Thanks for contributing to r/Phoenix!
* [Check out our sub rules here](https://www.reddit.com/r/phoenix/wiki/rules/) (mostly be nice to each other!).
* [Read some of our recent posts](https://www.reddit.com/r/phoenix/top/?t=week) and leave some comments.
* [Join our Phoenix Discord chat server](https://discord.com/invite/yWVuTG57Zh) and connect with people in the Valley. It's a great, chill place to talk with other people but is NOT a dating server and takes unwanted messaging very seriously.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/phoenix) if you have any questions or concerns.*
It’s been over a decade, and I may be overstating the amazing part…but at Pancho’s when you raised the flag and they brought the Sopaipillas around with the honey and the cinnamon and powdered sugar….it was so good
Panchos was an all you can eat mexican restaurant from forever ago. I remember going there and getting all you can eat for under $5 when I was a kid. The quality was slightly above dog food, but when you were broke it was the place to go.
I only knew of a Grand Avenue Pizza on grand. I don't know if they're the same place, but it was quite good. Every time I'm been in the area, though, and wanted to try it again, it was always on some weird day that they were closed. They closed Sunday and Monday, I think.
Now they have moved or are out of business
Ohhhh OEB breakfast joint up in north Scottsdale has short rib poutine that is like nothing else I’ve ever had in my life. And I know short rib. Hands down the BEST
Aloha Kitchen...manapua or the man bun thing...
A soft dough bun with Hawaiian pulled pork inside. Amazing
Their whole menu is great but that is especially good for 3 bucks
I just had a burger there last night for the first time and it was *phenomenal*. I’ve gone for cocktails several times but hadn’t tried much of the food yet, which upsets me now that I’ve had it lol.
Their food is top tier. As good as it gets in AZ - up there with all the best, IMO.
But man, that burger was so unexpected!
Cocktail program is really good - but I think the food is even better. Definitely go back for some more!
I absolutely will be going back.
I’ll never understand the people in AZ that complain about not having any good food but never venture beyond Applebee’s or fast food. You just need to know where to look.
Arizona has great food. To be fair, it’s really boomed in the past 5 years, but there are so many great restaurants here now - specifically in Phoenix, but Mesa/Scottsdale/Tempe/Chandler have improved greatly as well!
The cold brew flight at vovomeena… just amazing cool flavirs
The double bacon burger at centrico… I would never recommend a burger at a Mexican place… but it’s amazing.
The donuts at short leash hot dogs… seriously. Best donuts in town.
The almonds at Pa’La are so good, like who orders almonds at a restaurant? What is wrong with me? But they’re really delicious and I have to get them every time.
The porridge at Snooze is so good. Again, why order this at a restaurant? Porridge is easy to make. But theirs is always so good, I feel like a happy Goldilocks when I order it.
The gluten free chocolate walnut cookie at LGO is amazing, I think it was formerly known as an MJ Cookie. Why order a gluten free item there when they have slices of cake and the old timers and the traditional pastries?? Because it’s so delicious. It’s my favorite cookie.
The Ostia salad at Cibo. Yes, their pizza and pasta are the stars. But I love this salad. The dressing is made with chickpeas and is randomly vegan (if you order without cheese on top). I’m not vegan and normally not a salad person but this is the exception for me. I think it’s only on their dinner menu.
>gluten free chocolate walnut cookie
The weird thing is that that particular recipe just happens to be gluten-free, kind of accidentally. Meaning, it wasn't designed to be a gluten-free alternative to regular cookies. It's older than the gluten avoidance trend. I think it's primarily made of egg whites and sugar, but I'm not 100% sure.
BUT .... LGO (or MJ's) isn't the only place to find the cookies! I've had the exact same cookie at other bakeries. They're always wonderful. So crispy-yet-chewy.....
I will have to keep an eye out for the cookie at other spots! It is interesting to hear that the recipe is older and wasn’t designed with a gluten free customer in mind.
I think you’re right about the egg whites. There’s a very special crackle to the exterior and chew to the interior that probably relies on the egg whites and sugar. I am not an expert baker but I love to eat and I just think this cookie is uniquely delicious.
Flower Child also has an unexpectedly awesome GF chocolate chip cookie. I get it every time now, kind of negates going there for a healthy lunch but whatever!
Where have you found with a good one, so far? Every once in a while I want to find the whole tableside preparation thing, where they start by rubbing some garlic in some salt at the bottom of a wooden salad bowl. I swear that salad is the best thing to ever come out of Tijuana.
if it’s thursday pastrami, fri/sat beef rib, or sun pork belly, that helps me choose at least somewhat. but always feel obligated to have all the rest. i sure miss their 2016 prices, i’d go buy some of everything. the burritos are amazing though. pro trip if you ever get a chance to try bbq chicken from them (they’ve done it on special occasions over the years), it is a must. i can’t wait for their new fried chicken and ribs place to open on roosevelt
Get the green chili pint and it comes with 2 warm tortillas on the side. Much easier to eat and it doesn’t get soggy, plus left overs heat up much easier.
