CEM Food Recommendations

Recommendations overheard at the watercooler.

Recent reviews

La Santisima

Jacob
A plethero of delicious tacos, best salsa in the state.

Rice Paddy

Marky
Got a stirfry, they got that wok hei.

Happy Baos

The Watercooler

Recommendations from folks affiliated with Center for Evolution and Medicine (and their moms!)

Bagels

Bongiorno Bagels

3107 S Gilbert Rd #101, Gilbert, AZ 85295

Jenn
They got that New York water filter so the water is NY water.

India
By my authority of my New York hat, I can declare that this is the best bagel place in Arizona.

Noah
+1 (maybe more?) to this place. Best bagels I’ve had in AZ, although that isn’t a very high bar. I would eat them again (and I do), so maybe that means something?

Bagel Man

5035 E Elliot Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85044

Marky
Best bagels West of the Mississippi. I should know, I am from East of the Mississippi.

Layla
Best bagels in Arizona.

Back East Bagels

India
They aight bagels by NY standards.

Bakery

Noble Eatery

4525 N 24th St, Phoenix, AZ 85016

Suhail
Best bread I've had in Arizona so far though unfortunately, you have to wake up early to go to the farmers market since the store is only open on weekdays and closes at 4pm. Would also recommend their roasted brocollini.

Alice
Delicious bread.

Jenn
Great bread in Arizona.

Breadsmith

10355 N La Cañada Dr, Oro Valley, AZ 85737

Marky
They make good sourdough though unfortunately you have to go to Tucson to get it.

Proof Bread

125 W Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201

Jenn
They make the good bread.

Bao

Happy Baos

Marky
Sick soup dumblings.

Bbq

Joes Real Bbq

Cyril
My go to for weekend lunches

Jenn
Great dine in place

Little Miss Bbq

Noah
Brisket melts in your mouth

Toms Bbq

115 E Baseline Rd, Tempe, AZ 85283

Rydberg
Their pulled pork sandwiches are so good.

Burgers

Zinburger

344 N Gilbert Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85234

Burger Rush

Lenora
Great charboiled burgers right here in Tempe. Love their brocolli. They also do impossible burger now!

Kopps Frozen Custard

Cyril
Best burgers in AZ.

Chicken Wings

Angels Trumpet

810 N 2nd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004

Matt
They got the best chicken wings and I can state that as a fact because I be from NY.

Rydberg
Beer flights, big patio. Pretty dang good, fried chicken sandwich with homemade BBQ sauce. What not to like?

Reathrey Sekong

1312 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85014

Samantha
Its a Cambodian restaurant but they got the best chicken wings.

Dirty Drummer

2303 N 44th St, Phoenix, AZ 85008

Sergio
Their wings are insane and huge, they got meat on that bitch. Fried and grilled.

Zesty Zzeeks

3139 S Mill Ave, Tempe, AZ 85282

Debbie
Crispy chicken wings, reheatability is high!

Empanada

Republica Empanada

Suhail
Haven't gone here yet but heard many good things.

Fried Chicken

Houstan Hot Chicken

Cyril
Phenomenal fries, sauce was flavorful but a bit watery so there is potential to make a mess. Chicken was is good, their spiciness levels have a corresponding scoville heat units so there is a quantative side which is very much appreciated. I went with liftoff level (600k sku) and was very pleased. Would recommend and come again!

Marky
Was expensive, like $20 for a sandwich, fries and drink.

Jollibee

2800 E Germann Rd, Chandler, AZ 85286

Cyril
A Jollibee in a neighborhood is a sign of a booming Filipino community nearby.

Fries

Houstan Hot Chicken

Cyril
Phenomenal fries, sauce was flavorful but a bit watery so there is potential to make a mess. Chicken was is good, their spiciness levels have a corresponding scoville heat units so there is a quantative side which is very much appreciated. I went with liftoff level (600k sku) and was very pleased. Would recommend and come again!

Marky
Was expensive, like $20 for a sandwich, fries and drink.

Arizona Wilderness Gilbert Brewpub

721 N Arizona Ave, Gilbert, AZ 85233

Jackie
Their rosemary fries are banging.

