San Marcos Golf Resort

Prime Rib Dinner

Looking for an elegant place for that special dinner buffet featuring prime rib? Try the San Marcos Golf Resort in Chandler for sumptuous dining.

It’s all-you-can-eat prime rib for you beef lovers! AJ’s Restaurant is the name of the place and it is part of the San Marcos Hotel.

The prime rib has a salty rub on the outside of the meat that is delicious. Even the “a jus” or gravy is flavorful with a nice meaty aroma, kind of smelled of mushrooms too.

First stop is the salad bar which has everything fresh, a bit less extensive compared to what you might have seen at salad bar buffets at places like the Landmark Restaurant in Mesa for comparison.You get the standards like fresh baked rolls and baked potatoes. There is a glorious baked potato station so you can make your potato the way you want it.

Oh by the way, if you have kids they can order off the menu and get a hot dog or whatever. Just know there are options.

You will dine in an elegant setting and for the money this is a remarkable site.

Notice the floor to ceiling mullioned windows that are sparkling clean.

Even in the brightest part of the summer the sunlight is indirect because of the pergolas that shade the outside of the building so people can walk in comfort and so you stay comfortable inside.

Everything about the San Marcos Golf Resort is classy in a historical reserved way. From the shiny polished redwood floors to the historic looking ceiling chandeliers-- it all says refinement.

The exterior building design is in the mission revival style. The San Marcos Golf Resort was created in 1912 with help from the founder of Chandler, a vet named Alexander J Chandler. Dr Chandler enlisted the help of a renowned architect named Frank Lloyd Wright, so now you know where some of the design elements came from. You can name drop that next time you visit here with guests!

When you walk into the entrance of AJ’s Restaurant note the historical pictures including one of Errol Flynn. If you are into movie stars, here is a shortened list of people who have stayed here:

Fred Astaire

Joan Crawford

Bing Crosby

Clark Gable

Jimmy Stewart

Cher

After your feast step outside and enjoy the San Marcos Hotel Chandler grounds. Here’s a picture of a fountain with a shady pergola in the background:

If you want dessert or need to walk off your dinner try out the street scene in the historic downtown Chandler area. This is located right out in front and next to the hotel. You could be graced with live jazz groups.

We ducked into a place called the Urban Tea Loft next to the Kokopelli Winery & Bistro. They had live jazz and we enjoyed a slice of cheesecake with fresh brewed tea served in a clear gizmo that you put on top of the tea cup and it dispenses out of the bottom of the pot.

Anyway, it makes for a nice date night.

The San Marcos Golf Resort is seasonal so the summer is slow and you probably don’t need reservations at the prime rib dinner on Saturday. However in the winter you might want to call ahead. The prime rib dinner is on Saturdays from 5 to 9. The hours and price can change anytime. Phone is (480) 857-4422. They are located at One San Marcos Place in Chandler Arizona, which is off of S Arizona Ave. See map below.