Best Hot Dog 2008 | Ted's Hot Dogs | Food & Drink | Phoenix
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Best Hot Dog

Ted's Hot Dogs

Natalie Miranda

Some people think hot dogs are meant to be eaten only at a ballgame or a backyard barbecue — but those folks obviously haven't been to Ted's Hot Dogs. Too bad they don't know what they're missing.

These charcoal-broiled wienies are plump and smoky, tucked into fresh, soft buns that are just sturdy enough to hold up under whatever toppings we might be craving, from relish, onions, and mustard to chili and cheese. Whenever we're in the vicinity of Ted's, just the thought of sinking our teeth into one of these beauties is enough to make us stop by for a snack. Add some homemade onion rings and a chocolate shake, and we'll call it one of the best meal deals in town.

Best Pastrami Sandwich

Miracle Mile Deli

We love our guilty pleasures, and sometimes there's nothing more seductive than a kickass pastrami sandwich. Diet be damned, we say! And the best place to satisfy our serious jones for pastrami is at Miracle Mile Deli, where they make 'em as sloppy-good as they come, stuffed with tender, thinly sliced meat. Along with the standard hot pastrami — always a good bet — there's more. How about barbecue pastrami? Or the outrageous combo sandwich, with pastrami and corned beef?

We're longtime fans of the famous Straw sandwich, which combines hot pastrami with sauerkraut and melted Swiss cheese, although we occasionally branch out and order the New Yorker, a lick-your-fingers kind of sammie with pastrami, cole slaw, and Miracle Mile dressing. And as if that's not enough proof that this place is definitely devoted to our favorite sandwich, there's even a triple-decker version. Over the top? Maybe, but that's what we love about Miracle Mile.

Best Fish & Chips

Rose & Crown

It's true, a stick-to-your-ribs meal of fish and chips serves a very practical purpose: to fortify us for a long night of beer drinking, to fuel us through long-winded bar conversations, and to give us the edge in countless rounds of pool and darts. But even if we weren't up for that — even if we were, say, sticking to Diet Coke and calling it an early night — fish and chips would still be one of our favorite dishes. Rose & Crown does it up especially well, with thick, juicy cod fillets dipped in Newcastle batter and fried until light, crisp, and golden. The thick, hand-cut chips are addicting, with crunchy edges and a fluffy, potato-y middle, while the tartar sauce, filled with big chunks of pickle, is uniquely good.

Best Tom Kha

Latitude Eight Thai Grill

Do you have a certain dish that you can't help ordering every time you see it on a menu? We're that way with tom kha, the dreamy soup that's a menu staple at every Thai restaurant in town. Truly, we get giddy at the thought of eating this ambrosia, and we're constantly on the lookout for a tasty rendition. And we've recently found a new favorite place to slurp down this silky, aromatic soup of coconut milk, kaffir lime, galangal, lemongrass, and cilantro: Latitude Eight Thai Grill. The sleek, contemporary Thai eatery opened up earlier this year just off of Chandler's happening San Marcos Square, and it's been packed with hungry locals who can't get enough of the mouthwatering dishes. Count us among them, especially for the tom kha. Here, they bring you a bowl filled with tender chunks of chicken and fresh herbs, then ceremoniously pour the liquid over it. If it weren't so piping hot, we'd probably ask them to just pour it straight into our mouths; it's that good.

Best Bar Food

Four Peaks Brewing Company

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These guys really stepped it up. Four Peaks could've easily coasted on the reputation of its award-winning beer, but instead, the local brewpub serves up delectable dishes that are noteworthy in their own right. Rounding out a classic array of burgers, beer-battered fries, wings and nachos, there's a surprising assortment of internationally inspired eats, from Thai hummus to fresh-baked Bavarian pretzels to shrimp and goat cheese bruschetta. Other highlights include handmade pizzas, the Tap Room Tenderloin sandwich (topped with blue cheese and crispy onions), and slow-roasted carne adovada. You don't find food this good at just any neighborhood bar, that's for sure.