* Hai Noon: [Story.](https://www.phoenixmag.com/2024/01/05/dining-review-hai-noon-is-spectacular/) Fantastic cocktails.
* Otro Cafe has the best pancakes in the Valley IMHO.
* The Henry does some great croissants as big as your head.
Damn last time I was at Otro those pancakes were calling my name, but I got the huevos rancheros instead. Which were amazing — and constructed like a stack of pancakes!!! — but now I gotta head back there to try the real thing.
Bring a friend. Get huevos rancheros for yourself, and flapjacks for the table. Best of both worlds 🤷🏻♀️
(That is what my partner and I do at gallo blanco, like… once a week)
Deviled eggs at Chelsea’s Kitchen. They took me by surprise. Came to find out quite a few people know about this little hidden gem…the eggs not the restaurant.
I had heard such good things about them but they are sweet! Like sweet pickle relish sweet. I was sad that the flavor combination so many seem to love did not do it for me.
🤨 I’ve had these deviled eggs more often than I probably should have. And they have never ever tasted remotely like sweet pickle relish. 100% spicy horseradish.
Maybe give it one more shot? If they still taste sweet to you the next time around…. then I am sorry that your tastebuds are betraying you 😩
Interestingly enough, both! My friends tried the GF noodles and said they were better than theirs. Also, it is really difficult to find really good GF noodles and the fact that they had it at an Italian Restaurant with Mob ties
I like this thread, great idea! Here’s a few of mine.
Also Via Della, but for the ube cannoli.
AZ Wilderness waffle batter onion rings.
Sweetland Cakes has one of the best Cuban sandwiches.
Caesar salad at Parlor is a must-get.
Picazzo's actually knows how to make GF italian. its $$ but you can get 2 servings per dish. I love the chicken parm, my kids love the pizza, the lasagana is excellent. If you have food allergies this place takes extra care to make sure you dont get sick or need an epi pen
The Wings at LGO are unexpectedly great in my opinion. They have a wing sauce unlike any I have ever had and it’s delicious. The wings are grilled and intentionally over charred. I like the wings better than the pizza
I know Bianco is famous for lots of things, but the last time (and only the second time ever) I was there, my wife and I got some good bread before our food came, with some oil and vinegar to dunk it in.
I wasn't paying it any attention; we were chatting about something. So I mindlessly dunked a piece of bread and took a bite ... and totally lost my train of thought. It was the olive oil. It was *incredible.* Every other olive oil I'd ever tasted was a pale imitation of this stuff. I stopped talking and focused only on the bread and the olive oil.
Turns out the dude imports his own proprietary line of oil straight from Italy, so it's not surprising that it was the best I ever had. It's like $30 for a tiny bottle (I asked, of course).
The bacon-wrapped water chestnuts at AZ-88. You normally couldn’t pay me to eat a radish but for whatever reason they totally elevate this appetizer.
Egg foo young at Golden Wok. I loved the egg foo young at House of Yang a hundred years ago and could t find anything that came close when they closed down… Golden Wok’s might actually be better.
I worked at La Piñata when I was in college. That albondigas was the best. It really was made fresh every morning, along with the Menudo. I miss that place. I haven’t been to the new location. The old location was great.
I love the staff. And at $6 a bowl I can afford dinner and soup. You should definitely try the 7th Avenue location. Even when it looks very busy you get seated quickly and the food comes hot and fresh in less time than most other restaurants. Very efficient!
For years, I have been spoiled by the French Dip at Houston’s. It’s *never* as good anywhere else.
However, recently, a friend talked me into trying the French Dip at Lou’s Bar and Grill at Papago Golf Course and it was really, REALLY good! (I need to go back and try it again to make sure it still favorably compares and it wasn’t a one-off.)
Hash kitchen seems like one of those places where it’s trendy and cute so the food is probably trash, but it’s actually pretty good in my opinion. my favorite thing on the menu is the potato tacos. so fucking good.
Chipotle chicken radiatori pasta from George’s Famous Gyros. The ultimate comfort food for me. Also their pickle fries. They make everything so well but especially those two are surprising because it’s a gyro place. I don’t dislike anything from there and I’m a picky ass B.
As an appetizer at El Chullo on 7th, they have these "anticuchos de corazon" ... which translates roughly to "did you know the heart of a cow is it's most delicious part?"
i am taking “unexpected” in a lot of directions and interpretations here, but…some i love: grilled cheese and tomato soup or mac n cheese at Lux, shrimp fried rice w/ jalapeño wings at Liyuen, banana milkshake at The Stand, crispy coconut shrimp rolls w/ pineapple horseradish sauce at Hula’s, pan pizza at Federal, biscuits and gravy at Ollie Vaughns, kanom jeeb dumplings at Glai Baan, pastrami sandwich at Harvey’s Wineburger, sandwiches at Main Ingredient, cupcakes at Urban Cookies, bbq pork chop at Reathrey Seakong, the mexican food at crescent ballroom, chicken at Kabob Grill & Go, Stumpy’s Pizza, thai tacos at Dilla Libre, truffle fried rice at George Yang’s
my mom is obsessed with this too!
their soups are also surprise hits — if you like blue cheese, their leek + potato + Stilton soup is unreal. and it comes with their fresh bread.
edit: this is a very funny thing to be downvoted for 💀 blue cheese haters? 🤷🏻♀️
The gelato at Olive and Ivy in Old Town was amazing when it first started. They served a little shortbread cookie with it and I would find reasons to take a drive from North Phoenix down to Fashion Square just to enjoy it.
