Phoenix, What Is Your # 1 Restaurant Choice

Phoenix at Christmas, what are your favorite, don't miss restaurant ideas............We already have the rest of the trip taken care of stopping in Quartzsite, Palm Springs, Santa Barbara, and San Diego...................Thanks for all the help, ...............Bill

Roadfood - Fry Bread House
 
Other Food - Citizen's Public House

Depends what you're looking for----------- AND where you'll be staying.
"The Valley" extends 50+ miles East to West and 45+ miles North to South.
Covers a lot of Territory!
ARIZONA MASTER DINING LIST
ü  or √ (Have Eaten at These Places)
Mexican
ü  http://www.carolinasmexicanfood.com
ü  http://www.losdosmolinosaz.com/
ü  http://www.prosranch.com (Or any Ranch Market) http://www.prosranch.com/hot-foods.aspx
ü  http://www.teepeemexicanfood.com
ü  http://www.nandosmexicancafe.com
ü  http://www.americastacoshop.net
http://phoenix.citysearch.com/profile/1623069/phoenix_az/rito_s_mexican_food_inc_take.html
BBQ
ü  http://www.texazgrill.com
ü  http://www.bestbbqofmemphis.com/news.php
ü  http://www.hapsbbq.com  
ü  http://www.joesrealbbq.com/
ü  http://www.waldosbbq.com/
ü  http://www.tomsbbq.com/
http://stacyssmokehousebbq.com
BRATS & HOT DOGS
https://www.facebook.com/BratHausAZ
http://www.roadfood.com/Restaurant/Overview/4008/teds-hot-dogs

SOULFOOD
ü  http://www.loloschickenandwaffles.com
ü  http://mrswhitesgoldenrulecafe.com
UPSCALE PLACES
ü  http://www.flemingssteakhouse.com/locations/az/scottsdale
ü  http://www.renegadecanteen.com/
ü  http://www.cartwrightssonoranranchhouse.com/
ü  http://www.donovanssteakhouse.com/phoenix-steakhouse.html\
√ http://www.elchorro.com/dining/
http://www.tarbells.com/
https://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/
 BREAKFAST
ü  http://www.rockspringscafe.com
ü  http://www.yelp.com/biz/harlows-cafe-tempe
ü  http://kiss-the-cook.com
ü  http://dailydosegrill.com/
ü  http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/22/262124/restaurant/Phoenix/Hoosier-Cafe-Chandler
√http://eatatovereasy.com/
√http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/22/1543010/restaurant/Ahwatukee/Biscuits-Phoenix
√http://www.mattsbigbreakfast.com/
Other
ü  http://www.hausmurphys.com
ü  http://lisdoonvarnapub.com
ü  http://www.phoenixcitygrille.com
ü  http://riazzis.com
ü  http://www.cfugourmet.com
ü  http://www.portlandsphoenix.com/
ü  http://www.stanleys-sausage.com
ü  http://www.schreinerssausage.com/
ü  http://dailydosegrill.com/
http://www.giuseppeson28th.com
http://scottsgenerations.com
√http://www.vitospizza.com/
GENERAL FOOD SITES
http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/dining/search/?todowhat=&todocuisine=&todowhere=Phoenix&x=66&y=5
http://www.azeats.com/carefreestation/default.htm
http://www.urbanspoon.com/c/22/Phoenix-restaurants.html
http://www.mrbreakfast.com/r_display.asp?restid=8749
 DELI’S AND GROCERIES
√http://defalcosdeli.com/
√http://www.haji-baba.com/
√http://imperialkosher.com/
√http://www.scottsdalecafe.com/
√http://www.cheesenstuffdeli.com/
http://niccolisdeli.com/
http://romanellisitaliandeli.com/Romanellis/Deli_Meats_%26_Cheeses.html
 
 
 

Will probably be adding some more as I think of them:
These are a Very nice historic places - Upscale:
http://www.wrigleymansionclub.com/
http://www.arizonabiltmore.com/Dining/Default.aspx
http://www.wigwamresort.com/phoenix-resort-dining.shtml

Two more.
 
Roadfood - TexAZ for CFS (Foodbme introduced me to thos place).
 
Other food - Fuego Bistro for creative SW cooking.  They have an awesome happy hour, no need for an entree.

