Wild Thaiger, Phoenix

Phoenix's Wild Thaiger restaurant has been scooping up its own die-hard fans since opening, but what of its newer sibling, Little Thaiger? Don't be fooled by the name. While it offers a more casual atmosphere for a Thai meal, there's nothing diminutive about about the flavors, nor the spices here. Just look to the Thai-Ferno Burger: a spiced-up beef patty covered in the restaurant's special sauce, which makes it one of the hottest things on the menu. Take one step down the heat pyramid and you'll find chili-basil wild boar. Another, and there's traditional pad thai in all of its rice noodle glory.

These signature dishes, like everything in the big and little Thaiger family, spring from the mind of chef Olashawn Hasadinratana-Weaver. She and her family use only seasonal ingredients and traditional marinades to distinguish their fiery Thai cuisine. Little Tahiger's location serves up these flavors at a casual counter and at a pick-up window, giving diners easy access and someone to talk to in case they're lonely. Thai iced tea, exotic drinks, and homemade desserts—including cupcakes and cookies—are also big draws, rounding out the dining experience.