Food-Lover Alert!
After you’re done perusing our splendid editorial picks, check out the BOV readers’ vote for more culinary bests.
BEST PIZZA
Pizzeria Bianco
It’s never been more competitive out there for Valley pizza… yet Chris Bianco’s now-world-famous pie joint continues to trounce them all by a wide margin in our staff-wide office poll.
Two locations, pizzeriabianco.com
BEST BURGER JOINT
TIE: Aioli Burger, Paradise Valley Burger Co.
The question of the Valley’s best hamburger purveyor split us down the middle like Vito did Don Ciccio in Godfather II. Can’t go wrong either way.
aioliburger.com
pvburgercompany.com
BEST SUSHI
Hana Japanese Eatery
Sushi slinger extraordinaire Lori Hashimoto has a James Beard Award nomination now, which means the world knows what we Phoenicians have known for years: Hana is the bomb.
5524 N. Seventh Ave., Phoenix, 602-973-1238, hanajapaneseeatery.com
BEST TACOS
Tacos Chiwas
Taco-fickle lot, we are. This year, Chihuahuan street tacos edge out bougie CRUjiente Tacos tacos.
Three locations, tacoschiwas.com
BEST ITALIAN
Tratto
It’s a very large exaggeration indeed to invoke Sophie’s Choice when choosing here between Tratto and Giovanni Scorzo’s Andreoli Italian Grocer but, truly, it was agonizing for many of us.
1505 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix, 602-296-7761, trattophx.com
BEST BARBECUE
Little Miss BBQ
People who’ve never eaten here naturally assume it’s overrated, because “How can that much hype not be bullshit?” And then they taste the brisket and it’s like, “Oh.”
Two locations, littlemissbbq.com
BEST ICE CREAM SHOP
Sweet Republic
Some of us old-timers remember when it was a huge novelty that a real, live, artisanal ice cream shop opened in the Valley. Now there are seemingly hundreds, but SR still rules.
Three locations, sweetrepublic.com
BEST STEAKHOUSE
Steak 44
Durant’s was also passionately supported by PHOENIX staffers and contributors, but the Mastro family’s flagship steakhouse had the votes. One’s heart races a little thinking about the walk to the table, no?
5101 N. 44th St., Phoenix, 602-271-4400, steak44.com
BEST THAI
Glai Baan
So near-universally beloved by BOV contributors, we devoted an entire page in last year’s issue ranking each dish. You can find that online, you know. It’s a super-handy resource.
2333 E. Osborn Rd., Phoenix, 602-595-5881, glaibaanaz.com
BEST CHINESE
Chou’s Kitchen
Specializing in the Shandong cuisine of northeast China, this Valley mainstay has been slowly weaning select members of our staff off General Tso’s chicken for a few years now. If you love Chinese food, and somehow haven’t already been, give it a go.
Two locations, chouskitchen.com
BEST FAMILY MEXICAN
Casa Corazon
Yes, we’re stretching the implied meaning of “family” a bit here – the Calle 16 restaurant actually boasts some of the most sophisticated pan-Mexican cooking in the Valley. But it’s not very expensive and kids dig it, so there.
2637 N. 16th St., Phoenix, 602-334-1917, casacorazonrestaurant.com
BEST MODERN MEXICAN
Barrio Café
Some serious talents have entered this space in recent months, including Bacanora and Chilte. But Silvana Salcido Esparza and her seminal restaurant are so dang good, there’s still plenty of us eager to bend a knee.
2814 N. 16th St., Phoenix, 602-636-0240, barriocafe.com
BEST SANDWICH SHOP
Noble Eatery
Everybody and their grandmother uses Noble bread these days, so getting a sandwich at the point of ignition is an exciting proposition indeed.
4525 N. 24th St., Phoenix, 602-688-2424, noblebread.com
