Newcomers’ Guide on Where to Eat in Mesa: 3 Main Street Mainstays

Spending the day in Downtown Mesa? Don’t miss these three destination restaurants.

Worth Takeaway
The crispy chicken with house-made pickles and honey Sriracha is the masterpiece at this white-board-menu gourmet ’wich shop, but all 14 sandwiches are exhibit-worthy.
218 W Main St, Mesa
480-833-2180, worthtakeaway.com

Espiritu
At this gastropub, Bacanora mastermind Rene Andrade puts a chef-y spin on whole fried red snapper that’s a mind-blowing meld of moist, sweet flesh and ultra-crispy skin. Glazed in an oily finishing sauce of salsa macha, this blissfully crunchy dish is kinda like the chicharrones of fish.
123 W. Main St., Mesa
480-398-8129, espiritumesa.com

Que Chevere
Owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Orvid Cutler and Maria Fernanda, this Venezuelan restaurant evolved from a popular food truck. Now, arepas, empanadas and unique sandwiches can be enjoyed in a plainly furnished but charming little spot in downtown Mesa.
142 W. Main St., Mesa
480-474-4954, quechevereaz.com

This article first appeared in the 2023 City Guide, published by PHOENIX magazine in November 2022.