Arizona Restaurants

Sami's menu heralds the signature gyro, layered in generous cuts of tomatoes and onions under a phonetically perplexing complexion of freshly made tzatziki sauce ($5.75). Pita-piped falafel sandwiches with lettuce, tomatoes, and tahini ($5.50) are also available, as well as a sextet of dolmas, grape leaves packed with rice, dill, lemon juice, and spices ($4.25). Experience unexpected, yet geographically logical, Mediterranean flavors such as an italian beef with sweet bell peppers ($6.95) or the imported Chicago–style Vienna Beef hot dogs loaded with the works ($3.95). Drop in for lunch, or carry out to warm up your biceps for falafel juggling.

Saddle Bronc Grill plunks its guests straight into the middle of a sci-fi western. A hitching post augments the restaurant's saloon-like exterior, where customers are more likely to see motorcycles than horses waiting out front. Napkins have been switched out for bandanas at each table, and the soft glow of 13 flat-screen televisions illuminates the wooden slats of the walls. This blend of genres is no accident—the grill strives to be a country-western bar with all the comforts of the modern era, allowing diners to snack on classic cowboy food even as they follow their favorite sports team. Live bands twang away on weekend evenings, and the Tavern Poker League takes place on Thursday, though players needn't abide by traditional frontier rules that force the loser to eat his own spurs.

The menu, meanwhile, remains faithful to an entirely rustic ambiance. Broasted chicken and flat-iron steaks follow appetizers such as fried onion rings. Side dishes pay homage to the snacks of hungry ranch hands, running the gamut from corn bread and sweet potato fries to a potato-stuffed poblano pepper. To conclude meals, Rock Springs Café populates the Into the Sunset dessert list with a rotating selection of homemade pies.

European travels inspired owner and certified-wine-specialist Jay Wisniewski’s theme for Caffe Boa and Caffe Boa Bistro. The seasonal menus of Caffe Boa and Caffe Boa Bistro are a delicious blend of Mediterranean and Italian regional preparations made with as many local, organic ingredients as possible. Extensive menus at both establishments have plenty of mouth-thrillers, including seafood, salads, and handmade in-house pastas. Start with pulled mozzarella ($10 Caffe Boa Bistro; $12 Caffe Boa) or shaved-fennel salad ($9 at Caffe Boa Bistro). For an entree, scope out the Voodoo penne, which combines roasted chicken with bell peppers, red onions, tomatoes, and penne rigate pasta in Cajun cream ($14–$16 Caffe Boa; $15 Caffe Boa Bistro), or try the strip steak with roasted asparagus, cipollini onions, crispy potatoes, and seasonal mushroom jus ($25 at Caffe Boa Bistro).

At La Bocca Urban Pizzeria, preparations for pizza crusts start a full day before they hit the brick oven. Chefs knead organic dough by hand, watch it rise for 24 hours, and then top the crusts with gourmet, locally procured ingredients such as Queen Creek Olive Mill olives, Schreiner’s Fine Sausages meat, and housemade pulled pork.

The rest of the Mediterranean-inspired menu proves equally indulgent. Chefs layer bruschetta planks with fig and smoked prosciutto and toss pastas with housemade sauces and meatballs molded from grass-fed beef. To grant molars breaks from the rigors of chewing, servers are happy to recommend pairings from the drink menu, which features handcrafted cocktails, European and Arizonan wines, and award-winning sangria.

Robbie Fox's Public House fosters an atmosphere of "craic"—cozy conversation, delicious pub grub, and the music of laughter and actual music. While pints certainly are knocked back, Robbie Fox's prides itself on being an appealing neighborhood meeting-place for anyone and everyone. The menu sets taste buds dancing the hornpipe with a cornucopia of classic Irish fare, fresh seafood, and gourmet cuisine. Offerings include Robbie's fish & chips ($8 or $12 depending on size), authentic cottage pie ($10), and the Robbie Fox sandwich, a saliva-stimulating slab of Irish bacon and fried egg on crispy bread with chips ($7). Diners wishing to save their tongues from jet lag can order the wild mushroom chicken, an organic chicken breast in mushroom cream sauce ($12), or the vegetarian-friendly portobello mushroom burger ($8).

Today's Groupon gets you $10 worth of authentic quick-service Japanese cuisine at Blue Fin, a family-operated restaurant near downtown Phoenix, for $5.“Can’t say I recognize the blonde,” Finn mumbled coolly, “although I wouldn’t mind an introduction.”