Last year we marked the hundred day countdown to Best of Phoenix by sharing some of our favorite food folks' "Personal Best" lists. This year we're bringing back our list of 100 Favorite Dishes. Have a suggestion for a dish you'd like us to try? Leave it in the comments section or email [email protected].
4. Croque Madam from Merci French Cafe and Patisserie
See also: Merci French Café Operates in Scratch's Spirit but Has Some Growing To Do
French cuisine might seem a little stuck up to you, and it certainly can be. However, chef-owner Duc Liao's little cafe in Scottsdale, Merci, strips the pretension out of French food, leaving you with a great meal that's executed with precision, but still has some rustic soul.
While his delicate pastries are a must-try, if you're looking for a classic French experience, try out his croque madam. Served on a thick slice of homemade French country bread that has been generously buttered and then toasted, the thickly-sliced ham is sandwiched between a creamy, yet herbaceous, bechamel sauce underneath and a layer of melted swiss on top. It wouldn't be a madam without the egg, which Liao fries up perfectly.
Since the dish is served with a nice, light side salad, rather than hash browns, you will also likely have enough room to sample something from the dessert case, which is usually stocked with chocolate mousses, meringue tartes, and more.
Miss a dish?
100. Pork Belly Pastrami from Citizen Public House
99. French Onion Soup from Bonjour Vietnam
98. Whiskey Cream Gelato from Marrazo That's Amore
97. Breakfast Croissant from Cartel Coffee Lab
96. Salmon "Yasu Style" at Yasu Sushi Bistro
95. Cannoli from DeFalco's Italian Deli
94. Falafel Sandwich from Al-Hana Restaurant
91. Combo Plate from El Pollo Supremo
90. Brunch Burger from Orange Table
89. Duck Fat Fries from Bourbon Steak
88. Kurobuta Pork Chop from Noca
87. Carne Adovada Enchiladas from Los Dos Molinos
86. Maple Bacon Doughnut from Rainbow Donuts
85. Pad Khing from Nunthaporn's Thai Cuisine
84. Mariscos con Arroz from Tumi Fine Peruvian Cuisine
83. Chicago Dog from Portillo's Hot Dogs
82. Lemon Bars from Phoenix Public Market Cafe
81. Preserved Pickle and Pork Noodle Soup from Asian Cafe Express
80. Maine Lobster Roll from The Maine Lobster Lady
79. Lengua Tacos from Asadero Norte de Sonora
78. Black Licorice from Super Chunk Sweets and Treats
77. Cracker Jack from House of Tricks
76. Chicken Achari Curry from Curry Corner
75. Lavender Berry Lemonade Popsicle from AZ Pops
74. Truffle Bikini from The Tavern
73. Lemon and Basil Chicken Salad Sandwich from Essence Bakery Cafe
72. Oaxaca Special Burro from Carolina's
71. Texas Po' Boy from Texas BBQ House
70. Thai Noodle Soup from RedThai
69. Breakfast Sandwich from Lux Central
68. Deep Fried Duck with Taro from Hong Kong Asian Diner
67. Chicken Pot Pie from The Duce
65. Chashu Ramen from Sushi Ken
64. Yukon Gold from The Parlor Pizzeria
63. Crispy Pig Ears from Bar Crudo
62. French Fries from Cafe Bink, Bink's Midtown, and Bink's Scottsdale
61. Croissant Bread Pudding from Ollie Vaughn's
60. Kale Caesar Salad from Original ChopShop Co.
59. Chilaquiles from La Tolteca
58. Farmstead Goat Milk Caramel from The Simple Farm
57. Pistachio Chicken Liver Pate from The Gladly
55. Nopales and Longaniza Taco from El Tlacoyo
54. Chicken Feet from Great Wall Cuisine
53. The Oggie from Cornish Pasty Co.
52. The Lady from Short Leash Dogs
51. Pork Belly Pibil from The Mission
50. Mixed Grill from Copper Kettle
49. Oxtail Noodle Soup from China Magic Noodle House
48. Two Meat Plate from Little Miss BBQ
47. PB&B Burger from Welcome Diner
46. West Lake Soup from New Hong Kong Restaurant
45. Short Rib Hot Pot from Lucky's King Wah
44. Ful Medames from A.T. Oasis Coffee & Tea
43. Spinach Spaetzle from Beckett's Table
42. Onion Rings at Joe's Farm Grill
41. No. 2 Crepe from Jobot Coffee
40. Buttterfish Tataki from Roka Akor
39. Grilled Octopus from Virtu Honest Craft
38. Boricua from Republica Empanada
37. Lil' Amadi from Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles
36. Basil Lime Sorbet from Sweet Republic
35. Veggie Pho with Rare Beef from Khai Hoan
34. Regina Margherita D.O.C. from La Piazza Locale
33. Blackberry Vinegar Pie from Pig & Pickle
32. Bruschetta Board from Postino
31. Marilyn Monroe Milkshake from Bertie's Vintage
30. Falafel from Middle Eastern Bakery & Deli
29. Biancoverde from Pizzeria Bianco
28. Shrimp Burrito from Phoenix Burrito House
27. The Chop & Chick from Matt's Big Breakfast
26. Sam Gyup Sahl from Cafe Ga Hyang
25. Sonoran Dog from Nogales Hot Dogs
23. Bánh Mì from Lee's Sandwiches
22. Alaskan King Crab from Angry Crab Shack
20. Phnom Penh Noodle Soup from Reathrey Sekong
19. Oaxaca Black Mole Taco from La Santisima
18. Blueberry Ginger Macaron from French Grocery
17. Foie Gras Bread Pudding from Barrelhouse American Kitchen & Cocktails
15. Panko-Fried Soft Shell Crab Sandwich from Nobuo at Teeter House
14. Pig Ear Pad Thai from The Local
13. Pasta Erbe Aromatiche from Franco's Italian Cafe
12. Stetson Chop from Cowboy Ciao
11. Ramen Burger from Bitter and Twisted
10. Prosciutto, Mozzarella, and Basil Sandwich from Pane Bianco
9. Escargot en Croute from Christopher's and Crush Lounge
8. Pig Face Dumplings from Clever Koi
7. Country Loaf from Noble Bread