Woodlands Vegetarian South Indian Kitchen

Serving an authentic taste of South India in the Valley is Woodlands, an unassuming place tucked into a strip mall in Chandler. Don’t let the Styrofoam plates and plastic utensils fool you into thinking poorly of the restaurant’s offerings. The flavors will knock you on your ass, and the spices will clear out your sinuses […]

Woodshed II

Valley sports stars of yesteryear live on at this Mesa tavern, which is like a museum of sorts dedicated to hometown heroes. Framed vintage photos of such luminaries as Frank Kush, Alvan Adams, and Dick Van Arsdale cover its wood-paneled walls from floor to ceiling. Maroon and gold fever also flows throughout the place, as […]

Worth Takeaway

Downtown Mesa is one of the fastest growing dining destinations in the Valley, and that has a fair amount to do with Worth Takeaway, a craft sandwich and coffee shop located inside a sleek dining room. Worth was pretty much an instant hit when it opened in 2016, so much so that in 2019, it […]

Yoli’s Cafe

A nice little gem in small house with a courtyard off the beaten path in downtown Chandler. Serving breakfast and lunch only, this bistro mostly hits the mark with omelets, skillets, and homemade biscuits and gravy for breakfast and a tidy selection of hot and cold sandwiches, build-your-own burgers, and salads for lunch. We like […]

Z’Tejas Grill

This Southwestern grill originated in Austin, Texas, and first expanded in 1991 with a second location in Scottsdale. Since then, it’s spread throughout the Valley to Phoenix, Tempe, and Chandler, serving it’s version of Tex-Mex with a few outside influences. Starters include catfish beignets with cornmeal-crusted catfish and jalapeno tartar sauce as well as raw […]

Zia Record Exchange

Record collectors and plain old music fans alike love this local used CD shop, founded in 1980 in Phoenix, and now boasting eight locations in Tucson, Phoenix, Tempe, Chandler, and Las Vegas. Zia has long been a music Mecca for starving artists and broke college students, and carries thousands of used titles, from death metal […]

Zipps Sports Grill

True, Zipps is a sports bar, with TVs in every direction you turn, but it’s a tasteful one, with old fashioned patterned tin wall panels, exposed brick, and cherry wood accents. Better yet, the big game isn’t the only reason to come here. Even when there’s nothing to watch, we’re happy digging in to Zipps’ […]

Zipps Sports Grill

True, Zipps is a sports bar, with TVs in every direction you turn, but it’s a tasteful one, with old fashioned patterned tin wall panels, exposed brick, and cherry wood accents. Better yet, the big game isn’t the only reason to come here. Even when there’s nothing to watch, we’re happy digging in to Zipps’ […]

Zur Kate

Everything in Zur Kate has a German flair, not just the authentic cuisine. The walls are covered with paintings, flags, and other memorabilia from the Old Country, and there’s always German music, whether on the stereo or from a live band. Expect a selection of imported German beer on tap for pretty good prices.