Ethnic and Regional Cuisines

Dan Maldonado of Tacos Atoyac, Part 2

Maya Dukmasova Dan Maldonado and Pablo Lopez, co-owners of Tacos Atoyac​Yesterday Chef Dan Maldonado of Tacos Atoyac dished about why his restaurant isn't your run of the mill taco shop. Today he shares more of his own story, how he and Pablo Lopez came together, and what their future holds ... More >>

Roka Akor: Happy Hour Report Card

House infused Shochu with hand cut ice cubes are half priced during Happy Hour at Roka Akor.​The Spot: Roka Akor, 7299 N. Scottsdale, Rd., Scottsdale, 480-306-8800 www.rokaakor.com The Hours: 5-7pm, daily. The Details: Happy Hour pricing is available in the lounge and bar areas onl ... More >>

The Dragon Roll from Stingray Sushi

Erica O'Neil​Last year we marked the hundred day countdown to Best of Phoenix by sharing our 100 Favorite Dishes with you. Now we're back - with the 2011 edition. Have a suggestion for a dish you'd like us to try? Leave it in the comments section or email laura.hahnefeld@newtimes.com 82: Th ... More >>

Now Open: ShinBay

​Sushi lovers rejoice, Scottsdale has a brand new sushi joint open just in time for summer. Shinji Kurita, sushi chef and former owner of the now-closed Awhatukee sushi spot, ShinBay, quietly opened the doors of his latest project last Wednesday. Once again named ShinBay, the traditional-styl ... More >>

Lunch Under $10 at Pho Thanh

​It's not a side dish. It's not a soup dish. It's pho -- a main course, a noodle dish. In Vietnam, it's the people's food. Street food. And at Pho Thanh, it's delicious. It should be -- it's the house specialty. Think all bowls of pho are the same? Think again. What makes the pho at this west ... More >>

Your Guide to Partying on Cinco De Mayo 2011

Sekong by Night Brings Cambodian Cuisine to Phoenix

Sweet Corn Elote Tamales from Molly's Tamales

Erica O'Neil Sweet corn elote tamales with cheese and nopalitos from Molly's Tamales.​Tacos may very well be the perfect food, but let's face it, the standard Meximerican fare can get a bit stale after a while. Taco the Town is here to highlight some of the more unusual Mexican finds in the ... More >>

Breakfast Enchilada Throwdown: Dick's Hideaway vs. Serrano's Mexican Food Restaurant

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/190/482196578_1ac4ee7a35.jpg ​We've all hadat least one experience with a to-die-for chicken enchilada, right? Maybe even a chicken enchilada so good, you wanted to eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner? Hot damn. Well there's an idea; a breakfast enchilad ... More >>

Creole Glory

When Did Tempe's Mucho Gusto Get Boring?

Your Guide to Partying on Cinco de Mayo 2011

Indian Taco Tussle: The Fry Bread House Vs. Sacred Hogan

  Associated Press​Is "frybread-ulous" a word? If not, it should be. Frybread (or fry bread), a notable Native American food and the official "state bread" of South Dakota (What? They got a state bread?), is a flat dough fried in oil and typically served at home and tribal gathe ... More >>

$10 Lunch at Los Taquitos

Megan Dobransky The exterior of Los Taquitos Grill in Ahwatukee.​Los Taquitos Grill's claim to fame is its appearance on the Food Network's "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives," although you wouldn't know it by walking into the Mexican restaurant. The only nod to the fame is in the form of co ... More >>

Asian Festival at Mekong Plaza: Stick to the Nearby Restaurants for the Really Good Authentic Food

Christen Bejar​The Arizona Asian Festival is in Mesa this weekend at the Mekong Plaza and on our visit yesterday we found all sorts of things to do -- but if you are planning to eat, we advise you stick to the restaurant fare and avoid the festival offerings. There are really just three ... More >>

Lunch Under $10 at The Nile Cafe

Megan DobranskyHummus sampler featuring roasted red pepper, artichoke and regular hummus. ​The decor at The Nile Cafe in Scottsdale's Papago Plaza is not surprising --  the cozy cafe is Egyptian-themed, complete with big gold sarcophagus models and hieroglyphics-print table cov ... More >>

Sushi 102: Roll a Fat One with The Virgin

​After last week's tragic experiment with burning cooking sushi rice, The Virgin was tempted to give up on the whole sushi making experience. But armed with a few helpful tips, I mastered the rice technique and moved on to the main event. If you're looking to feed picky eaters or ... More >>