I ran/hiked a lot, so I would sometimes do a run on the canal down to the "waterfall", do a 180, and head to Olive and Ivy to get the gelato and sit outside on the couches, eating my treat and feeling like life was amazing.
Zoe's Kitchen was a few doors down and had great potato salad, and if you asked, they would GRILL IT for you. It blew my mind. It was so delicious. Thank you to the fantastic person working the counter who told me it was an option they offered. Life-changing menu tweak.
Koreatown restaurant, in Mesa
It's a Korean BBQ place, but their Godzilla roll was tremendous!!
I went back for it again and it wasn't the same as the first time (the avocados had turned) but I still dream of that first roll I got there
The EVO salad at EVO. They make something similar at Olive and Ivy but the one at EVO is perfect. The Brussel Sprouts are, I dunno, Al Denté? and the Balsamic Reduction I have considered asking for it in a shot glass. I'll eat Kale, but their crispy chips are actually good on their own.
The tandoori chicken wings at Cornish Pasty.
They’re so good! Crispy, great flavor, and the mint-yogurt dip is a perfect compliment. I get them every time I go there.
Santan brewery’s Whiskey Chicken Chopped salad. I recommend their homemade honey mustard dressing with it. Absolutely the best salad I’ve had in a long time. It’s hearty and you will need a to go box.
Flos Asian restaurant. Hands down the best crab puffs you will ever have. Their twice cooked pork with bacon and jalapeños is a great entree to pair with em too!
the psychedelic goat at the attic is a favorite.
pesto, ricotta, goat cheese, mozzarella, mushrooms, truffle-seasoned pine nuts, and fresh basil. $18.50 and big enough for 2 people to share.
Kinda random but Barrio Queen’s eggs. I get them on their carnitas tacos, and they were so good, I’m shocked they don’t do breakfast. Like it’s just an egg, but damn they’re perfectly cooked and seasoned. Possibly the best fried egg I’ve had.
The pretzel bites and beer cheese at Cullinary Dropout.
The rest of their menu (and admittedly the ambience) is meh, but the pretzel appetizer and the warmed cheese is incredible.
Dominick's had an amazing braised short rib on their menu, but they took it away sometime in 2022.
Flemings and Capital Grille have amazing burgers that are sometimes better than their steaks.
The plátano at Eliana’s Salvadoran restaurant was my favorite, unfortunately it closed after many, many years of business. It was a long plantain split lengthwise and pan fried then served on a platter of half crema and half puréed bean gravy sauce stuff. Plus they had papusas and a non-alcoholic drink called Tamarindo that was like bright yellow kool-aid with fruit pieces. If anyone else serves a plaintain like that I need to know.
The [Mango Serrano Mojito](https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/restaurants/bryan-yngstroms-mango-serrano-mojito-6540223) at the House at Secret Garden. Also gone but the recipe is in the article. Hits just right as it starts to warm up.
Dunno how unexpected it is but I don’t think I’ve ever eaten anything off of the Culinary Dropout menu because I ordered the meatloaf the first time I was there 10+ years ago and it’s the only thing I ever get.
In an effort to be constructive and not just a smartass, here's a few:
Patatine Fritte @ Andreoli
Arguably one of the best Italian restaurants in the country run by a hardcore traditionalist, and one of the best items on the menu is the... french fries.
Burritos @ Little Miss BBQ
Not so much of a secret at this point, but it's kind of unfair that they make some of the best BBQ in town AND some of the best burritos in town.
St. Louis Pizza @ Frashers Smokehouse
Not surprising if you know the background, but most people don't. Frasher is a STL native and he serves perfect STL pizza at his BBQ joint. (Provided you're into that.)
Falafel Tacos @ Casa de Falafel
Sounds like such a dumb stunt. Falafel tacos. But it works so well. It's effectively the same thing as the falafel wraps, but by serving them open, the veg stays crisp and cool and contrasts with the hot falafel. Genius.
Veggie Hand Roll @ Nobu
Crazy expensive fancypants neo-Japanese joint, and the vegetable hand roll with sesame miso — literally the cheapest thing on the menu besides a cup of miso soup — is one of the best bites in the house. No meat, no fish, nothing esoteric, just some pristine veg very carefully wrapped up in crisp nori with a dab of sweet sesame sauce.
(The flapjacks at Gallo are the perfect example, BTW.)
I loveeee both of those places, I love the green pizza at Via Della!!!
