5 Restaurants to Try in Phoenix

The Fry Bread House serves what its name says: delicious fry bread, a Native American treat often referred to as Navajo fry bread that is associated with carnivals and fairs. Basically it’s dough fried in a skillet in a puddle of vegetable shortening, which produces a puffy, golden brown disk of bread tasty enough to eat plain. Of course at The Fry Bread House, they don’t just serve it plain. You can get it folded around a wide variety of taco ingredients including cheese, beans, ground beef and chorizo. And for dessert try an open-faced fry bread topped with honey, chocolate sauce or cinnamon and sugar.

Phoenix is among the handful of locales claiming to be the birthplace of the deep-fried burrito known as the chimichanga, now found at Mexican-themed restaurants throughout the United States. La Piñata has been refining their signature chimichanga dish since it first opened in 1970, and claims to be the first to serve it topped with guacamole, cheese, sour cream, diced tomatoes and onions. To get the full Sonoran experience, order a chimi filled with flavorful machaca beef and a side of cheese crisp—a flour tortilla smothered beneath a layer of cheeses that looks like a Mexican interpretation of a pizza.

A standout among local restaurants, La Santisima delivers unique flavors from diverse Mexican regions (including the state of Sonora) with their menu of taco, burrito (called burros locally) and quesadilla dishes. Among the fresh, appetizing ingredients that make this place so popular you’ll find Oaxacan cheese, fresh flour tortillas, chiles, wild mushrooms, dogfish and arrachera steak. Rightfully famous for their tacos—particularly the Sonoran carne asada or the Mayan cochinita pibil tacos—La Santisima also offers an amazing salsa bar with more than a dozen homemade versions to choose from.

Macayo’s has been a Phoenix institution since 1946 when founder Woody Johnson is said to have accidentally created the first chimichanga. So of course this Desert Sky Mall location of the legendary chain serves chimis—three kinds—as well as other Mexican favorites like tacos, burros (burritos) and fajitas. Sonoran-style cheese crisp is a popular starter, and if you’re having trouble choosing the perfect dish, try the Sonoran enchilada trio—three savory enchiladas filled with beef, chicken and cheese. And if you have a sweet tooth, try the mini chocolate chimis for dessert. The dining room’s bright, contrasting colors create a festive setting for your meal, so it’s no surprise that Macayo is one of the Desert Sky area’s fun things to do with friends.

A staple of carts, food trucks and other mobile places to eat throughout Phoenix, Sonoran hot dogs inspire a devoted and passionate following among locals, who all seem to have a favorite version. The typical Sonoran-style dog is grilled, wrapped in bacon and topped with beans, chopped tomatoes and onions and drizzled with mayo. They usually come served in a roll called a bolillo that’s more like French bread than a traditional hot dog bun. Additional mouth-watering toppings you’ll see around town include cheese, guacamole, salsa, jalapenos, mustard and ketchup.