I 2nd TexAZGrill
http://texazgrill.com/

For some outdoor, around the campfire fun:
Toast Marshmellows, Make S'mores!
http://greasewoodflat.net/

My choices:
 
www.donandcharlies.com  for ribs & steaks & sports memorobilia
www.waddellslonghorncorral.com  for burgers. How can a place whose motto is: Warm Beer, Bad Food & Lousy Service not be worth a visit?
www.bobbyq.net  for ribs & steaks
 
www.pizzeriabianco.com for pizza, what else?
 
 
 
 

Here's a link to the places I reviewed on my blog that are in Phoenix/Scottsdale.
http://davwudsfoodcourt.b...a/search/label/Arizona
 
I'd put either Carolina's for the Machacca Burro, Enchilada Style or just about anything from Chino Bandido at the top of my list.
 
BTW, Tamales from the Tamale Store travel in a suitcase very well. Buy them on the way to the airport (or on the way out) if you have no freezer.
 
DT

Pizzeria Bianco

My Phoenix-area stops usually include Pizzeria Bianco (just go off-hours and they aren't that busy), Citizien's Public House, and The Chuck Box by ASU for burgers.

Thanks to all for the great restaurant choices..........I see that Carolinas gets good reviews from our Roadfood trip reports. That s/b a good choice for Mexican food. Pizza Bianco s/b on the list if we are able to get there early ........I'll need to look over the rest to see how they fit in with the families tastes..............Thanks again......Bill
 
 
 

I swim against the tide on Pizzeria Bianco!
I think it's GROSSLY OVERRATED!!!!!
Here's my Urbanspoon Review:
IMHO Grossly Overrated!
by Foodbme (10 reviews)
Been here 4 times. 1 by my choice and 3 by out of towners who dragged me there kicking and screaming because they read the hype on this place. The wait is ridiculous. The tables are cramped, The wait staff is indifferent and the pizza is average for a wood-fired pizza. Oh, I forgot. The prices are outrageous!
Was this review helpful? Yes | No

@Foodbme
My experience was completely different this past April. Why- because we came after the lunch rush around 130-2pm. Service was fine. The pizza was outstanding. I believe it deserves the high rating it usually gets.
 
Another place not previously mentioned and worth a visit, if only for the nostalgia factor, is MacAlpine's Soda Fountain and Restaurant on N. 7th Street.
http://www.facebook.com/MacAlpines
 

Bill, if you want an apizza as close as possible to what you grew up eating hit Pizzeria Bianco.

An update on Pizzeria Bianco:
Chris Bianco is no longer active in the pizzaria and no longer works there. He used to make all the Pizza's.
He developed respiratory problems from inhaling the wood smoke and had to step down on Dr's. orders.
He's opened two other restaurants called Pane Bianco and Italian Restaurant.
http://www.pizzeriabianco.com/

Foodbme


I swim against the tide on Pizzeria Bianco!
I think it's GROSSLY OVERRATED!!!!!
Here's my Urbanspoon Review:
IMHO Grossly Overrated!
by Foodbme (10 reviews)
Been here 4 times. 1 by my choice and 3 by out of towners who dragged me there kicking and screaming because they read the hype on this place. The wait is ridiculous. The tables are cramped, The wait staff is indifferent and the pizza is average for a wood-fired pizza. Oh, I forgot. The prices are outrageous!
Was this review helpful? Yes | No

Foodbme, I try to watch out for the hype factor in every restaurant I pick. What starts out being a Great Mom and Pop Restaurant, with one visit from DDD could change in a heart beat. Every cook/Chef/Restaurant owner should never forget what got them there. I talk to people in my own town that love some restaurants that I would even step in to, I guess we all have different tastes and expectations of what a good/great restaurant really is............

Michael Hoffman


Bill, if you want an apizza as close as possible to what you grew up eating hit Pizzeria Bianco.

Michael, you had me at Apizza, I still smile when ever I see that word. I cut up some steaks yesterday, I told my wife I'm making steak sandwiches with sauteed onions on toast. Of course she said, "ON TOAST" never heard of it. I made two sandwiches, I when back to my Man cave to watch the ball game. The next thing I hear echoing through the house is her yelling, (HEY THIS IS GOOD, REAL GOOD) Michael, when Jesus walked the land not everyone believed in his preaching, some needed proof.....................

