dont forget those hand cut fries!!!! Superb place to eat.
(5)P L.
We have been here a couple times. I had chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy. Everything was so salty I couldn't eat much. The next time, we had the all you can eat cod. When the waitress set down our plates, I could see the grease on the fries. They were dark and all soggy and limp. I told the waitress and she said she would bring more. It took quite a long time. We were already done eating the fish before the fries came out. The new fries were crisp and golden. She said they never should have sent them out like that. Later another woman came and apologized for the fries but said that's the way they are and you either love or hate them. Really? Which story was it? Anyway, I would go again for the cod and ask for the regular fries; not the "natural" ones.
(3)Kayla K.
We ate here last night with my grandparents. It was right at peak supper time and it was all you can eat Alaskan cod night, so I wasn't surprised there was a bit of a wait. Their waiting area was nice and spacious. We only had to wait approx 10-15 minutes which wasn't bad at all. We ended up having to wake up our 18 month old son to take him into the restaurant since he had fallen asleep on the way over. When we were seated, he was not a happy camper, but the staff brought him a plate of French fries, a coloring book and crayons, and a mini ice cream cone to try to make him happy. Unfortunately he was just tired (and sick), but I was extremely impressed with the attention and effort they made. As far as the staff's attention to the rest of us...it had its highs and lows. They were quick to get our drink orders, but then took quite a while to come back to get our order (10-15 minutes). We ran out of chips (complimentary chips and salsa) and never did get any more, but I'm honestly not sure if they were "bottomless" or not, and we didn't ask, so hard to get too critical on that. Grandpa ordered a taco with shredded beef but it came with ground. Again, nothing was said until we left, so they weren't given the opportunity to make it right, which I have no doubt they would've. Grandma and my hubby got the all-you-can-eat Alaskan cod dinner served with coleslaw and French fries. They brought an entire plate full of fish out without any prompting, which was probably more than we needed, but the plate was empty by the time we were done. ;) I don't eat a lot of fish, but the piece I tried I thought was good. The hubby didn't say much other than he ate too much, and Grandma said, "It wasn't anything special." The waitress was attentive enough to see Grandma only ate the two fish originally served to her and only charged her for the 2-piece meal instead of the buffet, which I thought was nice. As far as my meal, I had the Cobb Salad with honey mustard dressing on the side which I thought was very delicious, all the ingredients (lettuce, tomato, avocado, etc) were fresh and tasty. I would certainly go back. And I don't know if it's only a Wednesday night special, but I would definitely take advantage of the $4 Margarita next visit.
(4)Mark S.
Dirtwater has hands down the best food in town, the service at this place is top notch. Servers are really nice and the owner Dick has become a great friend
(5)K U.
I'm a local and really wanted to like this place! However, the food (besides the cod) is not very good. The boneless buffalo wings taste like they were nuked out of a frozen bag. Yucky quesadilla. Bland salsa:( at least the beer is cheap. But I usually go to the dutchmans hide out if I want something that actually tastes good!
(1)Freddie H.
I really like this place. The fried cod is buttery, crisp, and flaky. The hot wings are big and the grilled chicken is juicy. I wish the chicken fried steak came with country gravy instead of chicken gravy or brown (yuck). They keep the free chips and salsa coming and the service is usually good. I have been here for holiday dinners and the price can't be beat. The Thanksgiving turkey was all you can eat and they even let me take what I could not finish home. That was very much something to be thankful for. Try this place at least once, it is a western atmosphere that you can take out of town family to visit.
(4)Mike C.
We visited on a Friday evening - wow, is it popular! We had a party of 16 but had phoned ahead. They had us seated pretty fast and the service was absolutely great! I had a Ruben Sandwich and it was very tasty, but I really loved the home made tasting Cole Slaw that came with it. I stole some of my wife's French Fries - very yummy! I didn't have a beer, but several others at our table had draft beers delivered in very large frosty mugs ... mmmmm. I had iced tea and it was weak - I like a stronger tea. I will definitely come back again soon.
(5)Erica H.
Delicious Mexican food. Complimentary salsa dip kept coming. Well worth a visit
(4)Micah B.
Dirtwater Springs was a neat place. Animal heads and other steak house type of things adorned the walls. It had the vibe of a great local eatery and watering hole. The free chips and salsa were outstanding. Both were, I think, made in house. Quality free eats always win major brownie points with me. For dinner I ordered the ribeye steak with mashed potatoes. The potatoes were homemade and tasty. Quite good, actually. Some of the best I've had in awhile. The steak, however, left much to be desired. For the price charged (just under $20) I expect to be served something that I cannot make myself in a timely fashion or match in quality. That was not the case with this steak. Any backyard function can provide me with the same quality steak for a fraction of the cost. Service was great and the waitress floated around our table frequently. The others in my party took part in the bottomless fish fry and she was always quick to bring out more cod for their consumption. If I find myself in Apache Junction again around dinner time I would return but I wouldn't get the steak. For too pricey for the quality if you ask me. The menu had plenty of other options and I don't think I'd walk away disappointed.
(3)Peter Q.
Cool little place with a fun atmosphere. Stopped in for lunch and the food was good and the portions were fine as well. Has that old western tourist feel to it with memorabilia on the walls. Friendly staff took good care of us. I'd certainly swing back by if I were in the area, especially at night, the bar looked pretty cool!
