Phoenix Dining Reviews from AZ Central

• 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.
• Los Favoritos Taco Shop, 3 stars November 21, 2011
  If you live or spend time in the Southeast Valley, you've probably seen a Los Favoritos Taco Shop.
• Ground Control in Goodyear, 3 stars November 15, 2011
  The self-proclaimed center of Goodyear for four years, Ground Control is a cool enough place that it could serve as base operations in David's Bowie's stratospheric anthem, ''Space Oddity.'' Major Tom would approve.
• In Pockets Bakery & Catering in Chandler, 4 stars November 14, 2011
  With its tasty yet reasonably priced breakfast and lunch menus - both of which are offered all day - it seems like just a matter of time before In Pockets becomes known as another one of downtown Chandler's top dining destinations.
• Eest Asian Bistro in Avondale, 3.5 stars November 4, 2011
  Located at the Dysart Commons retail center in Avondale, the lovely Eest Asian Bistro looks brand new, but it has been here for about three years.
• Squid Ink Sushi in Peoria, 4 stars October 31, 2011
  Just over a year ago, Peoria welcomed Squid Ink Sushi. At the helm is chef-owner Schuyler Estes, a graduate of the Scottsdale Culinary Institute. Take a bow, Peoria. You welcomed a winner.
• European Bakery and Café, 3.5 stars October 24, 2011
  Armenian natives David and Rose Kouyoumjian serve up hefty sandwiches and delectable European pastries at this humble bakery in Glendale.
• Barro's Pizza in Mesa, 3.5 stars October 17, 2011
  At a time when ''artisan'' pizza is all the rage, there's something appealing about an old-fashioned, family-friendly neighborhood pizzeria like Barro's Pizza in Mesa.
• Elevate Coffee Co. in Phoenix, 3 stars October 17, 2011
  Elevate Coffee Co. offers a variety of drinks, sandwiches and salads to the famished shoppers of the Shops of Norterra in northwest Phoenix.
• Japan Express in Glendale, 2.5 stars October 12, 2011
  Japan Express in Glendale doesn't make any pretensions. It is what it is, which is a good place for quick Japanese food that's accessible and reasonably priced. There is better Japanese fare in town, but it's pricier and you'll wait longer.
• WOW Cafe in Sun City, 3 stars September 27, 2011
  Executive chef L.T. Maio elevates WOW Café's simple fare. This Sun City strip mall joint does good by comfort food standards like sandwiches, clam chowder and pie.
• Pho Avina in Glendale, 3 stars September 26, 2011
  You don't have to have a Vietnamese aunty to consider Pho Avina comfort food. The Glendale eatery cooks up a host of Vietnamese favorites, including soups, noodle dishes, rice flour crepes and bubble teas.
• Bistro Daniel in Glendale, 3.5 stars September 22, 2011
  Glendale's Bistro Daniel, headed by executive chef Dominique Dahmani, offers a diverse and hearty menu of French, Italian and American fare.
• Waldo's BBQ in Mesa, 3.5 stars September 20, 2011
  Founded by a former Snowflake pig farmer named Clay Caldwell, Waldo's BBQ's smoked beef, pork and poultry have been satisfying east Mesa diners for 18 years and counting.
• Huauchinango Mexican Grill in Scottsdale, 4 stars September 13, 2011
  Huauchinango Mexican Grill is a real treat, a Pueblan-style greasy spoon perched on the north side of the Tempe/Scottsdale border near Miller Road.
• Pullano's Pizza & Wings in Glendale, 3 stars September 12, 2011
  Glendale family-owned pizza joint Pullano's Pizza & Wings has been in the West Valley more than 30 years serving its eponymous foods and an array of Italian favorites. The pizza and wings are good enough to make this place a hit during football season.
• Floridino's Pizza & Pasta in Chandler, 4 stars August 30, 2011
  Chandler pizza joint Floridino's proves there's no secret to success for a restaurant, even during a recession. Great food, great prices, great atmosphere. Simple as that.
• Cheba Hut in Glendale, 3 stars August 29, 2011
  An Arizona State University student founded Cheba Hut in 1998, a marijuana-themed toasted sandwich shop that caters to college kids with the munchies.
• U.S. Egg in Tempe, 3.5 stars August 22, 2011
  U.S. Egg in Tempe is a breakfast spot that stands out from the crowd, offering killer skillets and Protein Cakes.
• Coffee & Tea Express in Glendale, 3 stars August 16, 2011
  The hominess of Coffee & Tea Express makes this a warm and inviting neighborhood destination in downtown Glendale.