The New York Times just revealed its list of 50 favorite restaurants in the U.S. for 2026. Their pick for Arizona was an iconic Phoenix steakhouse that recently got a "makeover" after over 70 years in business.
The list was put together using the expertise of a team of 16 scouts who traveled all over the country to eat. And restaurants that made NYT's list previously were excluded.
On Durant's, NYT's Brian Gallagher wrote, "You hear a lot about vibes these days. But some vibes you just can’t buy. Those you’ll find at Durant’s."
Gallagher shouted out some specific dishes, such as the fried deviled eggs, Boursin whipped potatoes, corn crême brûlée, wedge salad, shrimp cocktail and of course the beef, specifically the signature chargrilled porterhouse and the 22-ounce prime rib.
People enjoy drinks at the bar during a soft opening of Durant's in Phoenix on Dec. 9, 2025.
"For a lot of the year, the Phoenix sun is a punishing presence, but inside Durant’s it’s always dim and cool, the martinis crisp and frosty," Gallagher wrote.
People are also reading…
Durant's was opened in 1950 by Jack Durant and Jack R. McElroy. In 2025, McElroy sold it to the Prime Steak Concepts team, which also runs Dominick’s Steakhouse, Steak 44 and Ocean 44 in metro Phoenix.
Durant's is open from 4 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday; 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Details: 2611 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-264-5967, durantsaz.com.