(3)Walt P.
We've been eating here for over 20 years...usually come in once a year when my wife and I take my parents to dinner for their birthdays. Everything I have ever tried here is good. The steaks are execellent, the fish fry is out of this world. This last time I had a chimichange...what was I thinking??? However, I was not disappointed. Their chimi was fantastic and was better than a lot of the Mexican places in the valley. Definitely worth checking out!
(4)Guy L.
Great Staff and and variety of food. Brenda the manager runs a tight ship. If something is not to your liking, tell her. She will make it right.
(5)Carol H.
Terrific food ... especially the all you can eat fish! ... The fish has a nice light breading. Good service. There's always a crowd; but it is worth the wait!
(5)Janice B.
Checked on Yelp for a fish fry place and this popped up with 4 stars so decided to try it. WE LOVED IT! We split an Alaskan Cod dinner with salad, baked potato with the trimmings, a corn on the cob and topped it off with a yummy apple carmel nut pie warmed up with vanilla ice cream smothering it. My husband had a beer...our total was under $25!! The cod was excellent and not at all greasy--just perfectly crisp. Cammie, our server, was excellent and friendly. The restaurant was very clean and very interesting decor with a very western flair--without the dust! The booths are very roomy. It is family friendly. Has a tv or two in the bar area. Apache Junction is on Hwy 60 near Superstition Mountain. The restaurant is just off the 88 about 2.5 miles north of the 60. For those who like a challenge, they have a 72 oz steak that will have the cost waived, if you can eat it in under 60 minutes.
(5)Stephen G.
Steaks and Prime Rib were tops and at a fair price. Desserts great too. Plan to return on our next trip to Canyon Lake.
(4)Laura B.
Yum! Went with a friend who raved about the salsa, and it was very good. I had a cheeseburger and fries and could only finish about half of my meal; the servings were huge!
(4)M D.
Love it! A local bar/restaurant with lots of character. You know the kind - lots of interesting knick knacks on the walls, shelves, ceiling. Distinctive local western decor. Not fancy by any stretch of the imagination meaning you will not have to spend a lot of money for food. Speaking of food, the green chili is about as good as it gets. I would return again and again just for the green chili. Menu has variety ranging from Mexican food (fabulous!) to American (Burgers, steak, seafood - Cod). Complimentary chips and salsa - excellent . You'll find tourists and locals eating side-by-side (95% local, 5% tourists :-). A large bar area with a few TV's and a dozen or so bar stools and 5-6 dinner tables and a back room just for dining with a mix of tables and booths. Fine for families.
(4)Jill P.
Cod was good although I ate too much. The $1.50 Alaskan Ambers were good and cold, and when I had accidentally left my wallet all was in tact when I returned to get it:) people were friendly, place was visually enhancing ... But next time I'm ordering something off the menu... No all you can eat cod for me.. Once was enough. I'd go back because of the service and atmosphere. The Beef Barley soup was excellent even gave a roll w it, and key lime pie was primo!
(4)Danielle B.
Went there for our anniversary. Great potato skins that I ended up leaving there. Bartender hands down rudest woman she threatened us when we complained about our drinks our server laughed then acted like she didn't know what we were talking about. Never again
(3)Taerra D.
Great food and real people. Being from the Midwest, I've been homesick for a restaurant that had a true blue fish fry and down to earth service. From the taxidermy on the walls to the amazing fried cod and waitress who called me "hun", I felt truly at home. Thanks! We will be back!
(5)Katie W.
This place has become a bit of a tradition on my family. Whenever someone comes to visit, we always make sure to bring them to Dirtwater. The food is always great, we've never been disappointed! When they're busy, you might wait a little longer than usual for you food, but you can be sure it will come out hot and fresh!
(5)Kim M.
I really was looking forward to going here since it had a 4 star rating but ewwww!! The food was terrible, the water tasted like the name of the restaurant. The service is ok but the taste & quality of food really takes away from everything else. Highly NOT recommended. Bummer.....
(1)Dana B.
Service was good. Chips and salsa were welcome as we hadn't eaten all day and were quite hungry. The salsa was very bland (ala Pace picante sauce). The club sandwich was fresh and tasty. The burger was also very large and flavorful. My personal favorite was the coleslaw made with pineapple. Very refreshing on a hot day. I always enjoy reading/hearing stories of reportedly haunted sites. I wouldn't rush back but wouldn't hesitate to stop by if we were in the area.
(3)Chris J.
Ate at the dirt water last night. I see it got good stars in your ratings so I was ready for decent food. Disappointed to say the least! My patty melt was greasy, the fries were undercooked and greasy- my wife's chicken on her salad tasted like it had been boiled not grilled. Service was good tho. Would I eat there again? There are a lot of restaurants around. Gotta be better ones!
(2)mark g.
three stars is a little generious but 2 is harsh because the place i wanted to go nextdoor was closed i drifted in here they give you chips and salsa (which was a little more like a bad marinara and half the chips were borderline stale) the women working the bar was pleasant the menu seamed a bit pricey i ended up having a pattymelt which was decent and a few bluemoon in nice frosty mugs.the interior is typical old arizona/western style
(3)