Sunday, May 31, 2009

50 Wonders of the Arizona Food World (or more specifically, Phoenix Metro area)

On May 20th the AZ Republic published a list of top 50 Wonders of the Arizona Food World. Most of their list is below (I combined, changed and dropped a few). There are quite a few that I haven't had a chance to experience even though we've lived here for a while. I would love to get input from all the AZ folks on which you would choose as your top 10 either from this list or add your own recommendations. It seems to include restaurant, food products and more. I'm sure there's a lot missing, especially things outside of the Phoenix metro area. I added one in Sedona to the end of the list.

I'm thinking of taking time out to visit some of these places to appreciate the Arizona food experience, but want to be sure that it'll be worth my while. I imagine there are a lot of restaurants that aren't included here, so feel free to mention 1 or 2 of those if they are at the top of your list.

Please add a comment with your Top 5 or 10 whether they're on this list or not.

I put an X by the ones that I have had a chance to visit or taste.

- Liberty Market, Gilbert - www.libertymarket.com
- Chris Bianco - Pizzeria Bianco, 623 E. Adams & Pane Bianco, 4404 N. Central Ave., Phoenix
www.pizzeriabianco.com
- Goldwater's Salsa - www.goldwaters.com
- Durant's restaurant - 2611 N. Central Ave., Phoenix - www.DurantsAZ.com
X - Rock Springs Cafe - 35769 Black Canyon Highway - www.rockspringscafe.com
- Carol Steele - Aravaipa Farms Bed & Breakfast & Jams, Winkelman
- Orange Patch, citrus grower, 3825 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa
- Mark Tarbell - Tarbells restaurant, 3213 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix - www.tarbells.com
- Stacy Saba & Leslie Updike - Cookbooks
- The Pork Shop, 3359 E. Combs road, Queen Creek
X - Queen Creek Olive Mill, Queen Creek - www.queencreekolivemill.com
(haven't been there but have had their delicious lemon olive oil)
- Kai restaurant, Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort, Gila River Reservation
www.sheratonwildhorsepass.com
- Flor de Michoacan, Mexican Ice Cream, 734 W. Main Street, Mesa -
- Maya's at the Farm at South Mountain, Produce, flowers, herbs, 6106 S. 32nd St,Phoenix
- Los Reyes de la Torta, Mexico city Mexican food, 9230 N. 7th Street, Phoenix
- Phoenix Ranch Market, Mexican market, multiple locations, Phoenix, Glendale
- Granite Creek Winery, 2515 N. Road 1 East, Chino valley - www.granitecreekvineyards.com
- Simply Bread, 2117 N. 24th St., Phoenix
- Cowboy Ciao, 7133 E. Stetson, Scottsdale
- Sea Saw - Nobuo Fukuda, sashimi chef - 7133 E. Stetson, Scottsdale
X - El Chorro restaurant (now under new ownership) 5550 E. Lincoln Dr. Paradise Valley
www.ElChorroLodge.com
- Vincent's on Camelback Restaurant, 3930 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, VincentsonCamelback.com
- Lee Lee Oriental Supermarket, 7575 W. Cactus, Peoria and 2025 N. Dobson Rd., Chandler
- Four Peaks Brewing Co. 1349 E. 8th St, Tempe, www.FourPeaks.com
- Fajardos' Cafe (formerly Lily's Cafe) 6706 N. 58th Dr., Glendale
- Patio Dining - tell me where your favorite outdoor dining spot is.
- Robert McClendon - McClendon Select Farms 15888 N. 77th Ave, Peoria or at Town & Country Farmer's market 20th St & Camelback, Phoenix - www.mcclendonsselect.com
- Fry Bread House, 4140 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix
- Desert Sweet Shrimp Farm, www.desertsweetshrimp.com
- Barrio Cafe - 2814 N. 16th St., Phoenix, www.barriocafe.com
- East Valley Institute of Technology's Culinary Arts Program, 1601 W. Main St, Mesa
www.evit.com
- Downtown Phoenix Public Market, Sat. am, Weds evening, 721 N. Central Ave, Phoenix
www.phoenixpublicmarket.com
- Black Mesa Ranch goat cheese - www.blackmesaranchonline.com
- Fairytale Brownies @ AJ's and Duck & Decanter - coupon at www.brownies.com (Fairytale Fun)
- Los Dos Molinos Mexican Restaurant - Phoenix, Mesa, Springerville, www.losdosmolinosaz.com
X - Sam Fox Restaurants - Sauce, North, Olive & Ivy, True Food, etc. www.foxrc.com
- Schnepf Farms - Peaches, Pumpkins and more, 24810 S. Rittenhouse Rd., Queen Creek,
www.schnepffarms.com
X- Monti's La Casa Vieja steakhouse - 100 S. Mill Ave., Tempe www.montis.com
- Molly's Tamales - 8806 N. 43rd Ave., Glendale
- Binkley's, 6920 E. Cave Creek Rd., Cave Creek, binkleysrestaurant.com
- Cafe Bink - 368999 N. Tom Darlington Dr., Carefree
X - Pinnacle Peak Patio Steak House - 10426 E. Jomax Rd., Scottsdale, www.pppatio.com
- Barbara Fenzl -Southwest cookbooks and cooking school, 6610 N. Central Ave, Phoenix
X - Poore Brothers Potato Chips, Goodyear, www.inventuregroup.net
- Nogales Hot Dogs, 1945 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix
- Robin Miller cookbooks and "Quick Fix Meals with Robin Miller" TV show
X - Yavapai Restaurant - Enchantment Resort - Sedona

Thanks for your insights. Let me know if you'd like to join us for a Saturday outing to a few of these spots sometime.

2 comments:

Lisa said...

I've never been to Durant's, but my boss takes clients there alot. Apparently there steak is really good - it think it's a little pricey though.

Los Dos is really good! I definitely recommend it!!!

If you're in the Downtown area I'd recomend Fez too. It's on central just south of Indian School (www.fez.com i think). The food is Mediterrean-esque. They have amazing burgers on ciabatta bread and the restaurant is decorated in this awesome modern mediterranean style. lol I go there for lunch alot.

Bar Restaurants in South Delhi said...

That picture made me hungry. It seems Arizona Food World really rocks. Similarly in India what i like is The Manor Delhi - Indan Accent Restaurant Bar in South Delhi, India offers traditional Indian food as well as contemporary Mediterranean cuisine with fresh ingredients prepared simply and presented elegantly