Global cuisine, American favorites and tons of breweries hold court in Mesa, Chandler and Gilbert.
At My Place Cafe
Filipino
3450 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, 480-838-1008, facebook.com/atmyplacecafeaz
This cute Filipino café draws loads of Asian cuisine lovers who show up for lechon kawali, adobo, beef caldereta, pork sisig, lumpia, empanadas, buko pandan and more. $-$$
Best Hong Kong Dining
Chinese
1116 S. Dobson Rd., Mesa, 480-655-8262, besthongkongdining.com
This Hong Kong-style barbecue and noodle restaurant is a lot of fun and dirt cheap. Try the roasted duck, shrimp with scrambled egg chow fun or the spicy fried rice vermicelli. $-$$
Blue Adobe Grille
Southwestern
144 N. Country Club Dr., Mesa, 480-962-1000, originalblueadobe.com
Mesa’s best bet for grown-up food in a stylish setting. The menu ranges between Southwestern cuisine (try the Tucumcari tenderloin) and New Mexican specialties like hatch garlic shrimp. Keep an eye out for daily specials. $$
Blue Wasabi Sushi & Martini Bar
Sushi
2080 E. Williams Field Rd., Gilbert, 480-722-9250, bluewasabi.net
Panels of multi-colored glass dominate the decor at this stylish sushi bar. The hip menu features sushi rolls filled with surprising ingredients like seared beef, mango and Fritos. $$-$$$
Buqui Bichi
Brewery/Mexican
325 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler, 480-410-4115, buquibichi.net
Reminiscent of a Mexican Four Peaks, but with better comida, this brewpub offers a menu of appetizingly baroque burgers, high-piled tostadas, well-engineered tacos and cakey, savory sopes, all alongside seven to eight taps dispensing craft beer brewed on-site. $$
Crackers & Co.
American
535 W. Iron Ave., Mesa, 480-898-1717, crackersandcompanycafe.com
This ultra-feminine restaurant turns out homemade soups, imaginative sandwiches, entrée salads, hearty breakfasts and wonderful homemade desserts. $
Cyclo
Vietnamese
1919 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, 480-963-4490, azeats.com/cyclo
The menu features specialties such as banh xéo (a shrimp- and pork-filled crêpe), goi du du (green papaya salad) and bun rieu (seafood soup), which you’ll love at first bite. $
Daruma
Japanese
1116 S. Dobson Rd., Mesa, 480-590-7979, darumabyrie.com
This unassuming charmer offers a big bang for the buck, turning out noodle dishes, classic entrées and traditional sushi standards as well as edgier selections such as tuna carpaccio and a California roll with poke on top. $-$$
DC Steak House
Steakhouse
180 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler, 480-899-4400, dc-steakhouse.com
This cozy and classic spot in Chandler’s historic square is fully loaded with a menu featuring steaks, chops, salads and sandwiches. The restaurant also features a selection of fresh seafood specials, including jumbo shrimp and Alaskan king crab legs. $$-$$$$
El Sol Bakery
Mexican
760 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler, 480-786-0811
You’d never guess that inside this Mexican bakery is some of the best down-home Mexican food you’ll find anywhere. Made-on-the-premises tortillas are killer. $
Espiritu
Latin
123 W. Main St., Mesa, 480-398-8129, espiritumesa.com
Mastermind Rene Andrade puts a chef-y spin on whole fried red snapper that’s a mind-blowing meld of moist, sweet flesh and ultra-crispy skin. $
Famous Dave’s BBQ
American
3250 W. Frye Rd., Chandler, 480-782-1212, famousdaves.com
Famous Dave serves up piping hot ribs, pulled pork and the “Texas Manhandler,” a mountain of brisket and hot-link sausage on a toasty bun. $$
Icho Izakaya
Japanese
1911 W. Broadway Rd., Mesa, 480-828-3428, ichosushiphonix.com
This tiny, spartanly furnished izakaya reminds us never to judge books by their covers, turning out great sushi and Japanese food at affordable prices. $-$$
Jalapeño Bucks
Barbecue/Mexican
3434 N. Val Vista Dr., Mesa, 480-459-3050, jalapenobucks.com
This cultish walk-up barbecue joint – a shack-like shipping container with a misted, covered patio and no bathroom – turns out great brisket and pulled pork as well as terrific quesadillas and hearty burritos. $
Joe’s Farm Grill
American
3000 E. Ray Rd., Gilbert, 480-563-4745, joesfarmgrill.com
Joe Johnston converted the house in which he grew up into a flashback-to-the-’60s restaurant, featuring excellent hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken baskets, fries and milkshakes. $
Joe’s Real BBQ
American
301 N. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert, 480-503-3805, joesrealbbq.com
Housed in an old brick building circa 1929, Joe’s features pecan-smoked barbecue and good sides. $
Kai
NATIVE AMERICAN
