Phoenix Dining Reviews from AZ Central

• The Cove Grill in Chandler, 3.5 stars April 30, 2012
  The Cove Grill strives to be a "Cheers"-like local hangout. With its laid-back atmosphere, friendly staff and tasty-but-inexpensive menu (the priciest entree is $8), the Chandler spot is the kind of place any neighborhood would welcome.
• Kitchen 56 in Phoenix, 3.5 stars April 20, 2012
  Kitchen 56 has renovated the Humble-Enco station at 56th Street and Indian School Road in Phoenix, paying homage to the original 1961 building while installing a satisfying up-to-date menu.
• Rocket Burger & Subs in Phoenix, 3.5 stars April 20, 2012
  With over 300 different brands of soda on stock, Rocket Burger & Subs is a Phoenix pop-lover's heaven. But thanks to an array of juicy burgers and hefty subs, Rocket Burger is more than just a destination for soft drinks.
• New York Flavor in Surprise, 4 stars April 19, 2012
  New York Flavor in Surprise brings Big Apple classics.
• La Stalla Cucina Rustica in Chandler, 4 stars April 16, 2012
  La Stalla Cucina Rustica doesn't get the publicity enjoyed by some of its downtown Chandler peers, which makes it one of the area's best-kept secrets.
• Saigon Kitchen in Surprise, 5 stars April 11, 2012
  Saigon Kitchen gives its Surprise neighborhood bragging rights to one of the best new restaurants in the Valley with its first-class Vietnamese fare.
• The Iowa Cafe in Mesa, 3 stars April 9, 2012
  An East Valley staple since it opened in Mesa in 1985, The Iowa Cafe offers a taste of home for Midwest transplants and retirees in the form of loose-meat sandwiches, large slaps of meatloaf and homemade pies.
• China Grill in Peoria, 3 stars April 4, 2012
  Neighborhood Chinese restaurant China Grill offers little in the way of surprises. But the Peoria spot serves up an extensive menu of solid Americanized favorites like teriyaki chicken.
• The Chuckbox in Tempe, 4 stars March 26, 2012
  The Chuckbox has been feeding hungry ASU students in Tempe for nearly four decades, and the simple, affordable and perfectly cooked burgers more than hold their own against any of the overpriced, truffle-oiled, Kobe beef offerings in the Valley.
• Olde Towne Glendale Wine and Beer Bar, 3 stars March 20, 2012
  The Olde Towne Glendale Wine and Beer Bar is a good sign of things to come at the newly refurbished Gaslight Inn.
• Slices in Tempe, 3.5 stars March 19, 2012
  For the past 13 years, pizza joint Slices has proved to be a popular destination for Arizona State students looking for a quick, inexpensive lunch and Mill Avenue revelers leaving the bars at 2 a.m.
• Rino D's Pizza & Wings in Gilbert, 3 stars March 13, 2012
  Rino D's pizza is similar in price and slightly better in quality that that offered by national delivery chains, and is worth checking out if you live within their delivery area in Gilbert. But the wings and sandwiches are the real menu highlights.
• Johnny Fox's Public House, 3.5 stars March 6, 2012
  Irish pub Johnny Fox's Public House has taken over the spot recently vacated by Lis Doon Varna in Peoria. All the Irish pub staples are there: fish and chips, shepherd's pie and plenty of Guinness to go around.
• House of Brews in Gilbert, 3.5 stars March 5, 2012
  Despite its name, Gilbert's House of Brews is not so much an ale-centric hangout for beer geeks as a comfortable, above-average neighborhood restaurant.
• The Original Flame Burger Factory in Chandler, 3 stars February 7, 2012
  The Original Flame Burger Factory in Chandler may be the only eatery in the Valley where you can get a delicious burger made with a third-pound, Niman Ranch all-natural beef patty for less than $4.
• Fu-Fu Cuisine in Phoenix, 3.5 stars March 1, 2012
  Phoenix's Fu-Fu Cuisine serves home cooking at its best. So what if your home isn't Nigeria?
