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].
92. Samosa from Little India
Little India in Tempe is quite deceiving. From the outside the market looks like nothing special, but step inside and you'll find a mini-mart by the way of India. There are just three aisles but they're each chock full of all sorts of interesting delights, from hard-to-find spices to curry-flavored potato chips. We could (and have) spent quite some time wandering around and admiring everything they have to offer.
In the back corner there's also a small restaurant of sorts, where you can get some of the best chaat in the Valley. For those who aren't familiar, chaat refers to the describing savoury snacks that are often served at road-side stalls or food carts in India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. There's an array of dishes to choose from including potato cakes smothered in fresh chutneys and some of the best samosas we've had in town.
The samosas at Little India are perfect triangular-shaped pockets stuffed with a mixture of potato, peas, carrots, and other spices. They arrive at the table freshly-fried and super hot, ensuring that you wait just a little longer before you dig in. The accompanying Tamarind chutney is a perfect complement with its sweet but just a little bit spicy profile. It's a good thing the order only includes one or we'd never have room to try anything else on the menu.
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
