Most of the restaurants in greater Phoenix seem to have
retreated to the malls in recent years, so unless you're prepared
to pay resort prices, it's hard to find a good restaurant with very
much atmosphere. The mall places aren't at all bad, however, and
there's plenty of variety. Apart from a block or two in central
Scottsdale, no area of the metropolis is small enough to walk
around while you look for a place to eat, but if you're happy to
drive, neighborhood diners - especially Mexican - can still be
found.
Alice Cooper'stown 101 E Jackson St tel 602/253-7337.
Barbecue restaurant-cum-sports bar, owned by the rock star and
alongside downtown's America West Arena, where the food's better
than you'd expect, and the atmosphere is fun, with the staff
bedecked in full face paint. Lunch and dinner daily.
Ed Debevic's Short Orders Deluxe 2102 E Highland Ave tel
602/956-2760. Burgers and fries, malts and cokes, served amid
frenetic retro-Americana that includes a mini-jukebox on every
table.
House of Tricks 114 E 7th St, Tempe tel 480/968-1114.
Tiny, smart, romantic modern-American place in the university
district, with lots of vegetarian options. Closed Sun.
Monti's La Casa Vieja 101 W Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe tel
480/967-7594. Tempe's oldest adobe house, built in 1873, is now an
atmospheric Western-themed diner, serving a conventional
steak-and-chicken menu at extraordinarily low prices. Lunch and
dinner daily.
Pizzeria Bianco Heritage Square, 623 E Adams St tel
602/258-8300. Good quality pizzas in very convenient downtown
location. Dinner only, daily except Mon.
MacAlpine's Nostalgic Soda Fountain 2303 N 7th St tel
602/252-7282. Classic downtown soda fountain; wash down your
breakfast special or deli sandwiches with an old-style soda.
Roxsand Biltmore Fashion Park, 2594 E Camelback Rd tel
602/381-0444. Eclectic, futuristic restaurant in upmarket uptown
mall. Entrees drawn from the major world cuisines - especially
Asian, with plenty of spicy Thai and Chinese sauces - start at
around $20, and the desserts are great.
Roy's 7001 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale tel 602/905-1155.
Ravishing Pacific Rim restaurant in very chic dining district.
Meaty entrees, mostly at $20-25, include Szechuan barbecued pork
ribs or rack of lamb, while specials usually include Hawaiian fish
dishes. Open daily for dinner only.
Sam's Café Arizona Center, 455 N 3rd St tel
602/252-3545. Hectic downtown mall joint, with patio seating,
that's nonetheless a great place to try out modern Southwestern
cuisine at old-fashioned prices. Lunch and dinner daily.