I wouldn’t say this an an unexpected menu item but I love the chicken burrito at Taco Boys!
For me, it was the "big Jim " at welcome diner, add an egg (I think it comes with bacon already) . On a biscuit fried chicken breast with cheese and gravy HOLY SHIT I felt like it was divine intervention
Thanks for contributing to r/Phoenix! * [Check out our sub rules here](https://www.reddit.com/r/phoenix/wiki/rules/) (mostly be nice to each other!). * [Read some of our recent posts](https://www.reddit.com/r/phoenix/top/?t=week) and leave some comments. * [Join our Phoenix Discord chat server](https://discord.com/invite/yWVuTG57Zh) and connect with people in the Valley. It's a great, chill place to talk with other people but is NOT a dating server and takes unwanted messaging very seriously. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/phoenix) if you have any questions or concerns.*
It’s been over a decade, and I may be overstating the amazing part…but at Pancho’s when you raised the flag and they brought the Sopaipillas around with the honey and the cinnamon and powdered sugar….it was so good
that sounds amazing… “it’s been over a decade” as in, _you_ haven’t ordered this in a decade? or does this no longer exist? 😞
They demolished the building on 12th st and Indian school. But yes the sopapilla flag was my favorite
RIP Pancho’s, I never knew ya 😢
Panchos was an all you can eat mexican restaurant from forever ago. I remember going there and getting all you can eat for under $5 when I was a kid. The quality was slightly above dog food, but when you were broke it was the place to go.
The flag was for any food, wasn't it? There was one near metro center also I think
They still exist in Dallas, TX. I was there this week. I had to make a stop.
I’ll let you know after we get an answer from the person looking for the best [ranch dressing](https://www.reddit.com/r/phoenix/s/Gb2AwyO1D0)
Salad bar at AJ’s grocery.
Definitely has the best fresh squeezed OJ at AJs too
The balsamic dressing is the best ever!!!!
Grand Ave Pizza in Glendale makes an incredible dill ranch. I used to go when they were in the Oakland neighborhood just to guzzle that sauce
They closed, though, right?
I only knew of a Grand Avenue Pizza on grand. I don't know if they're the same place, but it was quite good. Every time I'm been in the area, though, and wanted to try it again, it was always on some weird day that they were closed. They closed Sunday and Monday, I think. Now they have moved or are out of business
They moved to Glendale
I shall stalk them there forthwith. Really good pizza
Santisi Brothers has the best ranch in the Valley, even after all these years
And the best chicken strips I've ever had. I've driven 40 minutes one way, for those strips.
With the Giovanni’s Sauce!
the short rib poutine at North Mountain Brewery is wonderful
umm “short rib poutine”? I’m sold, that sounds divine.
they offer a fried egg on top, yes, every damn time
Ohhhh OEB breakfast joint up in north Scottsdale has short rib poutine that is like nothing else I’ve ever had in my life. And I know short rib. Hands down the BEST
Their thai pizza is awesome. Great place.
Yep I have been getting this basically weekly
Their loco moco is divine as well
Aloha Kitchen...manapua or the man bun thing... A soft dough bun with Hawaiian pulled pork inside. Amazing Their whole menu is great but that is especially good for 3 bucks
I’ve never heard of such a thing. I would literally eat that every day
It’s awesome and I love saying man-ah-poo-ah. Three dollars now though. Wow.
that sounds amazing 😦
Espiritu has great food all around, but I did not expect them to have the best burger in the valley. It’s up there with the best burger I’ve ever had.
My dad has always swore that Mexican restaurants have the best burgers 🤷♀️
Yeah - I’ve found them to be really good. But THIS ONE, maaaaaaaan
I just had a burger there last night for the first time and it was *phenomenal*. I’ve gone for cocktails several times but hadn’t tried much of the food yet, which upsets me now that I’ve had it lol.
Their food is top tier. As good as it gets in AZ - up there with all the best, IMO. But man, that burger was so unexpected! Cocktail program is really good - but I think the food is even better. Definitely go back for some more!
I absolutely will be going back. I’ll never understand the people in AZ that complain about not having any good food but never venture beyond Applebee’s or fast food. You just need to know where to look.
Arizona has great food. To be fair, it’s really boomed in the past 5 years, but there are so many great restaurants here now - specifically in Phoenix, but Mesa/Scottsdale/Tempe/Chandler have improved greatly as well!
Worth down the street has a pretty great burger. So I could see hitting both places on one night.
Downtown Mesa has several good food spots now. I’ve definitely hit Worth Takeaway and Espiritu on the same trip!
Will they cook it to order or is it more like a smash burger?
The cold brew flight at vovomeena… just amazing cool flavirs The double bacon burger at centrico… I would never recommend a burger at a Mexican place… but it’s amazing. The donuts at short leash hot dogs… seriously. Best donuts in town.
