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ENTERTAINMENT

Tortilla Flat a step back in time, 30 minutes from Apache Junction

Posted 8/20/20

A Western town in the Superstition Mountains 30 minutes from Apache Junction --- with its own restaurant and saloon, museum, country store and mercantile --- had some areas closed due to COVID-19 …

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ENTERTAINMENT

Tortilla Flat a step back in time, 30 minutes from Apache Junction

Posted

A Western town in the Superstition Mountains 30 minutes from Apache Junction --- with its own restaurant and saloon, museum, country store and mercantile --- had some areas closed due to COVID-19 restrictions this summer but are now open to the public.

“We have been closely listening to the guidance of our governor and had to close the restaurant and mercantile late March and re-opened in mid-May,” owner Katie Ellering said.

“Late March into April we served to-go food from our BBQ patio on the weekends but when the weather gets warm the patio is closed. We provide essential items in our country store so we were able keep it open the whole time in order to provide those important items to our visitors,” she said.

Much has been learned about best practices in reopening the businesses on State Route 88 (North Apache Trail), east of Canyon Lake.

“We’ve learned to lean on each other as a team and as a community. Challenging times mean we need to work together and get through them together. With a positive attitude and empathy in our hearts we will continue to be thankful for what we have and supportive to those in need,” Ms. Ellering said.

Long history

Tortilla Flat is packed full of history.

“The area was originally established in 1904 as a settlement for the workers who hand-built Roosevelt Dam,” Ms. Ellering said.

“The town was never large enough to be officially recognized by the state, which is why we have such a hard time finding original town records. Most of what we know about Tortilla Flat has been passed from generation to generation by those who lived here or around the area. We learn new things about the town’s history every day and there’s still more we don’t know,” she said.

There are many tales and legends of Tortilla Flat’s colorful history, she said.

“(T)he town was originally built on the opposite side of the road but was washed away in a flood. To this day the creek holds secrets and some of the original foundation from the old days. Tortilla Flat also had a zoo, complete with a bear and many other animals back in the 1920s,” she said.

A U.S. Post Office was established in the late 1920s. Packages can be shipped and postcards sent through the current-day post located in the mercantile.

“Over a hundred years, a devastating fire and several floods later the town retains its Western charm. As summer continues and families are looking for exciting activities that allow social distancing, Tortilla Flat serves as an ideal destination with its close proximity to the Valley, picturesque views and wide variety of attractions,” Jamie Killin, an account manager for Evolve PR and Marketing, said.

Today, Tortilla Flat boasts a population of six and offers many unique experiences, Ms. Ellering said.

“The Superstition Saloon and Restaurant has the best killer chili with a recipe that dates back to the 1940s. The country store sells more prickly pear gelato than anywhere else in the world and the mercantile offers unique treasures from local artists, handmade pottery and jewelry and toys for all ages,” she said.

Summer hours at Tortilla Flat are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

What to visit in the area

If you only have an hour or so to visit, it’s best to start at one end of Tortilla Flat and go to the other, Ms. Ellering said.

“I would recommend starting at one end of town and popping in to each building. You can get the full tour of the town in a small amount of time, and even spend a little extra time exploring the area that is most interesting to you --- whether it be shopping in the mercantile, enjoying a cold sarsparilla or beer in the saloon, digging in to our world-famous prickly pear gelato or learning about the incredible history of Tortilla Flat in our museum,” she said.

Tonto National Forest can been seen on the same day trip to Tortilla Flat.

“The Tonto National Forest covers over 2.9 million acres and there are several recreation sites on and around Canyon Lake, just two miles from the town, that can be enjoyed on your day trip to Tortilla Flat,” Ms. Ellering said.

Staying connected

Tortilla Flat has stayed connected with former customers and people interested in visiting the first time with Facebook @TortillaFlatSaloon and a website.

“We are active on Facebook and have a ‘contact us’ link on our website tortillaflataz.com so you can email us at any time. We can’t get a phone line way up here in the mountains, so we have a cell phone that is on during business hours so people can call directly with questions. That number is 480-984-1776,” Ms. Ellering said.

A question posed on Facebook about ghosts at Tortilla Flat stirred up some interest.

“There was a recent ghost sighting; however the spirits here at Tortilla Flat are more like Casper the Friendly Ghost since they only tease us by turning lights on after we’ve turned them all off or moving things around in the restaurant,” she said.