Kai at the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass is Arizona's only AAA Five Diamond restaurant, cooking Pima and Maricopa ingredients from the Gila River land.
Signature: Tribal buffalo tenderloin, Great Plains bison, Cholla buds
Order: The grilled tribal buffalo tenderloin with smoked corn puree, cholla buds and scarlet runner bean chile.
Tip: Open Wednesday to Saturday evenings only; the drive south to Wild Horse Pass is about 30 minutes from downtown Phoenix.
República Empanada in downtown Mesa bakes Arizona's widest run of South American savory empanadas, a Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives stop on 1st Avenue.
Signature: Empanadas, Arepas, Latin sides
Order: A flight of empanadas across the fillings, from beef to spinach.
Tip: Closed Sundays; the corner room is small, so weekday lunch is the easy seat.
Worth Takeaway on Main Street in Mesa builds craft sandwiches from local product, nearly all made in house, in a small downtown storefront with a lunch line.
Signature: Craft sandwiches, Breakfast plates, House sauces
Order: Whatever sandwich is on special; the breakfast runs only 8 to 11am.
Tip: Counter ordering, limited seats; lunch peaks fast, so come early or off-peak.