Sushi 101: The Virgin Gets Burned by Sticky Rice

Uh-oh. That is not soy sauce.​Most American restaurant foods are easy to replicate at home: grilled cheese, burgers, the classic BLT. Japanese and hybrid-Asian foods are another matter. It might seem simple to toss together some rice, crab, seaweed and avocado to make a basic Californi ... More >>

Your Guide to Partying on St. Patrick's Day

Taberna Mexicana Gives Phoenix's Mexican Food Competition a Run For Its Masa

St. Patrick's Day Guide

Cafe: Taberna Mexicana

​It takes some serious huevos to open a restaurant specializing in Mexican food in the Valley. Every variation on this, the most delicious of ethnic cuisines, must be present already, right? Think again muchacho. This week's Cafe column argues that there's a new restaurant giving the Mexican ... More >>

Fat Tuesday Hot Spots and King Cake Rolls in Today's Eater's Digest

Momma Hen's Kitchen ​ Hungry for your early morning serving of food news, with no preservatives or additives?Fat Tuesday = Hungover WednesdayHappy Fat Tuesday! Ready to head out on the town tonight for a little Cajun style eatin' and drinkin'? If you are still looking for your Hurricane head ... More >>

Eating the World: Chuhgajib Korean Restaurant

The best ethnic food is often the most difficult to find. So each week we'll spin the globe and search for a new other-worldly spot to expand our eating horizons around the Valley. This week we go to Korea at Chuhgajib Korean Restaurant. Carrie Wheeler Dalk Bulgogi (BBQ chicken) and Daeji B ... More >>

Homemade Corn Tortillas: Los Reyes de la Torta

Erica O'Neil A thick homemade corn tortilla, wrapped around some serious tinga from Los Reyes de la Torta.​Tacos may very well be the perfect food, but let's face it, the standard Meximerican fare can get a bit stale after a while. Taco the Town is here to highlight some of the more unusual ... More >>

Eating the World: Middle Eastern Bakery & Deli

The best ethnic food is often the most difficult to find. So each week we'll spin the globe and search for a new other-worldly spot to expand our eating horizons around the Valley.This week we go to Lebanon, Israel and Greece at Middle Eastern Bakery & Deli.Carrie WheelerThe combination pla ... More >>

El Pollo Loco Rolls Out New Fish Tacos: Out With the Steak, in With the Chicken and (Limited-Time Only) Fish Tacos

​After a recent announcement stating that steak would be getting sacked from its menu and chicken would be the fowl focus, El Pollo Loco rolled out two new fish tacos as a limited-time offer. What the cluck? Why now? Of course -- Lent starts in March. How could my guilt-ridden Catholic upbri ... More >>

Taco Bell's New Quad Steak Burrito & Quesadilla: It's Lawsuit Damage Control Times Four!

​Taco Bell: Hey, remember that lawsuit filed against us a few weeks ago saying that we use a "meat mixture" containing less than 35 percent meat? Fast Food Nation: Um, sort of. Taco Bell: Well, check this out, it's our new Quad Steak Burrito and Quesadilla, made with real USDA Select beef! ... More >>

Can Slick Pita Jungle Out-Hummus Authentic Baiz Market?

Amy Silverman​Hummus is the glue -- sometimes almost literally -- that holds a Middle Eastern/Mediterranean meal together. Do it wrong, and indeed, it's a little like cement. And not in a good way.But do it well and some of us will fill up on the chickpea dip long before the gyro or the kebabs hit ... More >>

Salmon Skin Roll: Shimogamo Japanese Restaurant

Flickr- Island Vittles A mound of crispy, fried salmon skin that would put bacon to shame.​Despite what the supermarket aisle may lead you to believe, there's more to an animal than neatly wrapped styrofoam trays of meat. From tongue to tail, offal (pronounced awful) encompasses all those t ... More >>

Lunch $10 and Under at Teharu Sushi

Roe, roe, roe your boat...​Teharu isn't just a sushi bar -- it's an experience. There are few other places in the Valley where you can score five plates of food for under a ten-spot, but that's exactly what we did at Teharu. On our visit the place was packed, and the vibe was decidedly ... More >>

Eating the World: Europa Pastry Cafe

The best ethnic food is often the most difficult to find. So each week we'll spin the globe and search for a new other-worldly spot to expand our eating horizons around the Valley.This week we go to Poland at Europa Pastry Cafe. Carrie Wheeler The small pierogi and stuffed cabbage plate ... More >>

Ikura Nigiri: Fish Eggs from Kanpai Sushi

Erica O'Neil A jewel-tone duo of fish eggs, ikura nigiri from Kanpai Sushi.​Despite what the supermarket aisle may lead you to believe, there's more to an animal than neatly wrapped styrofoam trays of meat. From tongue to tail, offal (pronounced awful) encompasses all those taboo edibles th ... More >>

Chef Shinji Kurita Planning to Reopen Shinbay in Scottsdale

​Fans of Japanese cuisine will surely take heart at the comeback of a local luminary: Chef Shinji Kurita is working on reopening Shinbay, this time in Scottsdale. Since it closed five years ago, Kurita's original Ahwatukee location of Shinbay has become the stuff of legends for its exquisite ... More >>

Ask the Critic: Where Should I Go For My Anniversary Dinner?

