Each month, we of the PHOENIX magazine creative team ask ourselves a different question about our favorite dining and drinking experiences in the Valley. Our picks are usually hidden in the back of the magazine among our Dining Guide restaurant listings. Not any more. Our picks are going digital! Feel free to follow us on social media (at least, those of us who tweet) and be sure to tag us (@PhoenixMagazine on Twitter and @PHXMagazine on Instagram) on pics of your favorite picks.
In honor of our first Escape to the Coast cover story in the May issue we're asking ourselves, Which Valley dish screams "California"?
Craig Outhier, editor
"There's a strong case to be made that Hawaiian-style pizza was invented in California, and my favorite will always be the Sweet Pig at BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse. I spent many a summer day in Newport Beach with my high school friends, splashing around, getting sunburned and stuffing ourselves with Sweet Pigs at the original BJ's. And now they're in Arizona, too. Yay."
Leah LeMoine, managing editor
"The 'seasonal California cuisine' at The Greene House is always a winner. I love the Asian chicken salad with Napa cabbage, lettuce, wontons and ginger-miso vinaigrette. That salad and a fresh-pressed Sweet Karma juice from Juby True make me feel like a Californian."
Lauren Loftus, associate editor
"La Santisima's Baja Sur dogfish shark taco. I'm from San Diego and like to consider myself something of a Baja fish taco connoisseur. This is the most legit I've had in Phoenix: crunch, beer-battered fish, cabbage, white sauce, corn tortilla. Nothing fancy, but oh so good."
Follow on Twitter: @thelaurenloftus
Mirelle Inglefield, art director
"Anything with avocado? I'll take it, please! Tableside guacamole at Barrio Cafe or The Mission, fried guacamole at The Coronado, avocado toast at First Watch, extra avocado on the inside-out quinoa burger at True Food Kitchen and avocado hummus at Flower Child. Can anyone suggest a chilled avocado soup or gazpacho?"
Follow on Twitter: @MirelleMeow
Angelina Aragon, associate art director
"Baja fish tacos from Joyride Taco House: fresh grilled fish, guacamole, Mexican slaw, 'pico gringo' and 'white magic.' They remind of sitting on the beach with a nice breeze and eating some delicious fish tacos."
Follow on Twitter: @absolutely_ange
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