Phoenix trip - good eats?

[ms244]

My fore some is heading down to Phoenix/Mesa in early March and we are set with our courses (Lookout Mountain/WeKoPa/Boulders/Eagle Mountain). One rule that we have is that we always eat local cuisine on our trips and no chain foods (Applebees, McDonalds, Chili's, etc.) Can anyone recommend good restaurants that are authentic and not chain food? We are staying near Grayhawk area.

[apprenti23]

Sol in downtown Scottsdale is by far the best Mexican food I've ever had in my life. The garlic ribeye taco makes my mouth water just thinking about it! Right in the middle of the downtown shopping center, so if you have a large group make reservations.

Hiro Sushi is a very unassuming place but is the best sushi in town. They have pictures on the wall of tour players and other sports stars that frequent the establishment while in town. Can get crazy busy at times so if you have a large group, I'd recommend phoning ahead.

[linkerpan]

I recommend Sol too. Is Baja food in an upscale environment. Is located by the Kierland area (guess North Scottsdale). In Boulders, not as good as Sol but still good and closer, Spotted Donkey, that is more classic mexican food.

 

As always I recommend taking an Uber where you go and splitting the fare, because Scottsdale finest don't play games and will check you in the very parking lot if they see you walking to your car in a funny way.

[az2au]

Los Dos Molinos is my pick for the best Mexican food ever. Go to the one on Camelback as the drive to original isn't worth it. Sol is good but not in the same league for me. Carne Adovado Enchilada special with green is my go to but the Garlic Shrimp is also outstanding.

 

Dick's Hideaway is another casual favorite.

 

For more upscale we love Virtu and Citizen Public House (not super high end, just not golf clothing places). For steak we always go to Mastro's but Cholla is also good.

[One_Putt_Blunder]

Few favorite spots.

 

Pomo Pizzeria

 

http://pomopizzeria.com/

 

The Attic Ale House-Great Burgers

http://www.theatticaz.com/

 

 

AZ Wilderness Brewing-Long drive though

not my favorite beers but the burgers might be my favorite in AZ

http://www.azwbeer.com/

 

 

Right at Grayhawk you have Isabella's good spot to hang out and decent food

 

Closer to Grayhawk

OHSO Distillery

 

Jalapeno Inferno- OK Mexican but both locations are close the Grayhawk area

http://jalapenoinferno.com/

 

Lush Burger- Very Meh on this place though, just wanted to put it here to say if you see it, it is prob best to find another option

 

Mastros for steaks but technically that is a chain type even though very high end. Could always hit up Bourbon Steak at the Princess

 

 

 

Coming from Lookout Mountain there is a spot on 7th St and Union Hills called Magnums. If you enjoy cigars and well crafted bourbon cocktails, scotch or beer after around this is a great spot to hang out. Do not let the outside fool you. Once you get inside it is a great throwback old timer type bar. I should add no food here although they will create a charcuterie board for you

[ferrispgm]

I love SOL and it's right across the street from me :)

 

In old town you have Barrio Queen, and Old Town Gringos for some pretty decent bar food...also Salty Seniorita's, Loco Patron....pretty much any place in old town with a few exceptions. Up by Grayhawk, as mentioned, Isabellas is a great option. For breakfast, we like the Breakfast Joynt. OHSO is really good as well for lunch/dinner. By Lookout Mountain, there is a taco place that used to be called Lucha Libre but it's changed names now....still really good and it's like a mile away just south of the course. A little further away is Windsor off Central or 7th st...can't remember, but I love that place. There are a lot of really good local restaurants here. If you want Mexican, look for a hole in the wall with a lot of cars.

