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 dishes: Wood-fired pizza, Meatball sandwich, Chicken cacciatore
Must 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.
Address: 4743 N 20th St, Phoenix, AZ 85016
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.
El Chullo Peruvian Restaurant on 7th Avenue is a family-run Andean and coastal room, plating ceviche, lomo saltado and anticuchos with a full bar.
Signature: Ceviche, Lomo saltado, Anticuchos
Order: The ceviche to start and lomo saltado for the table.
Tip: The 7th Avenue room is the current location; weekends bring pisco-led specials.
Tacos Huicho on Thunderbird Road is a Sinaloan-style taqueria known for vertical-spit al pastor, carne asada and tortas, with a busy north Phoenix taco line.
Signature: Al pastor, Carne asada tacos, Tortas
Order: Al pastor tacos carved off the trompo.
Tip: Cash-friendly and quick; the al pastor is the order, with pineapple from the spit.
