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 | $$$$=$26 and over
Abuelo’s
Mexican
16092 N. Arrowhead Fountains Center Dr., Peoria
623-878-8282, abuelos.com
Constructed to look like a Mexican hacienda, these Texas-based corporate restaurants offer hearty Mexican food with a decidedly Tex-Mex accent. Expect large portions and lots of spice. Save room for chocolate flan. Other location: Chandler (480-855-0960). $-$$
Barley & Smoke
New American
10144 W. Lake Pleasant Pkwy., Peoria,
623-572-2816, peoriaartisanbrewing.com
Tucked away in Peoria Artisan Brewery, this cozy, upscale speakeasy offers a limited menu of inventive small and large plates, most cooked in the restaurant’s wood-fired oven. Any dish served with house-made bread is a winner, including the ribeye tartare or simply bread with beef tallow and fleur de sel. $$-$$$
Flavors of Louisiana
CAJUN/CREOLE
13025 W. Rancho Santa Fe Blvd., Avondale
623-935-2357, flavorsoflouisianacajun.com
Forget blackened, over-salted faux Cajun. This is the real deal. 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. You can’t go wrong with anything fried – Goff even has a gluten-free fry mix available, just ask – and the po’boys and muffulettas will transport you to NOLA. $-$$
Dazzo’s Dog House
American
6143 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale
623-934-3536, dazzosdoghouse.com
The Chicago native Dazzo brothers and their families have been running this joint since 1979. Grab a hot dog, Polish dog or bratwurst or feast on a Chi-Town smorgasbord of Italian beef sandwiches, chili dogs, pizza puffs, Chicago tamales and fresh-cut fries. Cash only. $
Litchfield’s
American
300 E. Wigwam Blvd. (Wigwam Resort), Litchfield Park
623-935-3811, wigwamarizona.com
Expect delicious, locally sourced cuisine at this respected resort restaurant, like a butter flight appetizer and desert sage rabbit pasta featuring homemade pappardelle and maitake mushrooms. $$$
Mochilero Kitchen
Latin
6791 W. Happy Valley Rd., Peoria
623-440-5588, mochilerokitchen.com
This colorful Latin 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. Even those farther afield should visit to feast on Yucatán-inspired guacamole with crispy plantains, Michoacán’s succulent carnitas and Baja’s famed fish tacos, all in one place. Bring it all home to the Sonoran Desert with a prickly pear paloma. $$
Pho Avina
Vietnamese
4920 W. Thunderbird Rd., Glendale
602-439-2547, phoavina.com
Head to this gem for an inexpensive and satisfying meal crafted from creative appetizers: banh xeo, a rice crêpe filled with seasoned bean sprouts, pork and shrimp, and bo tai chanh, a lime-marinated, rare beef salad served with rice crackers. $
Saffron Indian Bistro
Indian
4330 W. Union Hills Dr., Glendale
623-581-7576, saffronarizona.com
Saffron defies Indian eatery conventions, focusing on complex and palatable homemade fare such as creamy butter chicken, spicy black pepper shrimp and dark, rich tikka masala that’s the Indian equivalent of Mom’s marinara. Most dishes are milder than the norm here – even the onion-rich pepper gravy of chicken vindaloo barely registers any heat. $-$$
Saigon Kitchen
Vietnamese
14071 W. Bell Rd., 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. $$
Takamatsu
Japanese/Korean
4214 W. Dunlap Ave., Phoenix
623-842-0400, takamatsurestaurant.com
This Japanese-Korean restaurant sports a sushi bar, as well as tabletop, do-it-yourself grills for Korean barbecue. The Korean food packs an unbelievable flavor punch. Try the kalbi dolsot bibimbap (marinated beef short ribs served with vegetables and white rice in a sizzling stone bowl), served with a spread of pickled vegetables for intrepid sampling. $$-$$$
Ugly Tuna Sushi
Japanese/Sushi
15459 W. Bell Rd., Surprise
623-248-1957, uglytunasushi.com
Despite the cruel and hurtful name, there’s nothing unappealing about this Surprise sushi bar Sweet and savory find a delicate balance in such well-executed classics as the eel-topped Dragon roll. $$
Vogue Bistro
French/American
15411 W. Waddell Rd., Surprise
623-544-9109, voguebistro.com
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 tradiitional 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. $$-$$$
