Lo-Lo's Chicken & Waffles is a soul food restaurant in Central City, Phoenix.
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 dishes: Chicken and waffles, Catfish, Mac and cheese
Must 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.
Address: 1220 S Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85003
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.
The Stand Arcadia Burger Shoppe on Indian School Road is a counter-service burger window, griddling smash patties with fries and shakes in the Arcadia strip.
Signature: Smash burgers, Fries, Shakes
Order: A double smash burger with a side of fries.
Tip: Closed Mondays; the patio is the only seating, so it is a take-away room in summer.
Joyride Taco House on Central Avenue is a bright patio taco room from the LGO group, pouring margaritas alongside street tacos under string lights.
Signature: Street tacos, Margaritas, Patio dining
Order: A trio of street tacos with a frozen margarita on the patio.
Tip: Happy hour runs the bar; the misted patio is the seat for shoulder-season evenings.