Heather HochLife is beautiful: Atlas Bistro's exquisite fare is worth sharing with the love of your life.​Lovebirds have been coming out of the woodwork! Two different pals recently asked me for recommendations on where to take their darling spouses to celebrate their anniversaries. My gut sa ... More >>

Eating the World: Maxim Restaurant

The best ethnic food is often the most difficult to find. So each week we'll spin the globe and search for a new other-worldly spot to expand our eating horizons around the Valley.This week we visit Vietnam & China at Maxim Restaurant. Carrie Wheeler A bowl of Pho Tai and accompanyin ... More >>

Soi 4 Bangkok Eatery Brings Authentic Thai to Scottsdale

Ask a Mexican on Sonoran Trash and What's for Dinner

Cafe: Soi 4 Bangkok Eatery

​We are not ones to turn our noses up at Asian cuisine. Quite the opposite actually. So when we here that there is a new Thai restaurant opening up, we've got to check it out. Fod Critic Michele Laudig on Soi 4 Bangkok Eatery: Despite the glamorous digs, Soi 4 isn't dramatically pricier than ... More >>

Coming Soon: Otaku Sushi in Chandler

​It looks like East Valley sushi geeks will be getting a little gift after the New Year -- Otaku Sushi, a restaurant that's currently under construction at 2430 S. Gilbert Rd. in Chandler. The restaurant's name translates to "geek" or "hardcore fan" in modern Japanese sla ... More >>

New in Arcadia: SaBai Modern Thai

​Two restaurant industry vets have just opened a sleek new Thai restaurant in an Arcadia space that used to be a fast food joint.SaBai Modern Thai, at 4121 E. Thomas Rd., is owned by husband-and-wife team Eric and Atchara (Holly) Willis. He was a manager at Wrigley Mansion for a decade, while she ... More >>

Wildfish Seafood Grill Hires Sushi Chef

The raw bar at Wildfish Seafood Grille​Already a reliable spot for a good crabcake or a big platter of raw oysters to slurp, now Wildfish Seafood Grill is bringing sushi and sashimi into the mix with the hiring of sushi chef Stephan Martin.It's a natural evolution for the Waterfront restaurant, wh ... More >>

Fragrant Pho at Viet Kitchen

If only you could smell how delicious this pho is . . .​If first impressions mean anything, then I expect to put Viet Kitchen in my regular rotation. The new downtown Vietnamese restaurant (on 1st Ave. at Adams St.) was a bright and cheerful stop for this curious and hungry reporter ... More >>

Meeting Rick Moonen, and Other Las Vegas Adventures

​Some friends have asked for a food report on my recent weekend jaunt to Las Vegas, so here you go, foodniks. First off, here's proof (um, not really) that I met chef Rick Moonen, who almost immediately asked me if I do my job anonymously, and later joked that he could make a killin ... More >>

Canteen Modern Tequila Makes Mill Ave a Grown-Up Destination

Cherryblossom Noodle Café: Lunch $10 & Under

When we heard about the lunch specials at Cherry Blossom Noodle Café, we had to check it out. Nearly 20 options for less than $10 each on weekdays? Yes please.

New in Downtown: Viet Kitchen

​I love it when this happens. I wish for something long enough, and then it comes true. So far, I haven't made it to Spain, and nobody's come to my door with a million-dollar check from Publisher's Clearinghouse, but at least there's a brand-new Vietnamese restaurant in Downtown -- the first ... More >>

Tradiciones Has Lost Its Spice

Chicken Tikka Masala at Zam Zam World Foods

​The luscious lunch buffet at Zam Zam World Foods' in-house cafe is no more -- although it might eventually make a comeback, says a kitchen employee.In the meantime, there's still plenty of tasty Pakistani and Indian food that won't break the bank. Walk past aisles of rice, oil, canned vegetables, ... More >>

Pomo Pizzeria Napoletana: Rustic Pie Based on a Pizza Standard? We'll Bite