2 Out of 3 Best First Date Destinations in AZ Hidden in Maricopa

An exterior view of the McDonald’s restaurant at 20700 N. John Wayne Parkway on Nov. 25, 2024. [Monica D. Spencer]

The classic dinner-and-a-movie date night may endure, but it seems many Arizona gentlemen are opting for a more casual approach. A recent survey conducted by DatingNews.com revealed that 54% of men in Arizona prefer Chick-fil-A for a budget-friendly first date. The fast-food chain was closely followed by McDonald’s and Dairy Queen, showing a distinct trend towards accessible dining options.

Maricopa, despite lacking its own Chick-fil-A, finds its residents creatively compensating with alternatives. Local McDonald’s Manager Donald Dean noted a significant increase in couples dining at his establishment during homecoming. “I was surprised during homecoming how many people came in with their dates,” Dean shared. “They came in with the nice dresses and all. It was kind of cute.”

The findings indicate that many women are receptive to the fast-food date idea, with about two-thirds more likely to say yes to such an outing. Notably, 41% of respondents appreciated the fun aspect of the date, while 40% valued their date’s honesty regarding budget constraints.

Other economical first-date suggestions included coffee shops, home movie nights, and dining at food trucks, each preferred by approximately one-quarter of those surveyed. Some even favored the idea of a dollar-menu picnic, showing that romance doesn’t always have to be extravagant.

Monica is a government and economic development reporter for InMaricopa. Previously, she worked as a photographer for Mesa Community College’s student newspaper The Mesa Legend and interned with The Arizona Republic’s breaking news desk and visuals department. Reach her at monica@inmaricopa.com or on Twitter @monicadspencer.