Look past the chains and you’ll find a treasure trove of ethnic eateries in the West Valley.
Arrowhead Grill
Steakhouse
8280 W. Union Hills Dr., Glendale
623-566-2224, arrowheadgrill.com
Chef-owner Charles Schwerd has manned the grill for Mastro’s, Ruth’s Chris and, most recently, John Elway’s Denver steakhouse. While steaks occupy the front burner, there are seafood options and enough hearty appetizers and salads for eaters to craft a lighter meal. $$$
Colados Coffee & Crepes
Coffee/breakfast
10685 W. Indian School Rd., Avondale, 623-215-3826, coladoscoffee.com
The crêpes at this Avondale crêperie are thicker, sturdier, a little more browned and a little more generously packed with ingredients than your average French pancake. The Morning, stuffed with bacon, eggs, cheese and peppers, would be easy to scarf any time of day. The Chipotle, with drizzles of its eponymous sauce over ham and spinach, is messy and not as fiery as its name suggests. On the sweet side, the standout is the Nutella, with bananas, strawberries and a dollop of whipped cream. $
Cucina Tagliani
Italian
17045 N. 59th Ave., Glendale
602-547-2782, cucinatagliani.com
Exposed brick, weathered doors and grape leaves give this popular Westsider a cozy Old-World feeling. Customers love the “Pick a Pasta,” first choosing a pasta, then a sauce, then ingredients, such as eggplant or prosciutto, to add. $-$$
Dapper & Stout
Coffee/Treats
6409 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale
623-934-1226, dapperandstout.com
Top-notch pastries and panini at this hot spot near downtown Glendale. Get the banana Nutella French toast. $
Dazzo’s Dog House
American
6143 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale
623-934-3536, dazzosdoghouse.com
The Chicago native Dazzo family has been running this joint since 1979. Feast on a Chi-Town smorgasbord of Italian beef sandwiches, Chicago tamales and fries, along with the expected Chicago dogs and bratwurst selections. $
Don Ruben’s
Mexican
4323 W. Cactus Rd., Glendale
602-866-2900, donrubensmexicanfood.com
This cozy, family-owned neighborhood favorite serves Mexican and American classics, from carnitas to grilled cheese. Get the plato magnifico for a sampling of la comida mexicana, and try one of their premium margaritas. $-$$
Fabio on FIre
8275 W. Lake Pleasant Pkwy., Peoria, 623-680-5385, fabioonfire.com
Owned by Fabio and Jenny Ceschetti, this bistro turns out Italian classics – cioppino, -roasted lamb, lasagne – as well as terrific wood-fired pizzas that could go crust-to-crust with the best pies in metro Phoenix. No surprise: Fabio is a third-generation pizzaiolo from Northern Italy. $$
Flavors of Louisiana
Cajun/Creole
13025 W. Rancho Santa Fe Blvd., Avondale,
623-935-2357, flavorsoflouisianacajun.com
Forget blackened, salty faux Cajun. Baton Rouge native Jennifer Landry Goff runs this little slice of the bayou, specializing in scratch-made specialties like jambalaya, gumbo and shrimp étouffée and boudin balls. Other location: Tempe (480-590-5634). $-$$
Ground Control
American
4860 N. Litchfield Rd., Litchfield Park
623-535-9066, groundxcontrol.com
This gastropub/coffee shop/gelateria/wine bar has something for everyone morning, noon and night. Excellent pizzas, panini, and specialty coffee drinks. $
Hash Kitchen
Breakfast/brunch
9780 W. Northern Ave., Peoria, 623-471-5471, hashkitchen.com
From Valley dining scion Joey Maggiore comes this chic brunch spot. Expect hearty egg dishes including brisket and corn bread hash, a great Spanish frittata and a fiery Mexicana scramble, all of which are made to pair with the build-your-own Bloody Mary bar featuring 40 craft toppings. Burgers and sandwiches complement sweeter offerings such as lemon-ricotta pancakes and macaroon-like coconut-almond French toast. $-$$