5594 W. Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler, 602-225-0100, wildhorsepassresort.com
Explore contemporary, seasonal spins on Indigenous cuisine at Arizona’s only AAA Four Diamond, Forbes Five Star dining destination. $$$$
La Ristra
NEW MEXICAN
638 E. Warner Rd., Gilbert, 480-545-2880, laristraaz.com
Spicy and approachable, this relative of the Los Dos Molinos restaurant empire shines with updated takes on New Mexican family recipes. $$
La Tiendita
Colombian
456 W. Main St., Mesa, 480-898-5546, latienditacafe.com
Don’t miss fried empanadas served with cilantro and jalapeño sauce, and arepas filled with oozy, salty white cheese. $-$$
Lee’s Sandwiches
Sandwiches
1901 W. Warner Rd., Chandler, 480-855-1778, leesandwiches.com
Started by two brothers from Vietnam, this fast-casual operation specializes in sandwiches on fresh, house-made croissants and baguettes. $
Liberty Market
American
230 N. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert, 480-892-1900, libertymarket.com
This fast-casual eatery is housed in a historic building in downtown Gilbert. Highlights include antipasto and cheese platters, Sicilian pizza, sweet potato salad and griddled bread pudding. Terrific espresso bar, too. $-$$
Mambo’s Dominican Kitchen
Dominican
1950 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler, 480-718-9210
Lined with a gallery of Dominican celebs, the dining room at Mambo’s makes an enticing setting in which to enjoy sophisticated, savory fare like mofongo de camarones, carne de res guisado and sopa de pollo.
Mikado
Japanese/Sushi
3125 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler, 480-726-0255, mikadosushiaz.com
Besides the imaginative maki-zushi, there’s nothing trendy about this cozy neighborhood sushi bar, which offers oshibori and old-school hospitality. $-$$
Nello’s
Pizza
2950 S. Alma School Rd., Mesa, 480-820-5995, nellospizzamesa.com
Back in the ’80s, this Chicago-style pizzeria was the hottest thing going. Nello’s still turns out imaginative pizzas, Italian appetizers, salads, pastas and sandwiches. $-$$
Original Cuisine
Chinese/Sichuan
1853 W. Broadway Rd., Mesa, 480-255-7810, originalcuisine.eat24hour.com
This eatery specializes in the one-two punch of ma la — dried red chiles and tongue-numbing Sichuan peppercorns. For more nuance, start with mapo tofu, which releases subtle sweetness and layers of controlled heat. $-$$
Peixoto Coffee
Coffee
11 W. Boston St., Chandler, 480-275-2843, peixotocoffee.com
Baristas craft seasonal coffee, tea and mocktail specials, and rotating treats include Brazilian cheese bread and local pastries. $
Pesto’s
Italian
1960 W. Ray Rd., Chandler, 480-821-2949, pestospizza.com
This rustic Italian resto is often packed with locals, there for the gourmet pies, eggplant rollatini, shrimp marinara and signature pesto. $
Prime, a Shula’s Steak House
Steak
5040 W. Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler, 520-796-1972, shulas.com
The filet mignon and rib eye are luscious and smoky at this restaurant named after Hall of Fame coach Don Shula. Standard sides are pricey, but the wedge salad, generously topped with blue cheese and bacon, satisfies. The West Coast beet risotto is also worth the splurge. $$$$
Rancho de Tia Rosa
Mexican
891 N. Higley Rd., Gilbert, 480-396-8787, ranchodetiarosa.com
Tia Rosa offers familiar Sonoran standbys, as well as extra-regional specialties such as a toothsome, semi-sweet chicken mole and first-rate carnitas. $-$$
Rawhide Steakhouse
Steakhouse/American
5700 W. North Loop Rd., Chandler , 480-502-5600, rawhide.com
The menu celebrates the spirit and hospitality of its Western roots through traditional cooking, barbecue food challenges, true hungry-cowboy portions and the use of indigenous ingredients from the Gila River Indian Community. Also, one of the few places to try desert delicacies like fried rattlesnake. A sprawling replica of a Western town, musical festivals and various other events add to the allure. $$
Rudy’s “Country Store” and Bar-B-Q
Barbecue
7300 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, 480-874-6440, rudysbbq.com
This Texas-based chain draws long lines for its wood-fired meats, rubbed with a signature dry spice blend. $-$$
SoCal Fish Taco Company
Mexican/Seafood
219 N. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert, 480-807-6225, socalfishtacos.com
This breezy fish shack incongruously nestled in downtown Gilbert serves Baja-style seafood and fried fare, from tequila-glazed shrimp and fried cod tacos to creamy clam chowder and onion-laced blue crab cakes. Everything is so fresh, you’ll forget you’re in a landlocked state.
