RUSTIC THISTLE Article by George Hardeen

“You’re family here!”

I have a new friend, James Keith Adams, who has done an extraordinary thing. 

James is the proprietor and head chef at the Rustic Thistle in Page, Arizona. It’s the newest and – to me and a lot of people – best, amazingly good breakfast and lunch place in town. 

The Rustic Thistle opened on Feb. 3. Its food is fantastic with a style and flavor you won’t find anywhere else. 

Besides its delicious menu, what makes the place stand out is the buzz of its atmosphere. There’s a vibe, a joy. It starts with the smiles and congeniality of each of James’ staff. James sets a tone in his friendly, soft-spoken and humble way, yet he runs his kitchen like a quarterback.

So I decided to sit down with him to get his story. Critical to know first is that he opened the Rustic Thistle after serving as chef at Amangiri. His culinary education and experience is extensive.

“I've been in the food industry for about 30 years now,” he said. “I need to be doing something that I'm comfortable with doing, and I do extremely well. So I decided to go to culinary art school.”

James traveled when he was younger, and attended schools wherever he went. He first enrolled in the culinary arts program at Pikes Peak State College in Colorado Springs, Colo. He followed that at the Culinary Institute of Charleston in South Carolina. 

He completed his degree at the Keiser University Center for Culinary Arts in Tallahassee, Fla. His program coordinator recommended he apply for his required externship at some remote little resort in the boondocks of southern Utah he’d never heard of – called Amangiri.

After graduation, he was asked to stay on and he was a chef there for five years.

His experience at Amangiri let him prepare meals for people from all over the world. Because James grew up in the American South, he brought the rich, bold, spicy southern flavors of Asian and Creole to the refined palates who frequented this hidden gem in southern Utah. 

In the week I met James, I had breakfast at the Rustic Thistle three times. I had brisket for breakfast twice, tasting of Cajun and Creole spices. Each time my server was Justin, who, just like James, is a pro, friendly, knowledgeable and wants the people who come in to love it by the time they leave. Tip your server!

“What's on the menu is real,” Justin told me. “If it's a southern dish, it's because James didn't just make it up. He’s from the South, and that's where he learned it. It’s authentic.” 

James said his interest in cooking started with his grandmother. 

“My grandmother would cook grits on the wood stove before I went to school. So I got a lot of recipes from my grandmother. It was not written down, so it was experimental. Because she's not here, I prepare dishes that I remember.”

I know of no other restaurant that writes what it believes in large letters on the wall where everyone can see it. The Rustic Thistle proclaims that its mission is to have its guests enjoy “traditions of food for the soul.” 

“We are committed to providing an authentic and soulful dining experience, where every dish is made with love.” 

Love and soul. Hard to get better than that. It says a lot more. Go in and see for yourself. 

James, my new friend, breakfast was a sumptuous repast. I’m well replete!

Visit the Rustic Thistle website at rusticthistleeats.com to see its menu, more photos and recommendations and reviews.

 Phone 928-645-4907 | 626 N Navajo Dr, Page, AZ, United States