[DrSchteeve]

Blu Sushi in Grayhawk area is fantastic - not discovered yet but it is one of those place where the Japanese owners are also the primary sushi chefs (and they are shokunin). Giuseppi's is a hole in the wall Italian at the corner of N. Scottsdale Rd and Thunderbird - very down home, another owner behind the counter, and only takes cash (we think it may be a money laundromat, but the food is great). If you happen to be northwest in Phoenix (not Scottsdale), although there is no reason whatsoever you would, Angelina's Pho is great Vietnamese food. The Blind Pig has very good upscale Mexican for reasonable prices - not far from Old Town - the shrimp and corn tamales are something you always plan to share and then end up ordering one order per person.

[ferrispgm]

Blu Sushi in Grayhawk area is fantastic - not discovered yet but it is one of those place where the Japanese owners are also the primary sushi chefs (and they are shokunin). Giuseppi's is a hole in the wall Italian at the corner of N. Scottsdale Rd and Thunderbird - very down home, another owner behind the counter, and only takes cash (we think it may be a money laundromat, but the food is great). If you happen to be northwest in Phoenix (not Scottsdale), although there is no reason whatsoever you would, Angelina's Pho is great Vietnamese food. The Blind Pig has great upscale Mexican for very reasonable prices - not far from Old Town - the shrimp and corn tamales are fantastic, something you always plan to share and then end up ordering one order per person.

 

I used to manage the plaza where Giuseppe's is located...he is straight off the boat old school Italian...it used to be bring your own wine though and they charge an uncorking fee but the food is awesome...It's actually not anything shady

[az2au]

Windsor is quite good. Also, agree with OPB, Lush Burger is terrible and Jalapeno Inferno is mediocre at best.

 

Some nicer places:

Lon's at the Hermosa

Sanctuary at Camelback

 

Other low key options:

Salty Sow

Andreoli Italian Grocer (can eat in as well)

 

Sushi:

Sushi Brokers for the Damn Good roll is my favorite

[One_Putt_Blunder]

I personally try and stay out of old town, but there are still a few spots that I really like

 

Bandera, it has been there forever but every time I eat there it is really good.

 

AZ88 is very solid if you dont mind going to the type of place that could hang a rainbow flag out front

 

Culinary Drop Out two words Pretzel Fondue.

[ferrispgm]

Ok...culinary dropout is awesome and agree on the fondue as well as their turkey ruben on the pretzel roll...I liked the food at AZ88 but the 1 and only time I was there...took an hour for a glass of water and almost 1:45 to get food...horrible service....Bandera is really good too...heard bootleggers is good but have never been.

[DrSchteeve]

Blu Sushi in Grayhawk area is fantastic - not discovered yet but it is one of those place where the Japanese owners are also the primary sushi chefs (and they are shokunin). Giuseppi's is a hole in the wall Italian at the corner of N. Scottsdale Rd and Thunderbird - very down home, another owner behind the counter, and only takes cash (we think it may be a money laundromat, but the food is great). If you happen to be northwest in Phoenix (not Scottsdale), although there is no reason whatsoever you would, Angelina's Pho is great Vietnamese food. The Blind Pig has great upscale Mexican for very reasonable prices - not far from Old Town - the shrimp and corn tamales are fantastic, something you always plan to share and then end up ordering one order per person.

 

I used to manage the plaza where Giuseppe's is located...he is straight off the boat old school Italian...it used to be bring your own wine though and they charge an uncorking fee but the food is awesome...It's actually not anything shady

 

I really meant the Mafia reference tongue in cheek, but they are pleasantly quirky. Not only with the cash only, but the prices you pay often seem made up on the spot - I've probably paid $50 to $70 for the exact same orders (never complaining or commenting, mind you). They also close some days for no apparent reason. But fun, tasty, and as real Italian as it gets.

[pearls24]

The Mission in Old Town

Oreganos for great ultra thin crust pizza, salads, etc.

Sapporo for Sushi and great scene

Maestros like one other said

Sumo Maya is also a cool place- part japanese/asian fusion mixed with Mexican fusion.

Cowboy Ciao (amazing chopped salad)

[jewofgolf]

Now I'm a vegan health food wierdo...

 

But flower child is really good fast casual healthy food and I always recommend it. They have meat and non-meat items.