• Seoul Korean Grill in Glendale, 4 stars February 21, 2012
  Humble and stylish Seoul Korean Grill in Glendale offers an authentic taste of the east Asian country.
• Cucina di Vita in Mesa, 3 stars February 13, 2012
  Cucina di Vita in downtown Mesa is a nice, casual place to grab an inexpensive slice of pizza or hearty meatball sandwich.
• Anise Cafe in Peoria, 3.5 stars February 6, 2012
  Anise Cafe's pan-Asian menu takes the best from many cultures, creating an itinerary that travels through several cuisines united by a common sensibility. This crowd-pleasing Peoria spot will leave everyone happy and full.
• Golden Gate Chinese Restaurant in Mesa, 2.5 stars January 30, 2012
  Golden Gate Chinese Restaurant in Mesa offers ample portions of decent if unremarkable Americanized Chinese food at affordable prices. It's a formula that seems to work.
• Philly Steak & Wings, 3 stars January 23, 2012
  Mesa's Philly Steak & Wings isn't the kind of place you'd drive across town to visit. But if you enjoy cheese steaks and find yourself in the vicinity of Fiesta Mall, it's well worth checking out.
• JP Pancake in Gilbert, 2.5 stars January 19, 2012
  At JP Pancake in Gilbert, the breakfast fare isn't especially noteworthy -- with the exception of its German-style pancakes, a rarity in the Valley.
• Beauregard Food Co. in Peoria, 4 stars January 17, 2012
  I'm already planning my next trip to Beauregard Food Co. This is certainly a destination for Southern hospitality. Every smile says come back soon. And eat more beignets.
• Raising Cane's in Phoenix, 3 stars January 11, 2012
  Two Raising Cane's franchises have recently opened in Phoenix and are serving up lightly breaded chicken fingers, crinkle fries, fresh-squeezed lemonade, and... not much else. Variety's not their strong suit, but Raising Cane's may just be your new go-to spot for fast-food chicken.
• La Bona Pasta in Litchfield Park, 3 stars January 10, 2012
  La Bona Pasta in Litchfield Park has a somewhat spotty menu, but there are some standout Italian dishes.
• Elmer's Tacos in Chandler, 3.5 stars January 9, 2012
  If you're looking for a good but inexpensive "hole-in-the-wall" Mexican restaurant, Elmer's Taco's should be on your go-to list in Chandler.
• Flanny's Bar & Grill, 3.5 stars January 3, 2012
  If you're a dining aficionado, you've probably never heard of Flanny's in Tempe. But if you're a beer fan, Flanny's is a destination spot, offering one of the best selections of craft beers in the Valley.
• Costa Vida, 2 stars December 21, 2011
  Utah-based chain Costa Vida is similar in setup and menu to its more famous rival, Chipotle, but the Mesa location is nowhere near as tasty.
• India Palace, 3.5 stars December 20, 2011
  For those who crave Indian food, India Palace is one to add to any itinerary. The possibilities are intriguing, and India Palace is a good training ground.
• Habit Burger Grill, 3 stars December 19, 2011
  Habit Burger Grill at Ray Road and 54th Street in Chandler offers one of the Valley's best under-$3 burgers with its signature Charburger.
• The Deli in Queen Creek, 4 stars December 14, 2011
  Blake and Nicole Mastyk have been pleasantly confounding expectations since opening The Deli in Queen Creek.
• Geno's Giant Slice in Gilbert, 1.5 stars December 9, 2011
  If you need to feed two hungry people for just $5, Geno's Giant Slice probably will do the job. Just don't expect too much.
• Zanzibar in Glendale, 3.5 stars December 6, 2011
  At Zanzibar, don't hesitate to try a variety of items; you aren't likely to find anything like them in most Valley neighborhoods.
• Spinato’s menu carries the day for family business December 5, 2011
  Although Spinato's doesn't get nearly as much publicity as some of the Valley's better-known pizzerias, its pizza ranks among the Valley's best.
• Genghis Grill, 3 stars November 29, 2011
  Founded in 2004, Dallas-based Genghis Grill has ridden Mongolian barbecue's growing popularity to nearly 70 restaurants in 20 states, including five in the Valley.