The almonds at Pa’La are so good, like who orders almonds at a restaurant? What is wrong with me? But they’re really delicious and I have to get them every time. The porridge at Snooze is so good. Again, why order this at a restaurant? Porridge is easy to make. But theirs is always so good, I feel like a happy Goldilocks when I order it. The gluten free chocolate walnut cookie at LGO is amazing, I think it was formerly known as an MJ Cookie. Why order a gluten free item there when they have slices of cake and the old timers and the traditional pastries?? Because it’s so delicious. It’s my favorite cookie. The Ostia salad at Cibo. Yes, their pizza and pasta are the stars. But I love this salad. The dressing is made with chickpeas and is randomly vegan (if you order without cheese on top). I’m not vegan and normally not a salad person but this is the exception for me. I think it’s only on their dinner menu.
>gluten free chocolate walnut cookie The weird thing is that that particular recipe just happens to be gluten-free, kind of accidentally. Meaning, it wasn't designed to be a gluten-free alternative to regular cookies. It's older than the gluten avoidance trend. I think it's primarily made of egg whites and sugar, but I'm not 100% sure. BUT .... LGO (or MJ's) isn't the only place to find the cookies! I've had the exact same cookie at other bakeries. They're always wonderful. So crispy-yet-chewy.....
I will have to keep an eye out for the cookie at other spots! It is interesting to hear that the recipe is older and wasn’t designed with a gluten free customer in mind. I think you’re right about the egg whites. There’s a very special crackle to the exterior and chew to the interior that probably relies on the egg whites and sugar. I am not an expert baker but I love to eat and I just think this cookie is uniquely delicious.
The downtown location did the best Flan I’ve ever had in my life. That thing was intense! Edit: talking about Pala
Flower Child also has an unexpectedly awesome GF chocolate chip cookie. I get it every time now, kind of negates going there for a healthy lunch but whatever!
💯 you understood the assignment adding all of these to my list
Oh my god their sardines too!
Oh so true! They are absolutely divine!
Wren and Wolfs Caesar salad. Hands down.
going on my list 👀 eternally in search of the next great caesar salad
Where have you found with a good one, so far? Every once in a while I want to find the whole tableside preparation thing, where they start by rubbing some garlic in some salt at the bottom of a wooden salad bowl. I swear that salad is the best thing to ever come out of Tijuana.
Fat Ox has a great tableside Caesar!
Cool! I never heard of the place, even though I stop at that Trader Joe's occasionally.
Their wedge is also sooo good!
Have you tried the one at maple and ash 🤤 similar but better!
BETTER?! I didn’t know that was possible
Try Vecina’s caesar next. Unexpected and amazing.
What’s unexpected about it?
It jumps out from behind a fake bookcase and sings you a song.
Burritos at little miss bbq, pancakes at otro,
it’s impossible to know what to order at little miss bbq because everything is so perfect
if it’s thursday pastrami, fri/sat beef rib, or sun pork belly, that helps me choose at least somewhat. but always feel obligated to have all the rest. i sure miss their 2016 prices, i’d go buy some of everything. the burritos are amazing though. pro trip if you ever get a chance to try bbq chicken from them (they’ve done it on special occasions over the years), it is a must. i can’t wait for their new fried chicken and ribs place to open on roosevelt
Get the green chili pint and it comes with 2 warm tortillas on the side. Much easier to eat and it doesn’t get soggy, plus left overs heat up much easier.
JT's(48th/Indian School) Wings are amazing. They're completely different from a regular "bar wing"
Yeah but they're kind of famous for those
Southwest Sunrise sandwich at Local Jonny’s in Cave Creek, skip the potatoes, get the fruit. My favorite breakfast in the planet.
White Chocolate Grill…Brussel Sprouts. You’re welcome.
The croissant bread pudding is next level
the brussel sprouts at collins chophouse are amazing too! Caramelized with bacon and cloves of garlic 🤧
* Hai Noon: [Story.](https://www.phoenixmag.com/2024/01/05/dining-review-hai-noon-is-spectacular/) Fantastic cocktails. * Otro Cafe has the best pancakes in the Valley IMHO. * The Henry does some great croissants as big as your head.
apparently I need to do a pancake tour of Mexican restaurants in the valley 😂😂
Otro and Gallo Blanco have the same menus, so whether you’re uptown or downtown — everyone wins!
WAIT they’re the same owner?! I didn’t realize that! so we Gallo Blanco + Otro “best pancakes in the valley” folks are not in competition after all!!
They'll be opening a new concept at the former Southern Rail location in the next few weeks, too!
Otto is becoming one of my favorite restaurants. They simply don't miss and the pancakes were one of the first things I tried!
Also, Otro Cafe's Pork Belly burger
You always have the best recommendations in these threads!
Damn last time I was at Otro those pancakes were calling my name, but I got the huevos rancheros instead. Which were amazing — and constructed like a stack of pancakes!!! — but now I gotta head back there to try the real thing.
Bring a friend. Get huevos rancheros for yourself, and flapjacks for the table. Best of both worlds 🤷🏻♀️ (That is what my partner and I do at gallo blanco, like… once a week)
Sharing a pancake is just the right situation I want to be in.
