Arrowhead Grill
Steak
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. $$-$$$
Cucina Tagliani
Italian
17045 N. 59th Ave., Glendale
602-547-2782, cucinatagliani.com
Exposed brick, weathered doors and grape leaves give this popular West-sider 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. $$
Dazzo’s Dog House
American
6143 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale
623-934-3536, dazzosdoghouse.com
The Chicago native Dazzo brothers and their families have been running this joint since 1979. Grab a hot dog, Polish dog or bratwurst or feast on a Chi-Town smorgasbord of Italian beef sandwiches, chili dogs, pizza puffs, Chicago tamales and fresh-cut fries. Cash only. $
Eric’s Family Barbecue
Barbecue
12345 W. Indian School Rd., Avondale
623-248-0148, ericsfamilybbq.com
The West Valley’s best new barbecue joint specializes in Central-Texas-style brisket, rubbed with little more than salt and pepper and smoked over mesquite, until it reaches a lovely ratio of caramelized bark to fatty flesh. Also pay heed to the pulled pork, pork ribs and uniformly delicious sides. $$
Flavors of Louisiana
CAJUN/CREOLE
13025 W. Rancho Santa Fe Blvd., Avondale
623-935-2357, flavorsoflouisianacajun.com
Forget blackened, over-salted faux Cajun. Baton Rouge native Jennifer Landry Goff runs this little slice of the bayou like it’s her home kitchen, specializing in lovingly scratch-made Cajun and Creole specialties like jambalaya, gumbo, shrimp ètouffèe and boudin balls. $-$$
Litchfield’s
American
300 E. Wigwam Blvd. (Wigwam Resort), Litchfield Park
623-935-3811, wigwamarizona.com
Expect delicious, locally sourced cuisine at this respected resort restaurant, like a butter flight appetizer and desert sage rabbit pasta featuring homemade pappardelle and maitake mushrooms. $$$
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. $
La Piazza Al Forno
Pizza/Italian
5803 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale
623-847-3301, lapiazzaalforno.com
Featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, this no-nonsense, Italian-American family-owned eatery serves up a fabulous pie. 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. $-$$$
