AJ’s Fine Foods

The ultimate gourmet grocery in Arizona, AJ’s Fine Foods has several locations throughout the Valley in Scottsdale, Chandler, Glendale, and Phoenix. Each one stocks a choice selection of artisanal cheeses, meats, baked goods, produce, and deli fare. Whether you’re hunting for a nationally acclaimed specialty item like Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, looking for a local […]

Amy’s Baking Company

Perhaps the Valley’s most notorious restaurant, featured on British celebrity chef’s reality show Kitchen Nightmares, Amy’s is far better known for its irascible owners than it is the food coming out of the kitchen. That being said, the pastries in the case look spectacular.

Arizona Bread Company

Since 2004, owner Carol Phillips has been satisfying breakfast, lunch and take-home bread needs in the Tempe branch of AZ Bread Company. The menu includes healthy options for the morning and afternoon crowds such as eggs, waffles, sandwiches, wraps, soups, and salads. And of course there is the wide selection of artisan breads, with 20+ […]

AZ Wine Company

You’d never know to look at it, but this unassuming little storefront is home to Arizona’s largest wine distributor, where the Valley’s most dedicated wine enthusiasts gather to taste and buy more than 2,000 vintages hailing from 13 countries. From economical to extravagant, from old favorites to unconventional finds, AZ Wine Co. has it all-as […]

Back East Bagel Co

Word of mouth is the key to success at this charming Tempe strip-mall cafe, and no wonder. The plain bagel here is a joy to eat on its own, almost like a fresh soft pretzel. While you’ll surely find ex-New Yorkers lurking in line here, Back East Bagels brings in plenty of native Arizonans, too, […]

Big Boy’s Pizza

The name says it all at this Mesa strip-mall joint: The slices ($3) are huge, more like whole pizzas shaped like a slice and served with their own pizza cutter. Not gourmet ‘za, by any means, but the crispy seasoned crust and signature sauce are sure to satisfy nonetheless.

Bongiorno Bagels

Who do you want making your bagels? At Bongiorno, you get a Culinary Institute of America grad and a former FDNY lieutenant and firehouse chef, both New York natives adhering to New York style. It’s as good a bagel pedigree as you’ll find in Arizona. Using a system that emulates the enigmatic H20 of the […]

Captain Bills Submarine

A mash-up of a sub shop and a pop culture museum, this fun little neighborhood eatery has been a favorite with Phoenix locals for more than 30 years. From advertising icons to oversize household items to hundreds of nearly-naughty bumper stickers and customer photos covering every square inch of space, the d

Cheba Hut

Nowhere but here will you find a pakalolo toasted sub(smoked ham, Swiss cheese, and Hawaiian pineapple), but even the old standards served at this comfortable lunch spot are tweaked attractively. Like the Panama Red, a new take on Chicken Marinara smothered in home-made red sauce and topped with Parmesan and Provolone. Even their pizza subs […]

Cheba Hut “Toasted” Subs

Nowhere but here will you find a pakalolo toasted sub(smoked ham, Swiss cheese, and Hawaiian pineapple), but even the old standards served at this comfortable lunch spot are tweaked attractively. Like the Panama Red, a new take on Chicken Marinara smothered in home-made red sauce and topped with Parmesan and Provolone. Even their pizza subs […]

Cheese ‘n Stuff

If you haven’t been to this cute little neighborhood eatery on Camelback and Central, there’s a good chance your parents or your grandparents have — the delicatessen’s been a Valley staple since 1949, and in 2011, owner Stan Zawatski sold its one millionth sandwich. Belly up to the meat and cheese counter and select from […]

Chompie’s Deli Restaurant, Bagels, Bakery & Catering

Fresh off the plane from Gotham, just started your long-distance subscription to the New York Times, and in desperate need of a bialy with a schmear? Perhaps you’re peckish for a knish or a toasted bagel with a side of chopped liver? Chompie’s has got you covered, pallie, like the isle of Manny-hanny with concrete. […]

Chompie’s Deli Restaurant, Bagels, Bakery & Catering

Fresh off the plane from Gotham, just started your long-distance subscription to the New York Times, and in desperate need of a bialy with a schmear? Perhaps you’re peckish for a knish or a toasted bagel with a side of chopped liver? Chompie’s has got you covered, pallie, like the isle of Manny-hanny with concrete. […]

Defalco’s Italian Deli and Grocery

This family-owned Italian culinary hub located on Scottsdale Road is best known for its deli and grocery, but also contains a casual sit-down dining area, DeFalco’s Italian Eatery. This neighborhood joint makes its pasta sauces in-house and serves them with gnocchi, five kinds of pasta, lasagna, four-cheese stuffed shells, chicken parmigiana, and cheese and meat […]

Duck and Decanter

Going to Duck and Decanter for a lunchtime sandwich, or a Nooner as they call it here, is like visiting an Icelandic cafe. The A-frame, faux chalet structure is not just a sandwich joint, but also a small grocery, wine bar, cheese shop, and of course, deli. To take your sandwich to go is to […]