OT: Favorite restaurant(s) in Arizona and in the world

[ClassLessCoyote]

Let's keep the restaurant talk to this thread instead of seeing different threads for different foods. Don't forget to talk about any specific dishes you like and desserts too.

Click to read more...

 

[Tanic]

Favorite Mexican restaurant in Arizona is Cafe Poca Cosa. Gourmet menu changes daily. Great margaritas too.

 

[moosemeister]

Taco Bell

 

[RemoAZ]

Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen - Phoenix

Blackened Catfish with Alexander Sauce (not on the menu anymore but they'll make it) is what I usually get unless I go for the live Maine lobster. My favorite appetizers are the lobster bisque and pan seared frog legs. Now that's good eatin'!

 

[IPreferPi]

Some random places:

Vietnamese: Da Vang
Fried Chicken and Biscuits: Welcome Diner
Korean BBQ: Gen Korean BBQ
Ramen: Nishikawa
Mexican: Comedor Guadalajara
Cajun: Flavors of Louisiana (Pappadeaux is pretty good too)
Sushi: Sushiholic
Cheesesteaks: Best of Philly
Dim Sum: Great Wall Cuisine

 

[moosemeister]

Some random places:

Vietnamese: Da Vang
Fried Chicken and Biscuits: Welcome Diner
Korean BBQ: Gen Korean BBQ
Ramen: Nishikawa
Mexican: Comedor Guadalajara
Cajun: Flavors of Louisiana (Pappadeaux is pretty good too)
Sushi: Sushiholic

Nishikawa is hands down some of the worst ramen I’ve ever had in my life. Taiko was some of the best and authentic Japanese food I’ve ever had since my family moved to the states from japan. I live on Cooper and Ray and I used to walk to Taiko. Then they replaced it with Nishikawa and I never went back. Seriously awful ramen. Lol

Republic Ramen in Tempe and Tokyo Stop in Tempe do it way better.

End rant

 

[RemoAZ]

I love ramen. I live on the West Side so those two you mentioned in Tempe are too far. I've been looking for a place to get it take out but haven't found one. That's my goto when I eat at Kabuki. Love the sea bass there too.

 

[IPreferPi]

Nishikawa is hands down some of the worst ramen I’ve ever had in my life. Taiko was some of the best and authentic Japanese food I’ve ever had since my family moved to the states from japan. I live on Cooper and Ray and I used to walk to Taiko. Then they replaced it with Nishikawa and I never went back. Seriously awful ramen. Lol

Republic Ramen in Tempe and Tokyo Stop in Tempe do it way better.

End rant

I haven’t tried Taiko as that is way out of the way from me, but I’ve lived in Japan too, and Nishikawa and Noodle Bar in Downtown Phoenix stand out for ramen places for me here. Cherryblossom is solid too. Different strokes.

I tried to give Republic Ramen multiple chances when I was at ASU, but I’ve always found it bleh.

 

[IPreferPi]

I love ramen. I live on the West Side so those two you mentioned in Tempe are too far. I've been looking for a place to get it take out but haven't found one. That's my goto when I eat at Kabuki. Love the sea bass there too.

I find Kabuki’s ramen is inconsistent with noodle quality. It is probably your best bet west of 75th Ave though.

 

[Bonsai Tree]

My favorite restaurant is The Pot Luck Club. It's in Cape Town, SA. Good luck getting reservations. I emailed 3 months in advance and at first they thought that I was pranking them because I mentioned that I was coming from Arizona. Three months in advance and we ended up with seats at the bar. Astoundingly good food and experience. It's in a converted mill. I remember that I had to tell the cabbie each time to go to The Silo.

 

[moosemeister]

I haven’t tried Taiko as that is way out of the way from me, but I’ve lived in Japan too, and Nishikawa and Noodle Bar in Downtown Phoenix stand out for ramen places for me here. Cherryblossom is solid too. Different strokes.

I tried to give Republic Ramen multiple chances when I was at ASU, but I’ve always found it bleh.