Eegees

3535 E Baseline Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85234

Cyril
Their fries are hella sturdy.

Freddys Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

1405 N Arizona Ave, Gilbert, AZ 85233

Cyril
They got the good french fries.

Hudson Eatery & Bar

1601 E Apache Blvd, Tempe, AZ 85281

Suhail
Best fries according to Phoenix New times.

Hummus

Greek Wraps

Samantha
This ain't no ordinary hummus

Pizza

Otto Pizza & Pastry

804 S Ash Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281

Suhail
Their weggie pizza is also banging, the dough is straight up cash money.

Cyril
What is lovely

Rydberg
Their chef is hella French and its a family run place.

My Pie

777 S College Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281

Cyril
Good lunch break pizza, its all about that angry bird or pesto chicken for mes

Suhail
Pizza my way all the way. Used to have unlimited wegetables which meant a mound of wegetables with a bread tray. Unfortunate that it no longer exists but still solid lunch choice.

Marky
Best New York-esque pizza I've had in Arizona so far.

Pomo Pizzeria

705 N 1st St UNIT 120, Phoenix, AZ 85004

Jeff
Best pizza in AZ. They got funky flavors like chilli honey drizzle. Hella Vegan.

Alice
Hella good pizza.

Lou Malnatis

27 S McClintock Dr, Tempe, AZ 85288

Jenn
They make the deep dish.

Cyril
My pizza place.

Pizzeria Bianco

623 E Adams St, Phoenix, AZ 85004

Alice
Best pizza in US (as well). Can't get enough!

Noah
(Town & Country is my go-to location). Best pizza in AZ and up there across the US. Did you see the netflix special?

Brooklyn Vs Pizza

20911 E Rittenhouse Rd, Queen Creek, AZ 85142

Jenn
Get strommpoli instead of calzone

Sals Gilbert Pizza

1150 S Gilbert Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85296

Jenn
They got the good stromboni, cannot go wrong.

Fly Bye

3912 E Camelback Rd Ste. #100, Phoenix, AZ 85018

Suhail
Detroit style pizza from the same folks who created Zin Burger.

Craft 64

68 W Buffalo St, Chandler, AZ 85225

Steph
Good pizza if I may say so myself.

Organ Stop Pizza

Suhail
Alright pizza but they got a bigly Organ and have special performances on Christmas.

Spinatos Pizzeria

96 S Rockford Dr, Tempe, AZ 85288

Suhail
Me favorite pizza, didn't think there was such a thing as good wegetarian pizza. Their marinara sauce is wundaba, they also sell it at the restaurant and at sprouts.

Cibo

603 N 5th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85003

Alice
Best pizza in US and also very romantic if you want to take a girl out for dinner.

Ramen/noodles

Clever Koi

4236 N Central Ave #100, Phoenix, AZ 85012

Alice
Cheap, high quality and delicious.

Cyril
A+ ramen, would go again.

Marky
I'm all about that homemade delicious ramen.

Suhail
Love the shape of their bowls.

Noah
Has the best happy hour cocktails

Cherryblossom Noodle Cafe

Cyril
Great noodles place.

Suhail
Cozy little place for noodles, their tofu was great.

Noodleholics

3502 E Grant Rd, Tucson, AZ 85716

Cyril
Their beef shank noodles are bomb.

Nishikawa Ramen

3141 E Indian School Rd #110, Phoenix, AZ 85016

Cyril
My number 2 ramen place in Arizona.

Kungfu Ramen

1845 E Broadway Rd UNIT 127, Tempe, AZ 85282

Lenora
A delightful place and must try, the chef pulls noodles by hand.

Jinya Ramen

Jackie
They are like trendy fun ramen but also very tasty.

Ramen Kagawa

111 W Monroe St #130, Phoenix, AZ 85003

Alice
They got good vegeterian options.

Jinya Ramen Bar

130 S Arizona Ave #1, Chandler, AZ 85225

Cyril
This is the number 1 ramen place on my list.

Seafood

Pa'la

Noah
their new location in downtown is amazing. They have awesome specials and delicious food/drink. You can also enjoy their homemade pasta, but the flame-cooked veggies/meats/fish are to die for.