Sage & Barrel
New American
7215 S. Power Rd., Queen Creek, 480-597-9096, sagebarrel.com
Owner Jordan Blevins brings the hearty comfort food of his native Midwest to this classy but casual restaurant, with more than 40 Arizona craft brews. $$
Saigon Pho
Vietnamese
1381 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler, 480-786-8828
This pretty restaurant serves the Vietnamese specialties you already know and then some. Try the Saigon Special Lobster and the tom ram man. Lunch and dinner daily. $-$$$
Shaanxi Chinese Restaurant
Chinese
67 N. Dobson Rd., Mesa, 480-733-8888, shaanxibiangbiang.com
You can visit this welcoming restaurant for chop suey, General Tso’s chicken and walnut shrimp, but why would you when there are hearty specialties of China’s north-central Shaanxi province to explore? Don’t miss the wide, flat, 2-foot-long noodles called biangbiang, which show up in a half-dozen permutations, or the sloppy Joe-like roujiamo. $$-$$$
The Seafood Market
Seafood
3406 E. Baseline Rd., Mesa, 480-633-1580, azeats.com/seafoodmarket
There’s nothing fancy about this pleasantly decorated little seafood restaurant and adjoining market, but the fish is always fresh. Healthfully prepared, too. Seafood staples like crab cakes, shrimp ceviche, clam chowder and Maine lobster tail reign supreme. $$
Sekai Sushi
Japanese
1017 S. Gilbert Rd., Mesa, 480-545-8131, sekaisushi.net
This friendly place offers plenty of traditional Japanese dishes, including ramen and katsu don. $$-$$$
Shimogamo Gilbert
Japanese
2320 S. Santan Village Pkwy., Gilbert, 602-595-6448, shimogamoaz.com
If you love the original Shimogamo, you’ll probably also do flips over this more izakaya-esque, lunch-focused version of the mothership. The defining distinction at this location is the emphasis on temaki, presented taco-style, with the fish and its accoutrements loosely loaded onto a sheet of seaweed instead of wrapped up cone-style, per the norm. Also try the glorious udon carbonara, described accurately as “gourmet Japanese mac and cheese.” $$-$$$
Source
Italian
3150 E. Ray Rd., Gilbert, 480-687-7732, eatatsource.com
Chef Claudio Urciuoli is a neighborhood fixture at this sleek but unpretentious fast-casual, where the Italian menu has a Mediterranean accent. Eat anything involving bread (bruschetta, flatbread, sandwiches). $-$$
Shimogamo
Japanese
2051 W. Warner Rd, Chandler, 480-899-7191, shimogamoaz.com
Traditionalists and iconoclasts will both be happy at this serenely elegant Japanese restaurant, which offers everything from saikyo-yaki and chirashi-zushi to seafood wonton wraps and portobello beef rolls. Don’t miss the monkfish pâté.
Stufrageous Stuffed Burgers
Burgers
1036 W. Southern Ave., Mesa, 480-969-1305, stufrageous.com
This fast-casual burger joint offers moist, flavorful stuffed beef and chicken patties. Look for Greek, Hawaiian and veggie options, plus decadent sides sich as fried pepper jack macaroni balls and crispy tempura green beans. The caprese burger marries the salty mozarella and zesty basil of the popular salad with the satisfying ooze of margherita pizza. For dessert, don’t miss the Loaded Cookie with ice cream.
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.
Tao Garden
Chinese
2050 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler, 480-857-4188, taogardendining.com
Seafood is the specialty at this Hong Kong-style joint, so expect to find everything from oysters, crab and lobster to tilapia and catfish. The scallops in an eggy white sauce are fabulous and there’s also a braised whole duck with greens that will blow you away. $-$$$
Thanks A Brunch
Breakfast/brunch
734 N. McQueen Rd., Gilbert, 801-564-2174, thanksabrunchaz.com
This cheery mom-and-pop is a major player in the Gilbert brunch game, offering burritos, Benedicts, hangover bowls of nachos and loaded fries, scrambled egg-filled tacos, avocado toasts, wraps, salads, sandwiches and burgers. $$
Venezia’s New York Style Pizzeria
Pizza/Italian
744 W. Ray Rd., Gilbert, 480-786-3200, venezias.com
Owner Domenick Montanile gives loyal diners a New York feel and a touch of Italy. Everything is authentic, down to the family photos displayed throughout the restaurant. Enjoy award-winning pizza, along with delicious calzones. $
Viet Fusion
Vietnamese
393 W. Warner Rd., Chandler, 480-590-0664, vietfusionaz.com
This is a mainstream restaurant geared toward wimpy Americans on a budget. The kicker is marinated pork banh mi, its crusty bread and pickled veggie garnishes smeared with a ketchup-mayo sauce that brings Thousand Island and fry sauce to mind. Crunchy chicken wings, sticky with sweet tamarind glaze, are also bomb. $
