Bertha's Cafe, Phoenix

What started as an at-home endeavor—namely cheesecakes baked for the holiday season—quickly escalated into Beth Goldwater's own restaurant. Thus, Bertha's Cafe was born in 2005, and the team has been serving award-winning cheesecakes and hearty sandwiches ever since.

A fan favorite is the oven-roasted asparagus and red pepper sandwich blanketed by melted havarti cheese and a soft ciabbatta roll. Breakfast is equally as enticing. The brioche egg sandwich gets salty crunch from bacon and a garlic tang from fresh pesto.