Angies Lobster

835 W Baseline Rd, Tempe, AZ 85283

Rydberg
Its a food truck and their price to lobster size ratio is off the charts.

Baby Kays Cajun Kitchen

Suhail
Their crab cake is mad good and the live music is a bonus.

Sushi

Hana Sushi

Noah
Phoenix (7th and Missouri - not the other hana location). Got short-listed for a James Beard award. So freaking good

Akita Sushi

Mikado Sushi

3125 S Alma School Rd #3b, Chandler, AZ 85248

Lenora
My absolute favorite sushi place in Arizona!.

Sushi Vibe

100 E Camelback Rd #154, Phoenix, AZ 85012

Alice
Really fresh, sushi of higher quality than usual.

Woodfire

Pa'la

Noah
their new location in downtown is amazing. They have awesome specials and delicious food/drink. You can also enjoy their homemade pasta, but the flame-cooked veggies/meats/fish are to die for.

country

African

West Hut

3110 N Central Ave Ste D-183, Phoenix, AZ 85012

Alice
Restaurant feels out of place among the offices around it but they got delicious plantains.

American

Joes Real Bbq

Cyril
My go to for weekend lunches

Jenn
Great dine in place

Little Miss Bbq

Noah
Brisket melts in your mouth

Farm At South Mountain

6106 S 32nd St, Phoenix, AZ 85042

Lenora
You can walk around and meet chickens!

Cajun

Baby Kays Cajun Kitchen

Suhail
Their crab cake is mad good and the live music is a bonus.

Cambodian

Reathrey Sekong

1312 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85014

Samantha
Its a Cambodian restaurant but they got the best chicken wings.

Thailys

Suhail
Best Cambodian food according to N sources!

Chinese

Happy Baos

Marky
Sick soup dumblings.

Old Town Taste

1845 E Broadway Rd, Tempe, AZ 85281

Jacob
Absolute favorite Chinese place in Arizona.

Filipino

Lutong Bahay

9250 N 43rd Ave Ste 14, Glendale, AZ 85302

Cyril
Exceptional food, they got the pig face meat. Service isn't great but would recommend takeout.

Casa Filipina Bakeshop

3531 W Thunderbird Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85053

Cyril
Great Filipino food, only second to Lutong Bahai.

Jollibee

2800 E Germann Rd, Chandler, AZ 85286

Cyril
A Jollibee in a neighborhood is a sign of a booming Filipino community nearby.

French

Cafe Paris

Jenn
Looks like a nice French cafe.

Paris Rendez-Vous

Jenn
They got the canele

Zinque

Jenn
Good Tapas

Greek

Greek Wraps

Samantha
This ain't no ordinary hummus

Indian

The Dhaba

1872 Apache Blvd, Tempe, AZ 85281

Marky
Good food innit

Little India Chaat

Vroni
Great Indian street food.

Passage To India

909 E Elliot Rd, Tempe, AZ 85284

Miguel
Best Indian food, got lamb tikka massala with rice and two garlic butter naans, delightful.

Woodlands Vegetarian South Indian Kitchen

Marky
Great Indian dosa place.

Korean

Manna Bbq

1135 S Dobson Rd, Mesa, AZ 85202

Cyril
We'll go there one day.

Gen Korean Bbq House

Cyril
Good Korean BBQ.

Latin

Republica Empanada

Suhail
Haven't gone here yet but heard many good things.

Mexican

Testal Mexican Kitchen

Miguel
Great burrito place.

Suhail
They got great vegetarian options and the potatoes in their burritos are magnificient. Plus its on my favorite street in Arizona.

Maskadores Taco Shop

Lenora
I'd recommend it!

Los Taquitos

Miguel
They got great carne asada nachos.

Los Favoritos Taco Shop

5865 W Ray Rd #11, Chandler, AZ 85226

Lenora
Good breakfast burritos!

Ajo Als Mexican Cafe

5101 N 16th St, Phoenix, AZ 85016

Jenn
Good Mexican food.

Taco Nazo

1405 W Southern Ave, Tempe, AZ 85282

Rydberg
They make tortillas with lard. Their posole soup is good, I just get bean cheese and rice burrito. Carne Asada is so good!

