The Courtyard Cafe at the Heard Museum

I came here on a lunch date with my husband because they had two of the must-eat in Arizona items on their menu. The prickly pair cactus lemonade and fry bread. The prickly pear lemonade really was good! My husband usually can't have lemonade because the sharp citrus flavor catches his throat but he had no issues with this one. He actually had most of it himself! Subtle sweetness. None of that sourness and just an overall good drink. For the appetizer we got the Teparay Bean Hummus with Fry Bread. Asked for no olive oil because we wanted the hummus without the extra fat. This dish was a total win! Hummus was smooth and flavorful. I could eat it just by itself! Fry bread was also soft and fluffy and warm too. Everything was perfect about this. Another great part is that the fry bread was actually baked and not deep fried. Took away so much of the guilt I was going to have from eating fry bread. My husband liked his Birria beef Street Tacos. Fresh and juicy beef, good amount of portion size, and really fresh and good tacos overall. He got the sauce on the side which went really well with the tacos. Also got a side salad which he enjoyed. I asked for the Sweet and Spicy Mustard Chicken Salad with dressing on the side and this was not at all what I expected! VERY BIG NO ON THIS! I order salads at restaurants all the time and whenever I see a chicken salad it's always a salad with all the veggies and such and then grilled chicken on top with the dressing put on top of that or on the side if I ask for it. This was not at all like that. It was like one of those pre-made chicken salads with everything all mixed in. The server did bring some dressing on the side and until I took a bite It wasn't very clear that everything was all mixed with the dressing already. I called the server and asked about it and she said it was already pre-made. I asked for the veggies and chicken separate with dressing separate, or at least some mixed greens on the side so i could balance out the strong flavor. She got the greens but then the manager also came with and picked up my plate of salad and took it away saying that they would get me a new one. Server asked me if this was any better, and all I had in front of me was a plate of mixed greens and some dressing on the side. I didn't know what to say but said I would get back when I get my salad. I waited about 10 to 15 minutes but nothing came. Meanwhile my husband and I heard the kitchen cleaning up. Call the server and she said they were all done and there was no new salad being made for me. WHAT A SHOCK! I asked if they at least had some plane chicken left, but nothing. I actually ended up eating a plate of greens and dressing. Yes, the dressing was good but this was not at all a good end to the meal. The server was kind throughout, but that manager really did not provide the service expected.

Great experience here. Server was personable and made great recommendations. 2 thumbs way up on the Birria Beef Street Tacos. They had the best tortillas I think I have ever had

Good food in a nice setting. We ate inside, but the outdoor area also looked nice. The Tepary Bean Hummus & Frybread was a lot like pita with hummus. We also enjoyed a bowl of posole.

Excellent food and service! Can't wait to go back.

I had this delicious salad here before and I always talked about it. I never remembered the name but today I had the chance to have The Dreamcatcher ?

Hidden gem! Never expected to find a gourmet-quality restaurant inside the Heard Museum compound. The setting is intimate. The windows look out into the courtyard where local artists work away on wood carvings, paintings, and much more. All available for purchase. The menu is as far from "typical" as you can get. The service is excellent. Prices are reasonable. Portions are large. I had the Zonie Cheese Steak (shaved turkey, grilled bell pepper and onion) and my wife had the three sisters soup (yellow squash, black beans, roasted corn, veggie broth) and a cheese queso. Good selection of house wines and brews.

Superb fajita chicken salad with delicious variety of fruits and vegetables, including avocado. However, the hostess led us to believe that the wait would be short; had we been provided with a more accurate estimate, we would have gone into the Heard Museum during our wait.

The food, service and ambience was amazing.