Foodbme, actually there was a period of time when Chris' pizzas were under par but that was because of his health situation. He then had to train a group of young men to take over his pizza making & oven which took awhile to do right. I have now been back twice this past six months at noon got a table withen 10 minutes and the pizzas were OUTSTANDING! The transition is over.

pnwchef

Foodbme


I swim against the tide on Pizzeria Bianco!
I think it's GROSSLY OVERRATED!!!!!
Here's my Urbanspoon Review:
IMHO Grossly Overrated!
by Foodbme (10 reviews)
Been here 4 times. 1 by my choice and 3 by out of towners who dragged me there kicking and screaming because they read the hype on this place. The wait is ridiculous. The tables are cramped, The wait staff is indifferent and the pizza is average for a wood-fired pizza. Oh, I forgot. The prices are outrageous!
Was this review helpful? Yes | No

Foodbme, I try to watch out for the hype factor in every restaurant I pick. What starts out being a Great Mom and Pop Restaurant, with one visit from DDD could change in a heart beat. Every cook/Chef/Restaurant owner should never forget what got them there. I talk to people in my own town that love some restaurants that I would even step in to, I guess we all have different tastes and expectations of what a good/great restaurant really is............

As I said, IMHO
Hope you like it and your visit is hassle-free.

Good thread, it reminds me of places that I need to go. 
 
I've never been to Pizzeria Bianco because of the dinnertime hassle of dining there.  I'll try a mid-day meal there sometime.  Will they toss me out if I order an apizza?
 
Don & Charlie's is a fun place to eat.  I need to return there some time.

kaszeta


My Phoenix-area stops usually include Pizzeria Bianco (just go off-hours and they aren't that busy), Citizien's Public House, and The Chuck Box by ASU for burgers.

 
I'm going to stay in Tempe for a week for spring training in March, and The Chuck Box looks interesting. What would you recommend there?

Bonk

kaszeta


My Phoenix-area stops usually include Pizzeria Bianco (just go off-hours and they aren't that busy), Citizien's Public House, and The Chuck Box by ASU for burgers.

I'm going to stay in Tempe for a week for spring training in March, and The Chuck Box looks interesting. What would you recommend there?

Essentially, the only thing they serve are hamburgers and Grilled Chicken Sandwiches, Fries& Onion Rings. That's it!
They have a condiment table where you dress your own burgers.
http://thechuckbox.com/
My favorite place for Breakfast in the entire Valley is Harlow's in Tempe. No web site. Breakfast & Lunch only.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/harlows-cafe-tempe

We discovered Chompy's before MvF did in 2010 and loved it, and Four Peaks Brewing is where I park my butt at 9 p.m. every night for great food and beer.

Bonk


We discovered Chompy's before MvF did in 2010 and loved it, and Four Peaks Brewing is where I park my butt at 9 p.m. every night for great food and beer.

IMHO, Chompies has gone downhill some from when we first started going there in 2000.
If you like Four Peaks, you'd probably like The San Tan Brewing Co. 
http://www.santanbrewing.com/
And Twin Peaks!!!
http://www.twinpeaksrestaurant.com/

Bonk

I'm going to stay in Tempe for a week for spring training in March, and The Chuck Box looks interesting. What would you recommend there?

 
It's basically burgers.  But very nicely done burgers, IMHO.  They've really only have one "special" burger, and I actually like it: the Tijuana Torpedo (burger patty stuffed with pepper jack, and topped with a roasted green chile and more cheese):
 

Foodbme

He's opened two other restaurants called Pane Bianco and Italian Restaurant.

 
Here's my writeup of Pane Bianco from August:
 
http://offbeateats.org/20...ane-bianco-phoenix-az/
 
I really liked it.

 
kaszeta: Pane Bianco, sound and looks great. When a restaurant takes that much care with the bread, it's a place I want to try............Thanks for the tip......................Bill

kaszeta

Bonk

I'm going to stay in Tempe for a week for spring training in March, and The Chuck Box looks interesting. What would you recommend there?

It's basically burgers.  But very nicely done burgers, IMHO.  They've really only have one "special" burger, and I actually like it: the Tijuana Torpedo (burger patty stuffed with pepper jack, and topped with a roasted green chile and more cheese):

Wow, that looks incredible! I'm sold, thanks!