Look past the chains and you’ll find a treasure trove of ethnic eateries in the West Valley.
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. $
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 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. $$$
Bangkok Thai
Thai
13828 N. 51st Ave., Glendale, 602-993-2046, bangkokthaiglendale.com
Wimpy palates need not apply at this homey-looking West Valley operation, where the Thai food is authentic and plenty hot. Try the pad prik king, the larb, the curries and the excellent soups for proof. $-$$
CHAR Pizza Napoletana
Pizza
25101 N. Lake Pleasant Pkwy., Peoria, 623-249-5366, charpizzeria.com
Design your own Neapolitan-style pie at CHAR, choosing from sauces, toppings and even doneness level. Specialty pizzas like the garlic lobster, bacon and corn, farmers market and capricciosa do the flavor-pairing for you. $-$$
Colados Coffee & Crepes
Coffee/breakfast
The crêpes at this Avondale crêperie are thicker, sturdier, a little more browned and a little more generously packed with ingredients than your average French pancake. The Morning, stuffed with bacon, eggs, cheese and peppers, would be easy to scarf any time of day. The Chipotle, with drizzles of its eponymous sauce over ham and spinach, is messy and not as fiery as its name suggests. $
Cuff
American
5819 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, 623-847-8890, cuffglendale.com
Sweet Carolina barbecue sauce and melt-in-your-mouth meat make the pork shoulder sandwich at this homey Glendale gastropub a must-try. $-$$
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 brats and hot dogs. $
Dillon’s
Barbecue
20585 N. 59th Ave., Glendale, 623-566-8100, dillonsrestaurant.com
This rambling, down-home restaurant is beloved for its barbecued ribs and chicken, pecan-smoked and served with comforting sides including mashed potatoes, steak fries and macaroni and cheese. $-$$
El Heroico Guaymas
Mexican
6750 W. Peoria Ave., Peoria 623-248-1734, heroicoguaymasrestaurant.com
You’ve had Sonoran cuisine – but have you tried Sonoran coastal cuisine? The menu features the usual mariscos – seafood apps, tacos, et al – as well as Guaymas region specialties like fish ceviche tostada. $$
Eric’s Family Barbecue
Barbecue
12345 W. Indian School Rd., Avondale, 623-248-0148, ericsfamilybbq.com
The West Valley’s best barbecue joint specializes in Central-Texas-style brisket, rubbed with little more than salt and pepper and smoked over mesquite, until it reaches a lovely ratio of carmelized bark to fatty flesh. $$
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill
American
16067 N. Arrowhead Fountain Center Dr., Peoria, 623-773-0500, firebirdsrestaurants.com
High ceilings, mounted elk heads and a massive fireplace lend a rustic look to this handsome restaurant. Steak is the specialty here, but look for good seafood selections as well. $$-$$
Flavors of Louisiana
Cajun/Creole
13025 W. Rancho Santa Fe Blvd., Avondale, 623-935-2357, flavorsoflouisianacajun.com
Forget faux Cajun. Baton Rouge native Jennifer Goff runs this little slice of the bayou, specializing in scratch-made jambalaya, gumbo and shrimp étouffée. $-$$
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
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. $-$$
Haus Murphy’s
German
5739 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, 623-939-2480, hausmurphys.com
Don’t let the “Murphy’s” moniker throw you. Brett and Rose Hoffmann’s kitschy, cozy German restaurant is full Teuton. All the classics are here – bratwurst, sauerkraut, sauerbraten, a half-dozen schnitzels, strudel and tortes. $$
La Piazza al Forno
Pizza/Italian
5803 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, 623-847-3301, lapiazzaalforno.com
Chef Justin Piazza tops his hand-tossed, wood-fired crust with San Marzano tomatoes and homemade mozzarella. Try the garlicky white pizza or the meaty Italian Stallion. $-$$$
Litchfield’s
American
300 E. Wigwam Blvd., (Wigwam Resort), Litchfield Park, 623-935-3811, wigwamarizona.com
Expect delicious, organic foods like blistered shishito peppers, roasted squash soup and pecan wood fired prime beef; homemade pastas; risotto and fresh fish. Reimagined cocktails like a smoked old fashioned, citrus highball and copper cosmopolitan are an homage to Arizona. $$$
