TRAVEL

Robin Sewell: A restaurant, gas depot and corral market

Robin Sewell
Special for The Republic | azcentral.com

Renovated filling station at the Rock Springs Cafe in Rock Springs, AZ.

Elvira's Restaurant of Tubac

The tastes of Tubac reflect the Sonoran Desert from both sides of the Mexican border, and you could say it is the birthplace of a fusion cuisine. Elvira's is an explosion of these eclectic cultures, a mix of Mexico's modern evolution in food and design. You won't find any taco or burros on the menu among the moles and molcajetes, and you will not miss them — the food here is as inspired as it is delicious. Chef Ruben Monroy owns Elvira's, named after his grandmother, who originally opened the restaurant in 1927 in Nogales, Mexico. Elvira's Nogales became a travel destination, and that is a tradition Chef Ruben is carrying on in the artist haven of Tubac.

Details: 2221 I-19 Frontage Road A-101, Tubac. $15-30. (520) 398-9421, www.elvirasrestaurant.com.

Rock Springs Gas Depot

Black Canyon City is a great place to take a break when traveling I-17. I have been to the five-star Yelp and Trip Advisor-rated Chihuahua Chill Grill and have had a slice or two of the famous pies at the Rock Springs Café, and from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 30, I will be spending the afternoon at the Rock Springs Gas Depot. Come see me and my friends from the Arizona Lottery in Black Canyon City and enter for a chance to win an amazing Arizona getaway. The Black Canyon Gas Depot is a nostalgic trip back to the 1940s, complete with fun mid-century relics, including some old-school snacks. We hope to see you in Black Canyon City.

Details: 35932 S. Old Black Canyon Highway, Rock Spring. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rock-Springs-Gas-Depot/282239948541489.

Ted's Corral Market

It not only the stories that make an impression on the Arizona Highways team, sometimes it can be something as simple as a smile to end a long day on a high note. On a recent trip to Seligman, we stopped by Ted's Corral Market in Ash Fork to pick up some snacks and drinks but walked out with our loot and a whole lot of smiles. The staff members on duty were just genuinely nice people, friendly and funny, giving us a good laugh after a long day of driving. I am heading back to Ted's Corral Market with my friends from the Arizona Lottery from 2-4 p.m. Monday, June 1. If you live along Route 66 or are traveling through, stop on by grab a cold drink and say hello.

Details: 93 E Lewis Ave., Ash Fork. (928) 637-2268.

"Arizona Highways Television" is on Channel 12 (KPNX). Watch Robin Sewell's reports from around the state at

6:30 p.m. Saturdays and 4:30 p.m. Sundays.