Haus Murphy’s
German
5739 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, 623-939-2480, hausmurphys.com
Don’t let the “Murphy’s” moniker throw you. Brett and Rose Hoffmann’s kitschy, cozy German restaurant is full Teuton. All the classics are here – bratwurst, sauerkraut, sauerbraten, a half-dozen schnitzels, strudel and tortes – but take a gamble on the chocolate sauerkraut cake, which is much better than it sounds. $$
Kiss the Cook
American
4915 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, 623-939-4663, kissthecookrestaurant.com
Eating in Nancy Wallace’s Downtown Glendale restaurant feels like dining at your kooky aunt’s house – huge portions, lots of love and kitschy art (wicker baskets hang from the ceiling and stuffed cats hold court on shelves). Wallace’s omelets are cheesy, her pecan cinnamon rolls are sticky and her signature “baker’s basket” of assorted fresh mini muffins is extra comforting. $
Litchfield’s
American
300 E. Wigwam Blvd., (Wigwam Resort), Litchfield Park
623-935-3811, wigwamarizona.com
Expect delicious, organic foods like yellowfin tuna with watermelon, avocado, cucumber and radish; homemade pastas; risotto and fresh fish. Great steaks and chops, too. $$$
Mariscos Ensenada
Mexican/Seafood
4130 N. 27th Ave., Phoenix
602-265-6525
This local restaurant chain is popular, and for good reason. The fish is fresh, simple and delicious. Try whole fish al mojo de ajo, and don’t miss the smoked marlin tacos. Other locations: Glendale (623-845-0513), Phoenix (602-353-8880). $-$$$
Mochilero Kitchen
Latin
6791 W. Happy Valley Rd., Peoria, 623-440-5588, mochilerokitchen.com
This colorful Latin restaurant is the brainchild of siblings Jorge Cota and Meliza Miranda, who had the dandy idea to bring regional Mexican cuisine to an underserved area of town. Even those farther afield should visit to feast on Yucatán-inspired guacamole with crispy plantains, Michoacán’s succulent carnitas and Baja’s famed fish tacos, all in one place. Bring it all home to the Sonoran Desert with a prickly pear paloma. $$
Osteria Mia
Italian
2530 W. Happy Valley Rd., Phoenix, 623-434-4604, osteriamia.com
This hip, high-ceilinged Italian bistro and wine bar in the Norterra shopping complex offers modern Italian favorites, from Parm-flecked artichokes with lemony aioli to balsamic-drizzled Brussels sprouts. The menu’s greatest strengths, however, may be thin-crust wood-fired pizzas and house-made pastas. $$
Pho Avina
Vietnamese
4920 W. Thunderbird Rd., Glendale, 602-439-2547, phoavina.com
Head to this gem for an inexpensive and satisfying meal crafted from creative appetizers: banh xeo, a rice crêpe filled with seasoned bean sprouts, pork and shrimp, and bo tai chanh, a lime-marinated, rare beef salad served with rice crackers. Also wonderful: the pho, crunchy egg rolls and fresh spring rolls. $
Phoenix Coquí
Puerto Rican
4041 N. 15th Ave., Phoenix 602-248-3153
Business and life partners Alexis Carbajal and Juan Alberto Ayala launched their Puerto Rican food truck in 2017, naming it for the archipelago’s native tree frog, famous for its loud whistle. Now, the couple has set up shop in the original location of beloved Valley gyro spot Crazy Jim’s, painting the walls in bright colors while keeping the humble, homey vibe. Ayala cooks from the recipes of his abuela, turning out starchy classics like buttery, flaky empanadillas stuffed with picadillo, chicken or mushrooms; and garlic-lashed mofongo, a West African-influenced dish of mashed fried plantains and pork cracklings. $-$$
Peoria Artisan Brewery
American