Best BYOB

Atlas Bistro

Jackie Mercandetti Photo

Here's a concept we wish we'd thought of: a BYOB restaurant with a wine shop right next door. The folks at Atlas Bistro really figured out a clever way to keep wine lovers happy. Who needs a wine list, anyway, when customers can browse the well-stocked aisles at AZ Wine Co.? The two businesses are actually connected by a doorway, so you can peruse the menu and check in with the hostess, shop for a bottle, and then settle in for a memorable dinner. True to the jet-setting connotation of the restaurant's name, Atlas chefs Brandon Crouser and Joshua Riesner create contemporary dishes with influences that are all over the culinary map, such as veal sweetbreads saltimbocca-style, or ginger duck breast with Grana Padana mushroom risotto and red wine hibiscus reduction. Sophisticated cuisine calls for stellar wines, and at Atlas Bistro, there's no shortage of those.

Best Place to Eat at the Bar

Razz's Restaurant

Chef-owner Erasmo "Razz" Kamnitzer is one of the best reasons to dine at his eponymous restaurant — that is, if you can get a coveted seat at the bar. If not, you're still in for a stellar meal, with polished service in a relaxed, classy setting. But snagging one of those bar seats, where you can get a full view into Kamnitzer's bustling open kitchen, is a total score. Watch the chef and his staff stir, slice, and sauté while you sit back, sip a nice glass of wine, and enjoy the show. Of course, when your meal comes, expect to be distracted by mouthwatering creations like crispy veal sweetbreads, alluring ceviche in a tangy tomato-lime-vegetable sauce, and splurge-worthy crespelles filled with chicken, cheese, mushrooms, and spinach.

If there's a momentary lull, don't be surprised when the charming chef comes over to chat — he'll make you feel like a million bucks. It's no wonder Razz's regulars are so fanatical about this place.

Best Place to Dine with the Beautiful People

Canal

At certain restaurants, sometimes the scene is just as delicious as the cuisine. That's definitely the case at über-chic Canal, one of the fine-dining establishments at the upscale SouthBridge development. Nope, we won't set foot in this place on a bad hair day — not when the rest of the crowd's so dolled-up. The dimly lit bar area attracts a youthful, good-looking bunch dressed in slinky attire, while the main dining room seems to draw its share of sugar daddies and stiletto-shod cougars on the prowl for young meat.

If you can manage to take your eyes off the action, you'll notice that chef Justin Beckett turns out some fine dishes, such as grilled lamb chops with minted couscous, sweet corn cakes with avocado salad, and "ahi three-ways," which we think might be some kind of sexy subliminal message. High-fashion images projected on enormous screens and an illuminated catwalk in the middle of the room scream "style" at full blast, while throbbing beats coming from the DJ booth suggest something more primal. At Canal, we sense there's more to lust after than just the food.

Best Place to Meet the Chef

Aiello's Fine Italian Dining

We've been infatuated with this classy neighborhood Italian restaurant from our very first bite of gnocchi draped in pesto cream sauce. Food like that makes us fall in love, fast. But there's something else that's endearing about Aiello's — the personal service. This is a family operation, and it shows, especially when chef-owner Joe Aiello makes his rounds in the dining room.

We've never been here when he didn't step out of the kitchen to schmooze with regulars and dote on first-timers. He's a larger-than-life personality, and he likes to keep his customers fat and happy. His wife, Myrah, is an equally welcoming hostess, sometimes stopping by each table to let diners pick a chance to win a free dinner. Yep, these folks will do anything to keep you coming back — although in truth, the food alone is enough to get us in the door.

Best Place to Meet an Iron Chef

Tarbell's

Jackie Mercandetti Photo

Loyal fans of Iron Chef America can call us out on this one: Technically, chef Mark Tarbell isn't an Iron Chef. That title is reserved for the handful of regulars who do battle against a constant onslaught of culinary challengers on the popular Food Network show.

Only a year ago, Tarbell himself made an appearance, going up against Iron Chef Cat Cora in a high-stakes cook-off where the key ingredient was apples. And guess what? He won. Since the show's airing, Tarbell hasn't ditched Phoenix to gallivant around the country and leave his kitchen in other hands. He's stayed put at his restaurant — right where he's always been, and right where regulars expect him to be. You see, Tarbell's way too sociable to step out of the limelight at his namesake restaurant, where locals flock to dine on upscale comfort food like double-cut pork chops with white cheddar polenta cakes, pan-roasted organic chicken with buttermilk mashed potatoes, and Mark's Famous Spaghetti & Meatballs.

The fact that Tarbell is Phoenix's own Iron Chef makes the dining experience that much tastier.

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