Rusty Cactus, Springerville

Fueled by more than 25 years of culinary experience, executive chef Bill Wise serves up contemporary American cuisine with a distinctive Southwestern flare. Drawing from an arsenal of all-natural ingredients, he meticulously crafts everything from a simple grilled chicken sandwich to the more complex Scampi Diablo, a shrimp-centric pasta crowned in a from-scratch butter sauce made with tequila and jalapeño. Chef Wise also offers fresh takes on well-trodden dishes, such as a Cobb salad that incorporates artichoke hearts and nopalitos instead of the traditional hard-boiled eggs and chives. All the while, guests can compliment these inventive gourmet meals with a wine, cocktail, or beer while basking in the natural sunlight that floods the large dining room.