Phoenix, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe
All of these cities in Arizona provide fabulous eats for us foodies but I am going to try to narrow it down to some of the best. If you enjoy trying new restaurants as much as Michael and I, then I promise this post will not disappoint. Your taste buds + tummy will be thanking me.
1.Fluff It – Gilbert, AZ
Okay, let’s start by saying who DOESN’T love s’mores? The fluff of the toasted marshmallow envelopes your tongue followed by the melted chocolate, slowly seeping in and the gratifying crunch of the graham cracker just pulls it all together into one blissful treat. This amazing place took a whole new spin on the regular s’more and we are beyond thankful for that. They make all of their marshmallows from scratch and they have tons of different flavors to choose from. You can either pick a graham cracker bowl or have it smashed between two freshly baked cookies and the best part is choosing from all of the toppings they have to offer! They also make mallow pops and oatmeal cream pies to die for! On top of all of that the staff is absolutely amazing. They are so friendly and are part of the reason you’ll want to return again & again!
2. Rehab Burger Therapy – Scottsdale
Personally, I am not a huge fan of burgers so I was ecstatic when I found that Rehab also serves chicken & veggie burgers in place of the beef. You cannot make a wrong choice here. Blindfold yourself and point to something on the menu and it will be one of the most delicious things you have ever tasted. They have the best sweet potato tots in the world so keep that in mind when you visit! If you still have room after the monstrous burger + tots, get yourself some pot brownies for dessert! Two home made brownies with peanut butter in between and marshmallow fluff stuffed around it. You won’t regret it.
3. Steak 44 – Scottsdale, AZ
We have been to some stupid expensive steak houses and honestly they don’t even compare to the food we get from Steak 44. Yes, it is a nice restaurant so don’t expect the bill to be less than 100 but it is a lot more reasonably priced than most and the food is out of this world. We usually go once or twice a year for special occasions and it is always phenomenal. The service is fantastic and Michael swears they have some of the best steak he has ever had and we go out to eat A LOT. So, if you’re in town for a special occasion or you just want an awesome meal, Steak 44 is the place to be. Oh, they also give you a free dessert on your birthday and it is delicious.
4. Farm & Craft – Scottsdale, AZ
If you love all things healthy then this place hits the nail on the head. Everything is made with the highest quality of meat and veggies and I swear to you- everything on the menu is good. The cocktails are made with fresh juices and some are even made with Kombucha! (those are my favorite) You have to make it a point to visit on the weekend so you can try out the breakfast. It’ll be a challenge to not order everything on the menu.
5. Postino – Gilbert, AZ (also other locations)
When it comes to Postino there are two things that you have to try during your dining experience. The first, of course, is the bruschetta. I have tried to find another restaurant that makes bruschetta even half as good as Postino but no one ever comes close. I’m not sure what kind of magic they use on this particular food but they are damn good at it. They have several to choose from and the luxurious option of regular or gluten free bread. The second must try item freatured on the menu is the honey cucumber lemonade. Sometimes I crave it so bad I stop in just to grab one to go but if I’m eating in every once in a while I’ll ask them to add a splash of champagne to mine. Tricks of the trade.
6. The Duce – Phoenix, AZ
Not only do they have some of the BEST drinks, they serve up food that will have coming back for more (& more & more). The one downside is that it gets extremely hot in this bar during the summer so it’s best to go during the cooler months such as October, November, or December. Although, if you do happen to be in town during the warmer season it is well worth it to just pop in to grab a bite to eat. They have mac n’ cheese bites that will change your friggin’ life and chicken pot pie in a jar that is too good for words! Their drinks are on the pricey side because they are made with top noch ingredients but it won’t hurt to splurge on one! I recommend the mules & the margs.
7. Blancos Tacos – Scottsdale, AZ
There are so many taco shops in Arizona claiming to be the best of the best. Now, everyone has different opinions and I’m not trying to downplay the rest, but Blancos Tacos is pretty close to perfect in my eyes. Not only are their tacos filled with extremely fresh chicken/shrimp/beef they are made with pure love. The people that operate this restaurant are incredible and they genuinely care about the food they create and how well your dining experience goes. Also, as an advocate for delicious alcoholic drinks I recommend gulping down a margarita while you’re there. SO GOOD!
8. Welcome Chicken + Donuts – Phoenix, AZ
I adore this place because it is unique and has odd hours so you have to make it a point to get there before it closes (at about 4 p.m.) and the rush over is always well worth it. They have home made donuts and their flavors change constantly and the some may sound totally insane but I promise they taste like heaven. They even won best donut award for 2015! As if that wasn’t good enough they also have a breakfast sandwich made with two cake donuts and some of the best fried chicken I’ve ever had. If you get lucky you’ll make it in time to try their ramen soup. No matter what you order, don’t forget to try a donut. Trust me.
9. Nellos Pizza – (multiple locations)
A lot of my friends get fed up with me because Nellos is pretty much the only pizza I will eat in Arizona. I am not about convenience I am about quality. I have been eating there since I was 15 years old. I am now 24 and I have never had a bad experience or meal there that was anything less than amazing. The food is always fresh- the veggies on the Mt. Veggie pizza (my go to) are always crisp and bright in color. I am convinced I will be dedicated to this pizza until my time on this planet is up.
10. The Clever Koi – Phoenix, AZ
In our eyes, this is a one of a kind restaurant. There are a million and one places that serve Asian food but this one stands out from the rest. They rotate their menu every couple months so you can expect to see new, delicious plates to try and you will never get bored. The food is beautiful and it tastes as good as it looks. We took my mother in law here for her birthday and she was taken back at how wonderful the food (and drinks!) truley are.
11. The Local Donut – Scottsdale, AZ
I cannot even begin to describe how ecstatic we were when we stumbled upon this donut shop. The flavors stay true to their name and they are hand crafted every single day so there are no worries about getting a stale one. We tell all of our friends and family about this little shop because treasures like this can’t be kept secret, it just wouldn’t be fair.
12. Peixoto – Chandler, AZ
I had to add this one in here solely based on the fact that they have some of the best coffee I’ve ever tasted! They hit the ball out of the park when it comes to their fall menu. (Best season ever) Not only do they have excellent coffee beans that come fresh from a farm in Brazil but sometimes they have home made pop tarts and other delectable treats to pair with it! Peixoto is a must have in AZ.
13. Marks Cafe – Tempe, AZ
Hands down best breakfast spot we have been to. They have GRILLED muffins accompanied by home made raspberry butter. Their eggs benidict are too good to describe you just have to try them for yourself. Best of all, its family owned and they take so much pride in the quality of food they produce and trust me, it shows. You can even purchase a bottle of wine or champagne from the store and come to enjoy breakfast here (since they don’t serve alchohol). We have been here a thousand times and it never lets us down.
BONUS
Gilbert Farmers Market
Every Saturday in Gilbert some of the best vendors gather and set up shop selling delicious home made foods and drinks including salsa, oatmeal, lemonade, and cold brew coffee. It is pet friendly so it’s fun to mingle and meet people and their furry children. It opens at 7 am and ends at 11 am so make sure you get there by at least 9 so you can still grab some great stuff without it being too crowded. We look forward to this little event and it is always a good time, especially when we get our hands on that shrimp ceviche!
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