
Hours
| Friday | 7 AM–2 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–2 PM |
| Sunday | 8 AM–1 PM |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–2 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–2 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–2 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 1060 Yavapai Dr Ste 1, Rio Rico, AZ 85648
Phone: (520) 281-1040
Website: https://nickelsdiner.com/
Menu Photos
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
Nickel’s Diner: American Restaurant in AZ
Nickel’s Diner | Rio Rico AZ – Facebook
Nickel’s Diner | Arizona Highways
Reviews
The menu has a great variety, from hearty breakfast plates to burgers, sandwiches, and classic comfort dishes. I went with the chicken fried steak and eggs, and it was exactly what I hoped for — crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and the gravy tasted homemade. Portions were generous, and the coffee kept coming (always a plus).
Service was a little slow at first, but once things got moving, it was smooth. The staff seemed busy but still managed to check in and make sure everything was good. The diner itself has that nostalgic feel — cozy booths, old-school décor, and the kind of crowd that tells you it’s a local favorite.
If I had to nitpick, I’d say the place could use a bit of updating and a little more attention to detail when it comes to cleanliness in certain areas, but overall it didn’t take away from the experience.
We finally did and it was less than average in our opinion.
Two plates, tacos dorados and the other one I can’t really remember it was so unimpressive. From the picture it was some kind of carne asada with cole slaw.
My tacos dorados were just good. Nothing beyond that. The flavors just made the grade….barely. The shell had more flavor than what was inside the taco. The refried beans were almost a bit on the watery side. There is creamy and then there is way too creamy where it was falling thru the spaces in between on my fork. It felt like I was trying to eat a soup with a fork when I tried the refried beans. The sauce on the side (pico I guess) was making a brave attempt at something. Something was overpowering the pico and I think it was the big chunks of that green chili you can see. It wasn’t bad but it was hardly good.
The other dish…again, can’t remember it was so uneventful as a dish. At least the tacos had some kind of presentation to it. This other dish didn’t. The meat (carne asada) did have some flavor but was more on the hard and chewy side. I hate to say but the cole slaw tasted old or rancid. I was hoping the curly fries would at least save the meal but they were just too soft. They reminded me of a soggy cereal. Between the ultra creamy almost soupy refried beans, old tasting cole slaw and soggy curly fries this review is just a one star review. I was really hoping the food was more in line with the old school diner atmosphere.
I’ve tried other restaurants in Rio Rico before I stated making reviews and so far it all disappoints. Sorry Rio Rico but that is only my opinion. Nothing more but I am entitled to it. There seems to be no real competitive spirit where eateries try harder than the other place to present a tasty flavorful meal. Or perhaps they have to many items on the menu instead of focusing on a few and making them exceptional…I don’t know. I get the feeling they just settled for “ok” in that town. There are two new eateries that I haven’t seen before but I’m scared to try them. Maybe if I gather the proper intestinal fortitude after slamming some liquid courage I’ll go and try them.
Needless to say, we’re not going back. The pictures of their breakfast look good but if you can’t get something as simple as curly fries right then I probably shouldn’t have high hopes for the breakfast either