East Mesa - Mesa, AZ Area Guide

While Mesa first incorporated back in 1883, the area remained largely unsettled until the start of World War II, when the Army Air Corps opened a training field. Once the war was over, the facility eventually grew into Williams Air Force Base. The base closed in 1993, but it reopened the following year as a general aviation airport. Now known as the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, activity in the area grew rapidly once commercial passenger service began in 2007.

For decades, General Motors maintained a large physical presence in the area at the Desert Proving grounds. It closed in 2009, and development started on the land east of the airport.

Instead of a full-fledged art scene, a handful of artists display works at smaller shops scattered around the Gateway Airport area. The Sun Dust Gallery displays and sells art, and even hosts classes and special events.

Relatively few restaurants set up shop in the area, but that doesn't mean picking a place to eat will be easy. What it lacks in quantity, Mesa Gateway makes up with quality.

Venture around the ASU Poly campus to come across The Burrito Shack. The rustic restaurant allows customers to enjoy authentic Mexican food in a true Southwest atmosphere. Whether you stop in for breakfast or lunch (it closes at 2 p.m.), burritos serve as the main attraction. Start the day with The Shack, a burrito stuffed with carne asada, bacon, chorizo, eggs and cheese. Try some tacos or an Arizona Sunset for lunch. Spicy chorizo, rice, pico, lettuce, cheese and sour cream fill up this burrito. Grab a friend and split some carne asada fries. The dish tops the standard French fries with carne asada, pico, cheese, sour cream and pico.

If pizza sounds appealing, skip the chains and venture to Venezia's. The menu includes wings, sandwiches and pasta too, but pizza stands out in the crowd. While the classic pepperoni never fails to satisfy, the truly adventurous can try one of the 15 specialty pizzas. The Spicy Chicken Pizza adds hot wing sauce to the marinara, then tops it off with grilled chicken and fresh mozzarella. Instead of choosing between a salad and a pizza, try both. The Caesar Salad Pizza layers the crust with mixed greens, grilled chicken, shaved parmigiana, croutons and Caesar dressing. Enjoy pizza by the slice or as large as a 24- inch Party size. Those with allergies can select gluten free options.

Find food and drinks on tap at The Hub Grill and Bar. Putting a new twist on classic pub favorites, the menu gets creative. Forget about a standard cheeseburger; why not try a peanut butter burger instead? This menu items consists of a beef burger smothered with peanut butter, topped with bacon and served on a pretzel bun. The Hub does prepare traditional hot wings, but many who sample the Arizona smoked wings never go back. Of course, this pub also serves beer. With 25 varieties on tap, the selection satisfies every taste. For those struggling to pick just one, The Hub sells samplers that allow the customer to pick the brews. Try one of the custom draft blends, mixing two tap beers together. The full bar and happy hour specials add additional appeal. Entertainment includes nights dedicated to trivia, karaoke and stand-up comedy.

For a taste of the nightlife scene, head to Denim and Diamonds. This country-themed spot plays plenty of music and serves up ice cold drinks every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night. Be sure to check out Ladies Night on Wednesday, which features drink specials and “Redneck Games” to keep the crowd entertained.

For the most part, locals hop in a car to get around the Mesa Gateway Airport area. Trips to downtown Phoenix last at least 35 minutes on open roads, and expect an hour commute in rush hour traffic. Valley Metro provides limited bus service from the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, with a transit center and Park and Ride located at the Superstition Springs Mall.

You won't often see taxis picking up fares along Gateway Airport roads. Instead, customers need to call for service. Uber also covers the area.

While not heavily used, bike lanes line portions of Ellsworth Road, Guadalupe Road, Baseline Road and a few others, providing an alternative method of travel for those who prefer getting around by bike.

Many of the planned communities in the area contain small neighborhood parks intended for residents.

Maricopa County operates the largest park in the area. San Tan Mountain Regional Park contains more than 10,000 acres of space to explore. The land remains open and undeveloped except for restrooms and a visitors center.

For more social activities, check out Discovery District Park. Maintained by the City of Gilbert, this park features lighted multi-use fields, basketball courts and sand volleyball courts. Children enjoy the swings, and the whole family can sit down for a meal together at the picnic facilities.

At $710 a month for a one-bedroom apartment, rent in Gateway Airport area runs nearly 8 percent lower than the Phoenix area average, with gas just 2 percent lower. For those commuting by bus, Valley Metro trips cost $2 for a one-way ticket and $4 for current day passes purchased in advance. Beers will generally cost between $2.50 and $4.

Most shopping trips involve a drive north. A cluster of chain stores and restaurants can be found along Signature Butte Road and Baseline Road, and the nearest mall sits at U.S. 60 and Power Road. Stores closer to home tend to focus on the area's rural and farming heritage. Superstition Farm hosts a farmer's market each Thursday evening. In addition to their own fresh dairy products, local farmers bring fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs and chicken. Some vendors also sell prepared food, including fresh-baked breads, salsas, fudge and other desserts. The farm also hosts a gift shop known as "Moosters Moo-tique." Open Tuesdays through Saturdays, the store sells toys, games, candy and fresh eggs. Take home some local jams and honey, or enjoy some Udder Delight Ice Cream before leaving. The real shopping scene can be found weekends at the Mesa Marketplace Swap Meet. With more than 1,600 vendors, this can quickly become an all-day event. During the busy tourist season, it opens at 7 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, giving shoppers three days to explore. In the summer months, the market remains closed on Fridays. Free parking and admission, along with online coupons, make the bargains even more tempting. A food court keeps visitors full and energized, starting with a $4 Roadrunner Breakfast of two eggs, toast, hash browns and coffee. While enjoying a meal at the food court, sit back and soak in the sun and live music from a revolving selection of artists. For everyday needs, a wide variety of chain grocery stores ring the neighborhood. Bashas', Safeway, Fry's, Albertsons, Fresh and Easy and a Walmart Neighborhood Market supply food needs for the area.