Fabio on Fire
Italian
8275 W. Lake Pleasant Pkwy, Peoria
623-680-5385, fabioonfire.com
Chef-owner Fabio Ceschetti has most assuredly reached ignition. As a third generation pizzaiolo, the guy is passionate about his excellent pies. This cute, cozy trattoria with patio is also a North Peoria go-to for excellent pasta and daily specials such as roast lamb, veal piccata and cioppino. $$
Abuelo’s
Mexican
16092 N. Arrowhead Fountains Center Dr., Peoria
623-878-8282, abuelos.com
Constructed to look like a Mexican hacienda, these Texas-based corporate restaurants offer hearty Mexican food with a decidedly Tex-Mex accent. Expect large portions and lots of spice. Save room for chocolate flan. Other location: Chandler (480-855-0960). $-$$
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. $-$$
Cuff
American
7021 N 58th Ave., Glendale
623-847-8890, cuffglendale.com
Sweet Carolina barbecue sauce and melt-in-your-mouth meat make the pork shoulder sandwich at this homey Glendale gastropub a must-try, but the true standout is the Piggyback Burger, a half-pound beef burger topped with house-smoked pulled pork. Thoughtful vegan options and craft cocktails round out the diverse menu. $-$$
Dazzo’s Dog House
American
6143 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale
623-934-3536, dazzosdoghouse.com
The Chicago native Dazzo brothers and their families have been running this joint since 1979. Grab a hot dog, Polish dog or bratwurst or feast on a Chi-Town smorgasbord of Italian beef sandwiches, chili dogs, pizza puffs, Chicago tamales and fresh-cut fries. Cash only. $
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 specialties like fish ceviche tostada, strewn with avocado and drizzled with gutsy salsa negra. $$
Litchfield’s
American
300 E. Wigwam Blvd. (Wigwam Resort), Litchfield Park
623-935-3811, wigwamarizona.com
Expect delicious, locally sourced cuisine at this respected resort restaurant, like a butter flight appetizer and desert sage rabbit pasta featuring homemade pappardelle and maitake mushrooms. $$$
Mochilero Kitchen
Latin
6791 W. Happy Valley Rd., Peoria
623-440-5588, mochilerokitchen.com
This chic 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. $$
Pho Avina
Vietnamese
4920 W. Thunderbird Rd., Glendale
602-439-2547, phoavina.com
Head to this gem for an inexpensive and satisfying meal crafted from creative appetizers: banh xeo, a rice crêpe filled with seasoned bean sprouts, pork and shrimp, and bo tai chanh, a lime-marinated, rare beef salad served with rice crackers. $
Rio Mirage Café y Cantino
Mexican
12245 Santa Fe Dr., El Mirage
623-583-7708, riomiragecafe.com
Located on the access road where the railroad track crosses Grand Avenue, this modest place is hard to find but worth the search. Just ask the hungry folks who often spill out the door waiting their turn to enjoy fajitas, enchiladas, chimichangas and specialty burritos. Other location: Surprise (623-214-3651). $$
Saigon Kitchen
Vietnamese
14071 W. Bell Rd., Ste. 101, Surprise
623-544-6400, saigon-kitchen.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. $$
Takamatsu
Japanese/Korean
4214 W. Dunlap Ave., Phoenix
623-842-0400, takamatsurestaurant.com
This restaurant sports a sushi bar as well as tabletop, do-it-yourself grills for Korean barbecue. Try the kalbi dolsot bibimbap (marinated beef short ribs served with vegetables and white rice in a sizzling stone bowl), served with a spread of pickled vegetables for intrepid sampling. $$-$$$
Urban Agave
Mexican
685 W. Beardsley Rd., Glendale
623-561-6674, urban-agave.com
Alongside a wide variety of suavely cosmopolitan tequila and lime concoctions in “house or skinny” form, this Mexican gastropub has a menu of slyly upscale tacos. The shrimp boasts cubes of mango offset by a sriracha that puts up a little fight; the Baja has cod, cabbage and a mild sauce; and the carne asada carries a hint of orangey citrus in the marinade, as it does in the fine carne asada tostado. $$
Vogue Bistro
French/American
15411 W. Waddell Rd., Surprise
623-544-9109, voguebistro.com
For a taste of ol’ Paris in the Valley, head west. When the weather cools, opt for a seat on Vogue Bistro’s intimate patio and enjoy a designer 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, like award-winning meatloaf in a rich Sherry sauce. If rabbit or cassoulet are offered as specials, don’t hesitate. Reservations recommended. $$-$$$
About this guide
The restaurants listed are noteworthy and randomly selected from our rotating master list. We suggest that you confirm information, and we solicit your help in correcting any errors in the guide. We also ask readers to send us complaints in writing when one of the listed restaurants fails to meet expectations. Please note that, unless otherwise indicated, the listed restaurants offer free parking and recommend reservations for peak hours and large groups. Price categories reflect average dinner entrée prices; drinks, tax and tip are extra.
$=under $10
$$=$11-$15
$$$=$16-$25
$$$$=$26 and over