[Chomper]

My pick for Mexican is Los Sombreros. Better than every other Mexican place I have eaten.

Culinary Dropout, OHSO and The Vig are good casual places to eat and drink.

Mastro's is upscale. Bring Benjamins.

Cowboy Ciao is a great place but Citizen's Public house is better for a group.

[ms244]

Wow - Awesome responses. I will have to look into some of the places listed and make some notes. I saw quite a few people recommend Sushi. Is it really that popular out there? Where I am from it isn't popular at all, but of course I don't like fish so what do I know... LOL

 

Thanks for everyone's input! Keep them coming!

[cbbaron]

I prefer Dominicks over Mastros for steak

[az2au]

Ate at Giuseppe's tonight. Excellent.

[YMark]

Since your close to Cave Creek, check out the Hideaway, Bryans, or Harolds for some good BBQ and burgers. Not sure when bike week is, but if you're here during that time it is a crazy experience.

 

What's up with Lookout Mtn? Much better courses around, including Legend Trail and Verde River (Tegavah).

[Enzogorlami]

Comedor Guadalajara, best Mexican in Phoenix. Everything about that place screams Phoenix. Best restaurant in Phoenix is Kai without a doubt. Source: am chef

[ms244]

I will look into the courses you mentioned. Lookout Mountain was suggested by someone. Thanks!

Since your close to Cave Creek, check out the Hideaway, Bryans, or Harolds for some good BBQ and burgers. Not sure when bike week is, but if you're here during that time it is a crazy experience.

 

What's up with Lookout Mtn? Much better courses around, including Legend Trail and Verde River (Tegavah).

[az2au]

Lookout Mountain is a straight up terrible golf course. It would be hard to pick a worse one at random :)

[ms244]

Thanks to az2au and YMark for the heads-up on Lookout Mountain. I have swapped Legend Trail for that course.

 

Thanks again!

[az2au]

Good call. Legend Trail is a solid course. The 11th hole is a touch odd but overall quite good.

[SilverBullets]

Phoenix has a ton of good eats spread out in different areas of the valley. Arcadia, Central, downtown, parts of North Scottsdale. A plethora of great restaurants. It's really hard to go wrong. Many of my spots have already been listed. But here are my thoughts:

 

Pomo - Great Italian. We were in Italy in September and the pizza at Pomo is the closest in taste to what we had until sciliy than anywhere I've been in the states

 

North Italia - Really cool atmosphere with solid, more Americanize Italian food

 

The Henry - Great kind of American bistro food. A little higher end. Really cool atmosphere

 

Joyride - Cool taco place (think like California style tacos, not Mexican) in Central

 

Diego Pops - Another cool taco place (California style again) in old town... I love lunch at Diego pops

 

St Francis - not sure what category food this is. More like upscale comfort food (pork chops, prime rib, ciopinnio, etc). May be my favorite dinner spot in the valley

 

Arcadia Tavern - Good sports bar with very solid Tavern food

 

OHSO - mentioned already but a good spot for beers and good bar food

 

Frank and Lupes - Mexican place in Old Town. I thought it was excellent

[EntourageLife]

I love Phoenix. Mastros Steakhouse is always good! I go there everytime when driving back from Troon courses.

[GoHawks]

Any recommendations for South Phoenix. Say you play Southern Dunes and are driving back up north.

 

Thinking brewery burger Mexican food type places.

[EntourageLife]

Any recommendations for South Phoenix. Say you play Southern Dunes and are driving back up north.

 

Thinking brewery burger Mexican food type places.

 

No

[fore_life]

Any recommendations for South Phoenix. Say you play Southern Dunes and are driving back up north.

 

Thinking brewery burger Mexican food type places.

 

San tan Brewery in downtown Chandler, not my favorite beers but man the food is solid! I always get the southwest fried chcicken, the burgers are good too.

[puttnforthe8]

AZ Wilderness...even better beer and food than San Tan...;)