Alfajores from El Chullo: 100 Favorite Dishes

Last year we marked the hundred day countdown to Best of Phoenix by sharing some of our favorite food folks' "Personal Best" lists. This year we're bringing back our list of 100 Favorite Dishes. Have a suggestion for a dish you'd like us to try? Leave it in the comments section or email lauren.saria@newtimes.com.

66. Alfajores from El Chullo

Getting hard-to-find cuisines can often mean a long drive if you're coming from Central Phoenix. But that's part of what makes El Chullo -- located on 7th Street one block south of Thomas Road -- so great. This family-run restaurant is nestled right in the middle of CenPho and serves Peruvian food favorites including anticucho (beef heard kebabs), ceviche, and arroz con pollo.

As much as we enjoy all the savory eats, there's one part of dining at El Chullo that we never forget: the alfajores.

You'll find these South American desserts sitting on the counter under a glass dome, like they're sitting on display to tempt you into getting one. The round cookies are super crumbly and light since they're made with cornstarch and their texture contrasts perfectly with the smooth dulce de leche cream inside. The confection also gets a thick dusting of powdered sugar, which lends a melt-in-your-mouth airiness to the whole thing.

Miss a dish?

100. Pork Belly Pastrami from Citizen Public House

99. French Onion Soup from Bonjour Vietnam

98. Whiskey Cream Gelato from Marrazo That's Amore

97. Breakfast Croissant from Cartel Coffee Lab

96. Salmon "Yasu Style" at Yasu Sushi Bistro

95. Cannoli from DeFalco's Italian Deli

94. Falafel Sandwich from Al-Hana Restaurant

93. PBLT at Bootleggers

92. Samosa from Little India

91. Combo Plate from El Pollo Supremo

90. Brunch Burger from Orange Table