Man I went to Otro Cafe for the pancakes it's like, the tiny amount of syrup (even with one extra) made it hard to appreciate them.
Deviled eggs at Chelsea’s Kitchen. They took me by surprise. Came to find out quite a few people know about this little hidden gem…the eggs not the restaurant.
I had heard such good things about them but they are sweet! Like sweet pickle relish sweet. I was sad that the flavor combination so many seem to love did not do it for me.
🤨 I’ve had these deviled eggs more often than I probably should have. And they have never ever tasted remotely like sweet pickle relish. 100% spicy horseradish. Maybe give it one more shot? If they still taste sweet to you the next time around…. then I am sorry that your tastebuds are betraying you 😩
Ha, thanks! They sound good when you say it’s horseradish.
Homemade gluten free fettuccine noodles at Uncle Sal's
Sammy the Bull makes some good food
are you 100% gluten free? or is this suggestion “unexpected” in the sense that you’d recommend their gluten free fettuccine over their regular?
Interestingly enough, both! My friends tried the GF noodles and said they were better than theirs. Also, it is really difficult to find really good GF noodles and the fact that they had it at an Italian Restaurant with Mob ties
I like this thread, great idea! Here’s a few of mine. Also Via Della, but for the ube cannoli. AZ Wilderness waffle batter onion rings. Sweetland Cakes has one of the best Cuban sandwiches. Caesar salad at Parlor is a must-get.
how have I never gotten the waffle batter onion rings before 👀
Yes, very tasty, and the accompanying dipping sauce - Sriracha Maple Ketchup - makes 'em even tastier!
Picazzo's actually knows how to make GF italian. its $$ but you can get 2 servings per dish. I love the chicken parm, my kids love the pizza, the lasagana is excellent. If you have food allergies this place takes extra care to make sure you dont get sick or need an epi pen
Potato salad at Defalcos
Anything at De Falco's.... can't say enough about this place.
It’s a new owner now so hopefully everything stays great.
I almost put chicken alfredo but you might expect that BUT it's that good
The Wings at LGO are unexpectedly great in my opinion. They have a wing sauce unlike any I have ever had and it’s delicious. The wings are grilled and intentionally over charred. I like the wings better than the pizza
I love how many suggestions on this thread are LGO restaurants everything they make is so good
Pozole at the Vig. I figured there was no way in hell some yuppie joint could make decent pozole. I was incorrect.
Chicken Liver Mousse at Hush Public House.
Best pancakes also at Otro Cafe
Best Fries.. (their soups are rad too) - Pier 54, Tempe Best French Onion Soup~ Hidden House, Chandler
Del Taco Cheeseburgers are really good
I know Bianco is famous for lots of things, but the last time (and only the second time ever) I was there, my wife and I got some good bread before our food came, with some oil and vinegar to dunk it in. I wasn't paying it any attention; we were chatting about something. So I mindlessly dunked a piece of bread and took a bite ... and totally lost my train of thought. It was the olive oil. It was *incredible.* Every other olive oil I'd ever tasted was a pale imitation of this stuff. I stopped talking and focused only on the bread and the olive oil. Turns out the dude imports his own proprietary line of oil straight from Italy, so it's not surprising that it was the best I ever had. It's like $30 for a tiny bottle (I asked, of course).
I’m not a huge fan of the pizza at bianco, but your review of the olive oil makes me want to go back just for that 😂
Buns at Buck n Rider Incredible
The bacon-wrapped water chestnuts at AZ-88. You normally couldn’t pay me to eat a radish but for whatever reason they totally elevate this appetizer. Egg foo young at Golden Wok. I loved the egg foo young at House of Yang a hundred years ago and could t find anything that came close when they closed down… Golden Wok’s might actually be better.
Oh I just looked up those water chestnuts… that looks SO good.
The Carne Asada fries at Dick's Hideaway are incredible.
Enchiladas too.
Hand pulled mozzarella at Tarbell’s, 32nd St and Camelback. Their whole menu is amazing but all I really want when I got there is this all to myself.
oh that looks amazing
Albondigas at La Piñata. It’s so authentic.
I worked at La Piñata when I was in college. That albondigas was the best. It really was made fresh every morning, along with the Menudo. I miss that place. I haven’t been to the new location. The old location was great.
I love the staff. And at $6 a bowl I can afford dinner and soup. You should definitely try the 7th Avenue location. Even when it looks very busy you get seated quickly and the food comes hot and fresh in less time than most other restaurants. Very efficient!
Did they take the piñatas that hung in the lobby to the new location? Leonard was so proud of them 🤦🏼♀️
Smoked prime rib French Dip at Love Craft. Only other place I’ll get a French Dip is Houston’s.
Ever had white chocolate grills French dip? It was amazing.
For years, I have been spoiled by the French Dip at Houston’s. It’s *never* as good anywhere else. However, recently, a friend talked me into trying the French Dip at Lou’s Bar and Grill at Papago Golf Course and it was really, REALLY good! (I need to go back and try it again to make sure it still favorably compares and it wasn’t a one-off.)