Where in Japan did you live? I’m born and raised in Iwakuni

 

[RABBIT]

Taco Bell

comes with side of free instant regret

 

[Gwyddbwyll]

I miss Taco Bell. Its funny the things you miss when you no longer live somewhere (I'm back in the UK now).

There are a couple here now but its not the same thing.

 

[Dirty Old Man]

Ugh, a thread about favorite restaurants in the world, and hours later RIP Anthony Bourdain...

 

[Jakey53]

I miss Taco Bell. Its funny the things you miss when you no longer live somewhere (I'm back in the UK now).

There are a couple here now but its not the same thing.

Nothing can be the same as Taco Bell.

 

[IPreferPi]

Where in Japan did you live? I’m born and raised in Iwakuni

Lived in Kaizu for about a year.

 

[The Feckless Puck]

Fabio On Fire. Great fresh Italian food. The guy who opened it here on the West Side initially had a place in Scottsdale so he has a good pedigree. The food's amazing. Their sourdough bread is made from a starter that's something like a hundred years old.

 

[rt]

1. Pho Gia Dinh (Vietnamese)
2. China Magic Noodle (hand pulled noodle)
3. Nishikawa Ramen House
4. Chou’s (dumplings-XLB)
5. Lee’s Sandwiches (Banh Mi)

 

[rt]

I haven’t tried Taiko as that is way out of the way from me, but I’ve lived in Japan too, and Nishikawa and Noodle Bar in Downtown Phoenix stand out for ramen places for me here. Cherryblossom is solid too. Different strokes.

I tried to give Republic Ramen multiple chances when I was at ASU, but I’ve always found it bleh.

If you ever get Nishikawa for weekday lunch, hit me up. We’ll get some noodles and talk draft.

 

[IPreferPi]

If you ever get Nishikawa for weekday lunch, hit me up. We’ll get some noodles and talk draft.

I work in North Scottsdale so I doubt I'd ever get the opportunity to go to either Nishikawa location on weekdays. But I certainly appreciate the offer to meet up!

 

[GiveAFlyingPuck]

I'm in the Baltimore area and if you're ever there, try the restaurants in Little Italy. My favorite is Chipparelli's.

 

[finkelsteinberg]

AZ List:
Sushi: Nobuo at the Teeter House
Pizza: Pizzeria Bianco (of course)
Italian: Tratto
Mexican: Asadero Norte De Sonora (for authenticity) and Ottro Cafe/Gallo Blanco
Cajun: Baby Kays
Vietnamese: Da Vang
New Restaurant: Roland's Market Cafe (Kind of an Italian/Mexican fusion)
Best Restaurant: Tratto but I haven't been to Binkley's (Used to go to Bink's Midtown which was fantastic)

Probably could comment on a lot more places locally but drawing a blank.

Non-AZ List:
Best Breakfast: Au Cheval in Chicago
Best Restaurant: Polite Provisions in SF or Plum in Oakland (May be closed now)

 

[IPreferPi]

Totally second Pizzeria Bianco.

 

[mouser]

Beaver Choice in Mesa. Polish/Swedish/Canadian food. Pierogies, Herring, Poutine, Schnitzel, Swedish Meatballs, Elk Stew, Pytt-i-Panna, Cabbage Rolls, Hunter Stew, Goulash and a whole lot more. One of the most eclectic menus you'll find in the entire valley. The Schnitzel Cordon Bleu is amazing.

Beaver Choice Scandinavian, Polish and Canadian Restaurant and Catering Phoenix Arizona
http://beaverchoice.com/Beaver_Choice_Menu.pdf

 

[Jagged Ice]

Totally second Pizzeria Bianco.

I saw you mention somewhere that you work in North Scottsdale. As do I. Have you been to Lamp Pizza on Pima and Pinnacle Peak? I agree Bianco is pretty damn good but Lamp Pizzaria is right there with Bianco. My favorite is a three way tie between Lamp, Bianco and La Grande Orange.
The best deep dish Chicago style has to be Geno's East and Lou Malnati's. Both are favorites in Chicago that recently opened shops in Phoenix.