Hungry yet?
We're working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella's 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley -- in no particular order
Leave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section.
Visit our sister blog, Jackalope Ranch, for a companion series on 100 Creatives who make Phoenix a little more interesting for all of us. We'll be posting the next 65 picks daily through the rest of the summer.
Number 66: Lee's Combination at Lee's Sandwiches
The sign near the cash register at Lee's says that fresh baguettes are made every 30 minutes at Arizona' only location of the popular California-based chain, and I have no reason to doubt that. Just to walk in the door at this bright, shiny, efficient sandwich shop is to be hit with the unmistakable aroma of just-baked bread. And to bite into one of Lee's 68 (yep!) different sandwiches is pure bliss.
I love having that many choices, but the number 1, "Lee's Combination," never lets me down. It's a traditional Vietnamese banh mi layered with of ham, headcheese, pate, pickled carrot and daikon, onion, fresh cilantro, jalapeno, and mayo. The cool, tangy pickles make a scrumptious contrast to the rich meats, and the baguette adds a pleasing crunch.
And did I mention it's $2.55? Seriously, this is one of the cheapest and best things you can eat in the entire Valley. Might as well get two, I say.
The Favorite Dishes, so far: 67: Duck Curry at Sala Thai 68: Chicken Kabab at Med Fresh Grill 69: Cheese Course at Sweet Republic 70: La Potence at Le Chalet 71: Brisket at Bryan's Black Mountain Barbecue 72: Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup at The Roosevelt 73: Coq Au Vin at Vincent's Market Bistro 74: Cochinita Pibil Tacos at La Condesa Gourmet Taco Shop 75: Char Siu Bao at Phoenix Palace 76: Huevos Rancheros at Gallo Blanco Cafe 77: Italian Stallion at La Piazza Al Forno 78: Bourekas at Spices Mediterranean Kitchen 79: Warm Maine Lobster Salad at Modern Steak 80: Escargots En Croute at Petite Maison 81: Salumi at Quiessence 82: Okonomiyaki at Hana Japanese Eatery 83: Croissants at Essence Bakery Cafe 84: Coronado Coney at The Main Ingredient 85: Green Chili at Rito's Mexican Takeout 86: Soup Gyoza at Sens Asian Tapas & Sake Bar 87: Pop Cho and Sweet Ginger at The Breadfruit 88: La Jawab Kadahi Gosht at The Dhaba 89: Chicken & Waffles from Lo-Lo's 90: Burrata at Humble Pie 91: Bruleed Foie Gras Torchon at Posh 92: Moroccan Nomad Stew at Chakra 4 93: Peking Duck at Gourmet House of Hong Kong 94: Mozzarella Sandwich at Pane Bianco 95: Egg White Omelette at Fez 96: Machaca From Los Dos Molinos 97: Shish Taook from Baiz Market 98: Pasties From Cornish Pasty Co. 99: Clams in Black Bean Sauce From Asian Cafe Express 100: Bruschetta From Postino