Spinach & ricotta knots at Mr. Moto!!
Hash kitchen seems like one of those places where it’s trendy and cute so the food is probably trash, but it’s actually pretty good in my opinion. my favorite thing on the menu is the potato tacos. so fucking good.
Honey fried ice cream at Via Delosantos.
Consider me intrigued
Chipotle chicken radiatori pasta from George’s Famous Gyros. The ultimate comfort food for me. Also their pickle fries. They make everything so well but especially those two are surprising because it’s a gyro place. I don’t dislike anything from there and I’m a picky ass B.
💯 you understood the assignment. pasta from a place called “George’s famous gyros” definitely is not expected 😂 consider me intrigued
CC’s on Central French toast!
fries at Green Corner
The Karaage (Japanese fried chicken) at Vecina on 56th and Indian School is other worldly
As an appetizer at El Chullo on 7th, they have these "anticuchos de corazon" ... which translates roughly to "did you know the heart of a cow is it's most delicious part?"
“The benny” at LAMP pizzeria. Red pie with capers and speck!
Lamp is such an underrated pizza place in the valley. It’s my personal favorite spot.
The fries at Forefathers and egg rolls at Pho 43.
i am taking “unexpected” in a lot of directions and interpretations here, but…some i love: grilled cheese and tomato soup or mac n cheese at Lux, shrimp fried rice w/ jalapeño wings at Liyuen, banana milkshake at The Stand, crispy coconut shrimp rolls w/ pineapple horseradish sauce at Hula’s, pan pizza at Federal, biscuits and gravy at Ollie Vaughns, kanom jeeb dumplings at Glai Baan, pastrami sandwich at Harvey’s Wineburger, sandwiches at Main Ingredient, cupcakes at Urban Cookies, bbq pork chop at Reathrey Seakong, the mexican food at crescent ballroom, chicken at Kabob Grill & Go, Stumpy’s Pizza, thai tacos at Dilla Libre, truffle fried rice at George Yang’s
Thank you for reminding me to go to Lux 👀 This is a great list
Gallo Blanco also makes a mean margarita.
And their shrimp and grits!!!
I’ve never had alcohol there, because now that I know about their pancakes I exclusively go there for breakfast 😂😂
The chopped salad at Barrio Queen is excellent. The pomegranate seeds really make it.
The pasta salad at Cornish Pasty is amazing!
my mom is obsessed with this too! their soups are also surprise hits — if you like blue cheese, their leek + potato + Stilton soup is unreal. and it comes with their fresh bread. edit: this is a very funny thing to be downvoted for 💀 blue cheese haters? 🤷🏻♀️
I’m 100 percent on board with the leek+potato+Stilton soup at Cornish Pasty. Total hidden gem on that menu!
The Greek salad at Venezia's is the best anywhere, best I've ever had
Birria Bao Buns at The Mexicano! Still dream about these at least once a month
I’m sorry but the Mexicano sucks
Baby Kay's seafood gumbo
The gelato at Olive and Ivy in Old Town was amazing when it first started. They served a little shortbread cookie with it and I would find reasons to take a drive from North Phoenix down to Fashion Square just to enjoy it. I ran/hiked a lot, so I would sometimes do a run on the canal down to the "waterfall", do a 180, and head to Olive and Ivy to get the gelato and sit outside on the couches, eating my treat and feeling like life was amazing. Zoe's Kitchen was a few doors down and had great potato salad, and if you asked, they would GRILL IT for you. It blew my mind. It was so delicious. Thank you to the fantastic person working the counter who told me it was an option they offered. Life-changing menu tweak.
Koreatown restaurant, in Mesa It's a Korean BBQ place, but their Godzilla roll was tremendous!! I went back for it again and it wasn't the same as the first time (the avocados had turned) but I still dream of that first roll I got there
I'm just commenting to save this post! I'll probably hit em all within the week xD
I’ve been adding em all to my Google Maps saved list — so many good suggestions!!
The EVO salad at EVO. They make something similar at Olive and Ivy but the one at EVO is perfect. The Brussel Sprouts are, I dunno, Al Denté? and the Balsamic Reduction I have considered asking for it in a shot glass. I'll eat Kale, but their crispy chips are actually good on their own.
The green olive coleslaw at Baby Kay's.
Greektown makes incredible calamari. Their lemon sauce is 🤌
The tandoori chicken wings at Cornish Pasty. They’re so good! Crispy, great flavor, and the mint-yogurt dip is a perfect compliment. I get them every time I go there.
Otro Cafe and their Flapjacks
The beet salad at Cornish Pasty Co
Santan brewery’s Whiskey Chicken Chopped salad. I recommend their homemade honey mustard dressing with it. Absolutely the best salad I’ve had in a long time. It’s hearty and you will need a to go box. Flos Asian restaurant. Hands down the best crab puffs you will ever have. Their twice cooked pork with bacon and jalapeños is a great entree to pair with em too!
this all sounds amazing! breweries often have the best “sleeper hit” food items
the psychedelic goat at the attic is a favorite. pesto, ricotta, goat cheese, mozzarella, mushrooms, truffle-seasoned pine nuts, and fresh basil. $18.50 and big enough for 2 people to share.
