Frontier Town, Cave Creek

Frontier Town is a rustic area with restaurant and gift shops, situated in Cave Creek, a pretty cactus-filled town north of Phoenix. Cave Creek sits below Black Mountain, a massive knob of brown granite and black schist, that Indian practitioners belief has mystical powers. The town itself has a wild west feel because of the rugged sidewalk-less roads and the undisturbed sonoran desert landscape. Ed, the owner of Crazy Ed's Satisfied Frog Saloon (now closed down), capitalized on the wild west feel of Cave Creek in the 1980s by making an entire Frontier Town in front of his restaurant. At night the town is lit with lampposts that form a golden glow. Saguaro cactus and paloverde trees stand regally here and there. Tiny lights decorate the curves and lines of the old frontier buildings. The new restaurant in the same spot is called Smokehouse and Pour House. On Friday and Saturday nights, live music fills the air, adding to the wonderful atmosphere. It's great fun! The music wafts out the huge open doors from the bar. Outside, kids can climb on an old wagon. Smokehouse offers burgers, pasta, and lasagne with smoked brisket. There is a fish fry on Friday nights and prime rib on Saturday nights starting at 5pm.
While in the area, check out the amazing town of Carefree, with its African-inspired El Pedregal Marketplace (where you can have a great lunch on the outdoor patio), and its downtown area with huge sundial, gila-monster slide, and Spanish courtyards.

Directions

From the 17 Freeway, exit at Carefree Hwy. Take Carefree Hwy east. Turn left on Cave Creek Rd. Smokehouse and Pour House Restaurant is at 6245 E. Cave Creek Rd, just after N. Basin Rd. Call (480) 488-3317.

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