Pinnacle Peak Steak House $$

6541 E. Tanque Verde Rd., Tucson
520/296-0911
www.pinnaclepeaktucson.com [1]

HOURS: Mon.–Fri. 5–10 p.m., Sat.–Sun. 4:30–10 p.m.

COST: Most entrées between $10–20

Located in Trail Dust Town, the Old West theme park, Pinnacle Peak is a typical (and that means tasty, fun, and affordable) cowboy steak-and-beans hall that packs in families, tourists, and locals dining with out-of-town friends. It always seems like there’s a celebratory atmosphere here. I guess that has something to do with the stage-dressing buildings and the loud cap-gun fights in the dusty streets out front.

This is a fun place to bring kids—they can check out the harmless attractions while the adults have a few margaritas in the saloon before dinner. The steaks are well made and always fresh and hot, and the ranch beans go down easy on the side. There’s also good prime rib and a low-priced kid’s menu.