Source
Italian (pictured above)
3150 E. Ray Rd., Gilbert
480-687-7732, eatatsource.com
Claudio Urciuoli is now 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). $$
The Brickyard Downtown
Tapas
85 W. Boston St., Chandler
480-963-1373, brickyarddowntown.com
This trendy but substantive gastropub is tucked inside a vintage newspaper building. Addictive small plates might include tuna poke, duck croquettes or avocado frybread. Larger, “family-style” tapas like elote short rib are so good you won’t want to share. $$-$$$
Cyclo Vietnamese Cuisine
Vietnamese
1919 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler
480-963-4490, ordercyclo.com
Chef-owner Justina Duong offers great Vietnamese food in a pretty setting. The menu offers specialties such as banh xéo (a shrimp- and pork-filled crêpe), goi du du (green papaya salad) and bun rieu (an amazing seafood soup). $
Daruma
Japanese/sushi
1116 S. Dobson Rd., Mesa
480-590-7979, darumabyrie.com
This unassuming charmer offers a big bang for the buck, turning out noodle dishes, entrées and traditional sushi standards as well as edgier selections such as tuna carpaccio with creamy onion sauce. $-$$
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. $
Ghost Ranch
Southwestern
1006 E. Warner Rd.
480-474-4328, ghostranchaz.com
Sure, you could eat a green chile burger at this elegant ode to Southwestern cuisine, but then you’d miss out on wonderful dishes that redefine the genre. The grilled trout and pollo asado are sensational. $$$
Icho Izakaya
Japanese
1911 W. Broadway Rd., Mesa
480-828-3428, ichosushiphonix.com
This tiny, spartanly furnished izakaya reminds us never to judge books by their covers, turning out great sushi and Japanese food at affordable prices. $-$$
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. $
Mambo’s Dominican Kitchen
Dominican
1950 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler
480-718-9210, mambosdk.com
The dining room at Mambo’s makes an enticing setting in which to enjoy sophisticated fare like mofongo de camarones, carne de res guisado and sopa de pollo. $
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. $-$$
Pita Jungle
VEGETARIAN/MIDDLE EASTERN
4 E. University Dr., Tempe
480-804-0234, pitajungle.com
These hip little havens for health nuts offer veggie burgers, plus Middle Eastern dishes such as chicken shawarma, hummus and baba ghanoush. Great deals on tapas at happy hour. Multiple locations. $-$$
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.
