SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF
Times Media Group, publisher of the SanTan Sun News, recently published its Best of Chandler, based on readers’ votes.
The entire list can be seen at chandlernews.com
Here are some of the restaurants voted the best in the city.
Best Asian Food
Pho Chandler
4055 S. Arizona Ave.
480-895-9090
Among the dishes that are made to order from ingredients delivered fresh daily from local markets are Papaya Salad from the appetizer menu, Hanoi Rice on the vermicelli menu and Curry Chicken Plate from the rice menu. It also was voted as the best take-out restaurant.
Best BBQ
Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q
7300 W. Chandler Blvd.
480-874-6440
An array of meats – brisket and pulled pork lead the parade – are available in sandwiches or by the half pound. The sides are anything but a sideshow. A meal can be made with the smoked potato, potato salad, beans, coleslaw, three-bean salad or cream corn.
Best Breakfast Spot
Hangar Café
1725 E. Ryan Road
480-899-6965
facebook.com/Hangarcafechandler
On the northwestern side of Chandler Municipal Airport in a maintenance hangar, this family-run, diner-style restaurant has an observation patio overlooking the runway is just as popular as the no-frills meals of classics like biscuits and gravy, gyro omelets, onion rings, Philly cheesesteaks and chicken-fried steak.
Best Brunch
Hash Kitchen
2855 W. Ray Road
480-909-4270
Executive Chef Joey Maggiore and his dad Tomaso Maggiore conceptualized this creative brunchery, featuring a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar that complements an array of creative fare like Cannoli Donuts, Hangover Filet Hash and Lobster Hash.
Best Coffee Shop
Black Rock Coffee Bar
4050 S. Alma School Road
480-462-7637
Premium, classic and even coffee-less brews are available hot or cold. Alternative milk options include soy, almond, coconut and oat. Need a smoothie instead? They’ve got’em.
Best Deli-Sandwich Shop
Chompie’s
3481 W. Frye Road
480-398-3008
chompies.com/chompies-chandler
Imagine authentic New York-style pastrami or corned beef, piled high on a bun. Complementing their Mile High Sandwiches are the traditional matzo ball soup and fresh specialty salads. The Jewish Sliders were featured on Travel Channel’s Man vs. Food.
Best Pizza and Wings
Zesty Zzeeks Pizza and Wings
4050 S. Arizona Ave.
480-591-1111
Start with dough made fresh daily. Zzeeks’ crust comes in thin, double dough, cauliflower, zucchini, broccoli cheddar, keto, gluten free, New York and Brooklyn. Zzeeks’ zesty marinara sauce is slow-simmered for hours over low heat. It also was voted best for delivery service.
Best Sports Bar
Blue 32 Sports Grill
4845 S. Arizona Ave.
480-284-6496
If it’s sports and it’s on TV, it’s plastered in high definition on one of the walls at Blue 32 Sports Grill Its full-service restaurant features fresh ground burgers, steaks and seafood, cut in-house daily. The menu includes salads and sandwiches with house-made dressings and sauces, and a variety of local craft beers.
Best Happy Hour
The Casual Pint Ocotillo
1095 W. Queen Creek Road
480-219-2666
Think of The Casual Pint Ocotillo as a coffee shop but with a focus on craft beer instead of java. It’s a fun spot with an upscale yet casual, relaxed atmosphere. Expert “Beer-tenders” can serve up craft beer by the pint from the tap wall, by the can, or by the bottle. Snack on tasty starters, like sidewinders or brats.
Best Local Burger
Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers
1980 W. Germann Road
480-899-2007
If the sight of a yellow river of cheese cascading down the side of a half-foot-high burger sandwich gets your motor running, then come on down – even if you don’t care to wash it down with a beer. This is not your basic burger place. Ingredients are fresh, made in-house daily.
More than 150 choices grace the beer menu, on draught, bottled or canned.
Best Italian Restaurant
Floridino’s Pizza & Pasta
590 N. Alma School Road
480-812-8433
For Italian food served in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere, this locally owned restaurant has an expansive menu with gluten-free and kids’ options. Floridino’s is especially proud of its entrees, which include chicken Parmigiana, lasagna and ravioli.
Best Mexican Food
Valle Luna
1949 W. Ray Road
480-786-3100
Valle Luna serves up Sonoran-style dishes, including an array of dinner specialties such as Pepe’s Sizzling Fajitas, or fundido; shrimp-stuffed poblano chiles and combination plates featuring enchiladas, tacos, and chile rellenos. It also was voted the best taco joint in Chandler
Best Seafood
DC Steakhouse
180 S. Arizona Ave.
480-899-4400
Now in Chandler’s exciting “New Square,” DC’s shiny glass-and-steel home also has a seafood menu would not be complete without a nod to that region: walleye, baked or pan fried. Other choices are swordfish, salmon, shrimp, crab, lobster and catch of the day. An extensive wine menu and happy hour are available.
Best Sushi
Rock Lobster
2475 W. Queen Creek Road
480-821-9000
Technically, Rock Lobster is a Japanese-fusion restaurant but the star of the show is sushi. All of the classic sea life is available as sashimi or nigiri on the Traditional Sushi Menu. And you’ll find the usual suspects on the Traditional Rolls Menu, as well.
Best Brewery
SanTan Brewing
8 S. San Marcos Place
480-917-8700
This business always has been about creating meaningful occasions around craft food and drink with a commitment to crafting uncommon, consistent quality the local community can count on since the day it opened in downtown Chandler in 2007. The beers began winning national and statewide awards as customers flocked to the brewery-restaurant.
