New York Flavor

At this small but comfortable, fast-casual eatery in Surprise, ex-New Yorkers, or those who just want to eat like one, can find great-tasting food for less than a ferry ticket to see the Statue of Liberty. Featuring an all-day breakfast and lunch menu of New York-style grinders, salads, burgers, and other bites, sandwich favorites include […]

Niccoli’s Italian Grocery-Deli

Joe and Peppy Niccoli have been running this Italian delicatessen since the 1970s, selling Italian-imported groceries, cured meats, homemade sausages, sweets, and takeout food such as lasagna, pizza, and sandwiches. Don’t miss their stellar Italian sub, featuring delicious cold cuts served on fresh-baked bread, and topped with the family’s signature Italian dressing.

Noble Eatery

We previously have made the argument that Phoenix is a bread town. A major player in our carb-heavy scene is Noble Bread. The bread can be found at Valley farmers’ markets. But there’s also an entire restaurant serving sandwiches of the same high standards. Noble Eatery, a wood-fired deli and bakery, serves midday meals on […]

Nocawich

What Eliot Wexler started as quick-paced lunch menu at the now-closed Noca restaurant became Nocawich, a breakfast and lunch joint specializing in sides, salads, and of course, sandwiches – which come under names like the Cisco Kid, Clubber Lang, Meyer Lansky, and the Italian Stallion. One of the more desired items off the Nocawich menu […]

North Italia

We started coming here for the strawberry and goat cheese salad, and before you could say “Modern Italian Cuisine!” we were headed straight into a plateful of Margherita pizza (crushed tomato, fresh mozzarella and chopped basil). From there it was only minutes before we were calling for shrimp fettuccine, served with broccolini and a spicy […]

Old Station Sub Shop

The walls are lined with Phoenix memorabilia, license plates, and old-timey shop signs, but we go here for the shocking variety of subs, soups, salads, fruit bowls, and desserts (speaking of which, don’t miss the Rice Krispie Treat-just like Mom used to make!). Subs are enormous, jammed with fresh ingredients and wonderful with the soup […]

Ollie Vaughn’s

It’s far too easy to get lost in the pastry case at Ollie Vaughn’s. If the sky-high slab of peanut butter cheesecake drizzled in chocolate doesn’t get you, the caramel-drenched pecan sticky bun or powdered sugar-dusted lemon bar on buttery shortbread will. So many choices. But beyond the beckoning display, owner Lindsay Magee has created […]

Pane Bianco

Celeb chef Chris Bianco has worked his magic again, this time concentrating on a tiny menu of sandwiches and salads. Fare is takeout only, and it’s expensive, but worth it for farmers-market-fresh quality. Anything with homemade mozzarella is a marvel. Read our review.