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Just as the Valley of the Sun has attracted visitors from around the world, it has also been attracting a record number of worldly residents. Fortunately for everyone, many of those people are skilled chefs and/or restaurateurs who have opted to share their gifts with the public.Phoenix and its surroundings have metamorphosed in
Just as the Valley of the Sun has attracted visitors from around the world, it has also been attracting a record number of worldly residents. Fortunately for everyone, many of those people are skilled chefs and/or restaurateurs who have opted to share their gifts with t
Just as the Valley of the Sun has attracted visitors from around the world, it has also been attracting a record number
Just as the Valley of the Sun has attracted visitors from around the world, it has also been attracting a record number of worldly residents. Fortunately for everyone, many of those people are skilled chefs and/or restaurateurs who have opted to share their gifts with the public.
Phoenix and its surroundings have metamorphosed into a melting pot for every type of cuisine imaginable: northern to Tuscan Italian; mom-and-pop to Mexico City Mexican; low-key Cuban to high-end French- and Greek-inspired Southwestern; Japanese- to Spanish-style tapas; and kosher to American classics with subtle ethnic twists.
Eateries like La Grande Orange grocery are revolutionizing Phoenix's "fast-food" concept with gourmet takeout. Four-star cuisine, some concocted by celebrity chefs, also awaits all over the Valley, from Kai in Chandler to Scottsdale's Bourbon Steak, along with Binkley's and Cafe Blink in nearby Carefree. Dotted with massive strip malls, Phoenix’s outskirts are becoming a haven of corporate eateries, but don't worry, there's plenty of divine, independent dining for all tastes and all trends in between.
Many of the best restaurants in the Valley are in resorts, camouflaged behind courtyard walls, or tucked away in shopping malls. Newer, upscale eateries are clustered along the Camelback Corridor—a veritable restaurant row, running west to east from Phoenix to Scottsdale—and in Scottsdale itself. Great Mexican food can be found throughout the Valley, but the most authentic spots are in North Central and South Phoenix.
Restaurants change hours, locations, chefs, prices, and menus frequently, so it's best to call ahead to confirm. Show up without a reservation during tourist season (October through mid-May), and you may have to head for a fast-food drive-through window to avoid a two-hour wait for a table.
A favorite for locals or those just passing through, Anita's Cocina serves reliable Mexican fare including fresh tamales for lunch or dinner and warm, sugary sopapillas (piping-hot, fried pastry pillows) for dessert.
57 N. Valentine St., Wickenburg, Arizona, 85390, USA
A Globe mainstay, Chalo's offers just what you'd expect from a small-town Mexican restaurant: old-school dishes and very few frills. Fortunately, what Chalo's lacks in aesthetics is offset by its great food. Try the savory stuffed sopapillas, filled with pork and beef, beans, and red or green chiles. It's a favorite among locals, so plan for an early lunch or dinner to avoid a wait.
Cave Creek's oldest restaurant is a rustic spot for barbecued pork ribs and steak, but the real star is the fried chicken. The quirky menu features a range of fare from soup "de joor" to Icelandic cod and carne asada.
6738 E. Cave Creek Rd., Cave Creek, Arizona, 85331, USA
Old West ambience emanates from every corner of the Tonto Bar & Grill, from the hand-carved ceiling beams to the latilla-covered (stick-covered) patios with views of the pristine Sonoran Desert. Try the cowboy Cobb salad or the Tonto burger piled with fried onions and cheddar for lunch; root beer–braised short ribs or onion-crusted walleye are good choices at dinner.
5736 E. Rancho Manana Blvd., Cave Creek, Arizona, 85331, USA
Smart and stylish, with impeccable service, the Ritz's Bistro 24 has one of the most attractive dining rooms in the Valley. Take a break from shopping at the nearby Biltmore Fashion Park and enjoy the largest Cobb salad in town. For dinner, try classic French steak au poivre with frites, grilled fish, or sushi. Happy hour is every day from 5 to 7 in the bar.
2401 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, Arizona, 85016, USA
The eating, drinking, and live entertainment are so great here that even Phoenician homebodies have been known to make the out-of-the-way journey. Some of acoustic music's finest artists perform at this peaceful venue, which claims to be Arizona's version of Austin City Limits. The eclectic menu offers breakfast burritos, artisanal sandwiches, salads, pizzas, antipasti, and sweets.
6033 E. Cave Creek Rd., Cave Creek, Arizona, 85327, USA
Some might remember this location as the Satisfied Frog, and while it keeps changing its name, locals still come here for beer, nachos, barbecue, and an authentic Cave Creek experience.
6245 E. Cave Creek Rd., Cave Creek, Arizona, 85327, USA
This local duo of Jewish delis came all the way from Brooklyn, and brought a wealth of other influences with it. Nancy and Steve Kashman's sumptuous omelets with crisp home fries, creatively blended salads, and piled-high sandwiches (like the Pennsylvania roast beef and Brie with mustard on baguette) cater to a large following of locals. Everything is deliciously fresh, and portions are generous. New York bagels (including the not-so-traditional multigrain, protein "power" bagel) are done the authentic way—boiled and baked on the premises using filtered water duplicated from New York City water samples. The matzo-ball soup is award-winning. Expect lines on weekends. There's another location at 32531 N. Scottsdale Road.
23425 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, Arizona, 85262, USA
This isn't your everyday Mexican restaurant, and the crowds that gather here in the evening show why. Start the night off right with a margarita or mojito, then order the cilantro mousse and prepare for a feast. House specialties include the pollo relleno, a chicken breast stuffed with poblano chiles, corn, caramelized onion, and goat cheese. For something a little more traditional, try Tia's enchiladas.
1044 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, Arizona, 85014, USA
Duc and Noelle Liao are a model couple, literally. The two met in Paris, where Duc worked as a fashion photographer and Noelle as a model. Now, the two are the hottest pair in pastry making. A graduate of Le Cordon Bleu, Duc Liao conjures up sublime creations, both salty and sweet, from jumbo shrimp in Japanese sauce to duck confit with pommes frites. Don't let the location in a strip mall fool you; this is a flavor trip all the way to France.
7620 E. Indian School Rd., Scottsdale, Arizona, 85251, USA
You may be in the middle of the desert, but the sushi here will make you think you're at the ocean's edge. Fresh yellowtail, toro, shrimp, scallops, freshwater eel, and even monkfish liver pâté are among the long list of delights. The best dish? Maybe it's the una-jyu (broiled freshwater eel with a sublime smoky scent) served over sweet rice. The fact that some people believe eel is an aphrodisiac only adds to its charm. The bento box is a good way to sample a variety of menu offerings.
7000 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, Arizona, 85254, USA
Located in Scottsdale Fashion Square, Z'Tejas serves tasty food and ample margaritas to soothe the shopping beast. Don't miss the guacamole, which is made tableside.
7014 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale, Arizona, 85251, USA
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