The best restaurants in Sunnyslope, at the moment, are as eclectic as the neighborhood itself.
Bordered by 19th Avenue to the west, Cactus Road to the north, 16th Street to the east, and Northern Avenue to the south, they're a casual and modest bunch, capturing flavors from Mexico, Poland, Italy, and Greece for hearty, homestyle dishes that employ ingredients like Oaxacan cheese, char-grilled lamb, and roasted eggplant.
And (bonus) most of them are easy on the wallet. Which means you can afford to pay a visit to more than one.
See also: 5 Best Restaurants in Tempe Right Now 5 Best Restaurants in North Scottsdale Right Now 5 Best Restaurants in South Phoenix Right Now
Elizabeth Hernandez's cheery Oaxacan restaurant not only features some of the best moles in the Valley, it also serves up excellent tlayudas, enfrijoladas (chicken enchiladas smothered in an anise-kissed black bean sauce), and a spicy, homestyle soup called amarillo. The restaurant doubles as a Oaxacan marketplace, boasting deli cases and shelves filled with ingredients, foods, and cooking items from Hernandez's homeland.
Stellar Spanish-style tapas, bruschetta, Napoletana flatbreads, bulky sandwiches, and other dishes of Italian-inspired fare are served up courtesy of a wood-fired oven at this inviting wine bar from restaurateurs Heinrich Stasiuk and Mercer Mohr (Brick, Spoke & Wheel). Grab a glass on wine and head out to Timo's sprawling, flora-filled patio for a fantastic el fresco experience.
After five decades, George Vassilou's welcoming and often boisterous eatery may not have changed much in décor, but the classic Greek dishes, hailing from recipes passed down by Vassilou's grandmother, are as fresh and flavorful as ever. Kick up dishes like lasagna-esque pastitsio, char-grilled lamb chops, and the shrimp Grigori, which includes prawns stuffed with rock crab, with one of nearly two dozen kinds of ouzo -- including a devilish moonshine version.
Hidden away behind a Radio Shack and a Walgreens at Seventh Street and Dunlap, this tiny eatery from husband-and-wife team Danuta and Richard Zablocki goes big on flavor when it comes to its home-style Polish eats. Don't-miss dishes include hearty homemade pierogi, boldly seasoned Polish sausage, and Danuta's stellar sauerkraut. Daily meal specials are simply one more reason to stop by.
A well-worn, non-descript spot beloved by the locals, this family-owned restaurant is no-frills at its finest, cash only and dirt cheap, and home to some exceptional real-deal Mexican street food. Huaraches? Check. Gigantic quesadillas? Got it. A monstrous smoky pambazo sandwich that leaves its red-orange mark on your fingers, nose, and shirt? Of course -- especially with a Sidral Mundet to keep it company.
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