10144 N. Lake Pleasant Pkwy., Peoria, 623-572-2816, peoriaartisanbrewing.com
Chef Michael Mahalick’s menu is more elegantly executed than the beer-pub norm. Chicken bites boast crisp, crackling skin and the IPA-brined main dishes and beer-based desserts cater to the craft-brew base. $
PT Noodles
Vietnamese
1375 N. Litchfield Rd., Goodyear, 623-536-2099, ptnoodles.com
All the classics are here – pho, banh mi, spring rolls, rice vermicelli and rice dishes. $
Revolu
Modern Mexican
15703 N. 83rd Ave., Peoria
623-878-0215, revolutaqueria.com
Come for the tacos (we’re partial to the carnitas and the El Potato Head, stuffed with chipotle smashed potatoes and chipotle aioli), stay for the tequila and cocktails made with fresh fruit juices. The mangorita is a highlight. $$
Rio Mirage Café
Mexican
12245 Santa Fe Dr., El Mirage
623-583-7708, riomiragecafe.com
Located on the access road where the railroad track crosses Grand Avenue, this modest place is hard to find but worth the search. Just ask the hungry folks who often spill out the door waiting their turn to enjoy fajitas, enchiladas, chimichangas and specialty burritos like the carnitas with ranchero sauce. Other location: Surprise (623-975-1527). $$
Saffron Indian Bistro
Indian
4330 W. Union Hills Dr., Glendale
623-581-7576, saffronarizona.com
The focus is on complex and palatable homemade fare such as creamy butter chicken, spicy black pepper shrimp and dark, rich tikka masala. Most dishes are milder than the norm here – even the onion-rich pepper gravy of chicken vindaloo barely registers any heat. $-$$
Saigon Kitchen
Vietnamese
14071 W. Bell Rd., Surprise
623-544-6400, saigonkitchenaz.com
With time-honored family recipes in their arsenal, the Tran siblings bring Vietnamese staples up a notch with dishes like shaken beef, filet mignon sizzling on a steel and wood plank. They offer a few incredbile Thai dishes as well, including pad Thai, six different kinds of curry and Thai fried rice. For dessert, cool off with fried ice cream. $$
Siam Thai Kitchen
Thai
5008 W. Northern Ave., Glendale
623-931-2102, siamthaicuisine.com
Try the Siam beef, chicken satay, duck with pineapple curry and tom ka gai soup at this attractive neighborhood restaurant. The owners operate an adjacent import grocery store. $
Takamatsu
Japanese/Korean
4214 W. Dunlap Ave., Phoenix
623-842-0400, takatucson.net
This Japanese-Korean restaurant sports a sushi bar and tabletop grills for Korean barbecue. Don’t miss the sweet potato noodles with veggies. $$-$$$
Ugly Tuna Sushi
Japanese/sushi
15459 W. Bell Rd., Surprise 623-248-1957, uglytunasushi.com
Despite the cruel and hurtful name, there’s nothing unappealing about this Surprise sushi bar. Sweet and savory find a delicate balance in such well-executed classics as the eel-topped Dragon roll. $$-$$$
Urban Margarita
Mexican
6685 W. Beardsley Rd., Glendale
623-561-6674, urbanmargarita.com
Alongside a wide variety of cosmopolitan tequila and lime concoctions, this Mexican gastropub offers a menu of slyly uptown tacos. The shrimp boasts cubes of mango offset by sriracha; the Baja has cod, cabbage and a mild sauce; and the carne asada carries a hint of orangey citrus. $$
Vogue Bistro
French/American
15411 W. Waddell Rd., Surprise
623-544-9109, voguebistro.com
Opt for a seat on the intimate patio and enjoy a martini while watching the sun set over the White Tank Mountains. The menu offers traditional French fare like coq au vin chicken as well as American comfort food with Gallic flair. If rabbit or cassoulet are offered as specials, don’t hesitate. Reservations recommended. $$-$$$
This article first appeared in the 2023 City Guide, published by PHOENIX magazine in November 2022.