Gallo Blanco

928 E Pierce St, Phoenix, AZ 85006

Trisha
Great Mexican food and they got a great bread pudding.

Mangos Mexican Cafe

44 W Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201

Steph
They got really good fresh juices.

Paquime Street Food Of Mexico

Miguel
Great Mexican street food.

Si Senor

600 N Alma School Rd, Chandler, AZ 85224

David
This ain't Meixcan food, this is New Mexican food from my home town!

Saudi Arabian

Mandi House

Suhail
The best (and only) Saudi restaurant and its right here in Tempe. It also has the marker for great Saudi food which is floor seating. It used to have a second restaurant YS Mandi but that restaurant now has a different owner and never changed the name.

Thai

Yuphas Thai Kitchen

Venezuelan

Que Chevere

142 W Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201

Steph
Great Venezuelan place.

Vietnamese

Rice Paddy

6219 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85014

Marky
Got a stirfry, they got that wok hei.

dining

Breakfast/brunch

Joes Farm Grill

3000 E Ray Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85296

Jenn
Great chicken sandwiches, love going there for breakfast

Cyril
It has become my weekend go to for me and the family.

Los Favoritos Taco Shop

5865 W Ray Rd #11, Chandler, AZ 85226

Lenora
Good breakfast burritos!

The Octillo

3243 N 3rd St., Phoenix, AZ 85012

Suhail
Nice quiet seating, smoked salmon was banging plus it got served on a cutting board. Bonus: There is a cat that roams around the restaurant that you can pet.

El Chorro

5550 East Lincoln Drive Paradise Valley, AZ 85253

Suhail
Excellent view though its a bit on the pricey side. Bring your upper class out of town friends here.

Dinein

Joes Farm Grill

3000 E Ray Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85296

Jenn
Great chicken sandwiches, love going there for breakfast

Cyril
It has become my weekend go to for me and the family.

Rice Paddy

6219 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85014

Marky
Got a stirfry, they got that wok hei.

Chelseas Kitchen

5040 N 40th St, Phoenix, AZ 85018

Alice
Complex, subtle flavor, very good fish, I was impressed! Nice terrace, good for dates.

Cider Corps

Topo Arizona

Jenn
Great dine-in restaurant in Gilbert.

Cafe Paris

Jenn
Looks like a nice French cafe.

Organ Stop Pizza

Suhail
Alright pizza but they got a bigly Organ and have special performances on Christmas.

The Octillo

3243 N 3rd St., Phoenix, AZ 85012

Suhail
Nice quiet seating, smoked salmon was banging plus it got served on a cutting board. Bonus: There is a cat that roams around the restaurant that you can pet.

El Chorro

5550 East Lincoln Drive Paradise Valley, AZ 85253

Suhail
Excellent view though its a bit on the pricey side. Bring your upper class out of town friends here.

Farm At South Mountain

6106 S 32nd St, Phoenix, AZ 85042

Lenora
You can walk around and meet chickens!

Hangout

Xtreme Bean Coffee

Rydberg
Its big, cheap, cool place to hang out, decent coffee. They all very nice people, they got bagels and cheesecakes.

Tapas

Tapas Papa Frita

7114 E Stetson Dr #210, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Steph
One of the few tapas options in Arizona.

Perch Brewery

720 W Ray Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85233

Jackie
Good tapas during happy hour.

Zinque

Jenn
Good Tapas

dessert

Canele

Paris Rendez-Vous

Jenn
They got the canele

Cheesecake

Banhams Cheesecake

2836 E Indian School Rd STE A3, Phoenix, AZ 85016

Rita
By far the best cheesecake in whole of Arizona, cannot be proved wrong.

Lenora
Can confirm, best cheesecake in Arizona.

Suhail
Was worth standing in line for.

Jenn
Most certainly the best cheesecake in Arizona.

Rydberg
That cheesecake was really good.

Icecream

Handels Homemade Ice Cream

2000 E Rio Salado Pkwy Suite 1062, Tempe, AZ 85288

Jenn
They make great handmade ice creams.

Diary Queen

Vroni
Would do anything for a Diary Queen!