Woo Woo Burgers
The next time you want a quick burger, bypass fast-food chains and opt for this local concept operating out of a Z’Tejas. Nothing fancy, just a basic good burger, chicken strips, onion rings and seasoned fries handed to you through a takeout window. 8300 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdale, 480-770-9820, woowooburgers.com
Christopher’s at Wrigley Mansion
The modern, minimalist building, mostly glass, is stunning, as are the views of the city from this hilltop aerie. Meanwhile, James Beard Award-winning chef Christopher Gross offers a multi-course feast of French-inspired, globally accented, utterly jaw-dropping food, best appreciated with brilliant wine pairings from the city’s biggest and best wine cellar. 2501 E. Telawa Trail, Phoenix, 602-522-2344, wrigleymansion.com
Kevin Binkley of Binkley’s Restaurant
The passion, the integrity, the creativity, the technical proficiency, the evolution in style… hell, even the résumé. Binkley’s got it all – just not the recognition, an oversight that befuddles industry pros like Christopher Gross and Howard Seftel, who maintain – as we do – that he deserved the Beard 10 years ago. 2320 E. Osborn Rd., Phoenix, 602-388-4874, Joy Bus Diner
Founded by chef-owner Jennifer Caraway, this gourmet-comfort-food café is the nonprofit offshoot of The Joy Bus, a roaming delivery service that brings chef-crafted meals to cancer patients. Every made-to-order breakfast and lunch by famed chef Josh Hebert is made from comestibles donated by a host of local chefs and restaurant owners, and every penny goes back into the Joy Bus charity. 3375 E. Shea Blvd., Phoenix, 602-595-5884, thejoybusdiner.com
Cloth & Flame
Everything Cloth & Flame does looks like it’s ripped out of a magazine – and it’s yours, for a price. A Cloth & Flame dinner isn’t cheap (typically around $200 per person), but it’s magical – under the stars in the Superstitions, outdoors at Arcosanti, in a stylishly dilapidated icehouse Downtown. These people have scouted all the best locations, and they put their stamp – from soup to nuts and tablescaping to die for – on every event. 734 W. Polk St., Phoenix, 480-428-6028, clothandflame.com
SRP PAB Café
If you don’t mind showing your ID, getting a visitor’s pass and traversing a metal detector, you’ll find an above-average and affordable workplace cafeteria here. Try the green chile burger or the hearty chili. Afterward, walk off your lunch looking at the interesting artifacts in the SRP heritage center. 1500 N. Mill Ave., Tempe, 602-236-8888, srpnet.com
Guy Fieri + Chase Field
401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, mlb.com/dbacks/ballpark
Barcoa Agaveria + Xico
829 N. First Ave., Phoenix; 602-980-0788, barcoaphx.com
Best Ghost Kitchen
Best Place to Impress Out-of-Towners
Best Chef Who Hasn’t Won a James Beard Award… Yet
binkleysrestaurant.com
Best Place to Do Good and Eat Well
Best Visionary Dinner Events
Best Lunch Behind Security
Best F&B Collaboration
Xico: 480-833-5875, xicoinc.org
2022 Best of the Valley Food Scene
Editorial StaffJuly 1, 2022
