Asadero Norte de Sonora is a sonoran mexican restaurant in Central Phoenix, Phoenix.
Asadero Norte de Sonora on 16th Street is a neighbourhood Sonoran grill, turning out mesquite carne asada wrapped in house-made flour tortillas.
Signature dishes: Carne asada, House flour tortillas, Barbacoa
Must order: Carne asada tacos on the giant house-made flour tortillas.
Tip: Closed Wednesdays; the grilled chicken is as good as the beef if the asada line is long.
Address: 122 N 16th St, Phoenix, AZ 85034
The Original Carolina's Mexican Food on Mohave Street has stretched its thin house flour tortillas since 1968, a Valenzuela family standard in Phoenix.
Signature: Flour tortillas, Bean burros, Red chile
Order: A bean-and-cheese burro on the tissue-thin house flour tortilla.
Tip: Buy a stack of the tortillas to take home; the line moves fast at lunch.
Lo-Lo's Chicken & Waffles on South Central is Larry White's soul-food flagship, the Phoenix room that built a small chain on fried chicken and waffles.
Signature: Chicken and waffles, Catfish, Mac and cheese
Order: The fried chicken and waffles, the plate that built the whole menu.
Tip: The Central Avenue flagship is the original; expect a wait at weekend breakfast.
Welcome Diner on Pierce Street is a Southern-leaning room in a vintage diner car, anchoring the Garfield corner with biscuits and a small cocktail list.
Signature: Fried chicken biscuit, Hush puppies, Cocktails
Order: The fried chicken biscuit, the plate that anchors the menu.
Tip: The patio and the original diner car both seat; weekend brunch fills early.
Pizzeria Bianco Town & Country is Chris Bianco's second Phoenix pizzeria at 20th and Camelback, with a wider menu of pasta and sandwiches alongside the pies.
Signature: Wood-fired pizza, Meatball sandwich, Chicken cacciatore
Order: A wood-fired pie plus the house meatball sandwich.
Tip: Sits next to Tratto at The Shops at Town & Country; this room is more relaxed than the Heritage Square original.
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.
