A Cave Creek Original
est. Dec 5, 1994
We converted the original dude ranch at Rancho Mañana into a destination known for serving award-winning Southwestern and Native American ingredients.. Twenty nine years later, Tonto delivers an experience with a warm, welcoming atmosphere rich in Arizona lore that transcends most restaurants’ missions
Tonto Bar & Grill in Cave Creek with a dream and ambition
Co-owner John Malcolm has been here from the beginning. “I’ve told the story before, about how I was standing here in the hills of the Sonoran Desert with my buddy Eric Flatt. I was a California big city kid. We wanted to create an extraordinary, rustic, southwest experience. We wanted our friends and families from other places to come and visit. We knew how to cook and deliver fine hospitality. We quickly learned how to borrow from the charm, natural beauty and Native American legend that was already here in Cave Creek. We opened Tonto. But I am not sure we knew back then that tens of thousands of guests from around the world would make this one of their favorite places and experiences.”
Our Employees Simply Love People
Such a great place to work!
The entire Tonto Bar & Grill staff take great pride in the restaurant’s flavorful food, craft cocktails and outstanding service. The Tonto experience and culinary excellence has created a legend in and of itself. Heck, some of our team has been here for more than 20 years.
I have become a bit of a tour guide to many guests who visit.
Sure, the restaurant has grown. And Tonto hosts many weddings and special events on the lawn.. John Malcolm continues to head up the front of the house by greeting guests, working closely with servers, hostesses and bartenders to ensure that each guest has the experience that drove Tonto from the beginning. Chef Kurtis Purdy develops cuisine that tells a story about Arizona’s vibrant heritage. He adapts the menu seasonally to reflect seasonal harvests.