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). $-$$$
Phoenix Coquí
Puerto Rican
4041 N. 15th Ave., Phoenix 602-248-3153
Business and life partners Alexis Carbajal and Juan Alberto Ayala have set up shop in the original location of beloved Valley gyro spot Crazy Jim’s. Ayala cooks from the recipes of his abuela, turning out starchy classics like buttery, flaky empanadillas stuffed with picadillo, chicken or mushrooms; and garlic-lashed mofongo, a West African-influenced dish of mashed fried plantains and pork cracklings. $-$$
Peoria Artisan Brewery
American
10144 N. Lake Pleasant Pkwy., Peoria, 623-572-2816, peoriaartisanbrewing.com
Like the décor, chef Michael Mahalick’s people-pleasing menu is more elegantly executed than the beer-pub norm. Chicken bites, traditionally a prosaic staple of kiddie menus, boast the crisp, crackling skin of quality Southern fried chicken, and the IPA-brined main dishes and beer-based deserts effectively cater to the craft-brew base. $
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. $$
Rio Mirage Café
Mexican
12245 Santa Fe Dr., El Mirage, 623-583-7708, riomiragecafe.com
Located on the access road where the railroad track crosses Grand Avenue, this modest place is hard to find but worth the search. Just ask the hungry folks who often spill out the door waiting their turn to enjoy fajitas, enchiladas, chimichangas and specialty burritos. $$
Saddle Mountain Brewing Company
American
15651 W. Roosevelt St., Goodyear, 623-249-5520, saddlemountainbrewing.com
This Goodyear brewery is running with the big dogs these days, having won the silver medal at the World Beer Cup and the gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival for its Taildragger Clan-Destine. Try the Reuben sliders with sauerkraut and spiked Russian dressing, spicy Jalapeño Bomber dip, Irish eggrolls with corned beef and coleslaw and the Thai pizza with fire-roasted chicken, shredded carrots and chile sauce. $
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. $-$$
Saigon Kitchen
Vietnamese
14071 W. Bell Rd., Surprise, 623-544-6400,saigonkitchenaz.com
With time-honored Vietnamese family recipes in their arsenal, the Tran siblings – Dennis, Hue and Lan – bring staples up a notch with dishes like shaken beef, featuring richly sauced filet mignon sizzling on a steel and wood plank. $$
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. $
Sofia’s Mexican Cuisine
Mexican
4323 W. Cactus Rd., Glendale, 602-866-2900, sofiasmexican.com
This cozy neighborhood favorite serves Mexican classics, from carne asada burros to green corn tamales. $-$$
Sumo Snow
Asian/treats
16487 W. Bell Rd., Surprise, 623-322-1749, sumosnow.com
Known for its stunning variety of drinks – slushies, boba, milk tea, coffee and citrus refreshers – and shave ice “snow,” Sumo Snow also boasts a slew of edible goodies. Enjoy seasonal macarons, triple chocolate mousse cake and Hong Kong bubble waffles in flavors ranging from ube to matcha. $
Takamatsu
Japanese/Korean
4214 W. Dunlap Ave., Phoenix, 623-842-0400, takatucson.net
This Japanese-Korean restaurant sports a sushi bar, as well as tabletop, do-it-yourself grills for Korean barbecue. The Korean food packs an unbelievable flavor punch. Try the kalbi dolsot bibimbap (marinated beef short ribs served with vegetables and white rice in a sizzling stone bowl), served with a spread of pickled vegetables for intrepid sampling. $$-$$$
Thai Orchid Garden
Thai
12725 W. Indian School Rd., Avondale, 623-536-2800, thaiorchidgardenaz.com
Reliable Thai classics in a colorful, brightly lit sliver of a restaurant. Curries and lemongrass-scented soups are complex yet comforting, while noodle dishes like pad Thai, pad see ew and lard na are flavorfully sauced and loaded with veggies. $-$$
Ugly Tuna Sushi
Japanese/sushi
15459 W. Bell Rd., Surprise 623-248-1957, uglytunasushi.com
Sweet and savory find a delicate balance in such well-executed classics as the eel-topped Dragon Roll. $$-$$$
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. $$-$$$
