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Last year we marked the hundred day countdown to Best of Phoenix by sharing our 100 Favorite Dishes with you. Now we're back - with the 2011 edition. Have a suggestion for a dish you'd like us to try? Leave it in the comments section or email laura.hahnefeld@newtimes.com.
31: Egg Rolls from Wahsun
Okay, we'll admit it: Wahsun, the no-frills, quirky Chinese restaurant and not-to-secret Chinese secret of fellow food lovers, EaterAZ and Wendy Porter, PR gal and wife of Petite Maison's James Porter, is a bit of an obsession with us.
Along with its crazy hours, cash only payment, and décor be damned atmosphere, we crave Wahsun's platefuls of rustic authenticity -- especially when it comes to the eggrolls -- a must-have every time.
Forget the thin-wrapped, cabbage-stuffed tubes you may have had almost everywhere else. At Wahsun, these bulky bullies are meals in and unto themselves, muscling for space on the plate and accompanied by a tasty, but not essential, citrus-y sauce made from fresh-squeezed oranges and lemons mixed with cornstarch.
A forceful press of the fork on one of the thick, bumpy, fried skins releases a steaming, flavor-filled creation chock-full of shrimp, chicken, cabbage, mushrooms, and bamboo shoots. The taste is a wonderful mixture of these ingredients with a crunch courtesy of the fried shell.
Miss a dish?
100: Beckett's Original Grilled Cheese from Beckett's Table
99: Golden Gazpacho from Rita's Kitchen
98: The Med Plate from La Bocca
97: Cash Sandwich from Main Ingredient Ale House
96: Sonoran Hot Dog from Nogales Hot Dogs
95: Fattoush Salad from Al-Hana Restaurant at Baiz Market
94: Croissant from Essence Bakery Cafe
93: Funghi Pizza from The Parlor
92: Baynchaiv Crepes from Sekong by Night
90: Slice of Pepperoni Pizza from Mamma Mia
89: Hot Bollix Spicy Potato Balls from Rula Bula
88: Chicken Lo Mein from Desert Jade
86: Barra Vieja Shrimp from Mucho Gusto
85: Wild Mushroom Ravioli from Merc Bar
84: Cochinta Pobil from Taberna Mexico
83: Filet and Crab Cake from Cheuvront
82: The Dragon Roll from Stingray Sushi
81: Cornmeal Crusted Calamari from Kitchen 56
80: Mongolian Delight from Loving Hut
79: Pappardelle Bolognese from Amaro Pizzeria
78: Torta El Rey from Torta El Rey
77: Artichoke and Clams from Iruna
75: Gollo Burro from Casa Reynoso
74: Chicken Lettuce Wraps from Ticoz Resto-Bar
73: Brussels Sprout Salad from Chelsea's Kitchen
72: Short Rib Hash from Bonfire Grill
71: Grilled, Double-Pork Chop from Tarbell's
69: Paprika Schnitzel from Haus Murphy's
68: Roast Beef Sandwich from Hanny's
67: Lebanese Chicken from Middle Eastern Bakery & Deli
66: Shrimp Corfu from Romeo's Euro Café
65: Hawaiian Butterfish from Trader Vic's
64: Barbecue Rib Tips from Stacy's Smokehouse
63: Meatball Sandwich from DeFalco's Italian Grocery & Deli
62: The Chicago Brizza from Scramble
61: White Braise de Clams from Cave & Ive's Portico Grill
60: Chicken Quesadilla from Papago Brewing
59: Asparagus and Havarti Panini from Bertha's Cafe
58: Foie Gras Creme Brulee from Petite Maison
57: Italian Sausage Sub from Calabria Italian Kitchen
56: Caribbean Candy Bar from Havana Café
55: The Oggie from Cornish Pasty Co.
54: Chicken Handi from the Curry Corner
53: Chocolate Fry Bread from The Fry Bread House
52: Gruyere Popovers from BLT Steak
51: Pho Filet Dac Biet from Pho Thanh
50: Cheddar Jalapeño Biscuits and Sausage Gravy from Over Easy
49: Manti from Golden Valley Restaurant
48: Tinga Quesadilla from Los Reyes de la Torta
47: Bob's Big Burger from Renegade Canteen
46: Tableside S'mores from Frank & Albert's
45: Red Velvet Pancakes from The Herb Box
44: Kung Pao Soy Chicken from Fresh Mint
43: Hummus Trio from Pita Jungle
42: Beer-Battered Green Beans from Tryst Cafe
41: Raw Ahi Tuna Starter at House of Tricks
40: Toffee Banofi Sundae from Sweet Republic
39: Rib Combo One from Big Earl's BBQ
38: The Small Box from Rock-N-Roll Fingers
37: Sweet and Sour Corn Cakes from Thai Elephant
36: Nutella and Strawberry Crepe from Cibo
35: Carne Asada Burrito from La Frontera Comida Mexicana
34: Southern Fried Chicken from Mrs. White's Golden Rule Cafe
33: The Doughboy from Cheese 'n Stuff
32: Banana Cream Pie from Zinburger
Stomach full? Get some eye candy for dessert over on Jackalope Ranch with our Imagine PHX series.
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