Each year for several years now, we have published our list of the “Best” in selected dining categories. In our first year, we gave you our recommendations for the 3 Best Mexican Restaurants in Tucson. As many times as we have dined Mexican since, we have not experienced any better.
The next year, we published our list of the 10 Best Burgers In Tucson. That list too seems to be holding up well. Last year, we listed our picks for the Best Pizza In Tucson. So far, we have seen no reason to make changes.
Now we are embarked on a quest to discover the Best Tucson Steakhouse. Between now and the end of summer 2015, we’ll be sampling a lot of steak. It’s hard work, but someone has to do it.
Last month, we dined at PY Steakhouse inside Casino del Sol. Ms. Karen & I have gambled, dined and been entertained in a lot of casinos in our day, including the casino at the top of the Cairo Sheraton overlooking the Nile River. This one was definitely strange, at least to a Westerner, because we, as international guests, could gamble and drink there, but no Egyptians were allowed. Egypt is officially a “Muslim Country” and the tenants of that faith are strictly adhered to, at least in public. But they seemed not to care about our immortal souls, so long as we paid for our pagan vices.
In the same way, our local Native Americans are happy to accept the wages of our greed as Anglos and Mexicans donate fortunes to the Indian’s slot machines and gaming tables. Prior to the opening of Casino del Sol, the best Indian casino in Southern Arizona was Desert Diamond at Sahuarita south of Downtown Tucson about 20 minutes. Now Desert Diamond has serious competition for that title.
Agave At Desert Diamond
Owned and operated by the Tohono O’odham Nation, Desert Diamond Casino has a comparatively understated, subdued atmosphere. And, its Agave Restaurant is, in our opinion, a 5-Saguaro dining experience, in part because of the excellent cuisine and service, but also because of the ambiance. One side of the dining room is all glass, so guests can look out over a large courtyard. On the other three walls are magnificent murals that practically beg diners to get up, walk around and look closer.
Casino del Sol Hotel & Casino
Casino del Sol Hotel & Casino, by contrast, is a 4-Star resort, with a magnificent golf course, that would be right at home on the Las Vegas Strip. Ya, Baby! The casino is huge, modern and, by comparison to its sorry sister, Casino of the Sun in South Tucson, well ventilated so the stench of cigarette and cigar smoke is not over-powering.
In addition to PY Steakhouse, the Casino has about 10 other eateries with taste and price to match just about any palate and pocketbook. It’s more like a village with slot machines.
Service With An Attitude
We made a 5PM reservation through Open Table, brought with us our half-price Living Social discount coupon, and were seated promptly. What turned out to be an evening of excellent service, started immediately; although our young gentleman server was initially a tad too patronizing for our taste. They can only use the royal “WE” once before I begin to doubt their sincerity.
“Would ‘We’ like to start with a cocktail, or a glass of wine, perhaps,” he inquired somewhat snobbishly. To which I replied, “I don’t know what you’re having, but my wife and I will share a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc.” That ended the royal ‘We’ and attitude for the evening.
Early Bird Special
The wine chilled and served, he then brought to our attention their Early Bird Special from a limited menu, including appetizer, salad, entrée, and dessert: $49. That sounded fine to us.
For appetizers, Ms. Karen chose the Fried Calamari and Rock Shrimp – oven roasted tomato passada, garlicky rouille, lola rosa, opal basil. I had not enjoyed an escargot in years, so that was my choice and it was delicious. Nothing like garlic-covered snails to begin a sumptuous dinner.
Following our appetizer, we both enjoyed a small, but fine Caesar Salad. For our entrée, Ms. Karen ordered the Pan-Seared Mexican Sea Bass – gnocchi, morels, fava beans, beurre blanc, chive oil, petite fava leaves. Afterward, she declared it “very good”.
Niman Ranch Meats
I ordered a six-ounce center cut Angus filet. When I first looked over their menu, I had noticed that their pork came from Niman Ranch, which is where some of the highest rated American restaurants get their beef. So I inquired as to the source of my filet. Our server did not know but went to ask his manager. The answer came back “some farm in Pennsylvania”.
Mine came with some veggies and potato, I don’t recall exactly. But I do recall that it was a very satisfactory meal, and the meat was tender and delicious … just not quite as tender and delicious as the one I so thoroughly enjoyed at Prime, the very upscale dinner house at Bellagio in Las Vegas some years ago. Their beef was exclusively from Niman Ranch. But now I understand that the founder, Bill Niman, left his namesake company because he didn’t approve of the new corporate owner’s cattle-raising methods. Oh well!
Dessert
Our Early Bird Special came with dessert. PY has a modest selection of desserts. We both ordered their Grand Marnier Crème Brulee, but were so full that we asked to have them boxed for take-home. They were a special treat the next day.
Ambiance, Price & Value
As to ambiance, we much prefer Agave at Desert Diamond Casino in Sahuarita. At PY, there are no windows. And the overall décor is somewhat bland. I will add, however, that although the casino is just beyond the restaurant door, PY was pleasantly quiet.
As to price & value, PY can be expensive, but need not be if you’re careful. For example, on their main menu, a 16-oz. USDA Prime Ribeye is $49. All the sides are extra. So, with a couple of glasses of wine or cocktails, dinner could easily add up to $85 per person or more. By comparison, we recently enjoyed an excellent 17-oz. Ribeye at the rustic Silver Saddle Steakhouse for $28, and that included a good salad bar, beans, baked potato or fries. With drinks, it worked out to only $40 per person.
However, if you look on PY’s website, they have many special offers. And you can often find discounts in Living Social, Groupon, etc.
By now, I’m certain you’re wondering what PY stands for. I asked our waiter and was immediately embarrassed, so obvious was the answer. PY = Pascua Yaqui. I knew that the Pascua Yaqui Nation owns and operates Casino del Sol. I just didn’t make the connection. Dumb!
Do we recommend PY Steakhouse to our friends & family? We do. If you appreciate comfortable, well-appointed hotel rooms and suites, a challenging scenic golf course, coupled with a little gaming and fine dining, Casino del Sol has it all and saves you the time and expense of traveling to Vegas. Casino del Sol is only 12 miles west of Downtown Tucson. Las Vegas in 400 miles.
PY Steakhouse
Casino del Sol
5655 W Valencia Rd, Tucson, AZ 85757
(855) 765-7829
