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
$$$$=$26 and over
Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co.
American/Brewpub
721 N. Arizona Ave., Gilbert
480-497-2739, azwbeer.com
AZ Wilderness has an outdoorsy vibe, reflected in lodgepole furnishings, beam ceilings and national forest signage. Yet the brews here are remarkably light and refined. Grub is a heavier affair, with Belgian waffle-battered onion rings, pork-smothered fries and a glut of tacos leading the charge. $-$$
Blue Wasabi Sushi & Martini Bar
Sushi
2080 E. Williams Field Rd., Gilbert
480-722-9250, bluewasabisushi.com
Panels of multi-colored glass dominate the décor at this small sushi bar. The hip menu features sushi rolls filled with surprising ingredients – seared beef, mango, Fritos. $$-$$$
Casa Reynoso
Mexican
3138 S. Mill Ave., Tempe
480-966-0776, casareynoso.com
One of the East Valley’s oldest and most popular restaurants, Casa Reynoso offers all the usual Sonoran favorites in a comfortable, old-fashioned setting. $
DC Steakhouse
Steak
180 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler
480-899-4400, dc-steakhouse.com
This cozy classic spot in Chandler’s historic square is fully loaded with a menu featuring steaks, chops, salads and sandwiches. The restaurant also features a selection of fresh seafood specials, including jumbo shrimp and Alaskan king crab legs. $$-$$$$
Ghost Ranch
Southwestern
1006 E. Warner Rd., Tempe
480-474-4328, ghostranchaz.com
Sure, you could eat a juicy, outrageously good green chile burger at this elegant ode to Southwestern cuisine, but then you’d miss out on wonderful dishes that redefine the genre. The grilled trout is sensational, as are the pollo asado and ceviche. $$-$$$
The Halal Guys
Middle Eastern
1015 S. Rural Rd., Tempe
480-275-7502, thehalalguys.com
Decorated in red and yellow – the latter color an homage to the Muslim cabbies who were early customers – The Halal Guys has morphed from Manhattan food cart to multinational fast food chain. Regulars love chicken, gyros and falafel platters with plenty of the eatery’s signature white sauce. Check online for other locations. $
La Ristra
New Mexican
638 E. Warner Rd., Gilbert
480-545-2880, laristraaz.com
Spicy and approachable, this relative of the Los Dos Molinos restaurant empire shines with updated takes on time-tested New Mexican family recipes. Come for the sizzling New Mexican chile, linger for the heavy-duty menu of premium tequilas. $$
Mikado
Japanese/sushi
3125 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler
480-726-0255, mikadosushiaz.com
Except for the imaginative maki-zushi, there’s nothing trendy about this cozy neighborhood Japanese restaurant and sushi bar, which offers oshibori and old-school hospitality. Good tempura and udon. $-$$
Nocawich
Sandwiches
777 S. College Ave., Tempe
480-758-5322, nocawich.com
Eliot Wexler’s gourmet sandwich spinoff of his erstwhile Noca eatery features thoughtful and composed creations put together with exceptional ingredients. Try the patty melt – a deliciously messy and substantial creation centered around a well-seasoned Snake River Kobe beef patty surrounded by gooey gruyère, grilled onions, pickles and a thin, wine-enriched Bordelaise sauce between grilled marbled rye. $
Original Cuisine
Chinese/Sichuan
1853 W. Broadway Rd., Mesa
602-625-4405, originalcuisineaz.com
An offshoot of one of California’s most admired restaurants, this Chinese eatery really brings the heat, specializing in the one-two punch of ma la – dried red chiles and tongue-numbing Sichuan peppercorns, an acquired taste for some. For more nuance, start with mapo tofu – silky cubes of tofu bathed in a gravy-like sauce of chile oil, doubanjiang (spicy fermented bean paste), Sichuan peppercorns, garlic and ginger. $-$$
Pedal Haus Brewery
American/Gastropub
730 S. Mill Ave., Tempe
480-314-2337, pedalhausbrewery.com
This buzzy, bike-themed brewery is arguably restaurateur Julian Wright’s most popular concept. Meaty pub grub such as smoked chicken wings, burgers and crispy pork schnitzel are balanced with a vegan menu of pizza, cauliflower wings and a Mediterranean board. Lots of gluten-friendly options, too, including gluten-reduced beers. Multiple locations. $$
Pesto’s
Italian
1960 W. Ray Rd., Chandler
480-821-2949, pestospizza.com
Weekend nights, this cute and affordable neighborhood Italian resto is packed with locals, there for the gourmet pies, eggplant rollatini, shrimp marinara and signature pesto – served on or in just about everything. Great wine list, too. $$-$$$
Rancho de Tia Rosa
Mexican
891 N. Higley Rd., Gilbert
480-396-8787, ranchodetiarosa.com
A longtime favorite for quality Mexican cuisine in the East Valley, Tia Rosa offers familiar Sonoran standbys, as well as extra-regional specialties such as a toothsome, semi-sweet chicken mole and first-rate carnitas. Other location: Mesa (480-659-8787). $
SanTan Brewing Company
American
8 S. San Marcos Plaza, Chandler
480-917-8700, santanbrewing.com
Anthony Canecchia, who earned his stripes at Four Peaks, is owner/brewmaster at this friendly, lively neighborhood pub, offering vastly different ales and lagers as well as the pub grub to go with them. Get there early and grab a seat at the long indoor-outdoor bar. $$
Tao Garden
Chinese
2050 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler
480-857-4188, taogardendining.com
Seafood is the specialty at this friendly Hong Kong-style restaurant, so expect to find everything from oysters, crab and lobster to tilapia and catfish. The gigantic menu also features soups, noodles and hot pots, and everything is first-rate. $-$$
Vincitorio’s Restaurant
Italian
1835 E. Elliot Rd., Tempe
480-820-2786, vincitoriosrestaurant.com
Stylishly decorated but ultimately cozy, Vincitorio’s is the quintessential neighborhood Italian restaurant, offering house-made pastas, tasty pizzas and old standbys such as chicken saltimbocca, done with real flair. Don’t skip starters or dessert. $$-$$$
Zu Izakaya
Japanese
2210 N. Scottsdale Rd., Tempe
480-625-4372, zuizakaya.com
Owned by chef June Kang of Scottsdale’s Bei Sushi, Zu captures the spirit of a Japanese izakaya pub without its more traditional trappings. A massive menu of tempura, hot pots and grilled meats includes gyoza, chile-garlic edamame and tempura sweet potatoes, with fried cheese SPAM katsu sliders for more adventurous appetites. $-$$