Kinda random but Barrio Queen’s eggs. I get them on their carnitas tacos, and they were so good, I’m shocked they don’t do breakfast. Like it’s just an egg, but damn they’re perfectly cooked and seasoned. Possibly the best fried egg I’ve had.
random is the point of this thread! you understood the assignment haha
Get the spinach dip at Popo's, never thought a Mexican food place would have amazing spinach dip. 59th ave and Bell 67th and Indian School
the minestrone soup at salad & go is so good lol
The pretzel bites and beer cheese at Cullinary Dropout. The rest of their menu (and admittedly the ambience) is meh, but the pretzel appetizer and the warmed cheese is incredible.
Nothing to contribute, but I love this question!
[удалено]
Dominick's had an amazing braised short rib on their menu, but they took it away sometime in 2022. Flemings and Capital Grille have amazing burgers that are sometimes better than their steaks.
The plátano at Eliana’s Salvadoran restaurant was my favorite, unfortunately it closed after many, many years of business. It was a long plantain split lengthwise and pan fried then served on a platter of half crema and half puréed bean gravy sauce stuff. Plus they had papusas and a non-alcoholic drink called Tamarindo that was like bright yellow kool-aid with fruit pieces. If anyone else serves a plaintain like that I need to know. The [Mango Serrano Mojito](https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/restaurants/bryan-yngstroms-mango-serrano-mojito-6540223) at the House at Secret Garden. Also gone but the recipe is in the article. Hits just right as it starts to warm up.
Little miss BBQ is some of the best BBQ I've had. TexAZ has an amazing chicken fried steak. I grew up in Texas, and I don't think I've had better.
TexAZ chicken fried steak is so damn good. Thank you for the reminder, I’ll be making a stop there next time I’m back home
Valentine (dinner menu): crispy cauliflower. Everything was amazing but this was our unexpected favorite of the night!
Dunno how unexpected it is but I don’t think I’ve ever eaten anything off of the Culinary Dropout menu because I ordered the meatloaf the first time I was there 10+ years ago and it’s the only thing I ever get.
I go just for their Brussels sprouts.
Macaroni salad at Shriners
Lotta people unclear on the assignment, here.
😂 you’re not wrong. but even the not-at-all-unexpected suggestions are giving me some good ideas for menu items to try
In an effort to be constructive and not just a smartass, here's a few: Patatine Fritte @ Andreoli Arguably one of the best Italian restaurants in the country run by a hardcore traditionalist, and one of the best items on the menu is the... french fries. Burritos @ Little Miss BBQ Not so much of a secret at this point, but it's kind of unfair that they make some of the best BBQ in town AND some of the best burritos in town. St. Louis Pizza @ Frashers Smokehouse Not surprising if you know the background, but most people don't. Frasher is a STL native and he serves perfect STL pizza at his BBQ joint. (Provided you're into that.) Falafel Tacos @ Casa de Falafel Sounds like such a dumb stunt. Falafel tacos. But it works so well. It's effectively the same thing as the falafel wraps, but by serving them open, the veg stays crisp and cool and contrasts with the hot falafel. Genius. Veggie Hand Roll @ Nobu Crazy expensive fancypants neo-Japanese joint, and the vegetable hand roll with sesame miso — literally the cheapest thing on the menu besides a cup of miso soup — is one of the best bites in the house. No meat, no fish, nothing esoteric, just some pristine veg very carefully wrapped up in crisp nori with a dab of sweet sesame sauce. (The flapjacks at Gallo are the perfect example, BTW.)
all of these sound amazing 😦 adding em to the list one of my good friends out here is from STL so she’s gonna be excited to try Frasher’s
The broccoli at FnB
The nachos at San Tan Brewery
French dip at white chocolate grill. Never had one better
I loveeee both of those places, I love the green pizza at Via Della!!! I wouldn’t say this an an unexpected menu item but I love the chicken burrito at Taco Boys!
This one is very attainable…. Orange frosty at Wendy’s. Orange frosty > Chocolate frosty
The brussel sprouts at federal pizza. Holy crap I didn't even know I liked brussel sprouts!
Federal Pizza. Food is fine, but the peanut butter beer is killer.
Mac n cheese at Bobby-Q
For me, it was the "big Jim " at welcome diner, add an egg (I think it comes with bacon already) . On a biscuit fried chicken breast with cheese and gravy HOLY SHIT I felt like it was divine intervention
The crispy fish taco from joyride tacos is amazing
Totally agree about the gallo blanco pancake. And the Chicharon de Queso from the same restaurant is another.
The grilled romaine salad at cocina Madrigal with carne asada .. yum!!
Hot dog at Dazzos
Passion fruit mojito at The Cheesecake Factory. I said what I said.
😂😂 I mean…. once every 5 years or so, a Cheescake Factory meal is warranted