Rio Mirage Café y Cantina
Mexican
12245 Santa Fe Dr., El Mirage
623-583-7708, riomiragecafe.com
Located on the access road where the railroad track crosses Grand Avenue, this modest place is hard to find but worth the search. Just ask the hungry folks who often spill out the door waiting their turn to enjoy fajitas, enchiladas, chimichangas and specialty burritos. Other location: Surprise (623-214-3651). $$
Abuelo’s
Mexican
16092 N. Arrowhead Fountains Center Dr., Peoria,
623-878-8282, abuelos.com
Constructed to look like a Mexican hacienda, these Texas-based corporate restaurants offer hearty Mexican food with a decidedly Tex-Mex accent. Expect large portions and lots of spice. Save room for chocolate flan. Other location: Chandler (480-855-0960). $-$$
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. $
El Heroico Guaymas
Mexican
6750 W. Peoria Ave., Peoria
623-248-1734, heroicoguaymasrestaurant.com
You’ve had Sonoran cuisine – but have you tried Sonoran coastal cuisine? The menu features the usual mariscos – seafood apps, tacos, et al – as well as Guaymas specialties like fish ceviche tostada, strewn with avocado and drizzled with gutsy salsa negra. $$
Flavors of Louisiana
Cajun/Creole
13025 W. Rancho Santa Fe Blvd., Avondale,
623-935-2357, flavorsoflouisianacajun.com
Baton Rouge native Jennifer Landry Goff runs this little slice of the bayou like it’s her home kitchen, specializing in lovingly scratch-made Cajun and Creole specialties like jambalaya, gumbo, shrimp ètouffèe and boudin balls. $-$$
Haus Murphy’s
German
5739 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale
623-939-2480, hausmurphys.com
Don’t let the “Murphy’s” moniker throw you. Brett and Rose Hoffmann’s kitschy, cozy German restaurant is Teutonic through and through, and one of the Valley’s top German eateries. The menu lists all the classics – bratwurst, sauerkraut, sauerbraten, a half-dozen schnitzels, strudel and dandy tortes. $$
Litchfield’s
American
300 E. Wigwam Blvd. (Wigwam Resort), Litchfield Park
623-935-3811, wigwamarizona.com
Expect delicious, locally sourced cuisine at this respected resort restaurant, like sweet potato hummus with olives and oranges or any of the homemade pastas, and pan-roasted trout. $$$
Mochilero Kitchen
Latin
6791 W. Happy Valley Rd., Peoria
623-440-5588, mochilerokitchen.com
This colorful 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. Visit to feast on Yucatán-inspired guacamole with crispy plantains, succulent carnitas and fish tacos. $$
Pho Avina
Vietnamese
4920 W. Thunderbird Rd., Glendale
602-439-2547, phoavina.com
Head to this gem for an inexpensive and satisfying meal crafted from creative appetizers: banh xeo, a rice crêpe filled with seasoned bean sprouts, pork and shrimp, and bo tai chanh, a lime-marinated, rare beef salad served with rice crackers. $
Saffron Indian Bistro
Indian
4330 W. Union Hills Dr., Glendale
623-581-7576, saffronarizona.com
Saffron defies Indian eatery conventions, focusing on complex and palatable homemade fare such as creamy butter chicken, spicy black pepper shrimp and dark, rich tikka masala that’s the Indian equivalent of mom’s marinara. Most dishes are milder than the norm here – even the onion-rich pepper gravy of chicken vindaloo barely registers any heat. $-$$
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. $$-$$$
Thai Orchid Garden
Thai
12725 W. Indian School Rd., Avondale
623-536-2800, thaiorchidgarden.eat24hour.com
Reliable Thai classics in a colorful, brightly lit sliver of a restaurant. Curries and lemongrass-scented soups are complex yet comforting, while noodle dishes like pad Thai, pad see ew and lard na are flavorfully sauced and loaded with veggies. $-$$
Ugly Tuna Sushi
Japanese/sushi
15459 W. Bell Rd., Surprise 623-248-1957, uglytunasushi.com
Despite the cruel and hurtful name, there’s nothing unappealing about this Surprise sushi bar Sweet and savory find a delicate balance in such well-executed classics as the eel-topped Dragon roll. $$
Urban Agave
Mexican
6685 W. Beardsley Rd., Glendale
623-561-6674, urban-agave.com
Alongside a wide variety of suavely cosmopolitan tequila and lime concoctions in “house or skinny” form, this Mexican gastropub has a menu of slyly upscale tacos. The shrimp boasts cubes of mango offset by a sriracha that puts up a little fight; the Baja has cod, cabbage and a mild sauce; and the carne asada carries a hint of orangey citrus in the marinade, as it does in the fine carne asada tostado. $$.
Vogue Bistro
French/American
15411 W. Waddell Rd., Surprise
623-544-9109, voguebistro.com
For a taste of Paris in the Valley, head west. When the weather cools, opt for a seat on Vogue Bistro’s intimate patio and enjoy a designer martini while watching the sun set over the White Tank Mountains. The menu offers tradiitional French fare like coq au vin chicken as well as American comfort food with Gallic flair, like award-winning meatloaf in a rich Sherry sauce If rabbit or cassoulet are offered as specials, don’t hesitate. Reservations recommended. $$-$$$
Wong’s Chinese Cuisine
Chinese
10540 W. Indian School Rd., Phoenix
623-877-4123, wongschinesefood.com
If you live way out West or just happen to be there, here’s a wonderful surprise: a great-looking restaurant serving first-rate Chinese food. $$
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
